Cruising in the mediterranean, Europe cruising

Cruises and Voyages

Cruising allows you to navigate sights and experience an authentic taste of local life well off the beaten track.

Whether it’s a small expedition vessel exploring nooks and crannies that bigger ships can’t reach, an Antarctic cruise, a luxury exclusive charter or a fascinating cultural journey crossing continents, Steppes Travel is keen to highlight the benefits of voyaging, especially on smaller ships and yachts for those wanting a more personal and hands-on experience.

Island Roamer, British Columbia, Canada
Island Roamer, BC

Carbon Neutrality

Carbon is a complicated business and offsetting is far from being a perfect solution. While becoming carbon neutral is a positive declaration of intent, commitment to sustainability shouldn’t stop there. We also want to know what our cruise partners are doing to their greenhouse gas emissions, follow best practises in terms of other environmental operations and enhance the positive impact of their operations on the ground. With this in mind, we are currently undergoing a process of consolidation at Steppes, which will result in us offering a reduced number of cruises, with carbon neutrality as a minimum requirement. See our sustainability checklist below.

Galapagos Sea Lions,  Gardner Bay, Espanola, Galapagos Islands
Espanola , Galapagos Islands

Sustainability Checklist

We aim to satisfy the following six requirements in relation to the cruises we offer:

  • Small ships to have a lighter impact on the environment.
  • Cruise companies that are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint and have high standards in relation to waste management and air pollution.
  • Cruise companies with sustainable procurement policies to reduce food miles and minimise single-use plastic.
  • Cruise companies that give something back to the local communities they visit.
  • Cruise companies that follow strict codes of conduct for wildlife viewing and attempt to give something back to conservation.
  • Measure the carbon emissions of each cruise we offer and where the cruise company does not offset, we will balance emissions through World Land Trust.
View from bow, Ocean Nova, Antarctica, A21
View from bow, Ocean Nova, Antarctica

Polar Cruises

Remote, inaccessible and harsh yet utterly beguiling, long has Antarctica’s incomparable scenery, an exotic cast of wildlife and rich history beckoned the intrepid traveller. With 20 years experience of offering polar trips, Steppes Travel provides unparalleled first-hand knowledge, including tips and useful pointers you simply won’t find in any guidebook or website. Whether you have set your heart on seeing a polar bear or want to stand where very few have on the North Pole, polar cruises of all sizes can offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

Polar Cruises

Fisherman, Mekong river, Laos
Mekong River, Laos

River Cruises

Escape the cities and cruise along some of the world’s greatest rivers, exploring lesser-known sites in comfort and luxury. Time spent sailing is incredibly relaxing and a wonderful opportunity to observe picturesque landscapes, watch rural life and experience additional onboard activities from cookery demonstrations to language lessons or lectures from specialist guest speakers to spa treatments.

River Cruising

Blue footed booby at Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Blue footed booby, Galapagos Islands

Expert-Led Cruises

We have chosen to work with a selection of experts in their field on Steppes Travel privately chartered boats to a selection of destinations worldwide. We carefully select our experts based on their personal insight, knowledge, companionship and influence.

We have had some exciting expert-led cruises with the likes of Richard Dawkins in Hawaii, Jo Ruxton in Galapagos and Julian and Evelyn Dowdeswell from The Friends of the Scott Polar Research Institute to the Ross Sea.

Expert-Led cruises

Galapagos Odyssey, Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Cruises

Choosing a boat for your Galapagos Islands cruise can be tricky with so many to choose from. At Steppes Travel we have done the hard work for you. Between our Galapagos specialist team we have visited the islands over 15 times and been on all the boats. We can tell you which boats have more cabin space, which are more stable, which have private balconies and those that have interconnecting cabins.

Galapagos Cruises

Cruise Inspiration

Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made cruise ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique cruise adventure.

About our boat selection.

SS MISR Royal Steamer, Exterior of boat on the Nile, Nile Cruise, Egypt

Royal Steam Ship MISR

Sea Star Journey, Galapagos Islands

Sea Star

Mutum expedition boat exterior, Brazil

Mutum Expeditions

Kazazian Cruises exterior, Egypt

Kazazian Cruises

Exterior of Crucero Amazonas, Peru

Crucero Amazonas

Le Commandant Charcot

Le Commandant Charcot

Polar Pioneer Sea Ice

Polar Pioneer

MS Seaventure, Aerial view of ship ice breaking, Antarctica

MS Seaventure

Sylvia Earle

World Explorer copyright Sam Crimmin

World Explorer

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Sue Grimwood

I was inspired to travel south from an early age. My form teacher when I was nine made us listen to tapes from Shackleton’s expeditions, I didn’t know it at the time, but it obviously left a deep impression on my psyche.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Roxy Dukes

I love to squeeze as much out of my day as possible. An outdoors fanatic, I love to delve into harsh environments having summited numerous mountains and trail running into the unknown whenever I get the chance – whether at home or overseas. Funnily enough, it didn’t start like that. It took a few years for the burning fire of adventure to truly take light with my eyes opened by the adventures travel could afford.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Clare Higginson

It was my passion for languages that first encouraged me to leave the UK behind and grab my rucksack. Since then, it’s been a mixture of intriguing cultures, jaw-dropping landscapes and the wonder of seeing animals in their natural habitat that sees me continuously extending my travel wish list.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Kate Hitchen

My travels were first inspired by my love of the UK, which I take as much pleasure in exploring as countries far and wide. For me, travel is all about the adventure, the people I meet and the food I sample along the way.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

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Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

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