The Paul Gauguin was designed specifically to sail the shallow seas of Tahiti, Fiji, and the South Pacific, visiting small exotic ports larger ships can’t reach. These small ship cruises (just 332 guests) offer an informal environment and Polynesian flair, coupled with 5-star service and luxury, including spacious suites and staterooms (over 70% with private balconies), an onboard watersports marina, a choice of three open-seating dining venues, an extensive spa, live entertainment, and more! Accommodating just 88 guests, the award-winning luxury ship Tere Moana was added in 2012, sailing the Caribbean and Latin America during winter months and Europe the rest of the year. Experience Tahiti’s underwater wonders with the Gauguin’s optional SCUBA certification program, or explore the ocean’s surface via kayak, paddleboard, or Windsurfer. Enjoy lectures on the natural and cultural history of the area by one of their onboard naturalists. Shore excursions feature underwater explorations in colorful coral reefs, experiencing mountain peaks on foot, coach, or safari vehicle, as well as exploring by helicopter, aquabike, submarine, and jet ski, and more.
From Arctic expeditions to Family cruises in the Adriatic, on Ponant’s small ship cruises, you can delight in that special French touch — from the French crew, to the interior design by Jean-Philippe NUEL, to the French chefs who offer up fragrant flavors, carefully selected cheeses, and sweet pastries. Their elegant three-masted sailing yacht, the Le Ponant, has only 32 staterooms, for a truly intimate experience. Their three larger mega-yachts have only 132 staterooms and suites. Inclusive extras include all meals onboard, tea, coffee, wine at lunch and dinner, gratuities, entertainment, and baggage handling. They offer a variety of optional shore excursions in each port (for an extra fee) or guests can explore on their own. Theme cruises include golf, classical music, jazz, wellness, bridge, food and wine cruises, and family cruises, all accompanied with insight from renowned artists and experts. These small eco-friendly ships offer more exotic itineraries and remote ports of call such as Antarctica, the Arctic, Russia, West Africa, Asia, Cuba, and Libya, as well as popular destinations, like the Caribbean.
Since 2004, when Sven Lindblad forged an unprecedented alliance with National Geographic, guests have enjoyed the opportunity to travel with expert expedition teams plus National Geographic explorers, photographers, writers, scientists, wildlife experts, and other experts in diverse fields. Every expedition aboard National Geographic Explorer and the National Geographic Orion is accompanied by a National Geographic photographer. Lindblad’s fleet of ten modern, stylish and intimately-scaled expedition ships (some more luxurious than others) venture where larger ships cannot, allowing up-close experiences of remote destinations and wildlife.
These casual, expedition-style cruises still offer all the comforts of a boutique hotel, with nicely appointed cabins and suites, elegant lounges, bars and bistros, fitness rooms, spas and wellness centers, libraries, gift shops, and fine dining. Vessels carry an array of equipment for exploring and wildlife viewing, including kayaks, skiffs (small boats), Zodiac rafts, snorkeling gear, wetsuits, glass-bottom boats, underwater cameras, optional scuba diving, and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) for deep sea exploration. Cruises sail to Antarctica, the Arctic, Iceland, the Galapagos Islands, West Africa, South America, Europe, Alaska, Baja, Borneo,Vietnam, the Amazon, and more.
Based in Hamburg, Germany, and with over 100 years experience, Hapag-Lloyd operates four small cruise ships: the luxurious Europa and Europa 2, and two smaller luxury expeditions ships (150-175 guests), featuring renowned onboard expedition guides and Zodiac rafts for exploration and landings. These small ship cruises have German-speaking crews, and some are conducted only in German (for their mostly German clientele), while many cruises are bi-lingual with English speaking guides. Shore excursions include Classic excursions to key sights; Active tours with hiking, snorkeling, kayak adventures, sailing trips, and Segway tours; Discovery trips for new perspectives by plane, helicopter or boat; and Expert excursions where well-known experts shed light on cultural, historical and architectural sights. Musical cruises feature brilliant vocalists, virtuoso instrumentalists, and divine musical ensembles as part of their MS Europa Concert Series. They also offer wellness cruises, and for active travelers, guided mountain bike excursions on Europa 2 which are designed for all fitness levels. Family cruises feature a variety of programs for young children as well as teens, and numerous activities for all ages both onboard and ashore.
Founded in 2009, and known for low-key, mostly adults-only cruises, Britain’s newest privately owned cruise line operates seven cruise ships, including three river cruise ships, with eight UK ports! These small ship cruises, with a mostly British clientele, travel the globe, from Baltic Cities & Russia, to Australia, Africa, and the Far East, to the Canary Islands, and the Azores. They also offer a large number of Norwegian fjord cruises, offering up dramatic fjordland scenery, majestic waterfalls, charming villages, and Viking heritage. Optional shore excursions are forwarded to travelers before setting sail and are usually booked in advance, as space is limited. Onboard, experts give informative talks on a range of subjects such as maritime history, broadcasting, gardens, and even criminology! Other onboard activities include arts and crafts such as jewelry making and mosaic decoration, live entertainment including cabaret shows, classical music, and guest entertainers. Ocean cruise ships feature pools, whirlpools, casinos, wellness centers and spas, fitness rooms, yoga, libraries and more. Note that while some cruises allow children, there are no dedicated areas or activities for children.
Azamara’s small ship cruises focus on what they call Destination Immersion — promising more time in ports than any other cruise line, with longer stays, more overnights, and on-shore night touring! Over half of all port stops feature late (8:00 PM or later) or overnight stays. Guests enjoy a host of inclusive amenities—such as standard spirits, international beers and wines, gratuities, and on-shore evening events, like a romantic evening on a hillside in Tuscany, with a live performance by three tenors, or getting the red carpet treatment at the ballet in St. Petersburg. Their two boutique-style award-winning ships (maximum 686 guests), sail to ports where larger ships won’t fit, like in the heart of Marseille, Amalfi, and Crete. Onboard activities include enrichment programs and classes, wine tastings, culinary demonstrations, live entertainment such as full-stage musical revues and classical soloists, as well as casinos, upscale shops, spas, fitness centers, and libraries. Stateroom amenities include plush cotton robes and slippers, French bath products, fresh flowers, tote bags, 24-hour room service, and more! Cruises are adult-oriented (no family cruises or activities for children).
Experience authentic Polynesian culture on Aranui’s small ship cruises in French Polynesia and the Marquesas islands. The Aranui 3 is a unique mixed passenger/cargo vessel that operates between Tahiti and the Marquesas, with simple, yet comfortable accommodations for about 200 passengers. Guests can relax on the sun deck, swim in the small pool, enjoy exotic tropical drinks in one of two bars, or shop in the boutique while the Aranui wends her way among the islands of the Marquesas. Originally built as a freighter and passenger vessel, the Aranui was reclassified as a passenger vessel due to the number of passengers she can carry. Accommodations include Suites, Deluxe, Standard and C Class cabins. The vessel operates under the French flag, with a Polynesian crew, primarily Marquesans. Explore Atuona, the second largest village in Marquesas where Paul Gauguin lived and did some of his best work. Discover other remote islands and tiny villages, like Ua Huka where the wild horses outnumber the island’s residents; explore the mysterious jungle ruins of Puamau and other archeological sites; visit the studios of woodcarvers and other artisans; and snorkel in the crystal blue waters of Bora Bora!
Seabourn’s luxury small ship cruises take travelers to every corner of the earth, with a wide variety of 7-day cruises or longer, like their 77-day Pacific Realm cruise! Their fleet of five ships carry between 208 and 604 guests each, in ocean-view suites – many with verandas. Amenities include luxury spas, restaurant and bar service, as well as a variety of entertainment — all inclusive. Guests are graciously served by nearly the same number of hand-picked crew, earning Seabourn honors as the World’s Best Small Ship Cruise Line in several surveys. In 2009, Seabourn added the larger Seabourn Odyssey, which carries 450 guests and offers a wealth of amenities, including the largest spa on any luxury ship and private verandas on 90 percent of her suites. They have since added two identical ships. For those with time and money to spare, look into their 55-Day Coral Sea and Pacific Isles cruise, their 77-Day Pacific Realm Exploration cruise, or their 32-Day Grand European Exploration! Note that shore excursions are optional and not included in your fare, activities are limited, and formal dining attire is expected.
