Every so often, while exploring a new cruise port, you encounter exciting, outside-the-box activities that steer you away from traditional outings, such as motor coach tours and snorkeling adventures. And with a growing number of cruise lines offering destination-focused excursions across the globe, it’s never been easier to enjoy thrilling adventures in off-the-beaten-path destinations with a small, luxury cruise line. Whether you want to visit penguin colonies in Patagonia or take a behind-the-scenes tour of a Michelin-rated restaurant in Barcelona, these offbeat excursions offer spectacular scenery, destination immersion and the chance to break out of your comfort zone, so read on — and get your passport ready.
Visiting a Penguin Reserve in Patagonia With Seabourn
During the winter and spring travel season (summer and autumn in Antarctica), the 450-plus passenger Seabourn Quest makes its way through the iconic Drake Passage to Antarctica. Before crossing the legendary passage, off the southernmost tip of South America, the ship makes stops in Patagonia, including the picturesque Otway Bay and Punta Arenas in Chilean Patagonia, a popular area for Magellan penguins. And on Seabourn’s Patagonian Experience: Otway Sounds & Penguin Reserve expedition, guests are transported across unpaved roads to windswept trails that lead to the locations where the penguins, along with diverse fauna, can be spotted. And while the standout shore excursion is subject to weather conditions and seasonal migration, it’s not to be missed. And when you return to the ship, you can enjoy gourmet meals, high-speed Internet access and high-end suite amenities, like flat-screen TVs, terry-cloth robes, soaking tubs, daily fruit baskets and lavish bath products.
A Mediterranean Culinary Tour With Regent Seven Seas
Set to debut this year, the new Seven Seas Explorer will transport 750 guests on Mediterranean sailings to remember. On select itineraries, cruising foodies can combine sailing with culinary-focused shore excursions on the line’s new Gourmet Explorer Tour, where they can enjoy immersive epicurean experiences in destinations such as Barcelona, Sorrento, Italy, and Saint-Tropez, France. Rather than typical sightseeing, guests can accompany acclaimed local chefs as they learn about the region’s agriculture, wine and cuisine. For instance, while in Sorrento, guests can make Campania cheese at the artisanal fromagerie, watch a culinary demonstration by a master chef and enjoy a meal amid the luxury gardens of the stunning Don Alfonso. And in Monte Carlo, Monaco, guests can enjoy a wine tasting at Cave Bianchi in Nice before savoring a memorable meal at the renowned La Chèvre d’Or restaurant. Plus, in Barcelona cruisers can enjoy the rich Catalan culinary scene with guided strolls through the famed Boqueria market and enjoy a lunch and kitchen tour at ABaC, a two-star Michelin-rated restaurant.
Getting Immersed in Cuba and the Dominican Republic With Fathom
Striving to pioneer a new volunteer-focused cruise initiative billed to have a “meaningful impact” on the places visited, Carnival Cruise Lines is launching Fathom, a new boutique cruise line, in May 2016. On the new Adonia, a 710-passenger ship that was formerly part of the P&O Cruises portfolio, cruisers won’t simply be lazing around or lounging on deck; instead, passengers can enjoy enriching shore experiences and immerse themselves in the countries on their itinerary. Guests can take their pick from teaching English, working with small businesses and engineering clean water in the Dominican Republic. And in Cuba, guests can visit storied destinations, such as Havana, Cienfugos and Santiago de Cuba, where they can attend walking tours and visit San Pedro de la Roca Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Back on the ship, cruisers can stay stimulated Spanish language lessons before unwinding at the spa or the pool. On Fathom’s Cuba itineraries, travelers can enjoy performances, authentic Cuban meals from local chefs and Cuban music.
A Foodie Tour With Windstar Cruises
To cater to cruising gastronomes, the James Beard Foundation recently partnered with boutique luxury cruise liner Windstar Cruises to take epicureans to epic culinary meccas across Spain, Morocco, Portugal and France. Starting this spring, food and wine aficionados will be able to absorb the cuisine and culture of each of these food-forward destinations and delight in local specialties. Additionally, each food- and wine-themed sailing will feature a James Beard chef providing cooking demonstrations, a nightly featured dish and even one-on-one interaction. For instance, on the 10-day James Beard Foundation Culinary Cruise of Spain & France in June, foodies will be able to indulge in innovative meals from rising chefs in Dublin; savor classic dishes in Lisbon, Portugal and learn about regional specialties with pace-setting chefs in Bordeaux, France. And in Bordeaux, you can’t miss the cooking lesson at Château Ambe Tour Pourret, a workshop restricted to 12 participants where each person prepares a seasonal appetizer, a main course and a dessert. Apart from hands-on cooking classes, guests can stroll through the area’s acclaimed cellars and enjoy a wine tasting.
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