At first glance, the American Eagle, the River Queen and the Seabourn Spirit might seem to have little in common. The first carries barely 60 guests on informal journeys through the Chesapeake Bay , the Antebellum South and other destinations on the East Coast. The River Queen travels the legendary Rhine and Moselle rivers of Europe . And, the Seabourn Spirit and its sister ships sail the world, accommodating just over 200 passengers.

But, in fact, these ships, while representing very different varieties of small ship cruising, have important things in common, qualities that distinguish this cruise segment from all other types of travel. And, they are just three of many small ships belonging to member lines of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

From Antarctica to the Arctic, the Caribbean to Canada , Mexico to the Mediterranean, they travel the great rivers of Europe and North America , sail along Norwegian fjords and other scenic coasts, cross oceans, explore the globe's most remote destinations, and even embark on world cruises. Their size enables a small group of travelers to go where no other cruise ships go - to the inland capitals of Europe and Asia, tiny islands in the tropics, undiscovered ports in the Middle East, remote coves and bays in Alaska, America's Intra-Coastal Waterway and much more. The combination of out-of-the-way destinations and relatively small amount of passengers means that the lucky few onboard experience the world as though it was theirs alone to discover.

Whether the shipboard experience emphasizes sheer elegance and luxury while visiting some of the world's most glamorous yachting destinations, or a more informal yet equally delightful and comfortable lifestyle for journeying through nature's most extreme environments, all small ships have other qualities in common. They enable guests to socialize easily and share experiences with new-found friends who share their interests and tastes. They provide a true and very satisfying sense of having a home away from home, feeling cared for by staff the guests come to know and enjoy.

And, small ships virtually eliminate the hassles of travel. Getting on and off the vessel is effortless, with docking in the very center of the action of each destination or port, and sightseeing is so much better without crowd, often in places where there are few other visitors.

Sound like “small ship” cruising is for you?  Ask your Advantage Agent for more details today.

Source: www.cruising.org