The Expedition Collection - January Sale

Welcome to Expedition cruising.

Expedition cruising will change your life. Whether you’re exploring Antarctica, Arctic, or somewhere in between, an expedition is always an eye-opening experience. Wildlife, landscapes, education, and shared experiences with like-minded people, you’re guaranteed to go home with memories that will last a lifetime.

There is an emphasis on exploration and land-based excursions as you sail from place to place in awe of your surroundings; sights you have only previously dreamed about. There are specialists, guides, and lecturers onboard giving unparalleled insight into your surroundings. Some ships even have small submarines and helicopters on them!

Open up and read all about typical expedition destinations; Arctic, Antarctica, and the Galapagos Islands. Learn what you’ll see there and find some fantastic offers from our expedition cruise line partners.

Cole, Founder & Managing Director james.cole@panachecruises.com

James

Expedition Cruising

We live in a wonderful world.

From the North Pole to the South Pole; the Galápagos in the west to Papua New Guinea in the east, there’s so much to see. Flora, fauna; huge cities, dense jungles, and vast deserts. Fire, ice, or something milder. The best thing is, all these places are touched by oceans and seas. We can drink in everything our world has to offer from the comfort of an incredible, luxurious purpose-built cruise ship.

Expedition cruising is a relative newcomer when it comes to the seaborne holidays. They’re a different kind of cruise, removed from the traditional idea of cruising to, around, and back from a comfort zone. Expedition cruises do comfort, but way out of your comfort zone. To say these itineraries are ‘offthe-beaten-track’ would be a gross understatement; these are not holiday destinations at all. You will be seeing the real and natural world in all its glory on any Expedition cruise. You’ll be walking paths that have as yet been untrodden. You’ll be seeing elements of the environment that you have only ever seen on nature programmes or read about in books.

Emphatically described as a path of enlightenment that takes an average holiday-maker from tourist to intrepid adventurer, Expedition cruises take those adventurers to the farthest-flung corners of the globe. Expedition ships take you to places not easily accessible to traditional cruise ships, like Antarctica, the final cruising frontier.

Typically beautifully made-up ships are fitted with areas to feed your mind. You’ll enjoy onboard lectures from journeyed experts and take Zodiac boats out on guided excursions to sites you could only dream of before. Some ships have submarines or helicopters, helping you get to the heart of a place; to feel its soul. An Expedition cruise is an adventure waiting to happen.

Antarctica

Ushuaia

Going with the Floe

Written by Gary Buchanan

The most expensive expedition ship ever built, Silver Endeavour is introducing a new echelon of experiential luxe. Panache Ambassador, Gary Buchanan extols the rapture of an expedition voyage to Antarctica and reports on Silversea’s latest trailblazer.

An armada of steep-sided, flat-topped icebergs paraded past us like a welcoming party, each one illuminated by the glow of the sun. We were navigating Antarctica’s scenic Lemaire Channel, where mountains of rock erupt sheer-sided from the sea. Crabeater and Weddell seals lying together on frozen rafts of ice were awakened from their midday nap and slid back into the sea. The surface of the ice-strewn ocean suddenly erupted as mother and calf humpbacks spouted before arching and fluking. It was just one spine-tingling moment during a cruise overflowing with rapture.

Our first steps on the vast White Continent were taken at the Chilean research station of González Videla, in the aptly named Paradise Bay. Here Gentoo penguins were feeding their offspring. It’s impossible to ignore the grace of these birds; for in spite of their comic, officious waddle on land, in their natural habitat, their agility is outstanding. The sheer escarpments guarding Deception Island are cleaved by a passage called Neptune’s Bellows, where the ocean pours into an interior lagoon that’s actually a flooded caldera.

Exploring a battalion of tabular icebergs from the nifty Zodiacs, we marvelled at the exotic shapes and discovered this was far from simply a continent in monochrome - of white ice and black rock. Threedimensional stripes of incandescent delphinium blue streak through these towering structures created aeons ago. Trillions of pixels captured the stunning beauty of an immense aquamarine sculpture whose 100-foot ice arch swept above us. As far as the eye could see, lustrous monoliths were being calved from the frozen blue cliffs of ancient ice. It’s almost twenty years since I ventured to Terra Australis – the frozen continent that lies at the bottom of the globe. For ten surreal days, the vessel

called home short-changed on creature comforts, but was as good as it got in those nascent days. In recent years, ships have upped the ante in lavishness, and now there’s a veritable flotilla of superbly-appointed vessels finely-tuned to Polar exploration – it’s predicted that by next year there will be 90 ships. But nothing can compare with the latest paragon from the undisputed maestros of this niche cruise conceit – Silversea Expeditions.

In July 2022, the trailblazing, 200-guest Silver Endeavour was acquired by Silversea Expeditions. First launched in June 2021 as Crystal Endeavor, the most expensive expedition ship ever built has

an impressive crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1; it also has the highest space-to-guest ratio of any luxury ship crafted exclusively for exploration.

On 19th November, this aristocrat of the seas arrived at the majestic Lemaire Channel for her rechristening ceremony. Media and industry partners were joined by British expedition leader and climate scientist, Felicity Aston MBE - Godmother to Silver Endeavour. Clad in red Silversea parkas, thick gloves and beanie hats, guests embarked a convoy of Zodiacs to witness the Godmother consign an icesculpted magnum of Champagne to smash against the ship’s hull.

Silver Endeavour’s Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; Italian cuisine is created nightly at the intimate Il Terrazzino; while gastronomic specialities feature on the dinner menu at La Dame. Located beside the pool, the casual Grill serves breakfast and lunch, a more intimate vibe is created in the evening when the menu is à la carte.

The Explorer Lounge is the locale for onboard lectures; there’s also a Connoisseur’s Lounge; Arts Café; Observation Lounge with wraparound windows; plus Library; Boutique; Otium Spa, with three treatment rooms, thermal areas for men and women, and Beauty Salon. A two-deck high, glassenclosed Solarium covers a sizable swimming pool and whirlpool.

Accommodation includes: Classic Veranda Suites; Superior Veranda Suites; Deluxe Veranda Suites; Premium Veranda Suites; Silver Suites; an Owner’s Suite; and a Grand Suite. All have king-sized beds, televisions, walk-in wardrobes, plus warm storage for drying parkas, bathrooms with heated floors and rainfall showerheads. All guests are pampered in the care of butlers.

Accompanying all landings and Zodiac excursions is a 20-strong team of Expedition specialists. There’s also a Marina where guests can climb into two-person ocean kayaks to explore the seascape accompanied by expedition team members.

With a maximum service speed of 19 knots, Silver Endeavour is the ‘fastest ship in the Poles’, the draft of 6.1 metres and raised bow also ensure excellent stability. Silversea Expeditions offers guests the

exclusive Antarctica Bridge, which takes away any nagging doubts about crossing the infamous Drake Passage. With European-style business-class seating, the dedicated Antarctic Airways BAe146 flies from Punta Arenas to King George Island, just north of the Antarctic Peninsula, in two hours.

There’s no disputing that Silversea Cruises fifth expedition ship is infusing Polar cruising with a bolt of indulgence. From May 2023 through March 2024, guests aboard Silver Endeavour will journey to 116 of the planet’s most remote cold-weather destinations across Northern Europe, the Arctic, and Antarctica

Silver Endeavour sails in Antarctica, the Arctic, and Northern Europe. Prices start from £10,260pp, call for more details.

Silver Endeavour

Unforgiving, harsh, and rugged

Windy, relentless, and terrifyingly cold: Antarctica doesn’t sound like the most alluring of holiday destinations. True in some ways but not in others, this one is not for the fainthearted nor the unsteady-on-their-feet. This is a place for intrepid adventurers. It’s perfect for people who don’t mind getting a little bit wet and a little bit cold as they hoard unforgettable life experiences.

The Antarctic Peninsula is undoubtedly the most unexplored region on earth, but so abundant with stuff that needs to be explored. Watch cheeky rockhopper penguins wobble by, come eye-to-eye with a colossal blue whale as it breaches and spouts, and watch seals float along on bergy bits as you enjoy afternoon tea.

Sea kayak, snowshoe, and paddleboard; worldclass cuisine, beautifully made-up suites, and an intimate atmosphere shared with like-minded people. Just don’t forget your gloves!

Antarctica with Silversea

Expeditions

Travel to the ends of the Earth aboard Silver Endeavour. Silversea’s newest ship redefines the meaning of ultra-luxury expedition cruising. Spread over eight public decks, not only does she feature ample onboard space, multiple restaurants, plus a huge choice of bars and lounges, but her large and luxurious suites are some of the best in Expedition cruising. Superbly designed, all her suites feature a balcony and our highest standards of service thanks to an impressive crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.

What’s the weather like?

Cold. Antarctic weather ranges from about −10°C on the coast, to −60°C at its highest points towards the centre. Sometimes the temperature can exceed 10°C on the coast. Which wildlife can I expect to see?

You’ll see unique, diverse wildlife on an Antarctic expedition cruise. The only place on earth with no terrestrial mammals, the icy continent is heaven for all species of marine animals like whales, seals, and walruses. Above all, the penguin is king. You’ll find no less than seven species waddling, slipping, and sliding around.

Antarctica in numbers

• The Antarctic ice sheet is 13,829,430 km²

• Minus 89.2°C is the lowest temperature recorded on earth

• Sea levels would rise by 60m if all Antarctic ice melted

• 30 countries help maintain Antarctica

• 5,000 people work there in summer, only 1,000 in the winter

• Sheet ice can be 1.6km thick

• 90% of the earth’s ice is in Antarctica

Arctic

Charactered, wild, contrasting

You’ll be blown away by the rich diversity of this stunning ice paradise. While Antarctica is a single land mass, the nations which comprise the Arctic are the United States, Canada, Greenland, and a handful of Scandinavian countries. Vast yes, but you can easily explore this awe-inspiring land, where icy blue waters are strewn with giant icebergs and glaciers, on a luxury Arctic cruise. Naturalists, photographers, and hikers are repeatedly drawn to the Arctic Circle for its awe-inspiring natural sites and endemic wildlife. Nowhere else on earth will you see a polar bear in its natural habitat, nor have you a chance to bump into a near-mythical narwhal. Reindeer, seals, and whales; arctic foxes and arctic wolves. Vast wilderness and cosy towns with famous Scandi hygge, and iconic landmarks in faraway places.

Arctic with AE Expeditions

AE Expeditions was founded by the first Australian to scale Everest, Greg Mortimer, 30 years ago. Since then, this cruise line has honed their craft in creating adventures out of nothing; helping intrepid holidaymakers explore the unexplored with groundbreaking itineraries and awe-inspiring destinations. Venture 80° north for a real Arctic adventure; see walrus, guillemots, puffins, reindeer, arctic foxes, and whales in their natural habitat. Zodiac past ice blue craters and jaw-dropping fjords. This is a real adventure, curated by a legendary adventurer.

What activities can I do?

Whale watching, polar bear spotting, and chilling with walruses are all everyday Arctic activities. Kayak amongst icebergs and watch glaciers crash into the sea from a Zodiac.

Where’s best to go?

The polar bear is king in Svalbard. Iceland is known as the Land of Fire and Ice for its epic volcanoes and vast ice fields. If you want to see the beautiful Aurora Borealis dancing across the sky, West Greenland is the place. Prince Leopold Island’s bird cliffs are sheer and epic. Santa Claus in Lapland? The list is endless.

Arctic in numbers

• 8 countries sit in the Arctic circle

• In 1958 they discovered there was no landmass underneath the Arctic Ocean sea ice

• 1/6 of the earth’s surface is the Arctic

• Arctic glaciers make up 20% of the earth’s freshwater supply

• 30 days of constant daylight in June in the Land of the Midnight Sun

• 14 million square kilometres; the Arctic Ocean is the smallest on earth

• There are around 22,000 wild polar bears left in the Arctic

Svalbard Odyssey

Expeditions Greg Mortimer | Fly Cruise Highlights: Longyearbyen, Svalbard Archipelago, Longyearbyen Includes: Save up to 25%: Flights & overseas transfers, pre-cruise hotel stays, premium beverages, zodiac landing tours

Longyearbyen

Galápagos Islands

Diverse, enchanting, different.

Around 900 miles west of continental Ecuador, the Galápagos archipelago is an isolated sanctuary of biodiversity straddling the equator. It’s like nowhere else on earth, with minimal human population but a whole world of fascinating flora and fauna, some endemic. These enchanting islands are a kaleidoscope of nature, and it was Charles Darwin’s fascination with them that led to the Theory of Everything and our perception of life changing.

Discover this rugged UNESCO World Heritage site for yourself, searching the same nooks and crannies as Darwin did. Unique landscapes made up of ancient volcanic rock are home to some of the most spectacular creatures to roam Earth. Mythical giant tortoises, huge iguanas, and bluefooted boobies with their bizarre mating dance. Find lazy sea lions lolloping along the shore line and pesky penguins not far from them.

What’s the weather like?

Galápagos Islands with Celebrity Cruises

Every space within Celebrity Flora is outward

facing as you gaze toward these fantastical isles; the Galápagos are always at the centre of attention, whichever way the ship faces. The idea is to completely immerse cruisers in their island experience. By using natural materials that have been inspired by this unique part of the world, you’ll truly feel at home with the endemic flora and fauna that make these islands unique. Eco-friendly of course, solar panels and a virtual anchor limit Flora’s footprint in such a precious area.

Given that these islands sit on the equator, the temperature is actually quite comfortable. Land temperatures range from 26°C to 30°C.

What can I expect?

This is one of the most remote places on earth. A luxury cruise makes an infamously uncomfortable place to get to lavishly comfortable. You’ll interact with a vast range of wildlife, some endemic. You’ll brush up on your knowledge with expert guides providing seminars, walks, and talks. You can expect total immersion in your surroundings.

Galápagos Islands in numbers

• 25,000 people live there

• 19 islands or inlets in the archipelago

• 4 inhabited islands

• 9,000 confirmed unique species of animal

• 17 animal species are endemic

• The first cruise ship to dock here landed in 1934

• 21 volcanoes on the archipelago

Daphne Island