Topping the World’s Best Awards in the small-ship category for a second year in a row, Viking’s pair of 189-cabin deliver expedition-style cruising with the comforts found on traditional ships. The ships winter in Antarctica, summer in the Great Lakes, and also explore South America, Greenland, and the Northwest Passage. They also do multi-month itineraries such as longitudinal world cruises. Off-ship exploration opportunities caught readers’ attention as did a science focus. “The talks by the science team were fantastic,” raved one reader. “Particularly enjoyed all the science-related lectures/movies, etc., discussions on wildlife, plastics in the ocean and other relevant science topics,” said another. , Cruise Critic showcases our top picks for small ship (below 300 passenger) cruises., What is a small ship cruise? From expedition cruises to voyages to small ports, these small ship cruises can reach destinations the large cruise ships can't..