Small Ship Cruises

Small cruise ships are perfect for those who long to explore the world by sea but baulk at the thought of bustling atriums, buffet queues and booming nightclubs. If you’d rather head off the beaten track and discover less-visited hidden gems rather than the congested overcrowded ports frequented on a daily basis by larger cruise ships, then a luxury cruise on a small ship could be just what you’re looking for.

Small ships cruises are all about personalised service, a cosy atmosphere and itineraries which focus on discovering new destinations rather than flashy facilities. Whilst you may not have climbing walls, zip wires and trampoline parks on-board your small ship, you will be able to enjoy gourmet meals, free-flowing wine and excellent enrichment programmes.

Small cruise ships sailing from the UK

There are plenty of small ships across luxury cruise fleets, including Silversea and Seabourn. Many of these also depart from the UK, meaning they are a great choice for cruisers looking for their next getaway. Take a look at our luxury cruises from the UK for a chance to set sail on your next incredible holiday.

See all cruises from the UK

How many passengers are on each small ship?

On this page, we’ve listed luxury cruises on ships which have fewer than 500 passengers. The world’s largest ships have more than 5000 passengers, making these ships with less than 500 seem tiny by comparison. Within the small ship category, you’ll find that some ships are much smaller than others, with luxury yacht Crystal Esprit accommodating just 62 passengers.

Small luxury cruise ships

These small luxury cruise ships each have fewer than 500 passengers:

Crystal Cruises – Crystal Esprit
Regent Seven Seas Cruises – Seven Seas Navigator
Seabourn – Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Odyssey
Scenic – Scenic Eclipse, Scenic Eclipse II
Silversea - Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, Silver Wind

Where can you sail on a small ship cruise?

One advantage of smaller cruise ships is that due to their size, they are able to slip into some of the most remote ports of call. On-board the world's best small luxury cruise ships, you can expect to experience some of the world’s most remote islands, hidden harbours and secluded coves. You’ll have access to many of the more elite destinations too, including the treasures of the Mediterranean, Asia and elsewhere, offering you the chance to delve into fascinating cultures or simply enjoy the spectacular unspoiled scenery. Alternatively, small ship cruises from Southampton offer a convenient way to start your luxury cruise holiday.

Expedition cruises

Many small cruise ships are expedition ships, with reinforced hulls to slice through ice and the ability to sail close to shore and dock in the smallest of ports. The aim of expedition cruising is to head off the beaten track and experience the culture, landscape and wildlife of rarely-explored regions. Destinations include the Galapagos, Australia, the South Pacific, the Arctic and the Antarctic. If you’d like to embark on the voyage of a lifetime, discovering some of the planet’s most remote destinations, take a look at our selection of expedition cruises.

Expedition ships

Luxury expedition cruises are available on the following ships:

Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Xpedition, Celebrity Xploration
Crystal Cruises – Crystal Endeavor
Seabourn – Seabourn Venture
Silversea – Silver Galapagos, Silver Explorer, Silver Cloud, Silver Origin

Browse expedition cruises

River cruises

River cruising is another great option for anyone looking for a small-ship experience. River cruise ships have to be small to be able to fit under bridges and through locks. With destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa and the USA, perhaps a luxury river cruise could be ideal for your next trip? Our sister company, rivervoyages.com specialises in river cruising and offers sailings with luxury river cruise lines including Scenic, Tauck, Uniworld and Crystal River Cruises.

See luxury river cruises

Small ship cruises in 2020, 2021 & 2022

When it comes to small, luxury cruises, we are the experts. No matter where you want to go in the world, we will help create the perfect holiday, tailor-made for you. So, call your personal expert Cruise Concierge on 0808 274 9579 today, and secure your ideal small ship cruise escape.