Cruises

Small-Ship Explorers – From Mega-Yachts to Expedition Vessels

By Susan J. Young Jul 11, 2022 11:20am

Cruise travel is back in a big way as Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) projects that at least 95 percent of all ships in global cruise fleets will return to service this month. Helping boost demand is the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recent elimination of a pre-flight COVID-19 test requirement for air travelers bound for the U.S.

So, as the cruise picture brightens sizably this summer, Luxury Travel Advisor looked at what’s new on the horizon. One hot cruising trend is the rise of small-ship voyages, comprised of everything from intimate mega-yachts to snazzy expedition vessels and small ships carrying 750 or fewer guests. Here’s a sampling of the developments.

Debuting in 2023 is Silversea Cruises’ first new, Nova-class ship, the 728-passenger Silver Nova. This low-emissions, ultra-luxury cruise ship is strong on the sustainability side with hybrid technology that uses fuel cells. In fact, it’s expected to post a 40 percent overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per each double suite compared with results from the line’s existing ships.

Silversea has provided more detail about Silver Nova’s eight enhanced dining venues aboard. Yes, some are familiar favorites such as Atlantide, Kaiseki and La Dame, but dining venues will offer either new design, new interior décor, new positioning or a bit larger capacity. Silver Nova also will be the third ship in Silversea’s fleet to offer the popular new S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) regional culinary approach in S.A.L.T. Kitchen.

Silver Nova’s innovative, asymmetrical design will enable introduction of The Marquee, located on Deck 10 aft. Accommodating 220 guests, this new food-and-drinks venue on the port side will incorporate two popular existing venues—The Grill and Spaccanapoli. Guests will enjoy Silversea’s “hot rocks” culinary concept and freshly made pizza, respectively, but dine in a venue with a different look and positioning. The popular Arts Café, a space for relaxation, social conversation and refreshments, will relocate to the ship’s center, yet natural light will flow in via a double-height, glazed atrium.

In another change, Silver Nova’s main, 1,400-square-foot pool is larger than on Silversea’s other ships, plus it has a new layout, wide entrance steps and more shallow waters for guests to sit. An amphitheater-shaped structure spanning Decks 10 and 11 will provide guests with a quiet, more intimate space for relaxing, yet with expansive views. At center, overlooking the ship’s port side, is an all-new infinity-edge whirlpool, named The Cliff Whirlpool.

While The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s first new ultra-luxury yacht, the 298-passenger Evrima, is slated to debut in late August, the new luxury brand already is planning for two new super-yachts, the 456-passenger Ilma and Luminara. Expected to set sail in 2024 and 2025, respectively, they’ll be built in collaboration with the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Sant-Nazaire, France. The new brand also has an option for more vessels.

Ritz-Carlton says the super-yachts have the highest space ratios at sea, 228 suites with private terraces and a high percentage of larger suites. New upper suite categories will span 1,076 square feet. Both new vessels will showcase modern craftsmanship and interior finishes by London-based architect and design firm, AD Associates, and lighting designer, DPA. Finland-based yacht stylist, Aivan, developed the exterior design, focusing on the elegant aesthetics of private yacht design.

The onboard experience will reflect the comfort and service for which The Ritz-Carlton is known—nearly one staff member for every yacht guest. Public spaces will include five restaurants, six bars, a wine vault, and also the signature spaces found on Evrima such as an expanded marina with a new mezzanine feature, a Ritz-Carlton Spa, and a special space for Ritz Kids programming. For special events, groups can enjoy an exclusive cocktail reception on the yacht’s expanded bow.

On the sustainability side, Ilma and Luminara will be fitted with four dual-fuel engines and utilize liquefied natural gas (LNG) as their main fuel source, significantly reducing emissions as compared to traditional practices. Additionally, the yachts will include advanced water treatment systems, an efficient heat recovery loop, LED lighting, and more, with the goal of minimizing environmental impact.

The Arabian Peninsulas

Within the cruise industry, the Arabian Peninsula is trending “hot” in terms of increased cruise line offerings and consumer demand. A new small-ship ocean player is Emerald Cruises, owned by Scenic Group. It’s introduced the sleek, 100-passenger Emerald Azzurra.

Anecdotally, during a recent luxury cruise on another line in Greece, Luxury Travel Advisor noticed that guests traveling on our ship simply couldn’t take their eyes off this stunningly gorgeous new yacht in the harbor. It truly impressed the onlookers who talked about it at dinner that night too.

Emerald Azzurra now sails the warm waters of the Mediterranean, Aegean and Red seas. The yacht will sail two new Middle Eastern itineraries. A nine-day “Gems of the Arabian Peninsula” itinerary travels between Doha, Qatar and Dubai, U.A.E.; ship departures are January 2, 2023, and January 9, 2023.

Cruisers can head out for beach days at Sir Bani Yas Island and Khasab, Oman, and in Abu Dhabi enjoy an “included” guided tour of the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Cultural/heritage buffs should love visiting the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

THE OBSERVATION LOUNGE on the Emerald Azzurra — *The Observation Lounge on Emerald Azzurra* (Emerald Cruises)

Luxury Travel Advisor suggests checking out the 520 BC-era amphora showing Heracles (Hercules) battling the Nemean Lion; it’s attributed to Antimenes, an Athens painter/potter. Another “must see” is a 5th-century brooch created during the late Roman period during the barbarian invasions; it combines the symbolic power of the eagle and the cross of the new Christian era.

On this new Middle East itinerary, guests also can stroll through Fujairah’s (U.A.E.) vibrant market and visit the oldest Emirati mosque, as well as see the natural beauty of Oman’s Zighy Bay and the Musandam Peninsula’s mountains. In Dubai, guests will enjoy both a guided tour and an EmeraldPLUS traditional Emirati cultural experience.

Emerald’s other new Middle East itinerary is the nine-day “Delights of the Arabian Gulf,” which departs on January 16, 2023, from Doha to Muscat. Guests will visit destinations within the U.A.E., Oman and Qatar.

On Emerald Azzurra, guests stay in 50 luxuriously appointed staterooms and suites, more than 88 percent with balconies. Onboard, guests can enjoy a large infinity pool, spa, gym and marina platform. Marine toys for guests include SEABOBs, paddleboards and snorkeling equipment. When going ashore, guests can utilize Gocycle electronic bikes that Emerald carries aboard. These e-bikes accommodate people of different fitness levels for visits to local villages and other spots ashore.

Another line expanding in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf for the first time is small-ship Windstar Cruises. New itineraries will visit Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Doha, starting in November 2023 on the all-suite, 312-passenger Star Legend. Now, all three of Windstar’s three motorized Star Plus-class vessels have been renovated and lengthened.

On the sustainability side, the ships all now sail with the newest engine technology. Suite-wise, these Star Plus-class ships gained two new Owner’s Suites and many other suites too. New public spaces include the Cuadro 44 Spanish specialty restaurant by famed chef Anthony Sasso and the outdoor Star Grill by grilling master Steven Raichlin. Plus, the ship now sports a “proper pool” and larger pool deck. The spa complex is also sizably enlarged.

Tropical Breezes

In big news, another one of Windstar’s Star Plus-class ships, the all-suite, 312-passenger Star Breeze moves to Tahiti this fall to join the 148-passenger Wind Spirit, one of its sailing ships. So, Windstar will have two ships operating there this fall and into the winter as the line celebrates its 35th anniversary of sailing Tahiti waters.

Then in February 2024, Star Breeze will take over as the year-round Tahiti ship from Wind Spirit. This small-ship change will allow for more capacity, plus more onboard amenities including a full-service spa and multiple restaurants. Plus, some guests may prefer a totally motorized sailing experience, not so much a sailing one.

One other development for Windstar is that “Shop with the Chef” is back; the earlier pandemic restrictions had previously prevented that in many destinations. Now, “Shop with the Chef” is back, returning on Star Pride last month and being expanded to other ships this summer on some itineraries. In this complimentary excursion, guests head out with their ship’s executive chef to shop at local produce or seafood markets — picking out fresh seafood, fish, meat, vegetables, fruits and, at times, wines — which then are served on subsequent meals on the ship, such as the top-deck barbecue.

Antarctica Bound

Trend-wise, cruising to the polar regions is a hot ticket for luxury cruise passenger seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Above the Arctic Circle, at the island of Svalbard, Norway, cruise guests head out in search of reindeer herds and polar bears on offshore ice floes. In Antarctica, they walk amid colonies of tens of thousands of penguins. Iceland, Greenland and the Northwest Passage are other “must do” trips for cruisers.

This month, Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot, the cruise industry’s first hybrid-electric, polar ship powered by LNG, is expected to transport cruise guests to the geographic North Pole. This luxury icebreaker will also sail other “Geographic North Pole” itineraries in both 2022 and 2023.

Looking ahead to this coming Antarctic season, Ponant has introduced a new month-long, semi-circumnavigation of the Great White continent on Le Commandant Charcot. Departing January 15, 2023, and again in winter 2024, it will sail from Ushuaia, Argentina to Dunedin, New Zealand.

Highlight? Guests will have bragging rights with friends after they sail within the Bellingshausen, Amundsen and Ross seas, the world’s largest marine sanctuary, as well as Marie Byrd Land, the last Terra Nullius (unclaimed land) on the planet.

From December 2022 onward, subject to weather and operational conditions, small-ship Scenic will offer an exclusive helicopter excursion for Scenic Eclipse’s guests (chosen in order of suite level) traveling aboard for the 16-day “Antarctica & The Weddell Sea” itinerary. This Discovery Yacht carries a maximum of 200 guests in polar regions. Guests taking the helicopter excursion will witness 5,000 breeding pairs of Emperor Penguins of Snow Hill Island. This colony was only discovered in the 90s; it’s situated on the brink of the Antarctic Circle and Snow Hill Island is only accessible by helicopter.

Debuting from Lisbon in April 2023, new sister Scenic Eclipse II will initially sail in Europe and the Mediterranean, before joining Scenic Eclipse in Antarctica for winter 2023-2024. Guests will relax in spacious, all-verandah suites that range from 344 square feet to more than 2,600 square feet. The ship’s inaugural season will also include itineraries in the Americas, Caribbean and the two polar regions. In 2024, Scenic Eclipse II will visit Australia, Polynesia and Indonesia.

One plus for Antarctica-bound travelers is that Scenic is introducing new “Fly/Cruise” options for 2023-2024, where guests heading to the Great White Continent can bypass the sometimes-rough and time-consuming Drake Passage transit from Ushuaia, Argentina, instead taking flights directly to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands.

Scenic Eclipse II is nearly identical to the sister ship. But some tweaks have been made based on feedback from guests and crew, so, for example, look for enhancements to the 5,920-square-foot Senses Spa and a larger pool and outdoor area on Deck 10. That newly designed deck will feature the Panorama Bar, cabanas and relaxed outdoor seating with chairs and sun loungers alongside the outdoor pool.

In addition, guests joining the new Scenic Eclipse II can opt for an underwater experience aboard the first-of-its-kind Triton 660/9 AVA submarine, with large ultra-clear acrylic spheres designed for optimum underwater viewing; it will be a bit larger than its sister’s submarine so it will “dive” with eight guests at a time.

But not all adventure travel is in polar regions. On August 22, 2022, Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic’s new, 48-passenger, all-suite National Geographic Islander II will begin sailing in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands. Guests will ride Zodiacs to make “wet landings,” hike on beaches and view sea lions, seals, blue-footed boobies and other bird and marine life.

And, then there’s adventure right in one’s backyard — on the Great Lakes.

Earlier this year, Viking Expeditions welcomed its first expedition ship, the 378-passenger Viking Octantis, which sailed in Antarctica and is now cruising the Great Lakes. In addition, later this year, Viking Polaris, a sister expedition vessel, will set sail. Both ships will sail the Great Lakes region in 2023.

Australia’s adventure travel company, Aurora Expeditions, announced that its new purpose-built expedition ship, the Sylvia Earle, will debut on the 17-day “SubAntarctic Safari” on November 4, 2022; it will sail between Santiago, Chile and Ushuaia, Argentina. The ship will be christened by its namesake, Dr. Sylvia Earle, a renowned marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer, prior to making its way to the wildlife havens of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

Separately, Atlas Ocean Voyages’ second new small-expedition ship, the 196-passenger World Traveller, will launch on November 1, 2022. During its inaugural season in Antarctica this coming winter, one 17-night expedition journey from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, Argentina visits the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Islands, South Shetland Islands and the Antarctica Peninsula. The luxe-adventure ship will then sail eight more, roundtrip Antarctica expeditions from Ushuaia.

While the line’s first small ship, World Navigator has 1940’s streamliner retro-chic décor, look for World Traveller’s interior décor to be completely different. The Portuguese designers at Oitoemponto intend for World Traveller to pay homage to the 1950’s and 60’s Dolce Vita style; sophisticated and simultaneously sober — inspired by Italian holidays. The color palate will include lighter, blonds, and navy blue with white accents.

After completing its second Antarctica season on March 31, 2023, World Navigator will chart an easterly course toward Cape Town, South Africa, on a 19-night voyage via the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the world’s most remote inhabited island of Ascension and Tristan da Cunha islands in the South Atlantic. World Navigator will then reposition to the Mediterranean via Western Africa.

Small-Ship Luxury

The luxurious SeaDream Yacht Club’s two 112-passenger yachts SeaDream I and SeaDream II were both recently revitalized. In addition, for 2024, the voyage line-up offers new experiences for guests. For example, from the port of Crotone within Calabria in southern Italy, SeaDream’s guests can visit the medieval village of Santa Severina, perched atop a cliff and home to the 11th-century Carafa Castle.

In addition, even within the Caribbean, cruise lines are adding new port visits that will appeal to guests who’ve been to the other top destinations in the past. SeaDream, for example, will call at Boquerón, Puerto Rico, a small town located on the southwestern part of the island. Also new for SeaDream is Barbuda in Antigua and Barbuda; that destination is known for its secluded, pink- and white-sand beaches.

New small ports in the Mediterranean for SeaDream will include: Krk, Croatia; Kioni and Folegandros, Greece; Tunis, Tunisia; and both Crotone and Taranto, Italy. Krk is an Adriatic Sea isle with centuries-old towns, while Kioni is a pretty, small Greek village on the island of Ithica. But Greece’s best-kept secret may be Folegandros, which is home to Hora, one of the oldest, traditional medieval towns in the Cyclades.

Following a complete refit led by Jean-Philippe Nuel Studio, Ponant relaunches the three-masted sailing yacht, Le Ponant, this summer. The 32-passenger yacht will accommodate just 16 staterooms (a decrease from twice that number prior to the renovation). So, guests have a more spacious, intimate sailing adventure with a 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio.

Suites and cabins are spread over three decks, each with large windows facing the sea. With a new soft color palette, Le Ponant’s public spaces include the 34-seat Le Diamant, a dining destination with crew pouring Veuve Clicquot champagne and wines from French artisan wine producers and those of the regions visited.

Guests can relax in the sun lounge and enjoy a cocktail at the outdoor bar, plus the ship’s wellness facility offers Biologique Recherche treatments and a gym. Guests also can head to the outside deck for yoga sessions. Le Ponant’s marina offers four kayaks (two glass-bottomed), stand up paddleboards, snorkeling, fishing and diving equipment, and saltwater swimming pool. In addition, for kids, the ship carries noodles, rings, armbands and safety equipment.

The first voyage post-revitalization will depart July 10, sailing roundtrip from Dubrovnik, Croatia. This summer, Le Ponant will operate in the Mediterranean, before repositioning to the Seychelles this winter 2022-2023 and in summer 2023 in the Kimberley, Australia.

In other news for Ponant, the line again will collaborate with Smithsonian Journeys to offer some 2023 voyages. Most notably is the new “Solar Eclipse 2023: Indonesia to Australia’s Kimberley” onboard the 184-passenger Le Lapérouse, an Explorer-class ship. Yes, it has an underwater Blue Eye Lounge, a unique space that’s become a guest favorite for its sensory experience and whale-eye shaped undersea portholes for viewing the marine world.

This 15-night voyage departs on April 9, 2023, from Denpasar, Bali to Broome, Australia. Cruisers will witness a total solar eclipse out to sea off the northwest coast of Australia; it’s the only area in the world where the eclipse will be 100 percent visible. Guests will experience complete darkness for a few minutes as the moon passes between the Earth and Sun. Accompanying the expedition will be Alex Young, solar astrophysicist who serves as an associate director of Science at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center near outside Washington D.C.

In several recent issues, Luxury Travel Advisor has talked about Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new 750-passenger Seven Seas Grandeur, setting sail in late 2023. But in a new twist, the ultra-luxury line just announced a newly refined menu being developed for that ship’s Sette Mari restaurant.

With a focus on heritage, the new culinary offerings will be fully unveiled during Seven Seas Grandeur’s inaugural season in November 2023. Then, the new menu will be integrated across the line’s soon-to-be, six-ship fleet.

To draw inspiration for the new menu, the line’s corporate and culinary officials traveled to Italy’s Puglia region. In fact, Regent Seven Seas also has produced a new film that captures the essence of Sette Mari’s dining experience — a celebration of the long, lingering family meal, with exquisite Mediterranean cuisine, enhanced by the company of loved ones and beautiful surroundings. While in Italy, Regent Seven Seas’ team visited a number of “Masserias” — 16th-century farmhouses found on Puglia’s estates — to discover century-old cooking techniques and local ingredients. Now, an expected 12 months or so of preparation for “menu launch” is under way as the line sources, refines recipes and trains its chefs.

Along U.S. Coastlines

What’s new along U.S. coast lines? American Cruise Lines is currently building a new “Eagle-class” of vessel. This upscale hybrid catamaran is capable of sailing practically anywhere. The first two of 12 planned new ships in the series, the 109-passenger American Eagle and American Glory, will set sail along America’s coastlines in 2023. Observation and sitting areas on the bow and a special aft swim/activity platform are among the features.

One itinerary for the new vessels? We’d opt for the 15-day “East Coast Inland Passage” itinerary between Baltimore, MD, and Amelia Island, FL (Jacksonville). It’s particularly appealing for those cruisers seeking a “closer-to-home” U.S. option. This particular voyage also offers a pre-cruise Baltimore Four Seasons Hotel package.

Among the experiences planned are a St. Michael’s, MD, walking tour, visit to the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, N.C., horse-drawn carriage ride through the streets of Beaufort, S.C., tour of historic Savannah, GA, and kayaking on Lofton Creek from Amelia Island.

American Queen Voyages also just debuted its first new expedition ship, the 186-passenger Ocean Victory, in Alaska waters. This summer, it’s sailing on 12- and 13-day cruises between Vancouver, BC, and Sitka, AK. In the future, the ship will also operate Great Lakes and Mexico’s Yucatan voyages. What’s unique about the ship is its innovative X-Bow design, designed for a smooth ride.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ 500-passenger Europa 2, which is one of the line’s two ships with both English and German as official onboard languages, is just out of the shipyard after a revitalization. Repeat guests will discover both new furniture and a long bar in Club 2, plus two new, full-swing golf simulators. The Sakura Japanese restaurant was remodeled; the Kids Club’s area for two- and three-year-olds was renovated and received wall games and new carpets; and the Owner Suite on Deck 10 now sports new carpeting and furniture.

In 2023-2024, Europa 2 will offer several first-time itineraries, including a New York City roundtrip cruise on October 17, 2023; a U.S. West Coast voyage from San Francisco to Colon, Panama during April 2024; and a Hawaii itinerary.

Oceania Cruises just announced its 2024 schedules. For those in search of closer-to-home cruises, the upscale line—which has a strong gastronomic focus—will operate nearly three dozen explorations of Alaska, New England, Canada, Bermuda and the United States’ colonial South. Guests will sail on the line’s smallest vessels, the 656-passenger Regatta and sisters Insignia and Nautica.

In addition, Regatta will reprise Alaska voyages in 2024 to such AK and BC destinations as Icy Strait Point, Kodiak, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka, Wrangell, Prince Rupert and Victoria. On the East Coast for 2024, both Insignia and Nautica will offer sailings to Bermuda, New England, and Canada’s maritime provinces from New York City, Boston, and Montreal.

Alaska Native businesses Na-Dena’ LLC and Klawock Heenya Corporation are developing a new cruise port (similar to the concept of Icy Strait Point) in Klawock, AK, to open in May 2023. Regatta will be the first ship to call at the new port.

At The Helm

Explora Journeys has named Captain Serena Melani, a native of Livorno, Italy, as Master of Explora I, which will debut in May 2023 as the first of four new ultra-luxury ships. In 2010, Captain Melani, who studied at Nautical Technical School in Livorno, Italy, and was a bridge officer for cargo ships in the past, became bridge officer with a luxury cruise line. She was swiftly promoted to Master in 2016, becoming the line’s first female Captain and first Italian-born, female cruise ship captain. In 2020, she became the world’s first female Captain to bring a cruise ship out of a shipyard.

This past spring, Explora Journeys celebrated the float-out of Explora I at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. Guests will stay in 461 oceanfront suites, penthouses and residences. During the ship’s first year of operations in 2023, it will visit 132 ports in 40 different countries, including two maiden port destinations (Kastellorizo, Greece and Saint Pierre, Martinique). Six- to 44-night itineraries will include the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the U.K., Iceland, Greenland, Canada, the U.S. East Coast, Caribbean, South America, and Hawaii.

A Full Return to Service

Seabourn celebrated the return of its entire fleet as the 450-passenger Seabourn Sojourn sailed from Athens, Greece. Through mid-October, that ship will sail week-long voyages through the western Mediterranean between Barcelona and Rome, interspersed with 10- and 11-day voyages between Monte Carlo and Barcelona.

Longer combination voyages will also be available such as 21-Day “Mediterranean Tapestry” roundtrip from Barcelona on July 17, and back-to-back 14-Day “Rivieras & Spanish Enchantment” voyages round trip from Rome on August 14.

Eagerly anticipated this summer are the first expedition sailings of Seabourn Venture, the first of the line’s two ultra-luxury, purpose-built expedition ships. Each expedition ship will carry a 26-person expedition team of world-class scientists, scholars, naturalists and more.

Azamara has all four of its ships sailing global waters. They’ll operate in Europe this summer, before heading to Asia, Australia, South America, and more global destinations. For example, Azamara Quest sails a 14-Night “India & Sri Lanka Voyage” on November 26, 2022.

Star Clippers will return for the first time in eight years to Central America. Between December 2022 and March 2023 and in winter 2023-2024, the 166-passenger, sailing ship, Star Clipper, will operate new itineraries along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua. Previously, the ship sailed in Southeast Asia, but it’s repositioned to the Mediterranean this summer and will shift to Central America this winter. New ports of call will include Quepos, Golfito, Bahia Culebra and Isla Tortuga in Costa Rica, San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua and Parida Island in Panama. In spring 2023, the 162-guest Star Flyer will also sail new itineraries between Athens and Istanbul.

Much is happening in the world of upscale small ships — a vibrant, growing segment with much to offer luxury travelers.