7 Great Small-Ship Cruises
By John Roberts
Updated February 2026
It really is astounding how many small-ship cruise experiences are available, going to so many interesting places all over the world. This style of travel is one of the most immersive and fun ways to really enjoy a new destination.
You know this, of course. That’s why the Quirky Cruise website exists and why you’re always here reading our informative content, right?
During the past couple of years, I’ve been able to try some exciting small ship experiences in a variety of places around the world.
Here's a quick list of the 7 best small-ship cruises John sampled between late 2023 and early 2026
- UnCruise — Baja California, Mexico
- Victory Cruise Lines — Great Lakes, US & Canada
- French Country Waterways — French Canals
- Sea Cloud Cruises — Caribbean
- UnCruise — Prince William Sound, Alaska
- Riverside Cruises — Rhone River, France
- AmaWaterways/Backroads — Bordeaux, France
These are trips that I think you’d love, too. These seven cruises represents all kinds of cruising styles, showcasing just how versatile and fun small-ship voyages can be.
We finally cruised on the Great Lakes, went to Antarctica, Baja Mexico, and enjoyed the fabulous food, climate, culture and bike rides in European gems like France, Greece and Hungary.
I also visited two of the classic cruise locations, Alaska and the Caribbean, on journeys that brought us to idyllic locations for adventures away from the crowds.
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So, let's go. Here are details about these 7 great small-ship cruises:
1. UnCruise Adventures In Baja Mexico
In early 2026, I returned to the Gulf of California (aka Sea of Cortez) on the ship Safari Voyager. My first trip there with UnCruise was in February 2023. This time, Colleen joined me for another wonderfully active week in the “Aquarium of the World.”
Safari Voyager carries up to 64 people, and we were two of just 30 cruisers onboard for our trip in the first week of February, boarding in La Paz and visiting remote islands and beaches to enjoy the fascinating landscapes where the desert meets the sea.
What We Loved About Our UnCruise Trip In Baja:
The weather is ideal this time of year, with temps in the mid 70s to low 80s, so you can enjoy all the fun stuff, such as hiking, swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking and snorkeling. And we did it all.
The Gulf of California is a natural playground, and we could get to remote places on Safari Voyager, with few signs of others. We would have afternoon beach parties on idyllic half-moon shaped bays after returning from our snorkeling or arroyo hikes.
The food is fresh from the region and delicious and the excursions are as active as you want, with gentle skiff tours that are perfect for photo buffs with long-lens cameras, guided snorkeling and medium to “hard-charger” hikes.
This mix is offered daily so that travelers can do exactly what they are in the mood for. We also had memorable times cruising for critters, gathering on the bow and outer decks of the ship to spot rays, dolphins, blue whales, sperm whales and humpback whales.
UnCruise Baja Mexico Caveats:
This cruise features days full of intense sunshine and heat conditions. If you love sunny warm days, it will be a wonderful trip. If you tend to wilt, you might need to skip some of the activities and time outside to get relief and recover.
When the strong “El Norte” winds kick up in the Sea of Cortez, as they often do in winter, seas can be quite rough, so it helps to have your sea legs!
Sample UnCruise Baja Itinerary
UnCruise offers two itineraries in Baja Mexico, from seven to 10 days. We were on the La Paz weeklong roundtrip called “Baja California’s Whales and Sealife,” which includes snorkeling with sea lions at Los Islotes, a protected biosphere park, and burro rides at Bahia Agua Verde.
READ A FULL REVIEW: Here’s John’s detailed Baja Mexico UnCruise review for QuirkyCruise.
Interested In This UnCruise Baja Adventure?
Fares start at $6,000 per person, including all excursions and drinks (wine, beer, cocktails).
Visit UnCruise.com or if you’re interested in booking this trip with the assistance of a knowledgeable travel agent we love working with, drop QuirkyCruise Editor Heidi an email ([email protected]) and she’ll connect you with her favorite travel advisor Kevin. You can also show your interest by filling out the form at the end of this article.
2. Victory Cruise Lines In The Great Lakes (August 2025)
Victory Cruise Lines was resuscitated by cruise veteran John Waggoner who bought the line’s two ships from the bankruptcy of American Queen Voyages. Victory I and Victory II sail Great Lakes itineraries giving travelers from the U.S. and Canada a fantastic close-to-home travel experience on these fascinating waterways.
We took a 10-day cruise on the 202-passenger Victory I, going from Toronto to Milwaukee and visiting all five Great Lakes on one voyage, with stops in Port Colborne, Cleveland, Toledo, Mackinac Island and Escanaba.
What We Loved About Our Great Lakes Cruise With Victory:
This is a pleasant experience, with plenty of inclusions such as daily shore excursions (primarily city tours), as well as cocktails, beers, wines and sodas.
Onboard, things are casual and relaxed with an emphasis on learning the history of the Great Lakes and cities you are visiting.
We enjoyed the variety of live music in the lounge each night, with themed nights such as Motown, Country, ‘70s Rock and Roll and Broadway Tunes. Additional amenities include a small gym and massage services.
Our favorite excursions brought us to Detroit to visit the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and to Cleveland for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We also had a great tour of the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee.
So, this itinerary offers a wonderful way to check off these iconic museums all in one go.
Victory Cruise Lines Caveats:
This might be a slower pace than some people would prefer on their vacations. Days onboard are mostly quiet until the post-dinner entertainment.
Also, the food focuses on American comfort items, with salads, pastas, burgers, pizza, chicken and roast beef. So, hardcore foodies might not be too impressed.
VIDEO: Below is John’s vlog of his Great Lakes cruise with Victory Cruise Lines.
Victory Cruise Lines Sample Itinerary
This 10-night Chicago to Toronto “All 5 Great Lakes” route is one of the only cruises that sails Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario in a single captivating journey. Fares start at $5,800 per person.
READ A FULL REVIEW: Here’s a full detailed QuirkyCruise review of the Victory I on all 5 Great Lakes.
Interested In This Victory Cruise Lines Cruise?
See more details on the Victory website, or if you’d like the help of a knowledgeable travel agent we love working with, drop QuirkyCruise Editor Heidi an email ([email protected]) and she’ll connect you with her favorite travel advisor Kevin. You can also show your interest by filling out the form at the end of this article.
3. French Country Waterways in Alsace/Lorraine, France (May 2025)
Colleen joined me for our first barge cruise together. We had heard all about this type of travel with the slow pace and amazing food and were excited to try it out on French Country Waterways, which has a fantastic reputation.
We boarded the eight-passenger Horizon II barge in the town of Nancy and had an amazing journey through the idyllic Lorraine and Alsace countrysides before ending in Lutzelbourg.
What We Loved On Our Barge Cruise With French Country Waterways:
We traveled with just one other couple, meaning it was just the four of us on an intimate trip with five crew taking care of our comfort and entertainment. Our cabin was large and luxurious, and the interior of the ship had a warm Victorian feel.
Our crew was friendly and always ready to get us a drink (the experience is all-inclusive) or snack. We had fun daily excursions and really enjoyed the meandering cruise journey in the canals with pretty scenery available all day long as we cruised.
We were able to hop off the barge for walks and bike rides and rejoin further along the route.
The best part, though, was the gourmet French cuisine, highlighted by afternoon lunches on deck and decadent five- or six-course wine-paring dinners with specialty cheeses every night.
Barge Cruise Caveats:
We got along well with our fellow travelers on this trip, but it is best to book the entire barge with your friends or family to ensure that you have the best time.
READ THE FULL REVIEW: Here’s John full QuirkyCruise review of his French Country Waterways barge cruise.
VIDEO: Below is John's vlog of his barge cruise with French Country Waterways.
French Country Waterways Alsace-Lorraine Itinerary
The barge Horizon II operates the company’s classic Alsace-Lorraine trip. All-inclusive fares start at $8,800 per person.
Interested In This Horizon II Cruise?
See more details on the French Country Waterways website, or if you think you’d like to book this barge cruise with the assistance of a knowledgeable travel agent we love working with, drop QuirkyCruise Editor Heidi an email ([email protected]) and she’ll hook you up with her favorite travel advisor Kevin. You can also show your interest by filling out the form at the end of this article.
4. Sea Cloud Spirit In The Caribbean (January 2025)
Sea Cloud Spirit is one of the three masted sailing ships in the Sea Cloud Cruises’ fleet. The 136-passenger ship combines the traditional feel of a true sailing adventure with modern comfort and fantastic itineraries.
I cruised roundtrip from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and had a wonderful time visiting serene ports in the Virgin Islands away from the crowds.
What I Loved About My Sea Cloud Spirit Caribbean Cruise:
The Sea Cloud Spirit features teak decks and masts that cruisers can climb. This relaxed “barefoot” cruising style is wonderful. We also enjoyed barbecue lunches and dinners outdoors in the warm Caribbean nights under moonlit skies.
The ship has a good range of amenities, with a good gym, a public lounge for enrichment talks and spa services, including a Finnish sauna.
Two days stand out from my voyage. The Sea Cloud beach day at Norman Island was incredibly fun, with a full barbecue lunch, music, water sports, guided hikes into the mountains and lounging on the beach.
Also, a visit to Virgin Gorda allowed us to take an excursion through the famous Baths, a stunning natural attraction with large granite boulders that create caves, grottos and tidal pools.
Sea Cloud Spirit Caveats;
The ship doesn’t have a pool. Instead, there are watersports and a swimming area that can be set up in the open sea off the side of the ship. However, I have cruised twice with Sea Cloud, and this option was never set up on either of my trips. It’s always based on weather conditions allowing this to be safely done, and it seems that chances typically are slim that they will choose to do it.
READ THE FULL REVIEW: Here’s John full QuirkyCruise review on of his Sea Cloud Spirit cruise.
VIDEO: Below is John’s Sea Cloud Spirit ship tour & cruise vlog.
Sea Cloud Spirit Sample Caribbean Itinerary
The itineraries and destinations are new every season for Sea Cloud’s exciting sailing ships. A great Caribbean itinerary on Sea Cloud Spirit might look like the line’s “More Time for Island Dreams” voyage, a 14-day roundtrip sailing out of St. Maarten. There are also many weeklong itineraries, with fares starting at about $6,000 USD per person.
Interested In This Sea Cloud Spirit Cruise?
See more details on the Sea Cloud website, or if you’re interested in booking this trip with the assistance of a knowledgeable travel agent we love working with, drop QuirkyCruise Editor Heidi an email ([email protected]) and she’ll connect you with her favorite travel advisor Kevin. You can also show your interest by filling out the form at the end of this article.
READ MORE: Check out our comparison of Sea Cloud Cruises vs Star Clippers.
5. UnCruise In Prince William Sound, Alaska (July 2024)
The world’s leading expedition cruise line is always a great small-ship cruise experience, so I try to travel with UnCruise as much as possible. The line’s program in Prince William Sound represented a brand-new itinerary when Colleen and I went in 2024, and the trip delivered outstanding adventures as we sailed on the 36-passenger Safari Explorer for a weeklong voyage roundtrip from Whittier, Alaska.
The expedition went to a handful of beautifully remote places in South Central Alaska to see temperate rainforest, glaciers, bears and birds, as well as visiting the small fishing town of Cordova, which is located in the heart of the Copper River salmon territory.
What I Loved About Our UnCruise Trip In Prince William Sound:
The small ship community of active travelers was amazing. We went out for daily activities like hiking, bushwhacking and kayaking. The remote confines of the region meant that we were the lone vessel on the waters; we didn’t see another until four days in when we navigated closer to Cordova.
Our voyage included a visit to a salmon hatchery, too, where we went on a scenic hike and saw plenty of brown bears feeding at the streams that lead into the main waterway.
Onboard, UnCruise chefs prepare excellent regionally sourced food that is so flavorful. The meals, pastries and beers and cocktails are always a highlight of an UnCruise trip.
UnCruise Caveats:
The conditions on the ship are rustic. There is a small outdoor gym area, and the cabins are tight. It’s not fancy at all.
READ THE FULL REVIEW: Here’s John full review on of his Prince William sound cruise.
UnCruise Prince William Sound Sample Itinerary
While we cruised out of Whittier, the trips are now round- trip from Seward and are listed as “Prince William Sound Explorer with Cordova.” Fares start at $10,800 per person.
VIDEO: Here’s John’s vlog of his Prince William Sound adventures with UnCruise.
Interested In This UnCruise Prince William Sound Cruise?
See more details on the UnCruise website, or if you’re interested in booking this trip with the assistance of our favorite travel agent (who has experienced UnCruise himself), drop QuirkyCruise Editor Heidi an email ([email protected]) and she’ll connect you with our partner, travel advisor Kevin.
6. Riverside Ravel On The Rhone River (May 2024)
Riverside Ravel is one of Riverside Luxury Cruises’ three ultra-posh river ships; it carries up to 110 passengers for delightful voyages on the Rhone River in France.
We embarked in Lyon and cruised to Avignon on a spring cruise that delivered wonderful food and exciting destinations. We had the opportunity to enjoy some fun excursions and other activities along the way.
VIDEO: Below is John's vlog of his Rhone River cruise with Riverside.
What I Loved About Our Rhone River Cruise With Riverside Luxury Cruises:
Riverside offers the ultimate in all-inclusive luxury river cruising and so it's no surprise Riverside is one of my top small-ship cruise experiences. We enjoyed massages in Riverside Ravel’s spa and a range of nice excursions and activities. We toured the Roman ruins and took bike rides.
Our favorites memories, though, were a kayaking outing on the Gard River in Avignon, paddling through rapids to pass under the ancient Pont du Gard Roman bridge that dates to the first century, dog-assisted truffle hunting in Viviers and attending a little riverside party in Arles as the town hosted a leg of the Olympic torch relay.
Riverside Ravel Caveats:
The entertainment after dinner was fine with a talented piano player. I would have preferred a little more variety with regional musicians or other artists. The lounge was usually empty in the evenings, though, with people heading to their cabins early.
Sample Riverside Ravel Itinerary
The Rhone River cruises are a wonderful way to spend the spring, summer or early fall in France, and Riverside offers its “Rhone River Roaming with Rhone Delta and Pont du Gard” sailings from April to October. Prices start at about $5,700 per person.
READ THE FULL REVIEW: Here’s an entire QuirkyCruise review of a Riverside Ravel Rhone River cruise.
Interested In This Riverside Ravel Cruise?
See more details on the Riverside Cruises website, or if you’re keen to book this trip with the help of a knowledgeable travel agent we love working with, send QuirkyCruise Editor Heidi an email ([email protected]) and she’ll connect you with her favorite travel advisor Kevin. You can also show your interest by filling out the form at the end of this article.
7. AmaWaterways On A Biking/River Cruise Combo In Bordeaux, France (Sept 2023)
AmaWaterways has had a partnership with adventure travel company Backroads since 2015, and it’s a fantastic collaboration that gives active cruisers a fantastic way to experience destinations.
So when I think of my best small-ship cruises, I zero in on the three AmaWaterways/Backroads trips I've enjoyed; the latest a biking cruise with my wife Colleen in the Bordeaux region of France on the 148-passenger AmaDolce.
We took this trip on the waterways in Bordeaux — the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers and the Gironde Estuary — in September 2023, and the weather was perfect for long bikes rides and tours of vineyards.
VIDEO: Here’s John vlog of his biking cruise combo in Bordeaux.
What I Loved About Our Cruise On AmaDolce With Backroads:
This is a great trip for active travelers who enjoy great food and wine. It doesn’t really get much better than Bordeaux for this, does it?
It was a joy to pedal along the country roads that took us through the vineyards to savor the beautiful scenery while working up a well-earned appetite for the wines, cheeses and French cuisine that was available for lunch and dinners on board AmaDolce.
Traveling with AmaWaterways always allows you the opportunity to enjoy their port tours if you want to take a day off from riding. Plus, the ship’s amenities include a spa, pool, live music and activities such as morning yoga or stretching classes with the ship’s wellness host.
A Few Caveats:
The only bit that is disappointing with these types of trips is that you don’t get the full enjoyment of the typical excellent AmaWaterways’ river cruise experience because your daily Backroads schedule is packed with cool stuff, too.
So, it can be anguishing to have to choose from several great options every day. If you do the epic ride to a chateau under beautiful blue skies, you can’t do an AmaWaterways excursion that catches your eye.
You can do anything you want from either program, of course, but you can’t do everything on the AmaWaterways/Backroads Bike Cruise combo program.
Our Bordeaux Biking Cruise Itinerary
AmaWaterways and Backroads team up for active voyages on the Danube, Rhine, Douro, and Seine Rivers, as well as the Dutch and Belgian waterways and even the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia.
The Bordeaux River Cruise Bike Tour, however, is the perfect fit for cyclists who also happen to be wine aficionados. (There is a big crossover here!) Fares start at $8,249 per person.
READ THE FULL REVIEW: Here's John’s full QuirkyCruise review of this trip,
Interested in This AmaWaterways/Backroads Bike Cruise Combo?
See more details on the Backroads site, or if you’re interested in booking this trip with the assistance of a knowledgeable travel agent we love working with, drop QuirkyCruise Editor Heidi an email ([email protected]) and she’ll connect you with her favorite travel advisor Kevin. You can also show your interest by filling out the form at the end of this article.
Hope You Enjoyed This List Of Great Small-Ship Cruises!
There are many more than seven wonderful small-ship cruises to experience out there, but we enjoyed curating this list to whet your appetite!
Interested In One Of These Cruises?
For years, we've been referring our readers to our favorite travel advisor, Kevin Flink, because of his excellent customer service and expertise in travel planning. Kevin owns a franchise of Cruise Planners, one of the highest producing land and cruise travel agencies in the world, which means he gets access to various discounts and perks from cruise lines, hotels and insurance companies that he can pass on to his clients.
To show your interest in booking one of these cruises (or any cruise!) with Kevin, please tell us a bit more about what you’re looking for and we will be happy to get you both connected.
* Your personal information will be used solely for purposes of responding to your request.
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HEIDI SARNA
