While mainstream cruise products may not be a great fit for an affluent clientele with limited time at their disposal, Australia-based DMC Southern Crossings is seizing the opportunity offered by more intimate, boutique cruise experiences that showcase the country’s rugged beauty and remote regions.

According to the company’s Director Paul Groves-Berry, collaboration with large cruise operators does not represent a significant part of its business strategy. “The smaller, more immersive expedition-style cruises that offer unique experiences and privileged access tend to have greater appeal for our clientele,” he told LATTE.

Rather than aligning with larger-scale cruise operators, the company works with smaller, high-end operators to offer tailored expeditions.

“Where we do have great opportunities is with some of the more boutique luxury offerings in the Kimberley or even On Board, which is a member of the Luxury Lodges of Australia, down in Tasmania.”

On Board’s expedition vessel, Odalisque III, launched in 2023, catering to a maximum of 12 guests in seven cabins. It operates itineraries that explore some of the most remote areas of Tasmania’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed wilderness.

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These shorter cruise options, typically four nights in length, fit seamlessly into broader bespoke travel plans. “It works well within a 10, 12 or 14-night itinerary to do three or four nights on a cruise, plus some other arrangements around it,” Groves-Berry said.

For, when it comes to trip duration, most travellers are sticking to familiar patterns despite earlier predictions that COVID-19 would drive longer or more localised trips. “12 to 14 is generally what it would be,” he said.

“Coming out of COVID, everyone thought that that might change a bit and that there’d be a bit more of that staycation-type travel. And we definitely see those occasionally.”

While US travellers — who represent a major portion of Southern Crossings’ clientele — often have to adhere to a two-week cap due to limited annual leave, some travellers, particularly from the UK, do tend to stay longer.

“We definitely have some people, of course, that will come down and be here for six to eight weeks,” Groves-Berry noted.