Young adventure travelers in their 20s are often unencumbered when planning an adventure travel tour, much more likely to be found on a white-water raft in Nepal than on board a traditional cruise ship. For young adventurers, all it takes is a plane ticket to an exotic destination, a backpack, and a willingness to see where the road less travel leads.
But as travelers acquire spouses and children, adventure can be shunted aside in favor of convenience and compromise. A water adventure on a cruise ship, riverboat, or windjammer can be an appealing solution for travelers who haven't lost their sense of adventure, but who are dealing with the reality of travel companions who may have needs beyond a sleeping bag, a tent, and a freeze-dried meal.
Large Cruise Ships
Although the big cruise ships don't come to mind when the words "adventure travel" are spoken, shore excursions offered by cruise ships can involve plenty of adrenaline: kayaking in Alaska fjords, zip lining in St. Lucia, SCUBA diving with sharks in Tahiti. Indeed, a cruise with a big menu of shore activities can be an excellent travel solution for a family or group of friends with different interests. Many ships have children's programs, which give parents some time alone with each other. Activities both on-board and ashore cater to a wide variety of interests.
Note that cruise ships can have very different characters, depending on the destination and the line: A Disney cruise in the Caribbean will have a completely different feel than a northern European Cruise with an upscale line or an Alaska cruise. Not to mention Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, a 5,400-passenger mega-ship newly launched in 2009, complete with surf simulator and rock-climbing wall.
Top names in the business include Princess, Holland America, Carnival, Disney, Cunard, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity.
Mid-Sized Cruise Ships
Not all cruises involve a floating hotel complex of thousands of guests. Some of the most elegant ships afloat are much smaller. Princess's round-the-world cruise on the Tahitian Princess serves fewer than 700 guests (as does Princess's Pacific Princess, which sails in the South Pacific). Holland America's Prinsendam, with a capacity just under 800, plies the waters around the peninsulas of Northern Europe.
Top names is this segment of the cruise business include Crystal, Regent, Princess, Viking, Holland America, and Oceania
Small Cruise Ships and Expedition Ships
Small Cruise and Expeditions Ships offer a completely different cruising experience. Ranging in size from 100 to 500 passengers, these ships can go into ports that aren't accessible to larger ship. They are great choices for travelers looking for a more intimate cruise experience (no long lines at the all-night buffet or on-board organized "fun").
Some smaller ships are also a good option for adventure travelers looking for smaller ports and bigger adventures. National Geographic's Explorer, for example, can accommodate up to 148 passengers, but still has onboard spas choices among and multiple dining choices. But onboard luxuries and options vary greatly depending on the nature of the itinerary and the ship, so read the fine print before booking.
Riverboat Vacations Combine Water Adventure with History
Another variation on the cruise theme is the riverboat. Riverboats can combine opportunities for exploring historic sites, villages, and towns. Boats can include retrofitted barges or gleaming new luxury vessels such as the Scenic Sapphire and Scenic Emerald, which sail on the Rhine and Danube. A few classic riverboat trips include floating along the Nile in Egypt and stopping to visit 5,000 year old ruins, watching the locks from the decks of French Canal boat, or viewing Canadian and Northeastern U.S. foliage from the decks of a St. Lawrence Seaway or Hudson River cruise.
Windjammers Offer Intimate Sailing Adventures
Sail-powered windjammers are yet another completely different option in water travel. In some cases, these boats are retrofitted cargo ships from by-gone days of sail-powered maritime trade. Ships range from small boats suitable for a family or private party to ships like the Maine Windjammer fleet's Victory Chimes, which can handle up to about 40 passengers. Warning for the pampered: These ships are much more about adventure and simple relaxation than they are about amenities and luxe. In terms of comfort, they range from the equivalent of a charming bed and breakfast to camping on the water. On the flip side, it's hard to think of a more complete and peaceful get-away.
Private bookings are often available on these much smaller ships. Popular windjamming regions include the Maine Coast, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean.
Today's cruise vacations and water adventures range from deluxe cruise holidays to rugged adventures. Cruise ships offer a surprising variety of on-ship activities and shore excursions for all ages, catering to passengers ranging from those who want to play shuffleboard to those who want to go zip-lining.
Karen Berger - Karen Berger is the author of 15 books. Please click on her name to read her full bio.
