Our Favorite Small Expedition Cruise Ships

This luxurious river cruiser features panoramic views from the sundeck, a pool and swim-up bar, gourmet meals, luxurious lounges, and comfortable rooms for up to 164 passengers.

The (formally RMS) St. Helena, originally built to serve a remote community, is a British-built, 2022-refurbished vessel with a rich legacy. Now part of the Terra Nova fleet, she offers adventure-filled Antarctica voyages that are uniquely capable and character-rich small expedition ship delivering value and purpose in every journey.

Explore the Rhine River and Danube River aboard the Avalon Imagery II. Launched in 2016, this 128-passenger vessel is a standout addition to Avalon Suite Ships featuring stunning Panorama Suites, luxurious amenities, and the best views of Europe.

The AmaReina features the most advanced design of any river cruise vessel currently in operation. Our exclusive Twin Balconies are available in most staterooms, Passengers will enjoy gourmet dining with free-flowing fine wines at multiple onboard dining venues.

Step aboard one of the biggest & nicest expedition ships in the Galapagos, complete with Jacuzzi, exercise room, & various comfortable social areas. All 48 guests will feel right at home with private bathrooms & central air conditioning in all of the cabins. It even has a glass bottom boat, as an alternative way to witness the stunning marine life.

World Voyager can cater to up to 198 guests with refined accommodations, globally inspired gourmet dining, and premium cocktails. Take an extraordinary Antarctica experience to the fullest and in the shortest amount of time. The new Drake Express option lets you fly straight into King George Island off the coast of Antarctica and over the Drake Passage.

Measuring 443 feet in length and carrying just 163 passengers, the luxury vessel, Scenic Jasper marries space and intimacy with a sense of exclusivity not regularly found on Europe’s waters. Couple this with a 1:3 crew to passenger ratio and guests can expect attentive service from the minute they step aboard these illustrious river cruise liners.

The Nemo II motor sail catamaran offers a cruise experience in the Galapagos Islands. Guests enjoy comfortable double cabins with private bathrooms, daily meals, and amenities such as snorkeling and kayaking equipment.

The Manatee Amazon Explorer is an intimate way to explore the great Amazon - it holds just 30 passengers, and is a stunning example of jungle comfort and luxury.

The Safari Quest provides guests with intimate adventure experiences, comfortable staterooms and public spaces with ample room to get away from it all. Carrying 22 passengers, enjoy small ship luxury cruising at its finest.

The Panorama II is a 2-masted sail cruiser which can accommodate up to 49 passengers in 25 cabins. This state-of-the-art sail cruiser offers luxurious accommodations including onboard areas including an ample sun deck, dining room, and a swimming platform perfect for snorkeling, kayaking, & windsurfing.

The Aqua Mare is a true luxury cruise ship on the Galapagos Islands. Exclusivity is combined with the most personalized service enabled by two naturalist guides for 16 guests, on top of the island's most exclusive one-to-one crew to guest ratio.