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 that unveil some of the best places to discover by small ship. We’ll offer suggestions on where to go, which itineraries to choose and what you can expect. Enjoy!
Europe’s Classics
If we’re talking small-ship sailing in Europe, we could go on for hours, sending you scrolling, scrolling, scrolling down as you read about lively Christmas markets, fjord adventures in Norway and leisurely river cruises through Provence. Whatever your interest, whatever your travel style, there’s a small-ship voyage for you here. Today, however, we focus on two of the most classic of European small-ship departures, the Black Sea cruise and the Greek Isle cruise.
Black Sea
A Black Sea small-ship cruise stands out from others on the continent in that, well, the Black Sea is just inherently interesting. It’s an inland sea, connected to the Aegean Sea and Mediterranean through the Bosphorus Strait. It’s much larger than the world’s biggest lakes - 168,500 square miles of surface area and 7,257 feet deep at its deepest. When you sail the Black Sea, you have the opportunity to visit the shores of six different countries: Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.
So, what will you see? Name it. From Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia to Sochi Olympic Park, from the Danube River Delta in Romania to the Ukrainian city of Odessa and its broad boulevards and ornate architecture, there are myriad cultural, historical and natural wonders to be enjoyed. Marvel at the Caucasus and Pontic mountains. See fabulous art and ancient archaeological sites. Visit Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage Site at Nessebar and explore Bucharest. Love animals and marine life? With both fresh and saltwater, the Black Sea can offer you three species of endemic dolphins and porpoises, grey seals and beluga whales.
For anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this culturally and historically rich region of Europe, for those who love nature and national parks and for those who are fascinated by the Ottomans, Goths and Romans, a Black Sea small-ship cruise fits the bill.
Greek Islands
Is there anything more romance-inducing than a cruise through the Greek islands? Unabashedly dazzling with their whitewashed villages, drop-dead gorgeous beaches, ancient ruins and convivial tavernas, the Greek islands are perennially one of Europe’s most sought-after small-ship cruise destinations.
Why? For one thing, it’s much easier to have someone else do the navigating as you island hop. No worrying about ferry timetables and other minutiae - your only job is to sit back and see what enticing isle appears next on the horizon. What’s more, a small ship, as opposed to a mega-ship, will allow you to visit the smaller, quieter islands that are undoubtedly more idyllic and much less crowded.
Your cruise will unveil the ancient history of the islands, their foods, cultural traditions and fascinating archaeological sites. In the Cyclades - about 220 islands and home to Delos, Mykonos and Santorini - you’ll go back in time in the Dodecanese, Rhodes and Crete. In the Saronic Islands - tiny and quaint - you’ll get to know the locals and get a feel for daily life.
If you’d like to go beyond the standard river cruise in Europe, see more than the popular capital cities - which are worth a visit in their own right! - let’s chat about these exceptional European small-ship itineraires. I look forward to learning all about your travel tastes and interests!