Especially in the United States, cruises resembling floating provincial towns-with 6,000 to 7,000 passengers and crews numbering in the thousands-remain hugely popular. But if you’re looking for something more luxurious and less mass-tourism-oriented, there are alternatives.
Exclusive cruises
To the casual observer, it may seem as though cruise ships are only getting bigger. A prime example is Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, with a capacity of up to 7,000 passengers. It made its maiden voyage last summer and joined its sister ship Icon of the Seas as the world’s largest cruise ship.
But in the shadow of these enormous vessels, a new trend has emerged-smaller ocean-going ships offering exceptional experiences and a level of luxury reminiscent of a bygone era. These ships are compact, yet lavish enough to earn the label “yachts.” While the term is somewhat diluted, in a cruise context it is generally used to describe luxury ships accommodating fewer than 500 passengers.
They are attracting travelers who have historically avoided cruises. According to the New York Times, 78 percent of these new customers have never been on a cruise before.
Although these passengers are new to cruising, many are not new to the world of yachting, says Stacy Fischer-Rosenthal, president of Fischer Travel, in an interview with the newspaper: “If a client is already planning to spend $340,000 for a week in the nearly 950-square-meter Funnel Suite aboard Four Seasons I, why not simply charter a private yacht and enjoy a more personal and unique experience?”
The relatively smaller size of these vessels offers clear advantages. Some cities, such as Nice and Cannes, have introduced size restrictions on the ships they allow to dock in order to limit the influx of tourists. In other words, smaller yachts can access ports that larger ships cannot.
Moreover, smaller-and even quite small-yachts make it possible to visit remote destinations such as the Galápagos Islands. The company and Beyond, previously known for offering luxury lodges and camps across three continents, has now expanded into the Pacific. This has been done with a nearly 40-meter yacht named Galápagos Explorer, which accommodates just 12 cabins.
Its maiden voyage took place in 2024, and the vessel allows passengers to enjoy hotel-level amenities in a part of the world better known for its remoteness than refinement. Here, travelers can-after a day among blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and giant tortoises-unwind with a spa, cocktail bar, and high-speed WiFi. An experience priced at around 70,000 kroner per week. Per person.
The beauty of the South Pole
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is another example of a cruise line offering journeys to some of the world’s most remote destinations. It operates two ocean-going ships, Eclipse and Eclipse II, each accommodating up to 228 passengers. They may not feature go-karts and water slides like the giant cruise ships, but they are far from lacking in toys. Both vessels are equipped with six-seat helicopters for exploring destinations such as Antarctica from above, as well as a six-person submarine capable of diving more than 100 meters below the surface-ideal for closely observing marine life in the South Pacific or the Caribbean.
Cabin sizes range from 35 to more than 185 square meters, all with private outdoor space. And if that’s not enough, guests also have access to a spa of nearly 55 square meters. An Antarctic voyage during the winter season starts at around 145,000 kroner and upwards.
Emerald Cruises has also expanded from river cruising to the open oceans with two ships: Emerald Azzurra, launched in 2022, and the 104-meter-long Emerald Sakara, which followed in 2023. The two ships each feature 50 cabins ranging from 18 to 94 square meters, four restaurants and bars, and infinity pools with glass edges.
Both ships are also equipped with electric bikes, allowing passengers to explore ports such as Mykonos and Santorini at their own pace. The company plans to add two more ships to its fleet-Emerald Kaia this year and Emerald Raiya in 2027. A 21-day Mediterranean cruise on Emerald Sakara, starting in April, is priced from just over 100,000 kroner per person.