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Types of cruises

Small ship cruising vacations do come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, although never enter that super size, floating hotel territory, thankfully. Less is more is what works well on these vacations. They do fall into different categories, however, from the Antarctica way out there ones to traditional, romantic ones like gulets in Turkey or houseboats in Kerala. If you are in search of sumptuous wildlife, sunsets or swimming , or indeed all three, you will find a boat in this guide to take you there.

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Types of cruises

Wildlife cruising

Taking a small boat through sensitive habitats which are teeming with wildlife feels like an honour. It’s like nature opens her doors and lets you glide through for momentary glimpses of gorgeousness. A wildlife cruise on a small boat takes you into the places that the big cruisers can’t access, or aren’t allowed to go, such as the remote Galapagos Islands, into small bays to see polar bears in Spitsbergen, penguins in Antarctica, dolphins and whales around the Scottish islands, and a wild, wondrous world of walruses, whales and bears in Alaska. The best kept secret wilderness of all.

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Antarctica cruises

You need to be a committed explorer for this journey. The Antarctic Peninsula – an extension of the Andes – is the most popular landing spot, as it is the closest point to South America, but still separated by the notoriously rough 1,000km-wide Drake Passage, which takes two days by boat. Cruises often stop off at islands along the way, which helps to break up the long voyage. Those departing from New Zealand will set sail for the distant Ross Sea, pausing to explore the tiny Subantarctic Islands – some of the most remote specks of land on the planet. The great distances here generally require lengthier expeditions. However, the rewards are great on this frozen continent. Baby seals flop across the ice, while comical penguins waddle and dive. Giant albatross launch themselves off cliffs, while the sight of the long-anticipated Antarctic sunrise reflected in still waters will melt your heart.

Expedition cruising

Forget dinner at the captain’s table or cocktails by the pool. Often on board former expedition ships, these cruises take you to the earth’s extremes – the polar regions of the Arctic, Spitsbergen and Antarctica, and always with expert guides. They will, of course, have good cabin facilities, some may have en suite and others might not. You won’t get expedition style food on board though, because all that adrenaline from spotting the likes of polar bears or walruses, whales or penguins, create a healthy appetite. The luxuries on expedition cruises are lectures from guest experts, warm observation rooms, and high quality all weather gear, for people who seek extraordinary wildlife watching, adventure and going with the floe. So to speak.

River cruising

Ideal for those who love water as an element and who want to see landscapes from a fresh and, often refreshing perspective, but who are prone to sea sickness. River cruise vacations often take you into remote spots, allowing you to moor alongside fishing villages in Kerala, for example, temples along the Nile, ancient fortresses along the Yangtze or for rainforest treks along the Amazon. They are also often on traditional houseboats, such as the dahabiya on the Nile, or the famous kettuvallam (or rice barge) in Kerala, India. Rivers have long been the arteries of countries around the world and, as you cruise along them, you get to learn about the life that has grown around them, the people who live off them, and the wildlife habitats that we strive to protect there.

Sailing cruises

It’s all clichés on board with sailing vacations, because they really do put the wind in your sails, and will definitely give you that ‘wind running through your hair’ feeling. Life on the ocean waves can take you to some of the most unforgettable locations too. Sail the Aegean in Turkey on board a traditional Turkish gulet or explore a whole other side of Burma on board a yacht sailing around the stunning Mergui Archipelago. Avoid the giant cruise monsters in places like Norway by sailing around the smaller, quieter fjords. Island hopping with only wind power in the likes of Croatia and Greece are must dos for any sailor, with snorkelling and swimming all part of the Mediterranean mix. And with a skipper and cook to take care of all your fundamentals, you need focus only on the frolics. You will need a few more layers on a Scottish sailing vacation, but watching whales, dolphins and a bevy of birdlife along the Kyles of Bute, for example, are the finest rewards. That and a fine malt whisky with the skipper at the end of the day.

Tall ships

A traditional windjammer tall ship will take you back in time and around the Caribbean. All in all, a bit more 'me hearties' than glitzy parties.

Combine adventure, sailing skills and pure admiration for the craftsmanship involved on a tall ship cruise vacation. And of course, seascapes that you usually only see on escapist screensavers, or ads for Bacardi. Such as Italy, where you can escape the cruise ship giants of Venice and board the traditional, and definitely greener, ruler of the oceans.

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Traditional boat cruising

The marinas around the world that are packed with glossy, glitterati filled yachts are gobsmacking to most of us. However, if the sheer craftsmanship of a traditional boat is what really makes you stop, stare and want to climb on board, then traditional boat cruises are for you. You might not find Champagne and caviar on board a Turkish gulet or an Egyptian dahabiya (houseboat), but you will find a wealth of local culture, history and pride in having you on board. Traditional boats are usually skippered by people for whom the water is their life and greatest love, and this passion is infectious when you travel with them. Such as the beautifully crafted wooden hulled fishing trawlers, now tourist vessels, that take you round the Scottish Islands, or a traditional windjammer tall ship which will take you back in time and around the Caribbean. All in all, a bit more ‘me hearties’ than glitzy parties.

Lara Paxton, at our tour operator The Small Ship Cruise Collection, says:
"I was on a Turkish gullet once, moored in Marmaris at the end of our amazing trip, and one of those giant cruise liners pulled up beside us, and I just thought, I couldn't think of anything worse than being on one of those right now."

Last minute cruise vacations

Last minute spaces do come up on small cruise vacations, because it is in the interest of the tour operator to fill the boat. So, if someone drops out, grab a space, especially on some of the ‘trip of a lifetime’ expeditions, such as to Antarctica, which often fill up far in advance. Being spontaneous and heading off to go whale watching around the Hebrides, or practise yoga on board a traditional Turkish gulet boat, instead of another weekend tucked up with a box set, is when you realise that life is for living.

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Small ship cruising vacations

They take you to another world. To little bits of littoral loveliness you hardly knew existed. Places with names like the Mergui Archipelago, the Kyles of Bute, Wrangel Island or an island called Wolf. They take you on vessels that are the beloved babies of craftsmen and women. They take you to see whales and turtles and sea lions. They combine life on land and on sea.

Cruise destinations

When working out not only where to go but also when to go to your chosen cruise destinations, it can be tricky.

What is a small ship?

What is a small ship, anyway? It might be a family-sized yacht, a white-sailed schooner designed to tuck into orca-frequented fjords, or a 200-passenger icebreaker that delves into the frozen Arctic.

How to choose a small ship cruise

From weather, time at sea and your wildlife wish list, to low carbon credentials and accessibility – there are a boatload of considerations when choosing a small ship vacation.

Top 10 cruise destinations

There are so many small cruise destinations, especially given the fact that they are small boats and so they can navigate waterways that those infamous big bruisers can’t access.

Cruise activities. What to do on a cruise

These small ship cruise activities are far from the world of quoits and bad lounge singers.

Wildlife cruises

Some of the most mysterious and characterful creatures on the planet can only be reached on a small ship wildlife cruise.

Small ship sailing cruises

You don’t have to be a Jack Aubrey (or Sparrow, depending on your yen) to go on a small ship sailing cruise.

River cruise vacations

Whether you’re gliding down the Nile on a wheelchair accessible felucca, chugging along on a rescued groundnut boat in the Gambia, or exploring the lesser spotted backwaters of Kerala – river cruise vacations reveal rivers that are cultural and spiritual monoliths.

Lisbon to Malaga cruising

Go to southern Spain and you can see 700 years of Moorish influence, go to Morocco and see millennia of it.

Small ship cruises for families

Who says cruises aren’t for kids? Some of the smallest Caribbean-bound yachts can be fitted with toddler-proof safety nets, while Antarctic icebreakers come with quad rooms.

Small ship cruises for single travellers

Small ship cruises for single travelers

The specialist tour operators we work with know that solo travel is rapidly gaining traction.

Cruise tips

Our experts in small ship cruises have given us some top cruise tips.

Responsible cruising

Giant cruise ships have come in for a lot of bad press, and at Responsible Travel we believe that they really are cruising for a bruising.

All our small ship cruising guides

Find all our small ship cruising guides in one place from Alaska and the Maldives to Scotland, Arctic cruising and many more.

More relevant guides

Written by Catherine Mack

ABTA member P7085 so you are fully protected

Photo credits: [Page banner: Gerry van der Walt] [Wildlife cruising: Marshmallow] [Expedition cruising: Ben Stephenson] [Tall ships: Alan Cleaver] [Traditional boat cruising: Nevit Dilmen]

Types of cruises