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What’s more authentic—and sustainable—than setting sail on a tall ship where the sails are hoisted up each day by hand? The German company has traditionally catered to German and British passengers. As part of its effort to expand its reach and appeal, Sea Cloud is adding wellness programs with daily onboard yoga and guest fitness gurus, in addition to special food- and wine-focused sailings with well-known chefs making appearances. There's "cruising" and there's "yachting" – small ships that dock in harbors and ports inaccessible to larger ships. SeaDream offers 7- to 15-day voyages with a maximum of 56 couples and a 95-person crew, so service and attention to detail are highlights.
Star Clippers: Royal Clipper
Expedition cruising with Silversea means you'll visit a good mix of mainstream and less-crowded destinations (Galapagos, Polynesia, Micronesia and more) throughout the world's seven continents. Itineraries include complimentary shore excursions, such as Zodiac tours, nature hikes with certified guides, snorkelling and kayaking. Since 1986, Maple Leaf has been operating sailing cruises in British Columbia, Haida Gwaii (the former Queen Charlotte Islands) and the Inside Passage. On Maple Leaf's fleet of three vessels, expect an even more intimate experience than on a regular small ship, and a program that is full of First Nations history. An open bar, all shore tours, hotel accommodations and airport transfers are included in the price. The ships cruise between Sitka and Juneau, stopping for nature activities at places like Admiralty and Brothers Islands, with glacier-viewing at Tracy or Endicott Arms along the way.
The 18 best small cruise ships sailing the world
Or perhaps it’s the friendly, welcoming people and unique folk culture. Go far beyond surface-level, with immersive cruise itineraries and soul-stirring experiences. More essentials, more enjoyment, more indulgence—it’s the whole package. Bundle Internet, spa, dining, beverage, and shore excursion savings with these inclusive options. Viking Octantis spends part of the year in Antarctica and the rest of the year cruising the Great Lakes and Canada, with a handful of repositioning cruises in between.
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Here are some of the small-ship cruises and bucket-list destinations that travel advisers are recommending for 2022 and beyond. Small ships also offer a more intimate experience and can get into more exotic ports of call. And as people recover mentally from the COVID-19 epidemic, a small ship can be the perfect way to return to the seas with a smaller group. "Small ships are definitely the way to go for bucket list trips, like the Galapagos," Janet Tracy of travel agency The Travel Dreamer said. "The personal attention to detail that the staff gives can't be beat. And in general, the small ships are more about the destination and less about the ship."
Arctic expedition itineraries are operated almost year-round (excluding winter months). "Aggressor Fleet" owns an impressive number of smaller luxury yachts and operates in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Galapagos, Southeast Asia, Red Sea, Maldives, also in the South Pacific Ocean. Read on to see what other readers had to say — and which other companies made this year's list. The easiest way to find a reputable operator is by consulting a qualified travel advisor.
Luxury Mediterranean Cruises: All You Need to Know - Cruise Critic
Luxury Mediterranean Cruises: All You Need to Know.
Posted: Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Island Windjammers focuses more on the joys of sailing than on over-the-top shipboard amenities. 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.
Destination
The Arctic is somewhat easier to access than Antarctica and many other wilderness areas, and it offers the chance to see polar bears, whales, walruses, migrating birds and frozen tundra. Depending on your preference or the month, you might see the Midnight Sun or Northern Lights. The Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are about 560 miles west of mainland Ecuador and right at the top of most travelers' bucket lists. Croatia has seen a sort of transformation recently, one that has taken it from a hidden gem of coastal delights to one of the hottest travel destinations in Europe. It could be the brilliant sapphire waters of the Adriatic and spectacular white beaches. Or maybe it’s the medieval architecture and walled towns steeped in history begging to be uncovered.
Poseidon Expeditions opens bookings for Sea Spirit ship's Arctic and Antarctic cruises
With a fleet of seven, Oceania’s largest ships hold up to 1,250 - but guests never felt they lacked space or the personal touch from staff. Earlier this year the world’s largest cruise ship set sail on its maiden voyage from Miami, Florida. At 365m-long, Icon of the Seas - owned by Royal Caribbean Group - can hold up to 7,600 passengers. Because of their small size, these ships never have elaborate facilities and amenities.
American Coastal Cruisers Explore Waterways Close to Home
"The intimate nature of the company's small ships defies traditional ideas of cruising," says Ann Shannon, a spokeswoman for Overseas Adventure Travel, a tour operator. The latest Luxury Market Report from Cruise Industry News, a trade publication, predicts the number of small luxury ships will reach 69 this year and surge to 89 by 2027. Not only did the line top this category, but it also took home the gold for best Mediterranean cruise line. Viking does not allow kids under 18, does not have casinos or umbrella drinks, does not allow smoking on board, and doesn’t have formal nights to get gussied up for. Viking Expeditions will be making forays into the Arctic in 2022 with the new 378-passenger Viking Polaris, joining highly rated expedition ships from Quark, Lindblad and Silversea. Penguins, seals, whales, icebergs and incredible scenery carved by ice awaits visitors who make their way to Antarctica, "The White Continent," another destination topping many bucket lists.
Its sizable expedition team, which can number 18 on select voyages, comprises seasoned authorities in a wide range of fields, such as geology, whale communications and photography. Team members lead complimentary excursions on sea kayaks and 18 Zodiacs so passengers can experience glaciers, icebergs and wildlife up close. Elegant interiors include a main restaurant, several lounges and bars where drinks are all included, a plush lecture hall, a cafe for coffee and snacks, and spacious balcony suites that start from 355 square feet (including the balcony). The ships also feature a gym, yoga studio, spa, ocean-view saunas, library and two dining venues. The itineraries are with regular roundtrip departures from Argentina (Ushuaia) and Chile (Punta Arenas), with a duration between 8 and 20 days.
Though ships around the world were grounded, readers still recalled fun times at sea as they rated the world's top small-ship ocean cruise lines. Sailing to worldwide destinations that include Greece, Cuba, the Seychelles, Costa Rica, Panama, West Africa and Cape Verde, the vessels moor in secluded bays and private marinas that are inaccessible to larger ships. The onboard vibe is casual and low-key, with very personal levels of service and the opportunity to dine on deck and swim and snorkel off the back of the ships. The vessel has spacious cabins percent with private balconies -- along with three dining venues, a spa and water sports marina with activities including kayaking, paddle-boarding and diving. Cruises visit the line's private island of Motu Mahana, off the coast of Taha'a, where passengers are greeted with food, drink and live music.
Ponant's all-inclusive fares (some shore excursions, drinks, internet and gratuities) are competitive and provide high value for money. The ships are the 148-passenger Wind Spirit and Wind Star, each with four masts and six sails, and the 342-passenger five-masted Wind Surf, which is the world's largest sailing vessel. International Expeditions, offering passengers soft adventure, small-group journeys with a focus on nature, runs cruises to the Galapagos on the 32-passenger Evolution). Step out onto the sun deck or relax in Evolution's hot tub to enjoy the passing scenery, when not partaking in immersive shoreside experiences anchored on natural and cultural encounters. Swell, a unique 88-foot converted tugboat built in 1912, carries up to 12 guests in six private en-suite cabins. The classic wooden construction of the vessel has been maintained, and cabins are paneled with wood.
Its vessels will go to Alaska and Iceland this year, and this summer should also see the inaugural cruise of the brand-new National Geographic Endurance, a 126-guest expedition ship that will sail the polar regions. Water sports are also a major component of each tall ship sailing cruise, with complimentary snorkelling, kayaking, sailing and other sea-based activities offered directly from the ship. UnCruise Adventures offers some of the most popular small ship cruises to Alaska. With sustainability front and center, expeditions are focused on local culture, regional cuisine and nature.
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