Small Ship & Expedition Cruises Tours & Trips 2020
705 trips to Small Ship & Expedition Cruises tours from 287 tour companies. 4,304 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.
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DEPARTURE DATES
Style
Style
Small Group Tour Small groups are usually defined as between 10 and 24 travelers, often less. If you're the kind of person who enjoys more intimate experiences and personal service this is a good choice. All else being equal you will pay a premium for this style vs a larger group tour.
Private Guided Private tours give you the undivided attention of a guide, and often involve special access to sites and unique experiences not available to larger groups. This is a great option for families, couples, and small friend groups. Expect to pay a bit more for the extra service.
Self Guided Tour A travel company plans your itinerary and arranges all the logistics including lodging, local activities, and transportantion. You have the flexibility of a solo trip while still getting the convience and time savings of expert planning. Get 90% of the benefits of a tour, without a guide.
Group Tour Groups are between 25-60 people, typically ~30-40. Usually there will be many opportunities to split off and enjoy meals and excursions in smaller groups. This is the most economical way to travel, saving up to 40% versus booking the same itinerary yourself.
River Cruise These vessels are smaller than most ocean cruisers, limiting which amenties are available. Passenger counts can vary. One of the biggest advantages of a river cruise is the ability to dock at smaller ports and local villages.
Small Ship Cruise Small ship cruises usually have a max passenger count of 500. The primary purpose of these trips is to spend time off the vessel in local ports (e.g. Mediterranean) or experiencing nature (e.g Galapagos or Antarctica). Cabins can vary from budget to luxury.
Large Ship Cruise This is the "floating city" experience, with multiple ways to enjoy your vacation aboard the ship as much as on land. Ships are multiple floors, provide several activities, culinary, and shopping options. They often make fewer stops and have less time available for shore excursions.
Retreats Similar to a self guided tour but staying in one location only with activities and day outings included as a part of the stay.
Price
Duration Dropdown
Travelers Age
Lodging Level
Lodging Level
Camping Typically involves most nights sleeping in tents (sometimes permanent tented sites) or in rustic cabins and lodges.
Basic - 2 star You'll stay in no-frills, but clean and comfortable, hotels or guesthouses. A 'Basic' trip might also involve a few nights of camping.
Value - 3 star Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels.
Premium - 4 star 3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards.
Luxury - 5 star The highest level of comfort and service. All accomodations are in four or five star hotels, boutique lodges or high-end homestays.
Physical Level
Physical Level
Very Easy Minimal walking - motor vehicles available for all major parts of trip.
Easy Normal generally flat walking in urban or suburban environments.
Moderate Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment.
Strenuous All or most of day hiking or biking, hills included.
Extreme Very challenging all day hiking and backpacking carrying significant equipment.
Theme
Attractions & Cities Visited
Activities & Interests
Travel Style
Travel Style
Flexible schedule A lot of free time, with very few inclusions. Ideal for independent and/or low-key travelers and cruisers.
Full schedule For those looking to maximize their sight seeing time. You thrive on a packed day’s schedule from 8 am to 6pm, with some (but limited) free time. Most activities and meals included.
Balanced schedule You will have solid amounts of both free time and structured time with some activities and meals included.
Flight & Transport Inclusions
Solo Friendly
Solo Friendly
Good for Singles Trips that specifically cater to travelers looking to meet other singles.
No Single Supplement Trips where single supplement is usually not required for solo travelers.
Supplier (Company)
Countries Visited
Continents Visited
Rivers & Seas Visitied
Stride Gives Back Stride Gives Back This trip visits a destination impacted by climate change. When you opt in to the Travelstride Gives Back program, we will donate 10% of our net revenue to organizations that help mitigate climate change in these destinations and across the globe. Learn more
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Cultures of Cuba Cruise
9 days
$ 267 / day
$ 2,399
Travel Style :
Array
Relaxed
Physical Level :
Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment.
Easy
Lodging Level :
3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards.
Comfort (4*)
Highlights
Visits:
- Many People-to-People interactions, onboard and ashore, which will immerse us in the culture and history of Cuba and its people
- Authentic, home-cooked lunches at local Paladars in Cuba (family-owned, in-home restaurants), where you meet the family
- Multiple lectures and interactive discussions on the people and history of Cuba
- Meet with local farmers who grow organic plants and herbs and learn their traditional ways
- Enjoy a performance by the Cienfuegos Choir
- Spend time with locals in Cojimar to learn about Ernest Hemingway’s association with the town and his fishing exploits
Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Best of China
13 days
$ 420 / day
$ 5,455
Travel Style :
Array
Relaxed
Physical Level :
All or most of day hiking or biking, hills included.
Moderate
Lodging Level :
The highest level of comfort and service. All accomodations are in four or five star hotels, boutique lodges or high-end homestays.
Luxury (5*)
Highlights
Visits:
- Dine At The Great Wall: Be the envy of your friends with a private chef-prepared buffet lunch on a quiet stretch of the Great Wall of China
- Summer Palace Cruise: Glide across Kunming Lake aboard a traditional vessel to admire the gardens and ancient pavilions of the Summer Palace
- See The Terracotta Warriors: Descend into dark excavation pits to glimpse the life-sized clay soldiers of the ancient Terracotta Army in Xi'an
Beijing, Great Wall of China, Shanghai, Three Gorges Dam, Xian, China
Diamond Princess by Princess Cruises
16 days
$ 192 / day
$ 3,069
Travel Style :
Array
Relaxed
Physical Level :
Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment.
Easy
Lodging Level :
You'll stay in no-frills, but clean and comfortable, hotels or guesthouses. A 'Basic' trip might also involve a few nights of camping.
Basic (2*)
Highlights
Visits:
- Enjoy cruising Diamond Princess
- Explore Singapore
- Authentic Japanese culinary experience
- Discover the major cities of Japan
Ho Chi Minh, Osaka, Taipei, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam
9 nights Tampa & Western Caribbean Cruise
10 days
Check price
Travel Style :
Array
Relaxed
Physical Level :
Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment.
Easy
Lodging Level :
3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards.
Comfort (4*)
Highlights
Visits:
- Enjoy the Cruise Norwegian Star
- Explore Florida’s top attractions
- Discover ancient civilizations in Tampa
Belize, Honduras, Mexico, United States
Gems of the Seine
11 days
$ 505 / day
$ 5,555
Travel Style :
Array
Relaxed
Physical Level :
All or most of day hiking or biking, hills included.
Moderate
Lodging Level :
You'll stay in no-frills, but clean and comfortable, hotels or guesthouses. A 'Basic' trip might also involve a few nights of camping.
Basic (2*)
Highlights
Visits:
- Meet your fellow guests at a lavish Captains welcome dinner on board your Scenic ‘Space-Ship’
- Seize the opportunity to take easy paced bicycle rides at your leisure through spectacular scenery and villages
- Sail along the majestic Seine River through landscapes that have inspired artists for generations
- Dock in Rouen, most notable as the location where Joan of Arc was accused of heresy and burnt at the stake at 1431
- Delight in the gastronomic specialties of northern France on board your Scenic ‘Space-Ship’
- Discover the highlights and charming villages of the Normandy, Calvados and Isle de France regions of France
- Sail to the open waters of the English Channel on board the luxurious Scenic Gem
- Cruise into Paris by night and see the lights of this magical city
- All tipping and gratuities
Paris, France
7-Night Mediterranean Magic Cruise
8 days
Check price
Travel Style :
Array
Relaxed
Physical Level :
Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment.
Easy
Lodging Level :
3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards.
Comfort (4*)
Highlights
Visits:
- Visit Monaco, playground of the rich and famous, for a tour of the opulent palace where film star Grace Kelly once resided.
- Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Grom Gelateria! You'll learn how this yummy treat is created and have the opportunity to sample some flavors.
- Take a private tour of Rome's most famous landmarks, including the Colosseum, Forum, Trevi Fountain, as well as the Vatican City Museum and Sistine Chapel.
- See how to press olive oil, make mozzarella cheese and harvest fruit at Agriturismo La Galatea Farm in Sorrento. Afterwards, enjoy a private pizza-making session with the chefs.
- On a day trip to the Island of Capri, cruise around the isle on a private boat and swim in the Mediterranean waters. It's an afternoon in paradise.
Colosseum, La Spezia, Rome, Sicily, Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, Italy, Spain
Tasmania, Authentic by Nature: Australia
7 days
$ 814 / day
$ 5,695
Travel Style :
Array
Relaxed
Physical Level :
Very challenging all day hiking and backpacking carrying significant equipment.
Hard
Lodging Level :
3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards.
Comfort (4*)
Highlights
Visits:
- View alpine Lake St. Clair and the Nelson Waterfalls
- Cruise the rainforest region of the Gordon River
- Bird-watch at glacial Dove Lake in Cradle Mountain National Park
- Hike beaches and coastal cliff tops at Freycinet National Park
- Meet wombats, wallabies and Tasmanian Devils at Bonorong Wildlife Park
- Savor Tasmanian wines at a Coal River vineyard
Tasmania, Australia
Waterways of France by Luxury Barge
9 days
$ 855 / day
$ 7,695
Travel Style :
Array
Relaxed
Physical Level :
Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment.
Easy
Lodging Level :
The highest level of comfort and service. All accomodations are in four or five star hotels, boutique lodges or high-end homestays.
Luxury (5*)
Highlights
Visits:
- See the highlights of beguiling Paris– full of romantic architecture, art and history
- Relish a week on a luxury river barge, floating through historic & quaint French villages
- Bicycle along the canal waterfront
- Sample local wines, savory cheeses & delicious regional delicacies
- Visit Gothic churches & magnificent Renaissance châteaux
- Discover the history of the winemaking in Chablis
Arc de Triomphe, Burgundy, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, Rhone Rhine Canal, France
10 Nights Kimberley Cruise
11 days
$ 495 / day
$ 5,449
Travel Style :
Array
Relaxed
Physical Level :
Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment.
Easy
Lodging Level :
3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards.
Comfort (4*)
Highlights
Visits:
- In-depth exploration of a land steeped in ancient Aboriginal culture and the legends of Australia’s pioneering past
- Discover the myths behind the traditional rock art forms of the wellpreserved Bradshaw (Gwion) Paintings dating back some 20,000 years
- Aboard a specially designed excursion vessel and fleet of inflatable zodiacs, explore The Kimberley’s ‘big’ rivers and cruise to the base of magnificent King George Falls
- Explore the Mitchell Plateau
- Cruise the Buccaneer Archipelago, home to over 800 islands
- View the abundant birdlife of the Lacepede Islands, also renowned as Western Australia’s most significant breeding grounds for the Green Turtle
Broome, King George Falls, Australia
Galápagos & Andes Safari: Ecuador
8 days
$ 737 / day
$ 5,895
Travel Style :
Array
Full on
Physical Level :
Very challenging all day hiking and backpacking carrying significant equipment.
Hard
Lodging Level :
The highest level of comfort and service. All accomodations are in four or five star hotels, boutique lodges or high-end homestays.
Luxury (5*)
Highlights
Visits:
- Explore on day-boat trips with a naturalist guide
- Hike, swim and snorkel in Galápagos National Park
- Enjoy a horseback ride at the most exclusive stables in Ecuador
- See ancient pyramids constructed by the pre-Incan Caranqui culture
Galapagos, Quito, Ecuador
Alaska
8 days
$ 662 / day
$ 5,299
Travel Style :
Array
Full on
Physical Level :
Very challenging all day hiking and backpacking carrying significant equipment.
Hard
Lodging Level :
The highest level of comfort and service. All accomodations are in four or five star hotels, boutique lodges or high-end homestays.
Luxury (5*)
Highlights
Visits:
- Bike Ride In Anchorage: Bike along the Coastal Trail to spot moose and local wildlife. Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn about Native Alaskan customs, culture and traditions.
- Private Jet Boat Excursion In Talkeetna: Take an exhilarating jet boat ride along the glacier-fed Susitna River into the Alaskan wilderness. Afterward, enjoy dinner in Denali National Park.
- Happy Trails Kennels And The Iditarod: Cool your tracks at Happy Trails Kennels and go behind the scenes to learn the history of the Iditarod, the world's most famous sled race. Meet the racing dogs and the season's litter of eager puppies!
- Alaska Railroad And The Kenai Peninsula: Hop aboard the Alaska Railroad for a scenic ride along the Kenai Peninsula. Cruise through gorgeous Resurrection Bay and get an up-close view of otters, seals, porpoises and other sea life.
Alaska, Anchorage, Chugach Mountains, Denali National Park, Mt. McKinley, United States
Amazing Alaska with Holland America Cruise Option
14 days
Check price
Travel Style :
Array
Relaxed
Physical Level :
Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment.
Easy
Lodging Level :
The highest level of comfort and service. All accomodations are in four or five star hotels, boutique lodges or high-end homestays.
Luxury (5*)
Highlights
Visits:
- Fairbanks – Visit an Athabascan village and meet Native Alaskans; meet champion Iditarod dogs and learn about life on the trail.
- Denali National Park – Spend two relaxing nights in one of Alaska's most popular destinations;
- Alaska Railroad – Ride the rails through Alaska's pristine wilderness.
- Anchorage – Explore Alaska's largest city; stop at an ulu knife factory; learn about Alaska's first people at the Alaska Native Heritage Centre; visit the Alaska Conservation Centre.
- Kenai Fjords National Park – Cruise this national park filled with dramatic glaciers and abundant wildlife.
- Seward – Discover one of Alaska's oldest and most delightful towns
Alaska, Anchorage, Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Glacier National Park, Juneau, Kenai Fjords National Park, Ketchikan, Mt. McKinley, Seward, Vancouver, United States
Alaska Prospector
11 days
$ 509 / day
$ 5,599
From :
$ 7,559
The strike-through price reflects either the high season trip price or the average price a traveler pays for a similar itinerary when the components are booked separately.
Travel Style :
Array
Full on
Physical Level :
Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment.
Easy
Lodging Level :
Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels.
Value (3*)
Highlights
Visits:
- Scenic drive along Turnagain Arm
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
- Alyeska’s Aerial Tram
- Begich Boggs Visitor Center in Portage
- Glacier & Wildlife Cruise on Prince William Sound
- Denali National Park Tundra Wilderness Tour
- The Anchorage Museum
- Alaska Native Heritage Center
Alaska, Anchorage, Chugach Mountains, Denali National Park, Valdez, United States
Treasures of India
23 days
Check price
Travel Style :
Array
Relaxed
Physical Level :
All or most of day hiking or biking, hills included.
Moderate
Lodging Level :
The highest level of comfort and service. All accomodations are in four or five star hotels, boutique lodges or high-end homestays.
Luxury (5*)
Highlights
Visits:
- Lunch View Of The Taj Mahal: Enjoy an exclusive lunch overlooking the ultimate symbol of everlasting love, the Taj Mahal
- Ranthambore National Park: Take a safari to one of India’s best tiger reserves, Ranthambore National Park and enjoy high tea at a royal lodge
- Discover Local Flavours: Enjoy sublime gourmet creations showcasing the flavours of the region, while favourites from home are also available
Agra, Delhi, Jodhpur, Kochi, Mumbai, Taj Mahal, Udaipur, India
Douro Delights
14 days
Check price
Travel Style :
Array
Relaxed
Physical Level :
Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment.
Easy
Lodging Level :
The highest level of comfort and service. All accomodations are in four or five star hotels, boutique lodges or high-end homestays.
Luxury (5*)
Highlights
Visits:
- Marvel At Pena National Palace: Head for the mountain town of Sintra to visit its whimsical hilltop castle, Pena National Palace
- Porto's Famous Wine: Visit Casa de Vila Verde estate in the Sousa Valley wine region, famous for its Vinho Verde since the 17th century
- Pinhão Winery Dinner: Dine on the sweet fruits of the Douro Valley's harvests at a family-owned quinta in the village of Pinhão
Coimbra, Lisbon, Madrid, Porto, Salamanca, Portugal, Spain
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Top Small Ship & Expedition Cruises Attractions & Experiences
Top Small Ship & Expedition Cruises Experiences
Savoring the tropical breezes and snorkeling opportunities while on a sailing cruise through the Caribbean or South Pacific.
Stopping at a quiet bay for a lobster bake while cruising the Maine coast on an historic windjammer.
Watching whales in Alaska for hours simply because you can
Sailing to Antarctica, following the route of the first explorers
Exploring the Turkish coast on a traditional gulet, the Kenyan coast on a traditional dhow, or the Vietnamese coast on a traditional junk
Sliding in and out of hard-to-reach cruise ports, like Split, Croatia, and Kotor, Montenegro
Taking an expedition-style cruise from Norway to Greenland via Iceland.
Indulging in the personalized, friendly service of a staff that gets to know you
Spreading out in more spacious rooms and a less formal atmosphere than some mega-ships
Following the path of Charles Darwin on a small ship cruise through the Galapagos Islands or the Beagle Channel in Patagonia.
<Kayaking and sailing along the coastline right from a small cruise ship’s watersports platform
Taking advantage of small cruise ships’ shallow draft to get closer to the cruise line for wildlife viewing
Top Small Ship & Expedition Cruises Attractions
4,304 Small Ship & Expedition Cruises Tour Reviews - Summary 93% Recommend
All small ship & expedition cruises and adventure trips. Find the best guided trips and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Average rating of 4.6 for all Small Ship & Expedition Cruises trips.
705 trips from 287 tour companies with 4,304 reviews
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