Luxpedition Vacations: Have Your Adventure and Luxury Too

Hello and welcome to All Things Travel!

 Looking for an adventure on your next vacation, but not quite ready to give up those nice amenities? You may have heard the term Luxpedition. Well, what's that and how could it impact your next vacation? Today, we'll tell you all about it. 

Listen in with travel advisors and destination experts Ryan and Julie. He's your travel professor, teaching you everything you need to know to have a magical vacation. She's your Disney loving, Maryland mom of three, who specializes in family travel. Whether we're discussing incredible destinations, top vacation tips, or sharing our personal stories, it's always All Things Travel.

Intro (0:00-2:00)

• Defining the term "luxpedition" - luxury + expedition
• Merging adventure with high-end amenities and accommodations
• Who this type of travel appeals to

The Luxpedition Experience (2:00-12:00)

• Examples: Antarctica cruises, Galapagos, African safaris
• Getting an "expedition" experience with remote destinations/activities
• But staying in luxury camps/lodges/ships with top amenities
• Ability to set your own activity level - from relaxed to rugged

Luxpedition in Antarctica with Atlas Ocean Voyages (12:00-20:00)

• Detailed overview of included luxuries on Atlas expeditions
• Free chartered flights, pre/post hotels, excursions, gear, etc.
• Nine night cruise from $6,699 pp with second guest free deals
• Pictures/anecdotes from recent guest trip experiencing the continent

Is Luxpedition Right for You? (20:00-25:00)

• Who these trips appeal to (curiosity, comfort, adventure)
• Cost comparison to normal cruises/resorts
• Other potential destinations: Galapagos, African safaris, gorilla trekking
• Call to contact your advisor to learn more

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Transcript

Ryan: 0:00

Hello and welcome to All Things Travel. Looking for an adventure on your next vacation, but not quite ready to give up those nice amenities? You may have heard the term Luxpedition. Well, what's that and how could it impact your next vacation? Today, we'll tell you all about it. Listen in with travel advisors and destination experts Ryan and Julie. I'm your travel professor, teaching you everything you need to know to have a magical vacation. And she's your Disney loving, Maryland mom of three, who specializes in family travel. Whether we're discussing incredible destinations, top vacation tips, or sharing our personal stories, it's always all things travel. So, Julie, I've got a couple questions for you.

Julie: 0:47

Okay,

Ryan: 0:48

When you think of expedition when it comes to travel, what comes to mind? Okay.

Julie: 0:57

backpacking and tough climates and a lot of equipment and basically being uncomfortable. There

Ryan: 1:10

the eco challenge that used to be on TV, there you go.

Julie: 1:14

you go.

Ryan: 1:14

So now, when you think of luxury when it comes to travel, what do you think of?

Julie: 1:20

Sitting on my balcony or my veranda or my beach chair and having my butler just bring me everything.

Ryan: 1:31

Well, yes, I will have a fourth Aperol Spritz. Thank you. Well, hey, today we're going to talk about a different type of travel that people may have started hearing about. Because there's a real interest in adventure travel, how that plays out has changed over time. It's really misunderstood. People kind of think about, if I want adventure travel, I've got to do that first example that you gave of schlepping everything, on the camel through the desert, you know, down the Nile River. And there's some very real examples of this idea of luxpedition. And so I want to, talk about that today.

Julie: 2:14

All right.

Ryan: 2:16

So this term Luxpedition, Julie, the first example that I could get from it was from an article in 2018 from Business Insider and basically they were talking about the increase in interest in glamping vacations. So kind of this merging of expedition and a luxury experience. So If you want to think about Luxpedition this way, the vacation is taking you to the adventure, but it's in a luxury setting. So you're going out and you are exploring the Galapagos Islands, you're exploring the Serengeti, but your camp, your resort, your ship is a luxury setting. So that's really what Luxpedition is. I know we've talked about that in our travel agency meetings, is that kind of how you think of it as well?

Julie: 3:07

Yes. You can go from walking on the seventh continent of Antarctica and come back to go to the spa.

Ryan: 3:17

yes, and I'll actually show an example of that a little later today in our episode. Now, don't think that you're going to be crazy active. You can be, but really these Luxpedition vacations are designed to be as rugged or relaxed as you want to be. So, you're going to the Arctic. You could go out and do hiking and ice climbing. Or, you could be on a Zodiac doing wildlife, observations so it can be strenuous, but it doesn't have to be. Examples of Luxpedition are safaris, being in the Arctic, being in Antarctica, being in the Galapagos. Oftentimes, the Galapagos and safaris Are more attractive to families the arctic and antarctic are more attractive to adults and older adults so when we think about the people that this type of vacation is right for These are definitely well traveled people. They're looking for That new interesting thing if you want to think about it that way

Julie: 4:21

The seventh continent.

Ryan: 4:23

Absolutely. They have an increased curiosity, they have an increased sense of adventure, but they're not willing to give up that five star amenities that I'm going to share here in a second.

Julie: 4:37

Yes, that makes a lot of sense. What?

Ryan: 4:41

example of Luxpedition, Julie, I want to talk about where in the world does all things travel? So when I went back and looked at locations this week, there weren't really any new ones that popped up. So I looked at the stats a little differently, and I took a global view, you like my pun there? A global view of where in the world does all things travel. So over the course of 215 episodes, All Things Travel has been listened to in 142 countries. Isn't that awesome?

Julie: 5:15

That's so cool.

Ryan: 5:16

absolutely. The highest countries being the U. S., Canada, U. K., Australia and then, Over the course of the 215 episodes, All Things Travel has been listened to in 5, 982 different cities around the world. That

Julie: 5:36

a lot of friends.

Ryan: 5:37

exciting! Isn't that awesome? And it's interesting because one of the things that I do notice when I look at the stats is when we highlight a different destination, because specific destination shows are our most popular, we always get a small following. From that location, but those people tend to stay So i'll give you a for instance. We had years ago. We had an episode about a trip that I took to marco island in florida Well, we gained a group of followers from marco island Still today, one of the top places that we get episodes downloads is Marco Island. Is that not cool?

Julie: 6:20

Very cool.

Ryan: 6:21

So, hey,

Julie: 6:22

geek. You're

Ryan: 6:23

I, I am geeking out. I, I just love it. It's just, it's so fun to talk, travel with my best friends and it's so fun to know that people enjoy it and they're listening and I bet Julie, we're helping people have better vacations.

Julie: 6:37

I hope so.

Ryan: 6:38

Love it. Love it. Well, hey folks keep on listening. We're excited that you're here and in 200 more episodes Who knows how many countries and cities are gonna be listening to all things travel?

Julie: 6:49

All right. Let's go for it.

Ryan: 6:51

All right, Julie So let's give an example of this Luxpedition idea a key partner that we work with that really has honed in on this idea of Luxpedition is Atlas Ocean Voyages For those who have listened for a long time, you will remember that a group of us, including me and my friend Mike, who's been on the show a couple times, took a Greek cruise with Atlas Ocean Voyages in 2021. And While they sail around the world, Julie, they have really niched down into Antarctica, polar expedition, and epicurean or food cruises. And really they've put a focus on these expedition cruises. I know if somebody came to me and said, I want to do Antarctica in a certain style, Atlas Ocean Voyages would be where I would send them. And I'm gonna tell you why with tons of examples here in a second. We have our good friend Andy Fuentes who actually works with Atlas Ocean Voyages. I don't know if you follow him on Facebook, Julie, but his family just went to Antarctica with Atlas Ocean Voyages and they had an amazing time. The pictures that he had, with the landscape and the wildlife, they even spent a night on Antarctica. They built snow caves and slept out under the stars. I mean, it was just An amazing looking trip.

Julie: 8:18

that sounds like a Something like fantastical that's like made up like I can't believe somebody that we know

Ryan: 8:26

Yeah, absolutely. And, I will see other people who have gone with Atlas and it's just the, the stuff that they're doing. It's just amazing. So I want to talk about what a cruise like that would look like, not the specific Antarctica portion, but what that would look like in kind of this Luxpedition setting. So when I look at Atlas Ocean Voyages, they are actually booking out into 2026. So there's 2024 options that are available and starting in October, going through the rest of 2024 into 2025 and then into 2026. And they have anything from Pretty short five night cruises to nine night 18 11 night 10 night cruises. So these are pretty involved cruises So if I look at an example here And this is a nine night from ushuaia and ushuaia is in patagonia in south america this is everything that is included and this is what I love about Atlas is, you're taking this amazing trip to the 7th continent, to Antarctica, and you are sacrificing nothing when it comes to your comfort and your experience. So, They call their ships yachts because they really are small ocean going ships. In fact, when I traveled with Atlas Ocean Voyages, that was my first time on a ship that size, and a lot of people who were more cruise savvy than I was at the time said it felt like river cruising. That was kind of the size of the, it was bigger, but it felt, it kind of had that feel to Here is everything that is included on a ship. Every Atlas Ocean voyage, regardless of where you are. And then we'll talk specifically about the expedition. So you have a free cultural immersion. So for instance, that is down in Patagonia at a national park before your trip to Antarctica, gourmet dining, beverages. Obviously, alcoholic beverages, open bars and lounges, 24 hour bar service, in room stocked minibar, teas, coffees, and waters all the time, high tea if you want in the afternoon. They have meet and greets after every excursion before dinner, 24 hour room service, really nice bath amenities, gratuities are paid for, you can use walking sticks and binoculars, they give you a reusable water bottle, and if you're in a suite, you have butler service. From Buenos Aires, you have a private chartered jet that takes your entire group from Buenos Aires. So you only have to get to Buenos Aires and they'll take care of the rest. You have onboard enrichment lectures, destination briefings, you have shore landings led by expert guides, escorted sightseeing safaris by Zodiac, a polar plunge if you want to do it, Included in your cruise fare is an Atlas Ocean Voyages parka and vest. They've got your equipment for you like your knee boots. You have a private transfers included with the airport and the yacht. You have a one night pre cruise hotel stay. a post hotel stay when you get to Buenos Aires both times. That's Luxpedition.

Julie: 11:51

It includes generally everything except for your flight.

Ryan: 11:55

Everything but your flight, you get yourself to Buenos Aires and it's taken care of. And I can tell you, not only from selling Atlas Ocean Voyages, but from going on it, everything is what I would consider Luxpedition level if you will. So here's the kicker, Julie. When you look at something like this, are these Luxpedition trips more expensive than the average vacation? Yes, however, if we're using Atlas as the example here, one of the things that they have going on and they have this often is second guest sale free. So for instance, in October, Julie, 2024, this is for Ushuaia round trip. So you go to Buenos Aires, they take care of you, you go down into the Antarctic, you go through the Drake Passage, you do all that stuff you gotta do, right? You get all the memories all the pictures To be in a deluxe stateroom and there are verandas There are different options, but a veranda when you're in antarctica I don't think it's really that big of a deal, but let's look at a deluxe stateroom julie with that second guest sales free After that promotion is applied the per guest fare is You 9, 249. Think of everything that I just said was included in that trip.

Julie: 13:30

And think of the general experience that

Ryan: 13:33

Oh, absolutely.

Julie: 13:34

to be like, absolutely, you could go to Antarctica or cruise anywhere for

Ryan: 13:40

Absolutely. And,

Julie: 13:41

are you having?

Ryan: 13:43

that's a nine night cruise and the prices based on the room category range anywhere from 6, 699 up to just under 11, 000 per person. Again,

Julie: 13:56

amazing.

Ryan: 13:57

These are not inexpensive, but they are packed heavy with everything you need.

Julie: 14:04

Right. Because one of the things that I Don't enjoy doing as a travel advisor is saying great. We booked your cruise now. What do you think about? gratuities Drink package excursions and all these add ons that we have to to go through so to have all that included is amazing

Ryan: 14:26

I think with a lot of these levels, when I look at things like Galapagos cruises, and when I look at African safaris, the partners that we work with the best, that's the way they look at the vacation. Because if you're taking that sort of trip, you don't want to one, feel like you're nickel and dimed, and you want to know that everything is taken care of. That's really Wexpedition is going to take you there, give you the experience, but make sure that you're staying in high level accommodations and experiences.

Julie: 15:00

Yeah. That sounds amazing. If I wanted to go to Antarctica, that sounds great.

Ryan: 15:05

And you know what? I'm the exact way. I'm like Andy, your trip looks amazing. All of this looks awesome. I Don't want to do it

Julie: 15:14

Yeah. I'm so happy for you that you slept on Antarctica.

Ryan: 15:18

I I love that options available because I will tell you folks asked me about the Antarctica There's a thing about it. And so yeah, I I get it. As we wrap up Julie Could you see yourself doing something like a Luxpedition trip?

Julie: 15:33

To the Galapagos. I could see it. Yeah. I feel like I have some

Ryan: 15:37

you were so excited about the Adventures by Disney. I could see you doing that.

Julie: 15:40

I know. I have come to realize I have a certain taste when I travel. Oh,

Ryan: 15:48

You're getting closer to Bougie Ryan.

Julie: 15:51

I thought you meant like age wise. I was like, not

Ryan: 15:53

well you are. I mean, every day you are.

Julie: 15:56

But, but, but, I like to be comfortable when I travel. I am not someone that is going to price compare to save a couple dollars. I know what I want and it's going to make it work. So I could definitely see that for that type of trip for Galapagos.

Ryan: 16:13

So I'm gonna throw an audible here. I'm gonna talk about a trip that I've never mentioned before, but just fascinates me and Lux Expedition would be the way to do it. I want to go observe the gorillas in Rwanda.

Julie: 16:29

Ooh.

Ryan: 16:30

I have seen that on different documentaries. I've seen travel that focuses on that. I know that National Geographic Expeditions does a trip with that. That just fascinates me.

Julie: 16:41

Okay. All right. Let us know when you're doing it, Ryan. Let us know.

Ryan: 16:47

will. I will.

Julie: 16:49

I can't wait to see those pictures. You want to plan a trip to an amazing destination like Antarctica or the Galapagos Islands but don't know how to get started? As your travel advisor, we work with you to create a customized itinerary for your vacation and take the stress of planning away so you can focus on the fun and creating memories. You can reach me at julie at creatingmagicvacations. com.

Ryan: 17:13

You can reach me at Ryan at CreatingMagicVacations. com. We look forward to talking to you next week on All Things Travel when we talk about some enchanting extras that you can add to your Walt Disney World trip to make it that much more special. Bye.