Small-Ship Cruises

Azamara Club Cruises offers personal service, luxurious amenities and fine dining

Small-Ship Cruises can offer a unique perspective and a more intimate experience compared to the larger cruise sailings. Because of their smaller size, they can reach ports that the big ships can’t. The term small-ship cruises can mean anything from a private chartered yacht to a cruise-ship with capacity of less than 1000 guests. Some are ultra luxurious, with jackets and ties required for dinner. Some take a different approach to luxury by being elegantly casual but with high standards when it comes to amenities and cuisine.

Some of the most popular small-ship cruises include:

- Azamara Club Cruises – Azamara Club Cruises is one of the newest intimate cruising brands. While they are owned by Royal Caribbean, they are a completely different product. With just two ships – the Azamara Journey and the Azamara Quest – ACC offers a boutique cruising experience for less than 700 guests at a time. Receive a high level of personal service, top-notch cuisine, pampering amenities, and cultural immersion (both onboard and with their shore excursions). Visit the tranquil onboard spa or exercise in the fitness center or try something unique – Acupuncture at Sea. Unlike some of the other smaller ships, Azamara Club Cruises has a casino, multiple bars, loungers and restaurants, and nightly entertainment. For more information, please email me at leila@worldclasstvl.com.

- Compagnie Des Isles Du Ponant – Their mission and motto is “to transport you to mythical destinations and secret ports only accessible to small capacity ships. To offer the delights of a French-inspired cuisine in an intimate environment – a discreet service where no attention to detail is spared – and unforgettable moments of relaxation on board elegant yachts of character.To combine sophistication and conviviality, with priority given to authentic experiences, emotions and the ongoing quest for excellence.” Their fleet of 5 vessels allows for choice. Le Ponant: 32 staterooms, a refined and efficient three-masted sailing yacht. Le Levant: 45 staterooms, a sleek thoroughbred private yacht. Le Diamant: 113 staterooms, get carried away onboard this expedition ship. Entering service in 2010/2011 two new state of the art (and eco-friendly) ships Le Boréal and L’Austral: 132 staterooms and suites vessels offering a range of new itineraries. Unlike with some of the other luxury yacht cruise lines, kids are allowed and kid-friendly activities and menus are available. For more information, please email me at leila@worldclasstvl.com.

- Katarina Line – Katarina Line offers casual cruises in Croatia on a variety of small ships – some are over a hundred years old while some (such as Category A+) are newly built or renovated. All the ships are simple and unpretentious.  There’s only one restaurant, bar and sundeck and less than 50 guests on the Category A+ ships so you will have plenty of time to relax, swim in the beautiful blue sea, socialize with the other guests, and try new restaurants onshore each evening (only breakfast and lunch onboard the ship are included). The Dalmatian Islands cruise is the most popular and is the best way to explore the best of Croatia. While these cruises for everyone, they offer a certain adventure that the others can’t offer. For more information, please email me at leila@worldclasstvl.com.

- Regent Seven Seas Cruises – Regent Seven Seas Cruises offer a luxury all-inclusive product with cruise fares including Free Roundtrip Air (from a selection of cities), Free Ground Transfers, Free Unlimited Shore Excursions, Free Beverages (incl fine wines, premium spirits, specialty coffees and more), and Free 24-hour Room Service. They have an “elegant casual” dress code with more formal nights on longer cruises. Exclusive butler service is available in Penthouse Suites and higher for those wanting the ultimate pampering experience. For more information, please email me at leila@worldclasstvl.com.

- Silversea Cruises – Their website sums it up best: “Silversea Cruises presents sumptuous ocean-view suites and the luxurious freedom of an all-inclusive lifestyle. Distinctive European styling is reflected in every detail, from uncompromising service to exquisite gourmet dining. Intimate spaces and well-travelled, international guests foster a convivial onboard ambiance. And in each fascinating destination, Silversea provides access to exclusive explorations and uniquely enriching cultural connections.”  For more information, please email me at leila@worldclasstvl.com.

- Seadream Yacht Club – Be pampered by SeaDream’s award-winning hospitality and cuisine, on either the SeaDream I or SeaDream II. Only 112 guests, 95 crew and an all-inclusive plan, you can expect the best from their 5-star service. Sailing in the Mediterranean and Europe from April to November, these small yachts can go where big ships can’t. All staterooms are oceanview and are at least 195 square feet. Enjoy award-winning cuisine, a no tipping policy, and a large retractable water sports Marina. For more information, please email me at leila@worldclasstvl.com.

- Star Clippers – Looking for an easy-going, unique way of sailing in the Mediterranean? Consider a cruise on one of the three Star Clippers ships – all tall-masted authentic clipper ships from days gone past. The Royal Clipper has 42 sails and a maximum capacity of only 227 guests. Sister ships, the Star Clipper and Star Flyer, each have a capacity of 170 guests. Onboard life is very relaxing with no schedules or high energy entertainment. Instead participate in crab racing contests, informative daily briefings by your Captain (or visit him in the always open bridge) and participate in watersports from the ships own marina platform. For more information, please email me at leila@worldclasstvl.com.

- Windstar Cruises -Renowned for its “Casual Elegance”, Windstar Cruises is the perfect match for those that want a relaxing, luxurious vacation without pretentiousness. More of a sailing yacht then a cruise ship, with a passenger capacity of 148-308 guests depending on the ship, the three Windstar Cruise vessels offer all outside staterooms, pampering service, and the relaxation that you deserve when on vacation. While there is no suit or ties required, shorts, jeans or t-shirts are not allowed in the dining room at dinner. Complimentary water sports are available in certain ports, and a spa is onboard to relieve your tired muscles. WindSpa Suites are available on the Wind Surf which includes special spa treatments, organic bath amenities and more. For more information, please email me at leila@worldclasstvl.com.

- Yachts of Seabourn – If you want to be pampered from the moment you step onboard and want to visit off-the-beaten ports of call, then the Yachts of Seabourn is an excellent choice for you. The size of the ships is limited to either 208 or 450 extremely lucky guests. All the cabins are oceanview suites, with at least 277 square feet or more. They offer an open-bar policy throughout the ship, gourmet prepared-to-order cuisine, watersports off the yacht’s unique marina, and a no tipping policy. They offer itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe (as well as other parts of the world). For more information, please email me at leila@worldclasstvl.com.