There’s no better time than now to discover the benefits and appeal of small-ship cruising. After all, we’re all trying to lessen the number of times we’re in a large crowd. With typical passenger counts of 300 or less, small-ship and expedition-style cruise vessels keep your exposure low - and have the added bonus of a lower guide-to-passenger ratio and more expert local guides.
The question then becomes: Where should I go? To answer that, we have a series of blog posts coming up that will unveil some of the best places to discover by small ship. Today, we focus on Asia. We’ll offer suggestions on where to go, which itineraries to choose and what you can expect. Enjoy!
Cruising into the Wild
Where can you board a luxury small-ship cruising vessel and later that same week, meet up with Bengal tigers and sloth bears? Asia and in particular the northeast Indian state of Assam. When you sail the Brahmaputra River where India borders Bhutan and Bangladesh, you’ll soon understand why this region of the country is a shining example of Asian ecotourism. UNESCO World Heritage Site Kaziranga National Park plays a significant role in this, thanks to their wildlife conservation efforts.
For anyone seeking the world’s endangered and rare wildlife, this is the cruise you’ll want to take. In addition to the planet’s largest population of Indian Rhinoceros, you’ll hopefully see Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, sloth bears, the endangered South Asian River Dolphin and literally thousands of bird species.
As you sail the Brahmaputra, you’ll also have the opportunity to visit historic palaces, forts and temples and perhaps get to know remote tribes and learn of their centuries-old customs. Hop off the boat for a Kaziranga National Park safari on elephant back, then take a jeep tour to see the green-billed malkoha or blue-throated barbet. Visit the ancient city of Sibsagar, home to the 18th-century Shiva Dol, India’s highest Hindu temple, and step foot on the world’s largest river island, Majuli, the heart of the Assamese culture since the 15th century.
Passing Time in the Philippines
Some of the fondest memories of travel are not the sights you see, but the people you meet. The interactions that make our big, wide world feel instantly smaller. Those moments when you realize we are more alike than we are different. On a Philippines small-ship cruise, you’ll meet some of the 100 million-plus people who call this large island nation home. Covering 120,000 square miles, the country comprises 7,641 islands in three sections: Luzon to the north, Visayas in the center and Mindanao in the south.
Get to know the welcoming Philippines, who are quick to envelop travelers and share with them their rich cultural background with its indigenous Negritos, Polynesian, Asian and Spanish influences. Venture to off-the-beaten-path villages in remote areas of the islands and participate in daily life.
Of course, a Philippines small-ship cruise will satisfy your dreams of tropical paradise as well. With their achingly beautiful and lush landscapes, vast ocean views and karst landscapes, there isn’t a view that isn’t jaw-dropping.
In Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll have the chance to view 300-plus types of coral and 600 fish species. In Hundred Islands National Park, you’ll have your pick of postcard-perfect beaches. And in Coron, you’ll marvel at the breathtaking scenery around Kayangan Lake.
Ready for new places and new faces? Let’s chat about small-ship sailing in Asia. Not a member of my weekly small ship expedition newsletter? Sign up here: