Small Ship & Expedition Cruises Colombia Tours & Trip...

Small Ship & Expedition Cruises Colombia Tours & Trips

1,554 Small Ship & Expedition Cruises trips. Tours from 272 tour companies. 3,622 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

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Colombia
17 Day Off the Map Colombia
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By BnB Colombia Tours
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
4.9/5 Excellent
61 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Bogota, Cartagena, Casanare, Cerro Azul, La Candelaria, Los Llanos, Monserrate, Tayrona Park

Highlights

  • Monserrate, La Candelaria and The Bogotá Gold Museum
  • Gate of Orion and The Red River or The Black Lagoon
  • Cerro Azul
  • The Pink Dolphins of the Nare Lagoon
  • Nuevo Tolima
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Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats, Small Ship Cruise, Photography

What travelers are saying

"My husband and I have just returned from our 3-week honeymoon in Colombia organised by Bruce and Paula and the wider team at BnB Columbia. It was truly the best holiday/ travel of our lives. We loved it so much that we consider moving there once we learn more Spanish! We had a magical experience thanks to BnB Columbia, who have organised a terrific itinerary for us and provided full support from start to finish. Paula was our main point of contact/ organiser and she was a TOP STAR!!! She was the most  kind, helpful, professional and flexible person , from the start of our initial discussions until the very end. She has always been very switched on/ hands-on, listened to us and to our ideas, gave us open and direct advice (regarding flights, accommodation, restaurants, activities- literally everything).  She even saved me when I got food poisoning from a sandwich and got medicine delivered to me super quickly. She is definitely someone you can trust and I would highly recommend her (and the whole agency) to organise your trip. We are incredibly happy to have gone to Colombia through BnB agency. They organised a proper personalised itinerary for us to match our interests. Without BnB Colombia, we wouldn't have been able to do some of the fun/ different type of activities which they were able to organise using their large network of tour guides. They can really offer any activity from A to Z.  Their tour guides were also top-notch. Especially Alejandro in Medellin. The best tour guide we have ever experienced. Some of the activities we did included a salsa class, a boat party with Colombian dance performance, as well as an indigenous village visit. All of these activities were top quality delivered with top service. We also thought that BnB Colombia offered a very good value for your money compared to some UK agencies which (in my personal view) were a bit of rip off for what they offered. If you are thinking of going through an agency, dont go with a UK agency, definitely go with BnB Colombia. BnB Colombia also made us feel I like a family. We felt like they really cared about us and that we had the best time ever. They were so engaged with us, so supportive. We felt safe at all times, no safety issues at all. They organised the transport everywhere which was always on time (this made me feel bad actually as we were always running late which was embarrassing). The drivers were super patient with us. Paula always texted us the night before about the plan for next day. We didn't have to worry about ANYTHING. Honestly, the only shortcoming of this agency is that I am not sure they cover other countries, otherwise we would 100% book with them again! Michaela & Jonathan"

Trip dates & details
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Health Safety

Generous cancellation

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10-Day Breathtaking Barichara & The Carribean
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By BnB Colombia Tours
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
4.9/5 Excellent
61 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Cartagena, Santa Marta, Tayrona Park, The Lost City of Taironaka

Highlights

  • Bucaramanga to Barichara w. Chicamocha National Park and Cable Car
  • Barichara to Guane Hike & Gastronomical Tour
  • Minca - fresh mountain air!
  • Cabo San Juan in Tayrona Park
  • The Lost City of Taironaka
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Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats, Small Ship Cruise, Photography

What travelers are saying

"My husband and I have just returned from our 3-week honeymoon in Colombia organised by Bruce and Paula and the wider team at BnB Columbia. It was truly the best holiday/ travel of our lives. We loved it so much that we consider moving there once we learn more Spanish! We had a magical experience thanks to BnB Columbia, who have organised a terrific itinerary for us and provided full support from start to finish. Paula was our main point of contact/ organiser and she was a TOP STAR!!! She was the most  kind, helpful, professional and flexible person , from the start of our initial discussions until the very end. She has always been very switched on/ hands-on, listened to us and to our ideas, gave us open and direct advice (regarding flights, accommodation, restaurants, activities- literally everything).  She even saved me when I got food poisoning from a sandwich and got medicine delivered to me super quickly. She is definitely someone you can trust and I would highly recommend her (and the whole agency) to organise your trip. We are incredibly happy to have gone to Colombia through BnB agency. They organised a proper personalised itinerary for us to match our interests. Without BnB Colombia, we wouldn't have been able to do some of the fun/ different type of activities which they were able to organise using their large network of tour guides. They can really offer any activity from A to Z.  Their tour guides were also top-notch. Especially Alejandro in Medellin. The best tour guide we have ever experienced. Some of the activities we did included a salsa class, a boat party with Colombian dance performance, as well as an indigenous village visit. All of these activities were top quality delivered with top service. We also thought that BnB Colombia offered a very good value for your money compared to some UK agencies which (in my personal view) were a bit of rip off for what they offered. If you are thinking of going through an agency, dont go with a UK agency, definitely go with BnB Colombia. BnB Colombia also made us feel I like a family. We felt like they really cared about us and that we had the best time ever. They were so engaged with us, so supportive. We felt safe at all times, no safety issues at all. They organised the transport everywhere which was always on time (this made me feel bad actually as we were always running late which was embarrassing). The drivers were super patient with us. Paula always texted us the night before about the plan for next day. We didn't have to worry about ANYTHING. Honestly, the only shortcoming of this agency is that I am not sure they cover other countries, otherwise we would 100% book with them again! Michaela & Jonathan"

Trip dates & details
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Health Safety

Generous cancellation

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Highlights of Colombia, Ecuador & Galapagos
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Bogota, Cartagena, Galapagos, Isabela Island, Quito

Highlights

  • Visit the wildlife prolific Galapagos Islands.
  • Stay in a traditional Finca in the coffee growing region, explore the region and try your hand at some coffee production.
  • Enjoy the historical centre of Bogotá.
  • Explore the fortified city of Cartagena.

Themes

Hiking & Walking, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"It's hard to describe how lucky we are to have been able to work with Stephanie in planning our honeymoon to Japan. From the very beginning, Stephanie was friendly, flexible, and an absolute wealth of knowledge. We had several meetings with her leading up to our trip to come up with the perfect itinerary. Throughout this, Stephanie was mindful of our budget, without sacrificing anything. During our trip, Audley was available at all hours to help with anything and everything which was such a relief to know we had that resource available to us. I truly cannot imagine having planned this trip without all of Stephanie's guidance and knowledge- and cannot imagine taking another big trip like this without the help of Audley. Thank you again!"

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10 Night Accessible Western Mediterranean Escorted Group Cruise
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4/5 Great
2 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cartagena, Colosseum, Florence, Naples, Rome

Highlights

  • Explore Cartagena
  • Enjoy a memorable stroll through Dalt Vila
  • Experience a private Ibizan Herb workshop with a master alchemist.
  • Visit and explore the city of Palma, the largest city of Mallorca and the capital of the Balearic Islands.
  • Visit other Provence highlights including the 17th century Town Hall
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"We booked a family trip. I worked with two agents at Sage. They wanted to make sure the trip was without any issues due to two people in our group needing additional services. The trip was one of a life time."

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Rose Parade and Panama Canal Cruise
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4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cartagena, Los Angeles, Miami, Santa Barbara

Highlights

  • Enjoy an exclusive private viewing of the Rose Parade floats and the parade from reserved grandstand seats
  • Travel along the Southern California coast through Santa Barbara to Solvang and Pismo Beach
  • Enjoy an included guided tour of Hearst Castle
  • While cruising, visit ports in five countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Colombia
  • Witness the Panama Canal transit in daylight

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Tour is advertised as an "active" tour. However, YMT sold the tours to seniors and others who were unable to walk more than 1/8 mile, unable to navigate stairs or had to walk with the aid of walkers. As a result, 80 percent of the "explorations" were to visitor centers, look out points, stores or washrooms, that were within 100 feet or less of the bus. This tour should be categorized as "relaxed". A big disappointment! The bus driver was friendly and accommodating and drove us safely from one site to another. He sold water to the guests in small bottles for $1 each. I think YMT should be more conscientious of the environment and at least offer bottle refills, especially since the guide practically demanded that each person drink one gallon of water per day. The tour guide was marginally knowledgeable about the area and spent too much time telling us about her private life and friends. She led one hike, but talked mostly about how the rains had changed the landscape. One day she left two guests at the hotel and wanted the people on the bus to take responsibility for not letting her know that people were missing. We were encouraged to find hikes to take on our own, which I felt compromised safety, especially when we had an hour or so to "explore" - there was no safety or backup plan, especially if something untoward happened on a hike. She opted out of taking us to the sunset tour of the Grand Canyon telling us that it was raining and we wouldn't be able to see anything. So a couple of us went to the site on our own and it was possibly one of the best experiences I had on the entire tour (and not a drop of rain!). I often felt bullied into purchasing lunches or meals "offered" by the guide, who made it sound like there were no other options. It was difficult to listen to her brag about how well she was doing and how happy everyone was, when many people were complaining that the tour was not what they expected - mostly because it was too active!!! The accommodations were mostly good - a couple of anomalies (one with a plugged sink and no hot water for a shower, another with a pervasive bad odor). The excursions offered at the time of booking were mostly unavailable later (except for the over-priced meals). Another disappointment because I booked the tour partly because of one of the excursions offered at the time of booking. I would not recommend this tour, because I don't think it is advertised correctly."

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Hidden Treasures of the Mekong
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4.4/5 Great
64 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Siem Reap

Highlights

  • Excursion to Elephants Camp, Wat Suan Dok and Wat Chedi Luang temples
  • City tour of Chiang Rai
  • Visit to Yao and Akha hill tribe villages
  • Visit to Hall of Opium
  • Golden Triangle boat trip and Chiang Saen temples
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Themes

National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"they are taking too long to refund our cancelled holiday from May 2020. cannot get any info from them when it will be refunded back to us."

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The Euro Trip
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By Interrailing Packages
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest, Krakow, Ljubljana, London, Paris, Prague, Rome, Split, Zagreb

Highlights

  • Visiting the likes of Paris, Interlaken, Rome, Split, and Ljubljana
  • Overnight ferry
  • Enjoy exploring and discovering local life, without the added pressure of having to tick off those famous tourist sights.
  • Visit Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital city is the hidden gem of Europe on this rail holiday, an interrail route favourite!
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Small Ship Cruise, Train & Rail Journeys, Photography

What travelers are saying

"Los funcionarios de Interraling son excelentes personas y atienden las inquietudes a tiempo y con amabilidad. Nos ayudaron a organizar nuestras vacaciones familiares en Europa, de acuerdo a nuestras solicitudes, las cuales llenaron todas nuestras expectativas. Gracias a ustedes disfrutamos al máximo este viajes. Las salidas de los trenes fueron en el horario previsto y los hoteles buenos y bien ubicados."

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Christmas in Antarctica: Antarctic Peninsula
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
Their ice-breaking cruise liners take travelers truly off of the beaten path and into the very heart of the polar realms.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Celebrating Christmas amidst fantastic rugged mountains, cascading glaciers, crystalline icebergs and clear waters abounding with whales and seals.
  • Countless penguins and endemic Antarctic birdlife - true memorable lifetime moments
  • Possibility for kayaking and camping under the southern stars in a world of ice and snow.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Festivals & Special Events

What travelers are saying

"Best vacation so far!! Loved everything, especially highly professional team, that organised the whole trip super safe and on a highest level, the crew that does the cleaning and provides the food literally 24/7, the expedition team was super and the program, lectures, communication - everything couldn’t be better. I miss the cruise! And the best part of course the wild nature, animals. It’s a pity there are strict rules nowadays due to the flu and we couldn’t get closer, but it’s the right thing to protect the nature. Will be back for sure!"

Trip dates & details
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Island Hopping: Athens, Mykonos, Naxos, Santorini
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By Greece Insiders
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
Designing original, innovative, and out-of-the-box travel itineraries and incredible personalized service.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Akrotiri, Athens, Mykonos, Parthenon, Santorini

Highlights

  • Marvel the impressive Acropolis and the New Acropolis museum
  • Discover the iconic Mykonos town
  • Taste and learn about the traditional products of Naxos
  • Learn all about the unique wines of Santorini
  • Visit Akrotiri prehistoric town of Santorini

Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning, Family Friendly, High Adventure, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Photography

What travelers are saying

"Normally, I don't feel like writing reviews, but I felt compelled to do it for Athens Insiders. I made the decision to travel to Athens in the summer of 2012 in order to avoid the commotion that was predicted to result from the Queen's jubilee. As usual, my work kept me busy right up to the last minute, so I ran out of time to do anything fun for my week-long trip. I learned about this young group of tour guides for Athens and its vicinity from a friend. I had a wonderful experience. I got in touch with Daphne, who gave me email recommendations for Athens attractions to see, inquired about my preferences for local cuisine, and then devised an itinerary for my trip. In addition to visiting the typical suspects in Athens (Acropolis, etc.), I also chose to travel to Delhi and spend a night at a campground there. And I had a great time, honestly. We visited the attractions when there were few visitors and spent the busiest times outside of Athens rather than being herded around like cattle. I was taken to incredible tiny eateries (the well-known tavernas), marketplaces, and other regional shops."

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Glimpse Of Indochina In 15 Days
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They focus on the details to ensure that their travelers get a great introduction to their home country of Vietnam.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bangkok , Chiang Mai, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap

Highlights

  • Enjoy an overnight cruise in the stunning Halong Bay
  • Cycle around the villages of Vietnam and attend a cooking class
  • Explore the biggest temples complex in the world, Angkor Wat
  • See cascades waterfalls right in the middle of lush jungles

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family had an amazing time with Realistic Asia’s package. The tour was very suitable for my family, which included children since we loved trekking. We enjoyed the stunning views, and the trek was at an easy pace for our kids. The tour guides and the staff are very professional and enthusiastic. I was very impressed with their attitude. We were very happy with the service and the places we have been to."

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Antarctic Wildlife Adventure: Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
Their ice-breaking cruise liners take travelers truly off of the beaten path and into the very heart of the polar realms.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Buenos Aires, Falklands Islands, South Shetland Islands

Highlights

  • The greatest concentrations of seabirds and marine mammals on the planet.
  • Astounding abundance of penguins at huge breeding colonies
  • A rare view of albatross family life
  • Fearless marine wildlife and scenery beyond belief on the Antarctic Peninsula.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Best vacation so far!! Loved everything, especially highly professional team, that organised the whole trip super safe and on a highest level, the crew that does the cleaning and provides the food literally 24/7, the expedition team was super and the program, lectures, communication - everything couldn’t be better. I miss the cruise! And the best part of course the wild nature, animals. It’s a pity there are strict rules nowadays due to the flu and we couldn’t get closer, but it’s the right thing to protect the nature. Will be back for sure!"

Trip dates & details
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6 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
My selections:
Colombia

Small Ship & Expedition Cruises Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
3,622  Reviews
See all Small Ship & Expedition Cruises tour reviews
Excellent
1,132
Great
449
Average
98
Disappointing
26
Terrible
8
J

Jayson

Dec 2019

Written on

Above our expectation

It was a marvellous trip for us in Indochina. Everything was above our expectations except for the vegetarian food for my wife. The itinerary was perfectly organised...

F

Florence

Oct 2019

Written on

Good choice to South East Asia

I will HIGHLY recommend this tour to my family, friends and work colleagues who are thinking about travelling to Vietnam and South East Asia – and will personally re...

K

Keith

Aug 2019

Written on

Fanstastic itinerary

Wow!  I couldn’t have asked for a better trip!  Thank you so much. The cities were fantastic as were the rural and water based adventures. The tours and gu...

C

Carly

May 2019

Written on

Warmest greetings from Australia

We made it back to Australia and our home town safe and sound. It is a three hour drive to my home town from Brisbane and I didn’t think it was safe for me to make ...

J

Jacob

May 2019

Written on

Best travel consultant ever

All of the tour guides were brilliant – Tony in Hanoi and Sody in Cambodia were my personal faves. All the guides spoke very good English, were very friendly, court...

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Small Ship & Expedition Cruises Tour Selection Trips

  • Expect to meet and mingle with many or even most of your fellow passengers on small ships, which may carry anywhere from 12 to 200 passengers.
  • Think about the activities you’d most like to enjoy during your small-ship cruise. Are you looking for wildlife viewing, culture, history, walking tours?
  • Once you know what activities you’d like to accomplish during your small-ship cruise, this will narrow down your destinations.
  • Then, once you have your small-ship cruise destination picked out, research what is the best time to visit that region. For example, if you want to see whales in Alaska, look for summer cruises. Hankering for a once-in-a-lifetime cruise to Antarctica? The best time to cruise to the south pole is November to March.
  • Consider your personal comfort needs aboard your small cruise ship. Expedition cruise ships are smaller and provide ample deck space and large accommodations, while mid-size cruise ships have an ambience more akin to a small yacht, while still offering considerable deck space and large rooms.
  • If your small-ship cruise vessel is a modestly sized yacht or sailboat, expect only about 8 to 40 guests, smaller cabins, not as many public spaces and, in general, more time ashore.
  • Consider how active you want to be during your small-ship cruise and ensure that the cruise line carries enough equipment and offers enough shore excursions to fit your interest and ability. Do they offer zodiacs for off-ship wildlife viewing? Are there opportunities to snorkel or stand-up paddleboard in tropical waters? How many times a day are off-ship excursions offered, how long are the excursions and are there different levels of exertion?
  • Without the economies of scale that large cruise ships can take advantage of, many small-ship cruises are more expensive than megaships.
  • As with any cruise, find out what extras (gratuities, shore excursions, alcoholic beverages, etc.) are or are not included in the price.
  • Depending on the activities you want to do during your small-ship cruise, find out who will be onboard with you in terms of guides, workshop leaders, naturalists and destination experts. Some small-ship cruise lines offer partnerships with the national parks you are visiting, ensuring that the guides receive ample training, or even with National Geographic.
  • Think about who you are cruising with and ensure that your small ship has the appropriate accommodations styles to meet your needs.
  • If you or your travel companions are prone to seasickness -- more common on small ships than large --  come prepared with some form of medication or other preventative measures

Additional details

Preparing for a Long Cruise

You’re headed out on that long-awaited small-ship cruise, thankful that, in large part, all the logistics of your cruise have been planned out for you, and that you’ll only have to unpack and repack one time.

To get the most of your small-ship cruise experience, particularly a cruise in the 7- to 10-day range, we offer the following suggestions to make sure you’ll fully prepared.

1. Pack prudently. Notice we didn’t say “lightly.” No one will fault you for bringing that extra warm layer if you’re cruising to Alaska or a spare pair of sunglasses if you’re small-ship sailing in the Mediterranean.

Simply pack prudently, keeping in mind that cruise ships have rooms that are typically smaller than hotel rooms - the upside of small-ship cruising, however, is that because the guest number is lower, the room sizes are often more spacious than you’ll find on a mega-ship. Still, pack what you need to stay comfortable, stay warm, not get sunburned, etc.

2. Check the weather in your cruise destination. Further to the packing suggestion, do be sure to consider the weather where you are sailing. Is it the rainy season? Particularly windy? Be sure to bring along a rain jacket, umbrella and sunblock - no matter where your small ship is sailing.

3. Ask about your small ship’s electrical specs. If you’re headed into international waters on your cruise, there may be alternate electrical standards than what US-based ships have. You’ll want to know this before you get on board … to avoid the severe disappointment of realizing you won’t be able to charge your phone.

4. Find out what costs extra. Most small-ship cruises are all-inclusive to avoid nickel-and-diming guests for every little thing. That being said, it’s a good idea to check on the prices for anything that might be deemed “extra,” e.g., shore excursions, watersports equipment rental, guide/driver services, beverages (both alcoholic and nonalcoholic) and spa treatments. It’s always a good idea to bring a little cash along.

5. List packing essentials. That extra pair of sunglasses we mentioned above isn’t necessarily essential, but there will be items needed on your small-ship cruise that it’s best to bring from home.

Everyday items - if forgotten - can be hard to find and expensive in foreign ports, especially the smaller places accessed by small cruise ships.

Think about and list items such as over-the-counter medication, insect repellent, batteries, feminine hygiene items, toothpaste, sunblock, etc. Ask about which toiletries are included in the cabin of your small ship.

6. Ask about accessibility on board your small ship cruise. Your small-ship cruise tour operator will be able to tell you about the layout of your ship and if there are narrow stairwells, steep gangways, uneven surfaces and more. If these are physically challenging for you, you can be prepared. Ask, also, about what active excursions are available and train for them as necessary.

7. Check in with your insurance company. Small-ship adventure cruises brings with it the opportunity for activities you don’t normally participate in - think kayaking, ice trekking, diving, biking). Give your health insurance company a call and find out what they cover while traveling; if you’re not satisfied, consider travel insurance, which may include emergency evacuation.

8. Plan for emergencies. OK, so it’s not the first thing we want to think of when we’re daydreaming about our much-anticipated small-ship cruise. Just in case you’re waylaid in a remote port, it’s a good idea to write down your cruise line’s main number, some information for local hotels in your ports of call, extra medication and a supply of snacks.

Packing for a Small-Ship Cruise

It’s almost time for your small-ship cruise … which means it’s time to pack! What at first may seem like a daunting task - because, after all, you’ll be at sea the majority of the time and when ashore, will be in small, more remote areas of your destination, so it won’t be easy to just go out and buy something you forgot.

Small-ship cruise operators can provide you with suggested packing lists and you’ll find plenty of suggestions online.

Here, a few essentials to start:

  • Sensible shoes (sturdy sandals, water shoes, hiking boots/shoes, sneakers, slippers for onboard)
  • Raincoat
  • Umbrella
  • Sunblock
  • Warm hat and sun hat
  • Outerwear appropriate for your destination
  • Passport or passport card
  • Necessary electrical chargers and/or adaptors
  • Detailed itinerary notes (and packing lists!) provided by your small-ship cruise company
  • Vital medications
  • Stainless-steel water bottle
  • Daypack
  • Flashlight
  • Hiking poles
  • Snorkeling equipment
  • Photographic equipment

Age Range on Small-Ship Cruises

Small-ship cruises hit all the right notes for the 20-something set. Newly minted in the workforce and possibly tight on vacation time, younger cruisers with an adventurous spirit can get more bang for their buck and sail in and out of tiny ports and up close to glaciers in wildlife, whether they’re sailing the Mediterranean or tackling Arctic seas.

Families with kids and parents in their 30s and 40s enjoy small-ship cruises because these expeditions are the whole package - self-contained, full of activity and rich with learning opportunities. The itineraries on small ships are often flexible and maybe even customizable and feature ports with far fewer crowds than the big ships.

It’s a lot easier to get on and off the boat, so families with young kids don’t have to wait endlessly in line to go ashore for the day’s excursion. In fact, much of the exploring from a small-ship cruise is done directly from the boat, via kayak or zodiac.

Your 40s and 50s - wild nightlife a thing of the past, let’s be honest - may also be a fantastic time to get more adventurous in your travels or try more unusual types of cruise - perhaps a masted ship in the Caribbean or a rugged icebreaker bound for Antarctica. Forego the flashy evening entertainment in favor of expert naturalist guides and historians who will enrich your cruise and the ability to sail in and out of interesting ports aboard your small ship.

Those in the 70-plus age range should research small-ship cruise companies carefully as many of the ships are, well, smaller and more unique in design, and use tenders to get cruises on and offshore for excursions. Mobility and accessibility can be an issue, so be sure to ask ahead about facilities on small-ship cruises.

Who Will Enjoy Small-Ship Cruises

Small-ship cruising might be for you if:

1. You like choices. Not only does the smaller, more nimble size of a small cruise ship make it possible to visit more remote destinations around the world, but once there, even your cruise itinerary may be flexible.

See a family of sea lions sunning on a rock in the Sea of Cortez? Ask the captain if he can pause of an hour or two while you and other guests venture out by sea kayak to take a closer look.

Follow a pod of whales off the coast of Norway? Sit for hours under the Northern Lights? Once ashore from your small ship, there are ample choices as well, for difficulty level of hikes and walks to interests, from local museums to market shopping. Fewer people on the small ship makes it that much easier to customize excursions to personal interests.

2. You want to disconnect. Small-ship sailing usually means you’re in a more remote location than on a large cruise ship … which means you may have no choice but to disconnect given spotty cell service and WiFi. Take advantage of the down time to really disconnect and step away from devices, reconnecting instead with each other and the destination or wilderness you’re seeing, likely for the first time.

3. Want to make some new friends. Love to bond with birders? Go back in time with other history buffs? Hike with mountain-lovers? Small-ship cruising means sailing, for the most part, with like-minded guests, those who have chosen this destination for the same reasons you have: wildlife sightings, wine country, culture, once-in-a-lifetime Arctic adventures and more. Shared experiences with these new friends will quickly become some of your favorite cruise memories.

4. Want to learn something new. From naturalists to historians to photographers, small-ship cruise companies employ regional and subject experts who get to know the guests intimated and can keep everyone, from kids to older travelers, engaged and educated about their destination.

Learn about conservation in the Galapagos, how to use an undersea camera when snorkeling, discover the geography of Greenland’s ice cap and follow a wildlife photographer into the jungle to glimpse rhinos in Indonesia.

Coping with Seasickness on a Small-Ship Cruise

Mal de mer, which rolls off the tongue quite eloquently, is the dreaded squeamish feeling of seasickness. And it might be the sole reason you haven’t yet embarked on a small-ship cruises. Rest assured, if you have your sights set on sailing under the Northern Lights or diving into the Galapagos, there are remedies that can help you get where you’re dreaming of going. A few favorite seasickness tips and tricks:

  • Pack common seasickness remedies. This includes ginger chews or gummies, wristbands, tablets and patches.
  • See the cruise doc. If you’ve run out of remedies from home, pay a visit to the doctor on staff on your small-ship voyage. She will usually have plenty of seasickness medication to distribute to ailing guests.
  • Stay above deck as much as possible. Try not to go below deck for any extended period of time. If you do, and want to look out at the scenery, look out a window or porthole with your gaze on the horizon.
  • Cut short your binocular time. As much as you’ll want to stare for hours at those polar bears or waddling penguins, extended binocular use can bring on seasickness.

Stay hydrated and fed. Drink plenty of water and don’t go about on an empty stomach. Pack extra snacks from home (granola bars, dried fruit, nuts) so you’ll always have something to grab.

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