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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. The 92-foot-long Maple Leaf schooner can carry eight passengers and four or five crewmembers. Instead of cabins, a sleeping area has large bunks with walls on two and a half sides and thick, heavy curtains on the rest.
Ten of the best small-ship cruises - The Times
Ten of the best small-ship cruises.
Posted: Sun, 21 Apr 2024 23:05:33 GMT [source]
Best for Scenic Nature Cruises
While you won’t find casinos or amenities for young children, you will find a Nordic spa with a “snow grotto” at sea, several dining options, and onboard extras like free Wi-Fi and complimentary wine and beer at mealtime. 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. Cruises are amazing, but sometimes mega cruise ships can leave you feeling like cattle being herded through long lines at the buffet and at port debarkation. More intimate ships not only translate to fewer fellow passengers, but it also means you can visit lesser-known ports.
Top 10 Small-ship Ocean Cruise Lines in 2020
There are hundreds of islands to explore, so navigating on a small ship is a comfortable and convenient way of seeing the best of the isles, without having to worry about local ferry timetables. There are just 24 cabins on board, making Galileo feel more like an oversized millionaire’s yacht than a cruise ship. And if the idea of a typical cruise with dressing up in gowns under the hot Greek sunshine doesn’t seem like a happy match, you can leave your sequins at home – this is a cruise that, despite feeling exclusive, is blissfully informal too.
Island Escape yacht
The vessel has spacious cabins percent with private balconies -- along with three dining venues, a spa and water sports marina with activities including kayaking, paddle-boarding and diving. Cruises visit the line's private island of Motu Mahana, off the coast of Taha'a, where passengers are greeted with food, drink and live music. 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.
Regent Seven Seas for Personal Service
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. When the weather's good, skip the main restaurant and eat at the buffet, which is set up at the back of Deck 7, adjacent to the attractive (and heated) infinity swimming pool. World Navigator is a deluxe expedition ship sporting a 1B Ice Class-certified hull and the latest technologies, such as a GPS-based dynamic position system to minimize movement and noise. Itineraries focus on the Mediterranean during the summer, with mostly one- to two-week cruises that call on ports along the coasts of Croatia, Albania, Italy, France, Turkey and the Greek Islands. Ponant has been busy launching six new ships in its impressive Explorers series.
There’s a large fitness center and spa, which has a steam room, sauna, and thermal area for two; indoor and outdoor lounges; and a main dining area, plus a more casual bistro. The action, however, is out on deck, where passengers can stargaze at night or simply gaze in awe at the impressive sails blowing in the wind. You can slip past the crowds to discover smaller ports and get to know the local culture on more intimate excursions.
With a fleet of seven, Oceania’s largest ships hold up to 1,250 - but guests never felt they lacked space or the personal touch from staff. And while all voyages start at Dover or Portsmouth, you can sail as far as the Caribbean and the Americas (if you’re prepared for plenty of days at sea). Because of their small size, these ships never have elaborate facilities and amenities. You might find a small spa with a couple of treatment rooms and a fitness room, though you’ll rarely encounter a fully equipped gym. Explore the Antarctic, Niagara and the Great Lakes, or Panama and Scenic South America on one of its expedition cruises.
You can build an a la carte vacation or pay upfront for an easy trip that includes an open bar, unlimited Wi-Fi and included crew gratuities. 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. Since then, two more small ships -- the intimate 16-passenger Celebrity Xploration and 100-passenger Celebrity Flora – have joined the fleet. 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.
Both have a stern marina for easy access to water sports like kayaking and paddle boarding. 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. The portable, custom-made "sea dragon" platform at the stern makes for easy access to kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming, activities popular with UnCruise's sporty fans. The adventurous can also enjoy hiking, bushwhacking and cycling in some ports. 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.
Sometimes local performers (historians, dancers, and musicians) are welcome on board to entertain. Ponant's all-inclusive fares (some shore excursions, drinks, internet and gratuities) are competitive and provide high value for money. International Expeditions, offering passengers soft adventure, small-group journeys with a focus on nature, runs cruises to the Galapagos on the 32-passenger Evolution). Step out onto the sun deck or relax in Evolution's hot tub to enjoy the passing scenery, when not partaking in immersive shoreside experiences anchored on natural and cultural encounters. On the line's 10-day Alaska Supervoyage itineraries, Swell travels between Prince Rupert (British Columbia) and Sitka, and between Sitka and Ketchikan, with stops at Baranof, Kruzof and St. Lazaria islands.
The small size is key to its appeal with customers praising the personalised service. 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. If you’re looking for one of the best river cruises in Europe, look no further than Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Unlike other cruise lines on this list, river cruises are all Uniworld Boutique River Cruises offers.
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. This year’s World’s Best Awards survey closed on March 2, just before widespread stay-at-home orders were implemented as a result of COVID-19. The results reflect our readers’ experiences before the pandemic, but we hope that this year’s honorees will inspire your trips to come — whenever they may be. With the exception of the smaller vessels, each ship has lounges for happy hours, as well as post-dinner lectures and programs. Uncruise offers one of the longest Alaska cruise seasons in the industry, with departures from April through September. Guests have the chance to disembark and take part in the traditional grape harvest, but that’s not the only reason it’s the perfect cruise for wine lovers.
Onboard entertainment may be limited to lectures, a library and the odd pianist - but its itineraries span all seven continents (from the Isles of Scilly to the Seychelles and Antarctica). On Sea Cloud Spirit, passengers benefit from both age-old seafaring techniques and modern comforts. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
American Constellation, built in 2017, carries 175 passengers and most of its staterooms have private balconies. Rooms range from 226 to 450 square feet -- they're billed as being among the largest in Alaska. There's elevator service to all decks, which is a great feature for those with mobility issues. Like all Hurtigruten's ships, you'll also find a science centre on board, so you can learn more about the intriguing landscapes and wildlife you'll be seeing on your cruise. Galileo typically stays in port until the wee hours, allowing time to disembark after dinner for evening strolls and drinks by the waterside.
Another newcomer to luxury small-ship cruising is the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which debuts its second ship, the Ilma, this year. With 224 suites, the ship is larger than the original Ritz-Carlton yacht, the 149-suite Evrima, which launched in October 2022. On the Ilma, all the suites will have private terraces, including a two-story suite with soaking tub; the coveted, 1,000-square-foot owner’s suite has a private outdoor whirlpool. Even the smallest suites are not all that small, at 300 square feet, and come with a personal concierge and 24-hour room service. The yacht boasts what Ritz-Carlton says is the highest ratio of space per guest at sea.
You'll find lots to do on board in between excursions, with a wellness centre, spa, wine bar, bistro, and entertainment centre. Joining you on board for part of your trip will be renowned chef Michel Roux, who'll host a live cooking demonstration and a Q&A, so you can heighten your knowledge of fine French cuisine. Joie de Vivre for a memorable small ship cruise through northern France, visiting Paris, Rouen, and the Palace of Versailles.
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