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All-inclusive adventure cruises on ships of 22-86 guests.

Why UnCruise?

We don't just take you to see a destination; we immerse you in it. From participating in exhilirating kayak excursions to induldging in gourmet sea-to-plate meals, the UnCruise Adventures crew is committed to providing you with an incredible experience you won't find anywhere else.

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Whale-sized savings in 2024 & 2025. Applies to select sailings only.*

Alaska 2025

2024 prices + 10% savings*

Warm Weather 2024

10% off any cabin category*

2025 Group Savings

5% off groups of 6 or more

Featured Destination

Darwin's Discoveries: The Galapagos Islands

Encounter wildlife found nowhere else in the world! Our 7-night Galapagos Islands cruise takes you to seven islands and islets aboard our luxurious cruise ship La Pinta.

Popular Warm Weather Destinations

Hawaiian seascapes.

Kona to Molokai (or reverse)

Ship: Safari Explorer

From: $5,900 USD/per person

Baja California's Whales & Sea Life

Round trip La Paz

Ship: Safari Voyager

From: $5,500 USD/per person

In Steinbeck's Wake: An Epic Voyage Through the Sea of Cortez

From: $6,500 USD/per person

Alaskan Adventures

Alaska was the birthplace of UnCruise Adventures and it continues to be wide open for exploration. Twenty-five years later, innovation continues to be at the core of our motto. We’re serious about your fun and driven by a commitment to leaving the charted course and really experiencing what the Last Frontier has to offer.

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The 5 Least Crowded Cruise Ships for Tranquil Sailing

Updated : June 14, 2024

AAA Travel Editor, CW

Table of contents, the size of your ship — what you should know, the benefits of small ship cruising, the 5 least crowded cruise ships.

Is a cruise last on your vacation list? Maybe you’ve scoffed at your more extroverted friends’ suggestions of setting sail because you feared a cruise would be overrun with people. Or perhaps you’re worried you’d feel claustrophobic.

Cruises have long been subjected to stereotypes of loud crowds gorging on food and swimmers stuffed into the pool deck. Introverts, don’t fret! You just haven’t found the right ship yet.

Today’s cruise lines are working hard to challenge many cruising clichés. You can now travel on boutique ships instead of booking massive ocean liners. And while space can be limited out at sea, plenty of smaller ships still feel expansive. Try one of these compact cruises for your ticket to smooth sailing!

It’s important you understand the differences between giant ocean liners and smaller river cruises before you set sail.

The mega cruise ships can weigh in at over 220,000 tons. These ships spend much of their time on the ocean, hitting major ports. In the biggest ships, you can find 3,500+ people onboard with you. During peak season, you may have trouble even snagging a deck chair. Although ships this size give you variety, like the best Broadway shows and specialty dining, many compare them to floating malls.

Mid-sized ships hold around 2,000-2,200 people. These are often older, refurbished ships, and many can be booked at discounted rates. They’re more limited than the larger ocean liners for dining and entertainment, but they still include plenty of lively options.

And finally, there are the smallest ships that carry under 1,000 passengers. The Celebrity Xpedition weighs just over 2,000 tons with an occupancy of 48 passengers. The smaller size allows for access to narrower, more remote ports of call. These cruises may not include theme-park-style activities, but they connect you more to the sea experience.

Boarding a smaller ship means more attention to detail. And to you.

The smaller ships are less family-friendly and more adult-focused, and the small ship crews have high-end luxury down to a science. These ships boast some of the best amenities and higher quality details, from fine linens to ultramodern espresso machines. And with fewer passengers, crews can personalize your service. Will your favorite bartender remember your usual drink? Could the cabin steward honor your special request? You bet! No need to fear emergencies out at sea, either. The higher crew-to-passenger ratio means more highly trained staff who can accurately gauge the wellness of passengers as well as the weather on the horizon.

Small ships = better shore excursions

Imagine a mega ship unloading 4,000 passengers into a port. Now picture just 150 of you hopping off at that same destination. Smaller ships mean less crowded excursions. And forget the tourist traps! A physically smaller ship can also fit into narrower ports, so you’ll get the bonus of exploring more far-flung and culturally interesting destinations.

Budget-friendly packages

The smaller the ship, the more likely you’ll get an opulent inclusive package at an affordable rate. You’ll find many of the separate costs on the bigger ships, like gratuities, dining options, high-end onboard activities and even wine, will be included on these little luxury liners.

You’re not just a face in the crowd

With fewer passengers, you’ll avoid lines when dining and attending shows. You may even be able to skip reservations entirely. You’ll recognize many of the same faces during your cruise, and you might make new friends.

Azamara Luxury Cruises

All Azamara ships are identical in size carrying 700 passengers maximum. These luxury boutique ships overnight in some of the world’s most beautiful and historically fascinating ports of call. Along with sea deck barbecues and chocolate buffets, you’ll get a rare evening extravaganza when local entertainers hop on board for a culturally immersive encounter.

Celebrity Cruises Xpedition, Xploration and Flora

Celebrity Cruises Galapagos cruises balance exploration with relaxation. The Xpedition is a 48-passenger vessel; Flora holds 100 passengers, while Xploration carries just 16 passengers. Celebrity’s small ships boast al fresco dining, balcony or ocean view rooms, in-suite dining and nightly lectures. In addition to the 7-night Galapagos cruises, you can now take an all-inclusive 10 to 16 night trip that includes a South American adventure.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise

See the Egyptian Nile onboard Uniworld’s SS Sphinx, featuring French balconies attached to all staterooms with walls upholstered in blue Egyptian cotton in each bedroom. You’ll take a guided tour of the Pyramids of Giza. Or join one of the themed cruises where you can explore European Christmas markets or take one of the family-friendly cruises in the Generations Collection. Uniworld’s River Cruises promises to be an explorer’s dream come true with complimentary bikes onboard, signature lectures and Wi-Fi.

Ama Waterways

Ama means love, making it the perfect intimate river cruise to travel into the heart of Europe’s most picturesque cities. An Ama Waterways cruise focuses on the countries you visit, not the ship. Think of these ships as luxury transportation that double your leisure time with all your excursions included. Their most celebrated sojourn is the Romantic Danube cruise that includes a wine tasting and stops in Linz, Vienna, Budapest and other cities.

Oceania Cruises

If regional cuisine is your obsession, consider Oceania's smallest ship, Sirena , carrying only 648 passengers. Try a Culinary Discovery Tour with Food Network-style cooking classes and wine-paired dinners. And if you've got food allergies or follow a specific diet, you’ll find a unique vegetarian menu onboard. For those adventure seekers with insatiable wanderlust, Oceania offers a 180-day around-the-world cruise.

AAA Travel provides peace of mind when you travel — before, during, and after your vacation! AAA Travel has teamed up with some of the industry's best cruise lines to provide you with added amenities, AAA Vacations® 24/7 Member Care, and the Best Price Guarantee. Your next cruise vacation starts with AAA, your complete travel solution. Visit your local AAA Travel Agent or book at https://www.aaa.com/tripcanvas/category/cruises .

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As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.

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• World's Best

The Top 10 Small-ship Ocean Cruise Lines in 2021

Paul Brady is the news director at Travel + Leisure and the brand's expert on cruise travel. He has been covering the travel industry for more than 15 years for outlets including Condé Nast Traveler , Skift , and The Huffington Post .

Note: If you’re looking for our most recent recommendations, check out the 2023 list of our favorite small-ship ocean cruise lines.

This year's World's Best Awards survey was open for voting January 11 through May 10, 2021, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period. We hope that this year's honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world.

The travel industry at large contended with an extraordinarily difficult year as it weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, but cruise lines were particularly hard hit . Though ships around the world were grounded, readers still recalled fun times at sea as they rated the world's top small-ship ocean cruise lines.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated individual cruise ships on their cabins and facilities, food, service, itineraries and destinations, excursions and activities, and value. Those assessments were combined to generate results for the cruise lines in five categories; small-ship ocean cruise lines have ships that can carry 249 or fewer passengers.

A few small-ship lines moved up in the World's Best Awards voting this year, as travelers sought distinctive experiences in far-flung ports — the sorts of adventures that only the smallest vessels can deliver . For example, No. 4 Lindblad moved up four spots this year, posting a better score for 2021 than 2020. Its vessels will go to Alaska and Iceland this year, and this summer should also see the inaugural cruise of the brand-new National Geographic Endurance, a 126-guest expedition ship that will sail the polar regions.

No. 5 Windstar Cruises rose five places since last year, as adventurers praised its three distinctive sailing yachts, including the Wind Spirit and Wind Star, both of which accommodate 148 guests. No. 2 Ponant also climbed five spots this year, winning over readers with an ever-expanding fleet of small ships. New on the list for 2021 is No. 10 Alaskan Dream Cruises, an Alaska Native–owned line that has a fleet of six ships, including the Kruzof Explorer, a Bering Sea crab-fishing vessel turned luxury-expedition yacht.

But one thing that didn't change this year was the top of T+L's list. No. 1 Quasar Expeditions kept its hold on first place, marking the fourth consecutive year the Galápagos Islands specialist has taken the honors. Quasar continued to impress travelers with its above-and-beyond service in a destination that's a forever favorite. One well-traveled reviewer said Quasar tops anything else in the destination: "As a 14-time Galápagos visitor, the M/Y Evolution is hands down my favorite boat in the islands. Best guides, excellent service, comfortably spacious cabins and outdoor spaces. The unique 32-passenger size is perfect for families."

Read on to see what other readers had to say — and which other companies made this year's list.

1. Quasar Expeditions

A specialist in Galápagos Islands cruises, Quasar has a two-vessel fleet that operates in the ever-compelling destination. The 32-guest M/Y Evolution and the 16-passenger M/Y Grace both get high marks from readers, who consistently score Quasar as not only one of the best cruise lines of any size but one of the top travel offerings in any World's Best Awards category. "This was our second cruise to the Galápagos because we loved our previous experience on the Evolution so much," said one reader about a trip aboard the Grace . "Quasar exceeded all our expectations yet again on a very unique and charming ship." (The Grace was named for Grace Kelly, who received the yacht as a wedding present from Aristotle Onassis when she wed Prince Rainier III in 1956 and became Princess of Monaco. Quasar has operated the historic vessel since 2007.) "The M/Y Grace is the only way to visit the Galápagos," said another traveler. "The intimate ship size and staff attention make you feel as if you're the yacht owner."

Score: 97.99 More information: quasarex.com

Score: 93.42 More information: us.ponant.com

3. Crystal Cruises

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 93.33 More information: crystalcruises.com

4. Lindblad Expeditions

Score: 92.97 More information: expeditions.com

5. Windstar Cruises

Score: 92.90 More information: windstarcruises.com

6. Silversea

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 92.15 More information: silversea.com

7. SeaDream Yacht Club

Score: 87.28 More information: seadream.com

8. Australis

Score: 83.72 More information: australis.com

9. Celebrity Cruises

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 83.69 More information: celebritycruises.com

10. Alaskan Dream Cruises

Score: 83.57 More information: alaskandreamcruises.com

See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2021 .

Related Articles

Cruise Collection

Find Your Trip

Explore the world by boutique small ship cruises.

Some of the most spectacular places in the world can only be reached by small ships, and we’re thrilled to offer you this curated collection of the most intriguing cruising itineraries aboard the finest ships. These are real voyages for real travelers—perfect for Wilderness Travel’s style of adventuring.

What Makes Our Small Ship Cruises Special?

• Small-ship cruises allow you to experience far-flung destinations that are otherwise unreachable—from ice-draped polar coasts to remote Pacific atolls
• When exploring the world by ship, smaller truly is better. Small expedition ships can travel to more remote and uncrowded ports and places that the larger ships can’t reach
• We have hand-selected each cruise company for our collection, and while these voyages are neither operated by nor exclusive to Wilderness Travel, your participation in these cruises does count toward your Toucan Club discounts.

Choose Your Cruise Type

Browse our cruises based on your specific interests. Whether you are looking for river cruises, polar cruises, rail journeys, or more, we have the trip for you.

River Cruising

Rail Journeys

Polar Expeditions

Snorkeling & Kayaking

Featured Cruise Collection Adventures

Argentina, Antarctica

From $8,895

Belgium, Netherlands

From $2,999

Enticing Douro

Spain, Portugal

From $3,599

Tierra del Fuego Cruise, Punta Arenas to Ushuaia

Argentina, Chile

From $2,375

Iconic Christmas Markets

Austria, Germany, Hungary

Antarctica Air Cruise

From $11,495

Bali to Komodo Expedition Cruise

Indonesia, Bali

From $9,415

Hawaiian Seascapes

From $5,900

Romantic Danube

Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia

From $2,799

Antarctica: Fly and Sail Expedition

Argentina, Chile, Antarctica

From $17,195

Tahiti and the Society Islands

French Polynesia, Tahiti

From $3,400

Explore the Wonders of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu

Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu

From $10,695

Download Digital Brochure

Our 2024-2025 Cruise Collection brochure is here! Get inspired for your next journey by downloading our online digital brochure.

REVIEWS FROM OUR CLIENTS

The cruise was fantastic, and the boat, crew, and staff were absolutely great! Can’t imagine how it could have been better. We loved every minute of the adventure.

This was without a doubt one of the best trips I’ve taken in my entire life. The professionalism and thoughtfulness that was demonstrated time and time again by the crew and the staff was superlative. An outstanding experience for me and my kids!

The Antarctica cruise was fantastic and the quality of the ship and staff exceeded my expectation. I was especially impressed by the experience and friendliness of the expedition staff.

This trip is unique—there is nothing comparable. The expedition director was superb, and the procedures for getting ashore were well organized. There was a rich variety of lectures that expanded the experience and our knowledge.

This trip is an adventure of a lifetime. The crew really knows what they are doing; their passion and dedication to the environment makes the experience fabulous. Everyone on the ship loves what they do and it shows—they really do care about your experience and want you to have the best trip possible. I would recommend this trip to anyone as my words and pictures can’t convey what a truly amazing experience I had. Every time I think of Antarctica, I smile!

Fantastic trip! From the moment we landed, the journey was seamless. Excellent attention to detail and warm, enthusiastic communication. The naturalist was best-in-class and really made the trip extra special!

This is the trip of a lifetime! For most of us, it is the only opportunity to be part of an expedition to one of the most remote places on the planet. The lectures were excellent and certainly enhanced the whole experience.

This was a fantastic experience for us and for the rest of the family. The crew was exemplary, and they made it a trip of a lifetime for all. We look forward to another similar trip, and we also look forward to several upcoming Wilderness Travel adventures.

Thank you, Wilderness Travel, for putting together this wonderful experience. Our Trip Leaders made every minute count. We appreciated all the planning it took to juggle the tides, the winds, and the calendar to make sure we immersed in as many habitats as possible.

Talk to an Expert

Our Small Ship Cruise Specialists know every detail about our Cruise Collection. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

What is an UnCruise, and is UnCruise Adventures the Right Vacation for You?

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: October 8, 2019  - Last updated: March 20, 2023

You might be a cruise fanatic, but have you ever tried an UnCruise? I review UnCruise Adventures’ small-ship adventure voyages so you can decide if it’s the right vacation for you.

Mr. SBC and I recently took a seven-day UnCruise through Alaska’s Inside Passage , and loved our adventurous vacation. We hiked on top of a glacier, kayaked around Glacier Bay , and bushwhacked through dense temperate rainforest. We had a blast, but is an UnCruise a good choice for you?

UnCruise Adventures has a fleet of nine small ships that go where the larger cruise ships just can’t fit. With itineraries in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, South and Central America (including the Galápagos Islands), Hawaii, and Mexico, UnCruise focuses on adventures in off-the-beaten-path locations.

Who should go on an UnCruise?

UnCruise Adventures attracts guests from around the world, of various ages and abilities. We met passengers from all over the US, Europe, and Australia on our cruise. Not everyone was a hiking fanatic or experienced outdoors person, but the one thing that everyone had in common was an adventurous spirit.

Do you think you might enjoy an UnCruise ? Here’s how you’ll know if it’s the right vacation for you.

1. You enjoy outdoor adventures and spotting wildlife

What really sets UnCruise apart from other cruise lines is its focus on getting passengers outdoors in remote areas where most tourists never go. Away from it all, it’s a chance to get up close with various wildlife species each day.

Have your camera ready, because you never know what you’ll see when you’re out in the wilderness!

UnCruise offers a choice of outdoor excursions, from touring on the water in small skiffs, to hiking off-trail, to guided or solo kayaking.

Guides are experienced and knowledgeable, and love to share what they know about the local flora and fauna! Best of all, you’ll have time to stop and really experience the things you’re seeing.

Whether on the ship or off, the crew and guides went out of their way to make sure we got the most out of the wild locations we visited.

From turning the entire ship around to get a better look at a pod of dolphins or stopping to take a break on top of a glacier to just appreciate the view, we always felt that we had plenty of time to enjoy our surroundings.

2. You want to put your wallet away on vacation, for real

One of my favorite parts of cruising is paying once, then never taking my wallet out of my purse again. But on most cruises, you’ll still pay for extras like drinks, shore excursions, and specialty dining—it’s just charged to your credit card on file.

UnCruise is completely all-inclusive once you’re on the ship. All meals are included, along with premium wine, beer, and cocktails. They also include daily adventures off-ship with your cruise fare.

The only things that aren’t included are airfare and hotel accommodations before and after your trip, and gratuities for the staff and crew (the hotel manager is available on the last night of the cruise to collect gratuities. No need to bring cash; you can put the tips on a card and it will be divided amongst the staff).

3. You love to go behind the scenes

Some of the large cruise lines offer limited “behind-the-scenes” tours, usually at an inflated price. On a large-ship cruise we took recently, the tour cost $150 per person.

UnCruise doesn’t charge for any of this. In fact, they have an open bridge policy! You can go up to the bridge and chat with the captain at any time.

We also took advantage of free guided tours of the galley as well as the engine room, with only six passengers at a time. You’ll have plenty of time to poke around and ask questions!

4. You love to eat amazing food

I’ll admit, I was a little nervous before our UnCruise that I wouldn’t like the food. I’m not a picky eater, but I wasn’t sure how many options there would be at each meal on such a small ship.

I was also worried that with all of our outdoor activities, we’d be constantly starving!

After the first day, I realized I had nothing to worry about. The food was amazing, and there was plenty of it!

Each day, there was an early-bird breakfast in the lounge at 6:30 (I’d usually grab a coffee and some fruit salad before 7 AM stretch class). Regular breakfast was a hot and cold buffet in the dining room, with new options each day like eggs Benedict, banana-nut pancakes, or maple bacon.

Lunch and dinner had three options (meat, fish, or veggie) and were sometimes served buffet-style and sometimes traditionally. Lunch and dinner were always three courses including dessert. Our favorite meals were the Alaskan King Crab and the Tomahawk Ribeye Steak.

I’m not much of a dessert-eater, but Mr. SBC and the other guests loved the sweet treats at the end of each meal.

Outside of regular meals, there was always something to snack on, including 3 PM cookies, canapés during happy hour, and the fresh fruit and snack bars that were always available.

Of the 30 passengers on our sailing, we had several vegans, as well as a few people with food allergies or intolerances. One of the guests was both gluten- and dairy-free.

All of the guests with special dietary needs were raving about how inventive the chef was in making their meals, and how attentive all the serving staff was, ensuring they were never served ingredients they couldn’t eat.

5. You enjoy making new friends

One of my very favorite parts of cruising is making new friends. I love meeting people from around the world, and I’m constantly amazed that I always seem to find some sort of mutual connection with other passengers I’m cruising with.

Although I’ve made some of my very best friends on cruises, I always wonder about the people I’ve enjoyed chatting with and then never bumped into again during a voyage. On a large ship with over 3000 passengers, it can be difficult to keep up with your new buddies!

On an UnCruise, you’ll never run into this problem.

Daily adventure groups are small, so you can get to know your guides as well as the others in your group. The cozy lounge, shared dining tables, and hot tub are also great places to share experiences and get to know your fellow travelers a little better.

6. You’re nostalgic for summer camp

When I was a kid, I was sent to camp every summer. I loved meeting new friends from other towns, and I always ended up with a bunch of pen pals that I’d correspond with during the school year.

Several years ago, I was helping my daughter pack for her own summer adventures when it really hit me. I want to go back to summer camp! But since it would be really strange for a middle-aged mom to head off to camp with a bunch of kids, I dismissed that longing as nostalgia.

After checking in for our UnCruise, we found empty seats at a table with several other passengers to wait for the coach to take us to the pier. They seemed like a lively bunch, laughing and telling stories. They explained that their cruise had just ended, and they were waiting for their airport shuttle.

“How did you like your cruise?” I asked.

With excited grins they all took turns telling us how much they loved their adventures, how great the crew was, and how much they were going to miss the food.

One of the men turned to me and asked, “Did you go to summer camp when you were a kid?”

“Well,” he continued, “This was just like summer camp, but for grownups. You know, we didn’t know each other until this trip.” He motioned to the other couple sitting at the table. “But we already booked our next one, and we’re all going together.”

After a few days, I thought back to this conversation. He was right! I had finally found summer camp again.

Who should make sure they know what they’re getting into before booking an UnCruise?

If you’re used to large-ship cruising, a journey with UnCruise Adventures will feel a lot different than a typical cruise. That’s why it’s an UnCruise!

On our trip, there was one guest who had no idea what UnCruise was all about. He had been on many traditional cruises, so when his wife told him she’d booked an Alaska cruise, he was expecting more of what he was already used to.

He was a little shocked when the first excursion involved bushwhacking through the rainforest instead of sightseeing or shopping!

My new friend ended up enjoying the cruise, but I saw that someone who’s not quite sure what an UnCruise is all about might need to realize just how different the experience is compared to a traditional cruise.

Here are the factors that diehard traditional cruisers should consider:

1. You think the best part of a cruise is the casino, the Broadway-style shows, or the nightclubs

An UnCruise ship doesn’t have a casino, a nightclub, or production shows. Instead, they have nightly presentations by the staff, on topics related to the area you’ll be visiting or the wildlife you might see.

One night, in lieu of a presentation, we watched a fascinating short documentary about a man who left society to live in the wilds of Alaska . Another night, we had a presentation by the National Park Service Ranger who joined us during our exploration of Glacier Bay.

2. You love sleeping in on a cruise

I’ll admit it, I love to sleep in on sea days when I’m cruising. There’s something so luxurious about not setting an alarm, and having nothing planned except for a late breakfast and maybe some relaxing by the pool.

If you want to get the most out of your UnCruise Adventures voyage, sleeping in shouldn’t be part of your plan!

First of all, there are no sea days. None. Each day, activities start early, beginning with yoga or stretch class at 7 AM. Definitely make time for this, even if you’ve never done a formal class before!

This class is geared for all abilities, and I looked forward to warming up my muscles and stretching each morning before our adventures.

None of the activities are mandatory (except the safety drill, of course). But if you don’t want to miss out on anything, you’ll find yourself going to bed early and up at dawn.

3. You need to have a clearly-planned itinerary of each day

When I cruise on large ships, I spend quite a bit of time researching the ports we’ll be visiting. As we’ll usually have only one day in each port, I make sure that I have a carefully-planned itinerary for each day.

On an UnCruise, you don’t need to worry about planning what you’re going to do when you get off the ship—the staff plans all of your adventures, called “ops”.

Ops can include beach walks, bushwhacks, kayaking (guided or on your own), stand-up paddleboarding, and skiff tours. You can choose what you want to do based on your abilities and preferences.

However, nothing is set in stone. The staff could change the available ops based on weather conditions.

During our trip, the guides planned an all-day excursion for those who wanted to try a super-intense experience. When the weather took a turn for the worse, the staff realized part of their planned excursion (a nine-mile kayak journey) would be against strong winds. So they changed the all-day trip to two smaller parts with skiff transportation instead of a grueling journey by kayak.

If you put yourself in go-with-the-flow mode, you’ll enjoy not having to plan your daily adventures! And if you decide to skip any of the ops, just let a guide know. This is your vacation!

4. You’re not a huge fan of talking to people

On large cruise ships, it’s relatively easy to slip under the radar and not have to be drawn into conversations with strangers. If you’re more introverted, you can put headphones on and lounge by the pool, read a book in the library, or make sure that your dining arrangements don’t include people you don’t know.

On a very small ship, you’re with the same small group of people for the journey. The largest UnCruise Adventures ship can carry only 88 guests (most range from a 60- to 80-guest capacity).

There’s one lounge and one dining room, so you’ll all socialize and eat in the same places at the same time.

The lounge is the social hub of the ship, but before and after our ops many people chose that location to read a book or work on their laptops. The lounge has a small library of books and DVDs to borrow. If you need to completely escape, you can always take a book or movie back to your cabin.

5. You’re prone to severe seasickness or motion sickness

Large modern cruise ships have stabilizers that minimize the effect of rough seas. That’s why big ships feel more like a floating resort. Unless there’s a storm, I usually don’t feel the motion on a large ship at all.

On a smaller ship, you’ll feel motion much more than you would on a mega-ship.

During most of our journey through the Inside Passage, the waters were calm. I didn’t feel much rocking or pitching at all. However, one evening after dinner we encountered some rough weather and several of the passengers felt a bit queasy.

If you tend to get seasick or motion sick, visit your doctor to discuss medication options before taking a small-ship cruise. Remember that it’s best to take seasickness medication before symptoms begin.

An option that doesn’t involve medicine is Sea-Bands . They stimulate pressure points on your wrists, and many cruisers swear by them. Plus, they begin to work much faster than medication to alleviate symptoms.

Learn more: How to Avoid Getting Seasick on a Cruise

6. You need to always be connected

One of my favorite things about cruising is that I can disconnect from everything—no texts, no emails, no social media, no phone calls. I give the ship’s emergency number to family back home and off I go, knowing that no one will bother me unless they really have to.

Of course on most large cruise ships you can purchase an (expensive) internet package, or you may receive some minutes for free as part of your loyalty benefits.

On an UnCruise, there’s no Wi-Fi. You can’t buy minutes at any price! Even if your phone plan includes data in the country you’ll be visiting on your sailing, the ship might not be within range of a cell tower.

On our Alaska cruise, we got a weak signal a few times. But usually we were so far from civilization that our phones just read “No Service”.

Of course, UnCruise does provide guests with an emergency number that you can provide to friends and family back home, in case someone urgently needs to contact you.

7. You’re used to a balcony stateroom or suite

UnCruise’s staterooms are on the smaller side, and most ships don’t have a suite option. Private balconies are also non-existent. Our room was one of the larger ones on our ship, and it was just slightly larger than the average inside or oceanview cabin on a large ship.

If you love having access to fresh air right outside your door, be sure to book a stateroom that opens to the outside. Your “balcony” won’t be private, but you’ll be able to step right outside from your room.

If you can’t function without more space in your cabin, look for a room that features a fold-down bed. One of our new friends gave me a tour of her stateroom, and with the queen bed folded up she had lots of room. Plus, the bed functioned as a sofa during the day.

Who shouldn’t go on an UnCruise?

Although I think most people would enjoy taking an UnCruise, there are a couple of situations where another type of cruise would be a better option.

If either of the following two descriptions describe your situation, I’d advise against booking with UnCruise Adventures.

1. You have significant mobility challenges

Whenever possible, I like to add information in my posts about accessibility options for people who have mobility challenges.

With that said, an UnCruise is probably not the best kind of vacation for a person who requires a wheelchair or a mobility scooter.

With the exception of the S.S. Legacy , these small ships don’t have elevators. Stairs are the only option to move between the decks.

Getting on and off the small skiffs they use to transport guests ashore is via a portable step, and the skiffs aren’t large enough to accommodate wheelchairs or scooters.

If you or a member of your traveling party uses a wheelchair or scooter, I’d recommend cruising on a larger ship.

2. You’re traveling with very young children

UnCruise Adventures welcomes kids ages 8 and up on all sailings except on Safari Quest , which requires children to be 13 or older. They even have special “Kids and Families” departures that have activities geared towards younger adventurers.

Whole-ship charters are also available, with no age restrictions for guests.

There were no kids on our sailing (guests’ ages ranged from 20s to 70s), but I could imagine active teens enjoying many of the adventures that we experienced. For some eight-to-twelve year olds, some of the ops might be challenging.

As a mom, I could see some children in this age group loving this kind of vacation, especially if they enjoy outdoor activities and have an interest in nature.

But if you have younger kids or older children who aren’t outdoorsy, a traditional cruise is probably a better option for you. Many have kids’ clubs and a range of age-appropriate activities, and you’ll have the option to choose shore excursions that are geared towards younger guests.

You may also like: Cruising with Kids: 19 Essential Tips for Family Cruises

I’d like to thank UnCruise Adventures for hosting Mr. SBC and me on a seven-night Alaskan cruise aboard the Wilderness Explorer. As always, my opinions are my own.

Want to find out more about my UnCruise aboard Wilderness Explorer ? Read my UnCruise Alaska Review – Northern Passages and Glacier Bay

Have you ever been on an UnCruise? Or are you considering one of their small-ship voyages? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

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Thursday 10th of October 2019

Never heard of this before! Love the behind-the-scenes tours and the fact that there is no wifi. Sounds like something I definitely want to try at some point!

I agree! The behind-the-scenes tours were so interesting. Gotta love being able to unplug and disconnect for a whole week as well!

Jenn | By Land and Sea

Wednesday 9th of October 2019

Oh I’ve heard of these before! It sounds like such a great way to travel without some of the more negative aspects of cruising! I’d love to try this sometime

I hope you're able to take one - they're so much fun! I agree, so many of the things some people don't like about cruises just don't exist on these small ships :D

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5 small-ship cruise lines for people who hate crowds

If you’ve never taken a cruise, it can be difficult to tell the major cruise lines apart. But what if a mega ship just doesn’t hold any appeal for you, regardless of the line? A smaller cruise ship, many of which embrace a yacht-style vacation, may be a better fit.

These lines all offer ships that hold less than 1,000 passengers.  While there are fewer choices onboard in terms of restaurants, activities, and entertainment, you’ll find that small-ship cruises tend to be more social. As the sailing progresses, passengers get to know each other. (If you tend to like your anonymity, this is not the vacation for you!)

However, another major benefit is that small ships can get into ports that large ships can’t, offering access to a wide variety of smaller islands, less-cosmopolitan cities, and undiscovered (or at least less-discovered) spots. In addition, they are often able to get closer to the action in many ports, rather than docking at larger terminals that are further outside of town.

Read on for some of our favorite cruises in small packages:

1. Azamara Club Cruises

Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest

Passengers: 686

This pair of ships is much more all-inclusive than other cruise vacations: Gratuities are included, as are wine and beer with dinner and beer and spirits at the bars and lounges. Best of all, Azamara is a pioneer in overnighting in ports, allowing you to enjoy nightlife rather than being at sea in the evening.

Surprise Amenity: Just because you downsized your ship doesn’t mean you have to give up an evening playing cards, if that’s something you like to do; these ships have casinos.

2. SeaDream Yacht Club

SeaDream I and SeaDream II

Passengers: 110

This line truly embraces the “yacht” mentality, with a weekly Champagne party in the surf, daybeds made for two (that you can even spend the night on) and a flexible sailing schedule that allows the captain to make changes based on weather.

Surprise Amenity: These vessels sail with watersports platforms that allow you to snorkel, sail, and waterski, right off the side of the ship.

3. Star Clippers

(Star Clippers)

Star Flyer , Star Clipper , and Royal Clipper Passengers: 170, 170, and 227

These tall ships are actual sailboats, complete with white sails that blow in the wind and itineraries that chase it. While the experience as a passenger is not so unlike that on similar-size vessels that don’t sail, you will be invited to join the captain on the bridge and to knot tying classes.

Surprise Amenity: Climb into the bowsprit net, a hammock of sorts, when the ship is sailing, and you’ll have the best seat in the house for sunning or reading.

4. Windstar Cruises

Wind Surf, Wind Star, and Wind Spirit

Passengers: 310, 148, and 148

Star Pride, Star Breeze, and Star Legend

Passengers: 212 This line has three sailing vessels and three power yachts that were recently purchased from Seabourn and then renovated before being integrated into the fleet.

Surprise Amenity: The line offers a sail away party with a barbecue up on deck.

5. Silversea

(Silversea)

Silver Cloud, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, and Silver Spirit

Passengers: 296, 388, 388, 540 These luxurious ships offer all-inclusive pricing and a sense of decadence, with fine china, crystal, stocked bars, and formal afternoon tea service. The line also offers a series of expedition-style ships, too.

Surprise Amenity: Your butler can do everything from unpack for you to bring hors d’oeuvres if you decide to have guests over for a pre-dinner drink.

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Loving The Uncrowded Cruise Ships? Get Ready For A Change

Bad news, cruisers: The days of sailing on unusually uncrowded ships are coming to an end.

Cruise giant Carnival Corporation on Tuesday said the occupancy rate on the company’s vessels had jumped to nearly 70% this month, up from 54% during the previous three months. And it’s likely to go much higher in the coming months, the company’s top executives suggested.

“We continue to expect that occupancy will build throughout 2022 and return to historical levels in 2023,” Carnival Corporation CFO David Bernstein said Tuesday during a conference call with Wall Street analysts.

Historically, most cruise ships operated by major cruise companies such as Carnival Corporation have sailed at occupancies close to 100%. The industry has traditionally operated on a business model that’s built around managing bookings to be sure ships always are full.

But occupancy rates on cruise ships have been far below normal over the past year as the industry slowly bounces back from a months-long, COVID-19-related shutdown.

As TPG saw first hand while covering the restart of cruising over the past year, some ships initially sailed with just 20% or 30% of normal passenger loads.

Carnival Corporation and other major cruise companies such as Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings initially capped the occupancy on ships as part of a strategy to reduce COVID-19 transmission between passengers. Cruise ship occupancy also has been low in part due to the hesitancy of some consumers to book cruises during the various waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But with COVID-19 fading in many parts of the world, cruise companies have been allowing ships to sail more full. And consumers are becoming more confident in booking cruises.

Carnival Corporation is considered a bellwether for the cruise industry as it accounts for nearly half of all cruises taken worldwide. If it’s seeing higher occupancies on ships this month, it’s likely that other cruise companies are, too.

Carnival Corporation is the parent company of  Carnival Cruise Line ,  Princess Cruises ,  Holland America ,  Seabourn  and five other major brands.

While neither Royal Caribbean Group nor Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings have commented recently about cruise ship occupancy rates, executives at both companies in February said they expected occupancy rates to rise as the year goes on.

Royal Caribbean Group is the parent company of  Royal Caribbean ,  Celebrity Cruises  and  Silversea Cruises , and a partial owner of Germany-based TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is the parent company of  Norwegian Cruise Line ,  Oceania Cruises  and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

During Tuesday’s conference call with Wall Street analysts, Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald noted that more than 40 sailings on the company’s ships this month will sail with more than 100% occupancy — something possible when more than two people stay in some cabins.

Cruise companies consider a ship to be 100% occupied when two people are staying in every cabin. Most cabins on cruise ships have two main “berths,” as cruise companies call bed spaces. But some cabins also have pull-down bunks or sofa beds that allow for more occupants.

Carnival Corporation held the conference call with Wall Street analysts on Monday in the wake of releasing its quarterly earnings.

Bernstein noted on the call that Carnival Corporation had expected higher occupancy levels during the three-month period that ended on Feb. 28. But the surge in cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 led to last-minute cancellations by customers.

The company went into the quarter with 55% of available berths booked and ended the quarter at 54% occupancy — meaning that, as the quarter went on, more people cancelled sailings for the period than booked new trips.

“As a result of the omicron variant, we experienced an impact on bookings for near-term sailings, including higher cancellations resulting from an increase in pre-travel positive test results, challenges in the availability of timely pre-travel tests and [the] disruption that omicron caused on society during this time,” Bernstein said.

That net decline in bookings is now reversing.

“Recent weekly booking volumes have been higher than at any point since the restart of guest cruise operations,” Bernstein noted on the conference call.

Both Bernstein and Donald said they expected the surge in cruise bookings that normally takes place between January and March — a period known as  wave season  in the industry — would extend this year beyond March as consumers turn less cautious about travel.

“We believe we are well situated with our current second half 2022 book position given the recent improvement in booking volumes, coupled with closer-in booking patterns and our expectation for an extended wave season,” Bernstein said.

The Carnival executives said they hoped to have all the company’s ships back in operation by the summer. As of Monday, 64 of the company’s ships, representing 75% of its fleet capacity, were in operation. That’s up significantly from the previous three-month period ending on Feb. 28, when 60% of the company’s fleet capacity was in operation.

During the three-month period before that, from September through November of 2021, just 47% of the company’s fleet capacity was operating.

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Un-cruise adventures reviews & ratings, i love your tour program.

I love your tour program. I may think of visiting other locations you offer, but I'm really invested into Ukraine for a lifestyle. I want to make additional trips ...

Very surprising

We booked with them a 9 months before COVID, and then we had to cancel due to the concerns about traveling, being with unknown people, etc. We are 73 years of age. W...

have always been surprised and impressed

My wife and I have been on 5 Uncruise adventures and have always been surprised and impressed with the variety of activities, friendships formed, and down right fun ...

Best small ship cruise out there

Best small ship cruise out there. The crew is awesome, the food is second to none and the adventure is so memorable. I’m ready for my 4th cruise as soon as possible!...

Their Alaska crews and US boats are the best!

Their Alaska crews and US boats are the best! Literally a breath of fresh air and adventure.

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Editoral Review of Un-Cruise Adventures

Formerly American Safari Cruises, Un-Cruise Adventures changed its name in 2013 to reflect its philosophy: You won’t be on a conventional cruise with us. Un-Cruise has an eight-ship fleet that includes expedition vessels, yachts, and one replica 19th-century coastal steamer. None of the ships holds more than 88 passengers, and one carries a maximum of 22. Most are in the 40-to-70-passenger range. Experts such as National Park Rangers in Alaska often come on board to give lectures and answer questions, and guides often try to arrange cultural encounters with local people.

What Makes Them Stand Out?

Un-Cruise Adventures combines water-borne adventure with small-ship intimacy and casually clothed luxury. It’s an unusual combination that sets them apart from most other cruise lines. On-board service is personalized and excellent with a high crew-to-passenger ratio, and guides are extremely knowledgeable. Ambience on board is relaxed; you never need to dress up. Once you’ve taken an Un-Cruise, you may find it difficult to return to “regular” cruising. 

Who Travels With Them? 

Adventurous and active travelers of any age can enjoy an Un-Cruise. Un-Cruise does attract primarily upscale passengers, though if you travel in the offseason and choose one of the lesser-category cabins, their prices are competitive with other small-ship cruise lines. (And more amenities are included in the base rates than on many other lines.)  Un-Cruise also offers family trips.

Where Do They Operate?

Un-Cruise “adventure cruises” sail Alaska’s Inside Passage, the Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, Mexico’s Sea of Cortes, the Pacific Northwest (Coastal Washington state and British Columbia), and Central America (Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, including a complete crossing from the Atlantic to Pacific). They also run river cruises on the Columbia and Snake rivers of the Northwestern U.S. Un-Cruise Adventures like to get off the beaten path, and, using small ships, they can do just that.

How Does It Work?

Kayaking, paddle-boarding, snorkeling, hiking, and going out in skiffs to watch for whales or other marine life are typical activities, depending on the destination. There’s also plenty of time to be out on deck, read in the lounge, or chat with fellow passengers at cocktail hour and over meals. 

Why Travel With Them?

If you don’t like waiting in line to embark or disembark your ship; want to get to know many of your fellow passengers; prefer itineraries flexible enough to, say, go in search of whales if the captain spots some in the distance; believe in the “leave no traces” style of travel; enjoy good food and service; and want to bring home intimate knowledge of a destination rather than just souvenirs, then an Un-Cruise may be right for you. 

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About the company.

With offices at historic Fishermen’s Terminal in Seattle, Washington, and Juneau, Alaska, Un-Cruise Adventures offers an alternative to traditional cruises by taking guests into areas inaccessible to large ships and on excursions that are exclusive, unconventional and unmatched.

In 1996, American Safari Cruises pioneered yacht cruising in Alaska. InnerSea Discoveries enjoyed its inaugural season of expedition-style active exploration of Southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage in summer 2011.  In January 2013, the company changed its name to Un-Cruise Adventures and is a wholly owned subsidiary of InnerSea Discoveries Alaska Inc, Juneau Alaska.

The Un-Cruise Adventures Difference. Unrushed. Uncrowded. Unbelievable.

Built on a reputation of quality and experience, our small ship cruise explorations—intended to inspire and satisfy your curious nature—are an unbeatable combination of activity and discovery, service and expertise, awe-inspiring encounters, and value. Guests rave about the Un-Cruise experience and how genuine our crew is, often commenting that it’s not like a cruise at all. Yet the biggest endorsement from our guests: they come back, and they refer us to their friends.

We engage experts and historians to interpret, narrate, or bring history to life. In Alaska, a National Park Ranger might join you on board, or a U.S. Forest Service wilderness ranger kayaks right up to the vessel and hops aboard to talk about natural history and their special bond with the land; and in Hawaii, a respected elder teaches you to make poi. Every rare encounter, unexpected “aha!” moment, and uncommon amenity and activity are unique to your destination, itinerary, and vessel—and they are all exceptional.

Cruise Style:

Adventure Cruises:

Focused on experiencing life on the outside—rain or shine—we offer different destinations, a mix of price points (some generously inclusive), and an exciting range of multi-sport activities aboard our adventure cruises. Kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), hiking, snorkeling, inflatable skiff excursions, and cultural encounters top the agenda. Our experiential cruise vacations are delivered from a variety of platforms, and depending on your choices, will accommodate from 22 to 84 like-minded guests. We provide the adventure, equipment, opportunities, fun, expert crew, expedition guides, and the vessel.

River Cruises:

Traveling nearly 1,000 miles upriver and down, our generously inclusive river cruises provide the best value available on the Columbia, Snake, and Willamette Rivers. Included shore excursions, a complimentary massage, wellness program, spirits and beverages, onboard historians, living history programs, visits to boutique wineries, exclusive one-on-one interactions with locals, port fees and taxes, no long lines or hours on a bus, and you’re never far from the riverbank. While exploring the cultural traditions, unspoiled lands, and the history and evolution of life along the rivers, you’ll enjoy a stimulating heritage voyage of colorful places and fascinating people.

Traveling aboard our 88-guest replica turn-of-the-century steamer—a style of vessel that has been on these rivers for over 100 years—offers you the conveniences of today with the feel of yesteryear.

Private Charters & Group Travel:

With a private cruise charter, it’s all about you. Charters provide an excellent way to bring together family, friends, or a corporate incentive group without the hassle of arranging provisions, crew, or routes. With a wide range of sizes—22, 36, 60, 64, 74, 76, 84, 88—there’s a boat written with your group size all over it. Let us tailor a charter with your special focus in mind—complete with activities, crew, and expedition staff. We handle all the details, leaving you to sit back and soak in the experience of a lifetime.

Family Travel:

In some of the most diverse playgrounds on earth, travelling with family on an adventure vacation is memorable and fun. Whether your family wants to kayak near a tranquil beach, hike along temperate rainforest, or interact with locals in a remote community, there’s something to spark everyone’s interest. Un-Cruise Adventures let families explore remote places, make discoveries, and learn while having fun together. So whether you’re traveling independently or as one family on a private charter, you can enjoy adventure in some of nature’s most diverse playgrounds. Planning a trip with your extended family? Consider a charter. All of the vessels in our fleet, from 22-88 guests, accommodate private groups. And not only that, our talented Captains, crew, and expedition team will cater the experience to your needs and desires.

Value-Added Theme Departures:

Recognizing that our guests often share similar uncorked passions—we’ve taken our adventures another step further by creating some special themed cruise departure dates. It doesn’t matter whether you’re already an authority, a budding amateur, or just curious to learn about a topic, you’ll fit right in.

Life Onboard:

Traveling is inspiring. It can also be nourishing. Refreshing. When you're on an small ship cruise adventure, connecting with your environment—on board or off—happens naturally. From our morning yoga stretches to the Captain’s Farewell Dinner, we’ve carefully crafted each activity with every aspect in mind.

Our fleet of small ships features expedition vessels, boutique yachts, and a replica turn-of-the-century coastal steamer—each one uniquely suited and equipped to provide an unbelievable experience. The shallow draft makes each vessel capable of nimble exploration and gives access to the places bigger ships cannot go. Public and private spaces are loaded with amenities and designed for casual comfort.

Un-Cruise Adventures Trips & Specials

Explore! Olympic Wilderness & San Juan Islands

Ultimate Adventure

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Ameritage! Four Rivers of Wine & History

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So long, solitude: The world's biggest cruise ships are getting more crowded by the week

The world's biggest cruise ships are back to sailing mostly full.

Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley on Thursday said occupancy levels on the line's five giant Oasis Class ships — the five biggest cruise vessels ever built — had been running above 80% in recent weeks. Other vessels in the megaship brand's fleet also have been seeing high occupancies as of late, he said.

"We've had ships sailing at 100% into the Caribbean market on our short [cruise] product," Bayley said during a conference call with Wall Street analysts. "And as we head toward Memorial Day weekend, we are going to see a significant percentage of our ships sailing at 100% and greater."

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Bayley's comments came after Royal Caribbean's parent company, Royal Caribbean Group, reported that occupancy levels on its ships had been growing month-by-month since the start of the year. Occupancy averaged about 57% during the first quarter of the year but rose to 68% by the end of March, the company said.

The company said it expected occupancy levels to average 75% to 80% in the current quarter across all of its brands.

Royal Caribbean Group is the parent company of its namesake Royal Caribbean brand as well as Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises . It also owns a partial stake in Europe-based TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

Royal Caribbean Group's report on occupancy levels, which came as the company reported first quarter earnings, was the latest sign that the days of sailing on unusually uncrowded ships are coming to an end.

Related: Loving the uncrowded ships? Get ready for a change

Historically, most cruise ships operated by major cruise companies such as Royal Caribbean Group have sailed at occupancies close to 100%. The industry has traditionally followed a business model built around managing bookings to ensure ships are always full.

But occupancy rates on cruise ships have been far below normal over the past year as the industry slowly bounced back from a months-long, COVID-19-related shutdown.

Some ships initially sailed with just 20% or 30% of normal passenger loads, as TPG reporters saw first hand while covering the restart of cruising over the past year.

Royal Caribbean Group and other major cruise companies such as Carnival Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings initially capped occupancy on ships as part of a strategy to reduce COVID-19 transmission between passengers. Cruise ship occupancy subsequently remained lower than normal in part due to the hesitancy of some consumers to book cruises during the various waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related: The ultimate guide to picking a cruise line

As consumers have become more confident in booking cruises, occupancy has risen.

Royal Caribbean executives on Thursday suggested that occupancy levels had been bouncing back most strongly for sailings to the Caribbean but less strongly for sailings in Europe.

Cruises departing from ports that North Americans can reach by car (sometimes called "drive-to cruises" in the industry) are in particularly high demand — a sign that cruisers are still looking to stay somewhat local as they begin traveling again.

"What we've seen in terms of demand in the American market for the drive-to products ... has been really strong," Bayley said.

Demand for cruises in Europe in recent months, by contrast, have been hurt by customer worries about getting trapped overseas if they test positive for COVID-19. The U.S. government requires that anyone flying into the country, even American citizens, test negative for COVID-19 before being allowed to enter.

"It is our expectation in Europe for our load factors [for the summer] to be lower," Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty said during the conference call. "Some of it is very much related to [trying to hold the line on prices], but some of it also relates to the testing requirement to come back into the U.S. for Americans ... those things weigh on the consumer in terms of their travel expectations."

Liberty and other executives also said the war in Ukraine had had an effect on demand for European travel.

Liberty said he expected occupancy across the line's ships to remain below 100% during the third quarter of the year — traditionally the most profitable time of year for the cruise industry.

Still, Liberty said occupancy overall was likely to continue to build month-by-month throughout the year, and he said he expected ships to run more than 100% full by the end of the year — something possible when more than two people stay in some cabins.

Cruise companies consider a ship to be 100% occupied when two people are staying in every cabin. Most cabins on cruise ships have two main "berths," as cruise companies call bed spaces. Some cabins also have pull-down bunks or sofa beds that allow for more occupants.

"We're going to be building up through the back half of this year to that triple digit [occupancy percentage] mark," Liberty said.

Liberty noted that the company was seeing more close-in bookings than normal, and he suggested the long-term outlook for travel is strong. People want to get back to traveling.

"We continue to see strong demand for leisure travel and cruising," Liberty said. "The robust, secular trend of experiences over things that propelled our business in the past years is now recovering toward pre-COVID levels."

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

I've been going on cruises for 20 years. Here are my top 3 tips to avoid the crowds on ships.

• I've been going on cruises with my family for two decades.
• Status with Royal Caribbean gives us VIP access, but booking suites gives us special treatment, too.
• If you don't want to pay more, timing things right can help you avoid cruise crowds.

I've lost count of how many cruises I've been on in my life, but it's safe to say I've been on at least a dozen in the last 20 years.

My family and I started with a couple Disney cruises when I was a kid, switched to Royal Caribbean when I was a teenager, and have stuck with them ever since.

In that time, we've accrued Diamond Plus status with Royal Caribbean , which gives us special treatment and access that first-time cruisers won't get.

It also means I've learned tricks over the years to avoid the lines, crowds, and minor inconveniences of traveling on a boat with thousands of other people.

My best tips to avoid the crowds of cruisers are: book a suite, get status, and time it right.

If it's your first time cruising, you haven't cruised enough to get status — and if you can afford it — booking a suite gets you instant access to VIP pool decks, prime seating areas at shows, faster lines, lounges with complimentary cocktails, and concierge service.

Royal Caribbean ships have a Suite Sun Deck by the pools that only "Sky" and "Star" suite guests can access. I've never had trouble finding a chair.

Related stories

Suite guests also get access to their own specialty restaurant called  Coastal Kitchen on many Royal Caribbean ships if you want to avoid the lines at the buffet.

Having status or booking a suite also gives you special lines when you're getting on and off the ship. Once, when I was a teenager, a staff member gave me a sign to hold that said "VIP." It made me feel very special, indeed.

Don't follow the crowd

It may be tempting to wake up early so you don't miss anything, or to do what everyone else is doing. But the best way to avoid the crowds without spending extra money is to go at your own pace.

Sleep in! Catch breakfast right before it closes. Go to the cafe instead of the buffet. Order room service. Do you enjoy waking up early? Do that instead!

When you see everyone else racing to get off the ship, wait until the line dies down. Or don't get off the ship at all — my family and I went up in the Anthem of the Seas' North Star attraction when we were docked in port and there wasn't a wait.

We've also learned to book our own tours online instead of the cruise line's shore excursions. You can usually get a better deal, see more, and get to talk to more locals that way.

Take advantage of reservations onboard, too. Most cruise ships have mobile apps now where you can book dinners, shows, and attractions so you don't have to wait in line. Or, if you have status or booked a suite, you can have your concierge make reservations for you.

Finally, cruise ships are big. They're basically floating skyscrapers. If you explore enough, you can find pockets where people aren't congregating. There's usually a quiet outdoor space on deck four or five underneath the life boats where you can sit on a lounge chair in peace.

And if you book a room with a balcony, you have a slice of space all to yourself.

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Found: Nice uncrowded, quiet beach

By jabcruiser , December 28, 2018 in Barbados

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This is for those of you looking for a nice quiet uncrowded beach near the cruise terminal in Barbados.  We were just there in December and did not want to go to the beach bars on Carlisle Bay as we wanted uncrowded and quiet and the cruise ships even have excursions to Carlisle.  So we took a $6 cab ride to a beach north of the port called Brandons Beach.  Bar/restaurant named Rascal's there rents lounge chairs and umbrellas for $20 including two rum punch.  Carson set us up on the beach and got our drinks and took care of us.  Local beer, if I remember Banks, is only $2.50. I drank the free rum punch and husband drank beer. Beautiful clear calm water, nice soft sand and no crowds at all.  There were maybe 4 or 5 other couples there and chairs well spaced with lots of room between them.  There were a few local families with their children on the beach and that be all.  We really enjoyed this place away from the crowds.  When ready to leave Carson or another staff member will call you a cab and it took less than 10 minutes to be on our way back to the ship. Highly recommend.  It is actually just past the Mount Gay rum factory but that was closed as we were there on a Sunday.

Hope this helps for those of you looking to escape the crowds.

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Thanks for the detailed feedback. 😎

Thank you, we will be there on the 7th of January. 

pghsteelerfan

Thank you for this!  We walked to Brandon's beach while on our honeymoon years ago (ship was in port from 8AM - 10PM) for sunset.  When in Barbados in 2013, we got a taxi to take us there but were told there were no facilities (no loungers, umbrellas, restrooms, etc.) so we ended up going to the Barbados Hilton where the others in the taxi were headed.  Glad there is at least something there now.  It was very pretty from what I remember. 

Thanks for the great review, just what we are looking for!

On 12/28/2018 at 11:33 PM, mcase131 said: Thank you, we will be there on the 7th of January. 

Please report back! 

These two photos taken

from the Southern end of that beach, looking Northward

NorthCarolinaBelle

Thank you so much! Brandon's Beach sounds like my kind of beach. We went to Boatyard last time because we were with a group, but want something quieter for just the two of us.

On 1/7/2019 at 5:44 PM, NorthCarolinaBelle said: Thank you so much! Brandon's Beach sounds like my kind of beach. We went to Boatyard last time because we were with a group, but want something quieter for just the two of us.

This beach at Brandons (also known as Brighton)

is a lot quieter than Boatyard

or any of the busier beach outfits along Carlisle Bay these days.

On 12/28/2018 at 2:56 PM, jabcruiser said: This is for those of you looking for a nice quiet uncrowded beach near the cruise terminal in Barbados.  We were just there in December and did not want to go to the beach bars on Carlisle Bay as we wanted uncrowded and quiet and the cruise ships even have excursions to Carlisle.  So we took a $6 cab ride to a beach north of the port called Brandons Beach.  Bar/restaurant named Rascal's there rents lounge chairs and umbrellas for $20 including two rum punch.  Carson set us up on the beach and got our drinks and took care of us.  Local beer, if I remember Banks, is only $2.50. I drank the free rum punch and husband drank beer. Beautiful clear calm water, nice soft sand and no crowds at all.  There were maybe 4 or 5 other couples there and chairs well spaced with lots of room between them.  There were a few local families with their children on the beach and that be all.  We really enjoyed this place away from the crowds.  When ready to leave Carson or another staff member will call you a cab and it took less than 10 minutes to be on our way back to the ship. Highly recommend.  It is actually just past the Mount Gay rum factory but that was closed as we were there on a Sunday. Hope this helps for those of you looking to escape the crowds. Jane  

So to reach Brandon's Beach in Barbados, the Taxi charges $6 each way, is that correct?

On 1/19/2019 at 2:10 PM, beshears said: So to reach Brandon's Beach in Barbados, the Taxi charges $6 each way, is that correct?

Yes. That is correct. Per person. 

Thanks Jane for getting back with me on this.  In about another month, I'm planning on checking out this Brandon's Beach and some others, as we don't want to do much on the beach, other than walking/laying, enjoying the sun!  Here in Kansas City, our temperature this morning was 13, and probably felt like a - 5. 😞   I have waited "two" days, just to get my car "unlocked" from the rain, ice, snow that fell on it. As you can see, I am READY for warmer/hot weather! 🙂

scouseronline

Ha, Kansas 13 degrees,  Try us here in Toronto today, 

A period of severely cold wind chills is expected. A bitterly cold Arctic airmass will remain in place tonight with wind chill values of minus 35 to minus 40 expected ...

Looking forward to Barbados in April 🙂  Thanks  for the Beach Tip, exactly what we were looking for !

• 2 weeks later...

What time does this place open? We prefer getting places early and then getting back to the ship at a decent time. 

Also, can you confirm that there are restrooms available?

On 1/31/2019 at 1:51 PM, brookie848 said: What time does this place open? We prefer getting places early and then getting back to the ship at a decent time.    Also, can you confirm that there are restrooms available?

I'm pretty sure they opened about 9 am.  We got there about 10 and left around noon and that was on a Sunday.  There were already several couples there set up with beach chairs.  I didn't use the restrooms but my husband did and he says they were basic but not filthy or anything. You might search "Raschal's Bar" in Barbados.  Seems like i saw a picture on line, maybe TA,. with hours written on it.

52 minutes ago, jabcruiser said: I'm pretty sure they opened about 9 am.  We got there about 10 and left around noon and that was on a Sunday.  There were already several couples there set up with beach chairs.  I didn't use the restrooms but my husband did and he says they were basic but not filthy or anything. You might search "Raschal's Bar" in Barbados.  Seems like i saw a picture on line, maybe TA,. with hours written on it. Jane

Thanks! I'll do a little more research and go from there.

• 1 month later...

We did end up going to Rascal's last week and enjoyed our time there. The workers considered it a "crowded" day because there were two "big" ships in port. Of course, compared to Carlisle Bay beaches, this was not crowded at all. It did take a little time to get our chairs/umbrellas, though. 

The food and drinks were good and reasonably priced. It was a short ride to the beach and there were taxis waiting for us at the end of the day. 

One thing to note -- bring water shoes. There was a lot of coral in the water and people were complaining about stepping on it. 

We would definitely consider returning here again. 

Were there 

4 hours ago, brookie848 said: We did end up going to Rascal's last week and enjoyed our time there.... <snip>  

Was it actually Rascals or was it Weisers bar?  Right by the public parking and the park?

I was discussing this on another thread about water temp with Aplmac that seems to have disappeared for some reason...

2 minutes ago, sft429 said: Were there    Was it actually Rascals or was it Weisers bar?  Right by the public parking and the park?   I was discussing this on another thread about water temp with Aplmac that seems to have disappeared for some reason...

It was Rascal's. The water temperature was a bit cooler than we expected, but not unbearable. Like I mentioned, the bigger issue was the coral. I would definitely suggest having something to protect your feet. 

• 3 weeks later...

On 1/13/2019 at 9:15 PM, Aplmac said: This beach at Brandons (also known as Brighton) is a lot quieter than Boatyard or any of the busier beach outfits along Carlisle Bay these days.

Although it wasn't a sunny day

I got down there and took a few information pics.

This is the beach bar that used to be Weiser's.

Ownership has not changed, but the name has.

It is now RASCALS, as recommended by the Westmoreland resort folks

Better pics - today was sunny

and I got there around 9:30 a.m.

As you can see

there's a stack of chairs waiting for you guys.

The Port area is right there -and it's a big wide beach area!

On 12/28/2018 at 3:56 PM, jabcruiser said: This is for those of you looking for a nice quiet uncrowded beach near the cruise terminal in Barbados.  We were just there in December and did not want to go to the beach bars on Carlisle Bay as we wanted uncrowded and quiet and the cruise ships even have excursions to Carlisle.  So we took a $6 cab ride to a beach north of the port called Brandons Beach.  Bar/restaurant named Rascal's there rents lounge chairs and umbrellas for $20 including two rum punch.  Carson set us up on the beach and got our drinks and took care of us.  Local beer, if I remember Banks, is only $2.50. I drank the free rum punch and husband drank beer. Beautiful clear calm water, nice soft sand and no crowds at all.  There were maybe 4 or 5 other couples there and chairs well spaced with lots of room between them.  There were a few local families with their children on the beach and that be all.  We really enjoyed this place away from the crowds.  When ready to leave Carson or another staff member will call you a cab and it took less than 10 minutes to be on our way back to the ship. Highly recommend.  It is actually just past the Mount Gay rum factory but that was closed as we were there on a Sunday. Hope this helps for those of you looking to escape the crowds. Jane  

Do you feel this beach and location would be good for kids?   There will be 4 boats in port when I there and I don't want to go to a place and find no beach chairs/shade... (my worry about going to the boatyard) 

1 hour ago, helensobol said:   Do you feel this beach and location would be good for kids?   There will be 4 boats in port when I there and I don't want to go to a place and find no beach chairs/shade... (my worry about going to the boatyard)   

One issue we had with this beach is that there was a lot of coral in the water -- you really needed water shoes. Just be aware of that if you go.

Another thing we noticed is that it is quite a walk from the restaurant to the water. Not a big deal for us, but it did take a while for our chairs to get set up (maybe 20 minutes or more) since they have to be carried down from the restaurant. This had a lot to do with our timing -- we got there right after another group. There was only one person setting up chairs/umbrellas.

How early do you plan on getting off the ship? If you get off early enough, you shouldn't have trouble finding chairs and shade any place you go.

23 hours ago, brookie848 said: How early do you plan on getting off the ship? If you get off early enough, you shouldn't have trouble finding chairs and shade any place you go.

Good Info about the coral. That might be a no go for us.  

I didn't have a set time to get off.  We normally get off fairly early unless my daughter is exhausted.   I aim to be off before 9am. 

I'm never a fan of not having an agenda getting off the ship and we leave next week.  I have read so many different reviews on Barbados and can't decide on the best thing for us.    I was debating the Boatyard and Copacabana but then I recently read awful reviews of Copa on trip advisor. 

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