Traveling by Small Ship: Who Likes It?

If you have ever said, "I'm not a cruise person," you aren't alone. I said the same thing. If you're picturing massive ships with water slides and thousands of passengers, I'd like to introduce you to the intimate world of small ship cruising.

Small Ships, Big Experiences

Imagine waking up in a secluded bay that large ships simply cannot access. Your breakfast is served on a private balcony as you watch dolphins play in waters so close you can hear them. By mid-morning, you're exploring a charming coastal village where locals still wave to arriving ships – because they only see a few each season.

This is the everyday reality of small ship cruising.

Beyond the Reach of Crowds

Traditional cruises dock at major ports alongside other massive ships (each offloading 3,000+ passengers), requiring long waits to disembark. They are so large they have to dock in industrial ports far from local culture.

On the other hand, small ships carrying just 50-200 passengers can dock directly in cozy villages. You step right off the ship with no waiting and slide right into authentic experiences:

• Hidden coves in the Mediterranean too shallow for large ships

• Tiny Greek islands where residents still outnumber visitors

• Remote Alaskan fjords where your only companions are whales and eagles

• Pristine Caribbean beaches accessible only by small tenders

• Secluded African harbors where wildlife roams right up to the shoreline

  
  

The Numbers Tell the Story

	Traditional Cruise Ship	Small Luxury Vessel
Passenger Count	3,000-6,000+	50-200
Passenger-to-Staff Ratio	3:1 or higher	Often 1:1
Time to Disembark	30+ minutes	5 minutes
Fellow Passengers at Port	10,000+ (multiple ships)	Just your shipmates
Distance from Local Culture	Miles (industrial ports)	Steps (village harbors)

Luxury Meets Adventure

Today's small ships offer an experience that's simultaneously more luxurious and more adventurous than their larger counterparts:

• More Personalized: With just 50-200 fellow travelers, crew members learn your name and preferences on day one. The chef remembers your dietary restrictions, and the bartender and barista start preparing your favorite drink when you walk in.

  
  

• More Immersive: Expedition leaders with advanced degrees in marine biology or anthropology guide your journey, offering insights impossible to scale for thousands.

  
  

• More Flexible: Captain spotted a pod of whales? The ship can change course. Weather perfect for an outdoor barbecue? The crew makes it happen. This spontaneity is the magic of small ship travel.

A Day In the Life

Morning: Enjoy a private kayaking excursion directly from the ship's marina platform, paddling alongside sea turtles with an expert naturalist.

Afternoon: Dock in the heart of a sleepy historic town – not at an industrial port miles away – and wander cobblestone streets while large-ship passengers are still waiting for shuttle buses to take them to crowded ports.

Evening: Join new friends for an impromptu wine tasting hosted by the chef, featuring local vintages discovered during today's exploration.

Small Ships, Big Variety

The small ship world offers a lot of diversity:

• Expedition Vessels: Built for adventure with zodiacs, kayaks, and expert guides (even helicopters & submarines)

  
  

• Luxury Yachts: Offering supreme comfort with spacious suites and gourmet dining

• Sailing Ships: Harnessing the romance of wind power with modern amenities

• River Ships: Gliding through the heart of historic Europe, Asia, Africa and South America

Is Small Ship Cruising Right For You?

You'll love small ship cruising if you:

• Value authentic experiences over elaborate productions

• Prefer high-quality, personalized service to endless activity options

• Enjoy connecting with fellow travelers in meaningful ways

• Seek access to off-the-beaten-path destinations not accessible by other means

• Crave exceptional culinary experiences

  
  

My Favorite Small Ship Itineraries

Even if you aren't a cruiser, the fact is, some things are best (and only) seen by cruise. Here are some of my favorites:

• Greek Islands by Yacht: Discover tiny islands where residents still outnumber visitors

• Alaska's Inside Passage: Get close enough to glaciers to hear them crackle and explore remote fjords where your only companions are whales and eagles

• Croatian Coastline: Island-hop along Europe's most stunning shoreline

• Galápagos Expedition: Follow in Darwin's footsteps with naturalist guides

• Norwegian Fjords: Experience the awe and grandeur of towering cliffs, spectacular waterfalls, lush greenery and narrow inlets

• Pristine Caribbean: Enjoy hidden beaches accessible only by small vessels

• French Polynesia by Sailing Ship: Explore the Tahitian islands as they were meant to be seen

• Secluded African harbors: Enjoy wildlife as it roams right up to the shoreline

"Why Didn't I Try This Sooner?"

The most common feedback I hear from clients after their first small ship experience? "Why didn't I try this sooner?"

Beth and Mark from Denver told me: "After years of avoiding cruises, we tried a 112-passenger ship in the Greek Islands. The experience was so different from what we imagined 'cruising' to be. We've now booked our third small ship adventure."

Ready to Discovery the Small Ship Difference?

Small ship cruising combines the convenience of unpacking once with the adventure of truly discovering destinations. No waiting in lines, no fighting crowds, no cookie-cutter experiences.

Contact me to talk about finding your perfect small ship journey.

—Daria Dimitroff, May 2025

---

Contact me to customize your next trip. My specialities are bespoke luxury vacations, group trips, and exclusive cruise experiences.

Booking through me is better than reserving on your own because I’m an expert. I do this every day and have local contacts all over the world. I provide a stress-free experience and save you time. I give you personalized advice. I get you a better value, including perks. I have clout and connections. I customize your trip, and I’m a real human who delivers exceptional service and takes care of you before, during, and after your journey.

Contact me at daria@journeysofalifetime.biz or 415-939-5773 or schedule a call here.