Interested in cruising, but not the crowds? Prefer to explore new places with like-minded passengers? Enter small-ship (sometimes expeditionary) cruising. Expedition, you say? If you’re up for it, yes. Smaller-scaled boats ply the waters of the Arctic and Antarctic and we do have a soft spot for those itineraries, but there are plenty of small-ship options in warm-weather locales, too. 

From Belize, Costa Rica and Colombia, to the Canary Islands, to West Africa, we recommend these smaller-ship vacations that get you up close and personal with a new-to-you destination (bonus: you’re likely to make new friends for life along the way!). 

What You’ll Experience in the Caribbean & Central America 

In a land of azure skies, turquoise blue waters and lush jungles, small ships can take you to Central American coastal communities, from vibrant cities to isolated fishing towns, where you’ll feel the pulse of everyday life. 

Imagine yourself: 

  • Exploring Costa Rica’s incredibly biodiverse forests and waters, home to iguanas, dolphins, whales, sloths, monkeys, manta rays and toucans. 
  • Snorkeling in Belize’s famed barrier reef. 
  • Visiting a communal kitchen in Piedra de Moros to learn the secrets to authentic tortillas and tamales. 
  • Touring Mayan ruins with an expert guide. 
  • Passing through the 50-mile-long, man-made Panama Canal and the Gatun Lake section, where you might see a crocodile on the shore. 
  • Popping off the boat in Peru to visit the Pisco Valley, with its mysterious holes.

What You’ll Experience in Madeira and the Canary Islands 


Natural wonders and the world’s second-largest festival await when you choose a small-ship cruise to Madeira and the Canaries. 

Imagine yourself: 

  • Standing, amazed, by the deep ravines and rugged cliffs of the Lanzarote, the “Island of Fire.”  
  • Celebrating with locals at the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival and its most anticipated spectacle, the Gran Coso Apoteosis (Grand Carnival Parade). 
  • Indulging in exotic fruits and world-famous wines in Madeira, the “Garden of the Atlantic.”
  • Watching for Cory’s shearwaters, Sandwich terns and Kentish plovers as you sail to Porto Santo and its undisturbed sandy beaches. 
  • Hiking in La Palma on La Isla Bonita (“The Pretty Island”) and walking through the spectacular Caldera de Taburiente National Park.
  • Visiting the remote El Hierro UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. 

What You’ll Experience in West Africa & Cape Verde


From the wildlife of West Africa (saltwater hippos!) to the UNESCO-protected biosphere of the Bissagos Islands, from the capital of Dakar to Cape Verde’s Portuguese colonial heritage, small-ship sailing in this region of the world unveils as much history as it does natural beauty. 

Imagine yourself:

  • Marveling at the impressive baobab trees, fort, and colorful colonial buildings of Gorée Island, a tiny island classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
  • Stepping back in time in The Gambia to trace the origins of Kunta Kinteh, the Gambian man taken to North America and forced into slavery. 
  • Meeting the Bijagos people in their island communities, where women rule the communities, ceremonies and economical life. 
  • Trekking on Santo Antão Island, through its landscape of rugged peaks, deep canyons and vertical cliffs. 
  • Getting a taste of the Sahara on a small oceanic island at Bao Vista, home to drifting sand dunes, iconic shipwrecks, endemic wildlife and desert oases. 
  • Feeling the pleasant liveliness of São Filipe on Fogo Island, with its Portuguese-syle square, colorful markets and lovely restored homes. 

Not simply the purview of the Poles, small-ship sailing is an ideal choice for anyone who seeks authentic immersion in a new destination. With limited passengers and the ability to go where the big boats can’t, these expedition-style cruises offer a sense of place that you just can’t get elsewhere. If this sounds enticing, and you’d like to try small-ship sailing in our world’s warmer locals, let’s chat. Schedule a consultation and we can chat about different itineraries and small ship options! If you haven't signed up for my weekly small-ship experience newsletter, you can do so here: