FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Discover the Joys of Small-Ship Sailing

by Margaret Backenheimer and J.D. Brown

May 13, 2021

PHOTO: © UNCRUISE

April/May 2021

In this era of 6,500-passenger mega-ships, any cruise vessel conveying fewer than a thousand voyagers is considered a small ship, including high-end luxury liners, deluxe expedition ships and the world’s riverboats. The focus on many small ships is the destination rather than the conveyance, the expert chat rather than the Broadway show, the watersport rather than the casino, the scenery and culture rather than the full-service spa and specialty restaurant. Passengers make a travel style choice, forgoing the options and pleasures of a resort-sized vessel for the deeper, more immersive experience of a yacht-scaled ship.

The smallest of these small passenger ships, those carrying 100 or fewer passengers, make up a tiny but growing share of the cruise market. For some destinations, a very small ship is the best choice — and even the only choice. This can apply to large, popular destinations as well as to exotic, faraway locations. Take Alaska, for example. After the pandemic scuttled Alaska cruises last year, this year’s much-anticipated turnaround faces some rough waters. Canada extended its ban of all cruise ships carrying more than 100 passengers through February 2022.

No big ships can sail this summer to Alaska from Vancouver, nor from Seattle, unless they are U.S.-flagged. (America’s cabotage rules require foreign-flagged cruise ships sailing between American ports to stop at least once in a foreign port, and nearly all major cruise lines and big ships are foreign-registered.) The two powerhouse cruise lines serving Alaska, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, are currently too large to call upon or sail from Canada and lack American registration to boot. Cruise operators are working feverishly to modify or suspend these restrictions.

UnCruise Adventures will launch seven of its boutique ships (22–86 passengers) into Alaskan waters from Juneau starting this May. American Cruise Lines will operate three itineraries in Alaska and five in New England. Five of Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic’s expedition ships (62–100 passengers) will head up north. And starting May 7, Alaskan Dream Cruises, the native-owned operator with six tiny ships (10–76 passengers) will cruise Alaska from Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan and Yakutat. These five operators have Alaska cruising pretty much to themselves for the year, barring changes in maritime regulations. One of the biggest cruise destinations on Earth has suddenly become the exclusive realm of very small cruise ships.

Alaska is not alone. By law, Ecuador’s magical Galápagos Islands is closed to any cruise ship carrying more than 100 passengers. Several international cruise lines serve the Galápagos year-round. Avalon Waterways runs frequent four-day island cruises on the 16-passenger Treasure of Galapagos. Lindblad Expeditions stationed two of its very small expedition ships in the Galápagos, too: the 48-passenger National Geographic Islander and the 96-passenger National Geographic Endeavour II, with 7- to 16-day cruises departing twice a week. Two major luxury cruise lines maintain year-round operations in the Galápagos, as well. Celebrity Cruises’ 100-passenger all-suite Celebrity Flora offers two seven-night itineraries, while Silversea’s new 5-star, all-suite 100-passenger Silver Origin does much the same.

Wherever big ships can’t go, whether due to geography, regulation or pandemic, small ships fill in. And riverways worldwide remain the special preserve of the small ship, especially in Northern Europe, where demand is strong for this year’s tulip festival and Christmas market cruises. In 2022 the European river cruises will focus on Floriade, Holland’s international floral exhibition and garden festival held just once every 10 years in Almere (near Amsterdam), April 14–Oct. 9. But better book now. Floriade cruises are expected to sell out at least a year ahead.

BARGE SPLURGE

When it comes to very very small-ship cruising, what’s more fun than a barge? With this in mind, luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent curates weeklong barge cruises throughout Europe and the United Kingdom that can be booked individually or by whole-boat charter. Each barge trip includes onboard dining and beverages, sightseeing excursions and transfers to and from the barge.

The vessels are long and slim, accommodating just 6–20 passengers, with outside-facing staterooms, en suite bathrooms, bicycles and sundecks. Many are based in France, such as the six-guest Meanderer, which wanders the upper Loire, and the six-guest Roi Soleil, a private charter fit for a king on the Canal du Midi.

Farther afield, La Nouvelle Etoile is a Dutch treat for eight springtime guests, La Bella Vita accommodates 20 passengers on the Venetian Lagoon, the Magna Carta has room for eight on the River Thames, and the Scottish Highlander charms search parties of eight on Loch Ness. Not to be outdone, the Shannon Princess transports 10 guests at a time along the River Shannon, calling at local pubs and a whiskey distillery.

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
Daily
Sep 28, 2023

4 Reasons to Hit Up the Nobu Bar at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square This Autumn

Ever since opening in 2021, Nobu London Portman Square has served as the focal point for many gatherings, stays and experiences. This fall the hotel’s Nobu Bar adds four more reasons to visit with an exciting array of offerings, menus and events.

Exclusive Savings: Cruise Along the Danube River with Global Traveler

Exclusive Sailing with Global Traveler

Daily
Sep 27, 2023

On This Cruise, You’re Guaranteed to See the Northern Lights or Your Second One’s Free

There’s no doubt the northern lights are awe-inspiring and spectacular. Unfortunately, they’re also fickle and fleeting, and despite your best-laid plans of checking this item off your bucket list, sometimes Mother Nature’s luminescent show just doesn’t cooperate. But one cruise line has a new fail-safe in place.

Daily
Sep 27, 2023

Sail Away on Dream Yacht Worldwide’s Easy Crewed Expeditions

Think you need a degree in sailing to enjoy a yachting holiday? Dream Yacht Worldwide, a leader in yacht charters, wants you to relax and enjoy the journey. Newly expanded to include the British Virgin Islands, Martinique, Tahiti and the Seychelles, the "Easy Crewed” offered by Dream Yacht Worldwide also include charter options in Greece and Croatia.

Greece: A Life-Changing Experience

Experience the life-changing destination of Greece by exploring its island gems in the Ionian Sea. Scattered off the western coastline of Central Greece, to the south of Peloponnese, the Ionian Islands are an island group comprising large and small islands.

Daily
Sep 27, 2023

The Netherlands, Denmark Receive New UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2023

Two European countries now boast a longer list of UNESCO World Heritage sites with the addition of five historic Viking-age ring fortresses in Denmark and a planetarium in Friesland, the Netherlands.

Daily
Sep 26, 2023

Explore the Beauty of North America by Rail in 2024

When making your travel plans for fall, winter or any season in 2024, don’t overlook the beauty and excitement travel by rail in North America offers. Vacations by Rail offers an unforgettable experience filled with history, culture and natural beauty. Here are some beautiful and culturally rich destinations in North America to consider:

Hit the High Notes in Nashville

Nashville’s once-modest skyline continues to evolve as its luxury market grows. Lavish hotel properties are added to the landscape while acclaimed chefs stake claim in the robust culinary scene and premier cultural offerings round out the city’s repertoire.

eFlyer Deals
Sep 26, 2023

Plan for a Christmas at Scotland’s Gleneagles

As September comes to an end, it’s never too early to plan your Christmas or winter trip. This winter, Gleneagles and its Edinburgh outpost, Gleneagles Townhouse, are proud to announce a full line-up of Christmas and New Year’s programming, as well as a special Christmas at Gleneagles offer.