Cruising on a small ship is about sailing to spectacular destinations around the world, and discovering exciting new travel experiences, in the comfort of smaller ships that can reach parts of the planet only accessible by water.
On smaller ships you can enjoy intimate river cruises on boats that take you to unusual places, such as the Irrawaddy in Myanmar (Burma), the Chobe River between Botswana and Namibia, the Mekong in Cambodia and Vietnam, and the Amazon in South America.
Expedition and Polar voyages are suitable for anyone with a curious mind and a taste for adventure. With cruises to the Arctic, Antarctica and Galapagos Islands these are once a lifetime journeys with a focus on wildlife.
Although there are lots of opportunities to get off the ship to explore, expedition and small ship adventure cruises are not physically demanding. However, expect a greater emphasis on discovery than on a traditional cruise - you are more likely to be on the deck scouting for penguins or polar bears and brushing up your photography skills than sunbathing or playing bridge.
Details below are from the London 2012 Telegraph CRUISE Show. London 2013 show details to be updated shortly.
Exhibitors include:
Over the last fifteen years, along with our guests, we have discovered that there is so much that is extraordinary about the places we travel, from the landscape, wildlife and culture to the history, art and archeology that is unique to every destination. It is our belief that there is so much to see “beyond the binoculars” that drives us to delve deeper into our favourite places with every expedition and continually seek out new destinations.
Flying over Cape Horn and the mythical waters of the Drake Passage, ANTARCTICA XXI invites you to a unique experience that will take you to one of the most remote places on earth, the coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and most inhospitable continent - Antarctica.
A voyage to the Polar Regions is a true wilderness and wildlife journey of a lifetime. Aqua-Firma's Polar Voyages to Arctic Spitsbergen, Greenland, Antarctica and the Sub-Antarctic islands of South Georgia and the Falklands are operated on some of the smallest expedition ships, sailing yachts and tall ships afloat. These vessels carry between 12 and 114 people, ensuring that your experience is intimate and memorable, with as much time as possible spent exploring on shore. Rigid inflatable boats are our landing craft and from motor ships we can use them to carry small groups to impressive glacier fronts, explore majestic icebergs and provide for close up observations of the incredible wildlife of the polar seas.
Blue Cruise specialise in Gulet cruises and accommodations along the southern coast of Turkey providing holidays for those who wish to enjoy the stunning coastline, relax in the splendour of nature and history, and savour excellent fresh cuisine. Gulets are ideal for couples, friends and families to share, or for groups who may wish to charter a whole boat on a sole occupancy basis. We offer a wide range of Gulets in various sizes and standards to suit every need and every budget.
Our specialist exploration ship has the feel of a small private club - exclusive, supremely comfortable, yet casual and relaxed. At just under 300 ft in length, it is the perfect ship for exploring the timeless Galapagos Islands.
Cruise North Expeditions is owned and operated by the Inuit of Canada’s Arctic. Inuit have survived for centuries in the Arctic wilderness passing down knowledge and skills from one generation to the next. Today’s Inuit carry many lifetimes of knowledge, and life in the small Arctic villages is a fine balance of ancient traditions and modern sensibilities. There is no better way to experience the Arctic than through Inuit eyes.
To fully discover the ancient wonders of Egypt, a cruise on the River Nile is truly an unforgettable experience. The Nile River has been Egypt's lifeline since ancient times and there is no better way to trace the passage of Egypt's history than to follow the course of the Nile. Nile cruises operate between Luxor and Aswan and are enjoyable and comfortable way to enjoy the ancient sites of Upper Egypt. Each day gives you every opportunity to explore new sights or simply enjoy a different view.
We begin by seeking out the finest classic working barges and then painstakingly transform them into luxury cruise barges, which we call floating country hotels, using the finest of hardwoods, solid brass fittings and over a quarter of a century of experience. Our team is experienced, multi-lingual and enthusiastic, and we are proud of the personal service we give to every client, from the time we are first contacted right through to the captain’s dinner and your farewell breakfast.
Small ship cruising experts allow you to explore unique cruise destinations in casual elegance. eWaterways promote river cruises, hotel barge trips, expedition voyages, coastal cruises, sailing and yacht journeys. With hundreds of itineraries worldwide, from leading cruise companies, eWaterways will help you find the perfect small ship cruise holiday.
The UK's largest small ship Polar Expeditions operator in the Arctic and Antarctica. Polar bears, walrus, penguins, seals, whales and giant icebergs the size of housing estates are always major draws to the polar regions, but the vessels are equally important. Small ships containing committed staff with extraordinary levels of experience and an adventurous and dedicated work ethic do not guarantee the adventure of a lifetime, but at least they make it possible.
No matter how many wildlife documentaries you've seen or how many books you've read, nothing can prepare you for the thrill and wonder of being in the Galápagos Islands. For those interested in being immersed in natural wonder, Galápagos is simply the most extraordinary island archipelago in the world. Nowhere else can you experience such close encounters with remarkable animals like giant tortoises, marine iguanas, waved albatross, blue-footed and red-footed boobies, Galápagos penguins, and sea lions galore. Even more exceptional is the behaviour of the wildlife, which lives without fear of humans. Observing these creatures is more like a conversation. You can let your binoculars rest at your side as the animals come to you, and you go to them.
There is no need to accept compromises for your Arctic adventure when on board the Hanseatic. The Bremen specialises in cruises far from the beaten paths of civilisation, from the eternal ice to the Amazon.
Luxury, small ship & river cruises as individual as you are. Hebridean Island Cruises has been setting the benchmark for luxury cruising since 1989. Our small, five star luxury cruise ship, Hebridean Princess, affords guests the highest standards of accommodation, together with a level of service from an almost forgotten era. Each all-inclusive cruise is carefully planned by our own highly experienced researchers, whose brief is to capture the cultural essence and historical significance of each port of call.
From the magnificent fjords of Norway to the awesome ice-filled bays of Antarctica, Hurtigruten is renowned for its comprehensive collection of voyages to remote, beautiful and dramatic coastlines from the far north to the distant south.
The selection of river cruises includes journeys along the major rivers of Europe, Russia and China aboard vessels accommodating from 100-200 passengers. Expedition cruises offer visits to out of the way destinations and will appeal to the more adventurous and those who enjoy the natural world. Small ship cruises offer comprehensive itineraries, normally concentrating on a particular area or theme. The itinerary is paramount and the small size of the vessels means that you will be able to visit places that larger vessels cannot go.
A Path less Travelled. Orion Expedition Cruises is the leading expedition cruise operator in Asia Pacific, taking you to 94 destinations stretching from Antarctica to Borneo. Our spacious purpose-built expedition ship is designed to explore locations larger ships cannot contemplate, and offer you attentive 5-star service onboard. Enjoy the comfort and safety with only 106 guests, cared for by 75 professional crew.
Take a relaxing voyage on one of the last working Royal Mail ships in the world, to one of the most remote, inhabited islands on earth, Saint Helena Island. Tropical, welcoming, remote, spectacular and full of history, St. Helena is one of the few outstanding Islands on the planet. The unique cargo-passenger ship the RMS St. Helena explores new horizons as she sails to the stunning South Atlantic island of St. Helena, the world's best-kept travel secret.
“It’s yachting, not cruising” Enjoy the difference. SeaDream Yacht Club is different from big ship cruising. Our philosophy of casual perfection runs through everything we do. With only 112 guests being pampered by an award-winning crew of 95, the level of attention and service we pay to each of our guests makes yachting aboard either one of our mega-yachts SeaDream I or SeaDream II feel as if you are on your own private yacht. Be as active or as relaxed as you like and take in the ultimate in luxury, privacy and pampering.
Silversea Expeditions offers cruises that are just as exhilarating as they are luxurious. From voyages that cross the Polar Circle or visit penguin colonies at the bottom of the world… to Central America jungles and Patagonia landscapes, Silversea Expeditions explore the remarkable wildlife and fascinating cultures of remote lands.
MV Spirit of Adventure offers a cruising experience like no other. From the exotic wildlife of Mafagascar to the east coast of Africa with its facinating cultures - wherever you want to go in the world we'll probably go there.
Star Clippers operate three of the world's largest and tallest sailing vessels. Visiting ports often untouched by larger cruise ships and offering passengers the activities, amenities and atmosphere of a private yacht. The ships currently sail throughout the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Costa Rica.
Variety Cruises offers life-enriching cruise journeys for the inquisitive mind. We combine a private yacht/small ship type of on board experience with a complete immersion in the destinations where we cruise and mesmerising ports of call to offer our guests an authentic and memorable travel experience and become part of the Variety Cruises family.
The Zambezi Queen is unique in that it's a sophisticated, elegant experience that has not lost the essence of all that is uniquely African.There can be few natural wonders as synonymous with Africa's raw wilderness as the great Chobe River. These waters divide Namibia's Caprivi Strip from Botswana's Chobe National Park, and its exotic banks boast one of the densest populations of wildlife on the African continent.
