4 of the best small ship expedition cruises for families

1. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions is renowned for its pioneering spirit and strong partnership with National Geographic, cemented in its new name which marks the relationship between the two. With family-friendly itineraries spanning the Arctic, Antarctica, Alaska, the Galápagos, Central America, the Amazon, and Baja California, this operator is perfect for multi-generational adventures. Plus, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions is the only expedition cruise line with no minimum age requirement for children.

For young adventurers, the National Geographic Global Explorers programme includes hands-on activities like earning an expedition landing craft "driver's licence" and recording wildlife observations in a field notebook. A new addition is the National Geographic Expeditions Adventurers programme in Iceland, where kids learn to explore like scientists - documenting their journey through photography, video, and drawings. They can even create their own Icelandic music video!

Their varied fleet of small ships accommodate between 48 and 148 guests, and are equipped with tools for exploration including zodiacs, sea kayaks and underwater cameras. You'll also be accompanied by onboard naturalists and, on some voyages, a National Geographic photographer. Most vessels have rooms which can sleep up to three people and interconnecting options available. On board, family-friendly activities include snorkelling, tandem kayaking, and even impromptu movie nights with pizza

2. Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten's fleet operates two distinct programmes - the classic Norwegian Coastal Voyage service, and expedition cruises further afield - and their ships cater for between 318 and 970 guests. This is considered quite large in expedition ship terms, and with the extra space comes more facilities and places for younger travellers to hang out.

Hurtigruten's Young Explorers Programme provides kid-friendly excursions such as aquarium and farm visits, opportunities to learn about Sami culture, and even a "Meet the Vikings" experience. Onboard activities include interactive workshops on nature and climate change, art sessions, and exclusive ship tours.

Hurtigruten offers reduced child fares on both its classic and select expedition ships, making their expeditions a budget-friendly choice for families eager to explore. On board there is a dedicated host who plans and organises the activities, an activity centre for lectures and activities with the expedition team, plus on most ships, a heated outdoor pool, hot tubs, choice of restaurants, lounges and an observation deck.

3. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

German outfit Hapag-Lloyd Cruises are one of the most experienced expedition lines in the business. Their innovative expedition ships, including the Hanseatic Inspiration which is dedicated to an international clientele, have a slick design with features that kids will love, including a watersports marina with equipment such as kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and snorkelling equipment, and two extendable glass-floored balconies. Yes, the first language on board is German, but the ship is bilingual, and the exciting programme for those aged 10 to 17 years will soon get them talking.

The programme is designed with teenagers in mind to encourage the curiosity of young explorers, whether it's with a spot of navigation on board, Zodiac rides, activities ashore, looking through a microscope, or learning about oceanography, geology and geography. The whole crew, from the captain to the navigation officer to the ship's cook, are all involved. Trips to the bridge offer insights into seafaring, including how to read nautical and bathymetric charts and using the radar and sonar. There are also cinema evenings complete with popcorn, pizza evenings and more.

The programme is available on selected sailings and a minimum of five children is required for the programme to run. Grand Suites and Junior Suites can sleep up to three people using a sofa bed, and several Balcony Cabins interconnect with the neighbouring cabin or suite.

4. UnCruise Adventures

UnCruise Adventures specialise in off-the-beaten-track exploration of Alaska and the coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest, as well as Snake and Columbia Rivers, Hawaii and the Galapagos. As the name suggests, the aim is to provide something very different from the traditional concept of a cruise.

UnCruise welcome kids aged eight years and older and organise a number of family focused activities, including tide pool treasure hunts, polar plunges, paddleboard races, parent/child kayaking, snorkelling, flora and fauna identification, 'I spy' for whales and dolphins, and even face painting with glacial mud, as well as specific "Kids in Nature" Alaska itineraries that include the likes of junior ranger programmes, kayaking, and wildlife viewing, and child-friendly menus. Kids can also enjoy the hot tubs, games, kid-friendly DVDs and books available on board.

Several of the fleet offer triple cabins (Wilderness Discoverer, Wilderness Legacy, Safari Voyager, Safari Endeavour and Safari Explorer) and La Pinta, which operates only in the Galapagos, has triple and interconnecting cabins.

Ships range from small to tiny, and voyages combine active adventure - offering great opportunities to kayak, hike or explore by Zodiac - with relaxed, unpretentious service and extensive knowledge of the destinations being visited, accompanied by local experts and enjoying exclusive (and inclusive) trips ashore.