A luxury small ship cruise, like the ones offered through American Cruise Lines, furnishes the conveniences of a larger cruise line yet also offers a sense of intimacy since the small ship carries fewer than 100 passengers. Smaller ships can pass through inland waterways easily due to their size while large cruise ships can't. Luxury small ship cruises offer shore excursions at different ports-of-call so passengers can explore each region. The small ships also offer educational opportunities, such as lectures from experts covering a myriad of topics, ranging from culinary delights to history and literature.
Families and friends who don't put as much stock in the luxuries that a larger cruise ship might offer, but want to explore inland waterways on their own have the option of renting a houseboat for their inland waterway cruise. Businesses like Windjammer Cove & Marina rent houseboats so you can explore the Michigan inland waterways for a few days or even a week in a houseboat that sleeps up to eight people. This option allows you to dock at local marinas in regions you wish to explore further.
Journey through the United Kingdom and France by cruising the inland waters on a small boat. Companies such as Inland Waterways International offer inland cruising tours for members interested in cruising European inland waterways. Tour offerings include Venice, the Rhone Valley, the Danube and Southwest France.
