Small Ship Cruises
Small ship cruises are a lot different and present a more personalized experience compared to large ship cruises. Small ships are able to travel to more remote and narrow destinations in hidden corners all over the globe. Navigation through rivers, island colonies, and other off-the-beaten-path destination allow passengers to really indulge in their holiday experience with cultural experiences.
While on board a small ship cruise, travelers can expect to see fewer passengers with a less crowded atmosphere. Small ships are able to dock in ports that are nearly inaccessible to larger ships, allowing for a less crowded experience off the ship as well, as there is a chance there will be no other cruise ships around. Cruising on a small ship cruise is an ideal vacation for an immersive experience all while being relaxing, exciting, and elegant at the same time.
What to Expect Onboard
When sailing on a small ship cruise, don’t expect to see the popular traditional large ship attractions such as ziplines, water parks, rock walls, and gym facilities. Rather than a resort and vacation-styled experiences, passengers are offered more immersive and quality activities. Onboard experiences are aimed to enhance the minds of passengers with a more sophisticated and cultural atmosphere.
The destination isn’t the only focus of a small ship cruise, but the experience onboard as well. Small ships cruises tend to have experts or professionals onboard, directing activities and hosting evening events. Passengers can take part in cooking classes, interactions with locals locationally picked cuisine and fine dining, galleries, and lectures based on destination. Additionally, offboard activities aim to have the same qualities.
Service Level
The voyage on board a small ship cruise is a lot different rather than a large ship cruise. Not only are small ships focused on unique ports and destinations, but also the service and experience onboard. Not only is it effortless to get to know fellow cruisers with like-minded views, but passengers even have access to senior crew members and captains.
Small ships are like a personal yacht, with private and contained service, and the opportunity to become close and friendly with passengers, as well as the crew. The staff gets to know you better, including your taste and preferences, with a lot of attention to detail and personal attention and service.
Ports & Destinations
Small ships are ideal for traveling to destinations with exotic ports where cruise travel is a lot more limited. Due to their small size, they are able to access ports and harder-to-reach destinations without being restricted in where they can travel. This factor allows small ship cruises to be a lot more diverse when it comes to their itineraries and offshore excursions.
Bucket list destinations are easily reached by small ship cruises making this vacation option perfect for checking things off your bucket list. Experiences and excursions can are often more intimate and hands-on, allowing passengers to be as immersive and indulgence as possible in the experience.
There are popular locations and ports around the world that are often visited by small cruise ship vessels. Tropical, exotic, and polar destinations with a wide variety of climates, wildlife, flora and fauna, and historic and ancient ruins and landscapes await cruisers who opt for a small ship cruise. Some superb and exciting destinations such as the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica, American waterways, Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, and Southeast Asia have a wide variety of small ports and offer a new perspective of views from a small cruise ship.
Best Cruise Lines for Small Ship Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises are best known for being destination focused with a culturally enriching atmosphere. Viking takes pride in having various cultural partners for the most immersive experience possible. All Viking cruise ships fit fewer than 1000 passengers and are engineered at a small scale to experience direct access to smaller ports, featuring a modern and Scandinavian design. Some popular and attractive small ship destinations include Scandinavia and northern Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean, Mediterranean regions, Asia and Oceania.
American Cruise Line
American Cruise Line small ships cruises offer premier nautical engineering, with luxury and state-of-the-art amenities, navigation, and unique destination locations. Guests who share an interest in American heritage can enjoy world-class small ships with large observation decks and lounges, panoramic dining areas, spacious staterooms, and private balconies. American Cruise Line will sail through charming ports and gracious small towns in destinations in 28 different American states, offering passengers an authentic All-American experience.
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Atlas Ocean Voyages small ships cruises take pride in having small ship cruise options with luxurious expeditions and experiences in unique and exotic destinations around the world. They offer elevated accommodation and amenities, upscale onboard services, less traveled destination options, and curated itinerary options for any type of traveler. There is exceptional onboard world-class cuisine, luxurious spa services, and any e everyday convenience or favor you may need. Atlas travels to destinations such as Africa, Antarctica, and other arctic regions, the Caribbean, Central, and South America, Northern Europe, and the Mediterranean.
Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises allow passengers to explore the world like never before, in a small and comfortable but luxurious setting. Cruise yachts are small and intimate with 148-342 guests onboard, allowing for a personalized and catered experience with all-inclusive options available.
Windstar cruises sail to both polar and tropical destinations, with offboard excursions like visiting and learning the culture of local villages, snorkeling, diving with sharks, or cooking classes with local instructors. Destinations that are popular for small ships cruises include Northern Europe, Italy, Greece, Central America, New England, Asia, and Oceania.
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