Inside a Family Expedition Cruise to Antarctica With Adventures by Disney

Clients may be familiar with the guided land tours and river cruise offerings from Adventures by Disney (ABD), but they may not yet know that in late 2021, expedition cruising became the operator’s third component, with itineraries in the Galapagos Islands, the Arctic, Antarctica Patagonia and — new for 2024 — the Adriatic Sea.

"Expedition cruising puts the ‘adventure’ in Adventures by Disney," said Jonathan Frontado, public relations director for Disney Signature Experiences (under which ABD falls).

But even with the Disney name attached, parents may be surprised to learn that these “high adventure” cruise destinations are also kid-friendly.

In fact, the brand developed these expedition cruise itineraries to provide family-focused opportunities in destinations that may not be top-of-mind for family vacations, explained Hunter Robertson, senior marketing and sales strategy manager for ABD, during a TravelAge West-hosted Discover Expedition Cruising webinar late last year.

RELATED: What to Know About Adventures by Disney’s Arctic Expedition Cruises

I recently embarked on an ABD expedition cruise of my own — along with my college-age son, Jacob, and 160 other passengers (including a dozen "Junior Adventurers" under age 13). The Antarctica & Patagonia Expedition Cruise, hosted onboard the elegant L’Austral ship (operated by French cruise line Ponant), brought us on a 12-day adventure. We visited Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, and Patagonia; traversed the infamous Drake Passage (twice); and spent four days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, all while checking off once-in-a-lifetime experiences as we went — from seeing spectacular "arctic blue" icebergs to getting up close and personal with adorable gentoo penguins.

What Sets ABD Apart From Other Operators

I quickly learned that the team of Adventure Guides is what differentiates an ABD expedition cruise from similar itineraries with other operators. These Disney cast members simultaneously and seamlessly serve as logistics coordinators and magic-makers.

For example, during our New Year’s itinerary, our Adventure Guides created a magic moment in Ushuaia by providing us with pre-stamped postcards and arranging for them to be mailed from the southernmost post office in the world — even though it was closed for the holiday. The guides also hosted activities such as bingo, trivia contests, game nights and several dance parties — including a New Year’s Eve bash and an Antar-Tiki deck party.

Sometimes it’s difficult for guests to understand it's not Mickey Mouse on a ship or a tour who creates magic — it’s the Adventure Guides, explains Heather Straight, co-president and CEO of Key to the World Travel in Grand Rapids, Mich., who joined my sailing for her second ABD expedition cruise to Antarctica.

“You'll have great guides with any operator, but ABD Adventure Guides make it accessible for families to see the whole world — places they might have been scared to go — because the guides anticipate what kids will need,” she said.

You'll have great guides with any operator, but ABD Adventure Guides make it accessible for families to see the whole world — places they might have been scared to go — because the guides anticipate what kids will need.

To wit, our Adventure Guides designed special Disney/Antarctica-themed iron-on decals to personalize our bright red Ponant parkas (which clients get to keep). They even took thousands of photos, which everyone received shortly after the trip.

While the Adventures Guides kept us entertained onboard, Ponant’s Expedition Guides educated us during land, zodiac and kayak expeditions. (Note: kayaking requires pre-booking for an additional fee; guests must be at least 16 years old to participate.)

“What makes expedition cruising exponentially different from a ‘normal’ ABD trip, or even river cruising, are the Expedition Guides,” said Michaela, an ABD Adventure Guide. “They not only have the ability to take you on excursions, but they also have a knowledge and a love for what they’re seeing — and they share that joy and awe with us.”

Finding the Right Fit

So, what type of clients are a good fit for an ABD Antarctic expedition cruise?

It's definitely not a theme park vacation — or even a typical Disney cruise — but that doesn't mean Disney-loving clients won't also fall in love with ABD; it just means someone who isn't a "Disney person" may also be a perfect match.

“I like to think of ABD as a traditional all-around-the-world touring product, but with the magic you get from Disney cruises,” said Straight of Key to the World Travel. “We definitely start with our Disney Cruise Line clients, but also any of our ‘parks families’ looking to see the rest of the world.”

I like to think of ABD as a traditional all-around-the-world touring product, but with the magic you get from Disney cruises.

Especially at this point in the pandemic, she notes, many people with younger kids who were waiting to travel are no longer waiting.

Another important consideration for an ABD Antarctica expedition cruise is that while the minimum age to join is 10 years old (and Disney actually recommends 12), some 10- or 12-year-olds — or even teenagers — may not be ready for this adventurous of a trip.

"When we're qualifying clients, we ask, 'Are your kids going to be OK if they don't see the penguin they really wanted to see?’” Straight said. “Is it going to be OK if they thought they were doing a landing and they only do a zodiac cruise?”

Even if kids are active and adventurous and can handle those changes, she believes the sweet spot is still ages 12 and older.

And, of course, while there are plenty of people with an Antarctica expedition on their bucket lists, travel advisors shouldn’t overlook clients who haven’t mentioned it before.

“Antarctica was not on my bucket list until I had the opportunity to travel here with ABD,” Straight said. “And then, I realized, ‘Wow, it was on my bucket list!’ And I came back again.”

Pro tip: Clients with children who want to travel with other kids should consider the fall departure; the 2022 fall sailing had 40+ Junior Adventurers onboard, while the New Year’s sailing had just 12.