A ship is considered 'small' if it carries 500 passengers or less, although with the size of new mega-ships, anything under 1,000 passengers seems small. A small ship will have fewer activities and less variety in dining rooms, but those sailors who choose the smaller ship don't seem to mind. They prefer the more intimate and individual experience.
According to John Primeau, public relations manager for Holland America, its smallest ship, the Prinsendam, is one of the most popular. "The Prinsendam has more repeat guests than any of our ships. She's nicknamed 'the Elegant Explorer' and guests love her." But because of that popularity, she books up quickly so voyages have to be booked well in advance.
Small ships allow guests to get to know each other better. The small ships can visit the ports that just can't accommodate the large ships and a small ship can tailor its itinerary to a particular hobby or interest, like scuba diving or art. Boarding is easier and quicker and often the crew will know you by name after the first day.
Holland America Line
300 Elliott Ave. West
Seattle, WA 98119
206-281-3535
hollandamerica.com
One of the advantages of a smaller cruise is that you can usually find one that suits your favorite activity. American Safari Cruises, for example, runs wine tours in California and nature-oriented tours in the Sea of Cortez. Peregrine Adventures has research ships that sail the Antarctic, while Voyages To Antiquity organizes history-themed cruises around the Mediterranean on board the Aegean Odyssey.
American Safari Cruises
3826 18th Ave W
Seattle, WA 98119
888-862-8881
americansafaricruises.com
Peregrine Adventures Melbourne
Level 4, 380 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne 3000 Australia
61 3 8601 4444
peregrineadventures.com
Voyages to Antiquity
1800 SE 10th Avenue, Suite 240
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
1 877 398 1460
voyagestoantiquity.com
Other small ships cater to adventure, with kayaking, snorkeling, whale watching and scuba diving as the central activities. American Safari cruises carries kayaks on board for guests and on-board naturalists give talks and guided tours. On a Lindblad cruise, dedicated to educational exploration, there are Zodiacs, sea kayaks, onboard naturalists and underwater cameras that allow guests to view the underwater sea life.
American Safari Cruises
3826 18th Ave W
Seattle, WA 98119
888-862-8881
americansafaricruises.com
Lindblad Expeditions
96 Morton Street
9th Floor
New York, New York 10014
1.800.EXPEDITION
212-765-7740
Some of the best cruise ships in the world are the small ones. If you are looking for a truly luxurious cruising experience, try a small ship cruise. The SeaDream 1 and 11, for example, are beautiful small ships, repeatedly rated the world's best, where guests are met with glasses of champagne on boarding and where dining is consistently as good as a Michelin starred restaurant. The Yachts of Seabourn offers a cruising experience that is very much like sailing on your own yacht. Silverseas, also a top rated luxurious small ship cruise line, has European style elegance.
The Yachts of Seabourn
6100 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 400
Miami, Florida 33126
Phone: 00 33 1 4575 9500.
seabourn.com
SeaDream Yacht Club
601 Brickell Key Drive
Suite 1050
Miami, FL 33131
800-707-4911 or 305-631-6100
seadreamyachtclub.com
Silversea Cruises
110 East Broward Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
877.760.9052 or 954.522.2299
silversea.com
