Small Ship & Expedition Cruises Nature & Wildlife Tours &...

Small Ship & Expedition Cruises Nature & Wildlife Tours & Trips

1,554 Small Ship & Expedition Cruises trips. Tours from 272 tour companies. 3,622 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

528 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Nature & Wildlife
Christmas in Antarctica: Antarctic Peninsula
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
Their ice-breaking cruise liners take travelers truly off of the beaten path and into the very heart of the polar realms.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Celebrating Christmas amidst fantastic rugged mountains, cascading glaciers, crystalline icebergs and clear waters abounding with whales and seals.
  • Countless penguins and endemic Antarctic birdlife - true memorable lifetime moments
  • Possibility for kayaking and camping under the southern stars in a world of ice and snow.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Festivals & Special Events

What travelers are saying

"Best vacation so far!! Loved everything, especially highly professional team, that organised the whole trip super safe and on a highest level, the crew that does the cleaning and provides the food literally 24/7, the expedition team was super and the program, lectures, communication - everything couldn’t be better. I miss the cruise! And the best part of course the wild nature, animals. It’s a pity there are strict rules nowadays due to the flu and we couldn’t get closer, but it’s the right thing to protect the nature. Will be back for sure!"

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Island Hopping: Athens, Mykonos, Naxos, Santorini
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By Greece Insiders
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
Designing original, innovative, and out-of-the-box travel itineraries and incredible personalized service.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Akrotiri, Athens, Mykonos, Parthenon, Santorini

Highlights

  • Marvel the impressive Acropolis and the New Acropolis museum
  • Discover the iconic Mykonos town
  • Taste and learn about the traditional products of Naxos
  • Learn all about the unique wines of Santorini
  • Visit Akrotiri prehistoric town of Santorini

Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning, Family Friendly, High Adventure, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Photography

What travelers are saying

"Normally, I don't feel like writing reviews, but I felt compelled to do it for Athens Insiders. I made the decision to travel to Athens in the summer of 2012 in order to avoid the commotion that was predicted to result from the Queen's jubilee. As usual, my work kept me busy right up to the last minute, so I ran out of time to do anything fun for my week-long trip. I learned about this young group of tour guides for Athens and its vicinity from a friend. I had a wonderful experience. I got in touch with Daphne, who gave me email recommendations for Athens attractions to see, inquired about my preferences for local cuisine, and then devised an itinerary for my trip. In addition to visiting the typical suspects in Athens (Acropolis, etc.), I also chose to travel to Delhi and spend a night at a campground there. And I had a great time, honestly. We visited the attractions when there were few visitors and spent the busiest times outside of Athens rather than being herded around like cattle. I was taken to incredible tiny eateries (the well-known tavernas), marketplaces, and other regional shops."

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Glimpse Of Indochina In 15 Days
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They focus on the details to ensure that their travelers get a great introduction to their home country of Vietnam.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bangkok , Chiang Mai, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap

Highlights

  • Enjoy an overnight cruise in the stunning Halong Bay
  • Cycle around the villages of Vietnam and attend a cooking class
  • Explore the biggest temples complex in the world, Angkor Wat
  • See cascades waterfalls right in the middle of lush jungles

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family had an amazing time with Realistic Asia’s package. The tour was very suitable for my family, which included children since we loved trekking. We enjoyed the stunning views, and the trek was at an easy pace for our kids. The tour guides and the staff are very professional and enthusiastic. I was very impressed with their attitude. We were very happy with the service and the places we have been to."

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Antarctic Wildlife Adventure: Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
Their ice-breaking cruise liners take travelers truly off of the beaten path and into the very heart of the polar realms.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Buenos Aires, Falklands Islands, South Shetland Islands

Highlights

  • The greatest concentrations of seabirds and marine mammals on the planet.
  • Astounding abundance of penguins at huge breeding colonies
  • A rare view of albatross family life
  • Fearless marine wildlife and scenery beyond belief on the Antarctic Peninsula.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Best vacation so far!! Loved everything, especially highly professional team, that organised the whole trip super safe and on a highest level, the crew that does the cleaning and provides the food literally 24/7, the expedition team was super and the program, lectures, communication - everything couldn’t be better. I miss the cruise! And the best part of course the wild nature, animals. It’s a pity there are strict rules nowadays due to the flu and we couldn’t get closer, but it’s the right thing to protect the nature. Will be back for sure!"

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Exclusive Patagonia & Australis Expedition Cruise
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By Across South America
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
65 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

El Calafate, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego National Park, Torres del Paine National Park, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Australis Expedition Cruise in the fjords of Tierra del Fuego
  • Soft hike to the Perito Moreno Glacier
  • Luxury Glamping inTorres del Paine Chile and Exploration of Tierra del Fuego, and Penguin Colony

Themes

Birding, Cultural, High Adventure, Hiking & Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Small Ship Cruise, Trekking & Expeditions, Photography

What travelers are saying

"I highly recommend Across South America for a memorable experience that is personalized for YOU."

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21 Day Grand Tour Discover Real New Zealand
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By Real New Zealand Tours
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
41 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
They are dedicated to providing personalized, authentic, and sustainable travel experiences that showcase the best of their country.
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Fiordland National Park, Pacific Ocean, Queenstown, Rotorua, Tasmania, Wellington

Highlights

  • All inclusive tour package prepared by New Zealand based specialists so you sit back and relax
  • An exciting itinerary will be customised to suit you - let us help plan and perfect your dream vacation
  • We offer self-drive trips (rental car) we arrange all your accomodations, activities, attractions (you select) we book your car (fun, freedom, independence, flexibility) you set the pace each day or, select a private driver trip (fully guided) or, escorted coach tours (daily commentary).
  • Either way, you will have an awesome time on our wonderful 21 day Grand New Zealand Tour with Real New Zealand Tours.

Themes

Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Relaxing Retreats, Small Ship Cruise, Train & Rail Journeys, Trekking & Expeditions, Yoga, Meditation & Wellness, Sailing, Golf

What travelers are saying

"Geoff helped my wife and I to put together an itinerary that customized to our particular interests and preferences. At the outset he asked us where we'd like to go and, after a small number of iterations, together we were able able to craft an itinerary that met our budget, touched on much of the places we wanted, and did not have us staying at a different resort each night. Before leaving for our trip we were given our itinerary and confirmation #'s/vouchers/contact #'s for all of our activities and hotels captured in an easy-to-use app that made it extremely easy to transition to the next point of our journey. He and his assistant were quick to respond to any questions we had along the way as well. Overall, we had a great stay and highly endorse Geoff and RealNZ for anyone planning a bespoke trip to NZ."

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Flavors Of Vietnam - Vietnam Food Tour In 12 Days
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
They focus on the details to ensure that their travelers get a great introduction to their home country of Vietnam.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Cu Chi Tunnels, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An

Highlights

  • Try the remarkable dishes of Vietnamese street food.
  • Explore Hanoi on a Vespa bike.
  • Have an overnight cruise in the most stunning bay in the world.
  • Learn how to cook Vietnamese dishes.
  • Have a fine dining experience in the darkness.

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cycling & Biking, Education / Learning, Family Friendly, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family had an amazing time with Realistic Asia’s package. The tour was very suitable for my family, which included children since we loved trekking. We enjoyed the stunning views, and the trek was at an easy pace for our kids. The tour guides and the staff are very professional and enthusiastic. I was very impressed with their attitude. We were very happy with the service and the places we have been to."

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Hidden Chilean Fjords With Skorpios Cruises
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By Qwerty Travel Argentina
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
27 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They offer a unique way to connect with nature and locals through exciting voyages and expeditions that are sure to take your breath away.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Buenos Aires

Highlights

  • Santiago de Chile as a cosmopolitan city
  • Observe the incredible landscapes and the vast typical fauna and flora of the region
  • Be part of Patagonia in Chile
  • Board Skorpios - Kaweskar route

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Photography

What travelers are saying

"QWERTY travel did an awesome job of planning our trip. After speaking with Constance she offered a couple of optional itineraries. We worked together to tweek them to our specific desires. Our trip was designed just for the two of us and was a total of 25 days. Constance was always available and easy to work with. She planned our trip perfectly and everything went flawlessly. All of the transports and optional excursions were prompt for pickup. The guides spoke good English and very knowledgeable. While on our trip we reached out to Constance to book an additional excursion for the following day which she promptly completed. I cannot say enough positive things about this tour operator and it’s agent."

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Small Ship & Expedition Cruises Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
3,622  Reviews
See all Small Ship & Expedition Cruises tour reviews
Excellent
1,132
Great
449
Average
98
Disappointing
26
Terrible
8
J

Jayson

Dec 2019

Written on

Above our expectation

It was a marvellous trip for us in Indochina. Everything was above our expectations except for the vegetarian food for my wife. The itinerary was perfectly organised...

F

Florence

Oct 2019

Written on

Good choice to South East Asia

I will HIGHLY recommend this tour to my family, friends and work colleagues who are thinking about travelling to Vietnam and South East Asia – and will personally re...

K

Keith

Aug 2019

Written on

Fanstastic itinerary

Wow!  I couldn’t have asked for a better trip!  Thank you so much. The cities were fantastic as were the rural and water based adventures. The tours and gu...

C

Carly

May 2019

Written on

Warmest greetings from Australia

We made it back to Australia and our home town safe and sound. It is a three hour drive to my home town from Brisbane and I didn’t think it was safe for me to make ...

J

Jacob

May 2019

Written on

Best travel consultant ever

All of the tour guides were brilliant – Tony in Hanoi and Sody in Cambodia were my personal faves. All the guides spoke very good English, were very friendly, court...

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Small Ship & Expedition Cruises Tour Selection Trips

  • Expect to meet and mingle with many or even most of your fellow passengers on small ships, which may carry anywhere from 12 to 200 passengers.
  • Think about the activities you’d most like to enjoy during your small-ship cruise. Are you looking for wildlife viewing, culture, history, walking tours?
  • Once you know what activities you’d like to accomplish during your small-ship cruise, this will narrow down your destinations.
  • Then, once you have your small-ship cruise destination picked out, research what is the best time to visit that region. For example, if you want to see whales in Alaska, look for summer cruises. Hankering for a once-in-a-lifetime cruise to Antarctica? The best time to cruise to the south pole is November to March.
  • Consider your personal comfort needs aboard your small cruise ship. Expedition cruise ships are smaller and provide ample deck space and large accommodations, while mid-size cruise ships have an ambience more akin to a small yacht, while still offering considerable deck space and large rooms.
  • If your small-ship cruise vessel is a modestly sized yacht or sailboat, expect only about 8 to 40 guests, smaller cabins, not as many public spaces and, in general, more time ashore.
  • Consider how active you want to be during your small-ship cruise and ensure that the cruise line carries enough equipment and offers enough shore excursions to fit your interest and ability. Do they offer zodiacs for off-ship wildlife viewing? Are there opportunities to snorkel or stand-up paddleboard in tropical waters? How many times a day are off-ship excursions offered, how long are the excursions and are there different levels of exertion?
  • Without the economies of scale that large cruise ships can take advantage of, many small-ship cruises are more expensive than megaships.
  • As with any cruise, find out what extras (gratuities, shore excursions, alcoholic beverages, etc.) are or are not included in the price.
  • Depending on the activities you want to do during your small-ship cruise, find out who will be onboard with you in terms of guides, workshop leaders, naturalists and destination experts. Some small-ship cruise lines offer partnerships with the national parks you are visiting, ensuring that the guides receive ample training, or even with National Geographic.
  • Think about who you are cruising with and ensure that your small ship has the appropriate accommodations styles to meet your needs.
  • If you or your travel companions are prone to seasickness -- more common on small ships than large --  come prepared with some form of medication or other preventative measures

Additional details

Preparing for a Long Cruise

You’re headed out on that long-awaited small-ship cruise, thankful that, in large part, all the logistics of your cruise have been planned out for you, and that you’ll only have to unpack and repack one time.

To get the most of your small-ship cruise experience, particularly a cruise in the 7- to 10-day range, we offer the following suggestions to make sure you’ll fully prepared.

1. Pack prudently. Notice we didn’t say “lightly.” No one will fault you for bringing that extra warm layer if you’re cruising to Alaska or a spare pair of sunglasses if you’re small-ship sailing in the Mediterranean.

Simply pack prudently, keeping in mind that cruise ships have rooms that are typically smaller than hotel rooms - the upside of small-ship cruising, however, is that because the guest number is lower, the room sizes are often more spacious than you’ll find on a mega-ship. Still, pack what you need to stay comfortable, stay warm, not get sunburned, etc.

2. Check the weather in your cruise destination. Further to the packing suggestion, do be sure to consider the weather where you are sailing. Is it the rainy season? Particularly windy? Be sure to bring along a rain jacket, umbrella and sunblock - no matter where your small ship is sailing.

3. Ask about your small ship’s electrical specs. If you’re headed into international waters on your cruise, there may be alternate electrical standards than what US-based ships have. You’ll want to know this before you get on board … to avoid the severe disappointment of realizing you won’t be able to charge your phone.

4. Find out what costs extra. Most small-ship cruises are all-inclusive to avoid nickel-and-diming guests for every little thing. That being said, it’s a good idea to check on the prices for anything that might be deemed “extra,” e.g., shore excursions, watersports equipment rental, guide/driver services, beverages (both alcoholic and nonalcoholic) and spa treatments. It’s always a good idea to bring a little cash along.

5. List packing essentials. That extra pair of sunglasses we mentioned above isn’t necessarily essential, but there will be items needed on your small-ship cruise that it’s best to bring from home.

Everyday items - if forgotten - can be hard to find and expensive in foreign ports, especially the smaller places accessed by small cruise ships.

Think about and list items such as over-the-counter medication, insect repellent, batteries, feminine hygiene items, toothpaste, sunblock, etc. Ask about which toiletries are included in the cabin of your small ship.

6. Ask about accessibility on board your small ship cruise. Your small-ship cruise tour operator will be able to tell you about the layout of your ship and if there are narrow stairwells, steep gangways, uneven surfaces and more. If these are physically challenging for you, you can be prepared. Ask, also, about what active excursions are available and train for them as necessary.

7. Check in with your insurance company. Small-ship adventure cruises brings with it the opportunity for activities you don’t normally participate in - think kayaking, ice trekking, diving, biking). Give your health insurance company a call and find out what they cover while traveling; if you’re not satisfied, consider travel insurance, which may include emergency evacuation.

8. Plan for emergencies. OK, so it’s not the first thing we want to think of when we’re daydreaming about our much-anticipated small-ship cruise. Just in case you’re waylaid in a remote port, it’s a good idea to write down your cruise line’s main number, some information for local hotels in your ports of call, extra medication and a supply of snacks.

Packing for a Small-Ship Cruise

It’s almost time for your small-ship cruise … which means it’s time to pack! What at first may seem like a daunting task - because, after all, you’ll be at sea the majority of the time and when ashore, will be in small, more remote areas of your destination, so it won’t be easy to just go out and buy something you forgot.

Small-ship cruise operators can provide you with suggested packing lists and you’ll find plenty of suggestions online.

Here, a few essentials to start:

  • Sensible shoes (sturdy sandals, water shoes, hiking boots/shoes, sneakers, slippers for onboard)
  • Raincoat
  • Umbrella
  • Sunblock
  • Warm hat and sun hat
  • Outerwear appropriate for your destination
  • Passport or passport card
  • Necessary electrical chargers and/or adaptors
  • Detailed itinerary notes (and packing lists!) provided by your small-ship cruise company
  • Vital medications
  • Stainless-steel water bottle
  • Daypack
  • Flashlight
  • Hiking poles
  • Snorkeling equipment
  • Photographic equipment

Age Range on Small-Ship Cruises

Small-ship cruises hit all the right notes for the 20-something set. Newly minted in the workforce and possibly tight on vacation time, younger cruisers with an adventurous spirit can get more bang for their buck and sail in and out of tiny ports and up close to glaciers in wildlife, whether they’re sailing the Mediterranean or tackling Arctic seas.

Families with kids and parents in their 30s and 40s enjoy small-ship cruises because these expeditions are the whole package - self-contained, full of activity and rich with learning opportunities. The itineraries on small ships are often flexible and maybe even customizable and feature ports with far fewer crowds than the big ships.

It’s a lot easier to get on and off the boat, so families with young kids don’t have to wait endlessly in line to go ashore for the day’s excursion. In fact, much of the exploring from a small-ship cruise is done directly from the boat, via kayak or zodiac.

Your 40s and 50s - wild nightlife a thing of the past, let’s be honest - may also be a fantastic time to get more adventurous in your travels or try more unusual types of cruise - perhaps a masted ship in the Caribbean or a rugged icebreaker bound for Antarctica. Forego the flashy evening entertainment in favor of expert naturalist guides and historians who will enrich your cruise and the ability to sail in and out of interesting ports aboard your small ship.

Those in the 70-plus age range should research small-ship cruise companies carefully as many of the ships are, well, smaller and more unique in design, and use tenders to get cruises on and offshore for excursions. Mobility and accessibility can be an issue, so be sure to ask ahead about facilities on small-ship cruises.

Who Will Enjoy Small-Ship Cruises

Small-ship cruising might be for you if:

1. You like choices. Not only does the smaller, more nimble size of a small cruise ship make it possible to visit more remote destinations around the world, but once there, even your cruise itinerary may be flexible.

See a family of sea lions sunning on a rock in the Sea of Cortez? Ask the captain if he can pause of an hour or two while you and other guests venture out by sea kayak to take a closer look.

Follow a pod of whales off the coast of Norway? Sit for hours under the Northern Lights? Once ashore from your small ship, there are ample choices as well, for difficulty level of hikes and walks to interests, from local museums to market shopping. Fewer people on the small ship makes it that much easier to customize excursions to personal interests.

2. You want to disconnect. Small-ship sailing usually means you’re in a more remote location than on a large cruise ship … which means you may have no choice but to disconnect given spotty cell service and WiFi. Take advantage of the down time to really disconnect and step away from devices, reconnecting instead with each other and the destination or wilderness you’re seeing, likely for the first time.

3. Want to make some new friends. Love to bond with birders? Go back in time with other history buffs? Hike with mountain-lovers? Small-ship cruising means sailing, for the most part, with like-minded guests, those who have chosen this destination for the same reasons you have: wildlife sightings, wine country, culture, once-in-a-lifetime Arctic adventures and more. Shared experiences with these new friends will quickly become some of your favorite cruise memories.

4. Want to learn something new. From naturalists to historians to photographers, small-ship cruise companies employ regional and subject experts who get to know the guests intimated and can keep everyone, from kids to older travelers, engaged and educated about their destination.

Learn about conservation in the Galapagos, how to use an undersea camera when snorkeling, discover the geography of Greenland’s ice cap and follow a wildlife photographer into the jungle to glimpse rhinos in Indonesia.

Coping with Seasickness on a Small-Ship Cruise

Mal de mer, which rolls off the tongue quite eloquently, is the dreaded squeamish feeling of seasickness. And it might be the sole reason you haven’t yet embarked on a small-ship cruises. Rest assured, if you have your sights set on sailing under the Northern Lights or diving into the Galapagos, there are remedies that can help you get where you’re dreaming of going. A few favorite seasickness tips and tricks:

  • Pack common seasickness remedies. This includes ginger chews or gummies, wristbands, tablets and patches.
  • See the cruise doc. If you’ve run out of remedies from home, pay a visit to the doctor on staff on your small-ship voyage. She will usually have plenty of seasickness medication to distribute to ailing guests.
  • Stay above deck as much as possible. Try not to go below deck for any extended period of time. If you do, and want to look out at the scenery, look out a window or porthole with your gaze on the horizon.
  • Cut short your binocular time. As much as you’ll want to stare for hours at those polar bears or waddling penguins, extended binocular use can bring on seasickness.

Stay hydrated and fed. Drink plenty of water and don’t go about on an empty stomach. Pack extra snacks from home (granola bars, dried fruit, nuts) so you’ll always have something to grab.

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