Come aboard to the great pleasure of smaller ship cruising
Welcome to delightfully intimate vessels that carry only hundreds, not thousands, of guests, which immediately sets the tone for a different and wonderful kind of journey. Life feels slower, richer and more personal – where the captain might greet you by name, as do all the staff, and the waiter remembers exactly how you take your morning coffee.
There’s space to breathe and room to belong
On a smaller ship, you’re never swallowed up by crowds or long queues. Public spaces feel like elegant living rooms rather than cavernous halls, and cabins are designed as a sanctuary with an air of calm rather than excess. You find yourself chatting to fellow passengers who become travel companions rather than strangers. And friendships are forged over shared sunsets, lingering walks ashore or the delight of discovering a tucked-away village together.
You’ll savour a journey of flavours and cultures
Dining onboard is also more personal and often reflects the regions you visit. One night it might be freshly caught seafood in the Greek islands, another a wine tasting with vintages sourced directly from a Tuscan vineyard you visited that day. And where the maître d’, who also knows you by name, comes and discusses the meal with you. Smaller ships tend to partner with local producers, bringing authenticity to every plate.
And you’ll go where big ships can’t
The true charm lies in where these vessels can take you. Large liners are bound by ports big enough to handle their size but smaller ships slip along rivers everywhere and into secret harbours and lesser-known towns. Imagine docking right in the heart of Dubrovnik, anchoring off Positano to tender ashore, gliding into Norway’s narrow fjords where cliffs rise dramatically on either side, see ancient temples from the Nile or peep into the jungles as you drift down the Amazon. You don’t just see the destination from a distance – you feel woven into it.
Destinations that spark the imagination
- The Mediterranean’s hidden gems: Beyond Barcelona and Santorini, smaller ships sail into lesser-known islands like Patmos, Kotor and Corsica, where charm is served without the crowds.
- The Norwegian Fjords: With their ability to navigate narrow passages, smaller vessels bring you up close to waterfalls, glaciers and fishing villages.
- The South Pacific: Think tucked-away lagoons in Fiji, the cultural richness of Vanuatu or French Polynesia’s out-of-the-way atolls.
- Asia’s Waterways: From sailing the Mekong, into Ho Chi Minh City along the Saigon River to discovering Myanmar’s pagoda-lined shores, smaller ships unlock corners of Asia most travellers never reach.
- Expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic: Smaller, ice-class ships are the only way to experience these pristine landscapes, landing on remote shores where wildlife reigns supreme.
- The immersion of the ancient history: Along Egypt’s Nile, the vibrant cities and landscapes of Europe’s Danube, Rhine and Rhône Rivers,
- Into the wilds: Marvel at the wildlife encounters of India’s Brahmaputra River. Discover the rich biodiversity and landscapes of the Amazon rainforest in Peru.
Why it stays with you
Perhaps what lingers longest after a smaller ship cruise is the sense of belonging – not just to the ship but to the world you’ve touched. You step ashore having truly been in a place, not just passed through it. It’s the difference between a postcard and a memory.
