Big adventures, small ships—26 of the best voyages to book for 2026

Whether it’s exploring French Polynesia onboard a 230-passenger cargo ship, gliding along Sweden’s Göta Canal in a 25-cabin, retro-inspired wooden boat or encountering the landscapes and wildlife of West Africa with only 50 other passengers, the small-scale cruise industry is booming. According to a recent study by CLIA, between 2023 and 2024, bookings for such voyages increased by 22%. With so much on offer, how can you know which expedition will be right for you? To help narrow the field, we’ve selected 26 of the most exciting small-ship adventures for 2026 and beyond.

1. Scenery in Papua New Guinea

With more than 600 islands, 850 indigenous languages and 13,500 plant species, Papua New Guinea seriously impresses when it comes to diversity — both botanical and cultural. The untouched wilds of volcanic caldera and dense rainforest are best navigated by ship, allowing you to hop between highlights without leaving a trace. Cruise on Swan Hellenic’s small vessel from Honiara (Solomon Islands) to Jayapura (Indonesia) over 13 nights from 5 April 2026 on an itinerary that includes snorkelling in kaleidoscopic reefs, Zodiac adventures and tribal encounters. Plus, Second World War history: among the stops is Kennedy Island, where JFK was briefly marooned in 1943. The 13-night Wild Eden of Papua New Guinea cruise starts from £8,296 per person.

2. Luxury in the Arctic

A partnership between Natural World Safaris and luxury spa hotel group COMO sees a cushy new spin to arctic cruising launching in 2026. The plush MS Polarfront sets sail from the Norwegian town of Longyearbyen to the frigid Svalbard archipelago — home to roaming polar bears, breaching orcas and prancing reindeer. Onboard, expect the pampering of a five-star resort. The 10-night COMO Journey: Into the Arctic starts from £23,000 per person.

3. Sleek design on the Nile

Channel old-style glamour aboard the newly launched Nile cruiser, Viking Amun. Sailing regularly from Cairo to Aswan and back, taking in the Temples of Luxor, the Sphinx and the pyramids, it comes complete with an indoor-outdoor terrace and Scandi-style interiors. The 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids trip starts from £5,495 per person.

4. Historic ports in Croatia

Billed as a next-gen superyacht, Emerald Cruises’ new Kaia launches in 2026 with ultra-spacious rooms, an observation deck with a spa pool, a sunset bar and an indoor-outdoor gym. The intimately scaled ship is perfect for exploring the pebble-beached islands of the Croatian coast and the infinitely fascinating city of Venice. The 15-day Discover the Gems of Italy & Croatia trip starts from £13,029 per person.

(Want to see a different side to Venice? Take to its lagoon by boat.)

5. Napoleonic history in Pacific Africa

While it’s most famed for hosting an exiled Napoleon Bonaparte until his death in 1821, the ultra-remote volcanic island of Saint Helena has other joys, including a unique local culture and a rare cloud forest with 250 endemic species. Discover its highlights, along with those of other small ports in South Africa, Namibia and Cape Verde, on a cruise tracing the west coast of Africa. When not taking in the highlights of Cape Town, the golden dunes of Walvis Bay or the lush Creole history of Praia, enjoy Azamara Onward’s spa suites or its 24/7 room service. The 17-night South Africa, Namibia & Cape Verde Cruise: Cape Town, Walvis Bay & Saint Helena starts from £3,089 per person from 11 May.

6. Storytelling in Ireland

It’s not the staid history books that bring a place to life — it’s the encounter with living, breathing locals. On a two-week sailing with Aurora Expeditions from 15 May 2026, the Emerald Isle will be brought into focus by Irish storyteller and host John McGroary, who adds context to the people and places of stops like Belfast, Dingle, Cork and Waterford. You’ll pay respects at St Patrick’s grave and visit the often-missed Isle of Man before wrapping up in Troon in the northwest of Scotland. The 14-day Ireland & Scotland: Saints, Saviours and Secrets starts from £8,340 per person.

(Come to this Irish region for otherworldly rock formations.)

7. Culture in far-flung French Polynesia

Among the most remote islands on Earth, the Australs — scattered 375 miles south of Tahiti — offer dramatic green ridges and white-sand beaches so unspoilt they’re the paragon of paradise. This heartland of Polynesian culture is rarely visited by outsiders beyond those aboard the Aranui V, a combined cargo and 230-passenger ship that casts off regularly from Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia. Two-week itineraries provide a rare look into local life while simultaneously fostering small-scale and sustainable tourism opportunities. From 2027, Aranui will add a second ship to its fleet, the 198-passenger A-ranoa, which will also be a mix of passenger and freighter vessel. Like the Aranui V that came before it, it will feature one of the only tattoo parlours at sea — a tribute to Polynesian culture, where permanent body art is imbued with deep meaning and symbolism. The 14-night Austral Islands trip starts from £3,256 per person.

8. Marine life in Raja Ampat

The archipelago of Raja Ampat is a divers’ paradise of lucent corals and flitting fish — all beneath an azure surface marked with karst islands carpeted in jungle. Indonesian cruise line SeaTrek has the inside track on the destination’s highlights, including a plethora of birdlife, prehistoric cave paintings and serene coves for otherworldly snorkels. Travelling on a round trip from Sorong on a traditional wooden pinisi ship, you’ll spend days floating alongside whale sharks and rare stingless jelly fish. The nine-night The Jewels of Raja Ampat trip starts from £5,842 per person.

(In Raja Ampat, new coral conservation voyages give a unique perspective on the reefs.)

9. Grand touring via the Panama Canal

Learn how the Panama Canal has shaped global trade on a 22-day trip from San Juan to Puerto Vallarta. The Star Seeker departs on 6 April 2026 and takes in the Dominican Republic’s Isla Catalina, the powdery beaches of Huatulco and the Panama Canal. The Star Collector: Central American Explorations journey starts from £7,108 per person.

10. Northern Lights in Norway

Spotting the Northern Lights is never guaranteed — but you can up your chances with a cruise along the fjord-carved shores of western Norway. An expedition onboard the M/S Spitsbergen departs from Tromsø and offers the chance to get steamy in Nordic saunas, and, if luck is on your side, experience nights of dancing Aurora Borealis. The eight-day Ultimate Norway Arctic Expedition Under the Northern Lights starts from £2,848 per person.

(6 alternative ways to see the Northern Lights.)

11. Tall ship in the Windward Islands

Star Clippers’ tall ships have the romantic bygone feel of a merchant vessel in the days before steam power. Meandering through the Windward Islands over the course of a week, the route takes in smaller ports where larger ships rarely go, from Îles des Saintes to Martinique and St Kitts. Polished woods, oil paintings and brass accents lend a traditional, sophisticated feel that punctuates itineraries featuring dreamy beaches and rum punch. The seven-night Windward Islands trip starts from £1,965 per person.

12. Christmas on the Danube

A cruise on the new AmaSofia is ideal for discovering central Europe’s unsung corners — whether it’s gliding along snow-dusted landscapes, taking in Christmas markets on twinkly riverbanks, embarking on hikes to picture-perfect castles or sampling regional drinks on distillery tours. Sailing from Budapest to Bavarian town Vilshofen, you’ll stop off at the likes of Melk for its UNESCO-listed monastery and Passau for its baroque splendour. The seven-night Rhine & Danube starts from £3,049 per person.

(How to plan the ultimate adventure along the Danube River.)

13. Highlights of Fiji, Tonga, Cook and Society Islands

See a new side to the popular resort island of Fiji on a sailing that crosses the international dateline on the way to the Cook Islands and Society Islands, stopping at Bora Bora and Moorea, before ending in Tahiti. Most rooms on the MS Gaugin have private balconies and butler service, and there’s even a PADI scuba diving certification programme on offer, allowing you to maximise your time in the crystalline shallows. The 13-night Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands journey starts from £6,944 per person.

14. Gallic elegance in Costa Rica

The natural wonders of Costa Rica are the focus of this loop sailing from Puntarenas aboard Le Bellot, a high-end explorer ship from Ponant. On board, think all crisp white colour schemes, suited service and Gallic-inflected fine dining. The eight-day Pacific Coast of Costa Rica cruise starts from £4,040 per person.

15. Zodiac exploration in the Antarctic

With its high-tech bow designed to reduce fuel consumption, observation decks for polar views and heated pool and sauna, the 130-passenger Douglas Mawson is the latest ship to join the sustainably minded Aurora Expeditions line. From 19 November 2026, it’ll push off from Ushuaia in Argentina, crossing the Drake Passage and exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. The 12-day Spirit of Antarctica sailing starts from £11,898 per person.

16. Four Seasons luxury in the Mediterranean

This Four Seasons Yachts cruise takes in Lanzarote, Gibraltar and Casablanca. Guests can expect white-sand beaches and art deco architecture, while life aboard is all spacious suites with walk-in closets, lounge seating on terraces and private splash pools. The seven-day Grand Mediterranean featuring Casablanca & Lanzarote starts from £17,831 per suite.

17. Uninhabited islands in the Seychelles

Carrying just 30 guests in 15 suites, the new Aqua Lares is more superyacht than cruise ship. Gliding from the Seychelles to Zanzibar, the itinerary takes in the Aldabra Atoll and rugged Pemba Island. The 11-night Coralline Seychelles & Tanzania cruise starts from £14,668 per person.

(Idyllic Zanzibar is the cradle of African Swahili culture—here's why.)

18. Glamour in Gustavia

For a five-star hotel experience on the high seas, turn to Ritz-Carlton’s flagship yacht Evrima, which brings its polished hospitality to smaller, unsung Caribbean ports. In a circuit sailing to and from San Juan, Puerto Rico, you’ll take in the likes of Gustavia, the capital of Saint Barthélemy; Marigot, home to a protected marine reserve; and Virgin Gorda, where you’ll find granite boulders at The Baths. Each itinerary is a little bit different, so choose the one that interests you most. The five-night San Juan to San Juan sailing starts from £5,200 per person.

19. Culture and architecture in West Africa

Explore the cities, landscapes and wildlife of West Africa with small ship specialists Noble Caledonia. The company’s 20-day sailing, aboard the 50-suite Hebridean Sky, stops off in unexplored corners of Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe and Ghana — taking in everything from military towers to cacao plantations. The Coastal Cities & Culture of West Africa trip starts from £12,995 per person.

20. Scientific discovery in the Antarctic

There’s still so much to learn about the Antarctic. This is why polar-specialist Quark Expedition’s newest ship, World Voyager, comes not only with the increasingly standard spa, swimming pool and whirlpool bath offering, but also an onboard Science Hub, too. It’s where guests can learn from researchers as two Rolls-Royce engines propel the ship forward on this itinerary from Argentina to the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. The 11-day Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the Seventh Continent cruise starts from £10,109 per person.

21. Rugged beauty in Chilean Patagonia

Explore Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn on this 199-passenger, all-inclusive cruise with Australis. Zodiac transfers to see penguin colonies and wind-carved mountains are supplemented by expert presentations on marine life and glaciology. The five-day Fjords of Tierra del Fuego starts from £1,254 per person.

22. Vineyards in France

In 2026, French brand Tauck launches two new riverboats and a new itinerary that includes sightseeing in Paris, wine-tastings in Bordeaux, wanders through Monet’s Giverny and an introspective pause at Normandy’s D-Day beaches. New riverboat MS Serene will host a maximum of 124 guests in spacious hotel-standard suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and sea-toned fabrics. The 11-day Bordeaux, Paris & the Seine river cruise starts from £5,690 per person.

(How to spend a weekend in rural Normandy, from Camembert to castles.)

23. Close-up encounters in New Zealand

Small-scale cruises let you zoom in on a destination in a way that’s almost impossible on a larger ship. Scenic’s focused itinerary in New Zealand stops off at small ports for winery tours, art deco walking tours and sightings of Hector’s dolphins; meanwhile, nights on board the luxury yacht, sleeping 228, feature sundowners and a choice of nearly a dozen restaurants. The 12-day Bay of Islands Explorer cruise starts from £11,671 per person.

24. Sustainable sailing in Svalbard

Festooned with solar-powered sails and with a zero-waste policy while at sea, the Captain Arctic — sleeping just 36 passengers — sets a new standard in high-end expeditions. Its low-impact model comes with no set itinerary, with expeditions tailored to individual guests’ experience levels. As the ship leaves Tromsø and heads towards the Arctic, guests have the opportunity to swim with orcas, snowshoe through the Lyngen Alps or go herring fishing with the chef. The seven-day Dancing with Orcas trip starts from £5,887 per person.

(Close encounters on the Arctic pack ice of Svalbard, Norway.)

25. Canals in the Low Countries

The Netherlands has long been one of the world’s greatest shipbuilding nations, and you can explore its fascinating maritime history on this laid-back itinerary cruising from Amsterdam to Belgian capital Brussels. In Rotterdam, tour the extensive Maritime Museum; and in Antwerp, the architecture funded by years of trade. The 12-day Northern European Culture and Charm: A Cruise Between The Netherlands and Belgium sailing starts from £2,602 per person.

26. Retro style in Sweden

New isn’t always better. The M/S Wilhelm Tham was built in Sweden in 1912 and has been sailing the 120-mile Göta Canal, segueing through lakes and forests of the central mainland, for over a century. Across the six days onboard, you’ll pass through dozens of locks — some more than 200 years old — and see the remains of Sweden’s first convent as well as the UNESCO-listed Viking settlement of Birka. Inside, the 25-cabin canal boat is all retro glamour with polished woods and white-tablecloth dining. The six-day Grand Sweden Cruise on the Göta Kanal starts from £2,217 per person.