For many people, a week-long vacation is a luxury they cannot afford, as much because of the time as for the expense. Small ship cruises offer the perfect voyage for this type of traveler. Short in duration (usually 2-5 days) yet long on comfort and amenities, a small ship cruise offers a harried, overworked traveler the chance for a quick ocean getaway that may be close to home, but is miles away psychologically.
Small ship cruises are run on all coasts of North America. Many popular destinations include Baja California and Mexico cruises leaving from Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, cruises to Mexico from Texas and Florida ports, and cruises to the Florida keys and Puerto Rico from Florida. Smaller ship cruises tend to be more affordable because the liners are smaller, and also because there is less travel expense involved. In some cases, a small ship cruise to a nearby island doubles as a ferry trip, accommodating cars so that travelers can more easily explore their destination.
The Small Ship Cruise in a Larger Vacation
Small ship cruises are also an excellent way to fit a luxury boat trip into part of a larger vacation. A 7-day tour of European rivers like the Seine and the Rhone, for example, is a lovely way to visit cities from Copenhagen to Monte Carlo in total comfort. Arrange your trip to end in Venice or Rome, then spend a week at a hotel there exploring the city. In this way, a honeymoon cruise can be part of a large honeymoon trip filled with variety and exploration.
Small ship cruises are mostly available through small companies like Seabourn Cruises or Silverseas rather than lines like Holland America, but many of these bigger companies may have small ships in their fleets. It never hurts to ask. And if they don't, if you say you're looking for a cruise vacation on a small ship, any reputable travel agent can help you.
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