The Best Cruises for Adventurers

Adventures come in all shapes and sizes, and with Fred. Olsen, you can embark on a voyage of a lifetime. Going on an adventure cruise is a great way to immerse yourself in some of the most remote and naturally beautiful places in the world.

Adventure cruises not only lead you to parts of the world that are not well explored, but they also offer you new experiences; you’ll still be able to relax whilst travelling, and you can enjoy adventures such as watching the Northern Lights, walking through rainforests and other amazing experiences.

In this guide, we take a look at the different destinations you can visit as part of an adventure cruise and some of the different activities you can do in each destination, although not all of these will be included in the price.

• Norway and the Northern Lights
• Iceland
• Antarctica
• The Amazon & South America
• Cook Islands
• Australia

The cruises that sail to Norway offer a variety of unique experiences, but one of the best adventure cruises to the country is aboard one of our hand-crafted Northern Lights cruises.

The spectacular Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are one of Mother Nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena, created by solar winds clashing with Earth’s magnetic field.

With Fred. Olsen, you can go in search of the Northern Lights in Arctic Norway’s wonderland and cruise past ice-capped fjords. You can also enjoy experiences synonymous with Norway as part of these cruises, such as snowmobile rides, husky dog sledging adventures, visiting an ice hotel, and you can immerse yourself in authentic Sami culture.

Take a look at our cruise deals page to find some last-minute cruises to Norway, including trips to see the Northern Lights.

Known as the land of ice and fire, Iceland boasts stunning landscapes that range from mountains and volcanoes to glaciers, icebergs and geysers. With an abundance of unspoilt nature, it is an ideal destination for adventurers who are looking to enjoy activities such as hike, biking, or exploring on horseback.

On our cruises to Iceland, you can not only experience the breathtaking landscapes but also explore hidden gems, meet the friendly locals, and taste the delicious cuisine.

Iceland is full of amazing experiences, and one at the top of many people’s bucket lists is the Golden Circle, a road around the country that includes sites such as the Þingvellir National Park, Goðafoss Hvítá River and the Geysir geothermal area.

Rachel, a content and travel writer who runs the blog Rachel Off Duty, has experienced the Golden Circle in Iceland, and she highly recommends doing it.

“Spanning just under 200 miles, the Golden Circle route is a driving route in southern Iceland that is packed with every natural wonder you could hope to see all in one convenient, easily accessible package. One of the reasons this drive is so popular is that it begins so close to downtown Reykjavik, with the first stop on the route just a short 45-minute drive away. Ask anyone who’s ever been to Reykjavik and one of the first things they’ll tell you they did while they were here was hit the road for this legendary drive.”

For those joining us on an Icelandic cruise, you’ll be able to enjoy our Golden Circle Shore Tour to experience this wonderful adventure for yourself.

On some of our itineraries, our cruise ships go sailing by Antarctica and you can experience this remote stretch of land, ice and sea. The Antarctic Peninsula displays nature at its best, and our sail-bys give you the opportunity to witness penguins and the many whale species that are drawn here to feed. The bird life here isn’t just about the penguins; you can see cormorants, albatrosses, petrels, South polar skuas and lots more.

Whilst our cruises don’t land on the continent, you’ll sail down the tip of South America, and the skipper will guide you around the Antarctic Peninsula so you can see the rugged and mountainous outcrop that stretches more than a thousand kilometres away from the main Antarctic mass.

If you’ve read about the expeditions of Shackleton, Amundsen and Scott, whose expeditions to Antarctica are the stuff of legend, you can retrace part of their journey on our cruises.

As part of our South & Central America cruises, you will experience diverse cultures and landscapes, where adventure awaits at every corner. The countries you can visit in South America include Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay, and there are activities and shore tours available at every port where you stop.

You can cruise through the Amazon Rainforest and witness one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Take on jungle walks with expert guides, go on canoe trips through the network of waterways, go fishing for infamous piranhas, and even experience nocturnal wildlife spotting as the rainforest comes alive after dark with our shore tours.

In Peru, you can ascend the historic ruins of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and learn about the ancient Incan civilisation. Our cruises to Chile sail through the Chilean Fjords and their breathtaking, glacier-shaped landscapes. You can also explore vibrant cities and visit the mystical Easter Island and its famous moai statues.

In Brazil, you can stop at the bustling city of Rio de Janeiro and explore Sugarloaf Mountain and the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. Whilst in Argentina, you will go from the bustling streets of Buenos Aires to the natural wonders of Patagonia in one itinerary.

Taylor, a travel enthusiast and the writer behind the Postcard from Taylor blog has visited the Amazon Rainforest before. She shared her thoughts.

“The Amazon Rainforest is a one-of-a-kind destination, especially for nature enthusiasts. 10% of the world’s known species call the rainforest home.

“People say the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest is all about the Amazon River. Having spent two weeks in various parts of the Brazilian Amazon, the wildlife is as worthwhile as is the Amazon River.”

On some of our around-the-world cruises, you will visit Rarotonga, the largest of the Cook Islands, which is a 15-island nation in the South Pacific. Adventurers can explore what is one of the most remote parts of the world and go on hikes that explore volcanic peaks, ridges and rainforests.

If that isn’t enough adventure, you can head to the white beaches and go scuba diving and snorkelling around the coral reefs and lagoons. The variety of marine life has made the Cook Islands one of the best places in the world to explore what’s under the waves.

If you love wildlife, going hiking is not only a great opportunity to explore the beautiful landscapes, but you can go in search of the Kakeroi Bird, which can only be found on Rarotonga. The Cross-Island Track is one of the most popular hiking trails, and it passes the Te Rua Manga, a 650m peak.

If you embark on a world cruise with Fred. Olsen, you can experience the natural wonders of “down under”. On our cruises to Australia, you will sail down the island's coastline, and the coral reefs, mountains, forests, outback, and diverse cities will amaze you.

There will be many unforgettable moments throughout your voyage to Australia as you enjoy everything the country has to offer. Australia is an adventurer's dream, and if you are one of our cruise passengers, there will be plenty of experiences you can enjoy along the voyage.

From snorkelling in the turquoise waters of Bondi to walking around Sydney, which is one of our ports of call, to exploring all the attractions that this cosmopolitan city boasts.

Melbourne is another popular stop-off, and it is known for its arts, culture, and culinary scene. Cairns acts as the perfect gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. You can also explore the ancient Daintree Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its diverse flora and fauna.

With Fred. Olsen, you can embark on a world cruise that is full of adventure and combines a variety of activities. On our world cruises, you can head to destinations in Europe and travel to places that are further afield in South America and Australasia.

Book your adventure cruise holiday today and enjoy an array of unforgettable experiences.