I have been on three cruises: one with a traditional, large cruise line and two with small ship companies. Yes, big ships offer swimming pools, rock climbing walls, and teen lounges. But I strongly prefer the more intimate experience of being on a smaller ship.
Here are 8 reasons why I think that your family should consider a small ship cruise.
1/Up-close encounters with wildlife
Small ships get to go to the more interesting, more untouched locations where you see more wildlife.
During my most recent UnCruise voyage, I witnessed a remarkable sight. During the evening in the Sea of Cortez, tiny bioluminescent creatures rise to the surface from the depths of the ocean. When disturbed, they glow like fireflies. But here’s the crazy part: a huge pod of dolphins swam through those bioluminescent waters in order to ride our ship’s bow. As they did, the dolphins picked up these organisms and appeared to glow in the dark!
2/Personalized service
The staff on small ships are really accommodating. For example, I have a healthy, teenaged appetite and found some of the meal portions on our UnCruise to be small. I just had to ask for extra food once, and then the waiters would always offer me seconds and even thirds from that point on. Thirds on cinnamon churros dipped in chocolate ganache? Yes, please!
3/Fewer passengers and less waiting
Standing in line is not my idea of a vacation. On my big ship cruise, it seemed like we were always in a line; with small ships, there are virtually no lines. And your activities aren’t overrun with people either. Excursion groups are typically fewer than ten people.
4/Included excursions
Unlike on larger cruises where you have to pay extra for off-boat excursions, all your activities are included in a small ship trip, typically two per day: hiking, mule rides, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, birding, and skiff rides to spot wildlife.
On my most recent cruise, I got to swim with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, in the waters near La Paz, Mexico. The experience ranks among my favorite of all time. Watch here. (YouTube link below)
5/Flexible schedule
One of the best things about small ship cruising is the flexibility. Large cruise ships have to arrive at a certain port by a certain time. If there are whales in the distance, the crew doesn’t reroute the ship to follow. But that’s exactly what happens on a small ship.
6/More downtime
Not every minute of the day needs to be scheduled. Every day, I’d spend a couple of hours playing games with my family or reading a book. Yes, an actual book! In fact, on my last cruise, I finished Ron Chernow’s 818-page biography Alexander Hamilton.
7/Chance to learn something
I know that some teens are drawn to the dance parties and glitzy shows on large cruise lines; there’s nothing wrong with that. But I actually appreciated the opportunity to learn something on my small ship cruises. In the evenings, UnCruise guides gave interesting presentations on species that we were likely to see.
8/More time with family
At the end of the day, vacations really are meant to be a time to reconnect with your family away from the daily pressures of life. Parents don’t have to check work emails; kids don’t have to be posting on social media. On our most recent cruise, my dad taught my brother and I how to play Euchre; he said that I needed to know before going off to college. As my mom reminds me, we don’t have many of these vacations left.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “Small Ship Cruising with Families”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Take care!
Thanks for finally talking about >Family Travel Insurance <Loved it!
Family volunteering opportunities are a great way to give back with your teenager at your side.
May I simply say what a comfort to discover someone that actually knows what they’re discussing over the internet.
Wow, this list is amazing! I’ve always wanted to experience Mardi Gras beyond New Orleans. Thanks for sharing these incredible locations. Can’t wait to start planning my next adventure!
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content for yourself?
I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome weblog!
excellent post, very informative. I’m wondering wwhy the other experts oof this secto do not notice this. You should proceed your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ baee already!
Hello.This post was extremely remarkable, especially because I was browsing for thoughts on this issue last couple of days.
You completed several good points there. I did a search on the matter and found mainly folks will agree with your blog.
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for
T Thomas Group offers bespoke travel planning.Luxury Travel Specialist that specializes in customized itineraries, luxury cruises, small group tours, solo travel and all aspects of LGBTQ+ travel. We ensure a seamless and luxurious travel experience, designed exclusively for you.
Thank you, I have just been searching for info approximately this subject for a while and yours is the best I have found out so far. However, what concerning the bottom line?
Are you certain in regards to the supply?
Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Thanks
Very interesting subject, thanks for posting. blog
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
Great post and straight to the point.
Interesting post. I’m glad I came across this page. I’m going to bookmark it so I can read any future posts.
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been conducting a little research on this. And he in fact ordered me lunch because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to talk about this subject here on your website.
Hi! Im originally from Cambiaso and
I do mission trips to the village every year. I have read your article and I am so grateful for what you have done with my people. I would love to connect with you.
Wow, this article really resonated with me! Traveling in Europe with family can be such an incredible adventure, but it definitely comes with its own set of challenges. From navigating unfamiliar streets to finding activities that everyone enjoys, it’s a whirlwind of excitement and sometimes chaos. But hey, isn’t that what makes the best memories? Thanks for sharing your experiences and tips, they’re super helpful for planning our own European family escapade! ???
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people in this
particular topic, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Greetings! I’ve been following your website for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give
you a shout out from Atascocita Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the great work!
Your writing has a way of making even the mundane sound interesting. Kudos!
They are very very similar to the key facet all of us keep hidden from the world, the part of us that dares to dream impossible issues, where all our hopes and fantasies are born.
This article is impressive for me as mine east coast of usa
Howdy! This blog post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this
article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching
about this. I will send this article to him.
Fairly certain he’ll have a very good read. Many thanks for sharing!
Absolutely love this list of Mardi Gras celebrations outside New Orleans! Each destination seems to offer its own unique blend of culture, music, and vibrant festivities. While I’m tempted to explore them all, I can’t help but dream of experiencing the colorful chaos of Mardi Gras in Goa, India. Exploring India’s rich cultural tapestry during this festive season would undoubtedly be an unforgettable adventure. Thanks for inspiring wanderlust with these fantastic recommendations!
Thanks verfy interesting blog!
I was able to find good info from your blog posts.
“MyFamilyTravels provides a wonderful platform for families to share their travel experiences and glean inspiration for their own adventures. The diverse array of destinations and insightful tips make it a valuable resource for planning memorable trips. Kudos to the team for fostering a community that celebrates the joys of family travel!”
Your site is great and I plan on exploring it even more in the future. It is well written, comprehensive in it’s suggestions, It was a great article, thanks for sharing!
nice
There is certainly a lot to learn about this subject.
I really like all the points you made.
Nice Blog, Thanks for sharing this informative blog. We provide a Nepal Tour Package from Musafircab.
Yes. This is exactly what you should know to have a comfortable and cost-effective trip.
bookmarked!!, I love your site!