By Margot Black
When it comes to cruising, bigger isn’t always better.
Forget floating cities with endless queues and crowded buffets, small-ship cruises are a dream come true for many women travelers. Think boutique-style travel on the high seas, with personalized touches, curated adventures, and the kind of quiet luxury that feels like it was designed just with you in mind.
Perfect for solo travelers, best friend getaways, or anyone ready to ditch the mainstream, small-ship cruises offer an intimate and tailored experience that large cruise lines just can’t match. From expertly curated itineraries to exceptional onboard services, these cruises allow you to explore the world without sacrificing comfort or individuality.
Explore how choosing the right small-ship cruise for your personality can elevate your travel experience. Find one that fits you like your favorite wrap dress and get set to sail!
If You’re a Foodie – Windstar Cruises
If you dream in flavors, book vacations around your restaurant bookings and know your crudo from your confit, then Windstar Cruises might just be your perfect pairing.
Known as the ultimate foodie cruise, Windstar serves up something extraordinary: small ships, big adventures, and world-class menus created in partnership with James Beard Foundation chefs including the likes of Maxime Bilet, Evan Hanzcor, and Jose Mendin.
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This is boutique dining at sea, where every dish is crafted with passion, and local produce is delivered to the ship as you drop anchor. While there is always something fun to do – including jumping on a jet ski, exploring the blue waters on a kayak or enjoying a luxurious massage – you will never feel too crowded, as their small ships – sailing yachts and all-suite motor yachts – only take from 148 to 342 guests.
Forget generic buffet queues, here, you can enjoy many delicious experiences including their signature barbecue, or a guided tour through a local market, helping the chef pick out local herbs or the catch of the day, to enjoy later at dinner, with a glass of something cold and the sea breeze in your hair.
Windstar Cruises also offer exclusive plant-based menu options, so no guest is left unsatisfied, but if you’re also interested in expanding your palate, they pride themselves on their extensive wine list, and offer a dedicated wine cruise around the Riviera, taking in the sights of Barcelona, Portofino and Cannes.
For the well-traveled, flavor-curious, and gastronomically adventurous, this small ship cruise offers a deliciously different kind of voyage – one where every port brings a new taste, and every meal is a celebration. Bon voyage – and bon appétit!
If You’re a Nature Enthusiast – UnCruise Adventures
Are you the type who feels most alive when surrounded by untouched landscapes, spotting wildlife, or hiking in remote wilderness? If your idea of luxury is a pair of well-worn hiking boots rather than designer shoes, UnCruise Adventures is your perfect match.
With their motto, ‘Small Ships, Big Adventure’, they deliver an experience that will truly immerse you in nature.
Their small, nimble ships venture into breath-taking regions like the Alaskan wilderness, Baja California, and the Galapagos – places regular cruises can’t reach. Onboard, naturalists guide intimate excursions, from kayaking through icy fjords to capturing wildlife photography or trekking through dense forests.
UnCruise is also deeply committed to sustainable travel, ensuring these magical destinations remain pristine for future explorers. With around 22 and 86 passengers per trip, every adventure feels personal and connected, so by the end of your cruise, you might even find lifelong friends who share your love of the outdoors.
UnCruise isn’t just a vacation; it’s a summer camp for nature enthusiasts designed to fuel your adventurous spirit; they even offer a cruise inspired by author John Steinbeck’s 1951 novel, Log from the Sea of Cortez, which explores marine life at historic sites such as Punta Marcial. Not only will you have extraordinary fun, you’ll get bragging rights in areas few others can access.
Designed for those who thrive in the great outdoors, these cruises offer long adventures and all the gear you need – think kayaks, snorkeling equipment, binoculars, and more to fully immerse yourself in nature.
This is also a great small ship cruise line for families as some boats are so intimate, you’ll be able to give your kids free run of the ship with no worries.
If You’re a History Buff – American Cruise Lines
If you’re a history buff who dreams of exploring the past while enjoying modern comfort, American Cruise Lines is your perfect match.
With abundant offerings on U.S.-based historic routes like the Mississippi River and the captivating New England coast, these small ship cruises transport you to eras gone by.
Imagine stepping ashore at historic ports, alongside guides who can unlock the stories behind these iconic locations. For those seeking a little extra, there are many themed cruises to pick from, including a Mark Twain Cruise, which includes a stop in Hannibal, Missouri, Twain’s hometown, a Lewis and Clark Cruise, that follows the epic 1805 journey they followed along the Clearwater, Snake, and Columbia Rivers to the Pacific Coast, and even an Antiques Theme Cruise.
For an immersive experience, they offer extended cruises including a 35-night Civil War-themed itinerary that spans 12 states, following the Mississippi and Tennessee Rivers, all accompanied by experts there to enlighten and educate. Music lovers will enjoy stops in Memphis and Nashville.
Add to that the experience of sailing aboard classic paddlewheel boats that radiate nostalgia and you’re immediately transported back in time. For those who treasure cultural heritage and love to blend discovery with relaxation, American Cruise Lines offers unforgettable voyages on their ships that are made at Chesapeake Shipbuilding, in Salisbury, Maryland, and bursting with personality.
With over 50 itineraries there’s almost too many to choose from but American Cruise Lines goes the extra mile to ensure every history enthusiast has the chance to discover more about the stories that have shaped our nation.
If You’re a Glamor Girl – Seabourn
If you’re a glamor girl who thrives on luxury, elegance, and impeccable service, Seabourn is the ultimate small ship cruise. And just like your favourite Louboutins, they are tailor-made for you.
Known for its yacht-like ships and all-suite ocean-front accommodations, Seabourn redefines opulence at sea. Although on the larger side of the category of small, here you can indulge in the pinnacle of posh – ultra luxury all the way.
Indulge in Michelin-starred dining that exceeds expectations, pamper yourself with personalized spa treatments, or enjoy a glass of champagne delivered via surfboard in tropical destinations.
Details here are aimed at the kind of luxury that every glamor girl will enjoy, with offers of complimentary caviar and bucket list expeditions, from the Panama Canal to the Pacific Islands, that will take you to distant lands offering many Instagram moments.
Seabourn’s spa and fitness facilities have won numerous awards and offer a wide variety of indulgent services, as well as a fully-equipped ocean-view gym, which is staffed by professional fitness trainers.
If that’s a little too active for you as you endeavor to unwind, guests can join in a relaxing yoga class, stretch class, Crystal Sound Bath or guided meditation. A fun detail on a couple of their small ships – the Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit – are their unique glass-walled saunas that offer expansive views of the water.
With its intimate ambiance and world-class amenities, Seabourn is the perfect match for ladies who like to lunch in style and who believe that life’s greatest experiences shouldn’t compromise on fun or fabulousness!
If You’re an Adventurer – Lindblad Expeditions (in partnership with National Geographic)
If you’re the type of traveler who thrives on exhilarating adventures, Lindblad Expeditions, in partnership with National Geographic, might just be your perfect match.
Designed for thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts, their small ship cruises take you to some of the most remote and breathtaking destinations in the world. Imagine snorkeling alongside playful sea lions, taking a brave polar plunge in icy waters, or landing on untouched shores via Zodiac boats.
With expert naturalists and National Geographic photographers onboard, you’ll not only explore but also deepen your understanding of these awe-inspiring environments.
For example, their eight-day ‘Fire and Ice’ sail around Iceland offers a hike around the rim of a volcanic crater, close up views of puffins at Borgarfjarðarhöfn (often called the ‘puffin capital of Iceland’), and a visit to Goðafoss, the largest waterfall in the country. This really is a special kind of adventure.
With a fleet of small, agile and authentic expedition ships purpose built for remote journeys, here you can dive deep into the planet’s wildest and most remote places. And this really is a small ship experience; their charter, the National Geographic Delfina, only takes 19 guests (supported by 10 crew), making it a perfect choice for an intimate family adventure.
From Antarctica and the Arctic, to the Amazon and then back again, every moment is a mix of discovery, making it the ultimate choice for explorers ready to step off the beaten path and into unforgettable experiences.
A First Time Cruiser – Viking Cruises
If you’re a newbie to the seas, Viking Ocean Cruises is a great introduction to an entirely different way of vacationing. With one free cruise excursion per port, and with ample, modern fitness centers, abundant dining options, self-serve laundry availability and free room service, you can pretend you’re not even cruising (not that you should!).
Viking Ocean Cruises gives small ship vibes with big ship comforts, so even if this is something you’ve never done before, you can relax knowing that you’ll always be in good hands. There are no casinos on these ships, no photography sales, and no inside staterooms – so if you also happen to be a culture enthusiast, these small ship expeditions might be your perfect match.
On the larger size of small, these ships accommodate up to 930 passengers, and are designed for travelers who seek deeper connections with the arts, history, and local customs, making them a great pick for first time cruisers. You can experience an evening at the opera in Vienna or even a tango show in Argentina.
Something a little different, they also offer Longitudinal World Cruises from Nuuk to Ushuaia, or from Buenos Aires to Milwaukee, which they bill as ‘a unique way to experience some of the world’s most fascinating destinations between north and south, spanning the waterways and oceans of the New World and Antarctica’.
With destination-focused lectures led by experts and cultural enrichment programs, as well as on-board science programs designed to protect and observe the environment, every aspect of the voyage is curated to inspire and educate. Here, it’s not just about yachting but also a journey into the heart of culture and discovery. First timers – you’ll love it!
If You’re a Social Butterfly – SeaDream Yacht Club
If you’re the kind of person who thrives in social settings, loves connecting with new people, and enjoys shared adventures, the SeaDream Yacht Club offers the perfect small ship cruise experience for you.
With intimate ships hosting just 112 guests alongside a crew of 95, it’s easy to feel like you’re aboard a private yacht filled with friends. The experience is designed to foster a strong sense of community, offering plenty of opportunities to socialize, whether you’re mingling at a cocktail party, participating in wellness classes, testing your luck at the casino, or enjoying live music at the piano bar.
If you want to get to know your shipmates, then why not join them at one of their daily complimentary sunrise Yoga and Tai Chi sessions – and if you need a little pampering, then their SeaDream Spa is the only place to go for a facial or a pedicure.
Once you’re ready to face the world, get to know your fellow sailors as you lounge on one of their giant Signature Balinese Dream Beds on the deck, or as you enjoy all manner of water sports off the back of the yacht. Those yearning for the links can enjoy a session on SeaDream’s Golf Simulator.
Traveling solo is no problem as, like the rest of the guests, you’ll receive personalized attention from the highly attentive crew, ensuring your getaway feels relaxed, luxurious, and uniquely tailored. If yachting, not cruising, is what you’ve been dreaming of, SeaDream delivers an extraordinarily social, chic and unforgettable escape.
If You’re Opulent & Exotic – Aqua Expeditions
Specializing in small-ship cruises through some of the world’s most breathtaking and exotic rivers – from the mighty Amazon to the mystical Mekong – Aqua Expeditions is anything but ordinary.
These aren’t your typical cruises; think more boutique hotel on water, where every detail is designed to make you feel pampered, peaceful, and totally at ease. There’s always something curious around the corner; after all, a sundowner as you float by Spice Islands’ historic Dutch forts, is always going to be a one-of-a-kind experience.
Onboard, it’s all about wellness with a splash of wanderlust. Start your day with sunrise yoga as jungle birds call in the distance, then enjoy a soul-soothing meditation or a spa treatment that melts away the everyday. Aqua’s wellness experts are on hand to guide you through a holistic experience that’s as calming as the rivers you glide along.
The onboard cuisine is as health-conscious as it is flavour-packed; locally sourced, beautifully prepared, and designed to nourish from the inside out, it’s there to be savored.
For those with a bigger budget, enjoy a private charter to far-flung destinations including the Galapagos, and the Ambon & Spice Islands. Escape the noise, reconnect with nature and explore the world in style with their perfect blend of exotic adventure and indulgent self-care. Aqua Expeditions is not just a cruise – it’s an alluring journey into a more relaxed, radiant you.
Sailing Into the Sunset
No matter what your personality – whether you’re a sea-faring foodie, a water-loving wellness seeker, an Arctic adventure lover, a history buff on the treasure hunt, or a cruising culture enthusiast – there’s a small-ship vacation out there that’s your perfect match.
These intimate voyages go beyond the ordinary, offering personalized, meaningful travel experiences that cater to who you are and how you love to explore and relax.
Small-ship cruising isn’t just about the destination; it’s about the journey, the connections, and the memories made along the way. So take a moment to reflect on your travel style, discover the cruise line that speaks to your soul, and prepare to set sail on an unforgettable escape.
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The post Which Small Ship Cruise Line Best Matches Your Personality? appeared first on She Buys Travel.
