Not all cruises are created equal. Our micro-cruises to exotic destinations like the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon rainforest, and the Mekong Delta have to be experienced to be believed.

There’s something special about traveling by boat. As the influential theater critic Brooks Atkinson once said, “Land was created to provide a place for boats to visit.” Large-ship cruises aren’t everyone’s cup of tea – but our small-boat offerings are truly special.

At SA Expeditions we are steadfast in our belief that travel can be a force for good. That’s why we have always specialized in private, custom tours. Small group tourism (our groups average between two and four people) is better for everyone and everything it touches. By working with local guides and suppliers, we inject much-needed cash into local economies, while at the same time safeguarding the environments we visit. It goes without saying that this kind of intimate and sensitive travel is more enjoyable and rewarding for those who travel with us.

We have brought this same philosophy to our cruise offerings in destinations as diverse as Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, the Peruvian Amazon, and the mighty Nile and Mekong Rivers.

Make it your own

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Premium rooms for a boutique cruise. (Photo: SA Destination Expert, Jackie Becker)

There are many reasons to love small-boat cruises. The experience is, by definition, more personalized and intimate. Small boats almost always have better staff-to-guest ratios than big boats, and the atmosphere onboard tends to be more relaxed, so you’re likely to get to know the other passengers. If our guests are anything to go by, it’s not uncommon for lifelong friendships to be made on small-boat cruises!

Small boats range from comfortable to luxurious, but the experience is always more exclusive. There’s much less waiting on small boats: both at the beginning and end of your cruise and on daily excursions. Small boats can also offer themed cruises: some departures are designed with photographers or scuba divers in mind, while others might feature kosher menus or curated wine lists.

Many of our smaller cruises don’t allow small kids onboard but there are also kiddie-friendly boats – the point is, you get to choose. If you want an even more exclusive experience, it’s normally fairly straightforward to charter an entire boat; be it for a multigenerational family vacation or a milestone birthday with friends.

Good for you – and the planet

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Grubbing on a Galapagos Cruise & Amazon Cruise. (Photos: Jackie Becker & Emily Richards)

The food on small boats tends to be better than that on big boats. While some boats do serve some meals in a buffet style, it’s never a “production line” experience. If you’re a real foodie, ask your Destination Expert to recommend a ship. One of our preferred suppliers places a major focus on its gastronomic offering, employing award-winning chefs to design its menus and train its staff – and it has ships across South America and Southeast Asia.

Small boats are better for the environment than big ones. Not only are the carbon emissions lower, but they don’t make as much noise (good news for the local wildlife). If you are serious about reducing your carbon footprint, your Destination Expert will gladly recommend a ship: some operators pride themselves on their green credentials.

Another benefit of small boats is that they can engage more with communities, both by employing staff from local areas and by engaging in outreach projects. This is the theory. But how does it work in practice?

Micro-cruises in the Galapagos

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SA Destination Expert, Hayley, on the ground exploring the Galapagos Islands with her family. (Photo: Hayley Ward)

The Galapagos, the place that spawned Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, is one of the places you simply have to visit before you die. While we can highly recommend staying in a land-based hotel for some portion of your Galapagos itinerary, the only way to truly appreciate the vast geographic and natural diversity of the archipelago is to embark on a cruise.

Our preferred ships can carry between 16 and 100 guests – with many of our favorite vessels falling at the lower end of this spectrum. Choosing a small boat leads to a highly personalized experience where you get to know both the staff and your fellow travelers well. It also enables you to spend more time appreciating the incredible wildlife of the islands (on organized hikes, snorkel trips, and kayaking adventures) and less time waiting to board Zodiacs.

Micro-cruises in the Amazon

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Keep an eye out for elusive pink river dolphin!

The Amazon rainforest and river system is vast (it spans seven countries), but when it comes to cruising options we highly recommend the ships plying the unspoiled Peruvian Amazon. The river in Peru is narrower and shallower than it is in Brazil, so the boats are, by necessity, smaller.

Companies operating in the Peruvian Amazon have also made a conscious decision to focus on high-end customers. Think architect-designed interiors, in-cabin jacuzzis, and chef-curated menus. The Amazon is one of the world’s great natural wonders, and there is no better way to experience it than from the deck of a luxurious riverboat, watching – cocktail in hand – as macaws return to their roosts while the sun slips below the horizon.

Micro-cruises on the Nile

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The Karnak Temple in Luxor will leave you breathless.

The Amazon is the world’s largest river by volume, but the Nile is far-and-away the world’s longest, running more than 4,000 miles from its source in Lake Victoria to its mouth in the Mediterranean Sea. In the arid landscapes of Egypt, the Nile has always been synonymous with life, and many of ancient Egypt’s most important temples and pyramids are located on the banks of the river.

Cruising the Nile is one of the world’s oldest tourism activities – Agatha Christie famously wrote about the experience in Death on the Nile – and it remains a fantastically convenient way to see the sights of ancient Egypt. Most Nile river steamers are larger, hotel-style vessels, but if you are in search of a more intimate experience, speak to your Destination Expert about booking a departure on a dahabiya. These traditional double-mast sailing vessels feature modern interiors and amenities, and typically have between three and 12 cabins. Every aspect of the experience is more exclusive – but arguably their biggest drawcard is their flexibility. Dahabiyas can moor anywhere along the banks of the Nile, meaning they can essentially avoid the crowds at the most popular historic sites.

Micro-cruises in Southeast Asia

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Explore the charming villages along the Mekong River.

The mighty Mekong River has been the lifeblood of Southeast Asia for more than 2,000 years – and cruising its meandering waterways on a small-boat cruise is the only way to experience the river’s incredible cultural and economic influences. As you sail from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s always-on economic hub, to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s whimsical capital, you will get a chance to explore the charming villages, plantations, and floating markets along the way.

While the Mekong is the jewel of cruising in Southeast Asia, Vietnam’s spectacular Halong Bay – known for its mirror-calm waters and dramatic limestone islets as far as the eye can see – is also best seen from a boat. At SA Expeditions, however, we advise cruising in neighboring Lan Ha Bay as it’s equally spectacular and doesn’t see nearly as much mass tourism. The best part? One of the vessels we work with has only five ultra-luxurious suites.