small yacht cruise ships

The 18 best small cruise ships sailing the world

In a world where gigantic megaships draw all the attention, I've always found small ships to be the best.

I've sailed on more than 125 cruise ships of all sizes, but my favorites have never been the big "floating resorts."

I'm drawn to the intimacy and instant community that develops between a small number of passengers and crew cruising together. I enjoy the serenity of small-ship cruising, with no lines to wait in or crowds to contend with on board.

I also gravitate to the off-beat itineraries small ships offer because they focus on unusual and remote places that only small vessels can access.

Who needs the bustling Caribbean when you can explore Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean; lesser-known Greek Islands like Skopelos and Skiathos; French Polynesia; or the Galapagos Islands?

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People often ask me which are the best small ship cruises, and that question is difficult to answer.

The new high-tech expedition ships, outfitted with the latest hardware and design touches, are incredibly appealing. However, I also adore certain older small ships for their heritage and atmosphere.

Of course, the best small ship for you may depend on where you wish to sail and whether you're looking for a relaxing yacht-like experience or a rugged adventure.

If you're like me and find that bigger isn't always better, this list is for you. Here are 18 of the world's best ocean-going small cruise ships, both older and new. Each carries fewer than 400 passengers and all are ideal for your next intimately sized travel adventure.

Lindblad Expeditions: National Geographic Resolution and National Geographic Endurance

How small? 128 passengers. Best for: Gadget-loving adventurers.

Lindblad Expeditions has been a leader in small-ship expedition cruising since 1966 when company founder Lars-Eric Lindblad pioneered expeditions to Antarctica, Easter Island and the Galapagos.

Today, the line's fleet of small ships explores nearly the entire planet, always with an impressive lineup of experts and photographers along for the ride.

Lindblad's newest 128-passenger ships, National Geographic Resolution (2021) and National Geographic Endurance (2020), were built for hard-core exploration in the polar regions they call home.

They sport a striking X-bow design (an inverted ship bow design for fuel efficiency), a polar class rating of PC 5 Category A (a notch above most Antarctica cruise ships), and a dynamic positioning system that keeps the ships hovering quietly in place.

Passengers can utilize each ship's fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks and stash of snowshoes and cross-country skis that aid in exploration.

High-tech toys, such as a remotely operated vehicle and underwater video camera, hydrophone, remote-controlled aerial camera and video microscope, allow guests to view footage of undersea life wherever the ships may be.

The ships also feature a gym, yoga studio, spa, ocean-view saunas, library and two dining venues. On deck, two infinity hot tubs offer amazing views.

All cabins are outward-facing (and 12 are single cabins, a rarity) with an "expedition command center" that includes a tablet, multiple electrical and USB outlets, a TV, a barometer and a National Geographic Atlas.

Cruise fare covers wine and spirits, excursions and excursion gear.

Related: These are the best Antarctica cruise ships

SeaDream Yacht Club: SeaDream I and II

How small? 112 passengers. Best for: Yacht enthusiasts seeking the sun.

SeaDream Yacht Club 's 40-year-old ships may not be new, but they're still some of the prettiest classic luxury yachts afloat. Suites don't have balconies. However, they're spacious, recently refurbished, and feature wood details that evoke a classic nautical feel.

What the ships lack in modern touches, they make up for in experience and service. The food is excellent and served both on the romantic outdoor decks and inside the cozy restaurant.

The line's iconic weekly beach barbecue on a remote stretch of sand, complete with Champagne and caviar in the surf, is a cruise highlight on all itineraries. An open bar contributes to the social atmosphere on board, and watersports from a stern marina when conditions are right are a great perk for active travelers.

The SeaDream twins winter in the Caribbean and summer in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Scandinavia.

Related: Why it's easier to meet new people on a smaller cruise ship

Sea Cloud Cruises: Sea Cloud I

How small? 64 passengers. Best for: History buffs and sailing ship lovers.

The one-of-a-kind, four-masted Sea Cloud was originally commissioned as a private luxury yacht by multi-millionaire Wall Street titan E. F. Hutton in 1931. Hutton's extravagant heiress and businesswoman wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post, oversaw the ship's interior design, outfitting it in marble, mahogany and gold-plated fixtures.

After passing through various owners, Sea Cloud I has spent the last several decades offering casually elegant windjammer cruises to old-ship lovers from Europe and North America.

Passengers choose from 10 original cabins, including Post's own suite with its Louis XIV–style bed and nightstands, marble fireplace and bathroom, chandeliers and intricate moldings.

Sea Cloud winters in the Caribbean and summers in Mediterranean, visiting the Greek Islands, Italy and the Canary Islands.

Related: Big vs small cruise ships: Which will I like better?

UnCruise Adventures: Wilderness Legacy

How small? 90 passengers. Best for: Sporty cruisers who love quirky ships.

Constructed in 1983, UnCruise Adventures ' Wilderness Legacy is truly a one-of-a-kind quirky ship. Its throw-back style exterior harkens back to a 20th-century steamboat.

The ship attracts a loyal fan base thanks to its roomy size and cabins that open onto covered promenade decks (rather than a central interior corridor). It even features a hot tub on deck and an elevator, a rarity on older small adventure ships like this.

The portable, custom-made "sea dragon" platform at the stern makes for easy access to kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming, activities popular with UnCruise's sporty fans. The adventurous can also enjoy hiking, bushwhacking and cycling in some ports.

Fares include everything from wine, beer and spirits to daily excursions.

The largest ship in the UnCruise fleet and built for coastal cruising, Wilderness Legacy spends its time in Alaska's Inside Passage and Glacier Bay National Park, as well as on the Columbia and Snake rivers.

Related: The best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler

Star Clippers: Royal Clipper

How small? 227 passengers. Best for: Sailing enthusiasts with a penchant for the past.

Star Clippers' handsome five-masted tall ship Royal Clipper is considered the largest square rigger in service. Modeled after the great 1902 German clipper Preussen, the ship is a real throwback, with lots of wood and brass features and nautical-style elements.

Royal Clipper also has impressive modern niceties for a ship of its size, including three small pools and an aft marina for easy access to complimentary water sports. It also offers a small gym and spa.

In the winter, Royal Clipper island hops around the Caribbean, sailing round trip from Barbados to some of the lesser-known islands. During the summer, it cruises the Mediterranean along the French and Italian rivieras and explores the coast of Croatia and the Canary Islands.

Windstar Cruises: Wind Star and Wind Spirit

How small? 148 passengers. Best for: Romantics and foodies.

Windstar Cruises ' 148-passenger four-masted motorized yachts are beloved for their upscale yet casual sailing vibe and great food in partnership with the James Beard Foundation.

Standing on deck when the sails are unfurled is one of the more romantic moments you'll likely experience on any ship.

The expansive wooden sun decks on Wind Star and Wind Spirit make you want to be on topside as much as possible to enjoy the yachting life. Each has multiple dining options, both indoor and on deck, including a weekly barbecue on deck under the stars.

Both have a stern marina for easy access to water sports like kayaking and paddle boarding.

The cozy cabins aren't huge, but they are well-appointed with wood details and nautical flair. Suites are a combination of two cabins.

Windstar offers both cruise-only and all-inclusive fares. You can build an a la carte vacation or pay upfront for an easy trip that includes an open bar, unlimited Wi-Fi and included crew gratuities.

Wind Spirit is stationed in the islands of French Polynesia, sailing year-round out of Tahiti through February 2024. Wind Star is its globe-trotting sister, focusing mostly on the Greek Islands in the summer and Costa Rica and Panama in the winter.

Related: The 2 classes of Windstar ships, explained

Ponant: L'Austral

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­How small? 264 passengers (200 in Antarctica). Best for: Chic Francophile foodies.

Ponant has been busy launching six new ships in its impressive Explorers series. However, L'Austral (with sister ships Le Boreal, Le Soleal and Le Lyrial) is my favorite ship in the fleet.

Why? L'Austral is the ideal size for a small ship — intimate but still large enough for amenities such as a gym, spa and show lounge.

Its gorgeous tiered stern decks feature a lovely outdoor pool area at the back of Deck 6 with a perfect stretch of deck for sunbathing and scenery watching and an open-air bar above for stunning views.

With Ponant's French pedigree, it's not surprising that food is a cut above, especially the desserts, cheeses and wine. I had the best chocolate mousse of my life on L'Austral. Dine outdoors on the pool deck or in the elegant indoor restaurant. Enhance your evening with complimentary wine (mostly French), Charles Heidsieck Champagne, beer and spirits.

L'Austral explores both polar regions and spends time in the Mediterranean, cruising along the coast of Croatia and around the smaller, less touristy Greek Islands like Amorgos, Milos and Delos.

Emerald Cruises: Emerald Azzurra

How small? ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­100 passengers. Best for: Travelers seeking intimate luxury.

Emerald Cruises' new Emerald Azzurra (and soon-to-debut sister Emerald Sakara) is one of the smallest luxury cruise ships afloat and a good choice for travelers who want something more intimate than what Silversea or Seabourn offer.

The ship's six gleaming white-tiered decks sport a futuristic pyramid-like profile that turns heads when it arrives in port.

Emerald Azzurra features a watersports platform at the stern for convenient access to kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling and riding SEABOBs (electric underwater scooter-like jet skis). Inside, you can avail of a small gym and spa.

Choose from open-air and indoor dining for your meals. Wine and spirits are included, so take advantage of two impressive outdoor spots for a drink and stunning views — the Sky Bar at the top of the ship and the chic infinity pool at the stern of Deck 3, adjacent to a lounge and cafe.

Itineraries focus on the Mediterranean during the summer, with mostly one- to two-week cruises that call on ports along the coasts of Croatia, Albania, Italy, France, Turkey and the Greek Islands. It spends the winters in the Caribbean.

Explore these destinations in depth with included excursions.

Scenic Cruises: Scenic Eclipse

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­How small? 228 passengers (200 in polar regions). Best for: Design fans with wanderlust.

An impressively kitted-out expedition ship, Scenic Eclipse has an ice-strengthened hull with a C6 rating suited for polar cruising, including navigating the Northwest Passage. High-tech features include a GPS dynamic positioning system to maintain a location without dropping anchor.

The Australia-based line's debut into ocean cruising had Scenic Eclipse drawing attention with impressive additions like a pair of six-passenger helicopters and a five-passenger submarine (both offered at an additional cost), as well as kayaks, zodiacs and e-bikes. (Sister Scenic Eclipse II is set to debut soon.)

The ship's sleek angled silhouette makes for a handsome profile. The eye-catching interior is sophisticated, with a stark black, gray and beige color palette, lovely wood details, white Carrara marble surfaces and bold art.

Passengers can enjoy a relatively large spa and fitness area, plus multiple dining venues, including Asian, Japanese, French and Continental restaurants. Wine and spirits are included in the fare.

While small luxury ships typically have fancy owners' suites, the pair of top accommodations on Scenic Eclipse is on another level. Each measures over 2,000 square feet with a huge forward-facing teak-lined terrace, complete with a large whirlpool tub.

Scenic Eclipse cruises to nearly every corner of the world, including French Polynesia and the Pacific Islands, Australia, the Indonesian archipelago and Antarctica. The cruise fare includes excursions.

Related: These cruises cost $30,000 and have no set itinerary. Here's what to expect

Silversea Cruises: Silver Endeavour

How small? ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­200 passengers. Best for: Intrepid travelers who demand the utmost luxury.

Silversea Cruises is a pro at luxury small-ship cruising — the line has been at it for more than 30 years. With Silver Endeavour, it achieves the perfect mix of ultra-luxury surroundings with tough-as-nails expedition hardware for its focus on polar cruising.

On board, many rooms are veranda suites measuring 356 square feet (including a private balcony), all with marble baths. The largest Grand and Owner's suites are massive multi-room affairs with huge private verandas. The passenger-to-crew ratio is one-to-one; service is excellent.

For dining, there are four main restaurants, including an Italian and a French-inspired venue. The Grill is an eatery enclosed in floor-to-ceiling glass for the best views in the house.

There's an impressive spa, salon and gym with panoramic ocean views and several lounges for drinks (always included) and lectures.

Near the well-stocked library is the Expedition Study, where the 20-member expedition team is accessible for questions. Outdoor deck space includes the forward-facing bow area with an outdoor hot tub.

With its PC6 ice-class rating, Silver Endeavour spends November through April in Antarctica and the rest of the year in the Arctic, including Greenland, Arctic Canada, Iceland and Norway. Excursions are always complimentary.

Related: The best luxury cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity

Seabourn: Seabourn Venture

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­How small? 264 passengers. Best for: Travelers with high standards for luxury and special itineraries.

Seabourn 's new Seabourn Venture (and upcoming sister Seabourn Pursuit) are on par with Silver Endeavour and Scenic Eclipse when it comes to pairing top-of-the-line luxury and pampering with incredible itineraries.

Elegant interiors include a main restaurant, several lounges and bars where drinks are all included, a plush lecture hall, a cafe for coffee and snacks, and spacious balcony suites that start from 355 square feet (including the balcony).

The windowed fitness center and spa area includes an ocean-view sauna and the infinity pool at the back of Deck 5 boasts killer views.

Not just a pretty ship, Seabourn Venture is tough, built to PC6 Polar Class standards for a focus on expedition cruising in the polar regions. The ship carries two submarines, as well as a fleet of double sea kayaks and 24 Zodiacs that can accommodate all guests at once.

Seabourn's large expedition team leads daily complimentary excursions, such as Zodiac sightseeing tours, shore walks, hikes, snorkeling and kayak outings. Also, accomplished guest lecturers give onboard talks.

Like Silver Endeavour, Seabourn Venture will spend the year in the polar regions, with long repositioning cruises in between, such as a 51-day Antarctica, Atlantic and Northwest Africa voyage from Buenos Aires to Malaga, Spain.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Seabourn cruise ship

Atlas Ocean Voyages: World Navigator

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­How small? 196 passengers. Best for: Travelers craving luxury and lots of open deck space.

World Navigator is a deluxe expedition ship sporting a 1B Ice Class-certified hull and the latest technologies, such as a GPS-based dynamic position system to minimize movement and noise.

Multiple dining options include the main restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the ship's wake and a steakhouse on the Lido Deck. For cocktails, head to either of two piano bars, the Dome Observation Lounge or the Atlas Lounge, just outside the lecture theatre.

The Atlas Ocean Voyages ship has terrific outdoor spots for remarkable views (not hogged by a helipad or stern and aft suite balconies), including a close-to-the-water spot on Deck 5 forward and a "secret" arc of deck on Deck 6 aft.

You can also take in the scenery from the ship's shallow pool and two adjacent hot tubs.

Don't miss the spa, even if you don't book a massage. It features an appealing seating area facing the sea and an ocean-view sauna. Walkers and joggers keep fit on the top-of-ship track.

World Navigator's itineraries focus on the polar regions, but the ship visits Europe and the Canary Islands while repositioning.

Landings and Zodiac safaris are included on Antarctica cruises, but excursions are not included on other itineraries. All non-polar cruises offered from April through October are called Epicurean Expeditions (with one complimentary wine- or food-focused experience per cruise).

American Queen Voyages: Ocean Victory

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­How small? 186 passengers. Best for: In-depth Alaska cruises for nature lovers.

Newcomer Ocean Victory is large for a small cruise ship, which allows it to offer more on its Alaska expeditions.

Its sizable expedition team, which can number 18 on select voyages, comprises seasoned authorities in a wide range of fields, such as geology, whale communications and photography. Team members lead complimentary excursions on sea kayaks and 18 Zodiacs so passengers can experience glaciers, icebergs and wildlife up close.

In place of an observation bow with direct views of the water, as many similar ships offer, Victory has a pair of viewing platforms on each side of the ship, thanks to its distinctive X-bow design. These platforms are cantilevered directly over the water for great views of bergy bits and potential marine life.

The American Queen Voyages ship offers three dining venues, plus multiple bars and lounges (drinks are included in your fare).

Like any good expedition ship, Ocean Victory has one lounge dedicated to lectures with large flat screens to view presentations. You'll find an ocean-view fitness center, a small spa and an outdoor pool with two hot tubs.

Ocean Victory's 11- and 12-night Alaska cruises depart between May and September. The ship sails between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Sitka, Alaska. It visits destinations such as Frederick Sound, Endicott Arm, Tracy Arm, the Waterfall Coast (Gut Bay), Misty Fjords National Monument and Fiordland (Kynoch Inlet) in Canada's Inside Passage.

Your fare includes a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay.

In winter, Ocean Victory sails in Antarctica for Albatros Expeditions.

Related: Looking for nature and adventure on an Alaska cruise? Choose a smaller ship

Swan Hellenic: SH Vega

How small? 152 passengers. Best for: Cruisers looking for unique itineraries including Africa and South America.

Swan Hellenic's compact, well-laid-out SH Vega is built for expedition cruising with a PC5 ice-strengthened hull.

The interior has a contemporary, Scandinavian-inspired low-key design ethos. SH Vega is nearly identical to its younger sister, Minerva. The third, slightly larger sibling Diana is set to debut in May.

When returning from a frigid Antarctica excursion, you will appreciate the fireplaces (yes, that's right) built into the walls of all cabins. They're electric but quite realistic, with flames and crackling sounds.

When the weather's good, skip the main restaurant and eat at the buffet, which is set up at the back of Deck 7, adjacent to the attractive (and heated) infinity swimming pool. Vega also has a small gym and a spa with an ocean-view sauna.

The expansive Observation Lounge takes up most of Deck 7 and is the spot for expedition lectures. Thirteen Zodiacs and eight kayaks take guests on water adventures and ashore.

Don't miss the little observation point called the Swan's Nest all the way forward on Deck 6. You play out your Jack and Rose fantasies there.

SH Vega cruises the Arctic region (visiting Greenland, Iceland and northern Canada), South America, the coast of Africa (including South Africa, Namibia and Angola) and the Antarctic Peninsula.

Cruise fare includes a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay and one excursion in each port.

Viking Cruises: Viking Octantis

How small? 378 passengers. Best for: Expedition cruisers with an academic bent.

Among the larger ships on our list, Viking 's new 378-passenger Viking Octantis (along with sister Viking Polaris) was designed to explore the polar regions with some pretty cool features, including a large two-level garage called the Hangar.

Inside are not only Zodiacs and kayaks but a pair of six-passenger submarines and military-grade speed used to shuttle cruisers on excursions.

The ship is equipped for scientific inquiry with a remote-controlled underwater robot, baited underwater camera and a FerryBox system for collecting water samples, which you can view under a microscope in the ship's science lab. Weather balloons are released on every cruise to capture info on temperature, humidity and wind speed.

For decidedly less academic pursuits, Viking Octantis has a fitness center and a spa that includes a lovely indoor pool with sea views, plus a sauna, snow grotto (with snowflakes descending gently from the ceiling through chilled air) and outdoor spa tub.

Four dining options include Manfredi's Italian and several attractive lounges, such as the windowed Aula auditorium for lectures.

Viking Octantis spends part of the year in Antarctica and the rest of the year cruising the Great Lakes and Canada, with a handful of repositioning cruises in between.

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12 Top Cruises on Small Ships

From wildlife viewing in the remote polar regions to magical sunsets in the Indian Ocean, these ships offer unforgettable voyages.

Al Bakker | Courtesy of Aurora Expeditions

Even if you're sailing in chilly Antarctica, cruising on a small ship offers comfort and coziness.

If you are feeling a sense of wanderlust and ready to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations in far-flung corners of the world, consider booking a small ship cruise. These luxury mega-yachts, expedition-style vessels and sailing ships can visit tucked-away harbors, exotic locales and pristine beaches that larger ships can't reach. And if you opt for a cruise on a rigged sailing vessel, there's nothing more romantic than watching the sun set into the ocean while the wind fills the sails of a tall ship at sea.

Smaller ships offer an intimate onboard vibe where the experience is highly personalized with a higher crew to passenger ratio – and where you'll get to know many of your fellow passengers. Smaller ships are often more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly than traditional cruise ships, using either wind power or the latest technologies. With the addition of new or existing cruise lines entering this market along with other lines investing in upgrading older ships, there are many more vessels in these smaller ship classes to choose from when considering your cruise options.

If you're seeking an adventure of a lifetime – whether to meet the penguins in Antarctica, people- and yacht watch in glamorous ports of call in the Mediterranean, or go island hopping in paradise in Hawaii – then plan your voyage to set sail on one of these small ships.

(Note: Some of the following activities, attractions and locations may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. New policies may be in place, including capacity restrictions, reservation requirements or mask mandates. Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of State and local tourism boards before traveling.)

Ready to plan a cruise? Find the best value sailings on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Star Clippers: Royal Clipper

Inspired by the legendary 1902 Preussen, the first five-masted ship, Royal Clipper was launched in 2000 as a true sailing vessel at 439 feet in length with 54,000 square feet of sails across 42 sails. With five fully rigged masts, the ship is recognized in Guinness World Records as the largest square rigger in service today.

Modeled after the historic clipper ships, Royal Clipper travels under full sail – and by wind power – for up to 80% of its voyages. When the vessel does navigate under power, the energy-efficient engines only use high-quality, low-sulfur gas oil, earning Star Clippers the International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate for all three of its clipper ships.

The ship can accommodate as many as 227 passengers in 114 staterooms, along with 106 crew. While on board, guests will enjoy 19,000 square feet of open teak deck, three swimming pools and hidden balconies on either side of the bow, where you can view wildlife like dolphins swimming alongside the ship. You can also relax in the bowsprit net overlooking the ocean and keeping an eye out for whales. For the more adventurous sailor, climbing the mast to 75 feet above the water affords unforgettable ocean views from your perch in one of the passenger crow's nests. Other features of Royal Clipper are its three-story atrium, trilevel dining room, and unique spa and health club with underwater portholes called the Captain Nemo Lounge.

The ship's seven-night Windward Islands itinerary sails round trip from Barbados with stops in Antigua , Martinique , St. Kitts, Îles Des Saintes and St. Lucia. You'll even have an opportunity to sail alongside one of the line's sister ships and another tall ship – Star Flyer – to the island of Dominica . Royal Clipper's longer itineraries include several Grand Voyages: The 19-night cruise from Cannes in France to Lisbon in Portugal, for example, calls on other ports in France, Italy, Spain, Gibraltar and Morocco.

Read: Cruise Essentials for Your Next Trip

Silversea Cruises: Silver Wind

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Launched in 1995, Silver Wind was Silversea's second of four vessels that the line built for the ultra-luxury market. This ship underwent a significant upgrade in 2018, followed by another refurbishment in 2021 that included an enhanced ice-class hull. This new addition allows Silver Wind to be one of the most adaptable ships in the fleet, sailing from the polar regions like Antarctica to sunny island climates in the Caribbean and cruising picturesque shorelines along the Mediterranean Sea.

Silver Wind measures about 515 feet in length and has 149 all ocean-view suites, more than 80% of which boast a private veranda. The ship carries 274 guests and 239 crew and features elegant public rooms, including lounges for gazing out at the ocean or watching onboard entertainment. There's also an upscale bar, shipboard boutiques and a spa.

Dining is a highlight, with four venues spanning international cuisine such as Italian, regional specialties and seasonally inspired menus. For an evening under the stars, The Grill features fine steaks and seafood or vegetables that guests can cook at the table on 400 degrees Celsius lava stones. After dinner, spend time chatting with fellow passengers at Connoisseur's Corner, where you can sip cognac and enjoy a cigar.

Silver Wind offers an epic 20-night expedition cruise from Tromsø, Norway, to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, visiting various destinations in Iceland as well as remote regions and glaciers in Greenland. For a warmer voyage, the 10-night Puntarenas to Guayaquil itinerary takes you from Costa Rica to Ecuador in South America, with stops at the remote Darien Jungle in Panama, the Utría National Natural Park in Colombia and several ports in Ecuador, including the city of Guayaquil.

Want to cruise a small ship on Silversea Cruises? See the top cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Sea Cloud Cruises: Sea Cloud

Courtesy of Sea Cloud Cruises

Built in 1931 as a private yacht for Wall Street broker Edward Francis Hutton and his wife Marjorie Merriweather Post, an American socialite and philanthropist, this legendary windjammer maintains the elegance of a time gone by.

Originally named Hussar, the 360-foot Sea Cloud has a fascinating history – while the ship started as a private yacht, it later became a floating palace of diplomacy and then a warship. Today, Sea Cloud accommodates up to 64 passengers in 32 outside cabins and carries about 60 crew. The ship also boasts 29 sails, with the height of the main mast towering 184 feet above the water.

If you've never been on this type of vessel, cruising under full sail on a tall ship is unlike any other experience. Sea Cloud does not rely on motors (though they are installed just in case), allowing the wind and sea to determine the ship's course whenever possible, guided by the skills and seamanship of the crew for navigation. This setup provides an opportunity to teach the art of sailing to the passengers. The captain of Sea Cloud and guests prefer to cruise under full sail, which is the lure of sailing on a windjammer. Life on board the ship is intimate and relaxed – just as you would find on a private yacht.

Amenities on Sea Cloud include a lido bar and deck and a restaurant serving cuisine inspired by the destination, which features local products, fresh fish and regional wines.

One of Sea Cloud's top itineraries, Between Lifestyles and Nature's Paradises, sails for seven nights from Monte Carlo, Monaco , to the Spanish island of Palma de Mallorca , with calls on less visited ports along the Mediterranean coast in southern France like La Ciotat and Collioure. You can also join the jet-setters in St. Barts with a front-row seat from your sailing ship for the Bucket Regatta. This 10-night adventure includes two days in the French West Indies island of St. Barts and other picturesque ports of call in the Caribbean.

Read: The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Atlas Ocean Voyages: World Navigator

Courtesy of Atlas Ocean Voyages

Atlas Ocean Voyages' first luxury expedition ship, World Navigator, launched in August 2021. With a length of 423 feet and capacity for 196 passengers and 127 crew, the ship sails to fascinating destinations around the world. By optimizing fuel efficiency with the incorporation of the latest hybrid power management and propulsion system, World Navigator uses as little as one-fifth of the fuel of standard cruise ship systems. The quiet alternate hydro-jet propulsion system allows for up-close viewing of marine animals and other wildlife.

The 98 beautifully appointed staterooms and suites feature upscale amenities like Egyptian linens and a menu to personalize your selection of a pillow. Some accommodations also have Juliet-style or walk-out balconies, and certain suites come with butler service. For dining options, you'll find Portuguese-inspired Porto, which is the main dining room, or the New York-style 7-Aft Grill for steaks and seafood. Passengers can also opt to have lunch poolside or enjoy light bites at the Dome Observation Lounge, which offers panoramic views of the sea.

Other ship amenities include three bars and lounges, the SeaSpa by L'Occitane, an auditorium, a mud room, a pool and two hot tubs, a boutique and a fitness center. To wind down after a day of exploring destinations in far corners of the globe, convene with other passengers to relive the experience during Àpres Sea.

For the ultimate bucket list adventure, book the nine-night round-trip expedition from Ushuaia, Argentina, to the southernmost continent. Highlights of this venture to Antarctica include navigating the Drake Passage; embarking on water safaris to Deception Island or Yankee Harbour; encountering wildlife like penguins, seals and whales; and even camping on land overnight. For a less adventurous itinerary, history enthusiasts will appreciate the 12-night Western Europe voyage sailing from Hamburg in Germany to London , with an overnight in Amsterdam and ports of call in cities like Antwerp and Bruges , Belgium; Plymouth, U.K.; and Honfleur, France.

Read: The Top Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers

Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Flora

This 100-passenger luxury mega-yacht is the first ship of its kind built for the Galápagos Islands . Launched in 2019, Celebrity Flora is 333 feet long and features 50 spacious all-suite accommodations, each designed with a veranda or an infinite veranda that extends the terrace to be part of the living space. Each suite is fully automated, allowing guests to control everything with the touch of a button. Amenities include luxurious linens and bathrobes, and you'll enjoy chocolates and toiletries locally sourced from Ecuador. The ship is also eco-friendly and built with the latest environmental technologies.

There are two dining venues on board Celebrity Flora. Seaside Restaurant offers an upscale casual experience with floor-to-ceiling windows throughout. For alfresco dining in the evening, Ocean Grill serves local, sustainable seafood during "Dinner Under the Stars." Other inviting indoor spaces include the Discovery Lounge, where Celebrity's naturalists host briefings and presentations, and the Observatory, a library and lounge with a view.

Outside, The Vista offers guests an open-air escape with private cabanas, cocoon-style loungers and a Jacuzzi. Cruisers can head to the outdoor Sunset Lounge for a dip in the plunge pool or experience Galápagos Glamping on the top deck with an evening of dining and sleeping under one of the most spectacular night skies in the world.

Celebrity Flora sails seven-night inner- and outer-loop Galápagos itineraries and has extended trips with land packages that add on Quito or Machu Picchu . The 16-night Galápagos Outer Loop & Machu Picchu itinerary includes island hopping in the Galápagos, where you'll have up-close encounters with giant tortoises, marine iguanas, Galápagos penguins, red- and blue-footed boobies, and sea lions. Afterward, head to Lima, Peru , where you'll fly to Cusco and venture onward to visit the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

Looking to plan a small ship cruise on Celebrity Cruises? See the top cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Windstar Cruises: Wind Star

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Windstar Cruises

When it first launched in Le Havre, France, in November 1985, Wind Star was the world's largest sailing vessel and the flagship for the line. While this schooner may not be the largest tall ship on the seas today, Wind Star is an elegant four-masted sailing yacht and the cruise line's namesake. Since its launch, this ship has been through a few renovations, with the most recent one in 2018. The 360-foot vessel features 73 deluxe ocean-view staterooms that accommodate 148 passengers, and it can carry 101 crew. Four masts stand at 204 feet tall, and six triangular Dacron sails, which are self-furling and computerized, make up a surface area of 21,500 square feet.

As with other Windstar vessels, you'll find the same casual elegance on board this sailing ship. Guests will get to sail away to the music Windstar traditionally plays while raising the flag during every port departure – Vangelis' song "1492: Conquest of Paradise," which is the musical score to the movie of the same name. The culinary program on Windstar's fleet is in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, so dining is a real treat. The three restaurant venues on Wind Star include Amphora, whose contemporary, international menu was created by James Beard-affiliated chefs. The romantic Candles offers an alfresco dining experience with grilled steaks and skewers, while the Veranda is the ship's casual breakfast and lunch buffet with outdoor seating.

Other onboard amenities include a lounge, the Yacht Club Café, a pool bar, a salon and spa, a boutique, a library, a fitness center, a water sports platform and an open bridge where you can enjoy a chat over coffee with the captain.

Treasures of the Greek Isles is a seven-night voyage that sails round trip from Athens to several Greek islands, including Mykonos and Santorini . This itinerary also includes a stop in Kusadasi, Turkey, where you'll be able to visit the fascinating ancient city of Ephesus. For a South America adventure to transit the Panama Canal and explore destinations in the region like rainforests, reserve the seven-night Costa Rica & Panama Canal voyage.

Read: Bucket List Cruises for Seniors and Retirees

Viking Cruises: Viking Octantis

Courtesy of Viking

Built in 2022, Viking's new Polar Class 6 ship, Viking Octantis, is 665 feet in length and accommodates 378 guests in 189 staterooms and 256 crew. The purpose-built expedition ship boasts more indoor and outdoor viewing areas than many other expedition vessels, providing guests with up-close views of some of the most incredible scenery in the world. The energy-efficient design of this ship and the line's other expedition vessel, Viking Polaris, exceeds the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) requirements by 36%. The cruise line is also recognized for receiving one of the first highest-level certifications for quiet ship propulsion, minimizing underwater noise pollution.

Cruisers familiar with Viking Ocean Cruises' ships will recognize familiar spaces and dining venues such as The Living Room, The Explorers' Lounge, The Nordic Spa, Manfredi's, The Restaurant and The World Cafe. New spaces on Viking Octantis include The Aula, a panoramic auditorium designed for lectures and daily briefings, and the adjacent Finse Terrace. This outdoor lounge area sits just above sea level and boasts recessed, heated couches and lava rock "fire pits." Passengers will also find the industry-first in-ship marina, The Hangar, where guests can easily embark and disembark the ship, and three pools offering varying temperatures with an inside-outside passage. In addition, all staterooms feature Nordic balconies that convert from a sunroom to an alfresco viewing area.

For a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, book the 12-night Antarctic itinerary sailing from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, Argentina. This expedition includes the Drake "rite of" Passage, scenic sailing around Cape Horn and wildlife viewing in the icy waters of the "White Continent." For U.S. travelers interested in staying closer to home, the seven-night Great Lakes Explorer departs Milwaukee for Thunder Bay in Ontario, Canada. Cruisers will enjoy a stop in Mackinac Island in Michigan, scenic sailing along the St. Mary's River and transit from the U.S. into Canada through the Soo Locks.

Want to plan a Viking Expedition Cruise? See top cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Emerald Cruises: Emerald Azzurra

Emerald Cruises' luxurious 360-foot superyacht, Emerald Azzurra, launched in May 2022. The boutique ship carries just 100 passengers and is designed for cruising the waters of the Mediterranean, Adriatic Coast and the Red Sea. Its sister ship, Emerald Sakara, will debut in 2023. On board Emerald Azzurra, you can expect to be pampered by 68 crew members while soaking in the sun poolside or relaxing indoors during a day at sea.

The 50 spacious modern staterooms and suites, most with balconies, offer spectacular views of off-the-beaten-path destinations and smaller ports and harbors. The ship also features several dining, bar and lounge venues; quiet spaces for relaxing or reading a book; a wellness area; a hot tub with a view and an infinity-style pool; a boutique; and a fitness center. The marina platform on the ship's stern offers paddleboarding, snorkeling and other water sports activities.

The seven-night Gems of the Arabian Peninsula sails from Doha, Qatar, to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. This cruise calls on Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates, as well as two ports in the country of Oman. For unforgettable ocean and island views and a vacation in paradise, book the seven-night Tropical Charms of the Seychelles, sailing round trip from Victoria, Mahé , which is the capital of the Seychelles .

Lindblad Expeditions: National Geographic Endurance

Alexandra Daley-Clark | Courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions

Launched in July 2021 as one of two new polar vessels and a sister ship to National Geographic Resolution (November 2021), this extraordinary vessel can explore deeper and further into the Earth's polar regions. National Geographic Endurance is the first new polar build in the company's 50-year history, and its name honors the ship of renowned Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton. The elegant Scandinavian-inspired design also features the patented X-Bow, offering eco-friendly benefits and a smoother, quieter ride.

National Geographic Endurance is 407 feet in length and has 69 spacious staterooms with large windows or balconies to accommodate up to 126 passengers. The ship also carries 112 crew. Unique onboard amenities include the first polar art exhibit at sea, curated by environmental artist Zaria Forman, and the first igloos at sea. Guests can arrange to spend an evening under the stars in these glass domes, which are available to reserve on a first-come, first-served basis.

Passengers can also enjoy one complimentary evening at the Chef's Table, sustainable cuisine during their voyage, a lounge and bar area, outdoor infinity-style hot tubs, a yoga studio, saunas with a view of the sea, and state-of-the-art facilities for presentations and films. Every expedition also has a National Geographic photographer and a certified photo instructor and video chronicler.

For an unforgettable rendezvous with nature, book a 10-night cruise called Land of the Ice Bears. This adventure sails to the best place in the world to view polar bears: the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean. In addition to many opportunities to see those amazing animals, you'll also encounter walruses, reindeer, arctic foxes and fur seals. Another incredible journey for the extreme adventurer is the 35-day Epic Antarctica sailing. This expedition will venture to remote West Antarctica and explore the sub-Antarctic islands of New Zealand and Australia, traveling to destinations where possibly few – or even no – humans have set foot before.

UnCruise Adventures: Safari Explorer

Courtesy of UnCruise Adventures

Built in 1998, Safari Explorer is 145 feet in length and one of UnCruise Adventures' four Safari-class ships in its expedition-style fleet. Nicknamed "the Bulldog," this ship transports passengers to wild and remote areas that larger ships can't navigate. The 36-passenger yacht was recently renovated with interior refinishes, touch-ups and upgrades. There are just 18 cabins and 18 crew.

The lifestyle is casual on board, and guests have access to three decks with a library, dining room, rooftop sun lounge and exercise equipment. You'll find common areas on the main deck such as the salon, bar and wine bar. When it's time to hit the water or go ashore, the vessel is equipped with expedition gear, including kayaks, inflatable skiffs, paddleboards, snorkel equipment and more.

In the summer months, Safari Explorer sets off in search of humpback whales in Alaska and spends winters island hopping in Hawaii. The seven-night Hawaiian Seascapes sailing cruises to four islands, including stops in Molokai, Lanai , Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii . There are two itineraries in Alaska. The seven-night Alaska Glacier Cruise itinerary sails one way from Juneau to Sitka through the northern passages. For an extended expedition that includes wilderness areas with even more opportunities for wildlife and whale viewing, book the 12-night Cruise to Alaska voyage from Seattle to Juneau.

Read: The Best Times to Cruise to Alaska

Ponant: Le Commandant Charcot

Ponant's first high polar expedition vessel, Le Commandant Charcot, launched in September 2021. The 492-foot-long ship is eco-friendly and powered by liquefied natural gas with the latest innovations and technologies. Le Commandant Charcot is also the first luxury hybrid electric polar exploration vessel.

All of the 123 staterooms and suites have a private balcony or terrace. The atmosphere for the 245 passengers on board is much like that of a private yacht, given an extraordinary ratio of passengers to crew with 215 crew members. Two culinary options, gastronomic restaurant Nuna and casual dining concept Sila, are part of a collaboration with Ducasse Conseil and Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse; the menus are designed by the renowned French chef. Guests can enjoy complimentary French wine, Veuve Clicquot Champagne and Ladurée macarons throughout their voyage.

You'll also find beautiful public spaces, a boutique, a theater, expedition rooms and a promenade deck where you can access the bow. Not to be missed is the wellness area, which is a partnership with Biologique Recherche and features amenities like a 14 degrees Fahrenheit snow room with fresh powder snow, a sauna and an indoor pool. On the pool deck, passengers can enjoy a sunroom, a heated outdoor blue lagoon, a giant fire pit, an outdoor bar and the Blue Lagoon bar.

Le Commandant Charcot sails to the farthest points in the Northern and Southern hemispheres, including Antarctica and the North Pole. The 24-night Northwest Passage cruise takes guests from Reykjavik in Iceland to Nome, Alaska, and features polar activities like kayaking between the ice floes, snowshoeing, ice fishing or even exploring with a naturalist guide by hovercraft. The 15-night Geographic North Pole expedition sailing from Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, in Norway pushes the limit of sailing to the northernmost point in the world. Le Commandant Charcot is the only passenger ship able to reach the geographic North Pole.

Read: The Top Luxury Alaska Cruises

Aurora Expeditions: Greg Mortimer

Matt Horspool | Courtesy of Aurora Expeditions

Australian-owned Greg Mortimer is a 341-foot-long purpose-built expedition ship, and the first passenger ship designed with the Ulstein X-Bow. This state-of-the-art design offers environmental benefits such as producing fewer emissions and requiring less fuel. The unique bow design also provides a smoother cruise experience when crossing rough seas like the Drake Passage en route to Antarctica. In addition, the ship's Rolls Royce dynamic stabilizers contribute to the vessel's stability and lower its fuel consumption.

The vessel was built in 2019, features 79 cabins with ocean views – 85% of which have balconies – and can accommodate an average of 132 passengers and 74 crew. Onboard amenities include bars and lounges, the main dining room, lecture facilities, a library, a mudroom to store wet expedition gear, a spa, a sauna and a gym. The ship also has hydraulic viewing platforms offering unobstructed views of the local marine and wildlife, as well as 15 Zodiac boats that launch from four platforms.

With Greg Mortimer and its new sister ship, Sylvia Earle, Aurora Expeditions travels to wild and remote destinations around the world. Popular itineraries include its nine- to 23-day Antarctica voyages, navigating icy waters on the 17-day Northwest Passage expedition from Canada or on the 11-day Iceland Circumnavigation cruise, which sails round trip from Reykjavik.

Want to explore cruise options? See the top cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top River Cruise Lines
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USA TODAY 10Best

10 best small cruise ships, according to readers

Best Small Cruise Ship (2023) March 24, 2023

While large ships come with certain advantages (rock climbing at sea, anyone?), some cruisers prefer the intimacy, personalized service and destination-focused itineraries of a smaller vessel. These 10 cruise ships and yachts voted as the best by readers – each with a passenger capacity of under 1,000 – can get to smaller ports inaccessible to larger ships and offer a more social atmosphere where it’s easier to get to know your fellow guests.

No. 10: Seabourn Ovation - Seabourn Cruise Line

The 600-passenger Seabourn Ovation, sister ship to Seabourn Encore, attracts passengers with its inclusive cruise fares that even include unlimited caviar. Dining options abound, including alfresco dining at Earth & Ocean at The Patio. The ship also comes outfitted with high-speed internet.

No. 9: Emerald Azzurra - Emerald Cruises

The 100-passenger Emerald Azzurra, an ocean-sailing yacht from Emerald Cruises, is small enough to tuck into small ports, so passengers can be in town straight away when docked. Cruisers appreciate the beautiful infinity pool, sun decks and water toys, like kayaks and snorkeling equipment that lend a private yacht vibe. Expect Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, generously poured wine at lunch and dinner and a nicer price tag for a cruise on the Azzurra than on comparable ships.

No. 8: Viking Jupiter - Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking Jupiter accommodates only 930 guests. Like her popular Viking sister ships, Jupiter features a spacious spa, several dining venues, an intimate jazz lounge, two cinemas, a pool with retractable roof and a sports deck.

No. 7: Viking Orion - Viking Ocean Cruises

The 930-guest Viking Orion offers all-veranda staterooms with amenities like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and heated bathroom floors. It’s also the first ship in the fleet to feature a high-tech planetarium in a 26-seat dome theater.

No. 6: Viking Sky - Viking Ocean Cruises

The 930-passenger Viking Sky feels more like a resort than a cruise ship, thanks to its all-veranda staterooms, tasteful decorations and elegant public spaces for reading, relaxing or socializing. Little extras, like numerous USB ports, ocean-facing lounge chairs on the pool deck and floor-to-ceiling windows in most venues, make for a comfortable sailing experience.

No. 5: Viking Star - Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking Star was Viking’s first oceangoing vessel and remains one of the world’s best small ships. While you won’t find casinos or amenities for young children, you will find a Nordic spa with a “snow grotto” at sea, several dining options, and onboard extras like free Wi-Fi and complimentary wine and beer at mealtime.

No. 4: Seabourn Encore - Seabourn Cruise Line

The ultra-luxury Seabourn Encore features 300 suites for 600 passengers with all the amenities of Seabourn’s Odyssey-class ships. Additions to Encore include a VIP area on the top deck, a wellness program and two restaurants, The Grill by Thomas Keller and Sushi.

No. 3: American Constitution - American Cruise Lines

Carrying just 17 passengers, the American Constitution was designed to navigate the U.S. East Coast’s inland coastal waterways. The vessel offers large staterooms, spacious lounges, observation decks and private balconies in many cabins. Complimentary Wi-Fi, a fitness room, a grand dining room, a sun deck, and a putting green are some of the many amenities available.

No. 2: Royal Clipper - Star Clippers

Designed after the tall ship Preussen, the Royal Clipper is the world’s largest full-rigged sailing ship, complete with 42 sails. The vessel carries just 227 guests with luxurious accommodations and modern amenities like three swimming pools, relaxed dining and a marina platform for water sports. Passengers can even don a harness and climb the mast to a crow's nest.

No. 1: SeaDream II

There's "cruising" and there's "yachting" – small ships that dock in harbors and ports inaccessible to larger ships. SeaDream offers 7- to 15-day voyages with a maximum of 56 couples and a 95-person crew, so service and attention to detail are highlights. Guests aboard SeaDream II (twin of SeaDream I) appreciate international menus that incorporate local flavors and ingredients of the region; an open bar and daily selection of wine pairings at lunch and dinner; a Thai-certified SeaDream Spa; onboard golf simulator; fitness center; and the ability to enjoy water sports right off the back of the yacht.

About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

The Experts

Danielle fear.

Danielle Fear is one of the UK’s most recognized...   Read More

Danielle Fear is one of the UK’s most recognized and trusted cruise bloggers and is better known to her audience as CruiseMiss. As well as maintaining an award-winning cruise blog, she also works as a freelance writer, content manager and social media professional covering all aspects of sea travel. Having embarked on more than 75 sailings, including 2 world cruises, it’s fair to say that Danielle knows a thing or two about cruising.  

Jason Leppert

Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert...   Read More

Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert with more than 140 sailings under his belt and a fresh, millennial perspective on the industry. He has been cruising since before he was two years old, thanks to his parents' shared passion for traveling and their desire to experience all journeys together as a family. Now, he regularly sails and writes "he said, she said" cruise columns with his wife Heidi. He is the founding editor of Popular Cruising , producer of the successful Popular Cruising YouTube channel  and Cruise Editor for TravelAge West.

Ming Tappin

Residing in New Brunswick, Canada, Ming has been...   Read More

Residing in New Brunswick, Canada, Ming has been in the cruise industry since 1994. Ming spent over 20 years in the retail travel sector, working with travel agencies in marketing initiatives, cruise training, and promoting cruise vacations to their clients. In 2015, Ming created  Your Cruise Coach  and transitioned into travel writing, preaching the merits of cruising via her partnerships with Canadian and American travel trade publications as well as consumer media outlets. An avid cruiser since 1991, Ming has sailed on over 70 cruises and has experienced over 25 ocean, river, and expedition cruise lines combined.

Catherine Smith

Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards...   Read More

Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and  off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of  Her Bags Were Packed  where she focuses on helping  women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.

10Best Editors

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,...   Read More

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

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Escape the Masses on These New Small-Ship Expedition, Luxury, and Sailing Cruises

With fewer crowds, excellent service, and the ability to get to remote destinations, small-ship cruising—on vessels that can only accommodate up to 500 passengers—might truly be the best way to explore by sea..

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Book a terrace suite on the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s newest vessel, Ilma , launching in 2024.

Photo by Jack Hardy/Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Authentic. It was Merriam Webster’s top searched word for 2023 and one that has dominated the travel vernacular in recent years. And while many would not necessarily associate the word with ocean cruising , the growth in popularity of small-ship cruises—particularly sailings with 500 guests or fewer—indicates that in the cruising world, passengers are seeking a more intimate, less crowded, and yes, arguably more authentic sailing experience.

Take expedition cruising , for example. As the number of adventure-focused ships and yachts has exploded in recent years, these cruises are no longer just about extreme voyages in polar regions. They are also about offering a deeper look into the culture, food, history, and environmental fragility of remote wonders of the world.

Although there isn’t a huge number of new small ships being introduced, there are a few notable vessels that have either recently launched or are launching this year with a focus on the idea that smaller is not just better, but more sustainable, too. These new small-ship cruises bring with them some exciting and more immersive new itineraries to destinations both warm and wintry that have us ready to pack our bags and sail away.

On Sea Cloud Spirit , passengers benefit from both age-old seafaring techniques and modern comforts.

Courtesy of Sea Cloud Cruises

Sea Cloud Cruises’ ” Sea Cloud Spirit”

• Suggested itinerary: Reset your mind and body on an eight-night sailing through Spain’s Canary Islands and on to Morocco on a special cruise featuring experts in restorative health. Pricing starts at $4,895 per person.

What’s more authentic—and sustainable—than setting sail on a tall ship where the sails are hoisted up each day by hand? Although not technically new (it was launched in 2021), the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit and its two sister ships, Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II , are upping their game in a push to introduce Sea Cloud Cruises’ unique product to North American travelers. The German company has traditionally catered to German and British passengers. As part of its effort to expand its reach and appeal, Sea Cloud is adding wellness programs with daily onboard yoga and guest fitness gurus, in addition to special food- and wine-focused sailings with well-known chefs making appearances. Sea Cloud Spirit , the largest of the three-ship fleet with 69 cabins, was meticulously designed to pay homage to the original Sea Cloud , which was the world’s largest private sailing yacht when Wall Street broker Edward Francis Hutton had it built in 1931 for his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.

The Sea Cloud Spirit combines the experience of decades of traditional seamanship with the modern-day luxuries of a private yacht. Cabins range from 172-square-foot single cabins to 300-square-foot balcony suites with soaking tubs. There’s a large fitness center and spa, which has a steam room, sauna, and thermal area for two; indoor and outdoor lounges; and a main dining area, plus a more casual bistro. The action, however, is out on deck, where passengers can stargaze at night or simply gaze in awe at the impressive sails blowing in the wind.

Luxury expedition cruising comes with priceless views when sailing with Atlas Ocean Voyages.

Courtesy of Atlas Ocean Voyages

Atlas Ocean Voyages’ ” World Voyager”

• Suggested itinerary: Go searching for Arctic wildlife on a 12-night cruise from Reykjavík, which sails along the eastern coast of Greenland and to Longyearbyen in the Svalbard archipelago, one of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas and home to polar bears, reindeer, arctic foxes, and other Nordic wildlife. Pricing starts at $6,499 per person.

World Voyager , which sailed its maiden voyage in Antarctica this past November, is the third vessel to join the fleet of one of the newest players in small-ship expedition cruising, Atlas Ocean Voyages. The company’s 100-cabin expedition yachts are almost identical and provide a hybrid of sorts between traditional expedition and luxury cruising. Cabins are spacious, almost all with balconies, desks, and seating areas. The bathrooms have glass-mosaic tiled showers with rain showerheads, wall jets, and even benches.

Everything on the ship—including the sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows—is designed to provide maximum views. The ships also have spacious pool decks with two hot tubs, a fitness center overlooking the sea, a spa, and water toys like kayaks and paddleboards. There’s even extreme camping gear for those willing to brave an overnight under the stars in Antarctica. During North American winters, all three of Atlas’s expedition yachts sail in Antarctica. With the addition of World Voyager , the company is launching more Arctic Circle cruises during the North American summers while also adding a host of new epicurean and cultural expeditions in South America, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and northern Europe this year.

Joining its sister ship Evrima (pictured), the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Ilma is launching in 2024.

Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s “ Ilma”

• Suggested itinerary: Spend a little extra time in port on a 10-day sailing from Barcelona to Lisbon, which has three overnight stays, in Palma de Mallorca and Malaga in Spain, and in Lisbon, Portugal, one of Europe’s oldest cities. Pricing starts at $10,600 per person.

Another newcomer to luxury small-ship cruising is the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which debuts its second ship, the Ilma , this year. With 224 suites, the ship is larger than the original Ritz-Carlton yacht, the 149-suite Evrima , which launched in October 2022. On the Ilma , all the suites will have private terraces, including a two-story suite with soaking tub; the coveted, 1,000-square-foot owner’s suite has a private outdoor whirlpool. Even the smallest suites are not all that small, at 300 square feet, and come with a personal concierge and 24-hour room service. The yacht boasts what Ritz-Carlton says is the highest ratio of space per guest at sea.

And you can expect to find the same meticulous service standards that you would find at Ritz-Carlton resorts throughout the world as the line aims to impress hotel guests seeking a luxury hotel experience at sea. Onboard are five dining venues, including S.E.A., a European tasting experience designed by chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, the three Michelin-starred restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton in Wolfsburg, Germany; Talaat Nam, featuring Southeast Asian cuisine and a sushi bar; and Mistral, a casual come-as-you-are alfresco grill with a Mediterranean-inspired menu. Light bites are served at the marina at the aft of the ship, where you can also hop on a borrowed paddleboard. Oh, and did we mention there are two outdoor pools, too?

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Each of Windstar Cruises yachts accommodates between 148 to 342 guests. This intimacy provides you with the luxuries of time, space, and freedom to immerse yourself in both the journey and the destination - in ways you may never have imagined possible.

Small Ship Cruises

Are you ready for an immersive journey where adventurous activities meet remote waters—and likeminded fellow passengers become friends. No crowds, no strict routes… time to explore. Meet your new favorite travel style, small ship cruising, and the experts at AdventureSmith Explorations who are equipped to help you find your best match.

ON THIS PAGE – Small Ship Cruises : Type of Small Ship Cruises Why AdventureSmith 2024 Cruises & What’s New Small Cruise FAQ Where to Cruise Read Cruise Reviews

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Find cruise rates & dates, and view ship details.

Authentically Small Cruises

We emphatically believe that the core definition of a small ship cruise is one where guests can get off the ship away from port. While some may consider a ship with 500 or even 1,000 guests small, in reality, the logistics of operating off-vessel activities like hiking, kayaking and snorkeling require that the ship be under 250 guests.

Adventure Cruises

While every small ship cruise has a heavy dose of adventure, a growing segment can be called adventure cruises. The hallmark of an adventure cruise is a focus on off-vessel activities such as hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, camping, diving and more, with twice daily excursions. Actively explore off the ship by day in the company of expert naturalist guides. Each evening, return to your small ship for a hot shower, a glass of wine with a delicious meal and a comfortable cabin while the ship cruises to a new active location.

Expedition Cruises

Expedition cruises focus on the exploration of remote wilderness. An expedition is defined as a journey or voyage undertaken by a group of people with a particular purpose. The hallmark of an expedition cruise is a sense of exploration and scientific learning. Purpose-built expedition ships bring you to some of the most remote and pristine places on Earth. Journeys like North Pole expeditions , Falkland Islands & South Georgia cruises and Northwest Passage voyages are all examples of this growing segment of small ship cruising.

Small Luxury Cruises

If you’re looking for top-tier service, amenities and fine dining while aboard, let us point you to the best in luxury small ship cruises. Small luxury cruise ships feature suites that are often larger than other small boats, and include private balconies or floor-to-ceiling ocean views. Add to that top-rated naturalist guides with high crew-to-guest ratios and you are set up for a premium sailing experience. View our curated Galapagos luxury cruises , Alaska luxury cruises and Antarctica luxury cruises pages for an example of what to expect in our most popular destinations.

Our Expertise

The Best Small Ship Cruises Start with AdventureSmith

Small cruises are what we do, and we do it well. Find the best small ship cruise with our expert insight and firsthand experience aboard small boat cruises worldwide.

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Our small cruises include guided snorkeling, kayaking, hiking & skiff rides.

The Largest Selection of Small Ship Cruises for 2024 & 2025

Find more than 300 small cruise itineraries listed with AdventureSmith Explorations. Each is vetted by our operations team, and most have been tested by our staff. We highly recommend travelers book early for the best small ship cruises in 2024 and 2025 since pent-up demand has made finding space tighter than ever in certain destinations. Get in touch today to secure your space.

Up to Date on Trends & New Ships

AdventureSmith is a resource for both travelers and the media looking to cover this growing segment in the travel industry. Trends for 2024 small ship cruises include more focus on wilderness exploration in even more remote reaches of the world thanks to advances in expedition ships (cue Le Commandant Charcot , the first ship of its kind, and the helicopter-equipped Ultramarine ); more interest in private charter cruises ; and eager travelers ready to check bucket lists after years of more caution and restrictions in travel. Sign up for our newsletter to ensure the latest in small ship cruising hits your inbox.

Only the Best Small Ship Cruise Lines

We have partnered with the top small ship cruise lines on earth. We work with large, well-established small boat cruise operators and smaller, locally owned, boutique outfitters that are off the radar of most travelers. Research our list of the best small ship cruise lines by viewing our travel partners . We boast the premier small ship cruise collection.

Top Value & Deals

It’s more than just the “percent off” with AdventureSmith. It’s about achieving your bucket-list travel goals without sacrificing your experience to save a few dollars. Browse our selection of  small ship cruise deals , then talk to our team about the best value for your particular needs. Our deals are continually refreshed with the best cruise discounts, offers and sales on small ship voyages worldwide. Our team will help you plan right from the start, so you get both the best price and the best adventure cruise experience.

Our Founder Is an Industry Pioneer

Our Founder, Todd Smith , helped pioneer the first adventure cruises on Alaska small ship cruise itineraries to include off-vessel activities in wilderness locations. And he’s now a Conde Nast Traveler -awarded top travel specialist. View 12 more reasons to book with AdventureSmith .

Trust Us. We’ve Been Aboard

What are small boat cruise cabins like? How calm are the seas? Which cabin should you book? Read our many small ship cruise reviews to get insider specifics on your cruise, ship or destination of interest.

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VIEW ALL CRUISES & SHIPS

Find rates & dates, and view our selection of ships, with an average of 40 guests aboard worldwide.

Small Ship Cruise FAQ

Whether you are new to small boat cruising or a small-ship veteran seeking to just learn more, we’ve compiled our most frequently asked questions here to inform and inspire as you explore this incredible way to travel. Read this small ship cruise FAQ to find out if your burning question is a common one, or contact one of our adventure cruise specialists anytime to ask an expert direct about cruises on small ships.

For us, the sweet spot for a small ship cruise is around 8 to 250 passengers to maintain what we feel is the true hallmark of small ship cruising: active, immersive, off-the-ship, off-the-grid travel.

Depends on who you ask, and who is traveling. We sure think so since small ships connect you with the destination better than larger ships. To learn more and find out what size ship is best for you, read our Big Ship vs. Small Ship: What Is the Difference?

Since word “best” is entirely subjective to each individual traveler’s style, amenity needs, travel group and activity level, let our experts help you narrow down the many small cruise ships sailing today. Any ship you see on the AdventureSmith Explorations website has been vetted and tested, and our team is adept at matchmaking travelers to their own “best” ship. If you want some suggestions, see the Romantic Cruises by Small Ship and our curated pages for luxury ships: Galapagos luxury cruises , Alaska luxury cruises and Antarctica luxury cruises .

Unlike larger ship cruise lines that sail worldwide, many small ship cruise lines have carved out a niche in their destination. Each of the small ship cruise lines has its own style of travel that’s best for different travelers. For instance, UnCruise Adventures offers more active adventure than most, while Lindblad Expeditions has a reputation for superior expedition leaders, many affiliated with National Geographic. Quark Expeditions has a long history of polar expeditions and Quasar Expeditions has a penchant for historic yachts in the Galapagos Islands. We work with many of the biggest and best companies in small ship cruising, as well as many smaller family-owned-and-operated vessels that are off the radar of most travelers. View our selection of the best small ship cruise lines hand picked by our experts. We pride ourselves on suggesting the best small ship cruise lines for you.

Small ship cruise travelers are interesting, engaged, active and educated people seeking meaningful up-close encounters with the wonders of nature and culture, just like you. From couples to families to solo travelers, small cruise passengers are savvy travelers who have done the research and are seeking to escape the mass tourism market for something more sustainable and rooted in a destination. They want to experience a place, not just see it!

Most likely not. We have found over the years that travelers who find and book cruises on small ships tend to be likeminded. You’ve done a lot of research to get to this point, dismissing large ships, amusement parks and resort hotels. Most other travelers have done similar research and ended up at the same conclusion: that small boat cruises suit them. Guest compatibility typically comes naturally, and you’re off the ship much more than a larger cruise ship itinerary.

Absolutely! The level of family friendliness depends on the vessel, destination and small ship cruise line, but there are lots of options to cruise with children and teenagers worldwide. We generally suggest adventure cruises for kids age six or older. Read more about our family cruises , including testimonials from our family travelers and further resources for booking a family adventure cruise.

Nearly all small ship cruise lines we partner with have at least one naturalist guide aboard, but guide counts will naturally increase with the passenger count. If you have a particular learning topic of interest, look for themed departures that bring aboard guest hosts and special programming on photography, history, marine biology, food/wine or wellness. Or look to National Geographic branded ships that bring aboard professors, authors, scientists, researchers, photographers and expedition crew that are experts in their fields.

While most small ship cruises travel close to shore or in protected waters where seasickness is not an issue, some ocean-going expedition cruises can encounter rough seas. Ocean conditions vary widely depending on the destination, season, weather, type of ship, route and many other factors. AdventureSmith’s unbiased staff experts can help you to determine if a particular small cruise itinerary is right for you, and savvy travelers can educate themselves on ways to combat seasickness by reading our comprehensive guide on How to Prevent & Treat Seasickness . Enjoying the ocean view with your eye on the horizon is one of the best tips!

Yes! We agree that the best type of small ship cruise review is a personal referral. Ask us to put you in touch with someone who has traveled to your destination with similar interests as you, or aboard the small boat cruise you are inquiring about. You can also read reviews on our trip pages; simply look for the Testimonials and Expert Review sections.

The best time to take cruises on small ships all depends on where in the world you want to go! Our team has compiled a Small Ship Cruise Calendar to assist travelers in seeing the bigger timing picture for some of our most popular destinations. If your travel dates are flexible, consider a region’s seasonality. Prices can vary considerably from the peak season, so look at early or late seasons for the most affordable pricing. River cruises can often have high- and low-water seasons you can consider. Or you may choose based on particular interest like the best time to view whales, when baby penguins are hatching or to align with the warmest water temperatures for snorkeling and swimming. View our Small Ship Cruise Guide resources for more information and inspiration by destination.

All small ship adventure cruises include off-vessel excursions with a focus on exploring the environment up close and viewing wildlife. Many of our cruise itineraries include guided light hiking and easy sea kayaking or snorkeling, and sometimes alternative activities such as stand-up paddleboarding, camping, scuba diving, skiing and even river rafting. Each and every activity is optional, and the naturalist/guides aboard every ship will help passengers to determine if an activity or excursion is right for them. A fun part of the AdventureSmith booking process is that we take your activity level into consideration before you go; our team will assess your activity interests and match you with the best adventure cruise for your travel style.

Yes, similar to traditional larger-ship cruises, you can simply book an individual cabin aboard a small ship. In fact, 75% of our travelers choose to book individual cabins this way: on a set departure. We also connect travelers in groups as small as 8 guests with charter cruises . Choose this charter option to book the entire ship and help set its route and onboard programming for the duration of your trip. Our most popular destinations for chartering your own ship include Galapagos Islands yacht charters , Mediterranean yacht charters and Alaska yacht charters .

In general, small ship cruises cost more than their big-ship cruise counterparts, but the experience is so inclusive and immersive that the dividends to you are much greater and the total costs can end up being comparable. Ultimately, how much a small cruise costs all depends on where you want to go, the size of the vessel you are on and its amenities. All cruise and land tour pricing listed on the AdventureSmith Explorations website is the cost per person , in USD, and our rates depending on the destination start at around $200-$500 per day. This price often varies based on how many persons are sharing the cabin, transfer or tour, as well as any small ship cruise deals to factor in.

Just like a hotel room, you can expect to pay more to book a cabin as a single traveler. But there are exceptions. Some small ships offer dedicated single cabins, but most ships instead have double-occupancy cabins that can be booked for dedicated single-use with a single supplement charge. This supplement is essentially a a discount on paying for the full double-occupancy cabin. In many destinations, there is the possibility of waiving the single supplement by agreeing to a “cabin share,” wherein you are paired with a fellow traveler of the same gender in a cabin. This is especially popular on Antarctica cruises , where you will often find many cabin and pricing options for single travelers.

Common inclusions with a small cruise cabin fare are onboard meals and guided activities during the itinerary. Common exclusions from the cabin fare are airfare (international or domestic), gratuities, alcoholic beverages and insurance of any kind. But there are exceptions to each of these. For example, many of our small boat cruises have included alcoholic beverages, and some of our Mediterranean cruises have nights free at ports of call so you can dine on your own off-ship. Included and excluded services vary from cruise to cruise, and are always listed in the “DETAILS” section of each itinerary listed on our website. These can be discussed further with your AdventureSmith Specialist upon booking.

Start exploring

Where Will You Choose to Small Ship Cruise?

From the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, to Europe and the polar regions, the expedition cruise destinations offered by AdventureSmith are unmatched by any other travel company. Are you ready to actively explore away from tourist crowds, without sacrificing comfort, safety or the environment? Learn about small boat cruising destinations below or head straight to find a cruise .

North America

Alaska Glacier Bay Baja California Canada East Coast Hawaii Pacific Northwest

Central America

Belize Caribbean Costa Rica Panama

South America

Amazon Chile Ecuador Galapagos Islands Patagonia Peru

Polar Regions

Antarctica Arctic Greenland Iceland North Pole Svalbard

Croatia Greek Islands Northern Europe Mediterranean

Asia / Pacific

Australia Indonesia New Zealand Pacific Islands Southeast Asia

Hear About Small Cruises from Our Travelers

We loved the small ship experience, with onboard staff accommodating our group's differing ages and needs. We booked our trip through AdventureSmith after reading online evaluations. So glad we did.

Everything more than met expectations - the boat was wonderful, the wildlife was abundant, the naturalists and crew were friendly and knowledgeable, and we saw penguins swimming, calling, and even mating!

That was easily one of the best vacations I've ever had. Seeing wildlife was really cool. We enjoyed seeing Sawyer Glacier, Baird Glacier, hiking and many things we would never have seen on a big cruise ship.

We loved everything about our trip. Opatija was our favorite. Every island on the cruise was amazing. We loved them all. We've always wanted to experience Croatia. This was a perfect way to see some much of it.

We most enjoyed flying over the Drake Passage - left more time to enjoy Antarctica. We chose a small vessel with only 68 passengers. It was an amazing experience, and I really liked being on a smaller vessel.

The trip was awesome. When I started looking at cruises, I couldn't get the idea of the small boat and personal service out of my mind. It was well worth the extra money. So glad we didn't go on a big ship.

Please note: The primary ship(s) operating the mentioned itinerary can change from year to year, so the ship this guest cruised on may no longer be sailing this exact route.

We booked our trip through AdventureSmith after reading online evaluations. So glad we did. This was our first cruise and we wondered about booking directly through an operator versus involving an additional layer with AdventureSmith. We would do it again, as we found AdventureSmith to be definitely value added in every way. Our Adventure Specialist was endlessly helpful and patient, booking the cruise for 8 people ages 6 to 73, coming from 3 different locations, and required vegetarian and gluten free menus for several. 

We loved the small ship experience, with onboard staff accommodating our group's differing ages and needs. Glaciers, Zodiacs among sea lions and eagles, whale viewing, pilot whales and great naturalists all were special.

Our fellow passengers were personable and well matched. I think the nature of the trip, with Nat Geo, attracts passengers with similar interests very well, so the group was simpatico. There were also several other children in the mix which was good for the kids in our group.

Accommodations Review

The Sea Bird is a small ship, so naturally accommodations were small, but we enjoyed the limited number of passengers and ability to know crew and staff.

Meals Review

Good variety and accommodation for special food needs of the vegetarians, small child and gluten free passengers in our group. 

Crew & Guides Review

Rab, the group leader, was engaging, knowledgeable and always enthusiastic. He also was excellent at addressing individual requests. We enjoyed Kyle, the bartender, who was always welcoming and especially attentive to the 6 and 8-year-olds on our trip. The naturalists Andy and Jared were outstanding both in their expertise and their willingness to socialize with guests and answer all questions.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Our Adventure Specialist was exceptionally helpful during our rather more complicated preparations involving travelers from 3 locations and various ages and special needs. She was always available for any questions. She also successfully managed to have a lost item returned to us after the cruise. Any travel issues prior to departure were addressed by AdventureSmith expeditiously and knowledgeably. An A plus experience. 

Traveler Advice

No kidding, you really do need the rubber boots! It is a temperate rain forest environment, so just bring the wet gear and know that rain or shine it will be a fabulous destination.

Featured in this Traveler Review

• Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness
• National Geographic Sea Bird

I brought my 11-year-old son on this trip because he had a rough year with his parents splitting up, and he has always had an obsession with penguins. Everything more than met expectations - the boat was wonderful, the wildlife was abundant, the naturalists and crew were friendly and knowledgeable, and we saw penguins swimming, calling, and even mating! My son has never learned to swim due to a severe fear of putting his face in the water, but he was so enamored of the islands that he was able to overcome his fear and learn to snorkel. Genovesa Island was a miracle of wildlife. Sea kayaking along the cliffs was wonderful, as we could see all the animals and the cliffs themselves were beautiful. Snorkeling with penguins, sea turtles, and sharks was amazing. 

La Pinta was the perfect size and very comfortable. We chose La Pinta because of the size of the ship (not too big or too small), the itinerary (north islands), planned activities for kids, and the availability of a glass-bottom boat. Not a big fan of Quito, but that was a necessary stop. The recommended hotel in the old town area was wonderful.

Lots of options, all of them excellent. Staff worked very hard to accommodate my picky son's whims and were extremely respectful of my choice to be vegetarian.

The naturalists aboard La Pinta could not have been more professional or knowledgeable. We appreciated Paul sitting with us at lunch and getting to know us personally, and Dennis's enthusiasm about Charles Darwin was contagious. We enjoyed having several guides with different perspectives, but they were all phenomenal.

Nick M. was friendly, attentive, communicative, and very helpful. I handled much of it myself (transportation), but the portion handled by AdventureSmith all ran very smoothly, which was much appreciated.

Don't put it off - everyone tells me it's on their bucket list. My son wanted to see penguins, and I was not willing to travel to Antarctica so the Galapagos was the next best option. 

• La Pinta Galapagos Cruises

That was easily one of the best vacations I've ever had. Seeing wildlife was really cool. We enjoyed seeing Sawyer Glacier, Baird Glacier, hiking and many things we would never have seen on a big cruise ship. Snorkeling was a little disappointing, especially because we had to pay more for it. The visibility was not great and we really didn't see that much.

The rooms were really small but that was to be expected. The beds were comfortable and the rooms were clean.

The meals were excellent. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were all included and we never left the table hungry.

Every crew member was professional, informative and fun. They were so knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions. They payed attention to what people wanted out of the trip. Bethany, Chris the bartender, Phil, Sarah and Paul took good care of us especially. Tucker who drove our skiff boat, the captain and the first mate were very informative as well.

Very informative. AdventureSmith helped us know what to expect and what we needed (and didn't need) to bring. Great trip and overall experience, I would recommend AdventureSmith to anyone looking for a vacation.

• Alaska Fjords & Glaciers
• Wilderness Discoverer

The ship was beautiful. Very comfortable. We loved being on a small ship. A small group and everyone just connected. We loved everyone on our ship.

Food was awesome. The only thing we think we'd liked to have improved, is more variety at breakfast. Maybe add some smoked salmon.

Josaphina was amazing. Great attitude, easy to understand and very knowledgeable.

Transportation Review

Picked as scheduled.

They gave us everything we needed to be prepared for our trip. Very helpful. Thank you for an awesome vacation.

We most enjoyed flying over the Drake Passage - left more time to enjoy Antarctica. Loved the colours of the ice, the penguins (not the smell!!), seals, whales and birds. We chose a small vessel with only 68 passengers. We chose the kayaking option, which was brilliant. It was an amazing experience, and I really liked being on a smaller vessel.

Comfortable 3 person cabin. Very clean.

Buffet style breakfast, lunch. Dinner served, 3 choices.

All staff on the boat were friendly, knowledgable, and helpful. All the other passengers were interesting and polite. Great fun!

Good advice was well presented. Any questions were answered promptly.

• Antarctica Air Cruise
• Magellan Explorer

The trip was awesome. [The experience we enjoyed the most was] the day we started seeing whales spouting in the distance and the captain stopped the boat for a few hours while we watched at least 2 dozen whales. One of the whales seemed to be putting a show on for us with dives and multiple tale waves over and over. This was a sunny day in Alaska, and they brought the happy hour out to the sundeck while we watched the whales.

Alaska has been somewhere we wanted to go for some time. When I started looking at cruises, I couldn't get the idea of the small boat and personal service out of my mind. It was well worth the extra money. So glad we didn't go on a big ship.

Our room was above the engine. We didn't let it bother us, but there was some noise. We chose the least expensive of cabins, so it is understandable. The accommodations are small in the cheaper cabins, but they cleaned them every day; we weren't in the rooms except to sleep. The vessel was awesome.

Nothing could be improved, the meals were awesome.

The enthusiasm, knowledge, and professionalism of the guides were all top notch.

• Wilderness Explorer

The Largest Selection of Small Boat Cruises

Ready to get aboard? AdventureSmith Explorations offers small ship cruises, expedition cruises and adventure cruises worldwide, aboard ships carrying 8 to 250 guests. Start exploring our most popular small boat cruise itineraries, then let our Adventure Specialists be your ultimate guide to selecting and booking your route. Our team is known for our personalized service, unbiased knowledge and personal experience on smaller ship cruises. Come explore with us!

This 8-day cruise between Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska, features a visit to Misty Fjords National Monument and many opportunities to explore the back passages and narrow waterways of the most remote areas of Southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage. Board 76-guest Wilderness Discoverer to view massive glaciers and fjords and experience true Alaskan wilderness.

A life-enriching adventure that redefines luxury expedition cruising. Part of the esteemed Relais & Chateaux collection, the prestigious 20-passenger sister ships Origin, Theory & Evolve provide an intimate voyage with exceptional itineraries and refined gastronomy in the Galapagos Islands.

This 10- or 11-day Classic Antarctica expedition cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands boasts more time on land for guests thanks to accommodation aboard the 88-guest Ushuaia, one of the smallest ships operating in Antarctica.

Contact Us - Small Ship Cruises

Travel is best planned one-on-one, and we’re here to help you with your specific needs.

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The Best Small Ship Experiences in the Mediterranean

Sailing on an intimate ship has many benefits, from being able to reach harder-to-access ports to smoother disembarkation. These destinations and brands are ideal for this style of cruising.

Corsica - Ponant

The 64-passenger Le Ponant , the original ship of French cruise operator Ponant , regularly visits this French, Italian, and North African–influenced island. On the southeastern coast, you’ll see the limestone cliffs of the Gulf of Santa Manza before sailing north to Cargèse, famous for its historic churches. (Seven-night sailings from $4,970 per person, all-inclusive.)

Tuscan Islands - Sailing Collective

Brooklyn-based Sailing Collective , a charter company that also specializes in cruises of eight to 10 passengers, travels to this part of Italy, calling at pine-forested Isola del Giglio, home to three small villages, and volcanic Capraia, part of the Arcipelago Toscano national park . (Seven-night sailings from $3,200 for a single cabin, all-inclusive.)

Spain - SeaDream Yacht Club

SeaDream Yacht Club , which operates two 112-passenger vessels, now runs Wine Voyages, a showcase for the Med’s top producers. The seven-night Barcelona-to-Málaga itinerary, leaving Oct. 12, 2019, is slated to include a sherry-pairing dinner in Puerto Banús with Bodegas Rey Fernando de Castilla and an excursion to Anima Negra , a top Mallorcan winery. (From $4,726 per person, all-inclusive.)

French and Italian Riviera - Silversea

Many Med cruises are a week or longer. But if you’re short on time, or want to combine a sailing with time on land, Silversea ’s 5-day voyage on the Silver Shadow, leaving May 22, 2019, is ideal. You’ll get time to explore the grand hotels in Cannes, France; the casinos and the Monaco Grand Prix, the world-class car race, in Monte Carlo; and the beautiful architecture of Italy’s Cinque Terre . ( From $4,770 per person, all-inclusive.)

Spain and Morocco - Scenic

With 10 restaurants and bars for just 228 guests, as well as a heated indoor pool and pilates studio, the Scenic Eclipse is poised to revolutionize the luxury cruise market. In April, during its first Mediterranean season, it will offer a Tenerife to Barcelona cruise that also hits up the Moroccan cities of Essaouira and Casablanca . ( From $7,795.)

French and Italian Riviera - Windstar Cruises

T+L readers love the 310-passenger Wind Surf — a true sailing vessel, and the flagship of Windstar Cruises — so much that they voted the brand the No. 1 Midsize-Ship Cruise Line in the 2018 World’s Best Awards. The vessel will be making several seven-day “Yachtman’s Harbors of the Riviera” sailings next year, visiting Portofino, Monte Carlo, Cannes, and Sanary-Sur-Mer — some of the Med’s most glamorous ports of call. (From $3,199 per person.)

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30% off montenegro gulets.

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10% off September Split to Dubrovnik Luxury cruise

Cruise from Dubrovnik to Split

Split to Dubrovnik (14 September) or Dubrovnik to Split (21 September)

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Small Cruise Ship Collection Reviews

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No single supplement on India River cruises

Single cabins available Ganges and Bramhaputra River cruises

Cruise on board Charaidew II on the Brahmaputra or Rajmahal on the Ganges/Hoogly and single passengers pay no single supplement on main deck cabins.

Croatia - The most popular choice

Croatia Cruises

If you had to choose a perfect destination for small cruise ships, Croatia would probably be it. Small, historic and picturesque towns set on dozens of islands with hundreds of small bays surrounded by a warm blue sea.

Northern Lights cruise in Iceland

Sail on the beautiful Rembrandt van Rijn

Northern and eastern Iceland are characterized by small villages, dramatic coastlines, narrow fjords, waterfalls, geothermal areas, volcanoes, and mountains.

ATOL PROTECTED

Flight inclusive holidays are ATOL protected

All the flight-inclusive holidays provided by us are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate.

Alaska small ship cruise

Vast glaciers, 300+ Humpback whales, snow clad mountains, brown and black bears, sea lions, sea otters, kayaking, hiking & the Northen Lights in just 1 week. Read about our cruise in Alaska

Read more...

Small Ships - How big is a small cruise ship?

At The Small Cruise Ship Collection, we only do small ship cruises - Our smallest 'ship' carries just 8 people - and most fewer than 250. Most carry 40-100 passengers, and this has many advantages.

Gulet cruises

Cruise on a traditional Mediterranean wooden sailing vessel that can accommodate a maximum of 8-16 passengers, occasionally as many as 24. We offer gulet cruises in Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, Croatia and Italy.

Charter a gulet for your family and friends

Get your own group together and enjoy a private cruise

Antarctic cruises

Very very few ships cruise the Weddell Sea, and only a small percentage of them reach the almost legendary Snow Hill Island with its Emperor Penguin Colony

Worldwide River Cruises

There are plenty of European Rivers with many river cruise boats but we offer a selection of River Cruises from around the world. India, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Gambia, Congo, Colombia, Egypt, Portugal, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and USA

Financial Security

We are members of the Travel Trust Association (TTA number Q3314), an association of Travel Organisers that operates trust accounts to provide total financial protection for consumers. Booking your holiday with us as members of the TTA protects you in the unlikely event of us or our suppliers becoming insolvent. Once we confirm your holiday, you are 100% protected.

Dalmatian Paradise: Split - Split

We really enjoyed our Split-Split Croatia cruise

Jewels of the Arctic Expedition

Thank you Caroline for all the effort you put into me boarding, cruising and experiencing this fabulous region.  I am slowly making my way home, with a short period in Norway but the Jewels cruise was such a stupendous cruise. Thank you for all your assistance in making this happen 

Glacier Bay Cruise - National Park 7 Night Adventure aboard Wilderness Adventurer

Our week on the boat was great fun:

The scenery was stunning with glaciers, waterfalls, mountains and forests,

It was exciting to be able to hike in a small group in the pristine wild forests, climbing over fallen trees and bushwacking through the undergrowth. - our wellingtons were essential

Our guides were very knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, and history.and also very conscious of the need to protect our environment 

We loved the kayaking, and were very aware of all the efforts by the crew to keep us all safe and also to have an enjoyable experience.

The sightings of marine wild life was exciting (whales, seals, otters etc)  

The food on the boat was exceptionally good and varied and all the staff were very helpful and friendly.

The crew took lots of photos of all the activities and wild life sightings which they shared with us when we got home.

Northern Pearls: Split-Opatija (Premium ship)

The ten of us had an amazing time and quite possibly one of the best holidays I have experienced. RS

Norwegian Round Voyage

 I have to say we had a fabulous time on board and the staff were wonderful , delighted with our cabin, the food was great , we loved our fine dining , we met some great people , and we loved the ship , also lucky as it wasn’t full capacity so we had so much space , although some excursions were cancelled, we booked as many as possible on board , so we saw lots of amazing things , I have already recommend this cruise to someone, as we throughly enjoyed ourselves 

The only thing , the hotel in Bergen was nice but our room was very tired, and needed to be upgraded , the breakfast was excellent though 

Considering all the problems before the departure, we thought the staff reacted really well and appreciate the effort they all went to for the flight up to Trondheim , I felt very sorry for the others who came back down to Bergen by coach

Everyone was extremely helpful and it was very memorable, we were also lucky to see the Northern lights on several occasions , we were extremely lucky last year in Sweden at the ice hotel as we saw them every night , but I was delighted for people on our trip that it was a new experience  

Emblematic Antarctica aboard L'Austral

Just know you did a magnificent job for us. When one gets  a 10+ on a scale of 5, it would be hard to drop back down!  I have you on speed dial. We hope to travel again via your expertise in arranging the details. Hopefully we will be ready to book another trip thru you again.  Now, back to reality and no more triple desserts! Thank you for everything. 

Cruise from Dubrovnik to Split in Luxury

We stayed on in Split for three nights which partly explains this belated reply. We would do it again which really says it all. In fact we are interested, not now but maybe in twelve months time, in a similar cruise if it was between Venice and Split. The northern half of the Croatian coast. We think we were lucky to have one of the best cabins (4) and we wouldn’t want any less comfort than that. 

We liked the Diamond very much.The small but hard working crew were terrific.  Our timing was good as the vast crowds around Dubrovnik and Split in July and August had eased and the weather was hot but not too hot. Most of our fellow guests were Canadian who are friendly and good mannered. We didn’t think the food was very good apart from breakfast. We longed for a salad bowl. Despite the advertisement that there was a fresh water fountain on the boat they were rather mean in handing out half litre because titles which we thought was penny pinching. 

The concept of the 499 ton boat really appeals to us. We wouldn’t take a cruise on the ordinary leviathan. We loved Croatia and think we saw the best of it. We had a splendid holiday.

Thank you for your feedback Robin. The Water cooler should have been in operation, and water is free on these cruises in Croatia from 2020 onwards. Powell Ettinger, The Small Cruise Ship Collection

Emblematic Antarctica on board Le Boreal

Kotor bay and montenegro gulet cruise.

I’m just writing on behalf of Angela and myself to repeat our thanks for everything related to the cruise around Montenegro last week.  We had really great service from you and your colleagues and we are particularly grateful that you both honoured our payments from 2020, without asking for a supplement, and also give us a cabin each as this boat only had double cabins.  This was really generous of you and much appreciated, thank you.  It was a really beautiful and spacious boat - the cabin and bathroom were so wonderfully large and there was lots of deck space for all activities.  We were lucky being only eight passengers, so we were rather spoilt!  We were also very lucky with the weather and so could enjoy the trip around the beautiful coastline and also the times ashore.  The sea was rather too cold for me to do much swimming but others, tougher than I, did have a great time in the water in the sun.  

We also want to repeat our thanks to the crew of four.  They were all really professional and excellent at their jobs and also so very obliging - nothing was too much trouble.  they were all such nice people and it was a pleasure for us to have them as our crew.  I know that Boban is now on his last week’s cruise with the gulet and is leaving to run his own business, so please can you be sure to pass on our thanks to the crew before he leaves finally. 

Anyway we were very glad indeed to have finally made it to Montenegro for this cruise - at the fourth attempt!  It was worth the wait!  

Best wishes

Croatia Island Hopping Cruise from Dubrovnik to Split

An excellent island hopping cruise experience

An excellent way to experience the interesting islands of Croatia. Travelling with 38 like-minded people made the cruise a wonderful experience. The crew were very professional and extremely hardworking. The breakfast and lunch offerings were more than ample. Having the opportunity to eat dinner on the islands at the restaurants provided us with time to mingle with the locals, walk around the amazing towns and provide incomes locally. Jen A

Alaska's Inside Passage & San Juans Cruise (Wilderness Discoverer)

We booked a 2 week cruise in Alaska through the Small Cruise Ship Collection. The Small Cruise Ship Collection we’re efficient and helpful, answering any queries promptly. The cruise itself was fantastic, everything we hoped for and more. Alison M

Split to Dubrovnik Cruise in Comfort

Hi Susi, we travelled on Vapor on 31 Aug until the 6 Sept from Split to Dubronik. The crew were very helpful and friendly. The food was good and Stan our cruise manager was fantastic. His knowledge of the area was exceptional. We really enjoyed our cruise. The islands are amazing. I would recommend this cruise to our friends. Thanks.

Wonders of Croatia: Dubrovnik - Split (Deluxe Superior Ships)

We cruised on MS Markan on 11th October. The Captain and crew were superb and we thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. We have never used small ships before but we will only look at them in the future. The cruise was fabulous. AB

Split to Dubrovnik in comfort

The cruise from Dubrovnik to Split on the boat Vapor was excellent in every way; the cabin was comfortable and clean. The crew were very helpful, courteous and efficient. The islands we visited were interesting and well-chosen and our tour director was really excellent; he had a delightful combination of knowledge and humor. I would happily do it all again. Sue Z

Southern Croatia from Split - Premium cruise

A week in paradise on a luxury small ship. We were upgraded to a fabulous ship called Black Swan on a similar circuit from Split to Split in Croatia. The boat was amazing with everything you could wish for on board. The crew of 8 were very professional but at the same time friendly and chatty. The captain and his wife owned the boat and were also friendly with us all. The captains dinner was excellent with 2 live musicians.

We saw beautiful totally unspoilt islands,small fishing villages, ancient palaces and visited towns full of interesting history, all with a guide and "whisper" ear phones so we could all hear perfectly. We had plenty of free time in ports where we could go sightseeing, shopping or find a nice restaurant or bar. Our guide even arranged for us to do an exclusive 4 x 4 safari buggy tour in Dubrovnik that was not on this boats schedule but on our original one.

The food was really excellent, the boat kept immaculately clean at all times.

I particularly enjoyed the opportunity for swim stops or a tender ride to a deserted beach, even though it was October and late season. Something you do not get to do on a huge impersonal cruise ship!

At night in port the boats always raft up next to one another and its fun to go from boat to boat checking out what they all look like. We were not disturbed by this at all and the gaps between the various boats were not a problem to us, but could be to a disabled person.

I would recommend this type of holiday to anyone.... its so relaxing compared to a huge cruise ship and with only 36 people on board the guide makes sure from the very first evening that we all get to talk to one another and great friendships were formed. Our travelling companions nationalities were Americans, New Zealanders and Australians and we were the only 2 from Europe which we loved.

Croatia cruise from Split in Luxury

We had a wonderful time and loved the ship and all the stops.  Look forward to another cruise in the area......thanks so much for your help!

Our only question was in previous documentation, it was stated beer and wine were included during lunch.  However, none of our drinks were included.

Look forward to why the discrepancy.....but simply loved everything else; ship, staff, captain, and director! Donna Z

Luxury Turkey gulet cruise to The Hisaronu Gulf

"A most amazing week spend on a beautiful boat. We cannot speak too highly of the attentiveness and professionalism of Captain Tok and his crew, the wonderful food, the amazing scenery, and overall cleanliness and comfort of the the boat……… Our every need was catered for, and everything seems to be done without disturbing the peace and tranquillity we were there to enjoy. Our trip was made even more memorable by our lovely fellow passengers! We bonded very quickly, and are in fact talking of another Gulet cruise together sometime in the future. The booking process was smooth and straight forward and the pre- departure material provided was useful and relevant. It was also good to have the representative from the cruise line meet with us prior to departure and on our return. To sum up, a truly memorable and wonderful experience. Thank you.

Julie and Joelle

Southern Croatia cruise from Split

The small size of the sailing ship and the wonderful character of the crew made this a wonderful week packed with once in a lifetime views, excursions and food. I enjoyed it very much. I hope to do it again. Linda M

Wonderful experience

We cruised on the MS Diamond in September from Dubrovnik to Split and it was 7 days of swimming, laughter and relaxing unlike any other cruise we have taken. The cruise director Paul, Bruno and Ivan the two bartenders and waiters were wonderful, always smiling and couldn’t do enough for you. The rest of the small crew were also wonderful. Our cruise had a total of 38 passengers and everyone was friendly and we all enjoyed each other’s company. The Diamond was very comfortable with areas to just relax and the swimming everyday in small coves in the clearest water we have ever experienced and that’s says a lot as we live in Hawaii. I have thought of our cruise everyday since our return and would love to do it again Roger F

Southern Croatia Premium Cruise from Split

I would like to tell you that the assistance I received, prior to sailing, with Nicola and Caroline, was impeccable. Nicola bent over backwards to make my dream trip come to fruition and when Caroline had to take over, she was equally efficient!  

The crew on the Kapetan Bota were also exemplary!! Our bartenders worked so hard and made us so happy, I can’t say enough wonderful things about them. Also, our Cruise Manager, Nina, was absolutely fantastic! Her knowledge, her attention to detail and her ability to make us all feel so special, was amazing! 

The cruise from Dubrovnik to Split on Vapor was excellent in every way; the cabin was comfortable and clean. The crew were very helpful, courteous and efficient. The islands we visited were interesting and well-chosen and our tour director was really excellent; he had a delightful combination of knowledge and humor. I would happily do it all again. Susan

Alaska's Glacier Bay & Island Adventure aboard Alaskan Dream

We selected this trip as we wanted a “small boat cruise” around Alaska’s Inside Passage. Not all 20 cabins were occupied and there were only 33 passengers in total – just us from UK, 7 Australians and 4 Kiwis with the rest from US (so all English-speaking). Perhaps the style of trip meant that all seemed of a similar outlook and the group got on well together.

Alaskan Dream seem to be an environmentally-aware company with a good local reputation and are very welcome in the communities they visit. The small size of the boat means that they can access areas and ports unavailable to larger ships. The crew are generally long-serving with the company, competent and approachable. This particular voyage had an on-board naturalist/guide from the start, with a second joining part way through. There is at least one “off boat” opportunity every day.

Cabins are compact but comfortable with ample storage space. We were in the lowest grade; the next one up seemed to have no more amenities, just slightly bigger (although they are on the same level as public spaces). The “shoilet” takes some practice but is actually extremely practical and functional (better than facilities in other boats of a similar size that we have experienced). Rain gear (jackets, trousers and boots) are available for use. Meals were, without exception, excellent; hot drinks and water were always available.

The itinerary is flexible so we were able to take advantage of an unexpected permit to stay in Glacier Bay for an extra day. It also meant that potential wildlife sightings could be pursued and this was done on several occasions. There is also various interactions with each local community that we visited.

We would unreservedly recommend this trip but be warned that it is not a “cruise” – evening entertainment is limited to some short wildlife talks. But if your priorities are exciting wildlife and stunning scenery with an insight into local culture, you should seriously consider this.

Dubrovnik to Split including Trogir

"We were pleasantly surprised with many items. The downstairs cabins were very spacious and the food was a big surprise as the website showed a buffet and it was so much more and very gourmet. Our crew was incredible and went out of their way to add to the fun. AND the other guests that cruised with us....they have become lifelong friends from other countries. THANK YOU!!!"

Debra and Daryl

The Canaries, Lands of Contrasts

It was the one of the best I have ever done ,  the food was great, never had such great food and I mean it, and if I ever want just a holiday , and not seeing something specific, I will give it thought.

Someone had gone to great detail with the cabins, just great.

Northern Croatia premium cruise from Opatija

 We did very much enjoy our 8 days on the Moonlight from Opatija. A real jewel and everyone and everyone were so fine.

Divine Cyclades - 8 Days, 11 Islands - Greek Islands Cruise

 Just back from my week on board Elysium , I have to say, it was really great. Lovely atmosphere throughout,  the crew was friendly and accommodating, nothing was too much trouble, and they all spoke English which made a change for me struggling to speak French or Turkish!!! 

I thoroughly enjoyed my recent Croatian cruise on board Moonlight. Everything was of a very high standard - the ship, the cabin, the crew, the destinations, the on board guide and the local guides, the meals... I can't fault anything. It was an outstanding trip and we were fortunate in having such congenial fellow passengers. Bernadine R

The Ave Maria was a pretty boat.  Three separate outdoor conversation areas were nice to relax in.  The cabins were nice and roomy. The cruise director Stan was very friendly and informative throughout the day and on the excursions on shore. 

The server and bartender were nice, but not the most friendly.  I am sure they get tired of new people each week. Food was good.  Just one comment - more fresh vegetables with meals would be great. 

Overall, the week was very enjoyable. Linda M

Kotor Bay and Montenegro's Coast Gulet Cruise

 We much enjoyed our trip on the Kapatan Sevket. Our comments are

Excellent service by the four staff.

The Chef did a superb job in the variety and quality of his dishes at all meals. He catered very well for my wife's vegetarian diet.

The itinerary was very good and the Captain rearranged the itinerary to suit the weather. The weather on the whole was good except for a storm one night with torrential rain but the crew coped well with the situation.

The only negative was we only had a half day actually "under sail". For those of us who had experience of sailing we reckon we could have had another whole day "under sail" . We were left with the impression the crew preferred motoring! We trust you will take this as constructive comment. 

Croatian Islands Luxury cruise

Dear Caroline,

Thank you so much for organising our cruise on MV Katarina .

The ship is wonderful along with Ivan the Captain the crew and Tour manager Stan.

Itinerary was perfect.

We could not have wished for a better holiday.

Five Stars *****

Best regards,

Simon 

We really enjoyed the cruise, thanks!

 It was one of the most unforgettable experiences to be on PARADIS for a week and we have met the most amazing people during our holiday!    Thank you so  much!  

Sicily Cruise - The sights and tastes of Sicily

We had an excellent time on the cruise but felt that the courier tried to fill the days with too much and her manner and English left a lot to be admired. The ship and crew were wonderful but we did not have enough time to enjoy it all. The inter-Island transport could have been better. RR

The ship’s complement of passengers and crew were outstanding, the quality and variety of cuisine was exceptional, and the weather was glorious!  So the wait proved very worthwhile, so thank you for your help in the arrangements.   DB

 I just wanted to drop a line to say what a fantastic trip we had on Kapetan Bota.  We could not fault any aspect of our trip – the boat exceeded our expectations; the food was abundant and delicious and the crew was excellent.   Kapetan Bota:  Saturday, 23 September to Saturday, 30 September.   JP

Emblematic Antarctica

Croatia luxury cruise: from dubrovnik to split.

Our trip to Croatia was absolutely amazing! We loved the Olimp and their crew. The islands were beautiful.  Lori P 

Luxury Croatia Cruise Split to Dubrovnik to Split

It was a fantastic holiday I was travelling alone, but it didn't feel like that once I arrived the crew were great our meals were delicious there wasn't anything you could fault. Travelling on board a ship this size you meet and make friends easier and have a great time together.also you get to see of this beautiful country while having a great time. Tina L

Luxury Gulet Aegean cruise 2023

This was our second trip that we booked with The Small Cruise Ship Company. We love both the Croatia Cruise and the Turkey/Greece Cruise. I would highly recommend this company! Diane B

It was out of this world met some Brilliant people who spoilt Alan for his birthday.

The weather was gorgeous, the scenery was amazing. We have travelled a lot but this is def no 1 on our list. Zoran our leader was an absolute star. One of the nice things is that the walks etc only cost 10 euro so we didn't have loads to pay and our guides were so informative about the islands. Even the drinks on board were reasonabIe. I have sent the details to about 5 of our friends.

Enjoyed the cruise. Food was good considering the size of the kitchen. Seating was a bit cramped.

We were "below stairs" and again the room was basic but spacious.

Having said all this the cruise was not expensive.

We thought the port fees should have been included in the price and tipping caused a lot of discussion. . Most people found it excessive especially those countries that don't tip. Liz B

Cruise from Split to Dubrovnik in luxury

Yes, we did enjoy our Croatian cruise.  The boat manager did a wonderful job, despite her youth!  She often had to re-arrange our programme because of the Captain having received instructions about where we could moor and the impact of the weather.  We had one very wet and rough day (when my friend was sea-sick!) but most of the weather was fine, with a gentle breeze to avoid getting too hot.  Dubrovnik was a great disappointment for me, being over-run with tourists, even so late in the season.  I would think it would be better to have a guided walk in the afternoon, rather than the morning, when there were so many others that it was difficult to keep with your own group.  Unfortunately, the walls were beyond our ability, but we had a taxi up to the mountains where the cable-car started, stopping at various viewing points, and then back via the new bridge to our boat.  I could recommend that.  We had spare time on the last day, owing to our late flight, and the cruise manager suggested we took the boat to Lokrum, a nearby island, and this gave us great views of the walls, etc.  The island is kept for wild-life, and we had to share our sandwiches with the peacocks!  Going out we did not see anything of Split, as the programme had been changed, and the guided walk in Split happened before we arrived at 7 p.m. instead of the next morning.  

The end of the cruise was not good for us, but in no way the fault of the cruise firm.  My friend lost her handbag when we got to the airport and she thought she had left it in the taxi, but it could not be found so the official at the airport found us accommodation for the night, and next morning the handbag was found on the boat, and returned to us, and then we had to pay for another flight back to the U.K. It was all a nightmare for us, but we must say the Croatians were very helpful and took great care of us. 

Going back to the boat cruise, we would have much preferred evening meals instead of the dinner at lunch time. We only had two, one the day we arrived, and then the captain's dinner.  In the evening we did not want another dinner, and were rather at a loss to find something to do, as it was getting dark by 7.30 p.m.  There is no menu for meals, but when I saw the size of the galley, I was not surprised, and the chef did well to prepare nearly 40 meals for us, plus more for the crew.  All the crew were pleasant and helpful, especially getting us on and off the boat safely.  We thought the wine and drinks were VERY expensive, so did not drink much on the boat, and the allowance of 1/2 a litre of water per day was not very generous if it is very hot.  Then tax was added to the bill as well.  We thought they were expecting very large tips, and we had to reduce them to a more reasonable level.  We were also stung very high charges when using the ATM in Gruz port and at the airport, which I have never experienced before in other countries.  However, we still enjoyed the experience.  And Vicky was very helpful when we made the booking.

North Norway, Aurora Borealis & Whales

Thanks for your message. We really enjoyed our trip on the Rembrandt Van Rijn and I think we’d give the overall holiday experience 8-9/10. We’d definitely recommend this trip to other people.

The plusses: everyone looked after us very well before departure and on the boat. The crew on board, and Jan and Chloe the guides, were excellent. Cabin space was quite small but as expected, and kept spotless by the team, as were all the other parts of the boat.

The food was plentiful and quite varied, and considering the facilities available, at a good standard. The bar was also well stocked!

The trips ashore were well planned and varied, and let us see some interesting parts of North Norway we wouldn’t otherwise have seen. Jan and Chloe gave us information about the day in good time to prepare, and also gave us excellent talks about the area and the wildlife, and they also had a number of documentaries to show us most evenings too. They couldn’t have been nicer to be around either.

We had two brilliant days with Orcas and Sperm whales and three fantastic Aurora evenings too, so that was beyond our wildest dreams, and we’ve got some great pictures for posterity. All the fellow passengers were friendly, and the number was just right (I think around 20?).

Minor minuses only: due to COVID we had to wear a mask on board for the entire time, except when eating or drinking, but that was beyond anyone’s control.

We probably didn’t read the “small print” carefully enough before booking, as there was more time out on the open sea, rather than in the calmer and more sheltered fjords, than we’d anticipated, and for several days we had very rough seas (force ten gales one day!) so we had to retire to our bunks with sea sickness tablets on several days. That was purely because the captain and Jan had to take us out to try and track down whales, so there was obviously a possibility of rough seas as a result.

Overall, a very enjoyable experience, and worth the money, and we’re delighted to have booked with you for this holiday. 

I thought it was a wonderful experience. 

Very impressed by how Croatia presents itself to tourists. 

There is a feeling of high quality and low ‘ tut’. 

The boat was perfect although the fact that 18 guests ( instead of 40) clearly made for a more intimate and personalised experience with the crew.

The boat ( My Way) was great .

 Our Captain Ante  ( and owner) was very personable and in the events where he was at lunch or dinner - spoke extremely well and warmly promoted Croatia and hospitality .

 My travel companion Heather had been allocated a cabin below deck ( although she had specifically asked for one with deck access) the captain was consulted - and she was immediately given a deck room which was good - as there was clearly available space . 

The quality and quantity of food was outstanding… if a bit too much for small appetites . A 4 course lunch seems over the top , and def made us eat less for dinner in a local port . However - it was very conducive to drilling down into those friendships that happen in close quarters ! 

I will def recommend this mode of travel in Croatia to friends in Oz …. And will direct them to My Way and Small Cruise Ships.

The cruise on Pape Prvi from Split

The cruise on Pape Prvi from Split - Dubrovnik and back was wonderful experience: family owed boat with great food, friendly hosts, clean; well informed and nice guide from Katarina tours; great choices of places to dock (and see), good balance between history, culture and nature. The sunny and warm weather was a surprise plus, also the group consisted of very pleasant people (not a single "professional" complainer). Dream vacation! Daniela P

We thoroughly enjoyed the trip, all the ports and the food. The cabins were very average. Rene U

We had yet another flawless experience with Small Cruise Ships. Thank you so much. I've been recommending you guys like crazy! Mrs P

Just wanted to say that we had a great trip and we were impressed with the crew and ship.

Northern Croatia Cruise

Hello, I have returned from a small cruise ship holiday  in Croatia. Not the one my friend  I planned but due to cancellation we were put on another boat going to the southern islands, but still had our three days extra seeing lakes etc.

Everything went to plan hotels, boat, transport connections etc were all there for us . We also had an added extra  on a transfer by taxi from Split to Zagreb on our last we shared a taxi with 'Katarina' and her family.  What an unexpected pleasure.

We want to thank you all for a wonderful holiday even though at the beginning it seemed doomed.

We shall be back

Regards Margaret B  

Split to Dubrovnik Luxury Croatia cruise

 Hello Caroline, I'm sssooooo sorry to be so late in sending comments about our Small Ship Fantazija cruise from Split to Dubrovnik. The whole trip to celebrate our Golden Wedding was ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS from beginning to end. Fantazija was a perfect size ,plenty of room to relax and have fun with all the guests. Our cabin was just lovely- Cabin 7 with access to the walkway. Everything clean, tidy, beautiful bedding and towels. A lovely bottle of wine from you for our anniversary- so kind.

We couldn't have had a better group of travellers- we bonded from the first meeting. We sailed early each morning before a hearty breakfast of various items- mmmmm tasty!! Each swim spot was amazing. Each port of call after lunch was wonderful. The arranged tours and trips were well organised and we were delighted with them all especially the visits to the Oyster Farm and the Wine Cellar.. A slight disappointment was not having complimentary tea or coffee during the day. Many ,many thanks for all your excellent arrangements. We cannot speak highly enough of our first Small Ship Cruise, a fabulous holiday to celebrate our special Golden Anniversary. Diolch o galon,thank you so much, H & D

Overall an excellent way of exploring the Croatian coast. The crew and guide were first rate. The cabins were comfortable and slightly larger than expected. The itinerary with the swim stops worked well. Jonathan W

Stellar experience start to finish!! Thank you!

Croatia Luxury Cruise North: from Split to Split

Great holiday

We had a lovely week on the Esperanza . The guests all got in great and Ivana was a wonderful hostess.

Positives : Guests and the amazing Dalmnation coast

Negatives: Agritourism visit was nothing special and wine was borderline awful. Most guests felt this was something of a wasted evening in the middle of nowhere.

Food on the boat in particular fruit at breakfast and salads at lunch and dinner could have been more plentiful .

But all in all ... Great !

Thank you Conor I

Reliving a trip is always a joy, but even more so on this adventure. We were constantly reminded of just how wonderful it was.  Your careful planning, your efforts to provide the best possible experience, your thoughtful suggestions along the way and your prompt responses to our many questions came flooding back to us as we relived each day of this trip.  I just wanted to tell you one more time, THANK YOU for all you did to make this trip so absolutely perfect.  MH

Fabulous cruise, thoroughly enjoyable experience. Captain and crew were lovely.

Small Cruise Ship Collection were most helpful throughout

Small quibbles:

Would have liked much more sailing instead of motoring.

Would have preferred an extra day/night in Greece instead of early return to Turkey.

Cabins were hot at night (in October!)

A truly wonderful experience

We took a 7 night round trip cruise from Split on the Avangarde. It was an absolute delight. We were thoroughly looked after from the moment we arrived in the boat to the final transfer to our hotel at the end. The crew and tour manager were extremely good at what they do and showed great humor. The food was outstanding and cabins much for luxurious than I could have imagined for a small boat. There was a great balance between free time and organised excursions. I cannot recommend this cruise highly enough. Katherine A

Gokova Gulf Luxury Gulet Turkey Cruise

Just a quick email to say a very big thank you from Bruce & myself for the wonderful week we had on board MS Nikola. I knew it would be special, but had no idea just how special! The gulet is superb, the crew were out of this world, the weather was perfect, & the company just brilliant… there is no way we could have improved on any aspect of our trip whatsoever. I didn’t know that Bruce had mentioned it was our honeymoon; the crew went above & beyond in terms of making it memorable for us, as did the other 3 couples on the gulet! Although the week at sea fell into the middle of our honeymoon (as we were in Kos & Bodrum either side of the cruise, & both of those were special too), it was by far the highlight of it… neither of us wanted our time on board to end. Having read some of the comments in the gulet’s guest book, we could see just how special it is; and the current crew (capt Ramazan, chef Tekin & 1st mate Hassan) are deservedly well-loved by all.

I’d also like to say a really big thank you too to Small Cruise Ships for letting us join the Nikola, because of course we shouldn’t have been on it at all, having booked to join the Myra. She was alongside us in port so we had chance to see her also; another beautiful gulet indeed. But we both quickly realised that we’d been incredibly lucky to be swapped onto the Nikola… it’s a truly fantastic itinerary & there really wasn’t a minute we didn’t enjoy. (…possibly with the exception of me dropping my mobile phone – or rather the special photos on it – onto the Eastern Aegean seabed! Ramazan was amazing, and gave us some lovely photos of us he’d taken, which of course more than made up for the loss )

I also hope this is useful from a feedback point of view; do let me know if you’d like me to write something more articulately! We decided there & then in Bodrum we’d start saving on our return, because without any doubt whatsoever we wish to sail with the Nikola & crew again next year, wherever she’s going…

Our cruise with your company was wonderful....the boat was spotless at all times.  Some one has taking their time to ensure the boat is well maintained. The staff was incredible, thoughtful,  courteous, helpful, but above all the service was beyond expectations.

One problem, I can never cruise in a large ship again!!!! I would only be disappointed by the quality of food  and experience.

great experience..thank you very much.

Paula and Tom

Great crew, fantastic food and the MV Myra was a very good layout. Would highly recommend. Brian D

Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands aboard Ocean Victory

Everything went more than smoothly and I had a fantastic time on a fantastic ship with a fantastic crew. The scenery and wildlife (and weather) were stunning and I was so happy I waited for the right time to go (adding the Falklands and South Georgia was also definitely the right decision - what incredible places). Thank you for all your valuable support and patience! 

Tim S 

Dear Caroline, just writing to say the Croatian cruise aboard “ Admiral” was absolutely fantastic. I couldn’t fault it. The boat was immaculate, the crew so helpful and good fun, only 26 guests on board -   a mixture of young and old but everyone blended in. Zoran our boat manager was an absolute gem and definitely made the cruise for me. He is so passionate about his country and so knowledgeable. His talks were a delight to listen to. The weather was fantastic the whole week and swimming off the boat was a delight. I could go and on! I will definitely be booking another cruise with your company hopefully to Alaska with my husband this time.

Thank you once again for all your help in making this a memorable trip.

Kind regards, Eileen .

Wonders of Croatia: Split - Dubrovnik (Deluxe Superior Ships)

 I am a 40 year veteran of the travel industry and have reviewed everything from Ritz-Carlton hotels to grass huts in the Cambodian jungle. The whole experience on The Nautilus was exceptional.

Accommodation, crew, itinerary, food, guide (Ayida) were faultless. We had two days of " mixed" weather that did not detract from the overall experience in any way. Takes a lot to impress me - this trip did. Thankyou M and B 

My wife and I enjoyed the Croatian Cruise on board the Meridijan 100%.   The crew could not have been better and the food was perfect.  We will go on other trips in other places.  Thank you.  Larry snd Sun S

Classic Norwegian Fjords (Roundtrip)

I can't thank Small Cruise Ship Collection enough for their assistance in arranging my first Hurtigruten voyage along the coast of Norway in October, 2019. Although the ship's mechanical issues saw me returning home just a few days into the voyage, Small Cruise Ship Collection helped me quickly rebook the trip, using Hurtigruten's full refund and discount offer for my future booking. I just returned from a most amazing experience in Norway, and I thank Caroline of Small Cruise Ship Collection, in particular, for such superb assistance.

Wing Commander Hanks Croatia Bike Cruise

   Thanks for organising the Coatia trip, we had a great time 

We have all had the most amazing holiday on board Avangard ! Returning to Split by 9am was no problem at all, in fact we docked at around 8.15am

  Everything was perfect; the Ship, our cabins, Crew, the food and a brilliant tour manager (Aida).

Powell, thank you for your recommendation of Hotel Perisil, it was great, despite the early morning bells at 6am! Many thanks to, for all your help in answering our many questions before departure!

A superb cruise from Split to Dubrovnik and back on Seagull. We had challenging weather to start with but the crew did everything to make sure we still had an amazing time . Ship and cabin were comfortable and spotless, food delicious and we will treasure the memories of the Dalmatian Coast forever. Thank you . CM

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Small Ship Cruising

A collection of treasures... our small ship cruises feature cultural journeys and expeditionary cruises that explore the world's most intriguing ports of call, with exclusive travel experiences ashore that take you the heart and soul of the world's most amazing destinations.

• Expeditions
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Welcome to Small Ship Cruising

Small is big aboard our small ship cruises. Experience uncommon access that gets right to the heart and soul of a destination... sail to some of the world's most beautiful ports of call as you seek out hidden harbors and island getaways where big ships don't go... and delight in moments both at sea and ashore as you experience rich cultures and indescribable exotic lands.

Small ship cultural journeys are a gateway to a collection of treasures..., culturally inspired cruising fuels the imagination....

Cultural journeys aboard our small ship cruises evoke golden sand beaches, vineyards bucolic with lemon trees, olives and vines, lavender fields fragrant from afar, limestone caves and rocky mounts, sculpted in time... Past is present in architectural artistry, fortified towns and terra cotta tableaus that play out in palaces and promenades steeped in history... in places immortalized with nature's colorful brush, where masterfully crafted wines were made to sip and savor, traditions toasted and tales fondly shared... where you become part of the stories, past and present, that make your cruise memories last lifetimes.

Expeditionary Cruises: Exhilarating adventures in unseen worlds...

Expeditionary cruises to exotic locations, from the sea to the shore....

The first maritime expeditions date back millennia when explorers in dugout canoes and sailing boats plied the seas to untraveled destinations. While the expeditionary ships you'll sail aboard with Tauck are modern in every way, the remote ports where you will cast anchor are timeless still. Imagine setting foot on an equatorial beach teeming with wildlife found nowhere else in the world. Or navigating ice floes to stand on the ethereal seventh continent. Come aboard our expeditionary cruises and get ready to check off bucket list experiences other travelers only dream of.

Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles

Designed to inspire

Cruise the azure waters of the Mediterranean, where we launched our first small ship cruise in 1993

And 30 years later, a new voyage of cultural exploration as you chart a course through the Mediterranean Isles on a thoughtfully reimagined itinerary that sets the standard for a new era aboard a Ponant ship designed for intimate cruising. Explore Elba, steeped in Napoleonic tales; cast anchor off of Corsica, a jet-setter's paradise; step ashore in two different ports of call in Sicily, enticing with antiquities and stunning vistas; experience Sardinia, culturally rich with prehistoric sites; and make history in Malta where the Knights of Malta left a living legacy gilded in gold and silver.

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Featured River, Small Ship and Land Journeys

Small is big... onboard and ashore.

Smaller ships mean bigger experiences. Our small ships are big on individualized service, special touches and comfort, making you feel like a welcomed guest the moment you come aboard. Intimate spaces invite conversation or quiet contemplation as you like. Whether you're inside your cabin or out on your deck, ocean views beckon with adventures yet to come.

Because of the size of our ships, we're not restricted to commercial routes or large ports. We're free to follow the fish, not the fleets. We dock in places where you can get lost in the moment and not in a crowd. We delight in sharing spontaneous moments, up-close discoveries, personal connections and unforgettable treasures, making each moment memorable and uniquely yours. At Tauck, small is big... and the best way to make your cruise so much more than you ever expected.

Guest Favorites in Small Ship Cruising

Explore the world aboard our cultural journeys and expeditionary cruises; discover the windswept landscapes of the Shetland and Orkney archipelagos, Alaska's spectacular glacial treasures, the dramatic scenery of the volcanic island of Iceland, and timeless secrets along the Adriatic Coast. Share spontaneous moments, up-close discoveries, personal connections and unforgettable treasures – making each moment memorable and uniquely yours.

Venice & the dalmatian coast, legendary scottish isles, edinburgh & glasgow, iceland: land of fire and ice, alaska's inside passage, traveling with tauck, uncommon access.

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Small Cruise Lines

History, review, itineraries, ships, deck plans, news.

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Small Cruise Lines fleet

Storylines mv narrative, orient express corinthian, mv magellan discoverer, ms utopia residences, ocean residences my njord, clydebuilt ms dark island, aranui aramana, ocean albatros, ecoventura mv evolve galapagos, mv janssonius, sylvia earle, island escape yacht, sea cloud spirit, coral geographer, review of small cruise lines.

Small ship cruise deals offer expedition-style travel in some of the most pristine regions of the world. Most of these deals are all-inclusive packages that include pre- and post-cruise hotels, all transfers (including domestic flights), and often even both international flights to and from the destination country.

Small ship cruise travel is the best (often the only) way to explore more exotic vacation destinations. You won't find much in the way of theater productions or casinos, but that leaves room for educational pursuits. Small ships commonly organize enrichment seminars on everything - from local culture to photography. Sometimes local performers (historians, dancers, and musicians) are welcome on board to entertain.

Small ships go into the smaller ports - often inaccessible for big-sized vessels . This allows "expedition travelers" to experience the local people, culture and traditions of the destinations, and not only the tourist areas. This "intimate travel" experience includes viewing the wildlife up close, getting to know the crew and forming a bond with fellow passengers. Small ships, by definition, are with a way smaller passenger capacity , so you'll likely meet the same people over and over on a daily basis.

Still, the biggest advantage of small-ship vacations is flexibility. Booking availability is usually great, so picking your departure date is easier. Not to forget the choice of unique itineraries on which are navigated the world's most pristine destinations, including narrow fjords, remote islands, even inland waterways.

Small-ship cruising experiences don't include traditional for large liners amenities - like multiple dining venues, grand-style shows, kids programming. However, enjoying a personalized vacation while cruising the world on a "boat" is usually not recommended for first-timers and in the same time is best for affluent and more active travelers - as the money must not be an issue.

Small cruise lines

This is a list of the world's most popular small-ship cruise companies. Again, there should be also added river shipping companies, the largest among which are Viking , Uniworld , Avalon Waterways , AmaWaterways , CroisiEurope , Emerald Waterways , Scylla , Luftner-Amadeus .

Alaskan Dream Cruises ( fleet , AlaskanDreamCruises.com) is Allen family-owned company (founded 1970) operating Inside Passage itineraries - wilderness adventures on small-sized expedition ships. Its ships also visit exclusive ports of call in Alaska, including native-owned lands and a private island. Cruise prices are around USD 600 pp per night.

Aurora Expeditions ( fleet , AuroraExpeditions.com.au) is among the pioneers of polar expedition cruising, as well as a leading adventure travel company on the Australian market. The company was established in 1991 by Greg Mortimer (one of the first Australians to climb Mt Everest without oxygen) and his wife Margaret Mortimer. The company initially specialized in small-group cruises to Antarctica. In 2008 it was sold and the new owners started expedition voyages in Norway's Svalbard Islands , Russia's Far East, Greenland, PNG-Papua New Guinea, and South America (on Amazon River). In 2014 were inaugurated Alaskan Inside Passage itineraries and also launched land-river-sea expeditions in Ecuador (northwestern South America). In 2015 was launched an African cruisetour with a luxury safari cruise on Chobe River (Botswana). For polar operations, Aurora Expeditions charters ice-strengthened Russian research ships.

Coral Expeditions ( fleet , CoralExpeditions.com) is among the best for South Pacific Islands cruises. Each vessel has a high-speed tender boat and Zodiacs for landings.

International Expeditions (TUI-owned) and Metropolitan Touring are among the best choices for Galapagos Islands. Metropolitan Touring's Galapagos ships are larger compared to most of the yachts deployed in this region.

"Island Windjammers" owns sailing ships on Caribbean island itineraries year-round.

Variety Cruises ( fleet ) owns superyachts (motorized and sailing) and operates in the Mediterranean Sea, West Africa, Indian Ocean, Central America.

Katarina Line (Croatia-based) also operates as an international travel booking agency for other lines. Katarina owns around 40 small-sized ships and yachts in the region of Adriatic Sea (Dalmatian Coast). Each of the ships can be fully chartered.

"Peregrine Adventures" is among the best lines in Antarctica. The itineraries are with regular roundtrip departures from Argentina (Ushuaia) and Chile (Punta Arenas), with a duration between 8 and 20 days. Among the visited destinations are Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage, Falkland Islands, South Sandwich Islands. Deals are inclusive of hotels and all transfers. Fly cruise deals include departures from Buenos Aires. International flights are not included in the fares.

Noble Caledonia ( fleet , UK-based) operates chartered riverboats and owns two ships.

Quasar Expeditions (QuasarEx.com) is another major player on the luxury Galapagos cruising market. The company provides professional naturalists, and most of the tours (kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, walking, hiking) are included in the fares.

"Aggressor Fleet" owns an impressive number of smaller luxury yachts and operates in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Galapagos, Southeast Asia, Red Sea, Maldives, also in the South Pacific Ocean.

G Adventures (Gadventures.com) is a Galapagos cruise line brand. In July 2017, it acquired the UK-based company Swan Hellenic. G-Adventures restarted Swan Hellenic's operations in 2018. The company owns the MS Expedition (ice-strengthened vessel).

"Pearl Seas Cruises" operates in USA (Great Lakes), Canada (Canadian Maritimes) and also in the Caribbean. On January 23, 2017, started the first cruise to Cuba from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale Florida). The 10-day itinerary visited Havana plus other Cuban ports. In 2017, the 210-passenger ship Pearl Mist had 11 voyages from Fort Lauderdale to Cuba (January through April), plus more scheduled for winter season 2017-2018.

The following companies have their individual pages at CruiseMapper. Each of them provides top-quality, small ship cruising experiences on comparably larger vessels.

• American Cruise Lines is famous for having large paddlewheel ships deployed on the US rivers Mississippi, Snake and Columbia. Other ACL ships cruise in Alaska also along the East Coast USA and Canada, Hudson River, and on Florida inland waterways.
• Grand Circle Cruise Line owns riverboats (operating in Europe and Asia) and also ocean ships. Its deals are inclusive of all tours, onboard lectures, local gourmet food specialties.
• Hurtigruten , along with its regular (year-round operated) Norwegian coastal itineraries also operates in the regions of the European Arctic and Antarctica. Unique tours in Europe offered by Hurtigruten are Northern Lights, Spitsbergen, polar circle landings (Greenland).
• Lindblad Expeditions has an exclusive partnership with National Geographic. The experience features wildlife watching on kayaks and Zodiacs, and complimentary tours lead by National Geographic naturalists.
• Quark Expeditions is the leading Antarctica cruise line.
• SeaDream Yacht Club has two superyachts operating in the Mediterranean (summer) and Caribbean (winter). Deals are fully all-inclusive.
• Silversea Expeditions operates a small fleet cruising in Alaska, Asia, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Galapagos. Deals are fully all-inclusive.
• Star Clippers owns tall-sailing ships (clippers) and operates in the Caribbean and Europe (Mediterranean). Deals are inclusive of marina-based sports (kayaking, wind sailing, waterskiing).
• Windstar Cruises provides some of the best "top luxury" products on the small cruising market. All boats are relatively bigger and with aft marina platforms.
• Un-Cruise Adventures is among the best Alaskan small-ship lines. During winter, its boats are repositioned to Hawaii, Baja Mexico, USA Northwest Coast. The steamer SS Legacy is cruising in the USA, on Snake and Columbia rivers.
• Oceanwide Expeditions (Oceanwide-Expeditions.com) operates ice-strengthened ships in Antarctica and the European Arctic.

Itinerary of Small Cruise Lines

Since small ship cruising deals are mainly provided by riverboats, you can also see an extensive list of river cruise lines ships at CruiseMapper's River Cruises hub. CruiseMapper is tracking cruises on rivers in Europe, USA, Russia, and Asia as both itineraries and prices. It additionally provides lines reviews, along with information on major inland waterways and best-rated river travel destinations around the world.

Below you can see destination-grouped lists of small cruise ships. All ship links (in the "Fleet" section) provide information on itineraries, prices, deck plans and cabins, general vessel details, a concise history, as well as live AIS current position ship tracking.

In this survey, we use all Silversea 's official YouTube video releases. Each of those is add-free and will give you a "real-life" review of the destination's highlights, and professionally presented information on the small cruising experience it provides.

Galapagos Islands

Most of the listed here ships are actually big yachts and all can be full-chartered.

• Celebrity Xploration
• Celebrity Xperience
• Celebrity Xpedition
• Celebrity Flora
• Encantada (yacht)
• Estrella del Mar
• MV Evolution (G10)
• Galapagos Aggressor II
• Galapagos Aggressor III
• Galapagos Grand Odyssey
• Galapagos Legend
• Galapagos Odyssey
• Galapagos Voyager
• National Geographic Endeavour
• National Geographic Endeavour 2
• National Geographic Islander
• Queen of Galapagos
• mv Santa Cruz 2
• Silver Galapagos
• Silver Origin
• Treasures of Galapagos (catamaran)

South America (Antarctica and Patagonia)

Among Antarctica's most popular itinerary destinations are Ushuaia , Cape Horn , Elephant Island , Paulet Island , Paradise Harbor. Longer itineraries also visit the Falkland Islands .

• Evangelistas
• Grigoriy Mikheev
• MV Hondius, MV Ortelius, MV Plancius
• Marina Svetaeva
• Ocean Adventurer, Ocean Diamond, Ocean Endeavour, Ocean Nova
• mv Polar Star
• Sea Explorer
• Silver Explorer
• Stella Australis, Ventus Australis

European and Russian Arctic

The Earth's Arctic region includes the Arctic Ocean and territories of 8 countries (Russia, Canada, USA, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland). Arctic expedition itineraries are operated almost year-round (excluding winter months).

• Russian icebreaker ships
• Akademik Shokalskiy
• Lyubov Orlova
• Professor Molchanov
• Professor Multanovsky
• MS Expedition
• MS Spitsbergen
• National Geographic Explorer
• Noorderlicht
• Ocean Diamond
• Ocean Endeavour
• Polar Pioneer
• Rembrandt van Rijn
• Sea Adventurer
• Sea Endurance
• Sarfaq Ittuk

Hawaii and Alaska

Among the most operated Alaskan small ship cruising destinations are Inside Passage, Glacier Bay , Skagway , Juneau , Seward , Sitka , Ketchikan (Revillagigedo Island) , Homer , Kodiak Island .

Hawaii small cruises visit the islands of Hawaii (ports Hilo and Kailua-Kona ), Kauai , Oahu , Maui (ports Kahului and Lahaina , and Kona. Most itineraries are roundtrips from Honolulu.

• Admiralty Dream
• Alaskan Dream
• American Spirit
• Baranof Dream
• Chichagof Dream
• MV Misty Fjord
• Kona Aggressor II
• Island Odyssey
• Island Roamer
• National Geographic Sea Bird
• National Geographic Sea Lion
• Safari Endeavour
• Safari Explorer
• Safari Quest
• Wilderness Adventurer
• Wilderness Discoverer
• Wilderness Explorer

Mediterranean Sea

Europe's Mediterranean is among the largest market for small ship travel. Featured destinations in this region are French Riviera, Italian Riviera, Greek Isles, Dalmatian Coast (Adriatic).

• Star Clippers ships
• Aegean Odyssey
• Aegean Paradise
• ms Berlin (FTI)
• Club Med 2 (sail ship)
• La Belle de l’Adriatique
• Royal Eleganza
• Serenissima
• Variety Voyager

The UK and Baltic Sea

Europe's Baltic region is most attractive for the opportunities to visit Russia and Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Finland). Among the world's most popular destinations here are Norwegian Fjords and St Petersburg. The UK (British Isles) itineraries visit ports in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. This region features over 6000 isles.

• Deutschland
• Hebridean Princess
• Hebridean Sky
• Lord of the Glens
• Sea Cloud 1, Sea Cloud 2

East Coast USA and Canada

New England is comprised of six US states along the Atlantic coast. Smaller ships here often sail on inland waterways as well.

• ACL-American Cruise Line fleet
• AQV-American Queen Voyages/AQSC fleet
• Grande Caribe, Grande Mariner

Caribbean and Bermuda

Caribbean small ship cruise itineraries visit popular island destinations, as well as mainland ports in Mexico, the USA, South America. Among the most visited destinations are the Bahamas, Grand Turk Island , Jamaica, Barbados , Grand Cayman Island , St Kitts Island , St Maarten Island , St Lucia Island, Aruba Island , Curacao Island , Roatan Island , US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, also ports and inland waterways in Florida (USA).

• Belize Aggressor 3
• Cayman Aggressor 4
• Carib Dancer
• Diamant (schooner)
• MV Clio (Tere Moana)
• Okeanos Aggressor
• Sagitta (sail ship)
• Safari Voyager
• Sun Dancer II
• Turks and Caicos Aggressor 2
• Vela (sail ship)
• Wind Dancer

South Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand

The South Pacific Ocean as travel destination includes the archipelagos of Oceania (Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia), Australia and New Zealand. Among the most visited in this region are the islands of Fiji, Tahiti, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Tasmania, the Great Barrier Reef .

• Andaman Explorer
• Caledonian Sky
• Coral Expeditions 1
• Coral Expeditions 2
• Fiji Princess
• Island Dancer 2
• Island Passage
• Kimberley Quest 2
• National Geographic Orion
• Oceanic Discoverer
• Paul Gauguin
• Reef Endeavour
• Silver Discoverer
• Solway Lass
• Spirit of Enderby
• Wind Spirit (sail ship)

Small Cruise Lines related cruise news

Goddess of the Night (G7 Summit security chartered hotel ship) detained over hygiene concerns

A cruise ship chartered to accommodate thousands of security officers for this week's G7 summit has been detained by the Italian police over...

Mano Cruises' ship Crown Iris arrives in Larnaca (Cyprus) for inaugural 2024 visit

The cruise ship Crown Iris received a cordial reception on her inaugural 2024 visit to Larnaca (Cyprus), having sailed from Haifa, Israel. Local...

Captain Cook Cruises Fiji debuts Southern Lau Expedition on Caledonian Sky ship

Captain Cook Cruises Fiji, renowned for its expedition expertise, has launched its inaugural 7-night voyage to the Southern Lau archipelago aboard...

Aranui Cruises marks 40th anniversary with exclusive Polynesian celebration

Aranui Cruises/fleet will commemorate its 40th anniversary of cargo cruising this year with a series of celebrations, culminating in a special...

Cordelia Cruises India launches summer sailings from Chennai for 2024 season

Cordelia Cruises has announced the start of its summer sailings from Chennai (India), set to run from July 12 through September 9, 2024. The company...

Goddess of Night docked in Brindisi to accommodate G7 Security Forces

The former Costa Cruises ship Costa Magica (now renamed Goddess of the Night/fka Mykonos Magic) will serve as accommodations for 2600 police officers...

Scylla christens 40th river ship, Porto Mirante, in Dusseldorf

The Swiss family-owned cruise ship owner Scylla AG christened its newest riverboat (Porto Mirante) in Dusseldorf Germany on Thursday, May 16th. With...

Albatros Expeditions christens 6th Infinity-class ship, Ocean Albatros

The Danish company Albatros Expeditions (fleet) has officially christened its latest addition to the fleet - Ocean Albatros. The 2023-built vessel...

Aurora Expeditions 2025-2026 season (ships Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle, Douglas Mawson)

Aurora Expeditions (fleet), a renowned Australian-owned adventure travel company celebrated for its immersive and responsible exploration, has...

Aranui Cruises introduces 'Tiki Club' Loyalty Program to celebrate 40th Anniversary

Aranui Cruises/fleet, renowned for its unique cargo cruise ship Aranui 5, has unveiled its new loyalty program, the 'Tiki Club,' as a gesture of...

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11 New Small Oceangoing Cruise Ships for 2022 You Should Know About

Jan 10, 2022 | 5

11 New Small Cruise Ships

by Anne Kalosh

Nine expedition ships and two super-yachts will be sailing into the Quirky cruise fleet in 2022.

The new small cruise ships for 2022 range from comfortable to ultra-luxurious expedition ships to the long-awaited debut vessel for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Emerald Cruises’ first oceangoing ship.

This list doesn’t count the new vessels destined for the rivers of the United States, Europe and beyond. Those are another story.

“Quirky size” is typically 300 passengers max but we’re sneaking in one 378-passenger expedition vessel, Viking Polaris .

These 11 ships cover a wide array of styles and price points, and while the expedition vessels are built for the polar regions, those aren’t the only places they’ll go. Expeditions today explore everywhere from the Great Lakes of North America to Australia’s Kimberley.

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  (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   Here’s a preview of the new small cruise ships for 2022: The Super-Yacht Emerald Azzurra This 100-passenger super-yacht has 88 percent balcony cabins including suites with some incredible terraces, a marina platform for water sports and an infinity pool. The roomy terrace of an Emerald Azzurra yacht suite. * Rendering: Emerald Cruises Emerald Azzurra’s infinity pool. * Rendering: Emerald Cruises Emerald Cruises, part of Australia’s Scenic Group, is known for its fleet of young river vessels. Scenic also fields the ultra-luxurious expedition yacht Scenic Eclipse , which debuted in 2019. Emerald Azzurra will provide a boutique experience that’s not quite as posh and expensive as Scenic Eclipse . And, unlike Eclipse , it’s not built for polar regions. Drinks up top at Emerald Azzurra’s Sky Deck Bar. * Rendering: Emerald Cruises Emerald Azzurra is scheduled to debut in the Red Sea in late January, with Greece and Turkey in the charts starting in May. New Small Cruise Ships include Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Evrima With aft decks cascading down to a marina, everything about this 298-passenger vessel is sleek and stylish, from the multiple, gourmet-caliber restaurants to the all-suite accommodations and indulgent spa. One of Evrirma’s grand suites. * Rendering: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Evrima promises the same level of quality and anticipatory service that distinguishes Ritz-Carlton shoreside so expectations are high. It’s challenging to launch a new cruise brand, though, and Evrima has been repeatedly delayed. Its inaugural cruise is now set to depart Lisbon May 6 and hopefully that date will stick. The vessel will frequent yacht harbors, dividing its time between the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean in winter. Evrima’s chic marina. * Rendering: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Janssonius from Oceanwide Expeditions One of the most experienced polar operators, Netherlands-based Oceanwide Expeditions will be introducing a twin of 2019’s Hondius . Cozy and informal, the 170-passenger Janssonius offers a mix of cabin categories including some with three or four berths, suitable for families. There’s an observation lounge with a separate library and a lecture room and one dining room. The vessel is built to Polar Class 6 standard. A protected indoor Zodiac boarding area is also the launching point for sea-based activities like kayaking. Snowshoeing, mountaineering and Antarctic camping are among the options for the active international travelers drawn to Oceanwide. Janssonius is scheduled to begin sailing in August in Greenland before heading south for the 2022/23 Antarctica season. Oceanwide Expeditions’ plucky polar ship Janssonius. * Photo: Oceanwide Expeditions Sylvia Earle & Ocean Odyssey These are the fourth and fifth Infinity-class expedition vessels designed in Europe and built in China for Miami-based SunStone Ships, which customizes and charters them to different lines on a long-term basis. Sylvia Earle will sail year-round for Australia’s Aurora Expeditions , which also fields the first Infinity-class ship, 2019’s Greg Mortimer . And Ocean Odyssey will go to Boston-based Vantage Deluxe World Travel, which has the second Infinity-class ship, 2021’s Ocean Explorer . Ocean Odyssey will operate on year-round charter to Boston’s Vantage Travel. * Rendering: SunStone Ships Built to Polar Class 6 standard, these vessels sport Ulstein Design’s distinctive inverted X-BOW for better seakeeping and fuel efficiency. Each ship has multiple lounges, a library, fitness center, spa and swimming pool. Sylvia Earle will sail for Aurora Expeditions. * Rendering: Aurora Expeditions Sylvia Earle is expected to debut in April for an inaugural season in the Americas, including Baja California, the Sea of Cortez and Alaska. Then the 132-passenger ship will explore the Russian Far East and Pacific islands before joining Greg Mortimer in Antarctica for the 2022/23 season. Customized to a luxury standard for Vantage, Ocean Odyssey can accommodate up to 162 passengers including 15 rooms for solo travelers. Besides the main restaurant, there’s a private dining area and a top-deck alternative restaurant. Ocean Odyssey is pictured during its construction in China. * Photo: SunStone Ships Ocean Odyssey’s inaugural sailing, a Singapore to Mumbai adventure, is set to begin in late March. It’s bookended by optional add-ons to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and India’s Delhi and Agra/The Taj Mahal. Seabourn Venture is one of New Small Cruise Ships for 2022 Seabourn’s first expedition ship sports interiors by hospitality design icon Adam Tihany. They’re decked out in tactile materials like wood, stone and textured fabrics. The fabulous suites, led by the two-story Grand Wintergarden pair with double-height views, also feature Tihany’s bespoke furniture. A Seabourn Venture panorama suite. * Rendering: Seabourn Seabourn Venture’s Constellation Lounge. * Rendering: Seabourn Seabourn Venture continues the brand’s ultra-luxurious offerings with an expedition twist. Among the multiple lounges are a Bow Lounge close to the water for wildlife viewing, the high-up 270-degree Constellation Lounge, an Observation Bar, a Discovery Center for cultural programming, an Expedition Lounge and The Club for afternoon tea and dancing at night. The gourmet dining choices include The Grill by Thomas Keller and a sushi restaurant. Seabourn Venture is Seabourn’s first purpose-built expedition vessel. * Rendering: Seabourn Passengers can explore in a pair of six-person submarines. The 264-passenger ship, delayed a couple times, is now set to debut April 10 on a maiden voyage from London (Greenwich). Seabourn Venture will sail two itineraries around the UK with voyages to northern Norway, Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland to follow.   (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   SH Vega & Vega Class 3 The newly revived Swan Hellenic brand follows up its first expedition ship, 2021’s SH Minerva , with a sister, SH Vega , and a third (still unnamed ship) that measures 12,000 gross tons, larger than the first two 10,500-gross-ton vessels, and with capacity for 192 passengers, up from 152. Like SH Minerva , SH Vega will be built to Polar Class 5 standard, while the third ship is a tad less robust at Polar Class 6. Scandinavian-style interiors characterize these luxuriously outfitted vessels. Swan Hellenic’s sleek stateroom finishing. * Photo: Swan Hellenic SH Vega is planned to debut in April with varied inaugural-season itineraries that range from the British Isles paired with northern France to North Atlantic island hopping, an Iceland circumnavigation, Svalbard and the Russian High Arctic. The third ship’s itineraries are to be announced. SH Vega will be the twin of 2021’s SH Minerva, pictured here. * Photo: Swan Hellenic Viking Polaris After building a massive flotilla of river vessels and branching into ocean cruising with a fleet of 930-passenger ships, Viking is branching into expedition cruising. Having just introduced Viking Octantis in Antarctica this season, the company will bring out sister vessel Viking Polaris in August in the Arctic. Large by expedition standards, the 378-passenger, 30,000-gross-ton vessel has U-tank stabilizers to decrease rolling by up to 50 percent when stationary. It is built to Polar Class 6 standard. Features include The Hangar, an enclosed marina with a slipway for launching excursion craft. This allows passengers to embark and disembark from a flat, stable surface inside the ship. There’s also a pair of six-person submarines. The Aula is a panoramic auditorium for lectures and entertainment with floor-to-ceiling windows and 270-degree views. Outside, at the stern, the Finse Terrace provides warming lava rock “firepits.” A Science Lab will support a broad range of research activities. Expedition ship Viking Polaris has a multipurpose room for lectures and films called The Aula. * Rendering: Viking World Traveller & World Seeker Another pair of new small oceangoing cruise ships include the 196-passenger, Polar Category C/Ice Class 1B ships that are the sisters of 2021 “luxe-adventure” vessel World Navigator for the new Atlas Ocean Voyages brand. They’re characterized by elegant European interior design, multiple dining venues with a focus on regionally inspired cuisine and a selection of lounges. These include The Dome, an observation lounge with a lively piano bar; a main lounge with a dance floor and library, and a theater for lectures and films. There’s a SeaSpa by L’Occitane, a gym and an outdoor pool. A forward outdoor viewing area, The Water’s Edge, has heated seats for comfort in cold climes. World Traveller is set to debut at Lisbon July 15 for an inaugural season of 11 voyages throughout the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean seas. World Seeker’s itineraries haven’t been revealed yet. World Traveller and World Seeker will be the sisters of 2021’s World Navigator. * Photo: Atlas Ocean Voyages RELATED: Peter Knego reviews his maiden voyage of World Navigator from Greece to Egypt. RELATED: Enjoy John Roberts’ video below, with highlights from his recent World Navigator expedition in Antarctica.       Don’t miss a post about small-ship cruising,  subscribe to QuirkyCruise.com  for monthly updates & special offers!  

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About The Author

Anne Kalosh

Anne Kalosh has written about cruises for decades and her favorites involve small ships. She is the editor of Seatrade-Cruise.com and senior associate editor of Seatrade Cruise Review.

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What a fantastic recap of what’s to come in 2022! I haven’t been this excited about a crop of new ships in a long time. Thank you, Anne Kalosh, for yet another seamlessly reported feature!

Thank you, we agree! Anne nails it every time!

Thank you, Peter, for your enthusiasm and kind words! I’m curious: Which ships particularly interest you, or is it the group as a whole?

All of them to one degree or other but I might be a tad more excited about the JANSSONIUS and the new Viking pair. They are innovative and quite attractive looking from the renderings.

What a wonderful lineup of new expedition ships, and happily not all super luxury. If I had to pick just one, it would be Swan Hellenic’s new Minerva, a cultural cruise line I sailed with five times. While their first touted is equipped for expeditions, I hope the line will include some of its original style itineraries. Their lecture program was simply the best.

Thank you for the thorough and immensely useful overview.

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9 of the best small ship cruises to the Caribbean

Published 2nd August 2023 in Cruise Advice By Claire Benktander /cruise-news/cruise-advice/best-small-ship-cruises-caribbean

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The Caribbean is one of the world's most appealing cruising destinations, renowned for its gorgeous beaches, balmy temperatures and easy-going island culture. Discover the tiny islands and secluded beaches that the big ships can't reach with our pick of the best small ship cruises to the Caribbean.

Yet we often hear people writing the Caribbean off, lumping all of the islands together based on bad past experiences or some horror story they've heard from a friend. As with so many preconceptions about cruising, this negative view of the Caribbean tends to come from the world of mainstream megaships.

The big ships are restricted to busy, overdeveloped islands where going ashore means running a gauntlet of hassle from street vendors, touts and taxi drivers. Often the main attractions are duty free shopping malls, and the chances of experiencing an authentic slice of Caribbean culture are minimal. Some of the big cruise lines even stop at their own private islands, a sanitised pastiche of the Caribbean that we find rather depressing.

A small ship cruise around the Caribbean is a completely different experience, allowing you to visit the smaller islands and secluded bays that the bigger ships can't reach. On sleepy islands like Bequia and Tobago you'll encounter none of the hassle that plagues the more mainstream islands, and you'll find idyllic beaches and lush rainforests still largely unsullied by mass tourism. Island-hopping around the Caribbean by small ship is a fantastic way to explore the region, giving you a taste of several different islands and their surprising diversity, from the natural wilderness of Dominica to the classic cars and communist murals of Cuba.

The most convenient Caribbean gateway for UK cruisers is Barbados, with regular direct flights from both Gatwick and Manchester. You can also fly direct to Miami and Fort Lauderdale, both of which serve as turnaround ports for many Caribbean cruises, though you will of course have to contend with the joys of US immigration. Other popular turnaround ports include San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Philipsburg (St Maarten), convenient for the US market but less so for the UK, with no direct flights. There are also occasional cruises departing from St Lucia, Antigua or Jamaica, as well as longer itineraries that visit the Caribbean en route to Central and South America.

Cruise ships generally head to the Caribbean as winter descends on Europe and North America, with high season running from December through to February. Temperatures rise and rain becomes more likely as you head towards the summer months, though downpours tend to be short and sharp. Hurricane season officially runs from 1 June to 30 November, and the peak usually comes in August and September, by which time you're unlikely to find many cruise ships in the Caribbean.

There is a huge amount of choice when it comes to ships, routings and ports of call, so here is our guide to eight of the best small ship cruise lines visiting the Caribbean:

1. SeaDream Yacht Club

SeaDream's laid-back, al fresco style is perfectly suited to tropical latitudes, and both of their 112-guest yachts winter in the Caribbean. Itineraries include Bridgetown round-trips focusing on the stunning Grenadines, a particularly attractive option for UK travellers, and cruises around the Virgin Islands from San Juan or St Thomas.

2. Windstar Cruises

Windstar's fleet of six small ships includes three sail-assisted yachts and three all-suite former Seabourn ships, giving you two different ways to cruise the Caribbean. Their 14-night Star Collector voyages out of Barbados are a great option if you're looking for a longer trip, and Windstar also have a handful of itineraries visiting the so-called 'ABC Islands' of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.

3. Seabourn

Seabourn are another good choice for those seeking a more in-depth exploration of the Caribbean, with 14-night round-trip voyages from both Barbados and St Martin. Their fleet of seven ships is the most modern of all the ultra-luxury lines, with a refined yet relaxed ambience on board that is perfectly suited to cruising the Caribbean.

4. Silversea

Silversea's classic fleet, ranging in size from 298 to 728 guests, offers a number of Caribbean options, including a handful of Barbados round-trips. There are also various itineraries embarking or disembarking in Fort Lauderdale, and Silversea have some interesting voyages combining the islands of the Caribbean with either Bermuda or Central America.

The stylish yachts of French cruise line Ponant are a great choice for something a bit different. As you might expect , the French Caribbean features prominently in their programme, with unusual turnaround ports including the island of Martinique and Cayenne, capital of French Guiana. Their itineraries range from classic Caribbean routes to expedition-style voyages exploring Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula and the amazing dive sites of Belize.

6. Sea Cloud Cruises

The majestic tall ships of Sea Cloud offer a very different cruising experience, marrying the romance of travelling under sail with high standards of service on board. Watching the crew hoisting the sails by hand is a remarkable spectacle, and you'll be the envy of other cruisers as you set sail from ports including Bridgetown, Santo Domingo and Havana.

7. Star Clippers

Star Clippers is a more affordable option for tall ship enthusiasts, with the five-masted Royal Clipper and four-masted Star Flyer both wintering in the Caribbean. Royal Clipper focuses on the Grenadines and Windward Islands and operates out of Barbados, making it the most popular option for UK cruisers. Star Flyer is based in St Martin, visiting islands including Anguilla, St Barths and the British Virgin Islands.

8. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Just launched, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is an exciting new cruise line that promises to bring the Ritz-Carlton brand of luxury to the oceans for the first time. Three super-stylish yachts are perfectly suited to cruising in the sun-kissed Caribbean - the first, 298-guest Evrima, offers Bridgetown and San Juan round-trips between December to March, 456-guest Ilma and Luminara will arrive in 2024 and 2025 respectively.

9. Emerald Yacht Collection

Emerald Azzurra and Sakara are the first ships in the Emerald yacht fleet, carrying just 100 lucky travellers in sleek and stylish surroundings with a marina at the back of the yachts, allowing you to hop straight into the Caribbean waters with a host of water toys. Voyages between November and April include St John's round trips that visit Martinique, the Grenadines and St Lucia, as well as sailings to and from San Juan that call in at Saint Kitts and Nevis, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and glamorous St Barths. There are also longer two-week voyages encompassing both the above regions, including round-trip Barbados sailings.

Claire is Marketing Manager at Mundy Cruising, having worked with the company for nearly a year and in travel for over 8 years. Most recently she's cruised on Seabourn and has also sailed with Ponant and Uniworld. Her favourite destination is Sweden however she's also enjoyed cruises in the the Galapagos, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, Greek Isles and the Far East. When she’s not travelling she loves weekends away in the countryside.

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Small Ships Flourish In Alaska

This article originally appeared in the March issue of AGENTatHOME magazine.  Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.

Alaska has long been a popular destination for fans of small-ship cruising. Beginning in the early 1980s and continuing into the 1990s, companies such as Lindblad Expeditions and UnCruise Adventures, along with now-defunct lines like Alaska Sightseeing/Cruise West and Glacier Bay Cruiseline, helped to popularize the niche. Today, a number of different brands serve this burgeoning market, each offering a distinct small-ship experience and a range of itineraries.

The traditional appeal of small ships is their ability to go where the big ships can’t. Small ships get closer to shore, maximizing wildlife-viewing opportunities. They also are more intimate and immersive, said UnCruise Adventures . “Fewer passengers result in a more close-knit community on board, allowing for personalized service and attention from the crew,” the line explained, adding, “Small ships tend to have a smaller ecological footprint, which is crucial in preserving the pristine nature of Alaska.”

Altogether, there are some 17 vessels spread mainly over four small-ship cruise lines. Many are in expansion mode, offering new itineraries and new destinations for Alaska-bound travelers.

Alaskan Dream Cruises

The line is introducing a nine-day “Ice of the Inside Passage” itinerary for 2024 aboard the 49-passenger Baranof Dream visiting seven different Southeast Alaska glaciers up close, with the chance to see five more glaciers from a distance. The cruise will sail from Sitka to Glacier Bay National Park and Juneau, and then visit the Haida community of Kasaan, before concluding in Ketchikan.

The company is Alaska’s only Indigenous-owned cruise line, run by the Allen family of Sitka, who are of Tlingit descent. Five itineraries of six to nine days are available for 2024 aboard four ships carrying 40 to 80 passengers. One additional vessel – the 12-passenger Kruzof Explorer, a former Bering Sea crab-fishing boat converted for expedition cruising – is available for smallgroup charters. ADC’s trips focus on kayaking and hiking in secluded wilderness areas with an emphasis on cultural immersion.

American Cruise Lines

The company is adding new national parks cruise-tours to its Alaska offerings in 2024, which combine guided explorations in Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park along with smallship cruising in Glacier Bay National Park. The seven-day land portion of these 16- or 19-day itineraries travels from Fairbanks to Juneau, where passengers board their ship for nine or 12 days of cruising the Inside Passage with stops in Skagway, Sitka, Petersburg and Wrangell.

American’s sole ship in Alaska is the 170-passenger American Constellation, which will sail on three different 2024 itineraries: a nineday “Southeast Alaska” cruise roundtrip from Juneau; a 12-day “Alaska Explorer Cruise,” also roundtrip from Juneau; and a 16-day “Alaska Inside Passage” cruise one-way between Seattle and Juneau. The line focuses on traditional port-to-port cruises, which makes it somewhat unique among Alaska’s smallship operators, and includes complimentary hotel stays, port charges and gratuities in its fares.

Lindblad Expeditions

Demand for its smallship cruises is so strong, Lindblad has added departures on its 2024 Southeast Alaska itineraries. These include a mix of longer itineraries that cover the entire length of the Inside Passage and shorter cruises that explore the hidden channels and uninhabited corners of the Alaska panhandle. Of special note is “A Remarkable Journey” to Alaska, British Columbia and Haida Gwaii,” a 15-day itinerary that spends four days in Haida Gwaii – the ancestral territory of the Haida Nation. Lindblad has secured special access to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where passengers learn from Haida interpreters about their Native culture and have the opportunity to explore these remote islands.

Lindblad offers a wide variety of port-to-port itineraries combined with wilderness activities led by a team of naturalists and other experts. In addition to its four coastal-type vessels carrying 62 to 100 passengers, Lindblad operates expedition ships in the Arctic.

UnCruise Adventures

The line is plying new waters in 2024 and 2025. In May, it will launch its inaugural cruises of Prince William Sound. The eight-day “Prince William Sound Explorer” itinerary sails roundtrip from Whittier aboard the 36-passenger Safari Explorer. One highlight of this cruise is the chance to call at Cordova, a remote fishing village on the eastern side of the sound that has caught the attention of cruise ships lately. The itinerary will be repeated next year, along with the company’s first-ever cruises to the Aleutian Islands, sailing for 11 days between Whittier and Dutch Harbor via Kodiak Island.

UnCruise fields Alaska’s largest smallship fleet with seven vessels carrying 22 to 88 passengers. As its name suggests, it focuses on outdoor activities in hidden coves and secluded bays for a different kind of cruise experience. Eleven itineraries are scheduled for this year and next; some departures are sold as adult-only or family-only cruises.

Expedition Options

Besides Alaska’s U.S.-flagged coastal-style ships, several foreign-flagged expedition vessels visit the 49th state during the cruise season.

While they are somewhat larger than their coastal counterparts, they still can be considered small – especially when compared with the 4,000-passenger megaships sailing in the region.

Such choices for this upcoming Alaska season include HX’s 530-passenger Roald Amundsen (the only hybrid-powered cruise ship operating in coastal Alaskan waters), Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ 230-passenger HANSEATIC spirit, Lindblad Expeditions 238-passenger National Geographic Resolution and PONANT’s yachtlike, 264-passenger Le Soleal.

Although they are often built for polar exploration, these vessels also cruise the more temperate waters of the Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage with naturalists and other scientists aboard.