Authentic adventures through niche ports — with a carbon-neutral company.
This review covers Peregrine’s small-ship adventure cruises, which appeal to people looking for intimate voyages to extreme destinations — like the Arctic and Antarctica — and other off-the-beaten-path ports.
Amy Stoltenberg is a staff writer covering all things travel, shopping and lifestyle. After earning a BA at Savannah College of Art and Design, she worked as technical designer in corporate fashion before opting for a career with unlimited travel time. When her laptop's closed, you can find her wandering around Los Angeles looking for hole-in-the-wall eateries and plotting her way to all 50 states (she's currently at 28).
Expert review
Peregrine adventure cruises are immersive experiences where you’ll get to dive headfirst into fascinating areas of the world less traveled. The local guides truly make each experience unique, with insider recommendations to enrich your visit at every port and plenty of time for independent travelers to wander on their own.
That said, these tours aren’t for creatures who crave comfort above all else. While Peregrine tours are safe and by no means rugged, going without hot water for a day, enduring a bumpy rickshaw ride, or hiking a fair distance while carrying your luggage may be part of the package.
If you’re hoping to relax on a resort-style ship, consider Azamara Club cruises instead. But if you prioritize authenticity over clean-cut encounters, and are content to embrace hiccups or spontaneous times with an open mind, you’ll jive with Peregrine.
Peregrine cruise ships
Peregrine sails with two types of ships — its Motor Yacht and Motor Sailor classes. The key difference? Motor Sailor ships use sails to harness the force of the wind wherever possible.
On most Peregrine cruises, you’ll be sailing with 35 to 50 other passengers. Cabins aren’t overly luxurious, but provide a comfortable place to sleep between busy days spent exploring port. The food onboard is fresh and usually inspired by the itinerary.
All ships have a swimming platform off the back, with equipment for snorkeling and fishing that’s included — many have kayaks and stand-up paddleboards too.
Where do Peregrine cruises depart from?
Peregrine’s adventure cruises are more about the destination than the departure port. Our advice is to choose a place you’d like to explore first, then book budget airfare to the port city. Here’s where Peregrine journeys begin:
Abu Dhabi, Athens, Barcelona, Beijing, Berlin, Bucharest, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Cape Town, Colombo, Dubai, Dubrovnik, Ho Chi Minh City, Istanbul, Lima, Lisbon, Madrid, Malaga, Moscow, Naples, Oslo, Palermo, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Porto, Prague, Reykjavik, Rio De Janeiro, Rome, Shanghai, St. Petersburg, Tokyo, Ushuaia, Venice, Victoria
Peregrine cruise destinations
This cruise line shines when it comes to visiting unique ports in cities and villages that most cruise lines overlook — or just can’t access because of their large size. From island hopping around the Galapagos to slow travel along the lush and rugged Borneo coast, your options are plentiful.
While its website will have the most up-to-date itineraries, here’s just a quick look at the areas where Peregrine sails:
Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America
What’s included on Peregrine cruises?
Inclusions vary by itinerary. The best way to compare value is to choose an itinerary and click Inclusions to see exactly what fare for that cruise covers. In general, Peregrine fare includes breakfast and other meals during days at sea, plus transportation and a couple of guided walking tours.
Gratuities for the crew and any local guides are included in the fare, but not for your tour leader — though whether or not you tip is entirely at your discretion.
Otherwise, most shore excursions are extra — except on Dalmatian cruising itineraries, where all shore activities are included in the fare.
Alcoholic drinks aren’t included, but are reasonably priced — about $4 for a glass of wine or $5.50 for the daily cocktail. Wi-Fi is also not included, and costs extra if you decide you need it.
Peregrine’s environmental and economic initiatives
If you’ve always wanted to go on a small-ship cruise but feel bad about the notorious environmental impact — and guilty about promulgating tourist traps — Peregrine might be a good option for you. Here are some of Peregrine’s initiatives:
Hiring local leaders and staff
Booking locally-owned accommodations and ground transportation
Investing in renewable energy projects in the communities through which it travels
Buying carbon credits to offset the emissions created by its tours
Donates money to projects that work to preserve the environment worldwide
On Arctic and Antarctic cruises, Peregrine leaders are careful about leaving no trace behind. Overall, there’s a deep appreciation for the environment that you’ll notice throughout the tour.
Why you should (or shouldn’t) cruise with Peregrine
Before booking your cruise, weigh the benefits and drawbacks:
Pros
Unique itineraries to off-the-beaten-path destinations
Authentic insight into different cultures
Focus on sustainable tourism
Carbon neutral company
Cons
Fare can be pricey, even for small-ship cruising.
Not all meals are included — you’ll often have to purchase your own food during days spent at port
No US departure ports
Still on the fence about Peregrine?
Its off-the-beaten-path itineraries and eco-friendly focus are comparable to what you’d get with Lindblad Expeditions. Or, if you like the idea of visiting remote ports but would rather have a 5-star luxury experience, opt for SeaDream Yacht Club.
What other travel experiences does Peregrine offer?
Peregrine is first and foremost a tour operator, curating travel experiences around the globe. In addition to small ship cruising, you can also book:
Land and sea tours, including a cruise
Walking and trekking tours
Day and city tours
Frequently asked questions
The official currency on Peregrine cruise ships is the Euro.
Yes — all Peregrine cabins are air conditioned.
Casual. However, you may want to dress up for the Captain’s dinner on the last night of the cruise — collared shirts for men and sundresses or skirts and blouses for women.
English is the official language on Peregrine cruise ships — though in general it’s a multilingual environment on board, with German, French, Spanish, Russian and more languages spoken by the staff and crew.
Up to $1,000 to spend on board with Norwegian Cruise Line
Just book your next cruise vacation with Priceline Cruises and get up to $1,000 to use as a liquor, dining, and spa credit, along with other purchases made on the ship! T&Cs apply.
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