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Paul Gauguin Cruises operates just one ship, but it is exquisite, hosting 330 guests and sailing only in the South Pacific to destinations like Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, and the Cook Islands. The ship is small enough to access private ports at remote beaches and take travelers well off the beaten path. Named the best small-ship ocean cruise line in T+L's 2022 World's Best Awards, Golden said the line is known for Tahitian-inspired massage techniques in the onboard spa and noted that cruisers particularly love the wonderful staff. Nearly 165,000 T+L readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels.
The Top 10 Small-ship Ocean Cruise Lines in 2021
All-inclusive excursions remain too, bringing each stop to life with the help of expert guides and lecturers. Australia’s own Coral Expeditions has a well-earned reputation for showcasing our waters less travelled, from the Kimberley to the vibrant Coral Sea. History and heritage are key elements of the brand, taking visitors beyond the scenery and delving into the stories that shaped it. Simply deciding which of the numerous boutique cruise lines out there is right for you.
Small-Ship Cruise Line Announces Plans to Expand Fleet - Cruise Hive
Small-Ship Cruise Line Announces Plans to Expand Fleet.
Posted: Thu, 11 Apr 2024 01:00:27 GMT [source]
Viking Ocean Cruises
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated individual cruise ships on their cabins and facilities, food, service, itineraries and destinations, excursions and activities, and value. Those assessments were combined to generate results for the cruise lines in five categories; small-ship ocean cruise lines have ships that can carry 249 or fewer passengers. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Those assessments were combined to generate results for the cruise lines in six categories, including river cruising.
The 11 Best Luxury Cruise Lines, According to T+L's Experts
Given their small size, everyone gets a chance to know each other by the end. Designed after the tall ship Preussen, the Royal Clipper is the world’s largest full-rigged sailing ship, complete with 42 sails. The vessel carries just 227 guests with luxurious accommodations and modern amenities like three swimming pools, relaxed dining and a marina platform for water sports. Passengers can even don a harness and climb the mast to a crow's nest. Carrying just 17 passengers, the American Constitution was designed to navigate the U.S.
Seadream Cruises
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What Readers Loved
These 10 cruise ships and yachts voted as the best by readers – each with a passenger capacity of under 1,000 – can get to smaller ports inaccessible to larger ships and offer a more social atmosphere where it’s easier to get to know your fellow guests. What’s more authentic—and sustainable—than setting sail on a tall ship where the sails are hoisted up each day by hand? Although not technically new (it was launched in 2021), the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit and its two sister ships, Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II, are upping their game in a push to introduce Sea Cloud Cruises’ unique product to North American travelers.
SEABOURN SOURCE
Celebrity Beyond, which debuted in 2022, accommodates 3,260 guests has 32 bars and restaurants, like Le Voyage by chef Daniel Boulud, and two-story villas on board. Seabourn Encore is as strikingly beautiful and as excitingly innovative as any Seabourn has ever debuted. She crowns a fleet of luxury cruise ships that is already the newest, most modern and most acclaimed in the ultra-luxury segment. One of the defining features of small ship cruises is the attention to detail in the cabins and public spaces. Cabins are thoughtfully designed to provide both comfort and elegance, offering a retreat that complements the breathtaking views outside. Many small ships feature public areas that exude an upscale yet cozy atmosphere, creating an environment that encourages mingling and relaxation.
These are the perfect small ship cruises for every taste
The luxury small ship experts sail all seven continents, and happen to hold the #1 title across river, ocean and expedition cruising in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards. It’s the first time a cruise line has been voted #1 in all three categories at the same time. Voyages are always all-inclusive (oftentimes including free or reduced airfare) with optional pre and post-cruise land extensions. 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.
Because although they all may be small, that’s where the similarity ends. USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. 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. Inside are not only Zodiacs and kayaks but a pair of six-passenger submarines and military-grade speed used to shuttle cruisers on excursions. Swan Hellenic's compact, well-laid-out SH Vega is built for expedition cruising with a PC5 ice-strengthened hull.
Seabourn's new Seabourn Venture (and upcoming sister Seabourn Pursuit) are on par with Silver Endeavour and Scenic Eclipse when it comes to pairing top-of-the-line luxury and pampering with incredible itineraries. With its PC6 ice-class rating, Silver Endeavour spends November through April in Antarctica and the rest of the year in the Arctic, including Greenland, Arctic Canada, Iceland and Norway. The cozy cabins aren't huge, but they are well-appointed with wood details and nautical flair. Both have a stern marina for easy access to water sports like kayaking and paddle boarding.
Even the smallest suites are not all that small, at 300 square feet, and come with a personal concierge and 24-hour room service. The yacht boasts what Ritz-Carlton says is the highest ratio of space per guest at sea. Hailing itself 180 degrees from ordinary, you’ll be hard-pressed to question otherwise aboard a Windstar Wind Class sailing yacht or all-suite Star Plus Class superyacht. Itineraries run the gamut from island-hopping in Tahiti to cruising Norwegian fjords, placing an emphasis on unique, crowd-free ports, enriching on-shore excursions and flexible onboard itineraries.
Cruise fare includes a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay and one excursion in each port. When returning from a frigid Antarctica excursion, you will appreciate the fireplaces (yes, that's right) built into the walls of all cabins. They're electric but quite realistic, with flames and crackling sounds. You can also take in the scenery from the ship's shallow pool and two adjacent hot tubs.
On board, you'll find fine dining, expansive spas and fitness facilities, and butler service. Seabourn welcomes the second ultra-luxury Expedition ship to the fleet, Seabourn Pursuit. Purpose-built for immersive and adventurous travel experiences, the smaller sizes of expedition ships afford access to remote destinations and areas largers ships cannot reach. Everything on the ship—including the sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows—is designed to provide maximum views. The ships also have spacious pool decks with two hot tubs, a fitness center overlooking the sea, a spa, and water toys like kayaks and paddleboards.
Therefore, lounges on small ships are more intimate, and the only entertainment is usually done cabaret-style. There’s rarely room for multiple dining venue, so small ships ordinarily have a single restaurant that can accommodate all guests in a single open seating. Gracious service and fine dining are paramount, and your table is likely to be set with signature china, European crystal, and heavy silver, and covered with Belgian linens. Windstar Cruises' luxury small ships call on 150 ports throughout Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific, and there's no way you'll go hungry on the journey.
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