Activities in North America
With iconic cities, charming coastal towns, and immense national parks, there’s no shortage of adventure to get up to in North America. Whether you’re exploring the Atlantic or the Pacific Coast, you’ll have a range of ways to get closer to the culture and nature here.
Your expedition comes with a full programme of included and optional activities designed to immerse you in the many wonders North America has to offer. No matter your activity level or interests, there will be something that suits you. Here are some of the activities you can enjoy on your expedition cruise to North America with us.
Included Activities in North America
Your expedition comes with a full programme of included activities designed to immerse you in the many wonders of North America.
Here are some of the activities that are included in your expedition cruise to North America with us.
Landings
Each expedition cruise has a range of interesting landing sites and communities to visit. There’s history to uncover in the colonial town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia; art and seafood in Rockland, Maine; California-riviera lifestyle in Santa Barbara; and ancient Viking site L’Anse aux Meadows near St. Anthony, Newfoundland. Highlights will certainly be exploring the West Coast’s Olympic National Park and Redwood National Park, or Acadia National Park in Maine and Torngat Mountains National Park in eastern Canada.
Birdwatching
The Pacific and Atlantic coasts are home to hundreds of different bird species and colonies. You may spot Common Mures, Petrels, or Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, Seagulls, and Great Blue Herons. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see Bald Eagles, national bird and symbol for the USA, swooping along the beaches of the West and East Coasts, patrolling offshore rocks or wetlands.
Science Center
During your expedition, you’ll have access to the ship’s Science Center with information on the landscapes and ecosystems you’ll encounter in North America. You can also get involved in various Citizen Science projects that ask you to document wildlife and to send your observations to research institutes.
Lectures and Talks
You’ll be sailing with a knowledgeable Expedition Team who are experts in a variety of fields. They give fascinating lectures on relevant topics that include history, geology, and biology. Informal talks and impromptu guiding may also take place out on deck or ashore.
Optional Activities in North America
Get the most out of your cruise with activities run by our Expedition Team. They start from the ship, and are available for reservation once you get on board. Activities are subject to change.
Please note that these are optional activities and additional costs apply.
Kayaking
The great thing about kayaking is not just the view, but sometimes, if you’re really lucky, marine life like playful dolphins or gentle whales will surface right next to you when you least expect it. The unique aquatic habitat in Castine Harbor, Maine, allows bioluminescent phytoplankton to flourish. If conditions are right, seeing the waves glow from a kayak is a magical experience.
* Please note that these are optional activities, an additional cost applies.
Hiking
Our Expedition Team run guided hikes to sites of interest and viewpoints, based on different activity levels. Prepare to be dwarfed by the giant redwoods in Redwood National Park. You’ll also have guided or unguided hiking trails to choose from in Acadia National Park, taking you past wildflowers, through meadows and towering forests.
* Please note that these are optional activities, an additional cost applies.
Food & Wine Tasting
The coastal towns and bigger cities we’re sailing to offer a multitude of food and wine experiences. Being along the coastline means the seafood is fresh, the lobster juicy. On the West Coast, there are numerous wineries. None more appealing than the ones that await you in Santa Barbara. The chardonnay, pinot noir, and rhône varieties found here have made this Californian region a wine-lovers haven.
* Please note that these are optional activities, an additional cost applies.
Weather on your expedition
One important piece of kit you’ll need is awareness; awareness that it’s the elements that dictate what activities we are able to offer you on your cruise and when. Every expedition is unique. Changeable weather and shifting conditions may mean we need to tweak our planned programme of activities. But rest assured, whatever activities you are able to do, you’ll be in for an adventure of a lifetime.
