Destination
USA and Canada
North America’s waterways offer an extraordinary range of cruise experiences—whether you're navigating the coastal inlets of New England, exploring Alaska’s glacier-carved fjords, cruising along the Mississippi River, or discovering the wild beauty of Canada’s Atlantic coast. A small ship cruise through the United States and Canada brings you closer to the culture, nature, and history that define this diverse and richly storied region.
At Small Ship Travel, we curate a collection of cruises aboard intimate small ships —many accommodating fewer than 200. These small ship and river journeys deliver unmatched access to scenic harbors, remote coastlines, and culturally rich towns. Whether you're looking for heritage, wildlife, or culinary depth, we help you explore the best of North America in comfort and style.
From historic harbor towns and lighthouses to untouched fjords and riverfront cities, North America offers tremendous diversity best explored by water. Small ship cruising provides access to less-crowded ports, inland waterways, and remote shorelines, with more time to enjoy places that larger ships overlook.
Travelers benefit from:
Sample Experiences Include:
North America offers year-round cruising opportunities, depending on the region:
At Small Ship Travel, we specialize in matching travelers with thoughtfully curated itineraries that highlight the best of each destination. Whether you're discovering hidden gems close to home or venturing into new corners of North America, our expert team ensures a seamless and enriching experience.
We provide exclusive perks such as onboard credits, cabin upgrades, and access to limited-capacity sailings and private excursions. Our personalized planning includes pre- and post-cruise stays in cities like Boston, Seattle, Vancouver, or New Orleans. From the moment you reach out to the day you return home, a dedicated advisor will support you every step of the way.
Reach out to our travel concierges today to create your perfect journey.
Get in the mood for cruising by reading our travel guides, recommendations and cruise reviews.
There is a moment I return to often when I think about why I do this work. It was 2008. I was staffing a university travel event when a woman approached the booth — not to ask about a specific trip, but to unload a frustration. She had spent weeks trying to plan a river cruise and had nearly given up. "There are hundreds of options," she told me. "I have no idea how to compare them. I don't know which companies are reputable, which ships are actually what they claim to be, or who I can trust to help me." She left without booking anything. That conversation never left me. Because she wasn't describing a failure of desire — she clearly wanted to go. She was describing a failure of the industry to serve her. I had spent nearly 30 years watching small ship travel evolve from a niche for adventurous retirees into one of the most sophisticated, diverse, and rapidly expanding sectors in all of travel. That woman at the travel fair sparked a mission: build the resource that she deserved. What followed was Small Ship Travel.
The Galápagos Islands demand more than a typical cruise experience. Small ship cruises provide unparalleled wildlife access, expert-guided excursions, and visits to islands like Genovesa and Fernandina that larger vessels simply cannot reach.
River cruising offers a seamless and luxurious way to experience Europe’s most historic and scenic waterways, from the fairy-tale castles of the Rhine to the imperial capitals of the Danube and the artistic treasures of the Seine. Unlike ocean cruises, these intimate voyages bring travelers directly into the heart of medieval villages, grand cities, and world-renowned wine regions, allowing for deeper cultural immersion. Along the way, passengers can explore UNESCO-listed landmarks, savor locally inspired cuisine, and enjoy exclusive excursions, from private château tours to classical concerts in Vienna.
