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Most of the ships in this category also offer a variety of suites that give you more square footage, space to dine in your cabin and outdoor furniture to enjoy on your veranda. Ships from Silversea offer butler service with every stateroom, which equates to an ultra-luxurious experience for all. The luxury small ship experts sail all seven continents, and happen to hold the #1 title across river, ocean and expedition cruising in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards. It’s the first time a cruise line has been voted #1 in all three categories at the same time.
Scenic
The German company has traditionally catered to German and British passengers. As part of its effort to expand its reach and appeal, Sea Cloud is adding wellness programs with daily onboard yoga and guest fitness gurus, in addition to special food- and wine-focused sailings with well-known chefs making appearances. Vessels come equipped with kayaks, paddle-boards, snorkelling equipment and hot tubs onboard for relaxing after a day of hiking or paddling. As the diverse fleet incorporates upscale expedition ships, yachts and even a replica turn-of-the-century steamboat, onboard offerings vary. Expect thoughtful premium appointments and amenities throughout, though, with fitness areas, lounges, libraries and mealtimes highlighting gourmet, locally sourced cuisine and fine wines and microbrews.
Atlas Ocean Voyages’ ”World Voyager”
UnCruise Adventures offers adventure cruises designed to appeal to people who might not normally cruise (hence the name). The line's nine vessels, holding between 22 and 90 passengers, sail to destinations including Alaska, Costa Rica and Panama, coastal Washington, Hawaii, Galapagos Islands, British Columbia and Mexico's Sea of Cortez. UnCruise doesn't do many typical port stops, preferring to pause in inlets and bays that offer maximum exposure to nature and wildlife. Celebrity's Galapagos cruise ships combine the line's modern style and focus on service and cuisine with a local, small ship ambience.
7 Best Luxury Cruises - Cruise Critic
7 Best Luxury Cruises.
Posted: Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
LeConte Glacier
The windowed fitness center and spa area includes an ocean-view sauna and the infinity pool at the back of Deck 5 boasts killer views. Elegant interiors include a main restaurant, several lounges and bars where drinks are all included, a plush lecture hall, a cafe for coffee and snacks, and spacious balcony suites that start from 355 square feet (including the balcony). Near the well-stocked library is the Expedition Study, where the 20-member expedition team is accessible for questions.
For the best in-suite views, book a room at the back of the ship, Kelly Cochrane, executive chef of Regent Seven Seas Cruises tells T+L. Small ship cruise holidays are all about intimate encounters, individualised attention, and a laid-back environment. There’s a greater emphasis on exploring the location and engaging with the local culture. Viking Octantis spends part of the year in Antarctica and the rest of the year cruising the Great Lakes and Canada, with a handful of repositioning cruises in between. Swan Hellenic's compact, well-laid-out SH Vega is built for expedition cruising with a PC5 ice-strengthened hull.
Voyages are always all-inclusive (oftentimes including free or reduced airfare) with optional pre and post-cruise land extensions. Modeled after Europe’s stylish boutique hotels, the vibe on board is distinctly cosmopolitan. 461 sea-facing suites boast tufted leather headboards, Frette robes and spacious private terraces. Destinations run the gamut from the near tropics to the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, plus transatlantic Grand Journeys.
Compare the 17 Best Small Cruise Ship Lines
Star Clippers' handsome five-masted tall ship Royal Clipper is considered the largest square rigger in service. Modeled after the great 1902 German clipper Preussen, the ship is a real throwback, with lots of wood and brass features and nautical-style elements. 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.
When a Small Ship Isn't the Best Choice
Don't let the trappings fool you though -- these cruises (indeed all Hurtigruten sailings) are all about nature. Vessels are equipped with small landing craft that take passengers to incredible locations. Passengers are an international mix, and the ships -- which operate in English and Norwegian -- add other languages, such as German or French, if needed. Topflight naturalists, historians, undersea specialists and expedition leaders accompany each trip; many itineraries also have National Geographic photographers or at least a Lindblad-National Geographic-certified photo instructor. Besides kayaks and Zodiacs for landings, ships are equipped with scientific tools like hydrophones (to listen in on marine mammals), underwater cameras and video microscopes. For premium tall ship cruises we recommend Windstar Cruises, and their fully-rigged sailing vessels.
Ultra-Small Ships
At other times Vela has two single cabins and single travellers can be paired up with a same-sex cabin mate to avoid paying a supplement. For the tall-ship enthusiast, there's nothing quite like sailing under a starry or sunny sky, powered by the bluster of ocean winds. If you want to float along with the wind while exploring less-travelled ports in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Asia, Star Clippers is tough to beat. The fleet's three vessels -- flagship 227-passenger Royal Clipper and 170-passenger twins Star Clipper and Star Flyer -- are some of the fastest clipper ships ever built in modern times.
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. Imagine savoring a gourmet meal as you pass quaint villages and historic landmarks, or listening to captivating stories from onboard experts who share their knowledge about the cultures that have thrived along these waterways for centuries. The intimate size of the ship allows you to truly immerse yourself in the experience, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Australia’s own Coral Expeditions has a well-earned reputation for showcasing our waters less travelled, from the Kimberley to the vibrant Coral Sea. History and heritage are key elements of the brand, taking visitors beyond the scenery and delving into the stories that shaped it. Simply deciding which of the numerous boutique cruise lines out there is right for you. Because although they all may be small, that’s where the similarity ends. Whether your ideal ‘cruise life’ is island hopping in the South Pacific, exploring Australia’s fiery Kimberley Coast or steaming down the glamorous French Riviera, there’s no shortage of unforgettable itineraries to choose from.
Quark's Antarctica trips often go longer and farther south, with more varied itineraries than other lines. Days at sea are full of lectures and presentations from scientific experts and, on some vessels, photographers. Solo travelers can avoid a single supplement by opting for the Request-Share program where they will be matched with a same gender passenger to share a cabin. Ranging from authentic sailing experiences, on tall ships, to lavish excursions on some of the most magnificent yachts in the world.
The food is excellent and served both on the romantic outdoor decks and inside the cozy restaurant. Today, the line's fleet of small ships explores nearly the entire planet, always with an impressive lineup of experts and photographers along for the ride. Lindblad 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. Step aboard the MV Sikumi, an exceptional vessel that redefines the Alaskan cruise experience with its intimate ambiance and unparalleled access to the pristine wilderness of Alaska.
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