"Wildlife cruises are like a safari at sea, where the adventure is defined by what you'll encounter next-ideal for animal lovers eager to witness nature up close. One moment, you might be spotting dolphins from the top deck; the next, it's a humpback whale breaching in the distance. But what truly sets these journeys apart is the variety of unscripted animal encounters you're likely to have."
"In just seven days at sea, we swam with playful sea lions and sea turtles, witnessed the mesmerizing courtship dance of the blue-footed booby, and visited a Galápagos giant tortoise rehabilitation center. One of the most touching moments was watching a tiny Galápagos penguin feed her hungry chick on the volcanic shores of Bartolomé Island. As the ship repositioned at sunset, a pod of manta rays leaped from the water in perfect synchrony-a breathtaking cherry on top."
"Being on the water with wildlife is undeniably awe-inspiring, yet it comes with a profound responsibility: protecting the delicate ecosystems we visit. The cruise industry has long been known for its large carbon footprint, but there's been progress in addressing sustainability. In 2022, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced new green initiatives, including a push toward net-zero carbon cruising by 2050. Some companies are leading the charge, like Norwegian adventure company Hurtigruten, which launched the world's first hybrid electric-powered ship in 2019."
Wildlife cruises deliver unscripted, up-close encounters with marine and island species across varied ecosystems, from Arctic ice to equatorial isles. Typical sightings include dolphins, humpback whales, sea lions, sea turtles, blue-footed boobies, Galápagos giant tortoises, and Galápagos penguins, with memorable events like manta rays leaping in synchrony. Responsible visitation and ecosystem protection are emphasized alongside the experiences. The cruise industry faces scrutiny for its carbon footprint, and initiatives aim to reduce emissions, including CLIA's push toward net-zero by 2050 and operators such as Hurtigruten introducing hybrid electric vessels and zero-emission targets.
Read at Conde Nast Traveler
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]