Some cruise itineraries are a whirlwind of port stops that offer a quick glimpse of a locale before it’s on to the next. But some passengers want to experience more rather than checking off boxes. A new wave of cruising is redefining what it means to explore by sea, with longer time spent in one region (including overnight), curated cultural pursuits, local flavors and deeper connections. Book one of these five cruises offering a true sense of place:

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In summer 2027, Explora Journeys will transport passengers to Alaska for the first time. Embarking from the stunning British Columbia seaport city of Vancouver, the 11-night Journey of Spectacular Nature & Wild Adventure offers an immersion along the fjords, glaciers and mountain peaks of coastal Canada and the 49th state. Spot moose, mountain goats and brown bears in Ketchikan, also home to some of the oldest totems of the indigenous Tlingit and Haida people, and marvel at humpback whales and pods of orcas and sea lions on Hoonach Island. Sail the Hubbard Glacier, larger than the state of Rhode Island, with five of the 10 tallest peaks in America as the backdrop. Tackle the adrenaline-fueling trail to Harding Icefield in Seward. Along the way, sample the region’s incredible seafood including coho and king salmon and snow and Dungeness crab.

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If you’ve always dreamed of unearthing ancient Egyptian artifacts or translating hieroglyphics, Viking’s Pharaohs & Pyramids lets you discover your inner archaeologist. The 12-day itinerary starts with three days in Cairo with visits to the Sakkara Step Pyramid (a prototype for later pyramids); the Sphinx; and even the opportunity to ride a camel to the Great Pyramid of Giza, the only Wonder of the Ancient World that’s still intact. Next, a flight takes passengers to the embarkation city of Luxor, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to the Temples of Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, housing the tombs of Egypt’s great pharaohs, and Queen Nefertari’s tomb in the Valley of the Queens. Sail down the Nile while exploring port stops along the way, including shopping for Mamluk carpets and mother-of-pearl items in the colorful markets of Esna and Quena, whose Sheikh el-Qenawi Mosque serves as a monument to the city’s Islamic and Sufi past. An Egyptologist will be on hand throughout to provide historical commentary.

Antarctica cruises generally require a roundup sailing through the notoriously choppy Drake Passage, often referred to as the Drake Shake. While luckier passengers may undergo calm seas — the Drake Lake — why take the chance? National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has streamlined a journey to the elusive White Continent with its Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage. The 10-day itinerary bypasses the potentially rough sailing and gets to the good part more quickly, thanks to a two-hour flight from Puerto Natales, Chile, to the Chilean base of Presidente Frey on King George Island. Once on board one of two expedition ships, each holding around 100 passengers, a diverse team of experts (including professional photographers) will guide you during a polar exploration that takes you into channels and coves and alongside towering icebergs. Expect rare sightings of gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap penguins; leopard seals; and several species of whales, from humpbacks to orcas. Navigate the pure waters by kayak or Zodiac cruise, or set out on a bracing hike on the crunchy, pristine snow. November sailings on National Geographic Explorer offer the opportunity to cross-country ski or snowshoe across frozen sea ice.

Imagine a cruise that’s part immersion into Norway’s culture and history and part commuter transportation for locals. That’s the philosophy behind Hurtigruten, whose Original Coastal Express itinerary of 34 port stops has remained relatively unchanged since 1893. Its newer Signature concepts offer a more premium, all-inclusive onboard experience, with one dedicated port per day and longer stays. The nine-day North Cape Line – South experience begins in Tromsø, more than 200 miles above the Arctic Circle, a city which buzzes with boutiques, restaurants and a storied history of Arctic hunting and trade. Snowshoe or ice fish in Honningsvåg, the northernmost point of the journey, before heading to Alta, where there’s a high chance you’ll see the famed northern lights. Ride a cable car in Narvik to see a panorama of the confluence of three fjords; take in the coastal town of Åndalsnes, flanked by snow-covered peaks; and visit the bustling fish market in Bergen before ending the journey in Kristiansand. On the ship attend fascinating lectures and sample cuisine that’s mostly sourced from purveyors situated along the Norwegian coast.

Dreamy French Polynesia is so much more than overwater bungalows atop shallow turquoise lagoons. Windstar Cruises’ 12- day Tahiti and the Tuamotu Islands takes passengers to the more well-known Society Islands as well as the less visited, serene Tuamotu Islands on an itinerary blending natural pursuits with cultural ones. In Fakarava, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, look for reef, grey, whitetip and lemon sharks; manta rays; and dolphins via snorkeling, SCUBA or glass-bottom boat; Rangiroa’s huge coral-filled lagoon teeming with marine life is also a snorkeler’s paradise. A glorious sojourn spent on the private motu of Taha‘a is followed by several days on adjacent Raiatea, a former religious and cultural center home to the quaint town of Uturoa. An overnight stay on iconic Bora Bora includes an exclusive Polynesian feast and fire show, and passengers can wander temples and archaeological sites on Huahine and hike the Three Coconut Trail on Moorea. The trip starts and ends with stays in Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia’s largest city blissfully lacking the large crowds of other tropical regions.