Choosing the right cruise ship is a crucial decision when planning a cruise vacation. The debate between larger and smaller ships has been an ongoing one, and I am here to help you make an informed decision. In this article, I will be exploring some of the best luxury cruise lines that offer smaller ships, providing an intimate and personalized experience while still maintaining a high level of luxury.
Luxury Cruise Lines with Smaller Ships
Azamara Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Seabourn Cruises are some of the best luxury cruise lines that provide the opportunity to explore ports that larger ships cannot reach. These cruise lines offer a more boutique-style experience with a maximum of 686 guests, providing guests with a chance to connect with the crew, who are always eager to go above and beyond to exceed your expectations. While the cost may be higher than other cruise lines, the benefits of an all-inclusive experience with no hidden costs make it worth it.
Azamara Cruises
Azamara Cruises is a luxury cruise line that focuses on Destination Immersion, which means longer stays, overnights, and night touring are included in 100 per cent of their voyages. Guests can explore everything from the nightlife in South Africa to all-day adventures in West Africa’s bustling coasts.
With all-inclusive amenities like standard spirits, international beers and wines, gratuities, and an AzAmazing Evenings event (on most voyages), guests can relax and enjoy their vacation without any unexpected surprises.
Furthermore, bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas, English butler service for suite guests, self-service laundry, shuttle service to and from port communities (where available) and concierge services for personal guidance and reservations are all included.
With Azamara Cruises, guests can visit ports like Marseille, Amalfi, Crete, or even to the doorstep of Bangkok, the heart of Seville, and the city center of Bordeaux. Guests can experience the culture, cuisine, scenery, and people of their destinations, all while enjoying the personalized service provided by the crew.
Crystal Cruises/Crystal River Cruises/Crystal Yachts
Crystal Cruises is another luxury cruise line that provides an all-inclusive experience, including complimentary gratuities, unparalleled dining options, fine wines and premium spirits, and all non-alcoholic beverages.
With 24-hour room service, high tea, golf lessons, computer/technology classes, a technology concierge, Crystal Visions Enrichment Program, entertainment, and complimentary launderettes, guests can enjoy a luxurious vacation with no worries. The “We Care/You Care” program also includes one shore excursion on every voyage.
This cruise line offers an elegant alternative to larger ships with predominantly non-smoking indoors (except the Connoisseur Club Cigar bar). Crystal Cruises now offers river cruises, yacht cruises, luxury air, and residences. The yacht is an all-inclusive super-yacht with 31 luxury suites and two complimentary Crystal Adventures shore excursions in most every port, depending on the destination.
Water sports from the yacht’s marina platform are also available, and guests can experience a state-of-the-art deep-sea submersible accommodating two passengers and a certified pilot. The river cruises will be home-based in Paris and offer various length cruises, all suites, and its first sailing in July 2016 with 2-for-1 fares and overnights in popular ports.
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises offers a truly elegant experience that allows you to explore diverse and exotic destinations in style. With intimate ships accommodating just 684 to 1,250 guests, depending on the ship, Oceania Cruises offers a country club casual ambiance with personalized service.
The line’s unique itineraries are specifically designed to showcase the most fascinating destinations, from historic cities to modern meccas to charming seaside villages nestled along sparkling coastlines.
Each day of your journey with Oceania Cruises offers exciting opportunities to experience the history, art, and cuisine of a wondrous new destination. Savour dining and enjoy lavish complimentary amenities, including never having to pay a supplemental charge in any of the onboard restaurants.
Value packages ensure that sipping vintage wine, surfing the internet, or enjoying a shore excursion is both convenient and affordable. Oceania Cruises also offers port-intensive voyages featuring overnight visits and extended evening port stays, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the local culture.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers a truly sumptuous and personal experience, with everything included in your fare, without exception and without compromise. With all-suite accommodations and a smoke-free environment throughout almost the entirety of their ships, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers voyages to more than 250 ports around the world that larger vessels cannot reach.
You’ll enjoy an intimate, elegant ambiance with just 490 or 700 guests, resulting in stellar service, no lines, and no waiting.
The line’s fares include 2-for-1 all-inclusive fares, early booking savings, free unlimited shore excursions, free luxury hotel packages in Concierge Suites and higher, free specialty restaurants, free unlimited beverages including fine wines and premium spirits, free open bars and lounges, in-suite mini bars replenished daily, free pre-paid gratuities, free 24-hour room service, free transfers between airport and ship, and many other amenities.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises also offers enriching onboard experiences, including The Smithsonian Collection by Smithsonian Journeys, Broadway shows, virtuoso performances, culinary demonstrations, and wine tastings, and the spectacular Canyon Ranch SpaClub wellness programs.
Seabourn Cruises
With Seabourn Cruises, you’ll sail with your own private club, where members share expansive open decks, inviting social spaces, and the personalized attention of an exceptional crew. The line’s intimate ships accommodate no more than 300 spacious suites with sweeping ocean views, most with verandas, allowing for an intimate and indulgent experience. The intuitive staff is passionate about pleasing their guests, and gourmet dining experiences rival the finest restaurants anywhere, with complimentary welcome champagne and in-suite bars stocked with your preferences.
Seabourn Cruises offers unique itineraries to must-see cities and hidden gems where larger ships cannot go. The line visits bucket wishes destinations and small ports like Saint-Tropez, France, and Palermo, Spain, and lesser-traveled Caribbean islands like Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, the Grenadines, Guadeloupe, Saint Barthelemy, and St. Kitts. Shore excursions are available for purchase, with lots of time to explore each port of call.
Final Thoughts
Luxury cruise industry offers an incredible range of travel experiences to explore the world in style and comfort. Cruises are perfect for travelers looking for an intimate and exclusive vacation experience, visiting the world’s most fascinating destinations while enjoying fine dining, enriching activities, and unparalleled luxury. So, take the plunge and indulge in a luxury cruise for your next travel adventure.
