The 6 Most Exciting Cruises for Active Travelers of Any Age

Claire Gallam (Volkman)

Mon, September 8, 2025 at 11:12 AM UTC

When I was younger, I used to avoid cruises like the plague. I thought they were all crowded pools, endless buffets and shuffleboard. But somewhere along the way (thanks to age and a hankering to see more of the world), that mindset changed. Now, I've kayaked through iceberg-laced waters in Greenland, hiked up to volcanoes in the Galapagos thick with the sound of sea lions howling and zip-lined through the dense rainforest in Costa Rica—all on cruise itineraries.

The fun is onboard, too. I've tackled multi-story waterslides, tested my nerve on free-fall slide drops, surfed artificial waves and even taken aerial fitness classes that left me sore for weeks after my cruise ended. Cruises today aren't the passive vacations they once were—they're now powered by adrenaline and curiosity. And honestly, they've become one of my favorite vacations to take when I'm looking for active adventure. And the best part? I get to unpack once and still wake up somewhere new every morning.

Royal Caribbean

Fun fact: Royal Caribbean was the first cruise line I ever embarked on. Now, nearly 20 cruises later, it's still one of my go-tos for family and adventure travel. What I love about these ships so much is that I don't even have to disembark to get a thrill. On the mega ship Icon of the Seas , the Category 6 waterpark, home to the tallest waterslide at sea, is an adventure in itself, with a near-vertical free-fall slide that delivers just as beautiful views as it does action. Wonder of the Seas ramps up the excitement with the 10-deck Ultimate Abyss dry slide and twin FlowRider surf simulators to teach you how to catch a wave. Odyssey of the Seas takes things even higher with the RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator and the gravity-defying Sky Pad bungee trampoline. Meanwhile, Harmony of the Seas offers a nine-deck-high zip line and an ice-skating rink that doubles as a dazzling performance venue.

Quasar Expeditions

One of the most meaningful cruises I ever took was with Quasar Expeditions to the Galapagos aboard Princess Grace Kelly's honeymoon yacht. As luxurious as it sounds, the boat was the least impressive thing about the entire experience. Every single day of my 8-day Darwin-themed cruise involved activity for all ages—from kayaking and swimming in bioluminescent bays to exploring the 5 unique islands on foot to hiking to the massive Sierra Negra Volcano caldera on Isabela Island to paddleboarding alongside blue-footed boobies and sea lions, and more. I was fast asleep by 9 pm every single night, completely worn out from the day's activities.

UnCruise Adventures

The only cruise line that truly hooked me on the small-ship experience was UnCruise , and it was the 7-night Costa Rica adventure onboard the Safari Voyager that opened my eyes to the idea of "adventure" cruising. No day was alike during this trip. One day I was hiking through the dense rainforests of Santa Rosa National Park, another day I was trekking along mischievous monkeys and the untamed wilderness of the tropical fjord Golfo Dulce, and another I was snorkeling along the coral reefs of the Osa Peninsula. Every single day and port visit brought ample ways to explore, and between kayaking, hiking, snorkeling, and swimming, my heart beat never dropped below 120 beats per minute.

Hurtigruten Expeditions

All travelers have that one trip that truly changed the course of their life, and my 11-day voyage to Greenland and Norway onboard Hurtigruten in 2017 was that one for me. Although my exact itinerary is no longer an offering, the focus on sustainability and adventure still sits at the heart of Hurtigruten expeditions. My days were packed with guided hikes, kayak rides alongside calving icebergs (talk about thrill), deep-sea plunges into polar waters, visits to remote Greenlandic villages accessible only by boat and fishing expeditions outside of Bergen. If you take one of their Norway tours now, you're spoiled with adventure-packed excursions to choose from that vary by season (ranging from snowmobile safaris in winter and spring to ATV tours and stand-up paddleboarding in summer).

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

Alaska is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, and I saw it unlike any other aboard National Geographic-Lindblad Alaska's Coastal Wilderness . From the deck of a nimble expedition ship, we cruised through narrow fjords, past towering glaciers and into remote coves a traditional cruise could never access. Each day brought a new way to see the Last Frontier, from kayaking through iceberg-strewn waters to hiking dense bear-tracked rainforests to taking Zodiacs deep into glacier-carved inlets where I saw my first ever humpback whale. With expert naturalists and National Geographic photographers guiding every step, this trip wasn't just about seeing Alaska, it was about living it. Plus, as a budding photographer, I learned so many new tips and tricks on capturing wildlife – something I still cherish to this day.

Abercrombie & Kent

Of all the adventures on my radar, the Abercrombie & Kent's luxury expedition to Antarctica is the one I salivate over the most. And, if all goes well, it will hopefully be cruise #25 for me. The adventure doesn't start when you reach Antarctica's awe-inspiring tundra—it starts on board. According to travel writer friends and family who have embarked on this adventure, navigating the Drake Passage is as thrill-pounding as it gets. With A&K, the experience is both rugged and refined—think expertly guided Zodiac excursions through iceberg-laced bays, hikes to penguin-covered ridgelines and lectures from polar scientists and seasoned explorers who bring the destination to life. And after a day of exploring, returning to a beautifully appointed expedition ship with five-star service doesn't sound too bad either.

This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 8, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.