Adventures by Disney Announces First-Ever Dedicated Expedition Cruises

Another major name is getting into the expedition cruise business.

Adventures by Disney this week announced that it will launch dedicated expedition cruises, with voyages to Antarctica beginning in late 2021 and to the Galapagos Islands in 2022.

Scheduled for 2021 and 2022, two 12-day, 11-night Antarctica and Patagonia Expedition Cruises will sail with PONANT, a leader in luxury polar expeditions. Passengers will hike through penguin colonies, search for pods of whales navigating the waters, and glide past glaciers and ice floes. Plus, they’ll journey to the Antarctic Peninsula with explorations of the diverse landscapes and rich culture of Patagonia.

On the Adventures by Disney Galapagos Islands Expedition Cruise, five nine-day, eight-night sailings aboard the boutique expedition ship, the Galapagos Legend, will explore the diverse islands and ecosystems of the Galápagos Archipelago. Three routes are scheduled for this cruise.

On all Adventures by Disney Expedition Cruises, a team of Adventure Guides will lead engaging programming, including special presentations by naturalists, and on select sailings, Disney animal and photography experts will host conversations and hands-on workshops about wildlife, conservation and travel photography.

In addition to launching its brand-new Expedition Cruise itineraries, Adventures by Disney’s popular river cruise vacations return once again to Europe with three itineraries along the Danube, Rhine and Seine sailing with AmaWaterways. New for 2022, specialty National Geographic Photography Sailings along the Seine will offer photo-driven excursions with National Geographic photographers.

Advance booking begins Jan. 19, 2021 for all previous Adventures by Disney Guests, or Jan. 21, 2021 for Disney Vacation Club Members, Golden Oak Club Members and Disney Cruise Line Gold & Platinum Castaway Cay Club Members. General booking begins Jan. 22, 2021.

The news highlights the findings of the recent Travel Market Report’s Outlook on Expedition Cruises, sponsored by Seabourn, which is one of the fastest growing segments in the industry.

According to the report, which surveyed more than 750 advisors, more than half (53%) of advisors believe there is going to be at least a 10% to 25% increase in their expedition cruise sales for 2021, a trend that could continue even higher as pent-up demand turns into bookings post-COVID-19.