If you've ever been on St. Thomas or in Piraeus on a day when a half-dozen cruise liners are moored at the docks, you already know the central advantage of a smaller vessel: access to uncrowded ports. You also won't have to fight for a spa reservation or bribe the first mate to tour the bridge. The following 12 small ships will transport you to unspoiled shores, from volcanic islands in the Galápagos to the Mediterranean's Turquoise Coast.
Alaska
Juneau to Petersburg
American Safari Cruises' Safari Spirit
The Route This itinerary makes its debut in May, cruising through quiet Auke Bay,
past LeConte Glacier (where hundreds of seal pups are born each year), to the fishing village
of Petersburg.
Highlight Passengers can ferry by sea kayak or tender into the Marble Grotto, a cave
hidden at the end of a bay that American Safari won't even name, for fear that others will
find its secret spot.
The Ship With only six staterooms, you won't have to line up for anything, whether
it's a seat in the dining room or a spot on the couch in the "salon." All rooms have Jacuzzis
as well as showers.
888/862-8881; www.amsafari.com; from $4,995 per person, double; seven-night cruise departs
May 20, 2006.
SEATTLE TO JUNEAU
Lindblad Expeditions' Sea Lion
The Route From Seattle, the Sea Lion journeys to British Columbia's Cormorant
Island in Alert Bay. On the way, passengers explore some of the more remote San Juan Islands
by Zodiac, scanning the sky with binoculars for bald eagles.
Highlight Watching humpback whales feed right off the bow at Point Adolphus.
The Ship What's more important than the amenities on a 32-berth ship? The crew. The
Sea Lion carries five naturalists, some of the most-credentialed experts on the Inside
Passage. You won't find a spa or a pool, but you will find Zodiacs and sea kayaks.
800/397-3348; www.expeditions.com; from $5,390 per person, double; 11-night cruise departs
May 1.
Asia
JAPAN
Cruise West's Spirit of Oceanus
The Route This new itinerary visits towns that were once home to Japan's samurai,
emperors, and lords. Guests who opt for the four-day extension will also stop in Kyoto and
Nara.
Highlight Visting the 17th-century wooden castles of Matsue and Himeji.
The Ship The 60-cabin ship is in port most days. Five tour guides host cocktails and
run sake lessons, tea ceremonies, and Japanese-beer tastings on board.
888/851-8133; www.cruisewest.com; from $5,349 per person, double; 12-night cruise departs
March 8.
Southern Thailand and Malaysia
Star Clippers' Star Flyer
The Route This 85-berth vessel—one of the only ships touring southern Thailand—stops
at the quiet, white-sand beaches of Ko Adang (near the Malaysian border), Ko Lipe, and Ko
Khai Nok.
Highlight The Similan Islands, which have coral reefs and some of the best diving
in Asia.
The Ship This sleek clipper evokes the Grand Age of sailing, with its piano bar and
an Edwardian-style library. Onboard activities include relaxing in the hammock-like bowsprit
net, climbing the masts, and admiring the scenery from the pool.
800/442-0551; starclippers.com; from $1,725 per person, double; seven-night cruise departs
November 19.
Caribbean
British Virgin Islands to Lesser Antilles
Silversea Cruises' Silver Whisper
The Route Fort Lauderdale to Antigua may not sound exciting, but Silversea breaks
away from the pack, visiting the smaller islands of Virgin Gorda, Nevis, and Guadeloupe
along the way.
Highlight Noted archaeologist John C. Morris lectures on deep-sea shipwreck excavations.
The Ship The 382-passenger Silver Whisper is as luxurious as can be, with menus
created by Relais & Châteaux chefs, cut crystal, and an impressive wine list.
At sunrise, you can sip Bellinis (included in the room rate) as the ship draws near lush islands.
877/760-9052; www.silversea.com; from $3,217 per person, double; nine-night cruise departs
January 27.
vieques, culebra, and st. john
Classic Cruises of Newport's Arabella
The Route Passengers on the Arabella get to hike through the tropical forests
of Vieques, plunge into the island's bioluminescent bays, near Esperanza, and snorkel
St. John's spectacular coral reefs.
Highlight Checking out the leatherback turtles, mangroves, and white-sand beaches of
Culebra.
The Ship This 20-cabin, three-masted schooner has compact quarters, but you're not
here to spend time in your stateroom. Instead, join the passengers at the honor bar on the
polished-teak deck for cocktails and evening hors d'oeuvres.
800/395-1343; www.cruisearabella.com; from $2,195 per person, double; six-night cruises
depart March 5 and April 23.
Central America
COSTA RICA
Windstar Cruises' Wind Star
The Route The Wind Star stops at six remote Costa Rican ports, including Drake
Bay. Guests can bird-watch in Curu National Wildlife Refuge, explore the beaches of Manuel
Antonio National Park, and view the rain forest from a zipline in the treetops.
Highlight Scuba-diving lessons with a PADI-certified instructor, for an extra $70
per person.
The Ship This 148-passenger sailing vessel may not be large, but its cabins have flat-screen
TV's; there is also a casino, as well as an open-air water-sports platform, from which passengers
can water-ski, windsurf, kayak, or snorkel. (All activities except diving lessons are included
in the cruise fee.)
800/258-7245; www.windstarcruises.com; from $1,999 per person, double; six-night cruise
departs January 7.
Europe
FRENCH RIVIERA
SeaDream Yacht Club's SeaDream I
The Route This ship calls in two ports that the big ones can't get into: the unpretentious
beach town of Le Lavandou and the rosé wine–producing village of Bandol.
Highlight The captain hosts a poolside cocktail party in St.-Tropez, with champagne
and caviar served from a floating bar.
The Ship This 110-passenger yacht has a teak deck with Balinese sleeping beds. Each
cabin comes with flat-screen TV's with DVD players and Bose stereos; iPods can be borrowed
from the front desk.
800/707-4911; www.seadreamyachtclub.com; from $6,900 per person, double; seven-night cruise
departs June 3.
Turkey's Turquoise Coast, the Greek Isles, and the Adriatic
Yachts of Seabourn's Seabourn Spirit
The Route This trip bypasses the crowded islands of the eastern Mediterranean and
calls instead on ports that are popular with European yachtsmen. Passengers sun on quiet beaches
in Bodrum and visit the oracle of Delphi at Itea.
Highlight An outing to the Mycenaean fortress of Agamemnon at Nauplia.
The Ship Expect all the trappings, from black-tie dinners to dressy cocktail parties.
The 104-cabin ship has a pool, a spa, a gym, a casino, and several dining options, including
a candlelit supper club.
800/929-9391; www.seabourn.com; from $7,894 per person, double; 14-night cruise departs
May 20.
Southern Hemisphere
Argentina to Antarctica
Clipper Cruise Line's Clipper Adventurer
The Route In addition to the usual Antarctic Peninsula run, the Adventurer visits
New Island in the West Falklands, where three types of penguins—rockhopper, gentoo,
and Magellanic—live. The ship also stops at Port Lockroy, an old whaling town sheltered
by mountains.
Highlight Marine biologist and wildlife photographer Rick Price shows guests the best
way to capture animals on film, and field biologist Tony Door lectures on seals and penguins.
The Ship This 122-passenger expedition vessel has a fleet of Zodiacs and an
observation platform from which animal lovers can view wildlife up close.
800/325-0010; www.clippercruise.com; from $6,560 per person, double; 15-night cruise departs
November 20.
galápagos islands
Abercrombie & Kent's Eclipse
The Route This archipelago has 29 species of land birds, 22 of which are not found
anywhere else in the world. The best Galápagos itineraries take you to tucked-away
spots where you can view the wildlife in its natural habitat. The Eclipse does just
that, varying its routes to follow the animals.
Highlight A visit to volcanic Tower Island—home to red- and blue-footed boobies.
The Ship The 48-passenger ship sails with a fleet of pangas (inflatable, hard-bottomed
boats), four naturalist guides, snorkeling gear, and wet suits.
800/554-7016; www.abercrombiekent.com; from $4,385 per person, double; 10-night cruise
departs November 10.
tasmania, Antarctica, and new zealand
Quark Expeditions' Kapitan Khlebnikov
The Route The Wonders of the Ross Sea trip takes you to the South Pole,
calling at remote ports such as Macquarie Island and Cape Evans. Highlight
A helicopter excursion from the ship to a rookery of royal penguins.
The Ship There's an indoor pool, a gym, a sauna, and a library on this 54-cabin
ship. But what really sets it apart is its icebreaker hull, which cuts through frozen seas
and enables the ship to reach otherwise inaccessible parts of Antarctica.
800/356-5699; www.quarkexpeditions.com; from $19,595 per person, double; 24-night cruise
departs December 28.
sherri eisenberg last wrote about cruises for T+L's February 2005 issue.
