Small Ship Expedition Cruising

Expedition cruising takes you to the world's wild places for up-close and personal encounters with wildlife and nature's wonders. The cruise may change you.

The kayaks and zodiacs on board allow you to be fully immersed in the moment. These small ships can access unique ports and destinations that larger ships cannot.

Have you ever felt the call of the wild? A need to commune with nature while still enjoying comfort. The new expedition ships are electric or hybrid vessels with all modern conveniences, embracing eco travel.

Your fellow passengers are like-minded nature and adventure seekers who relish the daily adventurous excursions and onboard lectures by sailing scientists collecting data on the voyage.

Lindblad, National Geographic, and Hurtigruten Cruise lines were the pioneers of this industry, but now the field has expanded to various cruise lines, including Viking, Ponant, Scenic, Silversea, Atlas, and more. While these cruise lines may visit the same destinations, they each offer unique experiences and cater to specific clientele, with some vessels being more luxurious than others.

For travelers with a sense of adventure, expedition cruises are an effective way of reaching the planet's most remote corners. Antarctica and the Arctic are favorite destinations for this type of cruise, and Galapagos, Patagonia, Greenland, Iceland, and the South Pacific are also perennial favorites.