Small Ship Cruise Reviews

91 Blog Posts

Our collection of small ship cruise reviews combines adventure stories, travel tales, expert insights and trip testimonials so you can see the full picture before you book your cruise with AdventureSmith.

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One of the best ways to learn more about a trip or travel style is word of mouth. That’s why our collection of small ship cruise reviews combines adventure stories, travel tales, expert insights and trip testimonials so you can see the full picture before you book your cruise with AdventureSmith. First-hand reviews from travel experts and real travelers is the next best thing to being there so read on to learn all about the world of small ship cruising.

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A skiff of Amazon travelers navigating through the channels of the Amazon Rainforest into the deep green jungle.

Expert Review: Aria Amazon River Cruise

What is it like to travel through the Amazon rainforest in luxury aboard the 32-guest Aria Amazon riverboat? Read our expert's detailed review of the wildlife, experiences and food.

Taylor Cranney
Taylor Cranney Expert Since 2017
gravel air strip on King George Island, Antarctica. A white airplane is about to touchdown, surrounded by snow-covered mountain range.

8 Things I Learned Flying to Antarctica

Considering flying to Antarctica? Read firsthand tips on air cruises, from flight logistics and weather delays to what to pack and how to plan for a smoother trip.

Kelly Gorrell
Kelly Gorrell Expert Since 2018
Expedition ship Magellan Explorer anchored in a bay in Antarctica with large sea ice floating by with mountainous terrain off in the distance

Expert Aboard: Magellan Explorer Ship Review

Step aboard the 76-guest Magellan Explorer in Antarctica. Two of our experts share firsthand insights on what makes this under-100-guest vessel so special, plus perspectives from travelers who’ve sailed aboard it.

Grace Bosco
Grace Bosco Expert Since 2024
portrait of travel expert Kevin Marshall in Baja with the Lindblad National Geographic Venture behind him

What It's Like Aboard a Lindblad Baja Cruise

750 nautical miles covered, 32 species of fish, 60 species of plants, dozens of whales... If you're contemplating a Lindblad Baja cruise, let our expert's time aboard help you learn more about what it's like.

Kevin Marshall
Kevin Marshall Expert Since 2022
Exterior shot of Douglas Mawson anchored in a bay off the coast of Australia on a cloudy day with calm seas

Expert Aboard: Douglas Mawson Ship Review

Our Director of Operations was aboard the inaugural sailing of the Douglas Mawson. Read on for his insight on what makes this 154-guest vessel stand out.

Justin Massoni
Justin Massoni Expert Since 2015
Sylvia Earle off in the distance in Antarctica with snow covered and giant icebergs and mountains on a cloudy calm day

Expert Aboard: Sylvia Earle Ship Review

What's it like aboard the Sylvia Earle ship? Learn about the service, sustainability, smooth ride, tips for choosing your cabin and more. Our expert's insights from her voyage in Antarctica will help you decide whether this ship's right for you, no matter where in the world she's sailing.

Jennifer Morse
Jennifer Morse Expert Since 2016
Small group of Polar Quest Svalbard travelers hike a rocky ridgeline among golden tundra backed by teal sea & a small ship.

Expert Review: Polar Quest Svalbard

Tiny ships, big moments. Get our expert's insights into how Polar Quest’s cozy, no-frills vessels (12-50 guests) deliver big on raw nature, abundant wildlife, standout guides & authentic adventure in Svalbard.

Mary Montalbano
Mary Montalbano Expert Since 2017
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Expert & Traveler Written Small Ship Cruise Reviews

Look for posts written by our experts for in-depth insight backed by our team who has the experience to compare ships, itineraries, activities and more. Our crew is aboard small ship cruises every month of the year inspecting itineraries, new operators, new small ships and unique cruising locations to take the guesswork out of booking your travel. In our post-trip recaps, look for:

  • Expert Reviews that typically cover the highlights of the cruise itinerary
  • Expert Aboard posts that feature small cruise ship reviews around specific ships
  • Operator Reviews that take our insight to higher-level small ship cruise line reviews covering an entire fleet
  • Travel Journals are written by our travelers (our clients who have submitted their words and photos) These are honest, unedited submissions, and often include great photography and travel stories we all can relate to.

Use the filters below to distinguish Expert Reviews from Travel Journals, and you can further sort by topic to hone in on just small cruise ship reviews or other topics like luxury or family travel.

Cruise Testimonials with Ratings

AdventureSmith’s small ship cruise reviews also extend to individual cruise testimonials. When our booked travelers return from their cruises, they fill out cruise evaluations so that our crew can learn from their experience and improve customer service and travel experiences for each guest. Testimonial givers rate their overall experience along with the ship’s food, guides and accommodations. In addition, you can find insight and reviews of our company and tips our travelers have for future guests of our cruises.  

Cruise Reviews by Destination

Use the filters below to view small ship cruise reviews by destination or go directly to Alaska cruise reviews, Amazon cruise reviews, Antarctica cruise reviews, Arctic cruise reviews, Galapagos cruise reviews or Mediterranean cruise reviews. Our extensive selection of small ship reviews is constantly being updated so check back often for the latest insight and information.

A Word About Small Ship Cruise Reviews Online

There are now countless small ship cruise review websites on the internet. Many offer honest advice and useful insights but some need to be taken with a grain of salt. Use online reviews as a tool but do not rush to judgement if you encounter a negative review. Often this is the result of a mismatch between the style of the traveler and the type of cruise they were on.

For instance, if a traveler is expecting luxury, but ends up on a base-camp adventure cruise, they may not be happy. Or if a traveler is looking for active adventure but ends up on a port cruise they will be frustrated by the slow pace. Small ship cruising is a niche industry with lots of nuance and travelers can be overwhelmed by the amount of information and opinions available. Our experts are trained to learn about your interests, ability and budget and match you with the best cruise option, which will result in a glowing review.    

Personal Referrals

The best type of small ship cruise review is a personal referral. Ask our Adventure Specialists to put you in touch with someone who has traveled to the destination and aboard the ship you are interested in. Our clients are our best advocates and they can help you understand the nuances of this style of travel and help you determine the best cruise for you. Shy away from agencies and operators that will not provide personal referrals and small ship cruise reviews from past clients.

Want more? See what the press has to say about our trips, company & travel style: AdventureSmith's recent press & awards.

Small Ship Cruise Reviews from Our Travelers