The Definition Of A Small Ship
The Definition of what constitutes a small cruise ship is the subject of some debate. Some believe that anything over 200 guests is too big. Others would argue that any ship offering a capacity for fewer than 1,000 guests is small. At The Cruise Line, we generally recommend that a small ship is a vessel with a total of no more than 600 guests.
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Top Myanmar Small Ship Cruise
Meta IV
Bathrooms: 4
Price Range: from 358/day
Step aboard a 25m sailboat built from teak wood to travel the seas of Myanmar and discover all thats waiting for you.
The Meta IV can take up to eight passengers in four cabins, making it a small, intimate experience. This is a great ship to get to know fellow travelers and share life-changing experiences. On the Meta IV, youll enjoy top-notch dining with fresh seafood and local cuisine.
The ship has beautiful accommodations including an outdoor dining area, a sun deck, and air-conditioned wooden cabins. When not exploring the surrounding areas off the boat, soak in the sun or enjoy a clear night sky filled with stars.
Trips Offered:
Choose from a three or five-night trip that takes you around the Mergui Archipelago and experience lands that have barely been touched. Youll get to visit several islands and relax on the beach, explore natural parks that are filled with diverse wildlife, and spend time with the Moken people to learn about their customs, culture, and way of being.
The price you pay for a Meta IV includes tons of added benefits like a beach BBQ, fishing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and all land excursions. Not to mention a guide to take you snorkeling in those pristine waters.
If youre looking for an all-inclusive adventure at a good value with tons of activities and unique experiences, this is the trip for you.
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Florida And South Carolina American Cruise Lines
It might be famous for theme parks with lazy rivers, but did you know you can take a real river cruise through Florida? The 3,000-mile Intracoastal Waterway hugs the coast from New Jersey to Texas and some of Americas most historic cities line its banks. Sail along the network of bays, rivers and canals from Jacksonville, Florida, to Charleston, South Carolina, on American Cruise Lines 100-passenger American Star. Youll explore the quaint Victorian seaport of Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, opulent antebellum houses and poignant Civil War sites.
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Large Ship Line: Virgin Voyages
Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages made its long-awaited debut in October 2021 with the “Mermaiden” voyage of Scarlet Lady out of Miami. The 2,770-passenger ship is adults-only, and it promotes a sexy, party-hard atmosphere between its glitzy nightclub, risque live performances, and unusual amenities like a tattoo parlor. But it’s also a standout for its unique dining options, such as Korean barbecue restaurant Gunbae, where meals begin with a drinking game for the whole table. The cruise line’s second ship, Valiant Lady, made her debut in the Mediterranean in March 2022, while Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady are expected to launch in 2023.
The 4 Best Luxury Cruise Lines For Elegance And Exclusivity
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.
Champagne flows. You can snack on caviar. Exquisite cuisine is prepared a la minute and accompanied by pours of fine wines. Onboard lounges are wonderfully intimate, with no mass-market anything. When you rest your head, its on a luxury mattress topped with the finest linens.
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The byword is exclusivity. Perks included in the cruise fare may include beverages, Wi-Fi, fresh flowers, extraordinary pampering and, in some cases, butler service.
The price to get on board could be in the area of $1,000 per person, per day.
Here are our picks for the top four luxury cruise lines that are operating now. One other iconic luxury line from years past, Crystal Cruises, may rise again in the coming year after shutting down in early 2022. For now, we’re leaving it off the list, but historically it has been another wonderful luxury line to consider.
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Mega Ship Line: Msc Cruises
Though MSC is headquartered in landlocked Switzerland, this cruise line has mastered the art of mega-ships, building five of the 15 largest in the world: MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Meraviglia,MSC Virtuosa, and MSC Seashore. Each can hold between 5,300 and 6,300 passengers at maximum capacity. MSC Seashore, a New York Citythemed ship, is the newest of the five. It’s the longest vessel in the fleet at 1,100 feet, allowing for more than 140,000 square feet of outdoor space, plus 7,500 square feet of dedicated space for kids, including the Pirates Cove Aquapark. MSC has some plans for mega-growth, too: it has four World-class mega-ships in the pipeline, each with a capacity between 5,800 and 6,850 passengers, as well as the 5,100-passenger MSC Seascape and the 4,800-passenger MSC Euribia.
Expedition Cruise Line: Lindblad
This fleet of 15 vesselswith passenger capacities ranging from just 28 to 148sails to rugged, far-flung destinations, including Arctic Svalbard, Antarctica, Indonesia, and the Galápagos. A Lindblad cruise typically prioritizes adventure over luxury. On most ships, expect small, simple cabins, but plenty of memorable excursions, like snorkeling in Borneo or hiking an ice field in Patagonia. But some of its recent fleet additions are truly luxe, from its two polar-sailing expedition ships, National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Resolution, to the elegant National Geographic Islander II, which started sailing the Galápagos this year. Each sailing has an expedition team made up of experts in fields like marine biology and photography.
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Advantages Of Small Ship Cruising
Enjoying a small ship cruise has two main advantages the first is that many cruise enthusiasts believe that cruising on a small ship cruise line offers a greater level of intimacy that larger vessels cannot replicate. Secondly, the public spaces on small ships are generally more relaxed, and theres often a greater sense of camaraderie between passengers and the ships crew.
The second advantage of choosing a small ship cruise is that they offer a wider variety of ports on their itineraries. In addition, due to their size, small ships can easily navigate their way into remote ports of call that are generally inaccessible to larger vessels. For this reason, many cruisers tend to prefer small ship cruises when wanting to explore destinations such as Alaska or the Galapagos Islands.
Book A Small Cruise Ship Vacation
Ultimately, our Club Members enjoy small cruise ships because of the intimate and personalized environment. Youll find a welcoming crew there when you need them, ready to take care of your every whim. With award-winning service and inclusive options, youll have everything you need as you sail across the open ocean. Enjoy 5-star gastronomical cuisine, take advantage of the open bar, or spend some welcome time relaxing in your own stateroom. As you explore those less-traveled waterways and beautiful destinations, you will see why so many guests choose our small ship cruises first.
When youre ready to embark on your voyage, contact your travel professional or view voyages online. Select your itinerary and book now for the SeaDream vacation experience of a lifetime.
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Discovering Ancient Egypt On A Dahabiya Nile Cruise
A luxury Nile River Cruise has long been on our bucket list here at My Itchy Travel Feet. I imagine gliding along the Nile on a Dahabiya, stopping to explore temples that become more and more grand. For me, it would be a travel dream come true. Featured writer, Debi Lander, ByLanderSea, shares her experience
Small Ship Line #: Crystal Yacht Cruises
In early 2015, Crystal brought a yacht into its fleet for the first time, and following its success, the cruise line decided to custom-build a polar-class expedition megayacht. The ultra-luxe Crystal Endeavor, which sails to remote locations like the Arctic and the Antarctic, as well as urban ports around the world, launched in 2021, and can carry up to 200 passengers.
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Large Ship Line: Princess Cruises
Part of the Carnival family, Princess Cruises has a fun claim to famethe TV show The Love Boat was set on its former Pacific Princess ship. If youve never seen an episode, youre in luck, as one of the onboard TV channels airs reruns around the clock. But you wont want to stay cooped up in your stateroom when you discover all the activities on board its 14 ships. Its special Seawitch craft beer program sees the cruise line partner with breweries around the world, while Discovery at SEA offers a series of activities based on TV shows from the Discovery, Inc. family of networks, including Animal Planet, the Discovery Channel, and the Science Channel. Princess Cruises newest ship, Discovery Princess, set sail in 2022, and two new Sphere-class ships, which will carry 4,300 passengers each, are due to launch in 2023 and 2025, respectively.
Welcome To Seadream Yacht Club
Mykonos, Greece
Every member of our crew aims to please, from the sommelier making delightful wine pairing recommendations and the bar tender crafting the finest cocktails to our chefs, who prepare meals a la minute for the best quality and flavor. But, dont take our word for it. SeaDream has been recognized many times over for its outstanding service and unique vacation experience.
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Medium Ship Line: Azamara
Though Azamaras four 700-passenger ships are lovely, with top-quality dining and plenty of onboard activities to fill days at sea, passengers choose this cruise line for the experience at its destinations, which span all seven continents. Azamara not only offers personalized shore excursions , they also do a number of overnights, allowing guests to explore more destinations farther inland. The overnights also allow passengers to experience an evening out on the town in port cities, if they so choose.
Seabourn Sojourn Rome To Ft Lauderdale
We cruised on Seabourn Sojourn on a fall crossing that began in Rome, Italy, and ended in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The experience was unforgettable and just increased our ever-growing love of small luxury cruising. After 10 days of touring Northern Italy on a privately-guided road trip, we were ready for cruise ship pampering. Visit this
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Medium Ship Line: Msc Cruises
Showing up for the third time on our list, MSC Cruises is clearly beloved by many. The Swiss cruise line has just four medium-size shipsthe Lirica classwhich accommodate between 2,000 and 2,600 passengers. Theyre also the oldest ships in the fleet, though they each underwent refurbishment as part of MSCs Renaissance program to modernize interiors and expand their size. The line is known for its Mediterranean inspirationthough its fleet sails far beyond the region, calling at ports all over the worldso youll find delicious Italian food on board no matter where your ship is taking you. MSC sailings are quite lively, especially at night, with many guests partying at nightclubs into the late hours.
Want To Take A Small Ship Cruise Heres What You Need To Know
A small ship at the Geirangerfjord near the Geiranger village, Norway
getty
There’s no disco on the MS Polarlys, a 619-passenger ship that cruises up and down the Norwegian coast. Also missing: a water slide, arcade, and movie theater.
Instead, you’ll find spectacular fjords, islands, and whales just outside your porthole. The Polarlys is a working supply ship operated by Hurtigruten that serves Norway’s coastline from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes, north of the Arctic circle.
It’s a no-nonsense way to explore some of the most beautiful scenery on earth. And you’re not exactly roughing it. The Polarlys has a fine dining restaurant, two hot tubs, and an onboard scientist to help explain what’s going on outside.
More Americans are ditching the big oceangoing vessels, with their malls, specialty restaurants and pop star fairy godmothers, and opting for a simpler but more adventurous experience. Small cruise ships are different and maybe better after the pandemic. Passengers say they like smaller vessels because of their attention to detail and high staff-to-guest ratio. A small ship cruise can be a true adventure as long as you know how to book the right one.
The MS Polarlys, a supply ship that serves the Norwegian coast for Hurtigruten, makes a stop in … Brønnøysund, Norway.
Christopher Elliott
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Best Cruise Lines For Luxury
Smaller cruise lines with ships that fit hundreds rather than thousands of guests dominated U.S. News luxury rankings list.
Viking, a cruise line based in Basel, Switzerland, is no stranger to accolades. It topped U.S. News luxury list last year too despite Chairman Torstein Hagen indicating he isnt a fan of the word.
I have outlawed the use of the word luxury I think we are elegant, we are understated and hopefully timeless, he said at a naming celebration for seven new river boats in March 2019, according to cruising website QuirkyCruise.com.
Also on the list: Silversea Cruises and Oceania Cruises .
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Compare Cruise Lines To Alaska
When you start to compare cruise lines to Alaska, the first thing you should understand is that there is a big difference between the big ship cruise lines like Disney and Carnival and these small cruise lines to Alaska.
The differences come in many forms depending on which Alaska cruise lines you are comparing. But in general, a small ship Alaska cruise lines have:
- More local knowledge and access
- Smaller, more manageable fleet sizes
- More local staff and experts on board
- The ability to source and serve local food
If you take a small ship cruise line to Alaska, your company might be Alaskan-owned instead of part of an internationally based and staffed corporation. The fish served aboard may be freshly caught that day thanks to the captains connections and the logistics of serving a smaller passenger count. And your guides are more likely to be immersed and invested in Alaska since many small Alaskan cruise lines have office staff based right in Alaskan ports of call.
Among the small cruise lines to Alaska, there are further comparisons. Some are more active than others with itineraries designed for maximum activity and wilderness, with the adventure gear onboard to take advantage of it all. Some are more educational, with staffing focused on the top experts in their fields. And others take advantage of their Native roots and access to explore Alaskan history and indigenous culture via rarely visited small port towns.
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Personal Service And Attention To Detail
Ultra-luxury cruises are more elegant, calm, and sophisticated than regular big-ship cruises.
Due to the high price tag, you are less likely to find families with children. Indeed there are no childrens clubs or activities on board most, but not all, ultra-luxury cruise lines. In addition, there is no hard selling from staff selling photo opportunities or beverage packages.
The personal service with attention to the smallest detail is a wonderful perk. From remembering your favorite drink to knowing how you like your steak cooked, the staff on board are highly trained. And there is often a crew/guest ratio of one to one.
Noticeably, the group numbers for shore excursions are considerably lower than with the large mainstream cruise ships. Rather than 30 to 40 guests per bus, you will find 15-20 guests on average enjoying an excursion.
The whole experience is much more tailormade to suit you and your fellow travelers in your group. It is a wonderful experience with knowledgeable, professional guides.
Oceania Riviera Oceania Cruises
Passenger-to-Crew Ratio: 1,238 passengers to 776 crew
What Makes Oceania Riviera One of the Best Luxury Cruises?Oceania Riviera dining is legendary across all of the cruise ship’s dining venues, including complimentary specialty restaurants. Dining venues include the Grand Dining Room and Jacques, a French bistro with menus created by famed chef Jacques Pepin Polo Grill, a refined steakhouse serving USDA prime and dry-aged beef the Italian restaurant Toscana, where tables are set with custom-designed Versace china and Red Ginger, which serves Asian classics.
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If you’re willing to pay, up to 24 passengers a night can enjoy a seven-course meal at La Reserve by Wine Spectator. As you can imagine, the wine pairings are of special note there and three menus are available.
Foodies might also wish to pay a visit to the well-equipped Culinary Center onboard Oceania Riviera . It’s a self-contained cooking school at sea that offers hands-on experience at 12 individual cooking stations . Classes focusing on a variety of topics do incur an extra fee, but get rave reviews from past participants.
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Expeditionary Cruises To Exotic Locations From The Sea To The Shore
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 youll sail aboard with Tauck are modern in every way, the remote ports where you will cast anchor are timeless still. Imagine setting foot on an equatorial beach teeming with wildlife found nowhere else in the world. Or navigating ice floes to stand on the ethereal seventh continent. Come aboard our expeditionary cruises and get ready to check off bucket list experiences other travelers only dream of.