Small cruise ships provide an intimate and unique cruising experience, different from what is available on larger ships. Smaller ships offer more personalized service, fewer crowds, and the opportunity to visit ports inaccessible to bigger ships. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best small cruise ships in the world.
SeaDream Yacht Club’s SeaDream I and SeaDream II are small, classic luxury yachts that can accommodate up to 112 passengers. Although they are not new ships, they are well-maintained and recently refurbished. The yachts offer spacious suites with classic nautical designs and no balconies. The food is excellent, and there are outdoor and indoor dining options. One of the most iconic features of SeaDream Yacht Club is the weekly beach barbecue on a remote stretch of sand, which is a cruise highlight on all itineraries. The yachts winter in the Caribbean and summer in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and Scandinavia.
Sea Cloud Cruises’ Sea Cloud I is a unique four-masted private luxury yacht that can accommodate up to 64 passengers. The ship was originally commissioned by Wall Street titan E. F. Hutton as a private luxury yacht in 1931. It was later sold to various owners and has been offering windjammer cruises to old-ship lovers from Europe and North America for several decades. The ship features 10 original cabins, including Marjorie Merriweather Post’s suite, which has Louis XIV-style bed and nightstands, marble fireplace and bathroom, chandeliers, and intricate moldings. Sea Cloud winters in the Caribbean and summers in Mediterranean, visiting the Greek Islands, Italy, and the Canary Islands.
UnCruise Adventures’ Wilderness Legacy is a one-of-a-kind quirky ship that can accommodate up to 90 passengers. The ship was constructed in 1983 and features a throw-back style exterior that harkens back to a 20th-century steamboat. The ship’s roomy size and cabins that open onto covered promenade decks attract a loyal fan base. The ship even features a hot tub on deck and an elevator, a rarity on older small adventure ships like this. The portable, custom-made “sea dragon” platform at the stern makes for easy access to kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming, activities popular with UnCruise’s sporty fans. The adventurous can also enjoy hiking, bushwhacking, and cycling in some ports. Fares include everything from wine, beer, and spirits to daily excursions. The Wilderness Legacy spends its time in Alaska’s Inside Passage and Glacier Bay National Park, as well as on the Columbia and Snake rivers.
Star Clippers’ Royal Clipper is a five-masted tall ship that can accommodate up to 227 passengers. The ship is modeled after the great 1902 German clipper Preussen, with lots of wood and brass features and nautical-style elements. It is considered the largest square rigger in service. The Royal Clipper also has impressive modern niceties for a ship of its size, including three small pools and an aft marina for easy access to complimentary water sports. It also offers a small gym and spa. In the winter, the Royal Clipper island hops around the Caribbean, sailing round trip from Barbados to some of the lesser-known islands. During the summer, it cruises the Mediterranean along the French and Italian rivieras and explores the coast of Croatia and the Canary Islands.
Windstar Cruises’ Wind Star and Wind Spirit are four-masted motorized yachts that can accommodate up to 148 passengers. The ships offer an upscale yet casual sailing vibe and great food in partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Standing on deck when the sails are unfurled is one of the more romantic moments you’ll likely experience on any ship.