Wednesday, April 3, 2024

The Ultimate Small Ship Alaska Cruise Guide

small ship cruise

Life onboard reflects the rich cultural heritage of the South Pacific islands through local entertainers and storytellers. Additionally, the Moana Explorer program offers hands-on interactive and fun learning for children and teens. One of our favourite features -- available on each of Windstar's vessels -- is the water sports platform, with its range of complimentary activities  such as snorkelling, wind-sailing, paddle-boarding and even water skiing).

A low-impact expedition cruise around the British Isles

Scenic Eclipse cruises to nearly every corner of the world, including French Polynesia and the Pacific Islands, Australia, the Indonesian archipelago and Antarctica. With Ponant's French pedigree, it's not surprising that food is a cut above, especially the desserts, cheeses and wine. Enhance your evening with complimentary wine (mostly French), Charles Heidsieck Champagne, beer and spirits. Standing on deck when the sails are unfurled is one of the more romantic moments you'll likely experience on any ship. Star Clippers' handsome five-masted tall ship Royal Clipper is considered the largest square rigger in service.

SunStone Maritime Group charters Ocean Victory ship to Alma Cruceros

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've sailed on more than 125 cruise ships of all sizes, but my favorites have never been the big "floating resorts." Meanwhile Paul Gauguin Cruises (No. 3) may have slipped a bit from its 2022 ranking but still posted a score of more than 92 points. That’s thanks to its luxurious service — most rooms come with butler service — and, no doubt, its dreamy itineraries that visit remote atolls in South Pacific and the cruise line’s private beach on Bora Bora.

Luxury Small Ship Cruises in Indonesia

Passengers can relax on the sun deck and take a dip in the infinity-style pool or head to the marina platform to enjoy various water sports. Onboard, passengers can enjoy the doting of a polished 95-person crew; locally inspired and international cuisine served up on deck or in an elegant dining salon; and included-in-the-rates wine, Champagne and cocktails. Look out for exciting extras like the option to sleep under the stars (on deck-side Balinese loungers) and a water sports platform with complimentary equipment  including sailboats, paddle-boards and kayaks.

Cruising the Philippines Islands

The ships are the 148-passenger Wind Spirit and Wind Star, each with four masts and six sails, and the 342-passenger five-masted Wind Surf, which is the world's largest sailing vessel. 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. Vessels come equipped with kayaks, paddle-boards, snorkelling equipment and hot tubs onboard for relaxing after a day of hiking or paddling.

Authentic Adventure and Cultural Experiences

There’s even extreme camping gear for those willing to brave an overnight under the stars in Antarctica. During North American winters, all three of Atlas’s expedition yachts sail in Antarctica. The first maritime expeditions date back millennia when explorers in dugout canoes and sailing boats plied the seas to untraveled destinations. While the expeditionary ships you'll sail aboard with Tauck are modern in every way, the remote ports where you will cast anchor are timeless still.

The adventurous can also enjoy hiking, bushwhacking and cycling in some ports. Passengers can utilize each ship's fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks and stash of snowshoes and cross-country skis that aid in exploration. In a world where gigantic megaships draw all the attention, I've always found small ships to be the best. Read on to see what other readers had to say — and which other companies made this year's list.

small ship cruise

Metropolitan Touring's Galapagos ships are larger compared to most of the yachts deployed in this region. In place of an observation bow with direct views of the water, as many similar ships offer, Victory has a pair of viewing platforms on each side of the ship, thanks to its distinctive X-bow design. These platforms are cantilevered directly over the water for great views of bergy bits and potential marine life. 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. While small luxury ships typically have fancy owners' suites, the pair of top accommodations on Scenic Eclipse is on another level. Each measures over 2,000 square feet with a huge forward-facing teak-lined terrace, complete with a large whirlpool tub.

SOUTH AMERICA CRUISES

Do Yourself A Favor And Book A Small Ship Cruise To Norway ASAP - Men's Journal

Do Yourself A Favor And Book A Small Ship Cruise To Norway ASAP.

Posted: Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

He is the founding editor of Popular Cruising, producer of the successful Popular Cruising YouTube channel and Cruise Editor for TravelAge West. The ultra-luxury Seabourn Encore features 300 suites for 600 passengers with all the amenities of Seabourn’s Odyssey-class ships. Additions to Encore include a VIP area on the top deck, a wellness program and two restaurants, The Grill by Thomas Keller and Sushi. With 18 major islands (most of which remain uninhabited) and 3 smaller islets spread across 3,040 square miles, land-based tours barely scratch the surface of this nature-lover’s paradise.

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. UnCruise Adventures offers some of the most popular small ship cruises to Alaska. With sustainability front and center, expeditions are focused on local culture, regional cuisine and nature. The larger ships in the line feature built-in docks for kayaks and stand up paddleboards, while the smaller yacht-style ships include drinks and a spa treatment in the fare. Since small ship cruising deals are mainly provided by riverboats, you can also see an extensive list of river cruise lines ships at CruiseMapper's River Cruises hub.

2 of America’s most scenic small-ship and river cruises are in New England, according to Reader’s Digest - Boston.com

2 of America’s most scenic small-ship and river cruises are in New England, according to Reader’s Digest.

Posted: Tue, 19 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

But in general, small cruises are less about the amenities of the ship itself and more about exciting shore-based adventures. Alaskan Dream Cruises (fleet, AlaskanDreamCruises.com) is Allen family-owned company (founded 1970) operating Inside Passage itineraries - wilderness adventures on small-sized expedition ships. Its ships also visit exclusive ports of call in Alaska, including native-owned lands and a private island.

One area of emphasis is sustainability, which cruise lines like Hurtigruten support. "More and more travelers want to know that they are minimizing the impact on the destination and giving back to the local communities,” he says. Danielle Fear is one of the UK’s most recognized and trusted cruise bloggers and is better known to her audience as CruiseMiss. As well as maintaining an award-winning cruise blog, she also works as a freelance writer, content manager and social media professional covering all aspects of sea travel. Having embarked on more than 75 sailings, including 2 world cruises, it’s fair to say that Danielle knows a thing or two about cruising.

The line’s two expedition-style ships, Stella Australis and Ventus Australis, put passengers nose-to-nose with wildlife in the waters off southernmost Chile. “The detailed attention from all the staff was refreshingly impressive,” said one fan, who traveled aboard the Ventus Australis. Galileo typically stays in port until the wee hours, allowing time to disembark after dinner for evening strolls and drinks by the waterside. Because there’s a little more wriggle room in the itinerary than on larger ships, don’t be surprised if your crew makes an unscheduled swim stop for guests to take a refreshing dip in the sparkling waters. Journey down the west coast of Central America on Star Clipper, a traditional tall ship that evokes the romance of a grander age and carries just 166 guests. Royal Clipper is an extra-special ship and one that turns heads wherever she roams.

Swan Hellenic's compact, well-laid-out SH Vega is built for expedition cruising with a PC5 ice-strengthened hull. 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. Seabourn's large expedition team leads daily complimentary excursions, such as Zodiac sightseeing tours, shore walks, hikes, snorkeling and kayak outings. For dining, there are four main restaurants, including an Italian and a French-inspired venue. The Grill is an eatery enclosed in floor-to-ceiling glass for the best views in the house. Its gorgeous tiered stern decks feature a lovely outdoor pool area at the back of Deck 6 with a perfect stretch of deck for sunbathing and scenery watching and an open-air bar above for stunning views.

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