Our Favorite Small Expedition Cruise Ships

Discover a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel aboard this glamorous limited-capacity yacht with environmentally-friendly equipment. Le Dumont-d'Urville features elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with windows, and lounge areas opening to the outside, offering a unique cruising experience.

The Aria Amazon is a true luxury cruise ship on the northern Amazon River in Peru. Combining the best of eco-tourism with luxury, the Aria Amazon offers an extraordinary level of comfort for her 32 guests.

Ocean Explorer, purpose-built for polar exploration, is a striking vessel accommodating 138 passengers. This modern and elegant ship boasts state-of-the-art technologies, including the innovative ULSTEIN X-BOW® for a smooth and stable ride in challenging seas. Enjoy panoramic ocean views in the two-story bow library, and experience modern Scandinavian-designed cabins with verandas for most. The ship offers a spacious gym, sauna, two outdoor Jacuzzis for relaxation, ample outdoor viewing areas, and multi-height outer decks. With 15 Zodiacs for off-ship adventures and sustainability features like fuel-efficient Rolls Royce engines, Ocean Explorer is an eco-friendly choice for polar exploration.

The luxurious ship Aqua Nera draws design inspiration from the Peruvian Amazon?s mystical blackwater lagoons and bears the hallmarks of contemporary style and generous interiors. Highlighting a cuisine by Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, one of Peru?s finest chefs, known for creating refined cuisine from native Amazonian produce.

Alya catamaran offers luxury cruises to the Galapagos Islands. Accommodating just 16 passengers, the Alya boasts 9 spacious cabins with private facilities and a private balcony in each. Inside are the library, lounge, and dining areas, and outside guests can enjoy an ample sun deck and Jacuzzi.

Heritage Adventurer is a true pioneering expedition vessel of exceptional pedigree. Often referred to as the 'Grande Dame of Polar Exploration' due to her celebrated history and refined design, she was purpose-built for adventure in 1991 at Finland's Rauma shipyard and specifically designed for Polar exploration.

The beautiful EcoGalaxy is a new, eco-friendly Galapagos catamaran. Built in 2014, she provides leisurely excursions, optimal comfort, attentive guides, and upgraded, modern social areas. With capacity for just 16 passengers in 8 well-appointed cabins, this is an ideal vessel for your Galapagos cruise.

Exquisitely appointed, the Safari Explorer carries 36 passengers on small ship cruising of Hawaii with luxury. She features an intimate wine library, spa area with complimentary massage, and luxurious staterooms.

The 58-passenger Admiralty Dream is a small ship with a shallow draft and stately pace of cruising so that nothing will be missed in the narrow channels, bays & islands of Alaska's Inner Passage. Experience warm yacht-style cruising with a knowledgeable & friendly crew, in the comfort of the ship's lounge, sun deck, and well-appointed cabins.

Perhaps the most luxurious small yacht in the Galapagos, the new Galapagos Elite set sail in Summer 2019. It has reinvented luxury, comfort and class in the Galapagos!

Cruise the polar regions in luxury aboard the Le Soleal. This small ship carries 224 passengers in luxurious accommodations with first class amenities.

With ample deck space, signature twin or French balconies in most staterooms, and occupancy for 164 passengers, the MS Amaprima offers a modern and comfortable way to experience the Rhine River of central Europe. Reflective of classic ocean yachts, you'll even find a fitness room, a massage & hair salon, and a unique glass elevator.

Indulge in an intimate cruise with the opportunity to visit an ever-expanding choice of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Authenticity and a love of travel are the focal points of this opulent setting.

Experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel.

The Ocean Nova (previously called Sarpik Ittuk) was built in 1992 at the Ørskov Shipyard in Frederikshavn, Denmark, to navigate the ice-choked waters off Western Greenland. The ship was upgraded in 2000 and significantly refurbished once again in 2006.

The sleek, intimate Le Lyrial sails under the French flag and entrances her passengers with her contemporary decor, comfortable suites, and refined ambiance. Her elegant design allows her to be an ideal sailing vessel.

Combining luxury, amenities, and many social areas, the recently remodeled 90-passenger Santa Cruz II reigns in the Galapagos as one of the most comfortable large cruise ships in the archipelago. Featuring all new a fitness room, gift shop, al fresco BBQ area, restaurant, bar, & lounge, as well as other social areas to get to know your fellow passengers.

Grand Majestic is the only modern mega-yacht cruising the Galapagos. This elegantly sporty yacht is the fastest in the Islands and offers high-quality service, a Master Suite, and luxurious social areas to make your trip a once in a lifetime experience.