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Key differences

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Ship size

Their small sizes allow them to navigate into petite bays, narrow channels, and shallow depths.

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Ports

They can stop at interesting ports that are too small or lack sufficient tourism infrastructure for big-ship visits.

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Passenger count

It ranges from about a dozen (see boat photo above) to several hundred. The typical standard cruise ship carries a thousand or more passengers.

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Passenger profile

Overall, the voyagers are more educated, well-off, and well-traveled.

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Cost

They are more expensive because of factors like lack of economy of scale.

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Educational

The focus is on learning and experience, not onboard entertainment and touristy ports. Expert lecturers give educational onboard lectures relevant to the boat's current location - and provide guidance on shore excursions. The ports are typically too small and lack sufficient tourism infrastructure for big-ship visits.

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Land excursions

They are more educational and physically challenging. The typical boat-to-shore conveyance is not a tender but rather the Zodiac (a motorized inflatable rubber watercraft with a shallow draft). Read the informative 3-page Zodiac section in my Antarctica Cruise guide.

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Itinerary flexibility

Many captains are authorized to change the itinerary (including port stops) on short notice to take advantage of an unexpected wildlife-spotting or other sightseeing opportunity.

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Top 5 adventure cruises

For my candid rankings ...

Best 5 Adventure cruises

World's Top 100 Wonders

World's Top 1000 Wonders

Site map

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Cruise Lines International Association

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Photo by Sly06 - CC BY 2.0

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