Sunday, March 31, 2024

The 3 Best Small-ship Ocean Cruise Lines in 2022

luxury small cruise lines

In the winter, Royal Clipper island hops around the Caribbean, sailing round trip from Barbados to some of the lesser-known islands. During the summer, it cruises the Mediterranean along the French and Italian rivieras and explores the coast of Croatia and the Canary Islands. 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.

SeaDream Yacht Club: SeaDream I and II

Windstar’s commitment to excellent cuisine will also reach new heights in the re-imagined main dining room, named Amphora, which will serve a variety of upscale and innovative meals. SeaDream has received numerous awards, honors and accolades from authoritative travel publications, industry organizations, and valued past guests. Imagine celebrating with your invited friends and family on your own private yacht. Introducing Seabourn Ovation, the sister-ship to the already prestigious Seabourn Encore. Seabourn Ovation represents another welcome stage in the evolution of small ship cruising, which Seabourn pioneered and has consistently expanded and enriched for all of our small ship cruises.

These Are the Best Cruise Lines for Adults in 2024 Condé Nast Traveler - Condé Nast Traveler

These Are the Best Cruise Lines for Adults in 2024 Condé Nast Traveler.

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SPA & WELLNESS

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. People often ask me which are the best small ship cruises, and that question is difficult to answer. Additionally, the new Star Class ships will feature ice-strengthened hulls and will be equipped with the latest technology in safety, propulsion, and navigation, including pump jet thrusters and forward-facing Sonar. Seabourn Sojourn enchants her guests with an array of public areas scaled to encourage a relaxed sociability.

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One meal at Umi Uma is included with your sail (per person, on sailings 11 days or shorter) with each additional visit available for a charge of just $50 per person—incredible value to experience fan favorites like miso-marinated black cod. Aside from a night at the most luxurious specialty restaurant you can find on a cruise ship, the rest of Crystal’s dining offerings are equally superb, from seasonal dishes at Waterside to classic Italian fare at Osteria D’Ovidio. More than just a vacation, luxury cruises are designed to cater to the whims and desires of its discerning guests (caviar and Champagne on-demand, anyone?).

Tips to Book an Amazing Labor Day Sale on a Cruise in 2023

luxury small cruise lines

The small vessels will also have tier III Nox rated Rolls Royce engines and will be able to connect to shore power, minimizing port emissions, and will feature advanced wastewater treatment systems to promote sustainability at sea. Star Seeker is currently under construction at the WestSEA shipyard in Northern Portugal, and construction is yet to begin on Star Explorer, which will enter service a year after its sister ship. Even so, Windstar Cruises already has a good idea of what sailing on their newest ships will look like. In addition to Europe and Tahiti, Windstar also offers small-ship cruises to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, the Panama Canal, New England, Eastern Canada, South America, and the South Pacific.

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These 10 cruise ships and yachts voted as the best by readers – each with a passenger capacity of under 1,000 – can get to smaller ports inaccessible to larger ships and offer a more social atmosphere where it’s easier to get to know your fellow guests. Seabourn welcomes the second ultra-luxury Expedition ship to the fleet, Seabourn Pursuit. Purpose-built for immersive and adventurous travel experiences, the smaller sizes of expedition ships afford access to remote destinations and areas largers ships cannot reach.

Best Luxury Cruise Lines: Windstar Cruises

Although there isn’t a huge number of new small ships being introduced, there are a few notable vessels that have either recently launched or are launching this year with a focus on the idea that smaller is not just better, but more sustainable, too. These new small-ship cruises bring with them some exciting and more immersive new itineraries to destinations both warm and wintry that have us ready to pack our bags and sail away. The best luxury cruise lines to embark on this year for an unforgettable vacation at sea.

Seattle to Juneau: UnCruise Adventures

The ship sails destination-intensive itineraries predominantly in the Caribbean, Adriatic and Middle East. Activities on shore -- most of which are included in the cruise fares -- focus on kayaking, cycling, swimming, snorkelling and hiking, with a smattering of cultural and culinary tours. The ship's marina has a swimming platform and offers water toys, such as paddleboards, Jet Skis, water skis, snorkelling equipment and kayaks.

Explore the SeaDream Difference. Casual, modernized and personalized luxury, unlike any other travel

She maybe a little older than most of the latest cruise ships, but she is Spacious, Gracious  and Elegant with around 300 passengers. With a fleet of six chic vessels catering to no more than 310 guests, Windstar visits a chocolate box of destinations, from Alaska to the islands of Tahiti, the Italian Riviera to the Panama Canal. Given their small size, everyone gets a chance to know each other by the end. When it comes to river cruising, good things certainly come in small packages. With a fleet of seven opulent ships in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, each welcoming just 12 to 54 guests, it’s almost like having a ship all to yourself.

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 930-guest Viking Orion offers all-veranda staterooms with amenities like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and heated bathroom floors. It’s also the first ship in the fleet to feature a high-tech planetarium in a 26-seat dome theater. That's in part because Viking Osiris is the first Nile River vessel specifically built to Viking's specifications. That's unusual in a market where most Western lines charter local vessels for their trips. In Viking's eyes (and ours, too), that means Viking will be able to offer the most consistent product on the river. Unlike some other Western companies operating in Egypt, Viking will have complete control of the experience.

From sustainable sourcing to crafting delicious dishes, Chef Colin shares his insights and inspirations, giving you a taste of the experiences that await. As is typical for Mekong River ships, Viking Saigon is sailing one-way voyages between Kampong Cham, Cambodia (not far from the famed ruins of Angkor), and My Tho, Vietnam, near Ho Chi Minh City. Viking combines the cruise with hotel stays in Ho Chi Minh City; Hanoi, Vietnam; and Siem Reap, Cambodia (the gateway to the Angkor ruins), to create a 14-night "Magnificent Mekong" tour of Cambodia and Vietnam. But it was Paul Gauguin Cruises, now owned by French cruise company Ponant, that emerged as the reader favorite among the best cruise lines for small ships. Four dining options include Manfredi's Italian and several attractive lounges, such as the windowed Aula auditorium for lectures. The ship is equipped for scientific inquiry with a remote-controlled underwater robot, baited underwater camera and a FerryBox system for collecting water samples, which you can view under a microscope in the ship's science lab.

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Best Small Cruises in the USA

luxury small cruise lines

Cruisers appreciate the beautiful infinity pool, sun decks and water toys, like kayaks and snorkeling equipment that lend a private yacht vibe. Expect Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, generously poured wine at lunch and dinner and a nicer price tag for a cruise on the Azzurra than on comparable ships. Whether it's a river or an ocean you want to cruise, Scenic can take you there in style.

Best for Ships with Sails

The Grill is an eatery enclosed in floor-to-ceiling glass for the best views in the house. L'Austral explores both polar regions and spends time in the Mediterranean, cruising along the coast of Croatia and around the smaller, less touristy Greek Islands like Amorgos, Milos and Delos. L'Austral is the ideal size for a small ship — intimate but still large enough for amenities such as a gym, spa and show lounge. Ponant has been busy launching six new ships in its impressive Explorers series. However, L'Austral (with sister ships Le Boreal, Le Soleal and Le Lyrial) is my favorite ship in the fleet. Both have a stern marina for easy access to water sports like kayaking and paddle boarding.

Ship Tip

luxury small cruise lines

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated individual cruise ships on their cabins and facilities, food, service, itineraries and destinations, excursions and activities, and value. Those assessments were combined to generate results for the cruise lines in five categories; small-ship ocean cruise lines have ships that can carry 249 or fewer passengers.

The Top 10 Small-ship Ocean Cruise Lines in 2021

luxury small cruise lines

In a world where gigantic megaships draw all the attention, I've always found small ships to be the best.

Luxury vs. budget cruises: My experiences on Explora and Seven Seas ships - Business Insider

Luxury vs. budget cruises: My experiences on Explora and Seven Seas ships.

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No river overlooked, you can wind your way through the Danube, Rhine or Moselle in the heart of Europe, glide down the Mekong or explore Columbia’s lush terrain on the majestic Magdalena. Oenophiles can even board a specialty wine cruise, while those seeking the magic of Europe’s Christmas markets can join a festive seasonal sailing. More essentials, more enjoyment, more indulgence—it’s the whole package. Bundle Internet, spa, dining, beverage, and shore excursion savings with these inclusive options. Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert with more than 140 sailings under his belt and a fresh, millennial perspective on the industry. He is the founding editor of Popular Cruising, producer of the successful Popular Cruising YouTube channel and Cruise Editor for TravelAge West.

The food is excellent and served both on the romantic outdoor decks and inside the cozy restaurant. SeaDream Yacht Club's 40-year-old ships may not be new, but they're still some of the prettiest classic luxury yachts afloat. However, they're spacious, recently refurbished, and feature wood details that evoke a classic nautical feel. 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. 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.

UnCruise Adventures: Wilderness Legacy

Each one houses a marble bathroom (some with whirlpools), balcony and living area, together with a bar ready-stocked with beverages. Picture yourself drawing your cabin blinds to find an iceberg laden with chinstrap penguins just outside, a couple of humpback whales in the distance, and a giant petrel flying majestically overhead. Interiors – particularly those on The Jahan and Jayavarman – are spacious and flooded with light, while hospitality goes above and beyond. And as for the cuisine, that’s exceptional, fusing elements of Asian and Western fare.

SeaDream I

Owned by Carnival Corporation, Seabourn's top-of-the-line, 264- to 600-passenger ships deliver comfortable, modern luxury that can be as fancy or casual as you like. Everything operates in the upper-tier way, from the spa and expansive fitness offerings to the restaurants — which include a Nobu eatery. The top Regent Suites on these new ships are mansions at sea and come with solariums, private spas with saunas and steam rooms and Steinway pianos in their living rooms. Now owned by Royal Caribbean Group (the same company that owns Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises), the luxury cruise line delivers stylish, contemporary luxury — more streamlined than opulent — complemented by pleasantly extreme pampering. Other advantages of Heritage Lines’ particularly small ships are there’s never a queue to board or disembark, no crowds at mealtimes or cocktail hour, and certainly no trouble securing bookings for everything from spa treatments to yoga and cooking classes.

Wind Surf

On board, you'll find fine dining, expansive spas and fitness facilities, and butler service. Nearly 165,000 T+L readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). 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 real star of the show, however, is Crystal’s exceptional dining, anchored by the only Nobu restaurant at sea, Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa Restaurant and Sushi Bar, which can be found on both ships.

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. The ship's 12 crew members include wellness professionals (wellness is a big focus for the brand), naturalist guides and a local chef. There also are two local expert guides on board, who will provide insight as Kontiki Wayra stops at small Ecuadorian towns, historic sites and nature areas full of wildlife. 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.

Viking does not like to call itself a luxury cruise line, but we'd definitely put it in that category for the inclusive fares, fine dining and smart design of its ocean-going ships. The line's two newest ships, the 264-passenger Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, are built with a tough "polar class" design to operate in the ice-filled waters of the Arctic and Antarctica. On sailings in those regions, each passenger receives a free jacket to keep them warm and cozy. Like her popular Viking sister ships, Jupiter features a spacious spa, several dining venues, an intimate jazz lounge, two cinemas, a pool with retractable roof and a sports deck.

On board, many rooms are veranda suites measuring 356 square feet (including a private balcony), all with marble baths. The largest Grand and Owner's suites are massive multi-room affairs with huge private verandas. An impressively kitted-out expedition ship, Scenic Eclipse has an ice-strengthened hull with a C6 rating suited for polar cruising, including navigating the Northwest Passage.

The line offers sailings in the Windward Islands from Grenada on the 10-passenger Diamant; its 24-passenger schooner and 26-passenger Vela offers a mix of both. Other itineraries include the French West Indies and the British Virgin Islands. Look out for special themed cruises like Solo Sojourns (for those traveling alone), rum cruises, pirates and mermaid Week, and Taste of the (Caribbean) Islands foodie sailing.

Like fine European hotels or the fanciest boutique properties, the ships of the best luxury cruise lines are designed to appeal to people who seek — and can afford — an elegant style of travel. If it’s fine food, fabulous wine, and exceptional service you seek, you can’t go past French luxury cruise line Ponant. With a maximum of just 260 guests, they appeal to travellers who crave discovery with a second helping of haute cuisine. World Voyager, which sailed its maiden voyage in Antarctica this past November, is the third vessel to join the fleet of one of the newest players in small-ship expedition cruising, Atlas Ocean Voyages. The company’s 100-cabin expedition yachts are almost identical and provide a hybrid of sorts between traditional expedition and luxury cruising.

Near the well-stocked library is the Expedition Study, where the 20-member expedition team is accessible for questions. Outdoor deck space includes the forward-facing bow area with an outdoor hot tub. There's an impressive spa, salon and gym with panoramic ocean views and several lounges for drinks (always included) and lectures. Scenic Eclipse cruises to nearly every corner of the world, including French Polynesia and the Pacific Islands, Australia, the Indonesian archipelago and Antarctica.

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