Expedition Cruises, often called ‘wildlife’ or ‘nature’ cruises, are voyages of discovery to the remotest regions of our world. Experiencing the wildlife and the journey itself is the purpose of these wonderful trips.

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WildWings/WildOceans Expedition Cruise based-tours include

*  Comprehensive pre-trip information.

*  Services of our expert leader/s plus the ship’s guides throughout the voyage

*  Additional included excursions (see itineraries).

*  Daily seawatching sessions on deck and evening log call (at sea).

*  Day by day bird and mammal checklist for use on tour.

*  Use of WildWings onboard library.

*  Group use of WildWings marine radios  (to maximise sightseeings).

*  Use of GPS on some tours to record exact species locations.

 

Most feature

 * A team of expedition staff and experts who will give lectures at sea   

  and lead excursions ashore and/or cruises by Zodiac inflatable boats.

* Access to ship’s bridge at sea.

* All meals, tea & coffee onboard.

* Pre-trip travel information and post-trip log.

  Many now offer Parka and free Boot loan onboard.

 

Additionally for Icebreaker voyages:

* Helicopter landings and sightseeing flights around the vessel(subject to itinerary).

* Complimentary Parka Coat and free boot loan service.

* Pre and cruise hotels.

* Post voyage CD with log, photos and video.

 

Nothing can beat the wind in your face as your Zodiac cruises across the sea in a far away wild location, surrounded by stunning wildlife. The aim is to see and enjoy the last great wildernesses, with their overwhelming natural beauty and teeming wildlife. It is one of the most exciting ways to travel, often following in the footsteps of the great explorers. An added bonus is that many are conducted on very comfortable vessels with excellent food and with like minded fellow travellers. All the vessels we use conduct themselves in an ‘environmentally friendly’ manner. Photographic opportunities on these trips are plentiful and you will probably need twice as much film as you thought! All vessels have powerpoints to recharge batteries. Travelling on a ship allows you to pace the trip to suit your needs. The Polar regions are visited in their summer months, the temperature rarely falls below zero and precipitation is generally scarce. These voyages generally operate in the best months in terms of sea conditions, calm waters considerably aid viewing wildlife when at sea, particularly cetaceans. Anyone in reasonable health can travel, walks are usually for limited distances only. Attire onboard is invariably casual throughout.

 

Comprehensive pre-trip information will be supplied, giving details of clothes and footwear etc to take. In practice you will not have to go out and buy a lot of new gear, the ‘layer’ principle is the key along with a pair of wellington boots (most ships now offer a free onboard loan service). We also now offer ‘tropical’ itineraries too, for which of course much lighter attire applies.

 

Our own ship-based Tours are led by some of the UK’s most experienced guides and represent the ultimate in bird and wildlife tours. All are trips of a lifetime! Our leaders look forward to each tour as if it were their first. Unlike most ship’s expedition staff, our leaders will be out on deck all day long, ensuring you see and experience the maximum possible.

 

WildWings are one of the few real specialists in this field, we have been operating to Antarctica since 1991, and have personal knowledge of most of these special ships and the places they visit. We have been a member of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) for many years and work with all the main operators to the 'white continent' including the air expeditions to the South Pole itself.This allows us to offer you impartial advice and we are also able to offer the best prices too.

 

Call or e-mail us and ask! Our expert advice is free, with a number of our staff having personal experience of the ice. All our clients will be sent a copy of the ‘visitor’s guidelines ashore’ and will be fully briefed onboard in the safe way to travel by Zodiac, one of life’s great pleasures.  Interest in the Arctic also continues to grow and we offer an unrivalled choice in the 'frozen north', from Spitsbergen to the North Pole itself. All our featured vessels are members of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators  (AECO) and guidelines for your safe and responsible conduct ashore will also be provided. Kamchatka and the North Pacific have opened up in recent years, and we continue to pioneer new regions and itineraries to the UK market such as our Western Pacific voyages recently. Keep a regular eye on our website for future new voyages!

 

As you should be spending little time in your cabin, our general advice is to opt for the least expensive grade available. Bookings for single travellers can normally be accepted on a share basis, as we or the shipping lines will find you a cabin mate, to save you the expense of a supplement. Most ships offer outside cabins with porthole and/or windows and usually private facilities. Booking early is highly recommended, prices are rising for the 2010/2011 season due to the higher cost of operating smaller ships. Call us if you can go South this coming winter, you could save many hundreds of pounds still!

 

Please note that because of the nature of the regions these ships visit, exact itineraries cannot be guaranteed. The captain and expedition leader will have back-up sites in case a planned visit is not possible due to local conditions, ice and/or weather at the time. In practice a large proportion, if not all the planned itinerary is usually achieved.