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Where to be and what to see in the world of cruising.
Size matters – more compact vessels promise adventures at sea.
When Royal Caribbean International’s 6,780-passenger Harmony of the Seas launched in May last year, it became the world’s largest cruise ship. While the supersizing of ships continues, there’s a strong trend in the opposite direction, too, as younger, increasingly experienced passengers seek more active and adventurous cruises.
Enter small ships carrying 200 passengers or fewer, whose nimble size and shallow draught allow moorings in small or undeveloped ports and along remote coastlines.
Competition is heating up. Among the small-ship newcomers this year is the 50-cabin National Geographic Quest by Lindblad Expeditions, sailing Alaskan itineraries from June, followed by an action-packed season in Central America. Coming next year are two of four new 92-cabin ships by luxe French line Ponant, keen to expand its expedition cruises beyond its polar heartland to destinations such as Costa Rica, Papua New Guinea and the Amazon. Joining them will be Crystal Yacht Cruises’ Crystal Endeavor and Scenic’s Scenic Eclipse, the Australian river-cruise pioneer’s first venture into the ocean game.
The promise of new itineraries is also fuelling the demand for small-ship cruising. . Lindblad recently added northern and western Europe to its cruise map, Ponant the Seychelles and South Africa, and Silversea’s 120-passenger Silver Discoverer has new dive cruises in Australia and the Maldives. Star Clippers has entered Asian waters, and Tauck has announced a portfolio of 16 small-ship cruises in 2017 using Windstar and Ponant vessels, in another indication that size matters.