Luxury Meets Adventure

Adventure often evokes images of adrenaline-pumping thrills—cliff diving from dizzying heights or bungee jumping in remote locations. My perspective on adventure has shifted over the years. In my early 20s, my idea of adventure was checking skydiving off my bucket list. But as I've traveled more, I've realized that adventure is what you make of it. My solo journeys through India and Nepal didn’t involve extreme sports, but they were filled with their kind of adventure, like navigating shoulder-to-shoulder train rides and fighting for your place in line at the ticket station. Other adventures that have more than filled my cup, cooking with Malaysian grandmothers or diving into rural villages where no one speaks English. As time passed, my definition of adventure evolved further. I’ve understood that adventure is not limited by activity but can be woven into experiences of all kinds. 

Before COVID, I worked with a travel company in Indonesia, where I saw firsthand how luxury can also be adventurous. You might think that indulging in a spa treatment or savoring a multi-course meal doesn't fit the adventure mold. However, putting exotic algae on your face or trying new foods, whether served on fine china or from a street cart, can be just as adventurous as any extreme sport. And while a spa might seem like a stretch, for some, it represents a new experience with its sense of discovery. Why can't my definition of adventure also include some relaxation and self-care? 

So here we are. Yet another example of how luxury and adventure can collide into an incredible, breathtaking, and indulging experience. In February, my husband and I embarked on a long-held dream to visit Antarctica. With a focus on my needs for certain creature comforts, I knew this adventure would be extra special. I knew that for me personally, I could no longer tolerate small porthole cabins and runny scrambled eggs without a full-on panic attack. I have learned over the many years of backpacking across Asia that while I am overjoyed with the idea of discovering a new place all on my own, I am also just as content as being shown. The opportunity to travel on the Scenic Eclipse seemed to meet all my requirements, but I was curious—would this luxury cruise still offer the authentic Antarctic experience? The answer was a resounding yes. Traveling on the Scenic Eclipse provided the perfect blend of luxury and adventure.