6 Small-Ship Captains Pick Their Favorite Ports

By Anne Kalosh.

QuirkyCruise asked a handful of small-ship captains who command a range of small vessels — yachts, paddle-wheelers, tall ships — about their favorite ports to sail into. Their picks are fascinating.

Here they are, in the small-ship captains’ own vivid descriptions.

See if any of these are among your favorites, too. Or perhaps worth adding to your bucket list?

Capt. Dan Blanchard, UnCruise Adventures — Juneau, Alaska

“This capital of Alaska is land-locked, hemmed in by snowcapped mountains and sits in a beautiful fjord. A massive glacier is 10 minutes from the airport and other glaciers adorn the mountains that engulf this historic mining center.

Small Ship Capt. Dan Blanchard with Wilderness Adventurer in Alaska

Capt. Dan Blanchard with Wilderness Adventurer in Alaska. * Photo: UnCruise

From trails for hiking, to a mountaintop tram, whale watching, salmon and halibut fishing, skiing, bear watching and more, it is an adventurer’s paradise. My paradise. Museums, native culture and great food highlight this gorgeous town of 32,000 people.”

When it comes to food, click here to find out Dan’s favorite places to eat in Juneau!

Juneau is Capt Dan Blanchard's fave port

Juneau, hemmed in by snowcapped mountains. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures

Wilderness Adventurer in Juneau. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures

Capt. Kathryn Whittaker, Sea Cloud Cruises — Valletta, Malta

“The arrival to the fortified city of Valletta at sunrise is spellbinding and definitely one of my favorites. The old city is rich in history and charming at every turn but at sunrise, the soft, buttery morning light reflects off the old stone buildings making the ancient city appear golden at this time of the day. It is simply awe-inspiring.”

Capt. Kathryn Whittaker is small ship captain

Capt. Kathryn Whittaker. * Photo: Sea Cloud Cruises

Sunrise over Valletta is spellbinding. * Image: Pixabay

Capt. Whittaker commands Sea Cloud II. * Photo: Sea Cloud Cruises

Capt. Michael Macleod, SeaDream Yacht Club — Ile de Saintes, Guadeloupe & Kotor, Montenegro

Ile de Saintes: “I love this island because it is small and you are actually able to walk everywhere. One of my favorite activities, if I have time to get off the yacht, is to hike up the highest hill on the island, Le Chameau (“the camel”) as the hill is shaped like the hump of a camel, nice and steep with beautiful views from the top, looking over Guadeloupe to the north and the island of Dominica to the south.

The cuisine of the island is also fabulous, with a Caribbean and French mix, making their seafood dishes extremely flavorsome. This island is also special to me as it was the first island I visited with my wife while working for SeaDream.”

small-ship Capt. Michael Macleod, SeaDream Yacht Club

Capt. Michael Macleod. * Photo: SeaDream Yacht Club

Kotor: “The sail into Kotor should be on the bucket list for all. We pass ancient and modern history as we make the two-hour approach into this Mediterranean fjord. The dock beside the walled city is stunning with the weather seemingly always perfect there. With many opportunities to hike and bike, followed by some shopping and a quiet lunch within the walled city, a day onboard SeaDream does not get any better.”

Stunning Kotor. * Pixabay

Capt. Michael Macleod is the master of SeaDream II. * Photo: SeaDream Yacht Club

Capt. John Cook, American Queen Voyages — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“Pittsburgh is my hometown. There is nothing like coming up the Ohio at night and seeing this beautiful city sprawled out before you. You pass under the west end bridge and the point of Pittsburgh is lit up in front of you at the convergence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers.

small-ship captain Capt. John Cook at the helm of American Duchess

Capt. John Cook at the helm of American Duchess. * Photo: American Queen Voyages

The city opens up in front of you and it is one of the most beautiful approaches we make. Mount Washington to your right and the North Shore to your left, it’s an amazing sight. I’m proud to return to my city and share it with our passengers and crew. It’s where steamboats began and it’s still welcoming us back every time.”

Pittsburgh and its bridges. * Pixabay

small ship Captain John Cook on American Duchess in Natchez

Capt. John Cook helms American Duchess, shown here at Natchez. * Photo: American Queen Voyages

Capt. Roman Krstanovic, Windstar Cruises — Dubrovnik, Croatia

“After 27 years as captain onboard cruise ships and 10 years cruising around the world … Each and every port has something unique and special. But two stand out: Venice and Dubrovnik. I will choose Dubrovnik as my ultimate favorite, because Windstar, as a small ship, is able to drop anchor near the high walls of the Old City, and that is a stunning sunrise over the city from the XIII century.

Capt. Roman Krstanovic, Windstar Cruises is a small ship cruise captain

Capt. Roman Krstanovic, Windstar Cruises. * Photo: Windstar

Dubrovnik is a “must visit” city for a lot of people. Here you can travel to the past every day while walking through the Old City. This is the feeling that our guests are having during their visit to Dubrovnik. It doesn’t disappoint.”

High walls of Dubrovnik’s Old City. * Photo: Pixabay

Capt. Roman Krstanovic commands Wind Surf, pictured here off Capri. * Photo. * Windstar Cruises

Capt. Ben Lyons, EYOS Expeditions — Neko Harbor, Antarctica

“For me, there is always something about sailing into Neko Harbor in Antarctica. There is the absolute beauty of it all — really in the heart of the Danco Coast, with towering mountains heavy with snow rising right from the sea. Sea ice and large icebergs are often mixed in here as well. It is just raw, spectacular beauty.

Capt. Ben Lyons, EYOS Expeditions. * Photo: Ben Lyons

And even more than the beauty, I’ve just had incredible moments in Neko Harbor. Friendly minke whales swimming under kayaks, or incredible views of glaciers calving, or spectacular kayaks with penguins porpoising all around. Neko is one of the most extraordinary places I’ve ever been, and entering Andvord Bay and sailing towards it always has me curious for what will happen or what I’ll see this time.”