Cruising for Wildlife Encounters

By David Barclay | June 4, 2025

When travelers take an interest in cruising and begin to explore potential itineraries, they are often focused on the countries and ports they can visit. They may consider the cultural experiences they’ll gain, the museums and historic sites they can explore, and the modern and ancient architecture they will encounter. But seeing the creations of humanity isn’t the only type of travel experience possible through cruising. Cruising can also open the world to the exploration of the diverse and amazing wildlife that shares this planet with us. On a cruise, guests can travel to remote locations and get closer to many impressive animals than is often possible by land.

Most cruises focused on exploring nature are considered expedition cruises. The ships involved may be classic cruise ships repositioned to sail in a part of the world known for unique wildlife, or they may be purpose-built expedition ships with many onboard amenities that enhance the search for unique animals. In either case, even on the ultra-luxury lines, the onboard vibe becomes more relaxed. Formal and semi-formal nights are exchanged for elegant or resort casual evenings. Guests can also expect fewer traditional port stops with docking piers, replaced instead by tenders and zodiacs used to reach shore and embark on wildlife excursions.

The location and logistics of these cruises place guests in the heart of nature, but that doesn’t mean their vacation will involve “roughing it” in the wilderness. All the comforts of the cruise ship remain available, and after a day of unforgettable animal encounters, guests can return onboard for exceptional dinners, share the day’s experiences over cocktails, or relax with an evening of live music. Think of it as a luxurious glamping experience, except your hotel brings you to a new part of nature each day.

There are many options for cruises focused on bringing guests close to nature and unique wildlife. Alaskan cruises are popular for families and those new to expedition cruising, combining aspects of a classic cruise and port visits with wildlife excursions and encounters. Other expedition cruises visit remote regions of the world, utilizing the oceans and waterways to bring guests as close as possible to the flora and fauna.

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Silversea (Silver Whisper)

7-night Vancouver to Seward (Anchorage, Alaska)
June 25 – July 2, 2026

An Alaskan cruise is a great introduction to cruising the world looking for unique wildlife. This is a common 7-day itinerary, embarking in Vancouver and disembarking in Seward. While Vancouver is listed as one of the top whale watching locations in the world (Orca, grey, and humpback), guests embarking on a whale watching excursion at Icy Strait Point are pretty much guaranteed to see whales. The excursion provider even offers a money back guarantee if whales aren’t seen, but state they have never had to provide a refund. Anchorage is an easy two-hour transfer from Seward, allowing post-cruise exploration of the area around Anchorage and/or Denali National Park.

The Silver Whisper is one of Silversea’s smaller and more intimate ships, accommodates up to 388 passengers and offers guests 4 different dining venues. Cruise fares include shore excursions in each port and guests can add economy or business class airfare. When adding airfare, Silversea includes transfers both between the guests’ home and home airport and the destination airport and the ship.

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Lindblad Expeditions (National Geographic Venture)

7-night Baja California: Among the Great Whales
Jan 24-31, 2026

Whale lovers will delight in this expedition cruise focused on whale watching off the coast of Baja California. Guests can see as many as five different varieties of whales, in addition to dolphins and sea lions. Excursions include traveling on small boats (pangas) into sheltered lagoons to see grey whale mothers and their calves, as well as snorkeling with likely visits from playful sea lions.

The National Geographic Venture is a small expedition vessel, accommodating up to 100 guests in 50 staterooms. As an expedition focused ship, she offers features like a state-of-the-art presentation facility and a mudroom with lockers for expedition gear. Every sailing includes several National Geographic naturalists to guide guests in the exploration of the area, and a National Geographic photographer to assist guests in capturing the perfect photos of their trip.

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Celebrity (Celebrity Flora)

7-night Galapagos Inner Loop
March 1-8, 2026

The Galapagos islands are truly a bucket list worthy trip, with a combination of animals found nowhere else on the planet. See penguins next to large marine iguanas. Playful sea lions and green sea turtles are plentiful. And unlike other parts of the world, the animal life is not frightened of humans and will approach quite closely driven by their own curiosity to examine the latest “animals” to visit these islands.

Launched in 2019, the Celebrity Flora is a relatively new 100 guest ship. Purpose-built for the Galapagos, the Celebrity Flora offers a hip and trendy interior design to match the “New Luxury” brand image of Celebrity Cruises. The Flora has a total crew of 80, including 8 expedition leaders/naturalists (~1 per 12 guests). Celebrity includes their traditional all-inclusive experience on this all-suite ship (food, beverages, wi-fi, tips, etc.). All suites include an outdoor veranda. Base fares include the cruise and all-inclusive onboard experience, but guests will need to make arrangements for travel to Ecuador and then out to the Galapagos Islands, or guests can add a pre-cruise package which includes a pre-cruise stay in Ecuador and flights to/from the islands.

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Aqua Expeditions (Aqua Nera)

7-night Nauta to Nauta (Amazon River)
Aug 1-8, 2026

Aqua Expeditions sails two river boats on the Amazon River, the Aqua Nera and the slightly smaller Aria Amazon. The Aqua Nera hosts a maximum of 40 guests in 20 suites and has an almost 1-1 crew to guest ratio. Aqua Expeditions offers shorter 3-night and 4-night cruises, but to truly experience everything the Amazon has to offer, cruisers should consider the longer 7-night option.

Guests arrive and depart Peru from Iquitos and are transported to/from the port in Nauta. Guests will sail on several of the tributaries of the Amazon River. Each day includes small group excursions with the ship’s naturalists and authentic cuisine from one of Peru’s finest chefs.