This Is Why a Small Ship Is the Best Way to See Your Dream Destination, According to a Top Travel Advisor

I’ve curated small-ship cruise itineraries for nearly 25 years. I’ve taken trips to some of the most remote places on the planet, including Papua new guineaGreenland, and Antarctica. As a leading travel advisor in the field, I always feel deeply fulfilled when I can help a traveler who thinks they “hate cruising” find the perfect small-ship trip for them. Here’s how to plan and get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Consider What Most Excites You About Travel

Maybe you’re a wildlife lover, a foodie, or want to go all-out and visit 100 countries; small ships can tailor itineraries to your specific goals. Before deciding where you want to go, ask yourself what it is you want to experience on this next adventure.

Do you want to see orangutans in the Southeast Asian island of Borneo? Sip wine atop a Sicilian volcano in Italy? Travel to the remote island of St. Helena off the southwest coast of Africa? Thinking about what appeals to you most is the first step in finding the right small-ship cruise.

What Defines ‘Small’?

Small is very much relative to the destination. In the Galápagos Islandsa small ship will often carry 16 passengers so you can spot wildlife easily. In Antarctica, on the other hand, there’s a 100-passenger limit ashore, making the best ‘small’ ships around 200 people or less. And in some parts of Europe, a 500-passenger ship can split into dozens of groups, offering the most choice for activities.

Finding the Right Destination

Small-ship cruisers are often like-minded, in that they are hoping to gain access to vast experiences, all while staying in the same floating hotel. Adventurous travelers may be drawn to activities like snorkeling in the Seychelles; or visiting a remote community in the Darién Jungle between Panama and Colombia.

Aside from the activities offered, it is worth considering who will also be on the ship. Some itineraries are tailored more toward couples rather than single individuals, or families rather than adults only. An easy way to see who the trip caters to is by reviewing some of the special offers available for the cruise. For example, some ships offer ‘no single supplement’ for the first few dozen solo travelers onboard (which refers to the travel promotion where solo travelers do not have to pay the extra fee typically charged for occupying a room alone). With that, you can clearly see that the trip is solo travel-friendly.

Costs to Expect

This is a bit harder to predict. There are some fantastic small yachts traveling along the coast of Croatia that cost under $2,000 for a week-long cruise, while a similar style cruise in the Arctic could cost four times as much. Consider your budget before selecting a destination and talk to a small-ship travel advisor to get an idea of the region’s typical costs.

Inclusions will vary widely as some destinations allow for more independence on the itinerary. If you are in a remote polar area, you need to have activities and meals provided, whereas if you are cruising along the Italian coast, you will likely be dining at local restaurants or walking a piazza on your own.

Small ships, on average, have more inclusive costs than large ships. It’s common to have meals, activities, gratuities, and even alcoholic beverages included in the package. As a small ship owner once told me: “We want travelers to focus on the experience and not be distracted by little worries, so everything is included.”

Mary Curry is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in small ships and trips to Antarctica. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Curry by contacting her at (email protected).