Ten of the best small-ship cruises

Table Of Content

• Ocean Voyage: Boston - Fort-de-France
• You'll take advantage of the water sports platform or the complimentary snorkel gear.
• Sea Cloud Cruises: Sea Cloud I
• The Sexiest Beaches in the Caribbean to Visit Right Now
• The Caribbean Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trips
• How The Sands at Grace Bay Resort Defines the Turks and Caicos Vacation
• of the best small ship cruises to the Caribbean
• The Top 10 Small-ship Ocean Cruise Lines in 2021

Most people find "lullaby" waves -- those that gently rock the ship to and fro -- soothing. But, in bad weather with rough seas, the rocking can be more intense and stomach-churning for some individuals. Most itineraries embark/disembark from places like Bridgetown, Barbados; Fort-de-France, Martinique; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Marigot, St. Martin; and even Fort Lauderdale in the United States. They also call on more established isles like St. Lucia, St. John and St. Thomas in the U.S. Carnival Cruise New Orleans is a popular cruise line that offers a wide range of exciting and fun-filled activities... Balancing her writing career and family life with effortless grace, Judith is happily married, mother to two wonderful children, and a doting grandmother to three grandkids.

Ocean Voyage: Boston - Fort-de-France

However, this is also the hurricane season, and while operators take utmost precautions, it's essential to be aware of potential changes in weather conditions. Contact us to receive a personalized-to-you recommendation on the best Caribbean sailing vacations for your travel style, budget and timing needs. We have our finger on the pulse of the available options to cruise to Guatemala, Belize, Panama, Colombia and other hotspots along the Caribbean coast. Offer valid on new bookings only, for a limited time upon availability and may be combined with other select offers. Deposit, final payments, and cancellation policies for group travel vary from the standard policy.

You'll take advantage of the water sports platform or the complimentary snorkel gear.

Our experts are ready to help you find the best luxury Caribbean cruise based on your timeline and interests. AdventureSmith’s Caribbean sailing vacations feature colorful flora and fauna, unique history, global cuisine and multicultural locals. Find your own paradise on Caribbean tall ship sailing cruises, Caribbean catamaran charters and more. Explore mangroves by skiff, kayak and stand-up paddleboard, right from your expedition ship. Cruise among more than 700 islands, visiting secluded bays only accessible by small cruise lines in the Caribbean.

Sea Cloud Cruises: Sea Cloud I

As with so manypreconceptions about cruising, this negative view of the Caribbeantends to come from the world of mainstream megaships. Swimsuits, cover-ups and T-shirts are typical daytime attire on these windjammer cruises, and dress for dinner and evenings remains refreshingly casual. Cabins come with air-conditioning, and all but two offer portholes and private bathrooms. When not bunking down or out exploring in port, head out for some sunbathing or alfresco dining on deck, or retreat to the indoor dining room or lounge area. Quark's Antarctica trips often go longer and farther south, with more varied itineraries than other lines.

The Sexiest Beaches in the Caribbean to Visit Right Now

As the Icon of the Seas Launches, Some Passengers Prefer Smaller, Older, Cheaper Cruises - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal

As the Icon of the Seas Launches, Some Passengers Prefer Smaller, Older, Cheaper Cruises - WSJ.

Posted: Wed, 17 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Plus, they often focus on local culture, history, and nature, offering in-depth shore excursions and expert-led lectures. 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.

The Caribbean Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trips

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. 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. The one-of-a-kind, four-masted Sea Cloud was originally commissioned as a private luxury yacht by multi-millionaire Wall Street titan E. Hutton's extravagant heiress and businesswoman wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post, oversaw the ship's interior design, outfitting it in marble, mahogany and gold-plated fixtures. 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.

How The Sands at Grace Bay Resort Defines the Turks and Caicos Vacation

Save $500 per kid under the age of 18 on select 2024 and 2025 departures of the below-linked National Geographic expeditions. Save $500 per kid under 18 when you book your 2024 or 2025 departure from a variety of National Geographic expeditions worldwide. Save 5% when traveling as a group of 8 or more on a variety of 2024 or 2025 National Geographic expeditions worldwide. With its PC6 ice-class rating, Silver Endeavour spends November through April in Antarctica and the rest of the year in the Arctic, including Greenland, Arctic Canada, Iceland and Norway.

This year’s small-ship leader, though, made its mark with two new vessels that are unlike anything else sailing today. Read on to see how Viking captured this category — and for more details on all the top lines. 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. This intimacy provides you with the luxuries of time, space, and freedom to immerse yourself in both the journey and the destination - in ways you may never have imagined possible. With small ships carrying so few people, you're going to meet everyone during a tender ride, on a shore excursion, in the lounge over cocktails or at the dinner table.

The Top 10 Small-ship Ocean Cruise Lines in 2021

Best for all-inclusiveYou’ll want for nothing on an ultra-luxurious Regent Seven Seas Cruise which has one of the most generous all-inclusive packages on the high seas. Forget lukewarm buffets and think 24-hour room service, unlimited drinks, free minibar, all-suite accommodation, wi-fi, an extensive lecture programme and unlimited shore excursions. There are also longer two-week voyages encompassing both the above regions, includinground-trip Barbados sailings. Built in response to the growing interest in small ship cruising, Emerald Yacht Cruises is the ocean arm of river cruise operator Emerald Waterways. Its first "super yacht", Emerald Azzurra, has 50 cabins and suites; 88 percent with balconies or terraces. 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.

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. Onboard facilities include 10 dining experiences, including a Champagne bar and private dining room for just eight people, the Senses Spa and suites with private hot tubs. Water sports include an inflatable trampoline, paddle-boards and kayaks and the ship has Zodiacs for wildlife spotting and shore excursions. No. 5 Windstar Cruises rose five places since last year, as adventurers praised its three distinctive sailing yachts, including the Wind Spirit and Wind Star, both of which accommodate 148 guests. No. 2 Ponant also climbed five spots this year, winning over readers with an ever-expanding fleet of small ships.

Of course, the best small ship for you may depend on where you wish to sail and whether you're looking for a relaxing yacht-like experience or a rugged adventure. To ensure you end up on the right Royal Caribbean ship for you, it pays to study which Royal Caribbean ships are the biggest and which are the smallest before booking. However, you are more apt to feel the movement of the sea on a small ship than a larger one.

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. Like Silver Endeavour, Seabourn Venture will spend the year in the polar regions, with long repositioning cruises in between, such as a 51-day Antarctica, Atlantic and Northwest Africa voyage from Buenos Aires to Malaga, Spain. The eye-catching interior is sophisticated, with a stark black, gray and beige color palette, lovely wood details, white Carrara marble surfaces and bold art. 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. With Ponant's French pedigree, it's not surprising that food is a cut above, especially the desserts, cheeses and wine.

A distinguishing feature of small-ship cruises in the Caribbean is the focus on adventure and exploration activities. Depending on the itinerary, you may have opportunities for hiking in national parks, snorkeling in coral reefs, kayaking in marine reserves, or exploring historical sites. These activities offer enriching ways to experience the Caribbean's natural beauty and cultural heritage. With the growing awareness of sustainable tourism, many small-ship cruise lines in the Caribbean are committed to minimizing their environmental impact and contributing positively to local communities. They employ practices such as using eco-friendly amenities, reducing waste, supporting local businesses, and educating passengers about responsible tourism. When choosing your cruise line, you might want to consider their commitment to sustainability.