Which expedition cruise lines have the smallest ships?

By Richard Jasinski·Updated 11 November 2026

These 28 expedition cruise lines name their smallest ship or yacht and the most guests it takes on their own websites, read 9 November 2026. Each card gives what the line says about it, with the ship, voyage, length, price or number where it names one, then why to choose it, what to ask for and the limits it publishes.

Which expedition cruise lines have the smallest ships?

28 expedition cruise lines in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that their smallest ship or yacht takes a stated number of guests, from 6 to 378; UnCruise Adventures, Quasar Expeditions and Aurora Expeditions have the most Google reviews on listings for the line alone (whole-company listings are not counted).

Who is on this page and why. The Uncompromised Travel expedition cruise lines table holds 54 companies: the expedition cruise lines ChatGPT names most often when asked about expedition cruises, plus lines found from the IAATO and AECO member lists. Their own websites were read on 9 November 2026, with their Google and Trustpilot listings matched by name. This page carries every line in the table that, on its own website, names its smallest ship or yacht and the most guests it takes: 28 lines. Cards are in alphabetical order. Each line on a card gives what the company's own website says, with a link to the page it came from; a second reader checked 324 of the table's rows against the pages. No company paid to be on this page.

Albatros Expeditions

Best for: Small-ship voyages to both polar regions
Smallest ship: Ocean Nova, the smallest of its four ships, takes a maximum of 80 guests.
Why choose them: Has one expedition team member for every seven to eight guests, with the team averaging a dozen years' experience. Trustpilot: 2.2 out of 5 from 49 reviews, newest 7 March 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a camping night on one of its select Antarctic voyages or a small-group kayak outing.
Not the fit if: you want to camp in Antarctica on any departure: camping runs on select Antarctic voyages only.
Website: albatros-expeditions.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: home page.

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Antarctica21

Best for: Flying over the Drake to Antarctica
Smallest ship: Magellan Explorer and Magellan Discoverer each take up to 96 guests on sea voyages and 88 on air-cruises.
Why choose them: Says it pioneered the Antarctica fly-cruise programme in 2003, flying with DAP Airlines. Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 75 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.0 out of 5 from 17 reviews, newest 5 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise, its most popular itinerary, which flies from Punta Arenas to King George Island.
Not the fit if: travelling with children under 8: air-cruises take children aged 8 and above, sea voyages 12 and above.
Enquiry: antarctica21.com/book-a-call

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: ship/magellan-explorer, landing/antarctic-flights-agents, home page.

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Aqua Expeditions

Best for: Small ships in Indonesia and the Galapagos
Smallest ship: Its smallest vessel, Aqua Mare in the Galápagos, takes 16 guests; Aqua Mekong and Aqua Nera take 40.
Why choose them: Runs a fleet of six vessels sailing 12 destinations, founded in 2007 by Francesco Galli Zugaro. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 11 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a private charter, which gives exclusive use of a whole vessel, its crew and all onboard spaces.
Not the fit if: your plans may change late: cabin deposits become non-refundable from 120 days before departure and from 90 days the full payment is kept.
Website: aquaexpeditions.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: cruise-ships, aqua-experience/our-story, booking-policies.

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Aurora Expeditions

Best for: Small-ship polar voyages with solo cabins
Smallest ship: The Sylvia Earle takes a maximum of 130 passengers; the Greg Mortimer and the Douglas Mawson take 130 on expedition voyages.
Why choose them: Publishes an Expedition Team-to-expeditioner ratio of 1:7. Google: 4.4 out of 5 from 107 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for one of the 10 dedicated solo cabins with no single supplement on the Greg Mortimer or Sylvia Earle.
Not the fit if: you may need to cancel late: from 120 days before departure the cancellation fee is 100% of the full ticket price.
Published price: Spirit of Antarctica, 11 days, from USD $15,436 per person twin share (was $19,295), December 2026 and 2027 seasons. Read 9 November 2026.
Money protection: Deposit Protection Program: all voyage deposits go into a separate trust account (Aurora Passenger Trust).
Enquiry: aurora-expeditions.com/booking-form

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: expedition/spirit-of-antarctica, about-us, terms-and-conditions.

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Aventure Maritime

Best for: Six-passenger sailing voyages in the Arctic
Smallest ship: Havella takes up to 6 passengers per cruise, not counting the guide.
Why choose them: Havella, a Norwegian wooden sailing ship built in 1952, takes up to 6 passengers per cruise, excluding the guide. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 21 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a themed Svalbard cruise with a ski, kayak or photography guide, priced on request.
Not the fit if: your group is larger than 6: Havella takes up to 6 passengers per cruise.
Published price: 4,900€ per passenger, full board, Svalbard cruise, 2027 season. Read 9 November 2026.
Website: aventuremaritime.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: en/croisieres-destinations, croisieres-destinations/spitzbergen.

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Bark Europa

Best for: Sailing a tall ship to Antarctica
Smallest ship: Bark EUROPA takes a maximum of 42 voyage crew, as it calls its guests.
Why choose them: Bark EUROPA was built in 1911 as a light ship on the German river Elbe and has been a sail training vessel since 1986.
Ask for: Ask for a place on the waiting list for the 20-day Antarctic Peninsula voyage, 3 to 22 December 2026.
Not the fit if: you want a cabin to yourself as a solo traveller: solo guests are placed in a 4/6-person male or female cabin.
Published price: from €11,700 per person, Antarctic Peninsula, 20 days, 3 to 22 December 2026 (waiting list). Read 9 November 2026.
Website: barkeuropa.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: en/our-voyages/namibia-azores, en/our-story, en/voyage-preparation.

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Ecoventura

Best for: Galapagos yachts carrying 20 guests
Smallest ship: Origin, Theory and Evolve each take 20 passengers.
Why choose them: Has two naturalist guides for every ten guests, which it says is the lowest guide to guest ratio in the Galapagos.
Ask for: Ask for a two-room Premium Suite or a whole-yacht charter for up to 20 guests.
Not the fit if: you may cancel late: from 89 days before departure the entire cruise rate is forfeited.
Website: ecoventura.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: learn-about-the-stability-of-our-luxury-vessel-t, celebrate-valentines-day-by-booking-a-private-mo, booking-terms-conditions.

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Enchanted Expeditions

Best for: Galapagos yachts for 16 guests or fewer
Smallest ship: Passion takes 14 passengers; its yachts Beluga and Cachalote Explorer take 16.
Why choose them: Says it has over 40 years running small boat cruises in the Galapagos Islands and mainland Ecuador. Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 22 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a charter of one of its own yachts for a small group or family, with or without extensions.
Not the fit if: you might cancel late: within 60 days of departure the full price of the cruise is charged.
Published price: US$6,640 per person based on double occupancy, Beluga cruise with guest host Lucy Cooke, 9 to 16 December 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Enquiry: enchantedexpeditions.com/contact

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: galapagos-island-cruise/passion, home page, booking-conditions.

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GO Galapagos

Best for: Galapagos cruises paired with Ecuador land tours
Smallest ship: Coral II takes 20 guests, Coral I 36 and Galapagos Legend 100.
Why choose them: Owns and operates three expedition ships in the Galapagos: the Galapagos Legend for 100 guests, Coral I for 36 and Coral II for 20. Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 19 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a GO 3 Galapagos Cruise & Ecuador's Volcano Avenue package, 13 or 16 days combining land days in Ecuador with a Galapagos cruise.
Not the fit if: you need an easy walking pace: it recommends reasonably good physical condition as some trails may be difficult; guests board from a small dinghy.
Enquiry: gogalapagos.com/contact-our-team

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: about-us, general-faqs.

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Golden Galapagos

Best for: Small catamarans in the Galapagos
Smallest ship: Elite, Endemic, Monique, Grand Ocean Spray and Eminence each take 16 guests.
Why choose them: Its parent, Golden Experiences & Travel, achieved B Corporation certification in September 2025. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 49 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a single cabin on Petrel, Elite or Monique if you are travelling solo.
Not the fit if: you want flights in the fare: its rates exclude Galapagos flights and mandatory entrance fees.
Published price: USD 5,950 per person, double occupancy, Galapagos flights and mandatory entrance fees not included, 3-night Galapagos cruise on Eminence in a Golden Suite, a launch rate for 2027 travel. Read 9 November 2026.
Enquiry: goldengalapagoscruises.com/luxury-galapagos-cruises

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: luxury-cruises/grand-ocean-spray-signature-yatch, home page, luxury-cruises/endemic-luxury-yacht.

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Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Best for: Bilingual PC6 expedition ships, pole to pole
Smallest ship: Its expedition ships HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit take never more than 230 guests.
Why choose them: Its three HANSEATIC expedition ships, commissioned in May and October 2019 and May 2021, have PC6, which it says is the highest ice class for passenger ships.
Ask for: Ask for the cruises on its offers list where there is no or only a small surcharge for single occupancy of the cabin or suite.
Not the fit if: you use a wheelchair: guests who depend on one cannot travel in the Zodiacs.
Published price: From €13,640 per person, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula, 14 days from Ushuaia on HANSEATIC inspiration, 07 Jan 2028 (early booking discount until 28 Feb 2027). Read 9 November 2026.
Money protection: Insolvency cover with Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH for European customers; ABTOT ATOL Franchise, ATOL number 12926, for UK customers.
Website: hl-cruises.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: home page, press/photo-archiv/hanseatic-nature, service/faq/planning-your-cruise.

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Heritage Expeditions

Best for: Ross Sea and Subantarctic expeditions
Smallest ship: Its expedition yacht Heritage Explorer takes 18 guests; Heritage Discoverer takes 130 and Heritage Adventurer 140.
Why choose them: Aims to keep a guide-to-client ratio of 1:12 on its expeditions.
Ask for: Ask for the 17 December 2026 Galapagos of the Southern Ocean voyage, which has a wildlife photography workshop with Nikon Ambassador Rachel Bigsby.
Not the fit if: you need a refundable deposit: the 25% deposit is non-refundable and on Antarctica voyages the full fare is lost within 120 days of departure.
Published price: From US$10,900 per person (reduced from US$13,500), Antarctic Peninsula Expedition Cruise incl. South Shetland Islands on Heritage Discoverer, departures from 22 November 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
Money protection: Deposits held by Heritage Security Ltd on behalf of Heritage Expeditions (2018) Ltd under a customer deposit agreement.
Enquiry: heritage-expeditions.com/contact

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: about, about/responsible-travel, terms-conditions.

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Maple Leaf Adventures

Best for: Small-ship voyages in BC and Alaska
Smallest ship: SV Maple Leaf takes up to 8 guests; Swell takes 12 and Cascadia up to 24.
Why choose them: Has operated small ships in BC and Alaska since 1986 and owns and maintains its ships locally. Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 79 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a full-ship charter, where the fare is the same regardless of how many people are on the trip, up to each ship's maximum.
Not the fit if: you have failing health or a physical disability: it says its trips are not suitable, with almost no docks where it lands.
Published price: $3,950 per person in Canadian dollars, double occupancy, Gulf Islands in Spring on Maple Leaf, 16 to 20 April 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
Website: mapleleafadventures.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: faq, about, dates-and-rates.

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Metropolitan Touring

Best for: Galapagos cruises on three small ships
Smallest ship: Yacht Isabela II takes 40 guests; Yacht La Pinta takes 48 and Santa Cruz II 90.
Why choose them: Each Yacht La Pinta cruise sails with one Expedition Leader and an average of one Naturalist Guide for every 12 guests. Google (whole company): 4.5 out of 5 from 550 reviews; Trustpilot (whole company): 4.9 out of 5 from 254 reviews, newest 8 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Standard Cabin on Yacht Isabela II, its solo traveller's cabin with no single supplement.
Not the fit if: you have serious mobility issues: Galapagos visitor sites have rugged terrain and no access ramps.
Enquiry: metropolitan-touring.com/contact-us

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: galapagos-cruises/santa-cruz-ii, galapagos-cruises/yacht-la-pinta, galapagos/faq.

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Noble Caledonia

Best for: Small-ship voyages for mature travellers
Smallest ship: MS Island Sky and MS Hebridean Sky, its own ships, each take 118 guests.
Why choose them: Established in 1991, it owns MS Island Sky and MS Hebridean Sky, which carry 118 guests each. Trustpilot (whole company): 2.2 out of 5 from 24 reviews, newest 2 June 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for sole use of a twin cabin and the solo travellers' evening it hosts on board when numbers allow.
Not the fit if: you are travelling with children: it says travelling with children is not recommended and most of its ships have a minimum age of 15-18.
Published price: From £9,995 per person (special offer), Falklands in Focus, 14 nights on MS Island Sky, departing 5 January 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
Money protection: ATOL for UK residents with air travel included; a bond with ABTA for UK bookings without air travel.
Enquiry: noble-caledonia.co.uk/about-noble-caledonia/contact-us

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: vessels/fleet, about-noble-caledonia/our-history, about-noble-caledonia/faqs.

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Pelagic Expeditions

Best for: Private sailing-vessel charters to Antarctica
Smallest ship: Vinson of Antarctica, one of the two Pelagic 77 sailing vessels in its current fleet, takes up to 10 passengers; both are offered for expedition charter.
Why choose them: Says it has sailed south every year since 1988, when it made a sailing and climbing expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia.
Ask for: Ask Skip Novak for a charter of the Pelagic 77 Vinson of Antarctica, with its dates and day rate in writing.
Not the fit if: you want to fly to Antarctica: voyages sail from Puerto Williams in Chile across the Drake Passage, usually three to four days.
Enquiry: pelagic.co.uk/contact.asp

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: fleet_overview.asp, over_clients.asp, destinations_ant.asp.

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Polar Latitudes

Best for: Small polar ships with citizen science
Smallest ship: Ocean Nova, the smallest of its four ships, takes a maximum of 80 guests.
Why choose them: Publishes a passenger-to-staff ratio of 7:1 to 8:1 on every voyage. Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 7 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.7 out of 5 from 189 reviews, newest 8 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a Solo Vista Stateroom on MV Discoverer, designed for solo travellers with no single supplement.
Not the fit if: you want to sail without travel insurance: it is mandatory at booking, with at least $150,000 USD cover for medical expenses and evacuation.
Published price: From $8,817 per person in U.S. dollars, Antarctic Peninsula: The Pure Expedition, 10 days/9 nights on Ocean Victory, Feb 4-13 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
Website: polar-latitudes.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: home page, about, terms-and-conditions.

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PolarQuest

Best for: Svalbard on 12- and 50-passenger ships
Smallest ship: M/S Stockholm takes 12 passengers on Svalbard; M/S Quest takes 50.
Why choose them: Says it is one of the eight companies that founded AECO in 2003 to regulate tourism on Svalbard.
Ask for: Ask for a shared cabin on M/S Quest, split into women's and men's cabins, which must be booked by contacting the office.
Not the fit if: your mobility is limited: it requires good general health and good mobility; guests aged 80 or over must return a medical form.
Website: polarquest.se

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: resor/svalbard/expedition-svalbard-mot-packisen-, infor-resan-svalbard/resa-med-omtanke, infor-resan-svalbard/forberedande-information.

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Poseidon Expeditions

Best for: One small ship in both polar regions
Smallest ship: Sea Spirit, its one ship, takes 114 passengers; its company page gives a maximum capacity of about 100 guests.
Why choose them: Founded in the UK in 1999, it now sails one ship, the 114-passenger Sea Spirit. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 36 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.5 out of 5 from 595 reviews, newest 3 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Request-Share programme if travelling solo: if no cabin-mate is found, the single supplement is waived.
Not the fit if: you require walking assistance: it advises such guests to strongly consider not joining.
Published price: From US$8,846 per person, Classic Antarctica, 12 days, 28 Nov to 9 Dec 2026, with 25% off and a free upgrade. Read 9 November 2026.
Website: poseidonexpeditions.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: about/company, about, info-for-travelers/faq.

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Quasar Expeditions

Best for: Galápagos yacht cruises and Patagonia safaris
Smallest ship: The Grace yacht takes 16 guests and the Evolution yacht 32.
Why choose them: Says it keeps a 10:1 guest to guide ratio on its Galápagos yachts. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 117 reviews; Trustpilot: 5.0 out of 5 from 779 reviews, newest 12 June 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a private charter of the Evolution or Grace yacht in the Galápagos.
Not the fit if: your plans may change: on Galápagos cruises all payments received are non-refundable.
Website: quasarex.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: galapagos, terms-conditions.

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Royal Galapagos

Best for: Galapagos cruises on 16-guest family-owned yachts
Smallest ship: Six of its seven yachts take 16 guests; Infinity takes 20.
Why choose them: Its seven Galapagos vessels carry 16 guests each, except Infinity with 20. Google: 2.9 out of 5 from 19 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.7 out of 5 from 93 reviews, newest 30 October 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a private charter of a whole yacht for up to 20 guests, on itineraries of 4 to 15 days.
Not the fit if: you travel without insurance: it requires all visitors to have travel insurance.
Enquiry: royalgalapagos.com/contact-us

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: cruise-compare, galapagos/tips.

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Sailing Expeditions

Best for: A 12-guest sailing ship in Svalbard
Smallest ship: The Meander, its one ship, takes 12 guests.
Why choose them: Its sailing ship, the Meander, has a solid hull for sailing in ice and room for 12 guests.
Ask for: Ask for one of the two Comfort cabins on the Meander, which have a private shower and toilet.
Not the fit if: you cannot walk for several hours on rocky, pathless ground: guests must reach the deck quickly unaided and board the tender boats, or may be excluded without refund.
Published price: €4,150 per person in a Standard cabin, Longyearbyen round trip, 9 days/8 nights, 26 May to 3 Jun 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
Enquiry: sailing-expeditions.com/en/contact-2-2-2

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: en/home-en, a-sailing-expeditions-special-2027, en/dates-and-prices-2027.

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Seabourn

Best for: Expedition ships with all-veranda suites
Smallest ship: Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, its expedition ships, each take 264 guests.
Why choose them: Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit are built to PC6 Polar Class standards and each carries 24 Zodiacs. Trustpilot (whole company): 1.8 out of 5 from 32 reviews, newest 2 October 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the SBNSOLO offer, which cuts the single supplement to as low as 125% on select sailings.
Not the fit if: you cannot sit unassisted on a Zodiac pontoon: Zodiacs have no wheelchair tie-downs and such guests cannot use them.
Enquiry: seabourn.com/en/us/about/contact

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: en/us/faq/expedition-inclusive-shore-excursions-, en/us/cruise-destinations/expedition-ships, en/us/faq/mobility-accessibility-information.

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Secret Atlas

Best for: 12 to 36 guest polar micro cruises
Smallest ship: Vikingfjord and Freya each take 12 guests; Aureum, its Antarctic ship, takes 36.
Why choose them: Publishes a 1:6 guide ratio in the Arctic and in Antarctica and South Georgia. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 82 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Antarctic Circle by Air departure, which replaces the Drake Passage crossing with a two-hour charter flight from Puerto Natales to King George Island.
Not the fit if: you might cancel late: the initial 30% deposit is never refunded and nothing is refunded less than 3 months before departure.
Published price: £9,500 / US$12,500 per person, Signature Twin/Double, Svalbard Spring Micro Cruise on Vikingfjord, 19-26 May 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
Website: secretatlas.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: dates-and-rates, home page, booking-terms-and-conditions.

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Swan Hellenic

Best for: Cultural expedition cruises on three ships
Smallest ship: SH Minerva takes 152 guests; SH Diana takes 192.
Why choose them: SH Minerva carries 152 guests and SH Diana 192. Trustpilot: 4.6 out of 5 from 179 reviews, newest 28 October 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask which departures waive the single supplement for solo travellers.
Not the fit if: you might cancel within 60 days of departure: 100% of the cruise package price is charged.
Money protection: Insolvency bonding with ACTA (Cyprus) for cruise-only and flight-inclusive bookings.
Website: swanhellenic.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: latest-news/how-many-people-are-on-a-cruise-ship, terms.

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Terra Nova Expeditions

Best for: Antarctica on a 98-guest ship, activities included
Smallest ship: Terra Nova Adventurer takes a maximum of 98 guests.
Why choose them: Keeps its Antarctic expeditions to fewer than 100 guests, with Terra Nova Adventurer taking a maximum of 98.
Ask for: Ask for an open-air camping place early: it is included but limited to 30 guests per departure.
Not the fit if: you want to fly over the Drake Passage: every voyage leaves Ushuaia and crosses it by sea.
Website: terranova-expeditions.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: en/faqs, home page.

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UnCruise Adventures

Best for: Small-ship adventure cruises in Alaska
Smallest ship: Safari Quest, the smallest of its nine ships, takes 22 guests; the largest, Wilderness Legacy, takes 88.
Why choose them: Sails nine ships carrying 22 to 88 guests. Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 136 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a Families in Nature sailing, where kids 2 and under sail free.
Not the fit if: you want a doctor on board: it does not undertake to provide a physician or other health care on the vessel.
Enquiry: uncruise.com/pages/ready-to-book-form

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: home page, pages/terms-conditions.

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Viking

Best for: Large Polar Class ships with submarines
Smallest ship: Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, its expedition ships, each take 378 guests.
Why choose them: Its expedition ships Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, launched in 2022, carry 378 guests each. Trustpilot (whole company): 1.7 out of 5 from 382 reviews, newest 8 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a submarine dive: each submarine takes 6 guests and a pilot.
Not the fit if: you travel with children: it lists no children under 18 on its ocean voyages; the pages read give no age rule for its expedition ships.
Enquiry: vikingcruises.com/expeditions/contact/index.html

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: about-us/history.html, oceans/why-viking/did-you-know.html.

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How many passengers does each ship carry?

28 lines name their smallest ship or yacht and the most guests it takes; the list runs from the fewest. Each figure is the one the line gives for that ship, never a range for its fleet.

Aventure Maritime: 6 passengers
Maple Leaf Adventures: 8 passengers
Pelagic Expeditions: 10 passengers
PolarQuest: 12 passengers
Sailing Expeditions: 12 passengers
Secret Atlas: 12 passengers
Enchanted Expeditions: 14 passengers
Aqua Expeditions: 16 passengers
Golden Galapagos: 16 passengers
Quasar Expeditions: 16 passengers
Royal Galapagos: 16 passengers
Heritage Expeditions: 18 passengers
Ecoventura: 20 passengers
GO Galapagos: 20 passengers
UnCruise Adventures: 22 passengers
Metropolitan Touring: 40 passengers
Bark Europa: 42 passengers
Albatros Expeditions: 80 passengers
Polar Latitudes: 80 passengers
Antarctica21: 96 passengers
Terra Nova Expeditions: 98 passengers
Poseidon Expeditions: 114 passengers
Noble Caledonia: 118 passengers
Aurora Expeditions: 130 passengers
Swan Hellenic: 152 passengers
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: 230 passengers
Seabourn: 264 passengers
Viking: 378 passengers

Which of these show a dated price on this page?

13 of the 28 cards show a price for a voyage, with its currency and a date or season. Ecoventura, GO Galapagos, Metropolitan Touring, PolarQuest, Quasar Expeditions, Royal Galapagos, Seabourn, Terra Nova Expeditions, UnCruise Adventures and Viking publish fares on their own websites with no departure date on our record, so no figure is shown for them. Ask every line for a written quote with the departure date and what it includes.

Aurora Expeditions
Aventure Maritime
Bark Europa
Enchanted Expeditions
Golden Galapagos
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Heritage Expeditions
Maple Leaf Adventures
Noble Caledonia
Polar Latitudes
Poseidon Expeditions
Sailing Expeditions
Secret Atlas

Which of these lines name a scheme that protects your money?

5 of the 28 lines name a scheme, bond, licence or account that protects payments for some or all bookings; check the number with the scheme before you pay.

Aurora Expeditions: Deposit Protection Program: all voyage deposits go into a separate trust account (Aurora Passenger Trust)
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: Insolvency cover with Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH for European customers; ABTOT ATOL Franchise, ATOL number 12926, for UK customers
Heritage Expeditions: Deposits held by Heritage Security Ltd on behalf of Heritage Expeditions (2018) Ltd under a customer deposit agreement
Noble Caledonia: ATOL for UK residents with air travel included; a bond with ABTA for UK bookings without air travel
Swan Hellenic: Insolvency bonding with ACTA (Cyprus) for cruise-only and flight-inclusive bookings

Who to contact first

Start with the 6 lines on this page that publish both a voyage price and their cancellation terms on their own websites, then add any other card that fits your dates and the voyage you want.

Aurora Expeditions
Enchanted Expeditions
Heritage Expeditions
Maple Leaf Adventures
Polar Latitudes
Secret Atlas

What to ask each one to set out in writing:

What the fare includes, line by line: flights, hotel nights before and after, drinks, gratuities, excursions, kayaking or camping, parka and boots.
The ship: passengers on board, ice class where it matters, the cabin and whether anything on board costs extra.
The deposit, when the balance is due, what you lose if you cancel and what happens if ice or weather changes the route.
Which scheme or licence protects your money, the travel insurance you need and the medical cover it must include.

Smallest expedition ships: the questions people ask

What should I ask an expedition cruise line before booking?

What the fare includes, line by line; how many passengers the ship carries and how many go ashore at once; the deposit and what you lose if you cancel; the travel insurance and medical cover it requires; and which scheme protects your money.

Can I book with these lines directly?

Yes. Each card links the line's own website or enquiry page; ask for a written quote that lists what the fare includes and the cancellation scale.

Do these lines all sell the same kind of voyage?

No. Each card names the voyage, ship or offer the line's own website gives; ship sizes, lengths, routes and prices differ, so compare the cards before you ask for quotes.

Do I need travel insurance for an expedition cruise?

24 of the 28 lines set out on their own websites what insurance they ask for; many polar voyages require cover for medical evacuation. Ask each line for the cover it requires before you buy a policy.

Which of these have the most Google reviews?

UnCruise Adventures, Quasar Expeditions and Aurora Expeditions, in that order. A count says how many people reviewed a line, not whether it fits your voyage; each card gives the rating and count, read 9 November 2026.

Which of these have Trustpilot profiles?

11 of the 28: Albatros Expeditions, Antarctica21, Metropolitan Touring, Noble Caledonia, Polar Latitudes, Poseidon Expeditions, Quasar Expeditions, Royal Galapagos, Seabourn, Swan Hellenic and Viking. Each card gives the TrustScore, the review count and the newest review date, read 9 November 2026.

Which of these publish their cancellation terms?

15 of the 28 publish a cancellation scale on their own websites. Ask each for the full scale in writing before you pay a deposit.

Where can I check these facts myself?

Each card links the pages of the line's own website its lines were read from, with the date they were read.

How were these lines chosen?

Each one is in the Uncompromised Travel expedition cruise lines table, built from the expedition cruise lines ChatGPT names most often. On its own website it names its smallest ship or yacht and the most guests it takes. A line is on the page because its published facts fit the question, never because it paid.

Is any company on this page paying to be here?

No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be on it.