Small Ship Expedition Cruises
The allure of small-ship cruises is the flexibility and ease with which we are able to navigate some of the most fascinating destinations on Earth, including remote islands and narrow fjords inaccessible by larger ship. To this end, we have chartered select vessels from the best fleets in the world for our small-ship voyages—using the highest standards and providing you with the very best experience. Our fleet includes the Clipper Adventurer, Clipper Odyssey, Isabela II, Kapitan Khlebnikov (in service for its final year), Palau Aggressor II, Sea Safari VIII, and the newly-added Sea Spirit. You’ll stay in a lovely oceanview cabin and have access to myriad amenities onboard; depending on your ship, these might include a full dining room, library, lounge, fleet of Zodiacs, outdoor swimming pool, and more.
Aboard the Isabella II, you may find yourself navigating the Galápagos Islands and sailing through the Bolívar Channel with its impressive volcano views. The Clipper Adventurer or Sea Spirit may deliver you to remote icy shores in search of penguins and polar bears in the Arctic. Your small-ship voyage aboard the 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey might introduce you to the gustatory and archaeological pleasures of Sicily or the mysteries of the Middle East. Or perhaps your tastes run to diving in the South Pacific, in which case you’ll most likely enjoy your small-ship voyage aboard the Palau Aggressor II or Sea Safari VIII. Come sail with us!
The itineraries we offer vary from year to year; below please find our upcoming small-ship expedition cruises:
Europe
Your Iceland and Svalbard adventure travels will reveal a world of abundant wildlife, marine life, and amazing geological landscapes of black basaltic islands, dazzling glaciers, flowering tundra, smoking volcanoes, and bubbling thermal springs. An Iceland tour explores the fabled Golden Circle and offshore volcanic islands that provide a breeding ground for seals and a rest stop for nearly 90 species of migrating birds.
Upcoming Departures
During our in-depth Baltic tour, we sail aboard the 100-passenger Island Sky to eight countries: Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Denmark. As we explore the Old Towns of Gdansk, Riga, and Tallinn, and tour the World Heritage Site of Visby on our Northern Europe expedition, the history and legends of the region come to life. Our Baltic expedition also includes a visit to the charming villages of Bornholm Island, and the impressive ruins of Hammershus Castle, as well as stunning St.
Upcoming Departures
Larger than life, yet just shy of Cuba’s landmass area, Iceland is a Land of Fire and Ice, natural diversity, and a hardy and hospitable population. Our Iceland adventure travel expedition makes every effort to capture the geological drama of the land, aboard the superb Island Sky, by Zodiac, by snowmobile, and on foot. We start with a Reykjavík tour, followed by the Golden Circle of Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Geysir Center.
Upcoming Departures
Join us for our most in-depth Sicily expedition ever as we delve into one of the most fascinating islands in the Mediterranean. In Malta, visit Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an architectural masterpiece. Follow ancient trade routes aboard the Island Sky, charting a course for the Roman theaters and villas of Taormina, Piazza Amerina, and Lipari. And, of course, no Sicily and Palermo tour is complete without food and wine! We stop at several vineyards, sample olive oil straight from the press, visit local outdoor markets, and savor the best local cuisine.
Upcoming Departures
Our Black Sea expedition features all of the countries rimming this infamous sea—Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, and Bulgaria. In the company of our expert leaders, explore lands with centuries upon centuries of history, rich architecture, contemporary cultures, and stunning landscapes. As we venture forth from Istanbul for our Black Sea tour, we discover four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Romania’s winding Danube Delta and several archaeological masterpieces. Enjoy a local Georgian dining tradition, visit busy bazaars, and sample regional wines.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Antarctica
In the spirit of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctica expedition, our exploration of the White Continent offers in-depth Antarctica, South Georgia, and Falkland Islands adventure travel – all while seamlessly combining rich natural history with some of Mother Nature’s most rugged and dramatic landscapes.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Australia & New Zealand
This Western Australia expedition takes you to The Kimberley, one of the most remote and captivating regions on earth—a land of towering cliffs, plunging waterfalls, ancient cultures, and exotic wildlife. The 100-passenger Caledonian Sky easily navigates the mighty rivers and tiny inlets of the region throughout your Kimberley adventure travels.
Upcoming Departures
This Tasmania and New Zealand expedition presents a bounty of natural history experiences, combining a variety of striking landscapes with some of the world’s rarest and most fascinating plant and animal species. Begin your Tasmania tour by stepping ashore on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, and hiking through eucalyptus forests in search of unique birds and marsupials. A special highlight of your New Zealand adventure travel is our time in the sub-Antarctic islands.
Upcoming Departures
Indonesia
Papua New Guinea adventure travel beckons the explorer in all of us with dramatic landscapes and a wealth of unique cultures. Meet the inhabitants of remote islands on this Melanesia tour and step back in time to view their energetic dances and well-preserved cultural traditions. Learn about the kula ring of trading, which unites far-flung island communities, and the fascinating rituals surrounding the annual yam harvest.
Upcoming Departures
New Guinea is a revelation of exquisite wild beauty, exotic cultures, and incredible underwater vistas. From traditional fishing villages to the mysterious world of the Asmat, discover the beliefs and traditions of ancient cultures that have changed little over the centuries on this Papua expedition. Snorkeling and diving on this voyage is exceptional and includes the Raja Ampat archipelago whose seas, part of the fabled Coral Triangle, are considered to hold the richest variety of marine species on the planet.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
India and Indian Ocean
On this extraordinary Seychelles and Aldabra adventure travel voyage, photographers, naturalists, birders, and snorkelers will find themselves enraptured by the astonishing richness of the region’s terrestrial and marine environments. The focus of your Seychelles adventure travels is the Aldabra Island Group, including Aldabra Atoll, one of the largest atolls in the world, with a perimeter of over 70 miles. Zodiacs bring you ashore for nature walks to search for numerous native and endemic species of flora and fauna.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
South Pacific
For many, Polynesia is the very definition of paradise; evoking classic images of palm-fanned beaches, azure lagoons, and exotic, flower-bedecked islanders. Begin in legendary Tahiti and continue east for a Marquesas tour, admiring their sky-piercing volcanoes, lushly-carpeted canyons, and chiseled bays. The low-lying Tuamotu Archipelago, whose remote atolls—mere rings of coral dotted by tiny islets enclosing aquamarine lagoons—offer some of the world’s most dazzling snorkeling and diving.
Upcoming Departures
Book-ended by Fiji and Tahiti tours, this South Pacific journey strings together a dazzling array of palm-fanned islands ringed in waters of incredible hues. From the jungle-draped volcanic mountains of Tonga to the tiny, low-lying atolls you’ll explore as part of the Cook Islands tour, this voyage reveals a world of supreme natural beauty and people proud to share their ceremonial traditions of music and dance. Along the way discover American Samoa’s dramatic Pago Pago Harbor and unique, square-shaped Rose Atoll.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Middle East
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Galapagos
Certainly one of the most iconic and memorable expeditions one can take, Galápagos adventure travel is exhilarating and humbling. You’ll find yourself in the company of species found nowhere else in the world, walking among abundant wildlife that has grown astonishingly fearless in the absence of humans and large predators. On your Galápagos tour, you might find yourself face to face with a pair of courting blue-footed boobies, sitting next to a marine iguana as it basks in the sun, or snorkeling amidst a family of playful sea lions.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
South America
This grand adventure along the rugged western coast of South America reveals myriad cultural and natural splendors, with four UNESCO World Heritage Sites on tap. Begin in Quito, Ecuador’s charming capital city, where beautiful colonial architecture is rivaled only by the surrounding peaks of the snow-capped Andes. Board the ship in Guayaquil and voyage southward to discover magical vistas, unique micro-climates, and the prolific wildlife supported by the nutrient-rich Humboldt Current.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Africa
Spectacular scenery awaits throughout this Madagascar expedition with Mauritius, Reunion, Comoros, and Zanzibar. Our East Africa expedition combines the volcanic peaks of Mauritius and Reunion, the colorful chameleons and pristine coral reefs of Madagascar, and the rugged Comoros Islands. Spend six days on a Madagascar tour as we search for mouse, black, and brown lemurs; 32 species of reptiles; and over 100 species of birds, among them rare endemics such as the Madagascar fish eagle and white-breasted mesite.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Arctic
An area long closed to Western travelers, this White Sea expedition will expose you to sublime beauty, magnificent architecture, and a long and fascinating history. In the fabled Solovetskiy archipelago learn of ancient legends, view archaeological finds that reach back across millennia, stroll through island flora in the botanical gardens, and tour splendid architectural monuments.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Central America
At the crossroads of two continents, Central America is a land of rich biodiversity with an array of colorful, exotic wildlife and a long and significant human history. This Central America expedition reveals the wonders of five countries, including Belize, Honduras, Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica tours; two oceans; and, during a stunning daylight transit, the Panama Canal.
Upcoming Departures
Asia
The expansive region bordering the Sea of Okhotsk is one of the planet’s least-explored and most remarkable destinations for untouched forests, pristine tundra, and vast amounts of wildlife. Here, you’ll find a number of whale species including beluga, orca, and bowhead; basking seals and sea lions by the thousands; and millions of seabirds. Aboard the all-suite, Caledonian Sky, this Siberia expedition will take you from Kamchatka to the Kurils and then a Sea of Okhotsk tour to explore remote shores and isolated islands long closed to Westerners.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.