Huge Growth for Expedition Cruises

NiNe New expeditioN cruise vessels are to be built this year aNd seveN more Are expeCTed for 2021.

Cruise travel has never been more popular. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is expecting 32 million passengers to set sail in 2020. A growing portion of these travellers are opting for an expedition cruise. As a result, there has been a huge increase in the number of dedicated vessels being built especially for this cruise segment. “The expedition cruise sector is seeing huge

growth, driven by lines building new ships including Silversea, Scenic, Celebrity Cruises, and Hapag-Lloyd. This has been driven by demand for cruise holidays which take guests to destinations, for authentic, indepth experiences”, comments CLIA Vice president of Strategic Communications Julie Green. “The expedition cruise sector is expected to continue to grow over the coming years. This year, nine expedition

Polar class 6 expedition vessel Hondius during a recent cruise to Svalbard.

ships will enter the market, followed by seven more in 2021.” While expedition cruise figures for 2019 are not available as of yet, the 2018 data shows a significant growth in the number of passengers. Globally, 1,480,000 travellers took an expedition cruise, an increase of 30% compared to 2017. If that growth continues, roughly 2,5 million passengers will set sail on an expedition vessel in 2020. That is a significant number, given the fact that expedition vessels are considerably smaller than regular cruise ships.

Expedition Cruises are Changing While expedition cruising is not a new concept in itself, the way it is being done has changed considerably over the past few years. “As well as attracting an increasing number of travellers, the expedition cruise sector is also showcasing the leading edge of technological innovation for cruise ships”, explains ms Green. “In the past, expedition cruising meant boarding ships that were originally designed for a different purpose. It used to mean foregoing comfort in a bid to see some of the globe’s most far-flung, unusual, and exotic destinations. However, thanks to a new breed of ships, this is no longer the case.” The next generation of expedition cruise

vessels offers passengers an exceptional level of comfort, not just matching the amenities offered on regular cruise liners but often even surpassing the level of luxury. “As such, a move towards unusual, off-the-beaten-track cruise destinations and the addition of new ships to the expedition market, mean expedition cruises are more accessible and popular than ever”, states ms Green. “As well as attracting repeat ocean cruisers who are looking for a completely different adventure, the next generation of expedition cruises also attracts newcomers to cruises, as expedition cruises are breaking the mould in terms of their perception of cruising.”

Onboard Expedition Team expedition vessels are designed to give guests the ultimate viewing experience, while remaining respectful of local wildlife and cultural heritage. In addition to the size of the vessels, there is another key difference to expedition cruises compared to other cruise ships. “These are ‘sight-do’ cruises, rather than ‘sight-see’, and perfectly illustrate how travellers are increasingly looking for new and different experiences”, >>

State of the Cruise Industry Outlook

In december 2019, Cruise Lines International Association released the 2020 State of the Cruise Industry outlook report. According to the analysis, cruising sustained 1,177,000 jobs equalling eUr 46 billion in wages and salaries and eUr 140 billion total output worldwide in 2018. The newly released data shows 32 million passengers are expected to set sail in 2020. To meet ongoing demand, CLIA Cruise Lines are scheduled to debut 19 new ocean ships in the upcoming year, resulting in a total of 278 CLIA Cruise Line ocean ships projected to be in operation by the end of 2020.

tells ms Green. “one of the reasons expedition cruises are so popular is the addition of dedicated onboard expedition teams. They consist of experienced expedition and adventure leaders who have worked in the industry for many years. during shore excursions or onboard lectures, and when sitting down with guests at dinner, expedition teams share their stories and knowledge on the wildlife, culture, and history of the destinations the guests will explore as part of their cruise.” When ships are anchored, the ship’s expedition team takes guests out in small groups on zodiacs to explore the destination. most ships will also have kayaks onboard for guests to use. This allows the passengers to get up close and personal with their destination.

Bucket-List Trip Among companies offering expedition cruises, the growing popularity has not gone unnoticed either. polar travel pioneers oceanwide expeditions took possession of its newest vessel Hondius in may last year and immediately ordered sistership Janssonius. “There is an increasing demand for polar expeditions”, comments marketing & Sales manager franklin Braeckman. “The growing popularity of expedition cruises is evident in the figures from eACo and the International Association of Antarctica Tour operators (IAATo), as well as in our own bookings.” Traveling in the polar regions remains a unique experience and a dream for many. “It is a so-called bucket-list trip, states mr Braeckman. “There is nowhere in the world where you feel as small or as aware of the environment than in a polar region”, he explains. “Whether you sail in a Greenland fjord, have a view of the pack ice in North Spitsbergen or you are among icebergs in Antarctica, the landscapes are unique and breath-taking. Whether people are admiring the many animals in their natural habitat or taking pictures of an iceberg from a zodiac, polar expeditions are an unforgettable experience.”

Size Matters According to mr Braeckman, size is everything when it comes to expedition cruise vessels. “There are between 100 and 174 passengers on our expedition ships. A standard cruise ship easily counts thousands of passengers. By using smaller expedition vessels, the atmosphere on board is different and you can also sail to unique locations inaccessible to larger ships”, he reveals. “Another big difference is the focus on the destination itself. our goal is to get you ashore as often as possible. our sea routes are short and direct, maximising the time on land. We have enough zodiacs on board to take all passengers ashore quickly and safely.” oceanwide expeditions is eagerly awaiting the 2021 delivery of Hondius’ sistership Janssonius, which is also being built by Brodosplit Shipyard in Croatia. “of course we have the possibility to make small improvements thanks to the experience we

Artist impression of Silversea Cruises’ newest expedition cruise vessel Silver Origin which will be completed this year. Oceanwide Expeditions has ordered a new expedition cruise vessel: Janssonius will be Hondius’ sister ship.

Photo courtesy of Oceanwide Expeditions.

The observation lounge onboard Silversea’s Silver Origin allows passengers uninterrupted views of its destinations.

Expedition cruise vessels carry zodiacs on board to allow passengers to get up close and personal with nature.

now have with the Hondius, but after almost a year of sailing with the Hondius, we are enthusiastic about this ship more than ever. As a result, Janssonius is an almost complete copy of Hondius.” Hondius was the first such ship to be built in the class Lr pC6, which meets the latest Lloyd registry requirements for polar Class 6 vessels. It is one of the most eco-minded vessels on the polar seas with Led lighting, steam heating, and bio-degradable paints and lubricants as some of the green initiatives implemented.

Immersive Experience Another expedition vessel making its debut this year is Silversea’s Silver origin. It is the cruise line’s first ever destination-specific ship, designed and built for the Galapagos Islands. The 100-passenger, all-suites Silver >>

MORE POWERFUL THAN EVER BEFORE

INTRODUCING OUR NEW 350/500 KW MODELS

350 kW

With options from 6 to 500 kW—including built-in paralleling controllers—KOHLER ® marine generators are the ultimate in power and intelligence.

Phone: 1-800-544-2444 | 31-168-331-630

500 kW

Large eet of spooling winches up to 350t Reeving of Crane Wire Ropes Inspections of Lifting & Rigging gear Crane Wire Ropes & Load Testing

People Product Performance Biggest Rigging Company in the world

Biggest Company in Rental of Heavy Lift Equipment

Modular Spreader Beams up to 3.000t - Shackles up to 2.000t Grommets & Roundslings - ROV Hooks & Shackles Cherry Pickers - Telehandlers - Waterpumps - Generators Waterbags - Testweights - Pontoons - Fenders - Gangways Snatchblocks - Lifting Frames - Multi Lugs - Hoists - Swivels Masterlinks - Hydraulics - Container Spreaders - Light Towers www.safelifting. eu rental@safelifting.eu +31 10 434 63 33

origin offers an immersive concept with an expedition team certified by the National park of the Galapagos. Guests can enjoy ecuadorian culture on board through daily briefings, lectures, videos, and scientific information. They will also be served authentic local cuisine prepared by ecuadorian chefs. one of the most innovative spaces on board is the Basecamp lounge in which guests can socialise before and after excursions. It connects with the vessel’s Zodiac embarkation area and will host educational activities, where guests can interact with the onboard expedition Team to learn more about the wildlife, landscapes and history of the Galapagos Islands. Silver origin will be one of the most environmentally-friendly cruise ships ever built, states roberto martinoli, Silversea Cruises’ Ceo. “ever since the early planning phases, every decision on Silver origin has been made to strengthen the connection between our guests and this spectacular, unique destination.”

Hanseatic Nature is one of three vessels that Hapag Lloyd is adding to its new expedition cruise class.

Photo courtesy of Hapag Lloyd Cruises.

Environmentally-Conscious While the newly built expedition cruise vessels offer passengers increasing levels of comfort, the design generally also includes the latest environmentally-conscious techniques. The Silver origin, for instance, has a dynamic positioning system that will allow the vessel to automatically maintain position, to protect the sea floor. freshwater purification systems, installed in each suite, will enable the ship to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic bottles. It has an advanced wastewater treatment system and the vessel will meet the highest standards of energy efficiency in the segment. Another company that is taking its environmental responsibilities seriously is Hapag Lloyd Cruises. It has added a new expedition class to its fleet consisting of three new vessels. The first two, Hanseatic Nature and Hanseatic Inspiration, were commissioned in April and october 2019. The Hanseatic Spirit will join the fleet in may 2021. The three structurally identical vessels are small, manoeuvrable, and state-of-theart. They can accommodate up to 230 guests, or 199 on Antarctic cruises and circumnavigations of Spitsbergen. The pC6 ice class, two extendible balconies, the Nature Walk deck tour at the ship’s bow, seventeen onboard Zodiacs and e-Zodiacs with eco-friendly electric drive systems, and a marina and on-board kayaks all enable passengers to enjoy intensive experiences of nature. All three vessels are fitted with an SCr catalytic converter, which reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by almost 95%. The ships also have promAS rudders with special propellers and a special hull design to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. “Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has implemented a range of environmental protection measures, some of which go beyond the legal requirements”, reveals Karl J. pojer, Ceo of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. “for example, the company does not use heavy oil in areas that

Hurtigruten’s newest expedition vessel Roald Amundsen has a science centre on board with state-of-the-art technology and science equipment.

Photo courtesy of Hurtigruten / Agurtxane Concellon.

require particular protection and uses lowpollutant marine gas oil on around 70% of its expedition cruises. from July 2020, marine gas oil will be used on all routes for the entire expedition fleet.”

i. cruising.org i. oceanwide-expeditions.com i. silversea.com i. hl-cruises.com