Our Favorite Small Expedition Cruise Ships

Award-winning Silver Shadow has all the hallmarks of extreme luxury at sea. With one of the highest space-to-guest ratios at sea, Silver Shadow is a firm favourite in the Silversea fleet.

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.

Silver Muse, a luxury Silversea cruise ship launched in 2017, offers world-class comfort, dining, and service for 632 guests. Fresh from a 2025 refurbishment, it now features the immersive S.A.L.T. Kitchen and S.A.L.T. Bar, showcasing destination-inspired cuisine and cocktails, plus enhanced suites and pool deck upgrades.

The <i>Delfin II</i> is a stately riverboat recently built for the express purpose of exploring deep into the Peruvian Amazon at the headwaters of this mighty river - and doing so in modern tropical style.

The M/Y Callisto is furnished with rich fabrics, handsome woodwork, gleaming brass, rare antiques, and fine works of art for comfortable cruising. Because Callisto is a yacht, it can visit those unspoiled islets, pristine beaches, and intimate coves

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.

With occupancy for just 64 guests, the Sea Cloud is a modern and elegant windjammer outfitted with modern amenities and uniquely decorated cabins. Multiple decks allow you to enjoy the ambiance of the Mediterranean & Caribbean Seas in tranquility as the wind guides the journey.

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

Delfin II offers all the comforts provided by world-class lodging yet with the spirit of casual and refined elegance while you sail in the Peruvian Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Accommodating 30 passengers in 14 guest suites, memorable goes hand in hand with a Delfin experience.

The boat features eleven cabins and three decks with both outside and inside dining areas. Dragon's Pearl Junk provides an off the beaten track cruise experience to Bai Tu Long Bay with many interesting activities. Visitors experience the natural wonders of Halong Bay by kayaking, fishing, dining and cruising.

Discover the magic of France aboard MS Danièle. The CroisiEurope canal barge cruises through the waters of Burgundy, delivering utmost comfort to first-time cruisers and frequent travelers alike.

The World Explorer is a polar expedition cruise ship designed to accommodate 176 passengers. The ship offers an extraordinary level of service, including abundant space for guests and multiple public areas to relax based on passengers’ individual travel styles.