Destinations

Worldwide small ship cruises

Discover the world’s most captivating destinations through our curated collection of small ship cruises. From the sun-drenched islands of the Mediterranean to the icy frontiers of Antarctica, our voyages are designed to immerse you in the culture, beauty, and wonder of each region. Whether you dream of exploring remote archipelagos, historic waterways, or vibrant coastal cities, our expertly crafted itineraries offer unparalleled access to iconic landmarks and hidden treasures. Explore our global destinations and find the perfect voyage to inspire your next journey.

Two young male lions rest closely together on a dry, dusty ground, displaying a moment of affection with one gently nuzzling the other. Their eyes are mostly closed, and their golden-brown manes are slightly tousled. Another lion is lying down in the blurred background, completing this peaceful and intimate wildlife scene.

Africa

About Africa

A stunning glacier with jagged blue ice rises from calm, icy waters, set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and lush green slopes. The overcast sky casts a cool, moody light over the dramatic Arctic or Alaskan landscape.

Alaska

About Alaska

Three chinstrap penguins stand on a snowy surface near a rocky shoreline, with one penguin facing the camera with its flippers outstretched. In the background, a person in a yellow jacket is partially visible, observing the penguins near the icy coast. The scene captures a cold, remote polar environment.

Antarctica

About Antarctica

A breathtaking display of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) dances across a starry night sky above a snow-covered forest. Tall, leafless trees reach upward toward the vibrant green light ribbons, creating a magical contrast against the dark, serene winter landscape.

Arctic Circle & Greenland

About Arctic Circle & Greenland

The iconic vermilion torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine stands in the waters off the coast of Miyajima Island, Japan. Surrounded by calm blue water and backed by hazy mountain ranges and distant buildings, the gate appears to float during high tide, creating a serene and spiritual scene under a soft, partly cloudy sky.

Asia

About Asia

The Sydney Opera House illuminated at night, its iconic white sail-shaped shells glowing against the dark sky. Reflections shimmer on the surrounding harbor water, and the city lights of Sydney, Australia, twinkle in the background, creating a vibrant and elegant nighttime scene.

Australia & New Zealand

About Australia & New Zealand

A tropical seascape featuring vibrant turquoise and deep blue waters, with a white boat approaching a lush, green island. The shoreline is edged with rocks and trees, while fluffy white clouds drift across a bright blue sky, creating a serene and inviting coastal scene.

Caribbean Islands

About Caribbean Islands

A vibrant keel-billed toucan perches on a mossy tree branch in a lush, green rainforest during light rainfall. The bird displays its striking multicolored bill, featuring shades of green, yellow, orange, red, and blue, along with a bright yellow throat and black body. Delicate tropical plants grow along the branch, enhancing the vivid jungle scene.

Central America & Mexico

About Central America & Mexico

A person walks toward the Great Sphinx of Giza, with the Pyramid of Khafre towering directly behind it under a partly cloudy sky. The ancient stone structures are surrounded by sandy terrain and scattered tourists exploring the historic site, creating a timeless scene of Egypt's most iconic landmarks.

Egypt & The Middle East

About Egypt & The Middle East

A vibrant field of blooming lavender stretches toward the historic Pont Saint-Bénézet bridge in Avignon, France. The stone arches of the medieval bridge span the Rhône River, with a small chapel atop one section. The scene is bathed in soft daylight, framed by lush green trees and a clear blue sky.

Europe

About Europe

Two blue-footed boobies stand on reddish-brown, rocky ground surrounded by dry twigs and sparse vegetation. One bird faces forward while the other preens its feathers, both displaying their distinctive bright blue feet, white underbellies, and striking blue-gray beaks. The scene reflects the unique wildlife found in the Galápagos Islands.

Galapagos Islands

About Galapagos Islands

A symmetrical view of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, taken from the front garden pathway with the reflecting pool leading directly to the iconic white marble mausoleum. The building’s domes and minarets are mirrored in the water, surrounded by manicured lawns and neatly aligned cypress trees under a soft, pastel sky.

India and the Subcontinent

About India and the Subcontinent

A scenic view overlooking the sparkling blue Aegean Sea from the hillside of Santorini, Greece. Whitewashed buildings with curved rooftops and vibrant pink bougainvillea line the descending path toward a small harbor with boats. The vivid colors and clear sunlight capture the charm and beauty of this iconic Mediterranean destination.

Mediterranean Sea

About Mediterranean Sea

A picturesque coastal village nestled between snow-dusted mountains and a calm fjord in the Lofoten Islands, Norway. Traditional red and white Scandinavian houses line the shoreline, with the soft golden-pink glow of sunrise or sunset casting a warm hue over the dramatic Arctic landscape.

Northern Europe & British Isles

About Northern Europe & British Isles

A serene breakfast scene on a balcony overlooking a calm, expansive body of water. A table set with coffee, orange juice, pastries, fruit, and a newspaper is surrounded by a metal railing. A person’s hand holds a coffee cup while reading, with distant mountains visible on the horizon under a partly cloudy sky.

Ocean Cruises

About Ocean Cruises

A breathtaking view of Iguazu Falls surrounded by dense, colorful tropical foliage. Multiple waterfalls cascade down dramatic cliffs into a mist-filled gorge, with vibrant autumn-hued leaves in the foreground and clear blue skies above. The powerful rush of water and lush landscape create a dramatic and awe-inspiring natural scene.

South America

About South America

A stunning tropical scene of Bora Bora featuring turquoise-blue waters, overwater bungalows lined up over the lagoon, and a lush green mountain with a dramatic peak rising in the background. Fluffy white clouds float in a vivid blue sky, enhancing the idyllic island paradise atmosphere.

South Pacific Islands

About South Pacific Islands

The Ulun Danu Beratan Temple in Bali, Indonesia, sits peacefully on the edge of Lake Beratan, surrounded by vibrant red flowers and lush greenery. The iconic multi-tiered pagoda rises against a backdrop of mist-covered mountains and a cloudy sky, creating a serene and spiritual atmosphere in the tranquil lakeside setting.

Southeast Asia

About Southeast Asia

A dramatic upward view of the Statue of Liberty against a vivid blue sky. The iconic green patina statue holds a torch with a golden flame in her right hand and a tablet in her left, symbolizing freedom and democracy. The image emphasizes the statue’s detailed features and majestic presence.

USA and Canada

About USA and Canada

A watercolor painting of Earth viewed from space, featuring continents such as Africa, Europe, and parts of Asia. The planet is surrounded by a soft, textured background in shades of deep purple and blue, giving a cosmic and dreamy atmosphere to the artwork.

World Cruises

About World Cruises

Our blog

Get in the mood for cruising by reading our travel guides, recommendations and cruise reviews

Expert Insights & First-Hand Stories

May 4, 2026

Ships We've Sailed: Our Team's Personal Voyage Log and What We Found

We don't recommend ships we haven't sailed. This is our policy and our practice. What follows is a selection of our team's personal voyage log — the ships we've been aboard recently, what we found when we got there, and what the experience means for the recommendations we make.

Guides for Specific Traveler Types

May 1, 2026

Small Ship Cruises for Couples: The Most Romantic Itineraries for Every Style

Romance in travel isn't a category. It's a quality. It's not produced by a sunset dinner package or a rose-petal turndown. It comes from being somewhere extraordinary with someone you love, in conditions that remove the noise of daily life and replace it with beauty and time. Small ships do this better than almost any other form of travel.

European Waterways Barge Cruises: The Most Intimate Way to Explore France

Cruise Line Reviews

May 1, 2026

European Waterways Barge Cruises: The Most Intimate Way to Explore France

A hotel barge carries 6 to 20 guests. It moves at walking pace along canals so narrow that branches brush the hull. The chef bought the cheese from the producer's farm that morning. The wines are from the vineyard you visited after lunch. At 5 PM the barge ties up for the night in a village with a restaurant that has been open since 1952. This is the most intimate, most food-centered, and most genuinely French form of travel available.

The Northwest Passage: A Cruise Through the World's Most Legendary Sea Route

Expedition and Adventure Cruising

Apr 30, 2026

The Northwest Passage: A Cruise Through the World's Most Legendary Sea Route

For four centuries, the Northwest Passage — the sea route through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans — was the object of the most determined and most deadly quest in the history of exploration. Ships were lost. Men died. The Passage defeated everyone who attempted it until Roald Amundsen succeeded in 1903, taking three years to complete what expedition ships now do in three weeks.

How to Pick the Right Cabin on a Small Ship: Category Guide for Beginners

Cruise Planning How-Tos

Apr 30, 2026

How to Pick the Right Cabin on a Small Ship: Category Guide for Beginners

Cabin selection on a small ship is more consequential than on a large ship for a simple reason: you'll spend more time in it. When a ship carries 92 guests rather than 4,000, the common areas are more intimate, the cabin is more frequently a retreat, and the proportional difference in quality between cabin categories is more pronounced.

Galapagos Islands Cruise Guide: Which Islands, Which Ships, Which Season

Destination Guide

Apr 29, 2026

Galapagos Islands Cruise Guide: Which Islands, Which Ships, Which Season

The Galapagos Islands are the only place on Earth where a marine iguana will walk across your feet without breaking stride, where a blue-footed booby will perform its mating dance three feet from your camera, and where a sea lion pup will follow you along the beach out of pure curiosity. This is not wildlife viewing. This is wildlife coexistence.

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