Small-Ship Cruising
Leave the crowds behind on voyages that emphasize
intriguing destinations
By Michelle White
Among the choices are the masted sailing ships of Star Clippers, which combine nautical traditions with contemporary amenities. The ships of Cruise West and Celebrity Xpeditions offer a soft-adventure experience as they travel to off-the-beaten-path destinations, frequently using Zodiac landing crafts to reach shallow waterways, deserted beaches and secluded wilderness areas. At the larger end of the spectrum are the 650-passenger MV Discovery from Voyages of Discovery (formerly Discovery World Cruises) and the 826-passenger Marco Polo from Orient Lines. These ships are endowed with a greater variety of leisure-time facilities, but they can still take advantage of smaller, out-of-the-way ports.
Because these ships carry fewer passengers, guests and crew get to know each other well. The setting is intimate and casual.
"Small-ship cruisers are generally well-educated and well-traveled to begin with," says Cheryl Cunningham, manager at Houston-based travel agency Vacations To Go, which has specialized in discounted cruises since 1984. "They care about the destination, and they really want to see and experience the region. They want to know about the history, meet the people and see the land -- truly immerse themselves." Baby boomers or those in early retirement are among those attracted to these types of cruises, she adds.
Niche cruisers tend to be somewhat active and adventurous. Passengers should have a moderate level of physical fitness in order to enjoy the broadest scope of available shore excursions.
When budgeting a niche cruise, consider the cost of airfare, which can be expensive if the cruise embarks from a distant and less-appointed port. Also, small-ship cruises can fill up quickly due to their limited passenger capacities, especially during peak travel seasons, says Cunningham.
Yet because this style of cruising appeals to a smaller market than the traditional cruise lines, select cabins can remain unsold, Cunningham says, and travelers may find discounts as sailing time approaches. Cruise lines may also offer money-saving incentives for booking early, a safe bet for finding discounted rates on highly popular itineraries.
The following are our favorite small-ship cruise lines. For information and rates, call Vacations To Go at (800) 338-4962, or click the links provided below.
Fueled by the Wind
The masted tall ships of Star Clippers blend the romance of sailing with the comfort of modern yachting. Engines are used to propel the ship when wind conditions do not support itinerary requirements, but whenever possible, the motors are turned off and the ship glides over the waves, its canvas sails billowing in the wind.
Star Clippers' flagship, the 227-passenger Royal Clipper, is the largest fully rigged sailing ship in the world, measuring 439 feet long and boasting 42 sails and five masts. Crewmembers can show passengers how to reef a sail, splice a line or tie a square knot. Guests can also climb the mast to enjoy the view from the crow's nest. Three swimming pools and a spa and health club provide blissful retreats, while a marina platform lends easy access to water sports from the ship's stern.
"The atmosphere on board is really intimate, and there's so much personal service," says Lindsay Armstrong, who sailed on the Royal Clipper for 10 days in the Mediterranean last August. She says the bridge was always open, so the captain was easily accessible.
The environment is relaxed -- no jackets or ties required -- and there are no fixed meal times. "We ate with the same people every night, and not because we had to. You really get to know people on board," says Armstrong.
Sister ships the Star Clipper and the Star Flyer each have a capacity of 170 guests. Ample teak decks, cozy bars and a library are among their amenities. Star Clippers' cruises are marked by an easygoing informality, where local entertainers often share their culture through shipboard performances.
"We saw folk dancers come on board in Corfu," Armstrong says. "It was great because Corfu is a Greek island, but with a heavy Italian influence. The dancing brought us a genuine flavor of the island."
Star Clippers sails in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Far East and Indian Ocean, and the line also does trans-Atlantic cruises.
To learn more about Star Clippers, click here.
Adventure Cruising
The 94-passenger Celebrity Xpedition sails year-round from Quito, Ecuador, to the Galapagos Islands. Travelers encounter a broad array of wildlife while enjoying the outstanding service and casually elegant ambiance for which Celebrity Cruises is known.
Budding naturalists will be delighted to explore these remote isles, which inspired Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Situated more than 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos are home to many endemic species. The giant tortoises of the Galapagos can live up to 150 years, while pelicans, flamingos and flightless cormorants are frequent sights as well.
On the flat, low-lying island of North Seymour, passengers can spot nesting blue-footed boobies, sea lions at play and a massive colony of frigate birds. Red marine iguanas inhabit Espanola, the oldest island in the volcanic archipelago.
Dramatic landscapes also contribute to the timeless allure of the Galapagos, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. On Isabela, visitors can view a salt-lake crater and the lava fields of Darwin Volcano. Red-sand beaches, formed from oxidized lava, fringe Rabida. Elsewhere, rocky outcroppings, white-sand beaches and rich vegetation provide beautiful backgrounds for the rare fauna.
The Xpedition's small passenger capacity allows for a more personal, intimate cruising experience. Guests can enjoy cocktails in the Discovery Lounge, massages in the salon and stunning Pacific sunsets from the Blue Finch Bar. Cruise fare on the Xpedition includes alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, as well as gratuities for the shipboard staff. All accommodations have ocean views.
For more on Celebrity Xpedition in the Galapagos, click here.
The nine ships of Cruise West carry from 78 to 138 guests, their small sizes enabling them to maneuver close to shore to observe the subtle details of nature. Inflatable excursion crafts bring guests close to natural spectacles, whether a thundering waterfall in Alaska or bottle-nosed dolphins frolicking off Mexico's Pacific coast.
Cruise West has developed relationships with port directors, local storytellers and innkeepers who are eager to share the best of their towns with inquisitive travelers. At least one shore excursion or highlight is included at each port of call on Cruise West itineraries, such as hiking, kayaking or snorkeling. Cruise West captains allow the destination to shape the schedule, perhaps lingering in port to view wildlife or a glorious sunset.
An exploration leader on board every cruise provides insight into the natural history, culture, scenery and wildlife of Cruise West destinations. Naturalists are typically available to answer guests' questions.
Cruise West's enticing destinations include Alaska, eastern Canada, California's wine country, Mexico's Sea of Cortes, Panama and Costa Rica, Japan and the South Pacific.
For Cruise West information and itineraries, click here.
Orient Lines operates the 826-passenger Marco Polo, which contains enough amenities to please a midsized passenger capacity, but is still small enough to access less-traveled ports. Zodiac landing craft are deployed to reach remote destinations.
The 22,080-ton ship features a library, Internet cafe, casino and several lounges, including a piano bar and showroom with dance floor. There are fitness facilities, three Jacuzzis, a pool and salon. The shipboard ambiance is laid-back during the day, while dressy attire may be appropriate on some evenings. Renowned speakers lead Orient's Discovery Lecture Series, sharing their perspectives on history, journalism, science and politics. Orient often brings local performers on board to entertain passengers and provide an authentic sense of a port's culture.
Among vacation options are cruises in the Mediterranean, which showcase the region's rich history. South America cruises highlight Amazonian rainforests, the Panama Canal and fabled Machu Picchu, the Incan fortress city high in the mountains of Peru. Expeditions to Antarctica depart from Buenos Aires or Ushuaia, Argentina, or Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In addition, Orient operates trans-Atlantic voyages. Some itineraries, such as in Antarctica, include a pre-cruise hotel stay.
Click here to find more information on Orient.
Voyages of Discovery, formerly Discovery World Cruises, merges unique, off-the-beaten-path itineraries with the ample amenities and comfort of the MV Discovery, a 650-passenger ocean liner. Guests can work out at the fully equipped gym, be pampered at the salon, play games in the card room and let cares melt away in the hot tubs and pools. A theater, nightclub and casino offer nighttime diversion, and a library, Internet center and shops round out the facilities.
Passengers can join talks led by experts in natural history, anthropology, science and geology, or take part in classes on such subjects as art and photography. Many lectures are tailored toward landscapes and cultures relevant to the cruise itinerary.
On board, the cuisine often reflects regional influences, and room service is available around the clock. The dress code is casual during the day, and some evenings may call for semiformal or formal attire, such as the captain's welcome dinner.
Discovery's cruises venture to the remote, glacial beauty of Antarctica to popular landmarks as well as less-traveled ports in Europe. Lush landscapes beckon throughout South America and the Panama Canal, while other voyages take in the tropics of the Caribbean. Other itineraries cross the Atlantic Ocean. Several cruise itineraries include a night or two on land before or after the cruise.
To learn more about Voyages of Discovery, click here.
The information in this story was accurate at the time it was published in May 2006 .
Please visit Vacations To Go or call (800) 338-4962 for current rates and details.