Why You’ll Love Swan Hellenic’s Small Ship Cruises!

Thinking about booking your next holiday, but not sure whether small ship cruises are for you? Great news!

Sailing on a smaller ship has many advantages. Read on to discover what they are, how they’ll enhance your next voyage, and why you’ll never look back!

When it comes to the right size ship for you, it’s all about the experience you’re looking for. While larger boats carry thousands of people, and have an array of entertainment and dining options, smaller ships have less guests (up to 300) and offer a more intimate, special experience. Our ships SH Vega and SH Minerva carry 158 guests, while SH Diana has the capacity for 192. With less people on board, small boat cruises are a more personalized experience. Swan Hellenic’s crew are dedicated to giving you the best voyage possible, providing genuine hospitality and a bespoke service. We’ve been in the business a long time and take pride in our caring, thoughtful approach.

We know the strength of our beautiful boutique ships too. Built in Finland’s Helsinki Shipyard, our ships offer stylish, sophisticated design, a relaxed setting, and a friendly atmosphere. There are welcoming spaces, world-class restaurants, and first class amenities on all of our ships, along with unobstructed views throughout, which allow you to connect with the amazing places we visit. Swan Hellenic focus on quality over quantity, and are famous for our unparalleled 5-star service, luxurious suites and unique itineraries. Sound good? Then a small ship voyage is the perfect choice for you!

If you’re looking for great service, immersive adventures and want to visit exclusive destinations, opting for cruise lines with smaller ships are your best bet. While larger ships can take you to many places, sailing on a smaller ship means you’ll get to visit remote destinations that bigger boats simply can’t access. Small ships are able to navigate through narrow waterways, anchor closer to shore, and visit ports that can’t accommodate larger ships. This gives you more opportunities to explore extra special places, such as secluded beaches and hidden coves, enchanting villages, and untouched natural wilderness.

Also, a voyage on a smaller ship also means your itinerary is much more flexible. Unlike larger boats, small ships are able to seize unexpected opportunities. Maybe someone spots whales playing near the ship, or a polar bear basking on a beach – whenever we can, we’ll stop to give you the chance to savor these special experiences!

Sailing on a smaller ship means a real sense of community develops on your voyage too. Whether you’re traveling alone or with friends or family, our welcoming lounge areas, restaurants, wonderful open decks and amenities give you plenty of chances to meet and get friendly with other like-minded travelers. And sharing special experiences creates a sense of camaraderie and closeness that you only get sailing on a smaller vessel, which helps make your journey truly memorable.

Choosing to sail on a smaller ship with Swan Hellenic opens up a world of exciting possibilities. Not only will you get a bespoke experience, you also get to have exceptional adventures! Explore remote destinations and inaccessible regions, and enjoy activities only available on smaller ships. Picture yourself kayaking through a secluded fjord with snow-tipped mountains as your backdrop. Imagine hiking to a hidden waterfall, or snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. Small ship cruising takes you to extra special places, allowing you to delve into ancient cultures and traditions, and meet indigenous communities and sample local cuisine.

With Swan Hellenic, our knowledgable guides will be on hand to offer insight into the places we visit. Renowned in their fields, our friendly experts will enrich your expedition experiences, offering insight into the wildlife, history and geology of the incredible places you visit.

Choosing a small ship voyage means you’ll have more chances to encounter wildlife in its natural habitat. Accessing remote regions – from rainforests and national parks to iceberg-packed waters and pristine islands – lets you get close to incredible creatures that live there. Plus, with Swan Hellenic, you’ll be traveling with our experienced experts, who'll happily share their knowledge about the local wildlife with you!

We’re sure you’ll enjoy your small ship cruise with Swan Hellenic. These handy hints will help you prepare for your voyage with us.

Become familiar with your ship and its amenities. If you’re used to larger ships, understanding what your smaller ship has to offer will help you feel at home before you board. Our ships offer next level cruising, with elegant interiors, a variety of delicious dining options, dedicated expedition facilities, a state-of-the-art gym, spa and beauty salon, and sumptuous 5-star staterooms, so you can explore the world in style and comfort.

Be sure to pack appropriately. Consider the climate of your destination, and pack versatile clothing that’s suitable for a variety of activities, comfortable walking shoes for exploring, and (if appropriate) waterproof clothes for excursions. Expedition cruises are mainly concerned with what happens outside the ship, so dress codes on our ships are very relaxed. Contact one of our expedition specialists if you have any questions, and they’ll be happy to help!

Expect the unexpected! We adapt our itineraries to allow for the exciting, unexpected surprises we encounter on our travels so you get the most out of your time with us. Join us with a sense of adventure, and you’ll be amazed at what can happend!

What is considered a small cruise ship?
Ships carrying around 300 passengers are generally categorized as small. Two of Swan Hellenic’s fleet carry up to 158 guests, and another carries up to 192, so both qualify as smaller ships.

What are the benefits of sailing on a small cruise ship?
Smaller ships offer you a relaxed, intimate, more personal experience. Fewer passengers means there’s a higher level of service, and traveling on a smaller ship means you’re more able to visit off the beaten track destinations.

Why are smaller cruise ships better?
Whether smaller cruise ships are better or not is really a matter of opinion. If you prefer traveling on larger ships, then that might be a better fit for you. However, if you sail with Swan Hellenic, you’ll receive a friendly, bespoke service, enjoy culinary excellence, and stay in 5-star accommodation that feels like a home away from home. Plus, you’ll also have unforgettable adventures in far flung destinations, and get to explore remote places larger ships can’t access.

Does size of cruise ship matter?
We believe the size of a boat does matter, because the size of the ship you travel on shapes the character of your voyage. Larger ships have a wide array of amenities, and often cater to a more diverse clientele. While this means they can offer something for everyone, it can also make the experience feel crowded and impersonal, and even overshadow the places you visit. Conversely, smaller ships often offer a sense of intimacy and exclusivity. Fewer passengers means there's a greater sense of personal attention, a friendlier, more relaxed ambiance, flexible itineraries, and more opportunities to visit remote destinations.

Are smaller cruise ships better for motion sickness?
Fortunately, both large and small cruise ships are often equipped with advanced stabilization systems now, that significantly reduce the chance of motion sickness. Swan Hellenic’s elegant 5-star expedition ships have extra-large stabilizers, to make sailing with us as smooth as possible.