Travel & Leisure Magazine readers have selected their Top 5 Small Ship Cruises, presented in the 2015 World’s Best Awards. Here are the winners!
1. Seabourn
An ultra-luxury line that has maintained a spot in the top 5 for over twenty years, Seabourn travels to a wide range of countries, with ports in every continent. Ships range from 200 to 450 in capacity and they all offer an impressive variety of amenities including spas and fitness centers.
Number one in 2014, Paul Gauguin Cruises offers all inclusive fares on each of it's two ships. Their flagship, the Paul Gauguin, has a maxium capacity of 332, with some suites as large as 588 square feet, including a balcony. They offer youth programs over school holidays, as well as access to a large variety of water sport equipment on board such as kayaks and paddleboards. Specially designed to dock in shallow waters, the Paul Gauguin stops in many South Pacific ports. For a European venture which they also offer, see the beauty of Italy on a cruise from Rome to Venice.
Remaining at number three is Windstar Cruises, famous for their beautiful sailing yachts which hold between 148 and 310 passengers and sail all over the world. Because they don't go the all-inclusive route, they are able to keep costs down, which makes this an excellent option for the more budget conscious. Due to thier yacht sizes, they are able to offer a more unique experience, from the capacity to the ports, which cannot accomodate larger crusie ships. Experience the allure of the Greek Isles with their signature trip.
An all-inclusive luxury cruise line, Regent's smallest ship holds a capacity of 700, making it a bit less of an intimate experience, but they make up for it with stunning suites, all with ocean views, and multiple restaurants with open seating and flexible hours. Their fares include unlimited shore excursions -- a rarity among cruise lines, so if you're considering the price, this is a major perk. Take a Miami to Miami cruise to see what we mean!
Well known for their service and intimate size, Silversea remains in the top five list for their tenth year in a row. They have seven ships total which sail to all seven continents. The three smallest ships hold 132 passengers and travel to the polar regions, the Galapagos, and the Pacific Islands. Soak in the history and the sights on a beatiful cruise from Italy to Barcelona.
