Recent travel trends have shown a significant increase in the popularity of cruises and of small luxury cruises in particular. These trends are not surprising, as small cruises offer not only the amenities of a larger cruise ship, but also more diverse experiences that allow guests to more deeply immerse themselves in the cultures of the ports in which they call. Several new small cruise offerings will be available in 2017.

Alaska Dream Cruises is offering a seven-night True Alaskan Family Cruise, which will include a day of exploration in the most remote areas of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The 74-passenger Chichigof Dream will offer passengers the opportunity to explore Alaska’s massive glaciers and distinct wildlife.

Lindblad Expeditions will introduce the National Geographic Quest on a 100-passenger ship that will sail from Seattle in June 2017, and head to Alaska’s Inside Passage. From there, passengers can visit Alaska’s protected bays, fjords and Glacier Bay National Park, as well as several small towns.

AdventureSmith Explorations is offering Quest sailings in partnership with Dream Catcher to expand its reach to Prince William Sound and Whittier, the gateway to Anchorage and some of the state’s most beautiful parks.

UnCruise Adventures will offer 11 adventure cruises in southeast Alaska in 2017. The Inner Reaches Western Coves itinerary will launch in the summer with visits to the Tlingit village of Kake. UnCruise will also offer wellness cruises in partnership with Lifetime Fitness. Four departures are scheduled for summer 2017 that will feature wellness experts and activities such as kayaking, on-deck yoga and cooking classes.