Our Favorite Small Expedition Cruise Ships

Cruise France’s beautiful Burgundy region aboard 12-passenger L’Impressionniste, designed for traveling on canal barges in France. Originally constructed in 1960, the luxury hotel barge now whisks guests away on a memorable cruise full of wine tasting, castle tours, and regional delicacies.

The Magna Carta is a luxury barge that cruises the waterways of England in style. Accommodating a maximum of 8 guests, it will give you space to really relax and enjoy the highlights of this stunning region. Her Captain and crew know the river so well, that together they ensure a voyage of gentle exploration is an unforgettable experience.

The Panache is a classic Dutch barge that offers a spacious size unusual on a hotel vessel. Her well-designed interior and contemporary style makes it the perfect ship to appreciate the very best of the region, passing storybook villages along the way, visiting places such as Strasbourg, admiring their Baroque and Romanesque architecture.

The Shannon Princess is a 10-passenger barge that cruises the small lakes and rivers throughout the Irish countryside. Experience Irish hospitality with the owners themselves who are the Chef and Captain. Their commitment to an excellent service will make your stay a one of a kind experience.

Sail the magnificent waterways of Scotland aboard the elegant hotel barge, The Spirit of Scotland. Built less than 20 years ago specifically for the use as a hotel barge, this 12-passenger vessel was designed to perfection and allows guests to experience the charming Scottish ambiance.

Enjoy Silver Whisper's relaxing, sophisticated, and genuinely elegant atmosphere. This multi-million dollar refit makes her one of the most technically up to the minute ships at sea. Admire the stunning beauty of Europe & the Caribbean aboard this 382 passenger ship.

Introducing the new luxury ship from Silversea, Silver Dawn, a combination of both the classic and modern evolution of their fleet that has the best features of its sister ships Silver Muse and Silver Moon, which set the new standards of luxury.

The vessel is a 131-foot-long barge that has been transformed into a two-deck riverboat. Laos Pandaw has a capacity of 20 passengers. Laos Pandaw launched in November 2015 as the only ship sailing on the Upper Mekong River and visiting the three countries of the Golden Triangle (Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar (Burma)) and China.

The M/Y Kontiki Wayra is a luxurious boutique yacht offering an exclusive and immersive cruising experience along the stunning coastline of Costa Rica. This contemporary ship blends elegance, comfort, and adventure, all against the backdrop of Costa Rica's immaculate beaches, lush rainforests, and varied wildlife. It was built for travelers looking for an intimate and personalized journey.

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.

Embark on a luxurious river cruise aboard the Avalon Artistry II, an Avalon Waterways Suite Ship famed for spacious staterooms, panoramic views, and unique river tours in Europe and Asia.

Avalon Waterways introduced the Avalon Vista in the spring of 2012. The 166-passenger ship is almost identical to the Avalon Panorama and offers cruises on the Danube River.