Small Ships You Should Know: The Insider’s Guide to a Different Kind of Cruising
For years, when someone told me they “weren’t cruise people,” I usually agreed with them.
Because what they were picturing wasn’t what I recommend.
They were imagining mega-ships, packed ports, rigid schedules, and buffet lines. What I had in mind instead were floating boutique hotels, expedition yachts, chef-led sailings, and ships that quietly reach places most travelers never see.
Small ships are one of the fastest-growing areas of luxury travel right now, and they’re changing how people think about cruising entirely.
This new series, Small Ships You Should Know, is my guide to the brands, itineraries, and experiences that deserve a place on your radar.
Not the obvious ones. The interesting ones.
What Makes a Small Ship Different?
A small ship typically carries anywhere from 16 to 200 guests. That single detail changes everything.
Instead of arriving with thousands of passengers, these ships slip into smaller harbors, remote coastlines, and culturally rich destinations that larger vessels simply can’t access.
Think:
sailing the Amazon by a state-of-the-art river ship
exploring Arctic fjords with onboard naturalists
anchoring off quiet Greek islands instead of major ports
cruising the Mekong between Cambodia and Vietnam
zodiac landings in Antarctica
culinary-focused Mediterranean voyages with market visits along the way
It’s less about the ship itself, and more about where the ship can take you. However, the ship does matter.
Why Small Ships Are Having a Moment Right Now
Travelers today want access, not volume.
They want:
more time ashore
more space onboard
fewer passengers
better guides
stronger regional cuisine
and itineraries that feel intentional rather than efficient
Small ships deliver exactly that.
Brands like Aqua Expeditions, Ponant, Windstar Cruises, Emerald Cruises, and SeaDream Yacht Club have quietly built some of the most compelling itineraries in the world — yet many travelers still don’t know they exist.
That’s exactly why this series matters.
This Isn’t One Style of Travel. It’s Several.
One of the biggest misconceptions about small ships is that they’re all the same.
They’re not.
Some feel like expedition lodges on water.
Some feel like private yachts.
Some feel like culinary journeys through coastal Europe.
Some are built specifically for polar exploration.
And some are ideal for travelers who never thought they’d take a cruise at all.
Choosing the right ship matters as much as choosing the right destination.
Who Small Ships Are Perfect For
I often recommend small ships to travelers who:
prefer boutique hotels over large resorts
love safari-style immersive experiences
want cultural depth rather than checklist sightseeing
enjoy expert guides and naturalists
value privacy and space
or simply want travel that feels different from everyone else’s
They’re also one of the easiest ways to see complex regions seamlessly without repacking, coordinating transfers, or navigating unfamiliar logistics.
In other words, they deliver access with ease.
Where Small Ships Really Shine
Some destinations are simply better by small ship.
A few favorites I regularly recommend:
the Galápagos Islands
the Mekong River
the Amazon
the Greek islands
the Adriatic coast
Norway’s fjords
the Kimberley region of Australia
Antarctica
Japan’s lesser-known archipelagos
These aren’t places you “pass through.” They’re places you experience.
Why Choosing the Right Ship Matters
Small ship cruising isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Some are expedition-forward.
Some are culinary-focused.
Some are ultra-luxury yachts.
Some are relaxed and destination-driven.
And pricing can vary just as widely as the experience itself.
That’s why I match travelers to ships the same way I match them to hotels — based on travel style, pace, expectations, and what kind of trip they actually want to have.
Because the right ship can completely change how you see a destination.
What’s Coming Next in the Series
Over the next few months, I’ll be highlighting some of my favorite small ship brands and itineraries, including:
Amazon expeditions with Aqua Expeditions
culinary Mediterranean sailings with Windstar
polar exploration with Ponant
yacht-style cruising with Emerald
and private-yacht-feeling journeys with SeaDream
Each offers a different way to travel, and a different kind of traveler they’re perfect for.
If you’ve ever thought cruising wasn’t for you, this might be exactly where that changes.
Considering a small ship journey?
These itineraries often book earlier than travelers expect, especially for expedition routes and limited-capacity sailings. I’m always happy to help match the right ship to the right destination and design a land itinerary around it to make the experience seamless from start to finish.
