Our Favorite Small Expedition Cruise Ships

The Avalon Poetry II, launched in spring 2014, offers a delightfully intimate cruise setting along the Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers.

Experience sophisticated design, innovative sailing technology, and the finest expedition staff from aboard the comfortable and sophisticated 199-passenger L' Austral.

The MV Maritimo is a spacious, modern ship, fully air-conditioned and featuring the latest state-of-the-art equipment and amenities.

The Wilderness Explorer is equipped for action, adventure, and exploration. As with her sister ?Wilderness? ships, its interior complements the outside and public and private spaces are loaded with amenities. The ship offers a main lounge that evokes the feel of a National Park Lodge or neighborhood pub, dining room, and ample space on deck for taking in the great outdoors.

The Avalon Visionary one of two new ships introduced by Avalon Waterways in spring 2012, the 128-passenger Avalon Visionary sails on the Rhine river.

Running on Waves, a 64-meter, three-mast barquentine, is one of the world’s largest sailing ships. Dubbed “the most beautiful ship of the 21st century,” she delivered an unforgettable journey. Built to the highest safety standards for high-seas exploration, this vessel is prepared for any ocean adventure—except winter glacial zones.

Cruising Europe’s beautiful rivers with grace, Avalon Tranquility II is a captivating vessel that launched in 2015. Discover gorgeous Panorama Suites, fantastic cuisine, and unforgettable excursions of Avalon’s celebrated Suite Ships.

The refurbished, 335-passenger MS Spitsbergen is named after the island of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago, the Arctic crown of Norway.

The Avalon Expression, launched in 2013, is a 164-passenger ship that is almost identical to the Avalon Panorama and Avalon Vista. It offers cruises on the Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers.

Farah Nile Cruise is a 5-star deluxe ship sailing the Nile in style. Built in 2011 and refurbished in 2019, it offers 56 cabins and 2 suites with modern comforts, Wi-Fi, and 24h service. Onboard amenities include a restaurant, lounge bar, gym, sauna, library, massage room, and sun deck with Nile views.

This was a radical new design, based on the old K class used in Burma from the 1880s on. This ship is the third Katha to run on the Irrawaddy. The first was built at Dalla in 1887 but lost on the Chindwin in 1889. The second was built by Denny of Dumbarton in 1904 and decommissioned in 1937 and the third was built by us in Vietnam in 2012.

The Calypso Cruises, a steel boat with sturdy double bottoms, wears a white gown as the beauty of a goddess in her twenties, full of life energy. Each cruise consists of 20 luxury cabins designed in classic Indochina style.

Jaz Crown Prince offers a luxurious cruising experience on the Nile with spacious cabins featuring large windows for mesmerizing views. Guests can enjoy local storytelling sessions, nightly performances, and enjoy both local and international cuisines. With 76 double cabins, 4 single cabins, a main restaurant, a poolside bar, and a lounge bar.