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Small Luxury Cruises & Cruise Lines

Small Luxury Cruises

Luxury cruises come in many different sizes, styles and packages. The world’s top luxury cruise lines have diverse ways of defining luxury at sea. It ranges from superyacht-style ships to upscale river-going boats and intimate expedition-built vessels.

What sets them apart from mainstream cruise lines are the breadth of inclusions and bespoke services. In the world of luxury cruising, small luxury cruises are gaining traction. These are ideal for travellers wanting more intimate and immersive cruise experiences. 

In this blog, we’ll dive deep into small luxury cruises. Discover which small luxury cruise lines are best suited to meet your needs. 

What are Small Luxury Cruises?

What are Small Luxury Cruises?

Small luxury cruises usually have destination-immersive itineraries, intimate atmospheres and personalised service. Most luxury cruises offer a dazzling breadth of choice for travellers. Meanwhile, luxury small ship cruises are big on exclusivity and experience. 

They veer away from the big-ship extravaganza. Large ships feature many dining choices, spacious theatres and atriums, and a wide range of amenities. Instead, small ships typically carry fewer than 1,300 passengers. With significantly higher crew-to-guest ratios, it feels more relaxed, inviting and uncrowded.  

A smaller ship also means access to smaller, more secluded ports that mega ships cannot reach. Curated port-intensive itineraries offer more in-depth exploration, extended stays and specialised experiences.

SMALL LUXURY SHIPS VS. MAINSTREAM MEGA SHIPS

 

. Small Luxury Ships Mainstream Mega Ships
Average Guest Capacity Fewer than 1,300 guests Over 3,500 guests
Destinations & Itineraries Offers access to smaller ports, shallow harbours and remote destinations Sails to popular classic cruise regions
Onboard Ambience Refined, exclusive and quiet atmosphere like a boutique hotel Action-packed, high-energy and big-resort-style atmosphere
Average Staff to Guest Ratio 1:1 to 1:1.5 2:5 to 3:2
Service Hyper-personalised service High efficiency service
Gratuities Included Included
Entertainment & Activities Focuses on intimate experiences like tranquil wellness spaces and sophisticated evening entertainment Features deck-defying attractions like massive waterparks and large-scale production shows

 

Best Small Luxury Cruise Lines

1. Silversea – Best for Destination-Immersive Voyages

Silversea expedition in Antarctica
Silver Moon Panorama
Silver Nova Dusk Bar
S.A.L.T Restaurant Cuisine

Designed for discovery, Silversea has built a reputation for bold, off-the-beaten-path adventures. From pole to pole, this luxury cruise line ventures to over 900 destinations. Its innovative fleet has 8 classic ships and 4 expedition vessels. Each floating sanctuary inspires guests to discover new horizons.

Classic itineraries explore renowned cruise regions, such as the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Asia and Alaska. Meanwhile, the expedition voyages take guests to the furthest boundaries of the world. Experience bucket-list destinations like the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica and remote Pacific islands. These purpose-built vessels can carry no more than 300 guests.

Silversea has an extensive excursion portfolio. Typically, shore excursion credit is an added benefit, depending on the fare type. All expedition voyages include shore excursions as part of the experience. The best part? Dedicated butlers come as standard across all suite categories. Enjoy personalised care as you navigate the world’s most exquisite locations.

2. Regent Seven Seas – Best for All-inclusive Value

Regent Shore Excursion
Personalised butler
Galileo Bar on Seven Seas Prestige
Speciality Dining Azure on Seven Seas Prestige

Regent Seven Seas positions itself as the most all-inclusive cruise line at sea. They best align with travellers seeking a range of core inclusions and premium perks.

The defining feature that makes Regent stand out is the included shore excursions. Choose from over 3,800 “complementary” excursions across 550+ ports of call. These inclusions are standard for Regent voyages:

  • A range of shore excursions

  • Unlimited gourmet speciality dining

  • Premium beverages

  • Unlimited Wi-Fi

  • Pre-paid gratuities

  • Valet laundry service

Most of our bespoke Regent luxury packages include return flights and free transfers. Select offers also bundle exclusive land tours and savings. Take your small luxury cruise to the next level.

Regent is perfect for travellers who prefer multiple dining choices and culinary experiences. You also get to explore the ports through escorted tours with pre-planned itineraries. Want every detail of your journey taken care of in advance? Regent is truly an exceptional choice amongst all the small luxury cruise lines. 

3. Explora Journeys – Best for Sensory-Focused Indulgence

Pool Area
Owners Residence
Ocean Wellness
Running Track

Explora Journeys is a relative newcomer, making its mark in the world of small luxury cruises. This next-generation cruise line redefines ocean travel. It blends European elegance with a modern luxury ambience and holistic wellness-focused approach.

They set aside the standard formalities found on traditional luxury cruises. No main dining rooms, formal evenings or dress codes. Instead, they have pioneered the concept of modern luxury at sea. This lifestyle-driven cruise line especially appeals to the younger, affluent demographic.  

The brand-signature ‘Ocean Wellness’ philosophy is central to the Explora experience. Its bespoke ocean-inspired offerings are anchored on five key pillars:

  • Energy

  • Sleep

  • Relaxation

  • Mindfulness

  • Immunity

Stay active in the cutting-edge fitness centre. Take advantage of the state-of-the-art Sports Court and panoramic running track. Or pamper yourself with a soothing spa and beauty treatments. Discover a range of wellness programmes to help you feel renewed.

Destination-focused itineraries have some options too. Enjoy late night departures or extended stays to explore and discover. This way, guests can immerse deeper and linger longer. Experience the height of elegance on a luxury Mediterranean cruise. This offers access to less-travelled ports, longer stays and unhurried exploration.

After action-packed days on shore, a serene retreat awaits in your ocean-front suite. Each sanctuary boasts an abundance of space, home-like comforts and sweeping ocean views. From sea to shore, Explora curates every journey with deep rejuvenation in mind.

4. Oceania Cruises – Best for Fine Dining Experience

Culinary Centre
Oceania Grand Dining Room
Polo Grill
Toscana

Food is at the heart of every Oceania Cruises journey. Among the small luxury cruise lines, this ocean liner is proud to deliver ‘The Finest Cuisine at Sea’.

This culinary-focused line sets the standard with a remarkable 1:8 chef-to-guest ratio. Inspired by former culinary director, Chef Jacques Pépi, their gastronomic scene is truly one-of-a-kind. 

Alongside the Grand Dining Room, guests can enjoy complimentary speciality restaurants. There's a choice of 2 to 4 depending on the ship. These signature dining venues make the exquisite line-up:

  • Polo Grill – a premier steakhouse with a full 28-day dry-aged beef and freshly-sourced Maine lobsters

  • Red Ginger – known for its Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine

  • Toscana – offers tantalising Tuscan-inspired meals in a refined dining setting

  • Jacques – a brand-signature French restaurant named after French Master Chef Jacques Pépi 

Beyond the legendary dining, Oceania enhances the culinary adventure with immersive mixology experiences. Enriching culinary discovery tours and an expert-led culinary centre also complete the experience. Delivering exceptional gourmet dining is a high priority onboard Oceania. Hence, this sumptuous slate of culinary choices is a recipe for epicurean excellence!

5. Emerald Cruises – Best for Luxury River Cruise

Mekong River
Sun & Pool Deck
Horizon Bar and Lounge
Emerald Harmony's Owners One-Bed Suite

Discover the pinnacle of luxury river cruising with Emerald Cruises. The cruise line explores the world’s most spectacular rivers and coastlines.

Its Star-Ships fleet is for scenic river journeys into the heart of Europe and Southeast Asia. Their river-going ships offer an exceptional sense of space and intimacy. They seamlessly blend bold innovations with bespoke design and contemporary comforts. 

At LoveitBookit, we partner with Emerald to offer tailor-made Mekong River cruises. Designed especially for the Mekong, Emerald Harmony can dock in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. The sophisticated ship offers a more immersive way to explore this extraordinary region.

Every moment onboard is as enriching as the experiences that await ashore. Indulge in the stylish Sun & Pool Deck and rejuvenating Wellness Area. Savour Asian-inspired dining and relax in the spacious suites and staterooms. The impeccable service throughout elevates every step of the journey. 

Emerald invites you to a world of bold and scenic exploration. From intimate river-cruising ships to innovative ocean-going luxury yachts, discover unrivalled indulgence and ultimate relaxation.

Discover our full range of luxury cruise packages today.

LoveitBookit work closely with small luxury cruise lines to create out-of-this-world cruise escapes and memorable experiences for our customers. Our Cruise Specialists are here to help tailor-make your dream adventure, and are just a phone call away on 0203 936 1093...

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