Move over bingo night and boring ports of call — adventure cruising is here.

Love the idea of a cruise but don't want to sacrifice flexibility or experience? We've taken all the best parts of traveling by ship (ease of transit, a friendly crew and jaw-dropping views) and made them a little bit more... Intrepid. Think: going where the mega-ships can't to enjoy secluded beaches in the Galapagos or getting paired up with local guides who steer you toward the best fresh seafood in Croatia. With small vessels and less than 50 passengers, bonding with your fellow travelers is never overwhelming. A shared love of travel and a curious spirit is all you need for an adventure cruise, no matter what age you are (or feel).

Small ship cruises by region

Our small ship Adventure Cruising tours

10 Days From 5634

Travel to the Galapagos Islands and sail around the central eastern islands, witnessing...

10 Days From 6404

Sail the aquamarine waters of the Galapagos’s central southern islands taking in...

8 Days From 2750

Join a small ship cruising adventure to Croatia. Voyage along the Dalmatian coast,...

10 Days From 6627

Spend 10 unforgettable days on board the Grand Daphne, discovering the central islands...

8 Days From 2750

Take a small-ship cruising adventure in Croatia from Split to Dubrovnik. Voyage along...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

10 Days From 7875

Take an active 10-day adventure cruise though the Galapagos Islands, from Isla Santa...

10 Days From 5514

Travel to the Galapagos Islands from Quito and embark on a sailing adventure around...

10 Days From 5514

Explore the best of the otherworldly Galapagos Islands on this 10-day tour that takes...

13 Days From 7432

Embark on an immersive Adventure Cruise through the Galapagos Islands and experience...

7 Days From 5040

Discover the treasures of the northern Galapagos Islands on this cruise, including Isla...

7 Days From 3543

Take to the water and explore the beautiful Galapagos Islands. See huge populations of...

7 Days From 3204

Explore the beautiful Galapagos Islands. See huge populations of animals and experience...

6 Days From 3204

Explore the Islands of the Galapagos on this startling adventure that highlights the...

6 Days From 2819

Explore the central islands of the Galapagos on this startling adventure that...

17 Days From 10074

This Galapagos adventure cruise is the perfect way to explore the islands of Isabella,...

14 Days From 8188

Travel to Ecuador and join a 13-day Intrepid journey in the Galapagos’. Visit Isla...

8 Days From 4930

Hop aboard the M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz for a wildlife-filled 8-day adventure around the...

6 Days From 3372

See the best of the Galapagos Islands on this action-packed adventure cruise, touring...

17 Days From 14305

Discover the bizarre and the beautiful on this 17-day cruising tour of the Galapagos...

8 Days From 5713

Come face-to-face with the extraordinary central islands of the Galapagos on an 8-day...

The perks of cruising in your 50s & 60s with Intrepid

Two travelers on an adventure cruise enjoying a trip to shore in Croatia

Cruise the seas less traveled

Gone are the days of being herded around overcrowded ports in a stuffy coach bus. Our small ships give you access to those out-of-the-way spots the big ships can’t reach. Small groups and flexible itineraries allow us to cruise away from the crowds so you can enjoy culturally rich experiences, like strolling through seaside villages, swimming in hidden coves, and getting a real taste of what life is like for the locals.

A group of 5 travelers sharing a meal on the deck of their adventure cruise in Thailand

Small ships = closer groups

With fewer than 50 passengers on every ship, our groups are the perfect size for really getting to know your fellow travelers. On an adventure cruise, relationships are so much more than waving to your cabin neighbor or saying hi at the soft-serve machine. Sharing meals at a seaside taverna or chatting 1-1 with your local leader is a surefire way to create memories that'll last once you're back on dry land.

Four travelers looking out over the bow of their adventure cruising vessel

Your ship feels like home

This is no multi-story floating city. Our ships have the comfort and personality of a small boutique hotel, with the freedom to do what you please. Relax in your comfy cabin, enjoy unobstructed views of Europe's coast from the sun deck or dine al fresco during an on-ship bbq. Bonus: you'll actually be able to feel the waves rocking you to sleep... this is what cruising is really all about.

Two travelers drinking wine and enjoying the sunset on their cruise in Thailand

A better way to cruise

Traditional cruise ships and their thousands of passengers can strain our environment and the communities they visit. Because our modest vessels carry smaller groups, our trips ashore are more low-profile, and each departure can be carbon offset by a range of renewable energy initiatives. We have a no single-use plastic rule, source 90% of meals from local producers, and of course, use local guides on all of our trips.

FAQs

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 policy

Intrepid adventures are for travelers with a yearning to get off the beaten track. Whether you're traveling solo, with a group of friends, or are aged 18 or 70, there is an Intrepid adventure to suit your interests and comfort level. Each Intrepid adventure has a physical and cultural grading to help you decide if the trip is right for you. No special skills are required for most adventures, just a sense of adventure and a curiosity about the world. Even on our camping adventures, no previous experience is required; our tents are easy to set up, even for first-time campers. 

For the majority of our trips the minimum age is 15. An adult must accompany all children under the age of 18. Our Overland Adventures have a minimum age of 18. Younger children can join us on our Family trips and Short Break Adventures, but check each trip for its minimum age, which is located on the trip’s overview page on the website. Most of our trips don’t have a maximum age limit, but a Self-Assessment Form is required for all passengers 70 years and over. 

This is the beauty of the Intrepid style of travel: many of our travelers join because they are traveling solo and want to meet and share experiences with like-minded people. If you’re traveling solo, it is possible to share a twin share cabin with another passenger of the same gender, depending on availability. On all of our itineraries operated by Variety Cruises, you will need to pay the single passenger price, but you will get a cabin for your own use.

Learn more about solo travel

It’s important to be aware that none of the ships have lifts, and moving between decks will involve climbing fairly steep stairways. To disembark the ship in port, you will need to walk down a narrow gangway lowered to the dock. All ships are small enough that they can usually dock at all ports, but it is sometimes necessary to use a Zodiac boat or dinghy to get to small islets, coves and prime snorkelling spots. You will need to be comfortable climbing in and out of one during wet and dry landings.

The amount of time you spend ashore at each stop will vary depending on the stop and each individual itinerary. It is not always possible to give accurate arrival and departure times from each port. Traveling on a small ship means we are more affected by changes to the winds and tides. If conditions are in our favor we may make excellent time and arrive in port earlier than expected. But if conditions are against us, it may take longer to reach our next stop. One of the charms of small ship cruising is letting nature be part of your journey.

With itineraries operated by Intrepid, we include: a minimum of two meals daily, activities and land excursions (as per the itinerary), Comfortable accommodation on the boat, all port fees, services of local tour leaders, airport arrival transfer, drinking water, 24-hour coffee station with fruit and snacks, and snorkeling equipment. Some trips have kayaks and stand-up paddleboards available for use.

With itineraries operated by Variety Cruises, we include a minimum of two meals daily, comfortable accommodation on the boat, all port fees, services of a cruise coordinator, drinking water, a 24-hour coffee station with fruit and snacks, and snorkeling equipment. Some trips have kayaks and stand-up paddleboards available for use. All onshore activities are optional and are an additional cost that is paid on board.

Whether you’re traveling alone or with a partner, our trips have a set itinerary. But within that, there’s time set aside for your own exploration (if you want to – no pressure). Depending on how you're feeling, you may want to have some downtime, ask your guide for a few tips, then head out alone, or hang out with the group and see where the day takes you. 

Read more about Adventure Cruising