Survive Your First Adventure Cruise

Adventure cruising offers something different to the typical voyage: a chance to access truly remote parts of the world in small groups. But the flip side is that you will be in close quarters with strangers – you usually pay for a bed, not a cabin – and keeping yourself healthy in close quarters can pose problems. So how do you survive your first trip? Here’s our guide to avoiding cabin fever…

Sharing a cabin

Unlike luxury cruising, on adventure voyages (especially on expeditions) it is likely that you won’t have a cabin to yourself, which means sharing with strangers. This can unsettle those who enjoy their privacy, but at least you all have something in common. “Fellow passengers on adventure cruises tend to have similar interests in wildlife, travel and the activities you do,” explains Douglas Ward, author of Berlitz’s River Cruising in Europe. Talking to your roommates about the trip ahead can make for an easy icebreaker.

Another thing you should establish early on is your ‘zone’. Claim your cupboard space and personal areas, to avoid confusion down the line. Make sure to ask about anything that is a must for you in the cabin (such as the choice between top or bottom bunk) and be ready to come to a compromise if each of you want the same. “Communication and respect for each other’s space is the main soother,” advises expedition cruise leader David McGonigal. “Make sure to give your cabin mate some privacy as well. Grab a tea or coffee when they’re due to come out of the shower, for example.”

Pack earplugs in case you’re sharing with a snorer. Eye masks are also essential, in case your cabin mate likes to read late at night, or for the almost 24-hour sunshine that accompanies any voyages to the far northern or southern poles during summer.

Stay healthy
With space at a premium, illness and bugs can spread quickly. “Hand sanitiser stations are usually based throughout ships as an easy way of cleaning your hands,” says Rachel Hilton, a longtime adventure-cruise-operator employee. It’s worth carrying pocket sanitiser with you, though, to use before eating.

“Although river ships carry first-aid kits, they will not generally have a doctor or nurse on board,” adds Douglas. “Being close to land, emergency arrangements can be made quickly, but be sure to take any medical supplies with you that you might need.”

For expedition cruises, at least one doctor will be on board. Nevertheless, take all the medication you may need for the length of your trip, and if it needs to be kept chilled, ask before you book to see if your ship has an in-cabin mini-fridge.

Beat seasickness

Ships in today’s age are fitted with stabilisers – large underwater fins on each side of the hull – which largely counteract any rolling movement, and most of your journey will be relatively calm. But in the event of rough waters, there are several preventative measures you can take.

Lectures and talks are often held in darkened rooms (not ideal for seasickness), but you can usually watch them on a TV screen remotely from your cabin, where you can lie down to counteract any queasiness. Fresh air always helps, and employing the age-old sailors’ advice of concentrating on the horizon often does the trick. But if you’re suffering the on-board doctor can prescribe medication to prevent motion sickness.

Fill your time

“Itineraries on adventure cruises are very much destination-driven,” says Adam Coulter. “River cruise passengers can enjoy excursions led by naturalists, historians and other experts, while there will usually be more immersive activities on expedition voyages, such as kayaking, hiking and whalewatching.”

In your free time, get to know the local wildlife better, advises David. Most boats will have an expert birder on hand to get information from, and you can also sharpen your photography skills by snapping them. Lecturers and speakers are also a good source of anecdotes, and many will have time for a coffee while out at sea.

Pack right

Depending on the weather and what you do, it can be tricky to know what (and how much) to pack. Your choice of clothes is often governed by the temperature outside. On expedition cruises, for example, you’re likely to be venturing into areas with extreme weather, like the Antarctic or Arctic, but most (if not all) operators will supply you with thick, warm coats for outside use. Most people will pack warm clothes for the freezing conditions, but pack light clothes as well, as the temperature on board will be a lot more comfortable.

Where to go

There is no shortage of options, especially when it comes to river cruising. In Europe, Gary recommends the Danube as a classic route, pit-stopping at history-laden cities such as Budapest and Vienna. The Po and its tributaries give you watery access to Venice, Padua and Bologna in Italy, while you can also cruise Germany’s magical Black Forest along the Rhine.

Further afield, South-East Asia is another hotspot for river trips. Spy temples, floating markets and villages along the Mekong in Vietnam and bookend visits to Bagan and Mandalay with jungle-clad riverbanks and gorges along Burma’s Irrawaddy.

If you fancy something more intrepid, expedition cruises offer unparallelled access to the world’s remaining wildernesses, from Antarctica’s calving icebergs and Greenland’s tundra to the Arctic islands north of Russia and the otherworldly wildlife of the Galapagos. Your choices are endless. And now you know what lies in store, there’s nothing to stop you. Welcome aboard!