Top Educational Cruises On Small Ships For The Academics

5 Educational Cruises

By Anne Kalosh

Interested in becoming a citizen scientist, documenting climate change, helping discover new species or just wanting to delve deeper into the ecology of the destinations you visit?

Whether it’s learning through lectures, presentations, observations in the field or in shipboard labs, taking part in hands-on research or even sponsoring cutting-edge science, it’s all possible aboard a range of small expedition ships.

These kinds of trips are for travelers with a purpose who want to learn and contribute, perhaps even to change the future in a meaningful way. You’ll come back transformed and, hopefully, act as an advocate for science and conservation.

Here’s a sampler of science-oriented small-ship educational cruises.

Lindblad Expeditions in the Galápagos

Carbon-neutral Lindblad Expeditions, which introduced international adventure expeditions to the Galápagos Islands more than 50 years ago, has a commitment to conservation there, where it operates two vessels year-round.

During the recent christening cruise of Lindblad’s new Galápagos ship, the 48-pax National Geographic Islander II, the company hosted local marine scientists from the Charles Darwin Foundation and Galápagos National Park Directorate, in partnership with National Geographic Society’s Exploration Technology Lab.

National Geographic Islander II science lab on their educational cruises

National Geographic Islander II has a Science Hub and two suites devoted to Galápagos conservation and community. * Photo: @Marco Ricca:Lindblad Expeditions

The research team was continuing a deep-sea monitoring campaign in the Galápagos Marine Reserve to assess the biodiversity and distribution of organisms and habitats on the largely unchartered underwater mountains that exist thousands of meters under the surface.

Their last exploration campaign, conducted in 2019, uncovered two apex predator shark species that were previously unknown to be inhabiting the Galápagos Marine Reserve, as well as a kelp forest. This year, the team regrouped on National Geographic Islander II to re-survey the sites where key observations were made during the pilot study, and to explore new sites in search of yet unknown species.

Lindblad travelers can study the unique Galápagos habitat accompanied by experts on every cruise.

educational cruises on the National Geographic Islander II

National Geographic Islander II hosts scientific research in the Galápagos. * Photo: @Marco Ricca:Lindblad Expeditions

Science Hub

Making it easy to connect to the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic legacy of conservation and research, National Geographic Islander ll features a Science Hub outfitted for underway oceanographic sensoring with an interactive video display, lab benches and seating for passengers to observe this important work.

Also, two suites on the 48-passenger ship are dedicated to conservation and community, and are designated for Galápagos community members, local and international researchers, educators, storytellers and other experts on each voyage, providing travelers with a deeper connection to people and place.

Interested in this cruise?

Here’s more info on the National Geographic Islander II Galapagos cruises.

Aurora Expeditions’ Antarctic Climate Expedition

Another carbon neutral travel company, Aurora Expeditions, will host what’s billed as a groundbreaking Antarctic Climate Expedition, serving as a summit for conservationists, celebrities and ocean luminaries to combat climate change.

The voyage will be led by renowned oceanographer, marine biologist, explorer and conservationist Dr. Sylvia Earle, aboard her namesake ship, Aurora Expeditions’ newly delivered Sylvia Earle.

Climate Change Affects Everything

“Earth’s changing climate is the headline issue of our time; it affects everything we are about, including our very existence,” Earle said. “In February 2023 we are gathering a braintrust of great minds from science, art, economics and education to talk about what is possible to do right now to get to a better place. We want, and will, provoke thought that will lead to action.”

Oceanographer Sylvia Earle will be aboard her namesake ship to lead the Antarctic Climate Expedition. * Photo: Chad Brown

The 12-day expedition, hosted in partnership with Ocean Geographic, is intended to drive awareness of the importance and splendor of the Antarctic while addressing the warming climate and loss of ice in the southern polar region as a direct threat to the future of the planet.

Resolutions for Action

One hundred expeditionists, including conservationists, environmentalists, celebrities and ocean luminarie have been invited to help formulate 23 resolutions to inspire transformative changes for global net zero emissions by 2050. A feature documentary, a book and exhibitions will also result.

Aurora Expeditions made a limited number of staterooms available for purchase by interested expeditioners to join and actively participate in this mission. Applications were taken with a particular welcoming of interest from thought leaders in science, art, education and economics, alongside inquisitive teenagers and corporate executives.

The 12-day Antarctic Climate Expedition begins Feb. 13 with a full-day conference in Ushuaia, Argentina, followed by a nine-day voyage aboard Sylvia Earle.

Aurora Expeditions' newly delivered Sylvia Earle offers educational cruises

Aurora Expeditions’ newly delivered Sylvia Earle will host the Antarctic Climate Expedition in February. * Photo: SunStone Group

Interested in more info about Sylvia Earle?

Here’s a link to more details about Sylvia Earle.

Ocean Victory & Whale Acoustics In Alaska

American Queen Voyages’ Alaska cruises aboard expedition ship Ocean Victory are enriched by a partnership with Dr. Michelle Fournet, a leading expert in the communication of North Pacific humpback whales.

Fournet and other members of her Sound Science Research Collective travel on select cruises during the May to September season, though at press time, AQV hadn’t announced the 2023 dates that would feature Fournet. However, there will be Sound Science Research Collective activities incorporated into every voyage.

Listening to Whales

They drop hydrophones from Zodiacs so passengers can hear the whales, give informative briefings and conduct research that travelers can participate in. The collective is studying the impact underwater noise from ships has on whales’ ability to hear each other and communicate.

Fournet’s particular interest is using bioacoustics as a tool to further conservation and assess species’ resilience in a rapidly changing ocean.

During my cruise on Ocean Victory earlier this year, hearing the whale sounds and learning about the world beneath our hull was a highlight of the trip.

whale soundings education on Ocean Victory

A presentation on whale soundings in Ocean Victory’s main lounge. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Cal Poly Students

A marine biologist by education, American Queen Voyages founder and Chairman John Waggoner took personal interest in assuring Ocean Victory’s expedition program is rich with science.

Part of this is having students aboard from California Polytechnic State University, Waggoner’s alma mater, on Ocean Victory’s expedition team.

The team, which can number 18 on some voyages, mingles the enthusiastic and knowledgeable students with seasoned authorities in a wide range of fields, from geology to music.

Ocean Victory Cal Poly crew, part of educational cruises

Eagle-eyed Caleb, one of the Cal Poly students on the Ocean Victory expedition team. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Ocean Victory has a fleet of kayaks for exploring with Cal Poly science students and other expedition leaders. Here, Misty Fjords, Alaska. * Photo: Michel Verdure

Interested in these cruises?

Go to the AQV site for more details.

Viking’s Science Labs & Research Partnerships

Viking, the prolific river cruise operator that branched into ocean voyages, this year introduced two purpose-built expedition ships with a strong science focus. They are Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, which operate in Antarctica and in the Great Lakes.

Each is equipped with a 380-square-foot Science Lab, appointed with wet and dry laboratory facilities to support a broad range of research. The labs were developed in consultation with University of Cambridge scientists.

The Science Lab on expedition ship Viking Octantis. * Photo: Viking

Viking Chair of Polar Marine Geoscience

Viking also partnered with the University of Cambridge to establish a new professorship aimed at advancing research in polar environmental science. The Viking Polar Marine Geoscience Fund endowed the university’s Scott Polar Research Institute with its first fully funded professorship — the Viking Chair of Polar Marine Geoscience. This new post will enhance the institute’s scientific leadership and enable new lines of research into the behavior of polar environments, including polar ice sheets, sea ice and ocean circulation.

The research fund builds on Viking’s existing partnership with Cambridge University’s Scott Polar Research Institute, which played a significant role in developing the scientific enrichment program for the company’s expedition vessels.

Scientists from the Scott Polar Research Institute and other renowned academic institutions are undertaking fieldwork onboard. They’re part of each ship’s 36-person expedition team, a diverse group of experts that lead excursions and give lectures on each sailing.

“Every Voyage Should Provide Opportunities For Scientific Discovery”

“Our intention in creating ‘the thinking person’s expedition’ is that every voyage should provide opportunities for scientific discovery, for our guests and for our partners,” said Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen, who was educated as a physicist. “… We are proud that our expedition vessels can also be utilized as ships of opportunity for important research that might not be possible otherwise.”

Further Scientific Partners

Viking’s other scientific partners include the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, the Norwegian Institute of Water Research, NIVA; Oceanites and the IUCN Species Survival Commission Species Monitoring Specialist Group.

More Info

For additional details, go here.

EYOS Expeditions & OCEEF

For the most ardent citizen scientists — who also have very deep pockets — here’s a rare opportunity to make a big difference and perhaps even foster a great discovery.

Two of the world’s leaders in ocean exploration joined forces to push the boundaries of underwater conservation and research and embark on critical citizen science missions to the farthest reaches of the planet.

Super-yacht expedition charter operator EYOS teamed with Ocean Conservation Exploration and Education Foundation (OCEEF), a nonprofit organization, to educate the world about the ocean through immersive, data-collecting missions aboard OCEEF’s five-star research yacht, Odyssey.

Carrying top scientists, explorers, students and educators, the vessel will circumnavigate the world with missions to explore aquatic ecosystems teeming with biodiversity in Antarctica, the Chagos Archipelago, the Galápagos and other remote destinations.

Research vessel Odyssey runs educations cruises and programs

Research vessel Odyssey, pictured in its past life as Alucia, lowers a submersible. * Photo: EYOS

Mixing Cutting-Edge Science with Expedition Cruising

“Odyssey represents the new frontier of expedition travel, mixing cutting-edge science with adventure travel and expedition cruising,” EYOS Founding Partner Rob McCallum said. “The opportunity and potential for further discovery with this vessel’s program is immense, and it will be tremendously exciting for all those fortunate enough to be onboard.”

EYOS founders McCallum and Tim Soper have been at the forefront of deep ocean exploration and combining science with private travel for decades, and the company holds several world records and has been instrumental in numerous scientific discoveries. (Fun fact: Capt. Ben Lyons, CEO of EYOS Expeditions, is a contributor to QuirkyCruise.)

On the exclusive missions aboard Odyssey, EYOS will provide logistical support and expedition leadership, empowering travelers to fully take part.

“OCEEF’s goal is to provide world-class scientists free access to the vessel and help them design impactful missions,” Alex Moukas, founder of OCEEF, elaborated. “… EYOS can help match the scientists and locations with ocean and expedition enthusiasts that make these incredible missions possible. We are looking forward to continuing to bring passionate citizen scientists unmatched experiences on and below the world’s oceans.”

A Pioneering Research Vessel

Odyssey (formerly Alucia) is a pioneer in underwater exploration in its own right. It launched the French submersible Nautile on the first dives on the Titanic in 1987, participated in the successful search for the black box of Air France flight 447, supported the first filming of the giant squid in the wild with former owner OceanX and hosted David Attenborough, among other luminaries in science and conservation.

McCallum and Soper were instrumental in the design and building during the vessel’s four-year conversion from Nadir to Alucia, completed in 2011. Today, Odyssey can accommodate a helicopter and is equipped with two Triton submersibles, one of which can dive to a depth of 7,500 feet.

Odyssey is equipped with two Triton submersibles for research and science experiments

Odyssey is equipped with two Triton submersibles, one of which can dive to a depth of 7,500 feet: Photo: EYOS

Engaging with Students on Educational Cruises

Through technology like gamified ocean-learning experiences, OCEEF’s Odyssey aims to engage with millions of children and young adults as it circumnavigates the globe. Students will join scientists in an immersive undersea experience as they discover new species, learn the importance of ocean conservation and share their findings in real time with participants around the world.

Over the next year, Odyssey will embark on missions that include studying mesophotic coral reef ecosystems in the Chagos Archipelago, seeking the killer whales that attack great white sharks off the coast of Cape Town, documenting hydrothermal vents on Antarctica’s Deception Island, participating in threatened species recovery studies in the Galápagos and hunting for ancient Roman and Greek triremes (triple-deck warships) in the Mediterranean.

$150,000 Donation to Take Part

OCEEF invites travelers to support its missions in Antarctica this season by traveling aboard Odyssey for a firsthand look at the research participants are helping support. With a tax-deductible donation of $150,000, donors and their family/friends can join the crew of scientists, expedition leaders and students onboard.

Since Odyssey is classified as a research vessel, OCEEF is able to get special research permits and conduct operations in locations that are typically closed to all other visitors.

All proceeds support the research and educational mission of OCEEF, whether searching for the colossal squid in the deepest parts of the Antarctic or analyzing hydrothermal vents on Antarctica’s most active volcano.

In addition, OCEEF supports ongoing scientific studies and scholarships for local communities and students.

For more info on traveling aboard Odyssey, contact EYOS.