We’re excited to introduce a new style of exploration with Aurora Expeditions – our Small Ship Cruises, journeying to the Mediterranean, Atlantic Coast, British Isles and Ireland.
Travelling aboard our state-of-the-art small ships, this style of immersive exploration is ideal for those who wish to delve into the heart of traditional cultures, local cuisines, ancient histories and artistic legacies, with a choice of shore excursions included at each port of call.
The curated experiences will be framed by pre- and post-voyage city stays, and guided by storytellers to bring the adventures to life, revealing the hidden gems and untold narratives that make each destination unique.
Featured Small Ship Cruises Book your clients’ 2026 Small Ship Cruise and save up to 20% with our Early Bird offer*. And we’ve got a new Solo Offer – with no single supplement on 10 dedicated solo staterooms on every sailing^. Note, offers are not combinable with one another.
Canary Islands to Lisbon: The Sands of Time 24 Apr – 7 May, 2026 | 14 Days Canary Islands – Lisbon, PortugalWe discover enduring legacies from the islands of the Canaries to the medinas of Morocco, the whitewashed villages of Andalusia to the laneways of Seville.
Ireland: The Luck of the Irish 8 May – 18 May, 2026 | 11 Days Dublin, Ireland (return)We will search the cliffs, castles and backstreets of Ireland and Northern Ireland, for stories of its saints, heroes, mythical creatures and convivial locals.
Classic Greece: To Antiquity and Beyond 7 Sep – 16 Sep, 2026 | 10 Days Athens, Greece (return)This voyage travels to the craggy coves and olive-grove-dotted hillsides, where the mythical tales of Helen of Troy, Heracles, and Hercules come to life amid haunting ruins.
Traversing ‘The Med’: A Mediterranean Feast 28 Sep – 14 Oct, 2026 | 17 Days Naples, Italy – Lisbon, PortugalTravellers will enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean at the farms, factories and fishing villages on Sardinia and Corsica, and in the coastal towns of France, Spain, Morocco and Portugal.
‘Your Choice’ Experiences Passengers can enjoy their choice of included excursions at each port of call, from following in Van Gogh’s footsteps through the streets of Arles to hearing stories of survival from the Titanic. On our Small Ship Cruises, travellers can take part in locally guided walks and cultural enrichment, visit art galleries and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and taste the local flavours of each destination.
About the author
Nicola is the Managing Director of Micro-Cruising. Small ships great trips. Micro-Cruising sells trips on ships of 100 passengers or fewer. We are the specialists in small ships with over 700 vessels worldwide.
