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.

CRUISE NEWS

The latest small-ship cruise news by our chief news correspondent Anne Kalosh.

CRUISE REVIEWS

We review our favorite small-ship cruise experiences to inspire & inform. Here, we also share special offers from our cruise partners.

CHARTER OPPORTUNITIES

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.

Vaccinated Travelers Can Visit Europe, the EU Just Announced

Vaccinated Travelers Can Visit Europe, the EU Just Announced

Vaccinated Travelers Can Visit Europe By Heidi Sarna. The New York Times reports that vaccinated travelers can visit Europe, with the announcement yesterday that the EU (European Union) "has reached an agreement on entry criteria for tourists who have had their shots...

Galápagos Cruise News — Silversea and Celebrity

Galápagos Cruise News — Silversea and Celebrity

Small Ship Galápagos Cruise News By Anne Kalosh For expedition travelers who require plenty of creature comforts, the two most glamorous Galápagos cruise ships are now scheduled to start sailing in June and July. These add to the vessels that are resuming, slowly, as...

Introducing Sea Cloud Spirit

Introducing Sea Cloud Spirit

Introducing Sea Cloud Spirit By Anne Kalosh. The long-awaited Sea Cloud Spirit has been delivered to Sea Cloud Cruises by Metalships & Docks SAU in Vigo, Spain. This 136-passenger tall ship has a classic yacht feel, elegant decor and modern amenities. It was...

Pandaw River Cruises Pauses Operations Until October 2022 * UPDATE!

Pandaw River Cruises Pauses Operations Until October 2022 * UPDATE!

Pandaw is Back! By Heidi Sarna. Dec 18, 20021 UDPATE We're thrilled to report that due to overwhelming support, Pandaw River Cruises is BACK! The recent "Tribute to Pandaw" we posted is now our "Celebration of Pandaw!" Here's the company statement below about the...

THE MOORINGS Private Yacht Charters

THE MOORINGS Private Yacht Charters

The Moorings COVID-19 UPDATE Be sure to check the line’s website for up-to-date news; here are special related policies & protocols. Founded over 50 years ago by a Navy veteran and sailing enthusiast, The Moorings specializes in private yacht charters, from...

River Cruise News: What’s Happening & What’s Hot

River Cruise News: What’s Happening & What’s Hot

River Cruise News: What's Happening & What's Hot By Anne Kalosh. River cruises are in big demand. They've recently resumed in the U.S. heartland. And, while a late start to the European season is expected — with clarity lacking on whether Americans will be able to...

American Cruise Lines Restarts

American Cruise Lines Restarts

American Cruise Lines Restarts By Anne Kalosh. Nearly half of the American Cruise Lines fleet is now operating. The company expects to have all its 13 vessels sailing by late spring. Six of its vessels are currently cruising in eight states — three riverboats along...

OVERSEAS Adventure Travel

OVERSEAS Adventure Travel

Overseas Adventure Travel This major tour company covers the world with land tours, and many of these trips are integrated with a cruise component, some as short as three nights and up to two weeks or longer. Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) has been in business for...

Poseidon Expeditions’ Steve Wellmeier Shares a Quick Update

Poseidon Expeditions’ Steve Wellmeier Shares a Quick Update

Poseidon Expeditions' Steve Wellmeier Shares a Quick Update By Heidi Sarna We love asking experts in the industry what they're thinking. Especially these days, as we all want to know how and when small-ship and expedition-style cruising will re-start in various...

Coming Soon: The One-Of-A-Kind Polar Explorer Le Commandant-Charcot

Coming Soon: The One-Of-A-Kind Polar Explorer Le Commandant-Charcot

Polar Explorer Le Commandant-Charcot By Anne Kalosh. It's unique — Le Commandant-Charcot, coming this summer from French cruise line Ponant. Like its namesake, Jean-Baptiste Charcot, who led the first French Antarctic expedition and missions to Greenland and Svalbard,...

Conversations with Sven Lindblad

Conversations with Sven Lindblad

Conversations with Sven Lindblad By Ben Lyons. In 2005, I was in my mid-twenties, and had been for two decades already utterly fascinated with cruise ships and ocean liners. I had my childhood dream job — working as an officer onboard the Queen Mary 2 — while...

 

 

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.

North America

Southeast Asia

Caribbean Islands

Antarctica

Europe

Arctic Regions

Europe: The Mediterranean

Australia

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