Best Cruise Lines for Small Ships
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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. Imagine the unique feeling of cruising the world on a small ship and sharing your journey with anywhere from 6 to less than 1,000 guests. Small ship cruises are offered across the globe, following itineraries that tend to include visits to both larger and more intimate ports; ports where larger ships simply cannot call.
Discovery yachtsScenic
SH Vega and SH Minerva take 152 guests while SH Diana, which arrived in 2023, has upped that to 192. Understated Scandi style and life centering on the soothing Observation Lounge. Beyond offering a cozier atmosphere, these ships’ size creates a whole different experience, onboard and onshore.
No. 1: SeaDream II
National Geographic photographers accompany every sailing onboard National Geographic Explorer and most sailings on National Geographic Endeavour, as well as on select photography expeditions across the entire fleet. As you’d expect from National Geographic, there’s also a strong emphasis on leaving the smallest possible carbon footprint. Silver Dawn places a strong emphasis on deepening your connection with the destinations you explore. The S.A.L.T. program not only offers exceptional culinary experiences on board but also through enriching shore excursions.
Star Clippers: Royal Clipper
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. 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. 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. Family-owned SeaDream Yacht Club offers the next best thing with its twin cruising yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II, offering sophistication sans the pretense for a maximum of 112.
Besides the obligatory zodiacs, which are used to make landings, ships are equipped with scientific tools like hydrophones (to snoop on marine mammals), underwater cameras and video microscopes. On the Regent Seven Seas Splendor, you'll find a range of spacious suites to choose from, starting with the 28 square meter Veranda Suite and extending to the impressive 412 square meter Regent Suite. Regardless of your choice, you'll always have access to luxurious bath amenities, comfortable robes, and the exceptional Elite Slumber beds.
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. The ships also feature a gym, yoga studio, spa, ocean-view saunas, library and two dining venues. The closest you can get to the feeling of having your own private yacht is to sail on one of Variety Cruises' three motorized sailboats -- Absolute King, Monte Carlo and Obsession -- where just 10 passengers are looked after by a crew of six. The rest of fleet comprises eight small vessels, including the 71-passenger flagship Variety Voyager and masted Panorama and Panorama II which cater for 49. Ponant's all-inclusive fares (some shore excursions, drinks, internet and gratuities) are competitive and provide high value for money. Though better known for its big ships, Celebrity Cruises has been a leader in offering Galapagos itineraries on intimate vessels since it first launched the 98-passenger Celebrity Xpedition in 2004.
However, L'Austral (with sister ships Le Boreal, Le Soleal and Le Lyrial) is my favorite ship in the fleet. Passengers can utilize each ship's fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks and stash of snowshoes and cross-country skis that aid in exploration. 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. People often ask me which are the best small ship cruises, and that question is difficult to answer. Michael McIntosh started The Boat Company in 1979 as a nonprofit educational organization. A portion of the fare is tax deductible, and your trip will have a strong emphasis on conservation, as all after-cost proceeds go to supporting conservation efforts in Southeast Alaska.
Regent Seven Seas Splendor – 55,498 tons, 746 guests
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. 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. 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. 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. Our cheap cruises from Miami FL have year-round availability to bask in the Bahamas or the Caribbean, and seasonal availability to experience Costa Rica or the Panama Canal.
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Sea Cloud Cruises: Sea Cloud I
Small ships range from megayachts and sailing vessels of less than 5,000 tons to ships of about 25,000 tons. These ships may carry as few as 70 passengers or as many as 350 and tend to be more upscale although that isn’t always the case. There are onboard lectures (each voyage features an “exploration leader”) and evening performances from local artists, but otherwise activities are kept to a relative minimum. Basic excursions are included in the fare (usually a walking tour), as are snorkel and kayak gear for certain itineraries. The line also makes use of inflatable zodiacs to explore remote destinations.
Designed to meet PC6 Polar Class standards, this luxurious ship features modern amenities and technology. Beyond its elegant interior and high-end furnishings, the Seabourn Pursuit has even more to offer. Onboard, you'll find two specially designed submarines, 24 Zodiacs, kayaks, and a 26-member expert expedition team, ensuring you'll create unforgettable memories during your holidays. There are luxurious yacht-like cruises from brands like the Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons, more rugged expedition ships designed for Alaskan exploration, and a variety of inland river cruises. There is a special camaraderie that happens over drinks or at meal times when all the tables hold friendly and familiar faces.
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The Caribbean is one of the world's most appealing cruisingdestinations, renowned for its gorgeous beaches, balmy temperaturesand easy-going island culture. Discover the tiny islands andsecluded beaches that the big ships can't reach with our pick ofthe best small ship cruises to theCaribbean. Silversea boasts a dozen ships sailing the world, from 100-passenger Galapagos-based Silver Origin to ice-class 144-passenger Silver Explorer to more conventional ships taking 600 people, to the newest of all, Silver Nova, for 728 guests. Small ship cruise lines might be just the ticket when the idea of a huge vessel is unappealing to you; here are some of the best small cruises. The line has become especially well regarded for its staff of topflight naturalists, historians, undersea specialists and expedition leaders that accompany each of its trips.
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. Standing on deck when the sails are unfurled is one of the more romantic moments you'll likely experience on any ship. 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. The one-of-a-kind, four-masted Sea Cloud was originally commissioned as a private luxury yacht by multi-millionaire Wall Street titan E.
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