When you think ‘cruise ship’ your thoughts may immediately turn to the mega-cruise ships of cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Now, larger cruise ships certainly have their own appeal – traveling leisurely in a resort-style atmosphere packed with dining and entertainment options to exciting regions of the world. But large cruise ships are not the only fish in the sea. No, no – far from it. Many travelers looking for something a bit more off-the-beaten-track, a bit more personal have been wooed by small ship cruising.

So, what exactly is small ship cruising?

It is a broad category, but simply meaning any ship that accommodates 5-700 guests (compared to the 3,500-5,400 passengers that board the larger cruise ships). A small ship could be anything from a boutique river cruise ship on the Rhine to a Lindblad Expedition ship of 148 passengers on a trek to Antarctica; an all-suite Regent Seven Seas Cruises luxury vessel to a four-masted sailing yacht of Windstar Cruises.

Although with varying degrees of luxury and onboard amenities, small ships of less than 700 guests are all similar in the fact that they allow you to see your bucket-list destinations from the shoreline, without distractions. There may not be production shows, casinos or discos, but there are also no crowds, queues or been-there-done-that ports.

A few reasons you might enjoy a small ship cruise over a larger cruise ship:

• Incredible Itineraries: Due to their size, small ships can access ports larger cruise ships just simply cannot. Itineraries are built around the destination and culture, and are usually port-intensive. Captains have the ability to navigate secluded coves, or make unplanned stops for wildlife viewing.
• Personal: Small ships still allow you to travel by sea, but in a more personal way. You have the chance to get to know the entire crew and learn about their passion for the region. Fewer passengers onboard with fewer distractions creates opportunities for discussion and camaraderie. Sharing adventures ashore further enriches the unique experience.
• Relaxed Atmosphere: Most small ships do not have a dress code, and the overall ambiance onboard is extremely welcoming, relaxing and educational.
• Enrichment Opportunities: A staff of naturalists, historians and guest lecturers provide presentations on the culture, politics, history, geology, biology, ecology or anthropology of the regions included in the journey. That enrichment continues onshore with guided tours, expeditions and shore excursions; giving you a real chance to immerse yourself in the culture and scenery of some of the world’s most amazing locations.
• Regional Cuisine: Dining rooms tend to serve healthy meals inspired by specialties of each region and made from local ingredients.
• Rewarding Family Memories: Although most lines do not offer dedicated youth facilities (and may even have a minimum age requirement of 12-14 and older) a few of the smaller cruise ship lines do offer certain sailings that focus on educational and exploration activities for children. Families have the chance to share together – real time to be inspired by each port of call, then discuss the day over dinner or playing cards.

Within the small ship cruising category, there are many different experiences to choose from like Adventure and Expedition Cruising, Small Ships of Princess, River Cruising, Yachting and Luxury Cruising.

Each ship may not have a surf simulator or movie theater, but most will offer gourmet dining, bars or lounges, attentive service, airy public spaces, pools or whirlpools, spa or fitness facilities and a library.

Small ship cruising can come with a higher upfront price tag. However, many onboard amenities like beverages, gratuities and even excursions are included with some cruise lines making the overall vacation valuable, both economically and educationally.

The bottom line, you have choices. Cruise ships come in all shapes and sizes, appealing differently to personal preferences. Cruising is one of the most rewarding ways to vacation and see the world as long as you find the right ship and experience for your individual tastes.

With over 350 ships sailing today that task may seem daunting, but that is why we’re here. Speak with an iCruise.com Cruise Specialist; they are knowledgeable, friendly cruise experts that can help you determine just what type of cruise vacation will be the perfect fit. Call iCruise.com at 800-i-CRUISE [800-427-8473] to ask them questions, voice concerns, get their advice or suggestions. Their expertise comes from years of personal travel experience, as well as the travel experience of thousands of clients we have served in our careers.

Do you prefer cruising on smaller ships, or larger mega-ships?

About Alara Shannon, Cruise & Travel Writer

Alara has traveled extensively since an early age. After the birth of her daughter, when an opportunity for a career in cruise travel presented itself, Alara decided to re-enter the workforce. She hopped on board with one of the largest cruise agencies and excelled in both cruise sales and customer service. This led to the chance to dive headfirst into the Internet Marketing world; taking on the roles of resident Bloggess, custom content creator and social media expert. Beyond a love of anything travel related, her life revolves around her family of four (husband + 2 little ones), writing, playing piano, coffee, recycling, and crafting (well, attempting to craft). Her dream destination? New Zealand!