7 of the best small ship cruises to Iceland

Top reasons to choose a small ship cruise in Iceland

• Access to ports that large ships cannot reach, including Grímsey (Arctic Circle), Djúpivogur, Grundarfjörður, and remote Westfjords harbours like Patreksfjörður and Flatey Island
• Dock in the heart of towns rather than at distant terminals
• Exempt from proposed cruise visitor caps being discussed for Reykjavik (vessels under 500 passengers face fewer restrictions)
• Higher crew-to-guest ratios mean more personalised service, often approaching 1:1 on expedition vessels
• Zodiac capability on expedition ships allows landings on black sand beaches, close approaches to bird cliffs, and access to areas with no docks
• Flexible itineraries let captains and expedition leaders chase wildlife, adjust for weather, and capitalise on the long Arctic daylight
• Intimate enrichment programming with geologists, marine biologists and historians who know Iceland's geology and sagas

Iceland solar eclipse cruise 2026 departures are particularly sought-after. The August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse crossing Iceland and Greenland has made next season exceptional. Several lines have positioned dedicated eclipse sailings.

Small ship Iceland cruises: how they compare

We compared the key facts across seven small ship cruise lines operating in Iceland for 2026 and 2027.

Windstar Cruises

Best for: casual luxury and accessible pricing

Windstar is the line with masted ships that actually unfurl sails, though it's their motor yacht Star Pride (312 guests, 190 crew) that handles all Iceland sailings. The atmosphere is upscale but relaxed. No tuxedos, no formality, no pretension. Open bridge policy means you can watch the officers at work. Destination Discovery Events provide complimentary cultural experiences ashore, and the partnership as Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation brings culinary credibility across up to four dining venues including Amphora and new speciality restuartant Basil + Bamboo.

Star Pride operates the 7-night Around Iceland circumnavigation roundtrip from Reykjavik with 14 departures across 2026 and 2027. All suites feature queen beds (convertible to twins), full bathtubs, L'Occitane amenities and walk-in closets. The ship was stretched and refurbished in 2020-2021, emerging with 50 new suites, an infinity pool and expanded spa with complimentary thermal suite.

The flagship itinerary calls at Heimaey in the Westman Islands, Seyðisfjörður (with a rare overnight in port featuring the complimentary Sagas & Songs cultural performance at the Blue Church), Akureyri, Ísafjörður and Grundarfjörður. This Iceland Westfjords cruise itinerary lets Star Pride dock in central Reykjavik, steps from Laugavegur shopping street, while larger ships berth at distant terminals. Shore excursions include Dynjandi waterfall kayaking, Snæfellsnes peninsula drives to Kirkjufell mountain, puffin colonies on Heimaey, whale watching from Akureyri and visits to Goðafoss waterfall. The 10-day Comprehensive Iceland Cruise Tour adds three days of pre-cruise overland touring including Langjökull glacier ice caverns and the Blue Lagoon. Extended Star Collector voyages of 14-17 nights link Norway and the British Isles to the Iceland loop.

Best for 2026: Around Iceland on Star Pride, Reykjavik round-trip, 7 nights

Best for 2027: Star Collector: Endless Days of the North Sea on Insignia, Reykjavik round-trip, 10 nights.

Ponant Explorations

Best for: French luxury and the underwater Blue Eye lounge

Ponant is the only French-owned cruise line, and the French art de vivre permeates everything. Menus are curated by Alain Ducasse's consulting arm, the open bar pours Henri Abelé Brut champagne, and the atmosphere is unapologetically French. Fares are all-inclusive, that's all meals, open bar, minibar restocked to preferences, Wi-Fi, one included shore excursion per port, gratuities and a complimentary Ponant-branded parka to keep.

3 ship types operate Iceland routes. L'Austral (264 guests) is the workhorse, with mostly balcony staterooms and a single main restaurant with open seating, and second al fresco option open for breakfast, lunch and themed dinners. Le Lapérouse and Le Bellot (both 184 guests) are smaller Explorer-class ships carrying the brand's most distinctive feature: the Blue Eye, the world's first multi-sensory underwater lounge. Located on Deck 0, 2.5 metres below the waterline, it features two whale-eye-shaped glass portholes, hydrophones detecting marine life within five kilometres, LED screens projecting live underwater footage, and Body Listening Sofas that vibrate in sync with the ocean's acoustics. In Iceland's rich waters, you might detect whale song while sipping cocktails served without a shaker to preserve the lounge's otherworldly silence.

Then there is Le Commandant Charcot (245 guests), the world's first luxury icebreaker and the only passenger ship capable of reaching the Geographic North Pole. Built at a cost of €274 million, she carries a reconnaissance helicopter, 16 zodiacs, snowmobilesand scientific laboratories. Her NUNA restaurant is the first Alain Ducasse restaurant at sea. Le Commandant Charcot uses Reykjavik as a departure hub for extreme Arctic expeditions to Greenland, Svalbard and the North Pole.

Ponant operates 13 sailings in 2026 on the regular 7-night Icelandic Mosaic (Reykjavik roundtrip), calling at Surtsey, Heimaey, Grundarfjörður, Akureyri, Ísafjörður and Grímsey for an Arctic Circle crossing. The 9-night Icelandic Nature and Traditions extends the circumnavigation with additional calls at Höfn for Vatnajökull glacier access, Djúpivogur and Húsavík. Special themed departures include the June 13, 2026 sailing featuring Michelin-starred chef Jean-Philippe Blondet with recipe demonstrations and gala dinners, and Smithsonian Journeys departures in 2027 with two resident experts per sailing. Le Commandant Charcot expeditions from Reykjavik range from 11 to 18 days, reaching Greenland's ice sheet and beyond.

Best for 2026: Icelandic Nature and Traditions on L'Austral, Reykjavik round-trip, 9 nights

Best for 2027: Iceland: Land of Fire and Ice with Smithsonian Journeys on Le Bellot, Reykjavik round-trip, 7 nights

Best for adventures: From Svalbard to Iceland: A Polar Odyssey on Le Lyrial, Longyearbyen to Reykjavik, 13 nights

Seabourn

Best for: indulgence expedition and ultra-luxury classic cruises

Seabourn represents ultra-luxury cruising refined to its purest expression. The brand maintains a near 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, complimentary premium spirits and fine wines throughout the day, open-seating dining across all venues, and a signature culture where gratuities are never expected. For Iceland, Seabourn deploys its most exciting asset: Seabourn Venture (264 guests), a purpose-built expedition ship carrying, 24 zodiac RIBs, double sea kayaks, and a 4K camera capable of broadcasting wildlife imagery from three miles away.

Guests receive a complimentary Helly Hansen PolarShield parka and waterproof daypack. The Constellation Lounge features floor-to-ceiling glass walls ideal for Northern Lights or midnight sun viewing. A 23-person Expedition Team of biologists, geologists, naturalists and photographers leads every Arctic voyage. Dr. Andrew Weil's spa programme, Seabourn Conversations enrichment speakers and an open-bridge policy round out the experience.

Seabourn gives you both classic and expedition Iceland options. Classic cruises include the May 2026 highlight, a 14-day Scottish Isles and Icelandic Intrigue, a 2-week no-fly option from Dover on Seabourn Ovation. In 2027 and 2028, Copenhagen to Reykjavik sailings on Seaboun Quest finish with Icelandic calls including Heimaey and Grundarfjörður. Expedition itineraries are compelling. The 10-day Wild Scottish Isles & Iceland threads through the Isle of Man, Tobermory, St. Kilda, Shetland and Heimaey before arriving in Reykjavik. The 14-day Southeast Greenland and Iceland explores Grundarfjörður, Patreksfjörður, Dynjandi and Sauðárkrókur before crossing to Greenland's Scoresby Sund. Optional experiences include guided kayaking through Arctic coastal waters, and the theatrical Caviar on the Ice featuring an ice bar, frozen champagne glasses and rare caviar served against a polar seascape.

Best for 2026: Scottish Isles and Icelandic Intrigue on Seabourn Ovation, Dover round-trip, 14 nights

Best for 2027: Fjords, Folklore and Faroe Islands on Seabourn Quest, Copenhagen to Reykjavik, 10 nights

Best for 2028: Norway, Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands and Iceland on Seabourn Quest, Copenhagen to Reykjavik, 10 nights

Best expedition: Southeast Greenland and Iceland on Seabourn Venture, Reykjavik round-trip, 14 nights

Long expedition: Northwest Passage, Baffin Bay and Nunavut Expedition on Seabourn Venture, Kangerlussuaq to Reykjavik, 50 nights

Silversea

Best for: refined expedition with an ultra-luxury edge

Silversea carries Italian heritage into every corner of its all-suite, all-inclusive experience, from the Dolce Vita piano bar to La Terrazza's à la carte Italian dinners. 2 expedition ships handle Iceland: Silver Endeavour (200 guests), one of the most luxurious expedition ship ever built with PC6 Polar Class certification and 110 all-veranda suites, and Silver Wind (274 guests), expedition-converted in 2021 with 24 zodiacs and a 28-person expedition team.

The Royal Geographical Society partnership provides bespoke expedition content drawn from the Society's two-million-piece archive dating to 1482. The expedition focus off the ship involves Zodiac excursions, kayaking, and guided hikes, all accompanied by a fantastic team of expedition experts. On board there's a heated pool, extensive spa and a range of dining options to choose from.

Iceland itineraries span 10 to 15 days and combine Icelandic ports with Scottish islands, Faroe Islands or Greenland. These Reykjavik cruise departures include Silver Endeavour's August 24, 2026 sailing (15 days, Reykjavik roundtrip) entering Greenland's Scoresby Sound before returning through Iceland's Westfjords with Dynjandi waterfall access. Silver Wind's July 14, 2026 voyage (12 days, Reykjavik to Nuuk) threads through Vestmannaeyjar's puffin colonies and humpback whale grounds before reaching Erik the Red's Greenland homestead. Expedition highlights include zodiac cruising along black sand beaches and basalt columns, whale watching near Húsavík, visits to the world's largest Atlantic puffin colony at Vestmannaeyjar, and Arctic Circle crossing at Grímsey.

Best for 2026: Reykjavik to Reykjavik on Silver Endeavour, Reykjavik round-trip, 15 nights

Best for 2027: Longyearbyen to Reykjavik on Silver Endeavour, 17 nights

Scenic

Best for: helicopters and all-inclusive discovery

Scenic Eclipse stands alone as The World's First Discovery Yacht, packing genuine expedition capability into a 228-guest ultra-luxury vessel where butler service, 10 dining venues and a 550-square-metre spa come standard. Scenic Eclipse I and near-identical Eclipse II each carry two Airbus H130-T2 helicopters offering flightseeing over Iceland's volcanoes, fjords and glaciers, and a Scenic Neptune submarine diving to 300 metres. Helicopters are operational in Iceland, offering views no other ultra-luxury cruise ship can provide.

The all-inclusive fare is exceptionally generous: all meals across up to 10 dining experiences (including Lumière's seven-course French menu, Koko's Asian fusion, Night Market's eight-seat private teppanyaki, and the invitation-only Chef's Table molecular gastronomy), premium beverages, butler service, Wi-Fi, daily minibar restocking, laundry, internal transfers, all shore excursions, zodiac and kayaking excursions, complimentary expedition parka and polar boots. Only helicopter flights, submarine dives and spa treatments cost extra.

The flagship is the 10-night Circumnavigating Iceland & Crossing the Arctic Circle (Reykjavik roundtrip), visiting Flatey Island, Dynjandi waterfall, Vigur Island, Sauðárkrókur, Akureyri, Grímsey, Vopnafjörður, Seyðisfjörður and Heimaey. This Iceland circumnavigation cruise combines with the 11-night National Parks of East Greenland & Iceland that crosses to Ittoqqortoormiit and navigates Kong Oscar Fjord. Combined cruise-and-land journeys add Golden Circle overland touring, glacier walks and geothermal bathing to the ocean voyage. The Discovery Team of up to 20 specialists leads zodiac cruises, kayaking excursions, guided hikes and enrichment lectures covering Arctic wildlife, glaciology, Viking history and volcanic geology.

Best for 2026: Circumnavigating Iceland and Crossing the Arctic Circle on Scenic Eclipse, Reykjavik round-trip, 10 nights

Best for 2027: National Parks of East Greenland and Iceland on Scenic Eclipse, Reykjavik round-trip, 11 nights

Oceania

Best for: culinary mastery and destination-rich itineraries

Oceania Cruises deserves inclusion for its incredible culinary programming and destination-rich Iceland itineraries. The defining pillar is The Finest Cuisine at Sea, built on the legacy of Jacques Pépin and led by Executive Culinary Directors Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale, both inducted Maîtres Cuisiniers de France. The Your World Included fare structure covers all specialty dining, Starlink Wi-Fi, gratuities and a choice of shore excursion credits or complimentary wine service.

Insignia (656 guests) handles the most intimate Iceland sailings, with 4 dining venues including Toscana and Polo Grill. Marina brings the full culinary arsenal: the Jacques restaurant named for Pépin, Red Ginger pan-Asian, the hands-on Culinary Center cooking school, and Aquamar Kitchen wellness cuisine. The flagship 2026 Iceland sailing is Marina's 14-day Eclipse in Iceland (July 30-August 13, Copenhagen to Reykjavik) featuring the August 12 solar eclipse with onboard astronomer Dennis Mammana, NASA ambassador speakers, themed deck viewing parties and solar-inspired culinary programming. Insignia's 10-night Icelandic Revelation circumnavigates the island via Grundarfjörður, Ísafjörður, Akureyri, Seyðisfjörður, Djúpivogur, Tórshavn and Heimaey. Shore excursion programming includes Culinary Discovery Tours with chefs at local markets and restaurants, Go Local Tours for small-group community immersion, and Wellness Discovery Tours incorporating geothermal bathing and Icelandic hot springs.

Best for 2026: Icelandic Revelation on Insignia, Reykjavik round-trip, 10 nights

Best for 2027: Landscapes of a Lifetime on Insignia, Reykjavik roundtrip, 10 nights

Best value: Nautical Northern Europe on Insignia, Reykjavik to Copenhagen, 26 nights

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Best for: hotel luxury and Marriott Bonvoy benefits

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection extends the Ritz-Carlton's Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen service philosophy to an intimate 298-guest yacht. Launched in October 2022, the brand operates under Marriott International, and roughly 50% of guests have never cruised before, drawn instead by the Ritz-Carlton name.

Evrima handles all Iceland sailings. Every suite features a private terrace. Entry-level Terrace Suites measure 264-280 sq ft plus 53-75 sq ft outdoors, while the 2 Owner's Suites reach 1,001 sq ft interior plus a 628 sq ft terrace. A personal Suite Ambassador is assigned to every guest. Dining centres on 10 venues including S.E.A., the seven-course tasting menu restaurant by Sven Elverfeld (three Michelin stars at Aqua, Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg), Talaat Nam for Southeast Asian cuisine, and Mistral for Mediterranean al fresco dining. The Marina on Deck 3 opens directly onto the sea for kayaking, paddleboarding and sailing.

Fares are all-inclusive: all dining including S.E.A., premium wines and spirits, Starlink Wi-Fi, gratuities and marina platform activities.

In 2026, four Iceland-related voyages are offered: a 9-night Copenhagen to Reykjavik, two back-to-back 5-night Reykjavik roundtrips visiting Grundarfjörður, Ísafjörður and Akureyri, and a 10-night Iceland & British Isles adding Heimaey, Djúpivogur, Shetland, Orkney and Edinburgh. The two 5-night sailings can be combined for a 10-night full Iceland immersion. Shore excursions are organised into five curated categories: Active Explorations, Cultural Connections, Iconic Sights, Stirring the Senses, and Epicurean Experiences. The Concierge Ashore service arranges private guides and insider access.

Best for 2026: Reykjavik Roundtrip on Evrima, 5 nights

Best for 2027: Reykjavik Roundtrip on Evrima, 5 nights