Small Ship & Expedition Cruises Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025
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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
5 Different Rivers: The Rhine, Neckar, Main, Mose ...

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- The cultural diversity of five authentic rivers
- EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:
- Frankfurt, a dynamic and international city
- Luxemburg
- The Cochem Castle overlooking the Moselle
- Trier and its Roman ruins
Along the river Danube, Budapest, the Balkan peni ...

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- A comprehensive cruise along the Danube, taking in its history, fascinating culture and sublime landscapes
- EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:
- Rich cultural and architectural heritage in the Serbian towns of Belgrade and Novi Sad
- Authentic Bulgaria with Veliko Tarnovo and the charming town of Ruse
- Bucharest, the surprising Romanian capital
- The Danube Delta, the largest and best preserved of all European deltas
The Loire Valley, a Royal legacy

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- Cruise on board a paddle steamer
- EXCLUSIVE TO CROISIEUROPE the Loire from above(1)
- EXCURSIONS INCLUDED
- Full-day excursion to the castles of the Loire Valley: guided tours of the castles of Ussé, Azay-le-Rideau and the gardens of Villandry
- Wine-tasting in the cellars of the Brissac castle(3)
- Secret courtyards and covered passageways in Nantes
- The Saint-Nazaire shipyard, embodiment of French pride
- The wine route of the Muscadet through the vineyards of the Nantes region
Spitsbergen Circumnavigation: A Rite of Passage

- Uncover the incredible landscape of Spitsbergen, from the quirky northernmost city of Longyearbyen to stunning fjords, towering mountains and impressive glaciers.
- Scour sheets of ice and be rewarded with sightings of Arctic foxes, reindeer and the ruler of the Arctic – the polar bear.
- Did someone say midnight snack? Because of the time of year, you’ll experience almost 24 hours of daylight, allowing for sightseeing any time of the day, or night!
- With a flexible voyage itinerary, you’ll only hit the places which are worthwhile and have the best conditions, as your expert polar team maximises wildlife spotting opportunities each day.
- Choose to get even closer to this amazing environment with optional activities like hiking and gliding along pristine waters between icebergs in a sea kayak.
New Year on the Wild Rhine

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- A short Rhine River getaway for an original New Year's Eve
- New Year's Eve dinner with wine and a glass of champagne
-
Breisach and its striking St. Stephen Cathedral
The romantic Rhine Valley and the rock of the Lorelei

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- The Classic Romantic Rhine Cruise
- THE MUST-SEE SITES:
- Rüdesheim, and a blast from the past at Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet
- Koblenz and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
- Mainz and the Gutenberg Museum
The Rhine in flames, an incredible spectacle on t ...

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- The legendary Rhine in Flames
- The chance to sample history, art and culture in Strasbourg, Boppard, Rudesheim and Heidelberg
The Magic of Christmas: Savory delights and holid ...

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience the magic of Christmas on a Rhine cruise with a special onboard holiday program
- The romantic Rhine Valley and the legendary rock of the Lorelei under the winter sky
- EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:
- Rüdesheim and a tour of its unique mechanical music cabinet museum, a visit to its Christmas Market of nations, and a hot cup of its local specialty: Rüdesheimer Kaffee.
- Mainz, its cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and one of the most beautiful holiday markets in Germany
- The Musée Lalique, dedicated to the master craftsman of fine glass
- Strasbourg during the holiday season
- Tasting of traditional Alsatian Christmas cookies on board
Greece Sailing Adventure: Kefalonia to Corfu

- Begin your sailing adventure on the biggest and one of the most beautiful islands in the Ionian Sea – Kefalonia, famous for its delicious wine, sheer white cliff faces and world-famous beaches.
- Spend your nights on a sailing boat and fall asleep to the relaxing undulation of the waves below. Watch sunset every night from a nearby beach and wake up early to catch sunrise on the deck.
- Explore the finest beaches in the Greek Islands at sister islands Paxos and Antipaxos, swimming in translucent waters and walking along pure white sand.
- Take a dip near private islands seldom seen, like Skorpios – once home to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis – and Atokos – uninhabited except by a few wandering goats.
- Explore the seaside villages, hospitable locals, glittering bays, lush verdant hills and warm tavernas of Meganisi, Kastos, Kalamos and Ithaca – all at the desired pace of your group and friendly skipper.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Amurtel, who provide a safe space for refugee women and children in Greece. Donations help them provide antenatal and postnatal care programs run by qualified midwives.
Cairo & cruise on the Nile: The Land of the P ...

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- Coptic Cairo and the historic city
- Discover the Giza pyramid complex and Sphinx
- THE MUSTS:
- The Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
- The necropolis in Saqqara and the pyramid of Teti
Cruise through the Canary Island Archipelago, ete ...

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- THE CANARY ISLANDS: A BIOSPHERE RESERVE
- Black sand beaches; lush forests; steep cliffs; dark, ragged crags; waves of dunes; charming, colonial towns; and bustling cities: The Canaries are a study in contrasts.
- VISIT THE HEART OF SIX ISLANDS
- Three national parks: Teide, Garajonay, and Timanfaya
- Tours of Gran Canaria, La Gomera, and Fuerteventura
- A DELICIOUS EXPERIENCE
- Local wine and cheese tastings
Greenland Explorer: Sail and Soar the Alpine Arct ...

- Marvel at dramatic cliffs, towering icebergs, snow-capped peaks and blooming fields as you cruise the arctic coastline in the comfort of our expedition ship.
- Do your best to spot fascinating marine mammals like polar bears and humpback whales as you explore the depths of the fjord systems that are home to an abundance of wildlife.
- Enjoy a Greenland Ice Sheet Experience and become one of the few people to set foot on this incredible body of ice as you explore the Ice Sheet, hike the foothills and cruise or paddle the surrounding waters.
- Visit Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is a living history lesson in Viking farming and visit the charming Qassiarsuk, a small sheep farming settlement where you can gain insight into the fascinating lives of sheep farmers here.
- Get to know the local people of Aappilattoq, perched on the shores of Prins Christian Sund (Ikerasassuaq), who remain steadfastly faithful to their hunting and fishing heritage.
The Seine Valley

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- Travel through a superb valley whose changing light has inspired countless painters and poets of all ages
- EVENT 2024
- 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
- EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:
- The Claude Monet Foundation in Giverny
- The Landing Beaches(1)
- Honfleur
- Rouen
Cruise through the Heart of Europe from the Rhine ...

Cruise highlights
- Cruise along the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, one of the longest inland waterways in Europe
- Cultural Connections from the Rhine to Danube Rivers
- EXCURSIONS INCLUDED :
- Frankfurt, the Main Tower, and its panoramic view
- Delightful Miltenberg
- Old-time Würzburg and its fascinating architectural styles
- The authentic medieval city of Rothenburg
- Vienna and the Habsburg monarchy
Lisbon, Porto and the Douro Valley

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- An unusual way to discover Portugal and Spain
- INCLUDED: 2 nights in Lisbon
- Guided tours of Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, and Coimbra, famous for its university
- EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:
- Porto, radiant and colorful city
- The wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia
- The wine route* with its unique landscape listed by UNESCO
- The golden glow of Salamanca, source of knowledge
- Vila Real and the formal gardens at the Mateus Palace
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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
4,205 Small Ship & Expedition Cruises Tour Reviews - Summary 93% Recommend
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