Small ship cruising with included shore excursions represents one of cruising's best-kept secrets. While mainstream cruisers debate beverage packages on 5,000-passenger ships, savvy travelers are discovering that smaller vessels with all-inclusive excursions often deliver better value, especially in destinations like Alaska, Antarctica, and the Mediterranean where shore excursions can cost $150-300 per person per port.
After sailing on 12 different small ships over the past decade, I've learned that "small ship with included excursions" isn't just one category—it's actually three distinct types of cruising experiences, each with specific advantages and trade-offs.
The ultra-luxury segment offers the most comprehensive all-inclusive experience, combining intimate ships with truly premium shore excursions.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises leads this category with ships carrying 490-750 guests. Their Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor include unlimited shore excursions in every port, from guided tours of Rome's Vatican Museums to helicopter flightseeing in Alaska. The catch? Expect to pay $8,000-15,000 per person for a 7-day cruise in 2026.
Silversea Cruises operates both luxury ships (274-608 guests) and expedition vessels. Their Silver Muse includes excursions like private cooking classes in Tuscany and exclusive after-hours museum visits. Expedition ships like Silver Wind offer Zodiac landings and naturalist-led hikes. Budget $6,000-12,000 per person for 7-10 days.
Seabourn runs the smallest ultra-luxury ships (264-600 guests) with highly curated excursions. On Seabourn Encore, I experienced a private wine tasting in Santorini with just 14 other guests—something impossible on larger ships. Expect $7,000-13,000 per person.
Pros:
Cons:
Connect with other luxury cruise enthusiasts in our Shore Excursions forum to share experiences and tips!
Expedition cruising focuses on unique destinations and educational experiences rather than onboard luxury.
Lindblad-National Geographic operates ships carrying 62-148 guests with National Geographic naturalists and photographers onboard. Their National Geographic Quest includes Zodiac landings, snorkeling gear, and all expedition activities. Alaska cruises start around $4,500 per person for 7 days in 2026.
Ponant combines French luxury with expedition capabilities. Le Commandant Charcot (245 guests) reaches Antarctica with luxury amenities plus all expedition gear and excursions included. Expect $8,000-20,000 per person depending on destination and season.
UnCruise Adventures runs the smallest ships (22-86 guests) with adventure activities included: kayaking, hiking, skiff exploration, and snorkeling gear. Their Safari Endeavour focuses on Alaska's wilderness areas that larger ships cannot access. Prices range from $3,500-8,000 per person.
HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions) operates hybrid expedition ships (230-530 guests) with included Zodiac landings and expedition jackets. Their MS Fridtjof Nansen includes science activities and lectures by expedition staff. Norway coastal voyages start around $2,800 per person for 7 days.
Pros:
Cons:
Several mainstream premium lines offer smaller ships with excursion packages that provide good value without ultra-luxury pricing.
Azamara operates intimate ships (694-702 guests) with longer port stays and included AzAmazing Evenings—exclusive cultural experiences like private concerts in historic venues. Their excursion packages cost $50-70 per port but offer excellent value. Expect $3,000-6,000 per person for Mediterranean cruises.
Oceania Cruises ships carry 684-1,250 guests with optional shore excursion packages. Their GO Local tours focus on culinary and cultural immersion. Marina and Riviera offer some of the best food at sea. Budget $2,500-5,000 per person plus excursion packages.
Celebrity's smaller ships like Celebrity Flora (100 guests) in the Galápagos include all excursions and naturalist guides. It's Celebrity's most all-inclusive experience, starting around $6,000 per person for 7 nights.
Windstar Cruises operates sailing ships and small motor yachts (148-342 guests) with intimate port experiences. Their excursions focus on local culture and cuisine, often with smaller group sizes than mainstream lines.
Here's the surprising truth: small ship all-inclusive cruising often costs less than you think when you factor in excursion costs.
Consider a 7-day Alaska cruise for two people:
Large Ship Option:
Small Ship Option:
The difference is just $200, but the small ship experience includes expedition-quality excursions, zodiac landings, and naturalist guides that you can't get on larger ships.
Book Early for Best Value: Small ships have limited capacity, and early booking discounts can save 20-40%. Regent and Silversea offer best prices 12-18 months in advance.
Consider Shoulder Seasons: Alaska cruises in May and September cost 30-50% less than peak July sailings, with fewer crowds and often better wildlife viewing.
Watch for Wave Season Deals: January-March 2026 brings significant discounts on expedition cruises, especially Antarctica departures for 2026-27 season.
Factor in Hidden Savings: All-inclusive pricing eliminates nickel-and-diming. No specialty restaurant covers, no beverage package decisions, no excursion planning stress.
Choose the Right Ship Size: 100-300 guests offer the best balance of intimate experience and onboard amenities. Ships under 100 guests may feel too limiting for some travelers.
Choose ultra-luxury lines if you want premium amenities, sophisticated dining, and exclusive excursions with minimal planning required. Best for: mature couples, luxury travelers, special celebrations.
Choose expedition lines if adventure and education matter more than luxury amenities. Perfect for: active travelers, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, bucket-list destination seekers.
Choose premium lines with smaller ships if you want intimate cruising with some mainstream amenities at moderate pricing. Ideal for: first-time small ship cruisers, couples wanting luxury without ultra-luxury pricing.
Small ship cruising with included excursions transforms how you experience destinations. Instead of fighting crowds at popular ports, you're exploring hidden coves in Zodiac boats or enjoying private museum tours with expert guides. The intimate scale creates connections—with fellow travelers, crew members, and destinations—that simply isn't possible on larger vessels.
Ready to plan your small ship adventure? Share your questions and get personalized advice from experienced small ship cruisers in our Shore Excursions forum!
After sailing on 12 different small ships over the past decade, I've learned that "small ship with included excursions" isn't just one category—it's actually three distinct types of cruising experiences, each with specific advantages and trade-offs.
Ultra-Luxury Lines: Maximum Comfort, Premium Excursions
The ultra-luxury segment offers the most comprehensive all-inclusive experience, combining intimate ships with truly premium shore excursions.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises leads this category with ships carrying 490-750 guests. Their Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor include unlimited shore excursions in every port, from guided tours of Rome's Vatican Museums to helicopter flightseeing in Alaska. The catch? Expect to pay $8,000-15,000 per person for a 7-day cruise in 2026.
Silversea Cruises operates both luxury ships (274-608 guests) and expedition vessels. Their Silver Muse includes excursions like private cooking classes in Tuscany and exclusive after-hours museum visits. Expedition ships like Silver Wind offer Zodiac landings and naturalist-led hikes. Budget $6,000-12,000 per person for 7-10 days.
Seabourn runs the smallest ultra-luxury ships (264-600 guests) with highly curated excursions. On Seabourn Encore, I experienced a private wine tasting in Santorini with just 14 other guests—something impossible on larger ships. Expect $7,000-13,000 per person.
Pros:
- Truly premium excursions with small group sizes (often 16-20 people maximum)
- All-inclusive pricing includes specialty dining, premium beverages, Wi-Fi, and gratuities
- Ships access smaller ports that mega-ships cannot reach
- Exceptional crew-to-guest ratios (often 1:1 or better)
Cons:
- Extremely high upfront costs
- Limited onboard entertainment compared to larger ships
- Fewer dining venues (typically 3-6 restaurants vs 20+ on mega-ships)
- May feel too quiet for families with children
Connect with other luxury cruise enthusiasts in our Shore Excursions forum to share experiences and tips!
Expedition Lines: Adventure-First Cruising
Expedition cruising focuses on unique destinations and educational experiences rather than onboard luxury.
Lindblad-National Geographic operates ships carrying 62-148 guests with National Geographic naturalists and photographers onboard. Their National Geographic Quest includes Zodiac landings, snorkeling gear, and all expedition activities. Alaska cruises start around $4,500 per person for 7 days in 2026.
Ponant combines French luxury with expedition capabilities. Le Commandant Charcot (245 guests) reaches Antarctica with luxury amenities plus all expedition gear and excursions included. Expect $8,000-20,000 per person depending on destination and season.
UnCruise Adventures runs the smallest ships (22-86 guests) with adventure activities included: kayaking, hiking, skiff exploration, and snorkeling gear. Their Safari Endeavour focuses on Alaska's wilderness areas that larger ships cannot access. Prices range from $3,500-8,000 per person.
HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions) operates hybrid expedition ships (230-530 guests) with included Zodiac landings and expedition jackets. Their MS Fridtjof Nansen includes science activities and lectures by expedition staff. Norway coastal voyages start around $2,800 per person for 7 days.
Pros:
- Access to remote destinations impossible on traditional cruise ships
- Educational focus with expert naturalists and historians
- All expedition equipment provided (parkas, boots, Zodiac boats)
- Flexible itineraries that adapt to weather and wildlife opportunities
Cons:
- Basic cabin amenities compared to luxury lines
- Weather-dependent activities may be cancelled
- Limited onboard dining and entertainment options
- Motion sensitivity issues on smaller ships in rough seas
Premium Lines with Smaller Ships: The Middle Ground
Several mainstream premium lines offer smaller ships with excursion packages that provide good value without ultra-luxury pricing.
Azamara operates intimate ships (694-702 guests) with longer port stays and included AzAmazing Evenings—exclusive cultural experiences like private concerts in historic venues. Their excursion packages cost $50-70 per port but offer excellent value. Expect $3,000-6,000 per person for Mediterranean cruises.
Oceania Cruises ships carry 684-1,250 guests with optional shore excursion packages. Their GO Local tours focus on culinary and cultural immersion. Marina and Riviera offer some of the best food at sea. Budget $2,500-5,000 per person plus excursion packages.
Celebrity's smaller ships like Celebrity Flora (100 guests) in the Galápagos include all excursions and naturalist guides. It's Celebrity's most all-inclusive experience, starting around $6,000 per person for 7 nights.
Windstar Cruises operates sailing ships and small motor yachts (148-342 guests) with intimate port experiences. Their excursions focus on local culture and cuisine, often with smaller group sizes than mainstream lines.
Cost Analysis: When Small Ships Actually Save Money
Here's the surprising truth: small ship all-inclusive cruising often costs less than you think when you factor in excursion costs.
Consider a 7-day Alaska cruise for two people:
Large Ship Option:
- Princess Cruises balcony cabin: $2,800 per person = $5,600
- Shore excursions (6 ports × $175 average × 2 people): $2,100
- Specialty dining and beverages: $800
- Gratuities and Wi-Fi: $300
- Total: $8,800
Small Ship Option:
- Lindblad-National Geographic Alaska cruise: $4,500 per person = $9,000
- All excursions, meals, and expedition activities included
- No additional charges except personal items
- Total: $9,000
The difference is just $200, but the small ship experience includes expedition-quality excursions, zodiac landings, and naturalist guides that you can't get on larger ships.
Insider Tips for Booking Small Ship Cruises
Book Early for Best Value: Small ships have limited capacity, and early booking discounts can save 20-40%. Regent and Silversea offer best prices 12-18 months in advance.
Consider Shoulder Seasons: Alaska cruises in May and September cost 30-50% less than peak July sailings, with fewer crowds and often better wildlife viewing.
Watch for Wave Season Deals: January-March 2026 brings significant discounts on expedition cruises, especially Antarctica departures for 2026-27 season.
Factor in Hidden Savings: All-inclusive pricing eliminates nickel-and-diming. No specialty restaurant covers, no beverage package decisions, no excursion planning stress.
Choose the Right Ship Size: 100-300 guests offer the best balance of intimate experience and onboard amenities. Ships under 100 guests may feel too limiting for some travelers.
Which Small Ship Experience Is Right for You?
Choose ultra-luxury lines if you want premium amenities, sophisticated dining, and exclusive excursions with minimal planning required. Best for: mature couples, luxury travelers, special celebrations.
Choose expedition lines if adventure and education matter more than luxury amenities. Perfect for: active travelers, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, bucket-list destination seekers.
Choose premium lines with smaller ships if you want intimate cruising with some mainstream amenities at moderate pricing. Ideal for: first-time small ship cruisers, couples wanting luxury without ultra-luxury pricing.
Small ship cruising with included excursions transforms how you experience destinations. Instead of fighting crowds at popular ports, you're exploring hidden coves in Zodiac boats or enjoying private museum tours with expert guides. The intimate scale creates connections—with fellow travelers, crew members, and destinations—that simply isn't possible on larger vessels.
Ready to plan your small ship adventure? Share your questions and get personalized advice from experienced small ship cruisers in our Shore Excursions forum!