Small ship cruising has always appealed to travellers who prefer intimate vessels and personalised service over flashy mega-ships. With passenger capacities often in the low hundreds, these yachts, expedition vessels and boutique cruisers can reach tucked‑away harbours and narrow fjords while offering the kind of attentive service and fine dining that discerning guests expect. The coming year promises an array of new itineraries and ships that widen the scope for affluent travellers seeking unique journeys on the water.
French line Ponant is leading the pack with voyages that showcase the advantages of small ships. In addition to including a complimentary excursion on every cruise, Ponant’s 2025‑26 schedule features intimate seven‑night sailings around Corsica. Departing round‑trip from Nice, Le Ponant and her sisters call at Ajaccio, Bonifacio, Bastia and Cap Corse, places too small for mainstream ships. The line’s focus on culture and scenery means that guests might hike in the Cap Corse nature reserve in the morning and enjoy a concert in a Genoese citadel at night. Ponant has also expanded beyond the Mediterranean; its expedition ship Le Soléal will sail from Darwin to Indonesia’s Raja Ampat islands, giving adventurers a warm‑water alternative to polar cruising.
Other small‑ship operators are also charting courses to ports rarely seen on cruise itineraries. Oceania Cruises’ Northern Europe routes call at the Estonian island of Saaremaa, Finland’s Kotka and Poland’s Szczecin and Gdańsk, as well as Sweden’s naval city of Karlskrona. These calls highlight the ability of 1,200‑guest ships like Nautica and Sirena to navigate shallow channels and dock in town centers, giving passengers more time ashore. Hapag‑Lloyd Cruises, known for its upmarket German‑style hospitality, takes its 500‑guest Hanseatic Spirit into North America’s Great Lakes. Scenic cruising through Lakes Erie, Huron and Superior allows guests to experience autumn foliage and small towns without the crowds.
In the Caribbean and South Pacific, small‑ship operators offer intimate alternatives to resort vacations. SeaDream Yacht Club’s 112‑guest twin yachts spend winters sailing the Bahamas and Caribbean, anchoring off islands such as Eleuthera, Long Island and Great Exuma that cannot accommodate larger ships. Paul Gauguin Cruises’ eponymous 330‑guest vessel immerses travelers in French Polynesia with itineraries through the Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society Islands. Nights spent anchored off Bora Bora or the waterfall‑rich island of Fatu Hiva are complemented by lectures from Polynesian cultural ambassadors and snorkeling excursions with marine biologists.
For 2026, Windstar Cruises will unveil the Star Seeker, a 224‑passenger ship with an ice‑strengthened hull and a suite configuration designed for scenic cruising. Infinity Suites feature floor‑to‑ceiling windows and private balconies, and the design allows the vessel to sail into smaller ports like Wrangell and Haines in Alaska. Its 7‑ and 8‑night “Scenic Alaska” and 10‑ and 12‑night “Alaskan Splendors” itineraries include Signature Expeditions by kayak and zodiac and can be paired with land tours to Denali National Park. The ship will also sail repositioning voyages across the Pacific, offering new transoceanic options for small‑ship enthusiasts.
Onboard experiences also differentiate these voyages from those on larger ships. While big vessels may have a dozen restaurants and Broadway‑style shows, small ships offer culinary programs focused on regional ingredients, open‑bridge policies that let guests learn from the captain and lectures by historians, chefs and naturalists. The crew‑to‑guest ratio is often close to one‑to‑one, creating a yacht‑like atmosphere. Because there are fewer passengers, logistics such as disembarking by zodiac or dining ashore at a family‑run estate are seamless, leaving more time for exploration and relaxation.
Expert Insight: Small‑ship cruising is no longer a niche but a rapidly expanding segment that rewards early adopters. Lines like Ponant, Oceania, Hapag‑Lloyd, SeaDream, Paul Gauguin and Windstar are investing in new ships and itineraries that open up everything from Corsican citadels to Indonesian reefs. For affluent travelers who value authenticity and access over amusement parks at sea, these vessels offer unmatched opportunities to explore lesser‑known corners of the world in style. With limited capacity and high demand, the most interesting voyages for 2026 will sell out quickly—book soon to secure a place aboard and experience the big adventures that only small ships can deliver.
