Today’s most compelling cruises are less about onboard distractions and more about where the ship can take you — often to places unreachable any other way. In fact, the following, one-of-a-kind itineraries prove that cruising can be adventurous, intimate, and genuinely transformative.

Antarctica: The ultimate expedition

Few travel experiences rival a journey to Antarctica, Earth’s southernmost continent. Expedition cruises to this frozen frontier are designed not for passive sightseeing, but for active exploration. Travelers trade deck chairs for zodiac landings, stepping onto the Antarctic Peninsula or navigating the ice-choked waters of the Weddell Sea.

The rewards are extraordinary. Penguins waddle past in improbable numbers. Whales surface beside the ship. Seals lounge on ice floes as towering glaciers crack and calve nearby. The landscape feels untouched, vast, and humbling — an overwhelming reminder of how small we are in the grand scheme of things. This is cruising stripped down to its essence: transportation, expertise, and access to one of the most remote places on Earth.

Galapagos: Small ships, big impact

At the opposite end of the temperature spectrum lies the Galapagos Islands, where cruising is less about luxury and more about preservation. Strict regulations limit vessel size, ensuring an intimate, eco-focused experience that protects this extraordinary ecosystem.

Small-ship cruises allow travelers to encounter wildlife found nowhere else on the planet. Giant tortoises lumber across volcanic landscapes. Marine iguanas sun themselves on black lava rocks. Snorkeling reveals sea lions, sharks, and technicolor fish beneath the surface. Guided by naturalists, each landing becomes a living biology lesson and a reminder of how tourism can deepen our appreciation without diminishing what makes a place special.

Svalbard: The arctic dream

North of the Arctic Circle, Svalbard offers a cruising experience that feels almost otherworldly. This Norwegian archipelago is defined by dramatic fjords, jagged mountains, and a vast polar wilderness where humans are visitors, not residents.

Cruises here revolve around wildlife and light. Polar bears roam the ice. Walruses haul out on rocky shores. Arctic foxes dart across the tundra. In summer, the midnight sun bathes everything in an endless golden glow, stretching days into dreamlike continuity. Svalbard isn’t about checking off sights — it’s about immersion in a place where nature dictates the schedule.

Kimberley Coast: Australia’s wild northwest

Australia’s Kimberley Coast is one of the country’s last great frontiers and cruising is often the only practical way to explore it. Expedition vessels navigate this remote northwest region, revealing landscapes shaped by time, tides, and culture.

Travelers encounter towering gorges, thunderous waterfalls, and powerful tidal phenomena like horizontal falls. Ancient Aboriginal rock art offers a profound connection to human history stretching back tens of thousands of years. Along the way, saltwater crocodiles patrol the rivers, reinforcing the sense that this is raw, untamed Australia. It’s rugged, remote, and unforgettable.

Amazon River: Into the rainforest

River cruising takes on an entirely different meaning in the Amazon. Here, ships slip deep into the world’s largest rainforest, navigating narrow tributaries that pulse with life.

Days are spent spotting pink river dolphins, sloths, and vibrant birdlife, or visiting indigenous communities whose cultures are intertwined with the jungle. Guided excursions reveal medicinal plants, hidden waterways, and ecosystems found nowhere else. The Amazon isn’t flashy — it’s immersive, alive, and endlessly fascinating.

Blake Snow contributes to fancy publications and Fortune 500 companies as a bodacious writer-for-hire and seasoned travel journalist to all seven continents. He lives in Provo, Utah with his wife, five children, and one ferocious chihuahua.