Cruises
I don’t try to hide the fact that I’m not a huge fan of traditional cruises, but I do love being on the water and have enjoyed several voyages with some of the following companies. Of the “big ships”, I personally think that Celebrity does the best job overall. The rest of my recommendations are considered “small ship” operators.
Cruise Lines
Alaskan Dream Cruises has a fleet of six casual 10- to 76-passenger ships staffed by Alaskans, including some Alaska Native guides. Through its close ties to the Indigenous communities of southeast Alaska, this cruise operator crafts itineraries that include visits to remote villages and itineraries based on wilderness exploration.
Atlas Ocean Voyages offers high-end adventure voyages to more than 136 destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, South America, and Antarctica. Their 3 luxurious yachts each carry less than 200 guests to intimate ports around the world.
Australis is a luxury expedition cruise company that navigates through the fjords and channels of Tierra del Fuego, located in the Chilean-Argentinean Patagonia. They operate twin 200-passenger ships which sail adventure-driven itineraries to remote ports.
Celebrity Cruises currently operates itineraries around the world with 14 ships which can accommodate between 2200-2900 guests each. They also offer sailings on 3 “expedition ships” operating in the Galapagos Islands which vary in size from 16-100 guests.
Crystal Cruises is relaunching as a new company this year backed by the Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group. The two original ships (Symphony and Serenity) have been reimagined and refurbished, ready to compete in the luxury mid-sized market.
Emerald Cruises, a river cruise operator with 10 river boats, is entering the luxury cruise market with the delivery of its first ocean-sailing superyacht, the luxurious 100-passenger Emerald Azzurra. It’s sister yacht, the Emerald Sakara, is expected to join the fleet by next year. Planned itineraries include the Mediterranean, Seychelles, the Black Sea and the Middle East.
Explora Journeys is a new entrant into the midsize-ship luxury cruise market, starting with its first vessel launching in 2023 – the 461-passenger Explora I. Three more similar sized ships are scheduled to enter service in the next 3-4 years. Planned itineraries include Europe, the Arctic, the Caribbean, South America, and the Pacific.
Hurtigruten is best known for their Norwegian coastline cruises but also offers excursions to the Galapagos, Antarctica, the Arctic and North America. They currently have 16 ships of varying sizes and focus on itineraries built around nature.
Paul Gauguin Cruises operates one 330-passenger luxury ship, formerly sailing under the Regent Seven Seas brand. Their itineraries include the best of Tahiti and the islands of the South Pacific.
Ponant offers exotic itineraries around the world on their collection of luxury ships. Their service is European with a sophisticated ambiance and an emphasis on exquisite cuisine. Their fleet includes sailing yachts accommodating just 32 guests, elegant small-ships with room for approximately 250 guests and expedition vessels for less than 200 guests.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection begins sailing in the Mediterranean before heading to the Caribbean for the winter with the first of its three custom-built yachts. Each will offer 149 suites and can accommodate up to 298 guests.
Scenic Cruises has made its ocean cruising debut with the 228-passenger Scenic Eclipse offering all-inclusive itineraries to destinations including Antarctica, the Arctic, South America, and the Baltic. The modern ship combines all the trappings of luxury with the thrill of expedition sailing.
Seabourn currently operates 5 luxury yachts. Three of their ships offer 229 suites and the newest two ships have 300 suites each. Later this year they will welcome the first of two new ships that will offer just 132 suites each and operate “ultra-luxury expedition” itineraries.
Sea Cloud Cruises operates three masted tall ships – the 64-passenger Sea Cloud, the 94-passenger Sea Cloud II, and the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit. Itineraries include off-the-beaten-path ports in the Caribbean, Central America, and Europe.
SeaDream Yacht Club offers sophistication without the pretense for a maximum of 112 guests on their twin yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II. Their itineraries include small ports in the Mediterranean, Baltic, and Caribbean.
Silversea currently operates 7 luxury ships with 3 more coming online within the next year. Their service tends to be a bit more formal than most other cruises lines with butlers assigned to every stateroom. The fleet includes luxury expedition ships for 100 guests and elegant yachts for up to 600 guests.
Star Clippers operates 3 tall-ship sailing vessels – the flagship 227-passenger Royal Clipper and 170-passenger twins Star Clipper and Star Flyer. Itineraries include off-the-beaten-path ports in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Asia.
Swan Hellenic offers cruises to some of the world’s most remote and culturally significant locations. They travel where others don’t, taking you to the heart of the destinations and seeking immersive experiences. Their intimate ships carry just 152 to 192 guests.
Uncruise Adventures offers small ship cruises (22 to 86 guests) focused on wilderness, wildlife, and culture. Rooted firmly in Alaska, they now offer itineraries to Hawaii, Northwestern US, Mexico, Central America, and the Galapagos Islands.
Variety Cruises offers the ultimate small yacht experience with a fleet of 8 boats ranging in size from 34 to 72 guests. Itineraries are primarily in the Mediterranean with future trips planned for Western Africa, the Seychelles and the South Pacific.
Windstar Cruises operates 3 sailing ships and 3 luxury yachts. The sailing ships are unique to the industry and operate with only 150-300 guests. The luxury yachts accommodate up to 312 guests each. Windstar was the original “casual elegant” product and offers sailings to many less-crowded ports in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Alaska.
Rivers & Canals
Aqua Expeditions offers journeys on 3 luxurious riverboats accommodating 30 to 40 guests on the Amazon and Mekong Rivers. This year they are adding a new 15-suite yacht sailing along Komodo National Park in Indonesia.
Belmond Afloat in France operates 7 exquisite barges along various rivers and canals in France. This is “slow travel” at its most elegant. The boats can accommodate from 4 to 12 passengers making it easy to charter for a family or group of friends.
CroisiEurope is known for its value-oriented European river cruises. They also offer five 22-guest barges sailing European canals, two 16-guest boats in Southern Africa, two 48-guest riverboats sailing in Viet Nam and Cambodia, a 212-passenger ship on the Volga River in Russia and a 100-passenger riverboat sailing the Nile in Egypt.
Delfin Amazon Cruises operates a fleet of three ships, all that meet the luxury benchmarks set by Relais & Chateaux. The Delfin I accommodates just 8 guests, the Delfin II accommodates 20 guests, and their newest boat Delfin III can sail with up to 44 guests. Nature-driven itineraries sail the Amazon weekly.
European Waterways has 17 vessels accommodating between 6 and 20 passengers. They offer river and canal itineraries in France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Luxembourg, Scotland, England, and Ireland.
French Country Waterways operates five impeccably maintained barges, hosting between 8 to 18 guests. Their 7-day itineraries include waterways in the Alsace-Lorraine, Burgundy, Champagne, and Upper Loire.
