Luxury cruise lines are redefining what it means to travel by sea, offering smaller ships, refined service, and all-inclusive perks that contrast with the traditional cruise ship experience. From more space to elevated service, travelers are increasingly “switching lanes” in the cruise market. But what makes small-ship luxury cruises so different than the standard big-ship cruise? We chatted with luxury cruise expert Aldo Macchiavello, Delfin Amazon Cruises, and Amber McIntosh, The Boat Company Explorations, to learn more about why more travelers are choosing small-ship luxury cruises.
The changing landscape of luxury cruising
“With destinations like Barcelona and Venice pushing back on overtourism, travelers are becoming more aware of the impact their holidays have on destinations and ports, especially when cruises bring visitors in such high volumes. The desire to cruise remains, but there’s growing interest in smaller vessels, where the environmental footprint is lower, and traveler impact can even be positive when partnering with the right operators,” says Macchiavello.
For McIntosh, the changing landscape of luxury cruising is almost like the contrast between old money luxury and new money luxury. “The new luxury ships are gorgeous and keep adding spas, salons, restaurants, but it is all designed to keep you on the ship,” she says. “The more “Quiet Luxury” ships are not mass marketed and are smaller, intimate, and have access to private experiences. I see a recent burst in private yacht experiences all over the world. The new luxury ships are beautiful, but traveling with 500 other people is not.”
Overall, access is what sets luxury small-ship cruises apart from the rest. “Travelers can see what most people won’t ever get to,” says McIntosh. “Think lesser-visited ports, private tours, more access to wildlife. Plus, they will save time on your vacation. They will not be waiting in lines or waiting for tenders. This will allow for more exploring.”
Intimate and personal experiences
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Small ship luxury cruising offers a more intimate trip. With these types of voyages, you get to know your fellow passengers and, many times, even create relationships with them. I took a trip to the Galapagos with a company much like ours, and there were only 12 people on the boat. We still keep in touch with some of the passengers to this day,” says McIntosh.
“Whether chatting on skiffs during excursions or choosing to dine together on board, guests cruising on a smaller scale form genuine relationships,” shares Macchiavello. “The same is true with our staff. With a crew of 36, guests see the same friendly faces each day—from the bartender and waitstaff to the cruise director and naturalists, which fosters familiar, meaningful connections.”
Access to unique destinations & refined onboard amenities
For many, one of the key appeals of small-ship cruising is access to less-visited ports and remote destinations like areas of the Peruvian Amazon or Alaska. Per Macchiavello, many small-ship luxury cruisers value a deep immersion in nature and opportunities to explore local communities and learn about their distinctive way of life. The smaller passenger count also allows for more intimate, refined onboard amenities like opportunities to connect with local chefs and engage directly and meaningfully with local culture.
Small-ship luxury cruise lines such as The Boat Company offer an immersive experience, taking care of everything so guests don’t have to. This refines the experience for travelers in a way that big-ship cruise lines cannot deliver. Our locals are the wildlife, flora, and fauna. For example, our crew packs hot chocolate and cookies to serve on the skiffs when viewing the glaciers up close, on longer hikes, or the chef packs gourmet brown bag lunches (that are transported there by our crew). If you have to do a wet exit while wearing your rubber boots, the crew will keep up with them, so you don’t have to carry them on the hike,” McIntosh shares.
On-board experiences and culinary experiences at sea also attract travelers to small-ship luxury cruises. For example, guests can discover new flavors, learn how to pronounce unfamiliar ingredients, and experience the adventure of the Amazon through every meal with small cruises through Delfin Amazon Cruises. Little things like these set small luxury cruises apart from the mass players in the industry.
Sustainability and responsible travel
McIntosh says today’s luxury is quiet and not wasteful. With this in mind, travelers are focused on the ability to enjoy and protect wild places as a premium experience. Many small luxury cruises, such as those via The Boat Company, practice important sustainability measures, such as a zero-plastic policy on board.
“Our guests are supplied with stainless steel water bottles to refill with our reverse-osmosis filtered water. If the food portions are too large, guests can request half-portions or different meals to reduce food waste. We have glass crushers on board that crush all glass to sand. We plan routes and speeds for lower fuel burn,” McIntosh shares.