Small Ship Luxury
A different way to see the world
A different way to see the world
Small ship cruising offers a very different experience at sea.
With fewer guests, more personalised service and ships able to reach ports that larger vessels cannot always access, the emphasis shifts from endless onboard attractions towards the ship, the destinations and the journey.
Small ship luxury covers a surprisingly broad range of experiences, from destination-led cruising and relaxed, contemporary luxury to highly personalised, all-inclusive voyages and expedition travel.
Small ship luxury could be right for you if...
- ✓You prefer fewer guests and a more relaxed atmosphere
- ✓You value excellent dining and personalised service
- ✓You want the destinations to play a bigger part in the experience
- ✓You enjoy the access and atmosphere that smaller ships can offer
Luxury cruising
Different ways to travel well.
From beautiful design and outstanding food to immersive itineraries and a more relaxed pace, each cruise line brings its own character to luxury cruising.
Azamara
Destination immersion.
Sitting between premium and luxury cruising, Azamara puts the emphasis firmly on the places you visit, with smaller ships and itineraries designed to allow more time and deeper exploration ashore.
- ✓Smaller ports larger ships can't always reach
- ✓Longer days and overnight stays in port
- ✓Local culture & dining woven into the experience
- ✓Relaxed, informal atmosphere
Worth knowing
AzAmazing Evenings are complimentary cultural events on selected voyages, taking guests beyond the usual shore excursion with performances and experiences created around the destination.
Oceania Cruises
Food at the heart of the experience.
Oceania combines smaller ships and destination-rich itineraries with a particularly strong culinary identity. Dining is central to the experience, but the atmosphere remains relaxed and unstuffy, with an emphasis on choice rather than formality.
- ✓Hands-on Culinary Center cooking classes
- ✓Speciality restaurants included
- ✓Chef-led Culinary Discovery Tours ashore
- ✓Adult-only cruising
Worth knowing
Around half of Oceania's onboard crew is dedicated to the preparation or serving of food, with approximately one chef for every 8–10 guests.
Explora Journeys
Relaxed, resort-style luxury.
Explora takes a modern approach to luxury at sea, with spacious ocean-front suites, sophisticated design and a relaxed, residential feel. Multiple restaurants, pools and generous outdoor spaces create an experience closer to a luxury resort than a traditional cruise ship.
- ✓Multiple pools, including an adults-only pool
- ✓Generous drinks, Wi-Fi & gratuities included
- ✓Nine distinct dining experiences
- ✓Ocean-front suites with private terraces
Worth knowing
Explora I and II have 82 connecting suites designed with multi-generational travel in mind, alongside the Nautilus Club for younger guests and dedicated adults-only spaces.
Viking
Understated Scandinavian style.
Viking combines destination-focused cruising with distinctly Scandinavian design and a calm, adults-only onboard experience, placing culture and enrichment ahead of big-ship entertainment.
- ✓Adults-only cruising
- ✓Afternoon tea with live classical music
- ✓Private veranda with every stateroom
- ✓One included excursion in every port
Worth knowing
Viking's complimentary Nordic Spa includes a Snow Grotto, where snowflakes fall from the ceiling as part of the Scandinavian tradition of alternating hot and cold.
Ponant
French luxury meets exploration.
Ponant combines intimate ships and distinctly French style with some extraordinary exploration capabilities, ranging from Mediterranean yachting to true polar expeditions.
- ✓French gastronomy & distinctly French onboard style
- ✓Open Bar included as standard
- ✓Small yacht-style ships, many carrying under 200 guests
- ✓Marina platforms for swimming & watersports on selected ships
Worth knowing
Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot is a luxury icebreaker capable of reaching the Geographic North Pole, taking just 245 guests into some of the world's most extreme polar environments.
Ultra-luxury cruising
Exceptional service. Generous inclusions. Remarkable journeys.
Ultra-luxury takes the experience further, with particularly high levels of personal service, spacious accommodation and more included within the fare.
Seabourn
Intimate luxury with a spirit of adventure.
Seabourn combines a yacht-like atmosphere and highly personalised service with an impressive expedition offering aboard its purpose-built expedition ships.
- ✓Intimate, yacht-like atmosphere
- ✓Complimentary caviar throughout the voyage
- ✓Marina days & watersports on selected sailings
- ✓Expert expedition teams of scientists & naturalists
Worth knowing
Seabourn has a particularly strong expedition offering, including Antarctica, where purpose-built ships combine ultra-luxury with Zodiac exploration, expert-led landings and optional kayaking and submarine experiences.
Silversea
Personalised luxury around the world.
Silversea combines intimate, all-suite ships with highly personalised service and an exceptional choice of destinations across both classic and expedition cruising.
- ✓Butler service in every suite
- ✓More than 900 destinations worldwide
- ✓S.A.L.T. destination-inspired food & drink
- ✓Classic and expedition voyages
Worth knowing
Silversea is particularly strong for guests who want to combine luxury with deeper destination experiences, whether through its S.A.L.T. culinary programme or expedition voyages to regions including Antarctica, the Arctic, Galápagos and the Kimberley.
Regent Seven Seas
Space, service and exceptional inclusions.
Regent combines spacious, all-suite ships with an extensive approach to all-inclusive luxury.
- ✓Chef-led culinary experiences ashore
- ✓Hands-on cooking classes at sea
- ✓Included shore excursions
- ✓Complimentary valet laundry
Worth knowing
Regent is known for some of the highest space-per-guest ratios at sea, with its newer ships designed around unusually generous public spaces as well as large suites.
Crystal
Classic luxury, reimagined.
Crystal blends spacious ships and highly personalised service with exceptional dining, impressive entertainment and a strong focus on life on board.
- ✓Butler service for every guest room and suite
- ✓Broadway-style productions, live music & cabaret
- ✓The only Nobu restaurant at sea
- ✓Abercrombie & Kent experiences ashore
Worth knowing
Crystal has almost one crew member per guest, contributing to the particularly high level of personal service on board.
Something a little different
Paul Gauguin Cruises
French Polynesia, its way.
Paul Gauguin was designed specifically for cruising the South Pacific, with a relaxed, intimate atmosphere, French-inspired Polynesian cuisine and warm local hospitality that brings the spirit of the islands on board.
- ✓Exclusive beach retreat in Bora Bora
- ✓Watersports marina directly from the ship
- ✓Private islet experience at Motu Mahana
- ✓Onboard PADI dive programme
Paul Gauguin carries just 330 guests and was purpose-built for cruising French Polynesia, allowing her to navigate the region’s shallow lagoons and reach places larger ships cannot.
Finding the right small ship
Luxury means different things to different people. For some, it is exceptional food and beautiful design. For others, it is highly personalised service, generous inclusions, more time in destination or the opportunity to explore more remote places through expedition cruising.
From contemporary luxury and small-ship cruising to ultra-luxury and expedition voyages, there is no single definition of a luxury cruise.