Choosing the Best Small Ship Cruises

No matter how you like to travel internationally, most travelers like to plan for 2 to 3 stops. You’ve flown a long way and want to see as much as you can in a week or two. You book the hotels, the trains, and pack light to you can easily move around between cities. But what if there was another option?

Small ship cruising offers a similar multi-stop international getaway. No unpacking, no getting lost, and no overthinking the itinerary.

What makes small ship cruising special is it’s generally not about the boat itself – it’s about the destination. The ships offer a more intimate environment and can dock in smaller ports. In most cases you’ll still find world class entertainment and multiple restaurants but the experience is more about seeing the sights and elevated service.

Most small ship cruises allow children but do not necessarily market themselves as “family friendly.” You won’t find a traditional kids club but if your children are happy lounging on the sun deck and grabbing ice cream on a coast in Europe, this can be a great option for the whole family. You likely won’t see a lot of other children on board especially if you travel outside the summer months.

Here are a few of my picks for best small ship cruises:

Small Ship Cruises

Explora Journeys

Explora ships have a modern, sleek feel and offer all suites on board carrying a max of 922 guests. That means even their entry level cabins are spacious and include an outdoor terrace. Base fare includes 9 restaurants plus in-suite dining, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, group fitness classes, a welcome bottle of champagne, Wi-Fi, and gratuities. Spa experiences and shore excursions are an additional cost. Explora sails all over the world include the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Alaska, South America, New England to Canada, the Pacific Coast, and more.

Best for: Travelers looking for a contemporary, design-forward ship and love a room with a terrace.

Azamara

Azamara ships carry about 700 passengers and are known for their signature experiences and extended port stays. Their ships offer a variety of traditional stateroom options including interior, ocean view, and cabins with a terrace. Suites offer extra perks like butler service, included specialty dining, and in room spirits. All options include most restaurants, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and gratuities.

Azamara is know for their signature AzAmazing experiences which is an included destination specific experience for all guests and White Night, a special evening party on the pool deck. Azamara isn’t as high end as some of the other options on this list but is still an elevated experience without the luxury price tag. The sail worldwide include Europe, Asia, Alaska, the Caribbean, Australia and more.

Best for: Travelers who care most about extended port stays and a more intimate ship, but do not necessarily need a full luxury experience.

Windstar

Windstar is known for its small ships and yacht-style feel serving less than 350 guests, but the vibe is relaxed and comfortable. Standard fare on Windstar includes watersports, entertainment, all meals, group fitness classes, and most non-alcoholic beverages. Guests have the option to add all-inclusive alcoholic beverages if they wish.

Windstar sails around the world including Europe, the Caribbean, the Americas, the South Pacific, and more. Because of the size of the ships, they also offer ocean-to-river itineraries where you can enjoy destinations from the ocean and river in one trip.

Best for: Travelers who want a small, yacht-style cruise that feels relaxed, scenic, and destination-focused without being overly formal.

High End, Luxury Ships

Regent Seven Seas

Regent ships are known for their high end, truly all-inclusive experience. Their ships carry around 700 to 750 guests and almost all suites offer balconies. Fares include all restaurants, beverages, gratuities, WiFi, and even shore excursions, which makes it one of the easiest luxury cruise lines to understand from a value standpoint. Regent sails worldwide, including Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, Asia, South America, Africa, and the South Pacific.

Best for: Travelers who want a polished luxury cruise with many of the extras included.

Ponant

Ponant is known for smaller ships, French-inspired style, and access to remote parts of the world. Since it’s a French brand, the ships serve guests in both French and English. Ponant has a generous all inclusive modal where basic fare includes all meals, non-alcoholic and most alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, and one short excursion in each port.

Ponant sails around the globe including Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. It is especially well known for expedition travel, including both poles, Indonesia, Argentina, Australia, and more.

Best for: Travelers who want a small-ship luxury experience with a real sense of adventure.

Silversea

Silversea ships are small, elegant, and designed for travelers who want a quieter onboard feel with a lot of destination variety. The ships feature suite accommodations, butler service, dining, beverages, and gratuities.

Silversea sails around the world including Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, South America, and more remote itineraries. They also offer expedition cruising, with voyages to Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Galápagos, so you can cruises the farthest corners of the world in style.

Best for: Travelers who want luxury with the option to go farther off the beaten path.

Four Seasons Yachts

Four Seasons Yachts is the most hotel-like option and attracts travelers looking for an ultra-luxury, destination focused cruise itinerary. These yachts truly live up to the Four Seasons name featuring large suites and private terraces. Four Seasons sails primarily in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean with a focus on areas that do not already feature a Four Seasons hotel.

This line is for travelers who value privacy, space, and the Four Seasons standard of service more than they want a classic cruise experience. There are many stunning restaurant options on board but basic fare prices are not all inclusive. This gives guests the flexibility to choose to dining off ship as they please. Pricing is also per cabin, not per person.

Best for: Travelers who want something highly polished, private, and hotel-like at sea.