Small-scale cruise ships (< 1.500 passengers)
Founded in 2007 as a subsidiary of Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Cruises has four small cruise ships: the Azamara Quest, the Azamara Journey, the Azamara Pursuit, and the newest ship, the Azamara Onward. Fine service, luxurious suites with butler service, speciality restaurants and destination specialists are just some of the many features of Azamara Cruises.
A nice touch are the AzAmazing Evening excursions, which are discoveries and experiences that continue into the evening and are often the highlight of the cruise. But the special land packages are also much liked; these 3 to 6-day programmes usually include transfers, and excursions led by local experts such as geologists, naturalists, sommeliers, astronomers, and wildlife trackers. They are carefully curated programmes for small groups averaging 12 to 18 guests, with stays in five-star hotels, castles, boutique hotels, and luxury lodges in the world's most breathtaking locations.
Azamara offers cruises to the North Sea, Baltic Sea, British Isles, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The 11-day cruises from Cape Town can be extended with 5-day land programmes to the Kruger Park, Victoria Falls, Kenya, and the Cape Winelands.
Small-scale cruise ships (< 1.500 passengers)
Whoever says Celestyal Cruises immediately says Greece. This Greek shipping company is therefore completely at home in Hellas and continues the well-known Greek hospitality aboard their 3 ships, the Celesytal Crystal, the Celestyal Olympia and now also the Celestyal Journey. Quite nicely, you can choose from 4-, 5- and 8-day cruises. With the Enhance package, premium drinks, tips and a reduction on your excursions are also included.
The Eastern Mediterranean captures everyone's imagination wonderfully, and if you're travelling solo, you'll have even more time to admire its boundless natural beauty, enchanting historical setting and wealth of opulent architecture. Celestyal's ships are ideal for individual travellers due to their reduced size. With a full programme of entertainment and amenities on board, you are in control of your own freedom, but there are also special family and culinary cruises. Experience the ultimate pilgrimage
Small-scale cruise ships (< 1.500 passengers)
Explora Journeys is MSC Group's new luxury lifestyle all-inclusive cruise brand and will offer a wide range of immersive itineraries with 6 elegant 'State of the Art' ships. With 18 culinary experiences (including 6 restaurants and 12 bars and lounges), 4 pools, whirlpools, indoor and outdoor spa, various bars, lounges and attentive personal service, Explora Journeys effortlessly meets the needs and expectations of the most discerning cosmopolitan traveller. The six ships with 461 suites each, all with a terrace, are powered by sustainable and eco-friendly technology.
Pure luxury, redefined, is how Explora Journeys describes itself. And this manifests itself in the impressively large suites, in the architectural gems of restaurants, as well as in the culinary delights, and the incredible wellness and fitness experiences, both on board, and ashore. This because the Explora wellness experiences can also be continued ashore upon request, and then there are the personalised fitness suggestions. As many as four of the six restaurants allow for delicious outdoor dining, which is unprecedented. The Explora discovery voyages are characterised by non-conventional arrival and departure times, combined with overnight stays in selected ports to allow each guest to fully enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Explora Journeys deliberately opts for sea days during their itineraries to give guests quiet time to reflect on the amazing destinations visited. In short, this is a superbly crafted combination of discovery, inspiration and relaxation. In other words, time is of no importance once you board the Explora ships.
Small-scale cruise ships (< 1.500 passengers)
With the MS EUROPA2, the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has a winner on its hands, as this ship has already been awarded best cruise ship on several occasions. The MS EUROPA2 stands for luxurious cruising in spacious, tasteful and trendy suites, and a choice of high-level speciality restaurants, and is aimed at international customers, while the MS EUROPA focuses more on German-speaking customers.
Families are warmly welcome on board. Unique, for example, is the guaranteed care for children from 2 years old. Trained specialists ensure that your child will not be bored for a moment during an exciting day. The Knopf Club offers fantastic entertainment for children aged 2 to 3. The Kids' Club takes children aged 4 to 10 on a journey of discovery, while older children aged 11 to 15 can go their own way in the Teens' Club.
Small-scale cruise ships (< 1.500 passengers)
Nicko Cruises offers surprise sea cruises with two ships: the World Voyager, with which Nicko also enters the world of expedition cruises, and the Vasco da Gama, which until 2015 was owned by Holland America Line under the name Statendam. Thanks to the retractable glass roof, the pool on the Lido Deck can be used all year round, regardless of weather conditions. An original itinerary is definitely island hopping in the Canary Islands, where you visit Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma and Tenerife.
The World Voyager is a smaller ship, with 200 passengers and 109 crew, which can also dock in smaller ports. The culinary moments on board are a pure indulgence, and the varied entertainment ensures that you will not be bored.
Another positive aspect of the World Voyager is its state-of-the-art engine technology, resulting in an eco-friendly cruise ship.
Small-scale cruise ships (< 1.500 passengers)
Founded in 2002, Oceania Cruises regards gastronomy as a top priority. For this reason, it is also described as 'The Finest Cuisine at Sea', and is, in short, the perfect choice for foodies. Its seven medium-sized luxury ships call at more than 450 smaller ports all over the world. In addition, this shipping company is also known for its epic "Around the World" cruises and "Grand Voyages".
The atmosphere on board can best be described as that of a luxury country club, with outstanding service, timeless elegance, soothing colours and a fantastic range of speciality restaurants playing the leading role. It all comes across as refreshing, casual and friendly, making you feel like you are in your own private country club, where everyone knows your name and preferences.
2023 will be the year of the Vista, Oceania's new Allura class ship with stunning interiors and harmonious spaces that reflect a fresh and new perspective inspired by land and sea elements. Spacious suites, all with veranda, exude luxurious residential style, with extra-large rain showers and plenty of storage space. New on the Vista is a veranda-cabin category designed specifically for solo travellers.
Oceania's OLife Choice is a package with extra pampering available on all cruises and for all cabin types, where you can choose between complimentary excursions, complimentary drinks package, or board credit. On top of that, you'll enjoy free internet on board.
Small-scale cruise ships (< 1.500 passengers)
Regent Seven Seas Cruises celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022, offering guests an unparalleled cruise experience with every luxury included. The company's spacious and stylish ships, which carry no more than 750 guests, the Seven Seas Explorer, the Seven Seas Mariner, the Seven Seas Navigator, the Seven Seas Splendor, and Seven Seas Voyager, make up the world's most luxurious fleet. At the end of 2023, Regent will take delivery of its brand new ship the Seven Seas Grandeur.
You have to have experienced it to appreciate it, truly every luxury imaginable is included, making it safe to say that this shipping company has taken the all-inclusive concept to the next level. Excursions are offered to you free of charge and without limit, whether active or relaxing, full or half-day, unaccompanied or accompanied, there is always an excursion that meets your expectations. Dining on board Regent ships is a true culinary delight, whether in one of the exquisite speciality restaurants or the general restaurant, Compass Rose, where a multitude of choices and unprecedented flexibility will delight even the most discerning passenger.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises often launches promotions for solo travellers and families, and it also works hard to have a positive impact on society and the environment through the company's global sustainability programme.
Small-scale cruise ships (< 1.500 passengers)
Cruising on a boutique ship, sounds like music to your ears, doesn't it? Well, Seabourn makes this a reality with its intimate ultra-luxury ships that sail to every corner of the world, where elegance, sheer luxury, personalized service and scrumptious cuisine play the starring role. If you prefer to dine in your suite, room service ensures flawless service. By the way, upon simple request, you will be served caviar and champagne in your suite in an eye-catching table setting.
Seabourn is a member of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, one of the world's most prestigious gastronomic associations dedicated to the art of refined culinary enjoyment. Seabourn ships feature multiple restaurants, with choices from a relaxed poolside lunch to gourmet dining at The Grill by Thomas Keller. This renowned three-star chef brings a unique culinary concept exclusive to Seabourn. The new Dr Andrew Weil Spa & Wellness program integrating physical, social, environmental and spiritual well-being is the first of its kind at sea. The range of excursions is large and very varied, which is why Seabourn has divided them into 7 categories or 'Collections'. Based on your interests and expectations, this already makes choosing a lot easier.
Small-scale cruise ships (< 1.500 passengers)
Silversea offers ultra-luxurious cruises to all parts of the world with small-scale, classically styled luxury cruise ships. Almost impeccable service, butler service in every suite, 24/24 room service, refined gastronomy and high-end sleeping comfort play the leading role here.
Handy to know is that excursions are included. Recently, Silversea launched its door-to-door all-inclusive concept, where the price also includes all transfers and flights. This shipping company also does its best to spoil solo travellers with special offers.
Gastronomy and service are truly an absolute priority, and in every restaurant on board Silversea's ships the dishes reflect reverence for Italian heritage on the one hand, and a contemporary interpretation of it on the other. On all recent ships in the Silversea fleet, S.A.L.T., which stands for Sea and Land Taste programme, has been introduced.
Small-scale cruise ships (< 1.500 passengers)
In 2015, Viking introduced its first ocean liner, with room for 930 passengers. This was quickly followed by nine more ships, all with a capacity of 930 passengers also. They are environmentally friendly in design, with energy-efficient hull, propeller and rudder arrangements, and engines with heat recovery systems.
As a result, the ships achieve the best Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) in their class, exceeding International Maritime Organisation (IMO) requirements by almost 20 per cent.
The Viking Saturn is the latest ship, with 465 staterooms decorated in calm and tasteful tones. Do not expect noisy nightclubs or flashy casinos, as Viking represents a more cultural approach to cruising, and this is reflected in everything from the daily programme offerings to the evening entertainment. The two main dining options are The Restaurant, Viking's equivalent of the general restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the more casual World Cafe, where, as the name suggests, dishes from around the world are served buffet-style. The second speciality restaurant is Manfredi's, serving Italian dishes. The Pool Grill serves burgers, fries, and other poolside grills.
