Backroads Designs More Active Cruise Ship Adventures

Backroads, a pioneer in active and adventure travel, is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2019.

By John Roberts

Backroads, our favorite active-travel tour company, has unveiled its new lineup of ocean and river cruise adventures. These voyages take you to top destinations like Alaska, New Zealand, Antarctica, Iceland, Japan, the Dalmatian Coast and the Baltic Sea.

Over the next two years, Backroads is set to feature more than 250 ocean and river cruises, along with additional "Full Ship Celebration" cruises on the Danube River and the Douro River in Portugal.

Backroads developed active cruises to offer a new way for adventure enthusiasts to travel the world. The first product was the company's "Active River Cruises" in 2015.

Participants in Backroads' adventure itineraries live aboard the ship at night and spend the days actively exploring a region, going at their own pace and connecting with residents in a way no other cruise experience offers.

By sailing on small ships, you get access remote ports for unique immersive experiences in the surrounding areas. Onboard, travelers enjoy private cocktail and wine tastings, delicious dining with wine included, full access to ship amenities and personalized service from the ship crew and Backroads trip leaders. Backroads has teamed up with the best small luxury cruise companies -- AmaWaterways, Ponant and KleinTours -- to curate one-of-a-kind journeys.

Backroads has partnerships with cruise lines that bring active travelers onto one-of-a-kin adventures aboard cruise ships, like Ponant's Le Lyrial.

I have done two Danube River cruises with Backroads and AmaWaterways, both hiking and biking along the waterway and into the countryside and cities in the region.

Both were among the most-rewarding travel experiences I have enjoyed.

"There is something very special about exploring a region by both water and land," Backroads President and Founder Tom Hale says. "When we first launched our active river cruises, I could never have imagined their popularity with Backroads guests.

"This year, we're rolling out some fabulous small-ship ocean cruises, so Backroads guests can enjoy all the amenities on the ships, while exploring the nooks and crannies of popular destinations across the world."

Backroads Small-Ship Experiences 
In 2018, Backroads debuted its first small-ship cruise tour to Iceland. The company now offers adventures in the Baltics, Venice to Croatia, New Zealand, Antarctica, Japan and the Galapagos in 2019 and 2020.

Backroads' intimate ocean cruises offer thoroughly planned active trips with expert ship- and land-based support teams. Trip leaders, activity guides and dedicated onshore vehicle support members take care of all of your needs during the program, so passengers are supported to explore as they wish.

The "Full Ship Celebration" departures on the Danube and Douro Rivers are unique sailings on which all passengers aboard the ship are Backroads travelers. This offers a cool opportunity to share your common interest in exploring the world actively with other like-minded travelers. All equipment and activities are included in the trip price.

The Active Ocean Cruises
Alaska Multi-Adventure (launching in 2020)
Antarctica Multi-Adventure
Baltic Sea Biking
Galapagos Multi-Adventure
Iceland Walking & Hiking
Japan Walking & Hiking
New Zealand Multi-Adventure
Venice to Croatia Biking

The Active River Cruises
Danube River Biking (Plus Full Ship Celebration)
Douro River Biking, Walking and Hiking (Plus Full Ship Celebration)
Galapagos, Andes and Amazon Walking and Hiking
Rhine River Biking   
Seine River Biking
That's quite a lineup. Which of these would you like to try?

Thanks for reading, 
JR