Our Favorite Small Expedition Cruise Ships

Unlike their larger counterparts, these nimble small ship cruise and expedition cruise vessels afford a closer communion with the wild, docking at secluded harbors and navigating narrower waterways where colossal cruise ships dare not tread. Onboard, the atmosphere is one of camaraderie and bespoke service, with experts providing insights that deepen the appreciation of each unique ecosystem encountered. The smaller scale not only ensures a minimal environmental footprint but also enables a more personal and immersive exploration, where every turn might reveal the silent flutter of a rare bird or the majestic leap of marine life—a truly privileged glimpse into the natural world's serene and chaotic dance. These small cruise ships have been hand picked by our Trip Planners, who have helped thousands of elated travelers plan the perfect small ship cruise and can give you unbiased advice on the best cruise for you.

17 hours ago

The trip planners at Adventure Life were very helpful and always replied to my inquiries right away. The excursions, accomodations, and local guides were excellent

Avi Argaman

1 day ago

Be sure to sign up for all the tours, otherwise you will be sitting on the boat since not all stops are moored at a dock. Some are anchored.

Gail Puryear

1 day ago

There were two best aspects to our trip: 1. The Adventure Life folks and the folks in Athens and Crete who supported our itinerary, guided us, and ran the cooking program were all superb. 2. Everything they all planned for us went without a hitch. When we needed a bit of help, they came through with really good answers. We became aware of AL from a friend who had an excellent experience in a different location. So did we. We can recommend AL without reservation.

Tom Campbell

1 day ago

My agent Jeff did not push the sale while providing thorough information and replying quickly to my many questions.

Mary Lou Carlson

2 days ago

We have used AL for decades now to plan trips. Kassandra has been with us from the start and has never disappointed. She knows our family and our quirks and is always willing to fit the trip to us. This time we made her work for the booking because of family member schedules. It has all come together for a great Christmas gift for many families.

Kris Rowe

Silver Wind

Scenic Eclipse

Rembrandt van Rijn

MS Fram

Why Travel With Adventure Life

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