Small Ships, River Boats, & Yachts

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

 

Whether you want to book one cabin on a yacht or charter the whole yacht, I have several amazing companies to offer you.  Imagine the difference seeing Alaska’s glaciers and wildlife from a yacht vs. from a mega cruise ship!

River cruising and barging is rapidly gaining popularity these days, too.  Why not take your hotel with you from city to city (by water, of course)?

Small ships: more amenities and space than the yachts and river boats but still small enough to provide personal service. These are typically less than 1,000 passengers.

It’s not that I won’t sell you a beautiful cabin on a big ship, it is just that it is not the level of service and ambiance that I would wish for you. I don’t want you to be one of 3,000 + guests all waiting to go ashore. On small ships you get to know other guests, the staff learns your name and preferences, and your time is spent at the destination, not in a waiting line.

Here I’ll give you the main points of consideration for each company.  Remember that through my affiliates, Travel Experts Inc. and Virtuoso, I can often provide very exclusive rates and amenities for you so be sure to contact me for those details.

Virtuoso Small Ship Partners

American Safari Cruises

3 yachts:      12 guests/6 crew             22 guests/9 crew             36-40 guests/15 crew

You come so close to pristine waterfalls that you feel the invigorating spray. Your itinerary is flexible enough that your Captain can change course when word of whale sightings comes over the radio, or slow the engines and linger in a tidal inlet if bears are out foraging on the beach. Maybe all the guests agree they want to spend extra time kayaking, hiking, or beach-combing. It’s your trip.

We call it yacht cruising.

InnerSea Discoveries (sister company to American Safari Cruises)

2 yachts;  49 guests/16 crew

More active, alcohol not included

The small ships of InnerSea Discoveries are expedition ships capable of nimble exploration through nature’s most dramatic hideaways. The shallow draft and hull design allow easy access to Southeast Alaska’s wildlife-rich shores and glacially-fed inlets and serve as ideal “launching pads” for an exciting array of daily adventure excursions. A fully-equipped fishing boat also travels with each small ship.

Seadream Yachts

2 yachts:   112 guests/95 crew

You can be as active or as relaxed as you want to be while experiencing the ultimate in luxury, privacy and personalization.

SeaDream visits the intimate yachting playgrounds, harbors and ports where large cruise ships cannot go.

Seabourn

6 yachts 208-450 guests

• Unique itineraries to must-see cities and hidden gems where larger ships cannot go

• Intuitive, gracious service provided by a staff passionate about pleasing our guests

• Spacious, all-suite accommodations with sweeping ocean views — many with verandas

• Fine wines poured at lunch and dinner, and open bars throughout the ship

• All dining venues are complimentary — dine where, when and with whom you wish

• Gourmet dining experiences that rival the finest restaurants anywhere

• Complimentary welcome champagne and in-suite bar stocked with your preferences

• Tipping is neither required nor expected — service simply to delight you

• unlimited shore excursions

Silversea Cruises

132 – 540 guests,  average age only 52

Renowned for extraordinary worldwide voyages aboard intimate, all-inclusive ships, Silversea is a luxury cruise line that offers unparalleled service and superlative comfort.

• Intimate, elegant ships – extraordinary space per guest ratio
• Superlative service – nearly one crew member for every guest
• All ocean-view suites, over 85% with private verandas*
• Butler service for all ships, all guests
• Open-seating in The Restaurant – no assigned time, no assigned table
• Alternative dining options – multiple venues
• Gourmet menus by Relais & Châteaux
• Sophisticated entertainment from live music to production shows*
• Enrichment lecturers, acclaimed chefs and destination consultants
• Fares include onboard gratuities
• Complimentary beverages – including fine wines, champagnes, spirits, bottled water, specialty coffees and soft drinks
• In-room bar and refrigerator stocked with your preferred beverage selections
• Complimentary 24-hour room service and in-suite dining* served course-by-course from The Restaurant
• Complimentary shoreside events on select voyages
• Complimentary guided excursions ashore on Silversea Expeditions aboard the Prince Albert II
• Complimentary transportation into town in most ports of call

*Aboard the Prince Albert II expedition ship: select suites have verandas or French balconies; production shows and in-suite dining are not offered.

Along with landmark destinations, the Silversea cruise ships call at smaller harbours inaccessible to larger ships. And they can dock right in the heart of a city while mega-vessels must anchor off shore. Which means less tendering and more time for Silversea guests to go exploring.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

3 ships:      700 guests/447 crew       OR     490 guests/345 crew

• All-inclusive fares include fine wines, beer, premium spirits, soft drinks, bottled water, specialty coffees and tea served throughout the ship; as well as open-seating and alternative dining,
• unlimited shore excursions
• all-balcony, all-suite vessels
• World-renowned Canyon Ranch SpaClub^®
• Small-group enrichment and excursion opportunities, specifically designed to experience destinations at a more authentic level

Oceania Cruise Line

 

Azamara Club Cruises

MEMBER OF THE ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD. FAMILY OF CRUISE LINES

2 ships:  694 guests

With 187 ports in 58 countries, Azamara Club Cruises^® introduces Destination Immersion.

More overnights and longer stays on 5 continents, give you more time to explore the globe.

You’ll find many inclusive amenities on every Azamara voyage, including:

• Boutique red and white wines with lunch and dinner
• Gratuities included for housekeeping, dining and bar staff
• Bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas throughout the day
• Complimentary self-service laundry
• True English butler service for suite guests
• Specialty dining available (complimentary for suite guests)
• Complimentary shuttle service to and from ports, where available

 

Crystal Cruise Line

2 ships  940 guests

Starting spring 2012 Crystal will become “all-inclusive”1

Your All Inclusive 2-for-1 fare includes:

• Free air
• Free fine wines, premium spirits and beers throughout the ship
• Open bar service in all lounges
• Pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff as well as Butler service in our Penthouses
• Complimentary specialty dining including Nobu Matsuhisa’s Silk Road and Sushi Bar, and Piero Selvaggio’s Prego
• Non-alcoholic beverages such as bottled water, soft drinks and specialty coffees and so much more!

• “Crystal Clean”—Crystal’s green ethos in practice.
• “You Care, We Care”—Complimentary guest voluntourism program started in 2011.
• “Clean the World” —Toiletry recycling program that fights deadly illness in sanitation-challenged communities.
• Purchasing Guidelines—Principles and practices that guide and affect Crystal’s purchasing decisions.
• “Five and Alive”—Aid program that helps children five and under access the education, products and services they need to live a healthy life, including safe water and nutritional supplements.
• Charitable Contributions—Donations to broader-based charitable causes that supplement our direct assistance programs.