The Exploration Cruise Specialist
We specialise in a certain type of cruising – smaller ships, bigger adventures, and far more time in the places you came to see.
Cruise Routes
Explore further.
Discover more.
Cruise differently.
Not all cruises are made for exploration. But ours are – exclusively.
At Cruise Routes, we specialise in small-ship exploration cruises designed to connect you more deeply with the world’s most rewarding destinations. From the awe-inspiring isolation of Antarctica to the timeless traditions of Japan and the remarkable wildlife of the Galápagos, these are journeys where you don’t just see the landscapes, you feel them. Experiences shaped by wildlife, culture and discovery that enrich the soul, not just fill a photo album.
Welcome to Cruise Routes, the exploration cruise specialists.
Where can we take you?
Top pick hotels
Our holidays by type
Explore our travel magazines
Find inspiration for your next adventure
Make yourself a cup of tea and get inspired with some of our most popular cruise experiences.
Featured Destinations
Our journeys take travellers to some of the world’s most rewarding exploration cruise destinations – from remote polar regions and wildlife-rich archipelagos to culturally connected waterways and lesser visited coastlines.
These featured regions are just a small selection of the extraordinary places we explore across the world.
Rewarding our community of world explorers
CR:EW® (Cruise Routes Explorers of the World) isn’t your average loyalty program. From your very first booking, you’re part of the community – which includes your personal Cruise Consultant staying in touch, making personalised recommendations, selecting and inviting you to bespoke events, and organising thoughtful touches that they know will enhance your trips.
You become a member of the CR:EW® from your very first booking. No need to ‘register your interest’. And the more you travel with us, the more you benefit – not just in points, but in how well we know you, and how to make your journeys even more special.
Inspiration from Cruise Routes
This is where we share stories, insights and inspiration from the world of small ship exploration and expedition cruises. From remote coastlines and wildlife-rich archipelagos to great rivers and culturally connected journeys, these are the experiences that stay with you long after you return home.
Beyond the Antarctic Peninsula: What Makes the Ross Sea So Extraordinary?
In February 2026, AE Expeditions’ Douglas Mawson reached 78°44.405′ south in the Ross Sea’s Bay of Whales, setting a record for the southernmost voyage in history. It was a remarkable moment for those on board, and a reminder that Antarctica
Japan in Spring or Autumn: Two Seasons, Two Very Different Journeys
From delicate cherry blossoms to fiery autumn foliage, discover why spring and autumn are such rewarding times to explore Japan – and how cruising offers a different perspective on this remarkable country. Japan has a way of making you notice
The Antarctic Season Has Begun: Why Travel Early?
The first voyages of the 2026/27 Antarctic season are under way. Expedition ships are heading south, teams are preparing for days among the ice, and travellers are getting their first glimpses of a landscape still carrying the unmistakable signs of
Can You Find Exploration Cruises in the Mediterranean? Our Experience on Scenic Eclipse II
With just one week available in June this year, I wanted to find out whether Mediterranean exploration cruises could offer the kind of experience we value at Cruise Routes: smaller ships, bigger adventures and more time in the places you
The beauty of cruising the Norwegian fjords is with a small ship
Imagine standing at the bow of a small ship sailing through a monumental amphitheatre carved out by nature. Sheer, inky-dark walls rise abruptly from the fathomless water. Your vessel glides past a thundering waterfall, which veils craggy bluffs with a
Cruise Routes Wins Best Newcomer at the Expedition Cruise Network Awards 2026
We have some wonderful news to share: Cruise Routes has won Best Newcomer to Expedition Cruise, in the Travel Agency or Tour Operator category, at the Expedition Cruise Network Awards 2026! Announced at Amazing Grace in London on 29 September,