What’s New in Small-Ship Adventure Cruising for 2025

#expeditioncruising .

From new ships and trips to new destinations and experiences, AdventureSmith Explorations reports there are more options than ever for expedition-seeking travelers

Expedition cruising has been reported as one of the fastest growing segments of the cruise industry, with travel by small-ship offering one of the most intimate ways to experience remote destinations in far flung locales. Heading into 2025, AdventureSmith Explorations, the leader in small-ship adventure cruises, reports there are even more options for travelers to have unique experiences with the launch of new ships, trips and destinations.

“As people start planning their travel In 2025, we’re excited to report that there is no shortage of ‘new’ coming to the small-ship cruise industry in the year ahead,” said Todd Smith, founder and president of AdventureSmith Explorations. “As just one example, the Mediterranean will experience the biggest increase in diversified small-ship cruise options that we’ve ever seen, growing from just 12 distinct itineraries last year to 25 planned in 2025.”

New Ships Launching in 2025

Six new small ships will launch in 2025, with two more expected by the end of the year. Most of the new ships hold fewer than 50 guests and are among the smallest their global operators have ever introduced.

“To offer perspective on the significance of this news, last year only two new small-ships launched, and both were in the Galapagos Islands,” noted Smith.

New and Noteworthy 2025 Itineraries

Mediterranean small-ship cruise options are abundant in 2025 with 25 itineraries planned, up from just 12 in 2024. New trips aboard the 72-guest Variety Voyager and 34-guest Callisto will sail six new routes with unique opportunities to explore Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Albania, Croatia and Montenegro. Itineraries start as early as April and extend into late November. Additionally, the popular expedition ship National Geographic Orion will reposition to the region to dedicate six brand-new itineraries to explore via Turkey, Sicily, Croatia and Greek Island small ship cruises.

• Travelers with dreams of exploring Indonesia, Australia and Papua New Guinea can do so in luxury aboard the 30-guest Paspaley Pearl by PONANT when it launches in Indonesia in January 2025. The ship was purpose-built in 2021 and renovated in 2024 by PONANT, leaders in luxury small-ship exploration, and the Paspaley family, credited as the world’s most important producer of cultured pearls. Guests will enjoy its mid-century modern design, state-of-the-art technology, upscale al fresco dining area, and off-ship activities led by naturalist guides. During the year, the ship will travel to its home destination in the Kimberley region of Australia where guests will benefit from the crew’s extensive local knowledge and history of adventure at sea before finishing the year in Papua New Guinea.
  
  
• Perhaps the most significant upgrade of the year, in 2025 Galapagos Island cruises will welcome new luxury and educational expeditions aboard the 16-guest National Geographic Delfina, 48-guest National Geographic Gemini and 20-guest Hermes mega-catamaran. Ideal for charters, the Delfina becomes the smallest in the Lindblad Expeditions fleet when it launches in March and features a brand-new intimate itinerary. Hermes brings an ultra-high-end option to the Galapagos when it sets sail in late spring. Learn more about 2025 Galapagos cruises.
  
  
• For Antarctica cruises, 2025 includes the launch of two new ships that will also subsequently offer new Arctic cruises. The 138-guest Ocean Explorer kicks off the 2024-25 Antarctic season this November, and the 156-guest Douglas Mawson will set sail in December 2025 for the 2025-26 season. Polar adventurers will also have more options than ever to fly the Drake Passage, and access Antarctica by helicopter on a brand-new expedition set to take expeditioners beyond the Antarctic coastline to view icebergs, mountains and remote lands. Learn more about Antarctica 2025.

AdventureSmith has been creating custom travel packages for more than 20 years, and has their finger on the pulse of what’s new for small ship cruises worldwide, including 2025 small ship Alaska cruises. Actively explore by land and sea, away from tourist crowds. Learn about AdventureSmith’s cruises and overland tours online at adventuresmithexplorations.com or by calling their travel specialists at 866-575-2875.

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