Travelers ranked the best small cruises you've never heard of — from expedition ships to river cruises

• The world's largest cruise ships can fit over 7,000 passengers — and they're only getting bigger.
• Smaller vessels like river and expedition cruises are a more intimate alternative to mega-ships.

When images of the world's largest cruise ship went viral this summer, social media users described Icon of the Seas with less than flattering terms. Among them are "human lasagne," a "monstrosity," and "hell on water."

The $2 billion, 7,000-plus passenger ship has proven hugely popular and is booking up fast. But even as travelers around the world showcase increased interest in vacationing at sea, the internet's vocal aversion to the massive vessel proves mega-ships aren't for everyone.

That doesn't mean you need to rule off cruising altogether — small cruises, river cruises, and expedition ships offer a more intimate alternative.

Plus, as port towns across the US and Europe move to ban large cruise ships due to concerns of overcrowding and pollution, smaller vessels can access destinations off-limits to their super-sized counterparts.

But not all small ships are made equal. There are luxurious yacht-like cruises from brands like the Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons, more rugged expedition ships designed for Alaskan exploration, and a variety of inland river cruises.

Condé Nast Traveler readers voted on all of the above as part of the publication's 2023 Readers' Choice Awards. The survey results published in October take different factors into consideration, such as service, accommodations, food, and sustainability.

These are the best small cruises with 500 or fewer passengers, river cruises, and expedition cruises, according to Condé Nast Traveler readers:

The best small cruises

1. Emerald Cruises

2. Paul Gaugin Cruises

3. American Cruise Line

4. Sea Cloud Cruises

5. Windstar Cruises

The best river cruises

1. Viking

2. American Cruise Lines

3. Tauck River Cruising

4. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts

5. Les Bateaux Belmond

The best expedition cruises

1. Viking

2. UnCruise Adventures

3. Aqua Expeditions

4. Ecoventura

5. Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Do you work on a cruise ship or live in a cruise port town? Do you have a tip or story to share? Email this reporter at htowey@insider.com