Maine Windjammer Cruise aboard the J. & E. Riggin By Heidi Sarna Maine with its gorgeous forests, rocky coastline, thousands of offshore islands and harbors dotted with yachts and lobster pot buoys is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful sailing...
Expert Small Cruise Ship Reviews
We’re all about cruising without the crowds. QuirkyCruise is THE source for reviews, news & round-ups about unusual & small-ship cruises under 300 passengers, from river boats to canal barges, sailing ships, coastal cruisers & expedition vessels. We also share special offers & info on private charters.
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The latest small-ship cruise news by our chief news correspondent Anne Kalosh.
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We review our favorite small-ship cruise experiences to inspire & inform. Here, we also share special offers from our cruise partners.
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Here we share ideas for private charters of small boats, barges & yachts that are ideal for intimate friend & family groups.
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Our Small Ship Cruise Reviews & Articles
We do a deep dive on all aspects of small-ship cruising under 300 pax, with reviews, news, tips & destination overviews to inspire & inform.
Windstar Summer Savings with “Windstar Week” Through May 12
sponsored Windstar Summer Savings There’s still time to save up to 45% off summer voyages of Windstar's fleet of intimate small ships, starting from $1,899 per person during Windstar Week. You’ve got two days left — book by May 12 (2022)! — to take advantage of this...
Awesome UnCruise Offers on Bookings Made by June 15 (2022)
sponsored UnCruise Special Offers UnCruise has been leading small-ship cruise adventures for some 25 years, focusing on up-close encounters with the amazing wildlife and landscapes in spectacular destinations in North and South America, from Alaska to the Galapagos...
A Review of Atlas Ocean Voyages’ New Luxury Expedition Ship World Navigator in Antarctica
New World Navigator in Antarctica By John Roberts It wasn’t all smooth sailing when I took my brother with me to Antarctica, but we ended up having an incredibly fun and memorable adventure with Atlas Ocean Voyages on the new luxury expedition ship World Navigator....
Introducing Lindblad Expeditions’ New Galápagos Ship
Lindblad Expeditions' New Galápagos Ship By Anne Kalosh. The former Crystal Esprit is undergoing a top-to-bottom refit to emerge as National Geographic Islander ll for Lindblad Expeditions. It will explore the Galápagos year-round. Newly reconfigured to carry 48...
SEABOURN Expeditions
Seabourn Expeditions Seabourn had at one time offered an expedition-style program in Antarctica with the 458-passenger Seabourn Quest, then truly entered the small expedition ship segment with two brand-new purpose-built expedition ships in recent years. Seabourn...
Cruise Canadian Empress & Celebrate Spring on Canada’s Rivers
sponsored Cruise Canadian Empress & Save Our Canada-based QuirkyCruise reviewer Judi Cohen traveled aboard the 66-passenger Canadian Empress last summer along the scenic St Lawrence River, sampling this very special small-ship cruise. Quirky's Ted Scull has also...
UnCruise Spring Savings in Alaska — Cruise in April & May
sponsored UnCruise Spring Savings in Alaska Ahhh! Spring has sprung and the flora and fauna of Alaska are awakening. Perfect timing, as UnCruise's Alaska season begins April, 8! Of course, there are great reasons to visit Alaska anytime, but in the spring, there are...
SeaDream II Review — A classic, albeit aging ship, that still has a lot going for it, including excellent cuisine
SeaDream II Review By John Roberts For me, there is nothing more alluring than sailing to exotic destinations on a small cruise ship —one that carries just 112 passengers like SeaDream II. Well, maybe a few things can make this even better. How about the best food you...
Windstar Tahiti Cruise Deals — Fares Including Air & Hotel Make a French Polynesia Vacation Easy
sponsored Windstar Tahiti Cruise Deals For decades, Windstar has been one of the most beloved small-ship cruise lines around. In fact, one of my first-small ship cruises ever was aboard the 148-passenger Wind Spirit with my husband in the late 90s, sailing a dreamy...
Viking’s New Longships Debut — All 8 of Them!
Viking's New Longships Debut By Peter Knego Aaaah! Two nights in Paris for a Viking Cruises christening event was the icing on a multi-tiered gateau that finally thawed after a two year, COVID-generated freeze. I arrived at the Pont de Grenelle on March 15, a gray...
Barge Cruise Tips — Is a Barge Canal Cruise for You?
Barge Cruise Tips By Heidi, Ted, Ben & Jane Lyons. Barge cruises are often not well understood. Don't barges carry cargo? Well, originally the flat-bottomed boats were used for carrying freight, typically on canals and rivers, either under their own power or towed...
Every Type of Small Ship Cruise
Heidi & Ted, along with their team of expert travel writers, have reviewed and traveled their way around the world, seeking out the very best in small-ship cruising. We have organized our reviews in six small buckets — river & canal, sailing, micro, coastal, oceangoing and expedition small-ship cruises.
River & Canal Cruises
Micro Cruises
Coastal Cruises
Sailing Cruises
Expedition Cruises
Oceangoing Cruises
Destination … Anywhere
If you can imagine it, we’ve cruised it! With reviews, articles and destination overviews, we’ve got you covered.