Our Favorite Small Expedition Cruise Ships

MV Freya is a classic expedition ship built with the highest 1A ice-class rating, carrying just 12 guests for an intimate Arctic experience. Once a lighthouse-building vessel, she combines rugged strength with modern comfort, offering spacious cabins, multiple viewing decks, and a welcoming onboard atmosphere. With two Zodiacs, a sauna, and an open-bridge policy, Freya delivers authentic small-ship exploration with character and charm.

Experience ultra-luxury travel on Scenic Ikon across Europe, the Mediterranean, and Antarctica. Enjoy indulgent suites, 15 dining venues, wellness and fitness facilities, curated excursions, and exclusive helicopter and submersible experiences.

The M/C Galapagos Eminence represents the pinnacle of luxury expedition cruising in the Galapagos Islands. Conceived as the largest, most innovative, and most luxurious exclusive-capacity catamaran in the archipelago, Eminence brings together advanced technology, refined design, and a new level of onboard comfort.

The small cruise ship M/S Splendid was built for summer 2014 with 19 passenger cabins accommodating up to 38 guests. The M/S Splendid will satisfy your refined expectations for a comfortable cruise along the Adriatic Coast.

Emerald Harmony, the newest Emerald Star-Ship launched by Emerald Cruises, was designed to take up to 84 passengers and this watercraft is designed specifically to navigate the waters of the Mekong.

The Tip Top II was built in 2008 and redesigned in 2015-2016 to offer the highest level of comfort and the best experience in the Galapagos Islands.

Embark on this refurbished 88-small ship, the Legacy. Emulating an earlyl victorian steamer, this charming vessel carries guests on small ship cruises to Alaska, Columbia River cruises, and historic Northwest exploration. History comes alive with lecturer

Silver Origin is the height of experiential travel in the Galapagos. This 100-passenger destination-specific ship offers an extraordinary voyage for extraordinary people sailing to Galapagos.

Jayavarman is a ship resembling a floating art gallery, with fine works of art exhibited all over the public decks. The ship's public spaces and rooms are decorated with a stylish Art-Deco theme and a charming French-colonial aesthetic. The warm and embracing atmosphere invites you to feel at home from the first step aboard.

The MS La Boheme sails along the romantic Rhine and blue Danube. Built in 1995 and recently refurbished, the La Boheme is an oasis of comfort as you sail the rivers of Europe.

The enchanting Jahan captivates and transports guests back in time with an aura evoking the glory of former British India. Named after the celebrated 16th-century Indian emperor and a great patron of the arts, Shah Jahan, Heritage Line designed this regal craft with fine artworks and outfitting sourced from India.

ARANOA is a mixed passenger and freighter ship that sails in French Polynesia, mainly the Austral Islands. It offers 91 cabins, including suites with balconies and dormitory-style options, and can host up to 198 passengers. The ship combines reliable transport with comfortable accommodations for inter-island travel.