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Expedition cruises

There is nothing as thrilling as expedition cruising, navigating the waters in the world's farthest corners for some of the most authentic and intimate experiences few people have access to.

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Expedition cruises

It's about getting out in the wild to explore and discover nature at its rawest with a team of knowledgeble crew and experts. Every day is a new adventure - whether it's a Zodiac ride that takes you close to the penguins in Antarctica or swimming with sea turtles in the Galapagos Islands.

Gone are the days of bunk bed and basic meals where ice breakers and special vessels built for research purposes are oftentimes chartered for adventure voyages. Today's expeditionary cruiser travel in style on board custom-built boats and yachts that promise nothing short of luxury and comfort, with suite-style accommodation, high-tech amenities, private butler, Michelin-inspired restaurants and full-service spa.

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Ponant Le Dumont-d’Urville

Cruising the Aegean: Turkey and the Greek Isles – with Smithsonian Journeys with Ponant Le Dumont-d’Urville

7 nights
Departing 15th April 2025 from Istanbul

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.

Departing from Istanbul, capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires, your first stop is the port of Dikili, from where you will explore the ancient city of Pergamon and the nearby Asklepion, a center of healing and rejuvenation in the ancient world.

Kusadasi on Turkey's Aegean coast is your gateway to Ephesus, one of the world's greatest archaeological sites, spanning the period from the Hellenistic world through the early Christian era. The immense excavation here includes temples of several Roman emperors, the iconic Library of Celsus, and the terraced hill houses, with their splendid mosaics and frescoes, overlooking the city below.

Leaving Turkey for the Greek Islands, spend a morning in Delos. The island of Delos was sacred to the ancient Greeks—the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and home to countless shrines and temples—a veritable open-air museum. Mykonos, by contrast, is a sophisticated island resort with smart cafes and boutiques, where you will enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure to soak in all that this dazzling town has to offer.

Santorini offers a choice between browsing the sundrenched shops and restaurants of Thira and Oia, perched on cliffs overlooking the caldera of an ancient volcano, or exploring the Bronze Age site of Akrotiri, destroyed by a massive eruption of that volcano in the 2nd millennium BC, but preserved in ash and pumice much like Pompeii. 

Visit Patmos and discover the monumental Byzantine monastery that guards the cave where St. John the Evangelist received his visions of the Apocalypse. You will also have time to explore the island's Chora (main town), home to an 11th-century monastery and to a labyrinth of picturesque, cobbled streets and arched alleyways.

From Nafplion travel to Mycenae, the legendary home of Agamemnon and an important center of the extraordinary civilization that flourished here in the 2nd millennium BC, before continuing to Epidaurus, the ancient shrine of Asklepios, whose ruins are dominated by a 4th-century BC theater that is one of the finest in Greece.

Your journey concludes in Athens, Europe's oldest capital and birthplace of democracy.

£17,600 pp

Ponant Le Champlain

Historic Cities of the Baltic Sea with Ponant Le Champlain

9 nights
Departing 15th April 2025 from Copenhagen

PONANT invites you to discover the historical cities along the Baltic Sea. You will embark on Le Champlain for an 10-day cruise about the cultural wonders of the Hanseatic League.

Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, enjoy a visit to Gdansk and fall under the spell of the music at a Chopin concert, savour the delights of Estonian cuisine in Tallinn, or wander around the famous Suomenlinna sea fortress from Helsinki. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).

From Copenhagen, you will first set a course for Karlskrona. This city, whose history is intrinsically linked to the Swedish Navy, boasts exceptional UNESCO-listed architecture that is characteristic of late-17th-century European naval cities. 

Your ship will then call at Gdansk, famous for its amber stone and its shipyards. The former Hanseatic city will reveal some of its architectural treasures, in Gothic and Baroque styles, restored or rebuilt.

You will also discover Riga, capital of Latvia. A unique blend of different architectural styles, the old town will open itself up to you like the pages of a history book.

On Saaremaa, dive into the complex history of this island, Estonia’s largest. First invaded by the Vikings, it became Danish then Swedish before being taken by the Russian Empire and later occupied by the Germans. In 1991, it finally became Estonian when the country gained its independence.

You will then head to Helsinki. Located on a peninsula surrounded by almost 300 islands, the verdant capital of Finland will charm you with its Art Nouveau architecture.

You will visit Tallinn, emblematic city of the Hanseatic League, the large trading network that dominated the Baltic Sea for several centuries. Listed as UNESCO Heritage Site, this once opulent city still have remarkably well-preserved public buildings, merchant houses and warehouses.

Your ship will finally head for Stockholm, your disembarkation port.

£7,700 pp

Ponant Le Lyrial

Cape Verde and Canary Islands with Ponant Le Lyrial

14 nights
Departing 15th April 2025 from Dakar

Sailing between Spain, Cape Verde and Portugal, PONANT offers you an itinerary at the crossroads of cultures and traditions. You will set sail aboard Le Lyrial for an 15-day cruise leaving from Dakar, the bustling capital of Senegal.  

Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, you will wander the virgin expanses of the island of Santo Antão from Mindelo, explore the Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from La Gomera, or visit the sumptuous botanical gardens of Funchal as you discover the city. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).

Your discovery of Cape Verde will start with a port of call in Santiago, in Praia, the Cape Verde capital, where you will have the opportunity to visit the historic centre of Ribeira Grande, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Further to the north, you will reach São Vicente and visit Mindelo, the cultural capital of Cape Verde, the birthplace of the famous singer of morna, Cesaria Évora.

Le Lyrial will then set sail towards the mythical Canary Islands. Santa Cruz de La Palma will invite you to spend a moment suspended in time. Here, the accent is on authenticity and tranquillity as you succumb to the charms of its unspoilt nature and its unusual architectural heritage featuring traditional Canarian houses with brightly-coloured wooden balconies, sumptuous palaces, and religious buildings.

You will sail eastward to reach the vibrant seaside town of Los Cristianos. Succumb to the charms of its atmosphere unlike any other, its mythical Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain, and its long stretches of fine sand lapped by the turquoise waters of the Atlantic.

Your ship will then drop anchor at La Gomera. This tiny island with lush vegetation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its biosphere reserve. This island is also renowned for its whistling language, Silbo, that the inhabitants use to communicate from one valley to another. 

Finally, the legendary island of Madeira will reveal itself to you, with its picture-postcard scenery featuring volcanic lands and lush vegetation. The lively streets of Funchal, its old district, as well as its magnificent botanical garden located on the heights of the town will not fail to delight you.

Your journey around the Atlantic will conclude with a visit to Lisbon. This city with its nostalgic charm has a unique personality, a blend of tramways, museums and listed buildings.

£6,200 pp

Silversea Silver Ray

Lisbon to Barcelona with Silversea Silver Ray

11 nights
Departing 15th April 2025 from Lisbon

Get ready for an adventure that winds its way from Lisbon to Barcelona and stops off in some lovely ports along the way. Start with a day at sea to unwind then enjoy fresh tapas in Cadiz. It’s over to Morocco for Tangier’s lively souks. Have a cup of tea in Gibraltar then ready for a glass of sangria during an overnight in Malaga. Head to Cartagena, Valencia and Palma de Mallorca before arrival in Barcelona.

£5,600 pp

Silversea Silver Ray

Lisbon to Civitavecchia (Rome) with Silversea Silver Ray

22 nights
Departing 15th April 2025 from Lisbon

Sail from lovely Lisbon all the way to romantic Rome with stops in iconic ports. Start with a day at sea which takes you to Cadiz, followed by Morocco to prove it’s more than messy souks with stops in Tangier and Casablanca. Visit the rock apes of Gibraltar then spend the night in lively Malaga. Cruise up to Barcelona and along southern France to Saint Tropez before onboard R&R takes you to an overnight in Naples. See Monte Carlo and Tuscany before arrival in Rome.

£12,000 pp

Why Book a Cruise with Scott Dunn?

Why SD and In the Know Icons_Unique
Unique to You
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  • We listen to you, and tailor your cruise to your travel style, pairing you with the right ship and the right destinations.
  • We can make your itinerary as relaxing, active or cultural as you like. There is no one size fits all when it comes to cruising with Scott Dunn – it’s all about you.

Why SD and In the Know Icons_Service
Seamless Service
Bartender aboard the EXPLORA I

  • We take care of all the logistics, including your cruise, flights, transfers, and luxury hotels, ensuring a smooth journey from start to finish.
  • You are always in safe hands with us and our trusted worldwide partners. As with any Scott Dunn trip, we are just a phone call away 24/7.

Why SD and In the Know Icons_Collection
Carefully Curated Collection
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  • Whether before, after or during your luxury cruise, we curate the best experiences on land to compliment your journey by sea, accompanied by our expert local guides.
  • We only partner with small-ship luxury cruise lines with high staff to guest ratios – designed to never feel crowded.

Why SD and In the Know Icons_Luxury
Luxury in Every Sense
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  • Our cruises are carefully chosen for their five-star offering: fine dining, luxe facilities, attentive staff, and personal in-cabin butler service.
  • We have personally experienced these ships and will only suggest those that meet the level of service and luxury that our guests expect.

Call us on 020 8682 5020 to start planning your holiday

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