Think Cruises Aren't For You? These Intimate, Small-Ship Sailings Could Change Your Mind

Whether you’ve been hesitant to embark or already have your sea legs, welcome aboard: A new class of luxurious yachts, stylish river cruises and purpose-built expedition vessels are promising higher-touch experiences. These itineraries highlight the best of sailing’s redrawn horizon, each with a little something for everyone, from scientific exploration to the world’s oldest golf course and even vineyard-to-veranda bottles of wine sipped in the very same village where the grapes were grown.

Four Seasons I, Four Seasons Yachts

This 95-cabin yacht sets sail in January, but act now—it’s already booking up fast, thanks to Caribbean itineraries that anchor in less-trafficked ports, including Guadeloupe for rum tastings, Martinique for snorkeling over coral gardens and Dominica for black-sand-beach strolls.

AmaMagdalena, AmaWaterways
Voyages by Chase Travel

Empty nesters pursuing new pastimes and parents of budding ornithologists will jump at this first-of-its-kind journey along Colombia’s Magdalena River, which offers access to some 1,900 bird species, along with historic towns where you can catch live cumbia and vallenato performances.

Explora III, Explora Journeys

Debuting next summer, this yacht promises form and function, pairing sleek design with an adventurous North Atlantic itinerary. When you’re not cruising in style, you’ll ride Icelandic horses, hike through secluded valleys in Greenland and whale-watch in Newfoundland.

Silver Ray, Silversea
Voyages by Chase Travel

Private butler service, a champagne bar and direct-to-room caviar delivery—Silversea’s latest launch pushes all pampering, all the time. On Spain-centric sailings (which might also stop in Gibraltar, Morocco and Portugal), special land excursions can include rare-barrel sherry tastings and private tours of the Alhambra.

S.S. Elisabeth, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Voyages by Chase Travel

Whether you’re a wine lover, are aiming to become one or just want a week of sipping Alsatian whites while ogling some of Western Europe’s prettiest pastoral landscapes and fairy-tale castles, you can’t do much better than this Rhine-spanning river cruise, which debuted back in March.

Oceania Allura, Oceania Cruises
Voyages by Chase Travel

Mediterranean journeys on this ship tout one chef for every 10 guests and a restaurant from Jacques Pépin; and off-board, you can sip kumquat liqueur on Corfu or shop for ingredients in a Málaga market, to be used on board later in a tapas class.

National Geographic Delfina, Lindblad Expeditions

Give your kids a winning answer to the inevitable question of “What did you do this summer?” on Lindblad Expeditions’ latest 16-guest catamaran: snorkeling with sea lions, hiking among marine iguanas and spotting the Galápagos’ trademark penguins.

Viking Sobek, Viking

Purpose-built to glide along the Nile, this glossy new yacht (and its twin, Viking Hathor) maxes out on history with stops at some of the world’s most iconic temples, obelisks and pyramids. Stick around for an exclusive post-sailing extension with private access to Egyptian antiquities.

Seven Seas Grandeur, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Voyages by Chase Travel

Your favorite group chat has aged out of all-night partying, but don’t call off the reunion just yet. This sailing promises tours of iconic courses like Scotland’s St. Andrews and, if you’re really missing the good old days, top-flight whisky tastings.

Photo courtesy of Silversea Silver Ray.