Are you ready for an immersive journey where adventurous activities meet remote waters—and likeminded fellow passengers become friends. No crowds, no strict routes… time to explore. Meet your new favorite travel style, small ship cruising, and the experts at AdventureSmith Explorations who are equipped to help you find your best match.
ON THIS PAGE – Small Ship Cruises:
Types of Small Ship Cruises
Why AdventureSmith
2025 & 2026 Cruises – What’s New
Where to Cruise
Small Cruise FAQ
Read Cruise Reviews
See & Filter All Cruises
Authentically Small Cruises
We emphatically believe that the core definition of a small ship cruise is one that gets you off the ship away from port. While some may consider a ship with 500 or even 1,000 guests small, in reality, the logistics of operating guided, off-vessel activities require that the ship be under 250 guests.
Adventure Cruises
While every small ship cruise has a heavy dose of adventure, a growing segment can be called adventure cruises. Their hallmark is a focus on off-vessel activities like hiking, kayaking and snorkeling/diving, with twice daily excursions led by expert naturalist guides. After exploring, return to the ship for a hot shower, glass of wine, delicious meal and comfortable cabin, all while cruising to a new location.
Expedition Cruises
Expedition cruises focus on exploring remote wilderness with a purpose, often including scientific learning. Purpose-built expedition ships take you to some of the most remote and pristine places on Earth. Journeys like North Pole expeditions, South Georgia cruises and Northwest Passage cruises are all examples of this growing segment of small ship cruising.
Small Luxury Cruises
For top-tier service, fine dining and spacious suites with private balconies, consider luxury small ship cruises. With high crew-to-guest ratios, design-forward cabins and even butlers, these cruises offer a premium sailing experience. View our curated Galapagos luxury, Alaska luxury and Antarctica luxury cruises for examples of what to expect in our most popular destinations.
WHY CRUISE WITH ADVENTURESMITH?
- Cruise experts with 20+ years experience
- Honest, unbiased advice at no extra cost
- Ships that average 40 guests worldwide
- Personalized, one-on-one service
- Licensed & insured in USA
Our Expertise
The Best Small Ship Cruises Start with AdventureSmith
Small cruises are what we do, and we do it well (meet our crew). Find the best small ship cruise with our expert insight and firsthand experience aboard small boat cruises worldwide.
The Largest Selection of Small Ship Cruises for 2025 & 2026
Find more than 300 small cruise itineraries listed with AdventureSmith Explorations. Each is vetted by our operations team, and most have been tested by our staff. Book early to secure your space on the best small ship cruises in 2026 and 2027.
Up to Date on Trends & New Ships
AdventureSmith is a resource for both travelers and the media looking to cover this growing travel segment. Trends for 2026 small ship cruises include more focus on remote wilderness exploration thanks to advances in expedition ships (cue the new Douglas Mawson, Le Commandant Charcot & the helicopter-equipped Ultramarine).
Mediterranean small ship cruises are booming in 2026 thanks to more expedition ships repositioning here. And the August 2026 eclipse is a trending phenomenon: see all the solar eclipse cruises with routes poised to catch it.
Visit our media page for even more trends and new releases, or consult our dedicated pages for the latest on 2026 small Alaska cruises, 2026 Galapagos cruises and 2026 Antarctica cruises. Or simply sign up for our newsletter to ensure the latest in small ship cruising hits your inbox.
Only the Best Small Ship Cruise Lines
We partner with the top small ship cruise lines. Find large, well-established small boat cruise operators and smaller, locally owned, boutique outfitters that are off the radar of most travelers. Research our list of the best small ship cruise lines by viewing our travel partners.
Top Value & Deals
It’s more than just the “percent off” with AdventureSmith. It’s about achieving your bucket-list travel goals without sacrificing your experience to save a few dollars. Browse our selection of small ship cruise deals, then talk to our team about the best value for your particular needs. Our team will help you plan right from the start, so you get both the best price and the best adventure cruise experience.
Our Founder Is an Industry Pioneer
Our Founder, Todd Smith, helped pioneer the first adventure cruises on Alaska small ship cruise itineraries to include off-vessel activities in wilderness locations. And he’s now a Conde Nast Traveler-awarded Top Travel Specialist. View 12 more reasons to book with AdventureSmith.
Trust Us. We’ve Been Aboard
What are small boat cruise cabins like? How calm are the seas? Which cabin should you book? Read our FAQs and many small ship cruise reviews to get insider specifics on your cruise, ship or destination of interest.
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Where Will You Choose to
Small Ship Cruise?
From the Americas and Europe to the polar regions, the small ship cruise destinations offered by AdventureSmith are unmatched by any other travel company. Are you ready to actively explore away from tourist crowds, without sacrificing comfort, safety or the environment? Learn about small boat cruising destinations here or head straight to find a cruise.
Small Ship Cruise FAQ
Whether you are new to small boat cruising or a small-ship veteran seeking to just learn more, we’ve compiled our most frequently asked questions here to inform and inspire. Read this small ship cruise FAQ to find out if your burning question is a common one, or contact one of our adventure cruise specialists anytime to ask an expert direct.
For us, the sweet spot for a small ship cruise is around 4 to 250 passengers to maintain what we feel is the true hallmark of small ship cruising: active, immersive, off-the-ship, off-the-grid travel.
Depends on who you ask, and who is traveling. We sure think so since small ships connect you with the destination better than larger ships. To learn more and find out what size ship is best for you, read our Big Ship vs. Small Ship: What Is the Difference?
The word “best” is subjective; it depends on your travel style, needs, group and activity level. That’s why our experts are here to help you find the best small cruise ship that’s right for you. For curated suggestions, see Galapagos luxury cruises, Alaska luxury cruises and Antarctica luxury cruises.
Unlike big cruise lines, small ship cruise lines often specialize in specific regions and offer unique travel styles. For example, UnCruise focuses on active adventures, National Geographic-Lindblad excels in expert-led expeditions, Quark specializes in polar trips and Quasar specializes in historic yachts in the Galapagos Islands. We partner with both the top names and hidden gems in small ship cruising. Explore our expert-curated list of the best small ship cruise lines, then let us match you.
Expect a mix of couples, solo travelers and families (typically with older children). Small ship cruise travelers are interesting, engaged, active and educated people seeking meaningful up-close encounters with nature and culture, just like you. They want to connect and sustainably contribute to destinations, not just visit them.
Most likely not. We have found over the years that travelers who cruise on small ships tend to be likeminded. You’ve done a lot of research to get to this point, dismissing large ships, amusement parks and resort hotels. Most other travelers have ended up with the same conclusion: that small boat cruises suit them. Guest compatibility typically comes naturally. Plus, you’re off the ship much more than a larger cruise ship itinerary.
Absolutely! Family-friendliness varies by ship, destination and small ship cruise line, but there are many options for cruising with kids and teens worldwide. We recommend adventure cruises for ages 6+. Read more about our family cruises, including testimonials and further resources.
Most small ship cruise lines include at least one naturalist guide, with more guides on larger ships. For specialized learning, choose themed departures with experts in photography, history, marine biology, food/wine or wellness. National Geographic ships feature top professors, scientists and photographers for even more expertise.
Yes! Personal referrals are the best. We can connect you with travelers who share your interests or have sailed the same cruise. Also, check out our small ship cruise reviews and traveler-written testimonials featured around our website.
The best time to take cruises on small ships depends on your destination. Our Small Ship Cruise Calendar helps you plan for peak seasons and budget-friendly options. Consider factors like whale watching, penguin hatching or ideal water temperatures. For more information, use our Small Ship Cruise Guide to filter by your destination.
Many activity levels are available, and our team will help match you during the booking process. But all small ship adventure cruises include off-ship excursions focused on wildlife, culture and nature. Activities like hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, paddleboarding and even scuba diving are available. Onboard guides lead the way and ensure suitability.
Yes, you can book an individual cabin on a small ship, with 75% of our travelers choosing set departures like this. For groups of 4 or more, consider charter cruises to customize the route and onboard experience. Learn more about our most popular Galapagos charters, Mediterranean charters and Alaska yacht charters.
Small ship cruises generally cost more than large-ship cruises when you just look at cabin rates, but the immersive/inclusive experience often makes the value comparable. Prices depend on destination, vessel size and amenities, starting at $300-$500 per person, per day.
Cruise cabins are most often priced per-person for double occupancy. Single travelers wishing to book a double cabin often have to pay a supplement for exclusive solo use, but some ships offer dedicated single cabins. In some destinations, like Antarctica, you can waive the supplement by opting for a cabin share with a same-gender traveler.
Small cruise fares typically include onboard meals and guided activities, but exclude airfare, gratuities, alcohol and insurance—though exceptions exist. Some cruises include drinks or offer free nights in port for independent dining. Inclusions and exclusions vary by cruise and are detailed in the itinerary on our website, or can be discussed with your AdventureSmith Specialist.
Most small ship cruises sail in calm waters, but some ocean expeditions may encounter rough seas. Conditions vary by destination, weather and ship. Our experts can help you choose the right itinerary, and our guide on preventing seasickness offers tips like keeping your eye on the horizon.
