ABSTRACT
Small-ship cruises offer a unique ecotourism opportunity. On board is a small, captive audience sequestered together for two or three weeks, consisting of well-educated people predisposed to support conservation objectives. The small size and shallow draft of these ships allow them to navigate deep into the fjords and island archipelagos of the cold oceans, and to approach close to shore. Many islands are accessible only by ship or helicopter, and most small islands have few roads and thus no traffic congestion. Small adventure cruise ships are like isolated islands themselves, with tiny populations, limited recreational opportunities, environmental challenges and unavoidable expenses. In many ways, the small expedition cruise ships provide the same sense of privacy. The small expedition cruise ship also functions as a social organism, with all the potential for relationships and shared experiences present in any small island community.
