Flick through the pages of any magazine or newspaper and you're confronted with an overflowing smorgasbord of cruise travel possibilities. If this explosion of romantic ocean-going itineraries leads you to think cruise travel is on the up, then you are right. Cruising is on a rocket. But look closer and you'll find, sometimes tacked on the end or hidden away in a corner, adventure possibilities you may never have dreamed of.

The desire for adventure, discovery and exploration is a fundamental part of the human condition and adventure cruising strikes right at the heart of it.

Once almost a secret society among wealthy adventurers and well-heeled thrillseekers, this type of travel has ignited the imagination of those looking beyond regular packaged tours. Travel marketers and advertising pundits are calling this emerging genre "experiential and transformational" travel where the journey is all about delivering uplifting and life-changing experiences.

Anyone who has already been on one of these cruises will know how exhilarating they are. Whether it's Australia's remarkable Kimberley, superb Great Barrier Reef or the great Antarctic odyssey, adventure and expedition cruising is a travel niche all on its own.

It's true. Many people attracted to the adventure ships would never consider cruising on any of the traditional big liners. They prefer the intimate, personal environment, the smaller numbers, the like-minded companions, the enrichment, wild destinations and experiences the big ships just don't deliver.

Sure, everybody knows the irresistible, fairytale allure of the South Pacific, Caribbean and Mediterranean, but what about the frozen reaches of the Antarctic, the wilds of the Kimberley or the tiny atolls of Melanesia?

What is 'Expedition Cruising'?

The term 'expedition' has been more recently attached to cruise products in an attempt to give them a romantic, out-of-the-way appeal. The danger is that the original, authentic expedition cruise concept is being diluted and misconstrued.

A true expedition cruise consists of a voyage plan and itinerary that has inbuilt flexibility and redundancy. In the capricious Antarctic waters, all activities and sight-seeing is weather and ice dependent. Passengers are reminded of this time and time again and it is quite common for completely unscheduled landings to take place in fallback planning. The same exists in tropical waters.

As weather, currents and tides play out in the dense South Sea archipelagos, an expedition leader and his/her captain must 'massage' the itinerary constantly to capitalise on emerging opportunities and avoid those closing out.

If you are a devotee of the well-managed, big cruise ship experience, you may find adventure and expedition cruising unsettling. Others will crave that element of the unexpected.

A proper expedition vessel is more than just a smaller ship with zodiacs piled up on deck. A true expedition vessel is designed for the intended conditions and equipped to deliver the experience upon arrival, whether it be weaving through disintegrating pack ice or creeping past vivid coral atolls.

Passengers aboard expedition vessels have come to expect expert guides and lecturers to help them interpret the rich cultural and natural histories these exotic destinations deliver. Academics, researchers and authors are common both as lecturers and passengers, adding to healthy discussions and enrapturing dinner conversation.

Examine your intended product carefully and ask lots of questions, your consultant will be able to answer them.

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