From breathtaking voyages through the icy waters of Antarctica and an incredible wildlife cruise through the Galapagos islands, to sailing through the beautiful remote islands of the Indonesian archipelago and touring the African bush aboard your own floating hotel, traveling by boat is a great way to take the stress out of a vacation and to explore some of our planet’s last frontiers. 

Looking for ideas for your next vacation? Here’s an A-list of luxury cruises handpicked by the travel specialists at Exsus Luxury Holidays.  

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1. Cruise the Amazon aboard the purpose built luxury cruise ship the M/V Aqua. Able to take a maximum of 24 guests the M/V Aqua’s 12 spacious suites including four grand suites feature picture-windows for unsurpassed views of the Amazon jungle where you will see the endangered pink dolphin, three toed sloth, and a jungle canopy filled with monkeys, and macaws. Dining aboard the M/V Aqua is an experience in itself with award winning Chef Pedro Miguel serving up gourmet Peruvian food served with the very best South American wines. Various cruises are available between three and seven night durations. If you had ever wanted to see the Amazon this has to be one of the best ways to do it.

2. Cruise to Antarctica in luxury aboard the Silver Seas Explorer for the chance to explore one of the most remote regions of the planet. The ship is equipped with eight zodiac inflatable boats for excursions on the ice where you will be taken on expeditions with experts explaining the ecology and geology of the area. A list is provided to each passenger as to what gear and clothing are required for the trip prior to your departure. After your exciting days adventure the ship becomes a luxurious country club with fine dining with after diner cognac and cigars. If you had ever wanted to see polar bears and penguins in their natural habitat this defiantly has to be the way to go.

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3. Called the ultimate sea safari; a cruise aboard the Tiger Blue in Indonesia’s tropical islands is the perfect family adventure with the feel of the swashbuckling pirate days aboard this beautiful handmade teak 34metre schooner. Visit the remote Spice Islands in search of the Komodo dragon, or dive in the crystal clear water full of marine life. Aboard the Tiger Blue you can customize your vacation to do whatever you want be it fishing, diving, and hiking up volcanos or just relaxing with a good book while the trade winds power your boat to your next destination. With your own personal chef you can try some of the satay for which Indonesia is famous, or have him cook up your freshly caught catch. This sea safari is the perfect vacation for family and friends.

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4. Have you ever wanted to go on an overland African safari but hated the idea of having to pitch your own tent each night? Now you can tour the African bush aboard your own floating hotel the “Zambezi Queen” cruising the mighty Chobe River between Namibia and Botswana’s Chobe National Park home of the most elephants in Africa. No getting up in the early hours of the morning to join the other groups of tourists on game drives. You can view all the wildlife from your luxury private suite. Choose between a two, and three night cruise along the river for what is sure to be a memorable vacation.

5. Discover Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands aboard the M/Y Galapagos Odyssey. Located on the Equator, Ecuador is the perfect year round place to visit. The M/Y Galapagos Odyssey is a luxury yacht designed for the eco-conscious travel wishing to see the Galapagos Islands in privacy, and comfort. Combine the Islands with an Andean Mountain adventure or explore Ecuador’s Amazon rain forest.

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About Exsus

Exsus is a privately owned tour operator with 12 years’ experience in arranging luxury, bespoke holidays to Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and Latin America.  HQ is Fenchurch Street in the City of London, with a second office in Edinburgh and a third in New York. To learn more, visit

www.exsus.com

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This article is a sponsored listing from Exsus.

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Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".