On the water

The tried and tested. The classic. Ocean cruises are the quintessential form of voyage that the word ‘cruise’ evokes. The stuffy old-school ways associated with this maritime travel though have been replaced over its years of popularity. Swapping formal dinners for dressed-down fine-dining, half-hearted tours of the same port towns to one-of-a-kind experiences in lesser-known corners of the globe, and idle time at sea with self-improvement programmes and spa treatments.

The days of ideally lounging on deck or taking a stroll around port towns are making way for a trip that is full of adventure, exploration and wandering into untouched corners of the land. Welcome to expedition cruising, where it’s all about the smaller ships and bigger excursions; think Zodiac rides beside polar bear roamed glaciers, extravagant ecosystems like the world of Micronesia, and environmentally conscious ships sailing the Galapagos archipelago.

In a world where getting places needs to be fast, it’s important not to forget the beauty of taking the long way round. That’s where river cruising comes in. The only dilemma is trying to choose which wondrous route; quaint quintas and vineyard-rich hillsides along the Douro Valley, urbanite treasures in cities like Vienna, Amsterdam and Budapest. But these cruises aren’t confined to Europe. Further afield, intimate boats drift the tranquil waters of the Mekong, Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady and Vietnam’s Halong and Lan Ha Bay, while India’s clamour is forgotten in its coastal backwaters on private houseboats.

Whether it’s a lazy castaway with your nearest and dearest or just the urge to cruise alongside a smaller group of like-minded travellers, there’s no better way to navigate the water in a more intimate way than aboard a yacht. From on-board Michelin-starred fare and soothing spa treatments to let’s-go-again adventures ashore; whichever yacht you choose, expect privacy not easily found when at sea and expertly crafted bespoke journeys that show a destination from a unique perspective.