Two tall-masted sailing cruise ships at anchor near a harbor breakwater

Luxury & Small-Ship Voyages

Fewer guests, more space, more included — and harbors the big ships cannot reach.

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Why Choose a Smaller or Luxury Ship?

On a small ship, the voyage feels personal. Embarkation takes minutes, the crew know your name, and the ship can slip into harbors and anchorages that big ships cannot reach. Luxury lines add more space per guest, suites, fine dining and fares that include much of what other lines charge for.

Ultra-luxury

Lines such as Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea and Explora Journeys offer all-suite or mostly-suite ships with drinks and gratuities generally included. Regent is known for including shore excursions in its fares.

Premium and upper-premium

Oceania, Viking and Azamara focus on destinations and cuisine, with mid-size ships and a calm, adult atmosphere.

Yachts and sailing ships

Windstar, SeaDream, Ponant and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection sail smaller vessels, some under sail, with water-sports platforms and small-harbor calls.

Expedition luxury

Several luxury lines also run expedition ships for the polar regions. See our expedition page.

What “Included” Really Means

Inclusions are the biggest difference between lines, and they change from time to time, so always confirm on the quote. Common inclusions on luxury voyages are drinks, gratuities, specialty dining and Wi-Fi; some lines add shore excursions, flights or pre-cruise hotels. A higher fare that includes these may compare well with a lower fare plus extras, so compare total trip cost, not just the headline price.

Small ships also have trade-offs: fewer entertainment options, less to do for children, and more motion in rough seas than on a large ship.

Ship suite living room — Suites with separate living areas are standard on many luxury ships.

Where Small Ships Shine

Sailboats in a Caribbean cove — Small ships can anchor in quiet coves and smaller harbors.

The Caribbean’s smaller islands and sheltered anchorages.
The Mediterranean’s little harbors, from the Greek islands to the Amalfi Coast and Croatia.
Northern Europe and the British Isles, with smaller ports and overnight stays.
Tahiti and the South Pacific, lagoons and atolls.
The polar regions, where size decides whether you can land.

Explore further with Luxury Cruise Agent, Seaside Luxury Cruises and Small Ship Cruises, our network sites for luxury and small-ship cruising.

Questions to Ask Before You Choose

How many guests does the ship carry? “Small” can mean anything from about a hundred guests to several hundred, and the feel on board changes a lot across that range.
Is the fare all-suite, and what is the smallest suite like? Entry-level suites differ widely in size and in whether they have a balcony.
What exactly is included? Drinks, gratuities, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, excursions, flights and hotel nights all vary by line and sometimes by fare type.
What is the dress code? Some luxury lines keep formal evenings; others are relaxed every night.
Who are the other guests? Ask about the usual age range and whether children sail, if that matters to you.

Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can put two or three lines side by side for the same region and dates, so you can compare like with like.

Compare Luxury and Small-Ship Voyages

Tell us the region and the style you prefer. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare inclusions line by line and send free quotes.

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