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Small Ship Cruises

Think a cruise means thousands of passengers and a floating resort? Think again. Cruise ships range from intimate vessels carrying just 50 guests to giants carrying over 6,000 - and small ship cruising sits firmly at the intimate end of that spectrum. There is no single fixed definition of "small ship", but generally it means a ship capacity under 1,300 passengers.

Luxury ocean, luxury river, expedition and yacht style cruises all fall under the small ship cruising umbrella. Each delivers a fundamentally different cruise holiday, but all share the same intimate scale.

Smaller ships can reach places larger vessels simply can't - navigating narrower waterways, docking at smaller ports, and getting closer to the heart of your destination. The result is a more immersive experience, with your itinerary and onboard atmosphere geared entirely around the places you're visiting, not the ship itself.

Curious whether small ship cruising is right for you? Explore our offers below and if you see something you like, call a connoisseur on (888)-942-8057.

Here's a selection of our top small ship deals

What sort of small ship cruises are available?

As we've explored, every cruise offered by Panache Cruises qualifies as small ship cruising — which means the world really is your oyster. Whether you're drawn to Elite Ocean, Luxury River, Expedition or Yacht-Style cruising, each offers its own distinct way to explore the globe in comfort and style.

Ocean

Luxury ocean cruises are the epitome of luxury small ship cruising. Expect impeccable service, Michelin-quality dining with multiple included specialty restaurants, and menus shaped by fresh, local ingredients alongside global cuisine. As the largest of our small ships, they offer more entertainment - think onboard auditoriums, expert lectures, libraries and stylish bars - plus larger spa, wellness and fitness facilities. Shore excursions are expertly curated, with culture or active options letting you personalise each stop. Despite their size, these ships still reach smaller ports and the heart of each destination, with extended stays and overnights revealing more unusual, exciting itineraries.

River

Luxury river cruises offer a completely different perspective on small ship cruising — sailing along historic waterways, right into the heart of the towns and cities on your itinerary. It's an immersive way to explore culture, history, architecture and artisan traditions up close. From the Mediterranean to Asia and Africa, river cruises reveal extraordinary sights: Mekong waterfalls, the Pyramids of Giza from the Nile, fine wines along the Douro, the Normandy beaches, or the temples of Myanmar. Add game drives or land programmes for an even richer experience. Sailing on smaller ships than ocean cruising, river cruises create a warmer, more intimate atmosphere.

Yacht Style

Yacht style cruises deliver style and substance in equal measure. As the smallest of our small ship cruising options - often carrying fewer than 100 guests - these yachts offer an atmosphere that's elegant yet relaxed, with staff numbers frequently outweighing guests. Expect extreme luxury, fine dining and, in most cases, a fully all-inclusive experience, whether you're exploring glamorous ports or remote, hidden destinations. Itineraries are expertly crafted, with excursions designed to showcase the very best of each region. Few small ship cruising options carry more cachet.

Expedition

Expedition Cruises open up a world of adventure - remote landscapes, extraordinary wildlife and cultures far off the beaten path. It's small ship cruising at its most immersive, offering hands-on access to environments and species that larger ships simply can't reach. Expedition ships carry Zodiacs, allowing small groups to explore otherwise inaccessible waters and shorelines. Onboard, expert Expedition Teams lead lectures and discussions, while discovery or science centres add further educational depth throughout your journey. Yet expedition cruising never compromises on comfort or style.

Small Ship FAQs

We’re here to answer all of your questions about luxuy cruising and why we at Panache Cruises think you should go on a luxury cruise. From dress codes to shore excursions and everything in between, keep reading to find the answers to everyone’s most-asked questions about cruising with luxury cruising.

Will I feel confined on a small ship cruise?

Whilst these ships are indeed smaller than the mega ships of the mainstream cruise lines, it is worth remembering that they are still sizeable vessels, even the smaller ones carrying fewer than 100 passengers. The nature of this type of luxurious small ship cruising also means that there is an excellent guest to space ration meaning you will not feel claustrophobic in any parts. Furthermore, with fewer people on board, the ship will never feel crowded.

Is small ship cruising expensive?

The type of small ship cruises we offer at Panache Cruises is indeed a luxury proposition and the prices reflect this. However, they also reflect the number of inclusions you receive, the exceptional service, and the fact that you will be travelling on the best ships in the world to the most fantastic destinations, with the opportunity to really experience the places you visit.

What kind of cruise can I take on a smaller ship?

If you read above, you will find that the main options are quite comprehensive and cover; elite ocean cruising, luxury river cruising, expedition cruising and yacht-style cruising. All of the cruises offered by Panache Cruises could be categorised within small ship cruising so speak to us as the experts.

Can I go on small ship cruises solo?

Yes, we would highly recommend small ship cruises for solo travellers. Whilst there may not be a huge number of events geared specifically to your demographic, that will not matter as much because fundamentally you will be on board with like-minded fellow travellers. Furthermore, the fact that there are fewer guests on board means there is more of a community where you are likely to make good friends with other passengers, so small ship cruises are great places to meet new people.

Where can I travel on small ship cruises?

You will find that the world is on offer when it comes to small ship cruises. As there are so many options available, you are able to travel wherever you want to in one way or another.

What level of service can I expect on small ship cruises?

That depends on the cruise line and the type of cruise you opt for but at Panache Cruises, we only work with luxury partners in order that we can ensure our guests receive the standard of care they would expect.

Are the cabins tiny on small ship cruises?

At Panache Cruises, we only work with the cruise lines who offer the very best cruises in the industry and as such, you will not find a poor-quality offering. Of course, on some of the very small yachts, some of the suites cannot possibly be as large as on the bigger elite ocean ships but they are carefully designed to maximise the space and offer plenty of room to ensure an indulgent holiday.

What facilities can I expect on small ship cruises?

This will of course depend not only on quite how small the ship is, but also on the cruise line and the type of cruise you are heading on. The majority of the small ships featured by Panache Cruises, however, tend to have facilities which include spa and wellness, fitness, several dining venues, entertainment areas, libraries/other spaces in which to engage and learn. Some of the ships even include submarines and helicopters but don’t expect these on all ships!