The Adventure of a Lifetime

There are places in our world that don’t fit neatly into predefined categories—destinations so distinctive that conventional classifications don’t do them justice. From polar expeditions to engineering marvels, these extraordinary voyages will leave you breathless.

Sail Away on Specialty Cruises

When the American Society of Civil Engineers ranks something as one of the seven wonders of the modern world, it doesn’t easily fit with other destinations. When you venture to islands that time forgot or set sail on a voyage around the entire globe, you’re experiencing something truly extraordinary. These are the cruises that create memories of a lifetime.

Bucket-List Destinations

From the polar extremes of Antarctica to the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal, these voyages take you to places most travellers only dream about.

Unique Wildlife

Encounter species found nowhere else on Earth—from Galápagos marine iguanas to Antarctic penguins and Arctic polar bears in their natural habitats.

Epic Journeys

Whether crossing oceans or circumnavigating the globe, these voyages transport you back to the golden age of exploration and discovery.

Explore Specialty Cruise Types

From polar expeditions to world voyages, our cruise advisors will help you find the perfect specialty cruise for your once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Polar Expeditions

Destinations: Antarctica, Arctic, North Pole, Northwest Passage

Known For: Penguin colonies, polar bears, icebergs, expedition landings, Zodiac cruises

Ideal For: Adventure seekers, wildlife enthusiasts

Duration: 10-25+ nights

Galápagos Islands

Destinations: Galápagos archipelago, Ecuador

Known For: Giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Darwin’s finches

Ideal For: Nature lovers, eco-travellers

Duration: 7-14 nights

World & Grand Voyages

Destinations: Circumnavigate the globe or epic regional journeys

Known For: Dozens of countries, ultimate exploration, grand adventures

Ideal For: Bucket-list seekers, retirees

Duration: 60-180+ nights

Compare Specialty Cruise Types

Feature Polar Expeditions Galápagos Islands Panama Canal World Cruises
Typical Duration 10-25+ nights 7-14 nights 10-16 nights 60-180+ nights
Best Season Nov-Mar (Antarctic), Jun-Sep (Arctic) Year-round Year-round Varies by itinerary
Best For Adventure, wildlife Nature, eco-travel Engineering marvel, transit Ultimate bucket list
Highlights Penguins, icebergs, polar plunge Giant tortoises, iguanas Lock transits, rainforests Dozens of countries

Panama Canal Cruises

Transit through the Panama Canal—one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Construction on the canal is ongoing, allowing larger and larger ships to pass through the locks. These days, you can cruise through on ships as large as the Norwegian Bliss at 168,028 gross tons, or take the more intimate Seabourn Ovation.

Watch in awe as your ship is raised and lowered through the ingenious lock system, passing through winding waterways surrounded by lush rainforest. It’s a mind-blowing feat of engineering you’ll never forget.

Transoceanic Cruises

Experience a voyage unlike any other across thousands of miles of ocean. Transoceanic cruises take you on a journey through time, back to the days of grand seafaring vessels when sailing was a manner of passage rather than a theme park at sea.

While transatlantic voyages are most famous, these cruises cross all oceans. If you’re looking to recreate the romance of ocean travel, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2—the world’s only genuine ocean liner—offers the quintessential experience.

More Specialty Adventures

These exceptional journeys to the most exotic places on Earth demand careful planning and attention to detail.

  • Galápagos Islands – Walk where Darwin walked and encounter species found nowhere else
  • Antarctica – Make landfall on the 7th continent with expert expedition teams
  • Arctic & North Pole – Seek polar bears and the Northern Lights in the far north
  • World Cruises – Read every page of the world book on voyages up to 180+ days

Find your specialty cruise today!

We’ll help find the perfect specialty cruise—whether you’re crossing oceans, transiting canals, or exploring the ends of the Earth.

Our specialty cruise advisors will ensure your voyage is everything you dreamed.

Rarely will any of us make it to these extraordinary places more than once. So, if you’re going to do it at all, you should do it right. Let the experts at Extraordinary Adventures ensure that your voyage to these remote destinations is everything you dreamed it would be.

They don’t call us Extraordinary Adventures for nothing, you know.

Best Time for Specialty Cruises

Timing varies significantly by specialty cruise type.

Antarctica: November through March during the Southern Hemisphere summer, with peak wildlife activity in January-February.

Arctic & North Pole: June through September for 24-hour daylight, wildlife viewing, and navigable waters.

Galápagos: Year-round destination with two seasons—warm/wet (December-May) and cool/dry (June-November). Each offers different wildlife highlights.

Panama Canal: Year-round cruising with pleasant conditions, though the dry season (December-April) is most popular.

World Cruises: Typically depart January-February to follow optimal weather patterns around the globe.

Why Book with Extraordinary Adventures

Expert Advisors

Specialty cruise specialists who understand the unique requirements of expedition and world voyages.

Exclusive Perks

Access to special deals, onboard credits, and amenities not available when booking direct.

Personalised Planning

Custom recommendations for ships, itineraries, and cabin selection on complex voyages.

Full Support

Assistance from booking through disembarkation and beyond—we’re with you every step.

Specialty Cruise FAQs

Specialty cruises are voyages to destinations or experiences that don’t fit neatly into traditional cruise categories. They include polar expeditions (Antarctica, Arctic), transits of engineering marvels (Panama Canal), voyages to remote ecosystems (Galápagos), transoceanic crossings, and grand world voyages. These trips offer unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that require specialised ships, itineraries, and expertise.

Yes. Polar expeditions require purpose-built or ice-strengthened vessels with PC (Polar Class) ratings. These ships have reinforced hulls, advanced navigation systems, and carry Zodiacs for shore landings. Leading expedition lines include Quark Expeditions, Ponant, Seabourn Expedition, Silversea Expedition, Lindblad, and Viking Expeditions. Your advisor can help you choose based on your comfort level and adventure preferences.

Not any ship. The canal has size restrictions, though recent expansions now allow larger “New Panamax” vessels. Ships up to about 170,000 gross tons can now transit. Some cruise lines offer partial transits (entering one side and turning back) while others offer full transits from Atlantic to Pacific or vice versa. Your cruise advisor can help you find the perfect itinerary.

World cruises typically range from 60 to 180+ days, with some extending even longer. They visit dozens of countries across multiple continents. Because you’ll be on the same ship for months, it’s crucial to choose a vessel with amenities you’ll enjoy, a stateroom spacious enough for extended living, cuisine you love, and an itinerary that visits the ports you most want to see.

The Galápagos Islands require specialised small ships due to Ecuadorian government protection regulations. Celebrity Cruises offers the Celebrity Flora, a purpose-built mega-yacht with the latest environmental technologies. Silversea, Lindblad Expeditions, and several boutique operators also sail the islands. All Galápagos cruises include naturalist-guided excursions and follow strict conservation protocols.

Yes, when operated by reputable cruise lines. Modern expedition ships are purpose-built for polar conditions with PC-rated hulls, advanced navigation, experienced ice pilots, and professional expedition teams. Strict IAATO (Antarctica) and AECO (Arctic) guidelines govern all operations. Weather and ice conditions are constantly monitored, and itineraries flex to ensure safety. Your biggest challenge will be the Drake Passage crossing to Antarctica, where sea conditions can be rough.

A full transit takes you completely through the canal from the Atlantic (Caribbean side) to the Pacific Ocean or vice versa—typically a 10-12 hour journey through multiple locks. A partial transit enters the canal from one side, transits partway through (often through Gatun Locks and Lake), then turns around and exits the same side. Both offer the incredible experience of watching the lock system in action.

It depends on your specific adventure. For polar expeditions: Quark, Ponant, Seabourn, or Silversea. For Galápagos: Celebrity Flora or Silversea. For Panama Canal transits: Princess, Holland America, Norwegian, or Seabourn. For world cruises: Cunard, Oceania, Viking, or Regent Seven Seas. Our specialty cruise advisors can match you with the perfect line based on your priorities, budget, and adventure style.

Not sure which specialty cruise is right for you?

Take our short quiz to discover the perfect specialty cruise for your travel style and bucket list.