Small-Ship & Expedition Cruises
Where the big ships can’t go. Small-ship and expedition cruises carry you by zodiac to penguin colonies, glaciers and remote islands — with naturalists and a handful of fellow travelers.
An expedition cruise trades ports and crowds for wilderness: intimate, purpose-built ships of a few dozen to a few hundred guests, with zodiacs, kayaks and expert naturalists. Reach Antarctica and the Arctic, the Galápagos, the Amazon, Alaska’s hidden coves, the Kimberley and the Northwest Passage. A specialist matches the ship, region and season.
Why an Expedition Cruise?
Reach the remote
Zodiacs to places no big ship can go.
Naturalist-led
Expert guides, talks and daily discovery.
Intimate ships
Dozens to a few hundred guests, not thousands.
Wildlife up close
Penguins, whales, bears and giant tortoises.
Where Expedition Ships Sail
Polar
Antarctica, the Arctic & the Northwest Passage.
Galápagos & Amazon
Wildlife and rainforest by small ship.
Alaska & Kimberley
Hidden coves and rugged coasts.
Expert operators
Lindblad, Hurtigruten, Quark, Ponant & more.
Popular Expedition Sailings
- Antarctica & the Arctic expeditions
- Galápagos Islands small-ship sailings
- Amazon river & rainforest cruises
- Alaska small-ship & the Inside Passage
- Kimberley & the Northwest Passage
Ready for an expedition cruise?
Tell us your region, dates and interests and we’ll match the right ship. Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from an expedition cruise specialist.
Get up to 5 expedition cruise quotes!Why Smart Traveler?
Smart Traveler is a service of the travel division of Best of the USA, Inc. Entrust your trip to seasoned professionals specializing in cruises, tours, vacation packages, all-inclusive resorts and international airfares. With over 50,000 travel advisors in our growing database, we’re sure to have the experts right for your travel needs!
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Five decades fine-tuning the art of travel — every journey a masterpiece.
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Exclusive proprietary rates
Insider access to rates and partnerships unavailable to the average traveler.
Expedition Cruises — Frequently Asked Questions
What is an expedition cruise?
A small-ship voyage to remote, wild places — with zodiacs, kayaks and naturalists for up-close wildlife and landings the big ships can’t make.
Where can I go?
Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galápagos, the Amazon, Alaska, the Kimberley and the Northwest Passage, among others.
How big are the ships?
From a few dozen to a few hundred guests — small enough for zodiac landings and intimate wildlife viewing.
How do I get a quote?
Request up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from an expedition cruise specialist and compare ships, regions and seasons.