Planning Incredible Small Ship Cruises for The Whole Family

These engaging voyages are perfect for multigenerational groups seeking to reunite and bond while exploring the world together

Cruise travel is expected to reach record-high volumes for the third consecutive year. AAA recently forecasted that 19 million Americans will go on ocean cruises this year. The Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) reports multigenerational cruises are very popular, with as many as five generations sailing together. According to industry sources, luxury cruising and small ship expedition voyages are booming as well.

Multiple cruise lines are experiencing a wave of multigenerational group bookings. Small ship cruises carrying fewer than 350 guests are ideal settings for multigenerational families seeking to forge treasured memories in enchanting settings around the globe. Reuniting on small ships gives families exceptional opportunities for group bonding in incredible destinations, including Alaska, the Hawaiian Islands, the Galápagos, Europe and the South Pacific. These transformational voyages offer flexibility, exclusivity, convenience and unforgettable experiences for all ages and interests.

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Why Small Cruise Ships Appeal to Reuniting Families

Small ship cruises offer big advantages for family groups. These voyages provide unique experiences, visiting smaller ports of call and hidden gems that large ships cannot reach. The focus of these cruises is on enrichment, nature and cultural engagement, immersing families in destinations through rich programming and onshore adventures.

Some additional benefits of small ship cruising include:

• Intimate settings provide a manageable, stress-free environment
• Exceptional personalized service and attention to detail
• All-inclusive cruise fares covering meals, excursions, activities and other amenities
• Expert guides and program leaders at your service
• Superb activities and enriching programs for all ages, interests and mobility levels
• Memorable experiences, including up-close wildlife encounters and cultural connections
• Flexible daily schedules with a wide variety of options
• Fewer guests, offering more time to reconnect for family bonding
• A vibrant community of passionately committed staff and well-traveled guests

To delve deeper into the benefits of small ship cruising for family groups, read our piece on Expedition Cruises Make Awe-Inspiring Family Adventures.

8 Factors to Consider When Selecting a Small Ship Cruise

There are multiple types of small ship cruises and itineraries. Multigenerational families can reunite on upscale expedition vessels, luxurious small cruise ships, world-class yachts and masted sailing ships. Family groups should research, brainstorm and plan their dream vacation together to create the most memorable trip.

Here are some of the things to keep in mind when choosing a small ship cruise for a multigenerational vacation or family reunion:

1. Family interests, needs and travel goals. Multigenerational families should discuss who will be sailing with the group and their visions, desired activities and requirements for the trip. These conversations surface important expectations and opinions, helping families to select the best small ship. If the trip’s purpose is to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary, think about what’s needed to make the festivities particularly special.
2. Desired cruise itineraries. Determine when your group can travel and look for itineraries with ports of call and experiences that match family interests. Plan as far in advance as possible for the best choice of options and consider weather conditions. It’s helpful to seek out voyages that offer a balance of enrichment, relaxation and activities family members can enjoy onboard and ashore. Minimum age requirements may vary for specific cruise itineraries, departures and private charters.
3. 

   National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ exclusive National Geographic Global Explorers program offers exciting learning experiences for young guests. Photo courtesy of National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, Copyright Douglas Scaletta

   Ship features. Small ships feature more intimate settings and fewer guests, making bonding easier for multigenerational groups. Families should consider each ship’s size, layout, and guest capacity to determine the impact on their comfort and overall vacation experience. Take the time to review staterooms and suites, dining options, public areas and onboard amenities. Room configurations, culinary choices, privacy and space are often high priorities. Keep family members’ desired activity levels, dietary restrictions and accessibility needs in mind as well.

4. Budget considerations. Small ship cruises are available at a variety of price points. It’s key for families to openly discuss budgets and determine what’s affordable. Sometimes, grandparents or others may be covering the entire cruise cost, or family members may be paying individually. Check with your travel advisor or cruise lines to see what group and family-oriented discounts are available. Pricing for specific itineraries, such as Alaska, may also be lower for departures outside the destination’s high season.
5. Activities, excursions and entertainment. Successful multigenerational vacations offer something for all ages, interests and mobility levels. Review each voyage’s opportunities for enrichment, excursions, onboard programming, wildlife encounters, and cultural immersion. Prioritize cruises with various options to keep everyone engaged and entertained. If family-focused programs and amenities are important to your group, check on those as well.
6. Service, staff and crew. Highly personalized service is one of the hallmarks of a five-star small ship cruise experience. Research each ship’s passenger-to-crew ratio and the quality of the expert-led programming. A top-notch cruise travel advisor and guest reviews can provide insights.
7. Fare inclusions. Some small ship cruises are entirely all-inclusive, covering meals, beverages, excursions, Wi-Fi, and more. This can make budgeting easier and reduce planning stress. Families should research each line’s fare inclusions and perks available for groups. Check whether guests can access free gear, such as kayaks, wetsuits and snorkeling equipment.
8. Exclusivity and customization. Small ships accommodate fewer guests, providing a more intimate feel. Multigenerational groups with special interests and families with younger children may wish to consider special sailings and departures with tailored onboard communities. Full ship charters are ideal for family groups celebrating significant milestones, such as a big birthday or anniversary. These charters offer families the greatest opportunities for personalized attention and special requests, allowing groups to create the customized trip of a lifetime.

How to Book a Small Ship Cruise

Multigenerational families can reserve small ship voyages with a travel advisor, wholesale travel seller or directly through cruise lines. An experienced cruise travel advisor can be an asset, providing professional insights to help families determine which cruise options best fit their group and expertly guiding them through the booking process.

Family groups should book their cruises as far in advance as possible, particularly for full ship charters. It’s wise to reserve a family group cruise a year or more in advance for the best selection of itineraries, departures and staterooms. However, bookings may be possible three to six months in advance for smaller groups.

Some cruise lines suggest reserving full ship charters 12-24 months in advance, while others indicate most are booked 18-24 months ahead of sailing. Deposits and final payment times vary depending on the cruise line and type of booking, and travel insurance is recommended.

Small ship cruise lines often offer specials for family groups. These may include complimentary berths for a certain number of guest bookings, per-person savings, discounts for children, and other perks.

Top Small Ship Cruise Lines for Multigenerational Groups

There are ocean-going small ship cruise lines to match the needs and preferences of all kinds of family groups. Some are more adult-oriented, while others offer specific family-friendly activities and voyages. Here are five leading small ship cruise lines offering family-focused programs and itineraries, listed alphabetically.

Ecoventura

Ecoventura offers exceptional luxury expedition cruises in the Galápagos Islands. Each of the company’s three Relais & Châteaux expedition yachts provides an exclusive and intimate environment for 20 guests. Private yacht charters are popular with multigenerational family groups celebrating milestone events. Ecoventura’s well-equipped yachts can accommodate families of all sizes and feature deluxe interconnecting staterooms and spacious triple occupancy options. Two dedicated naturalist guides accompany every cruise.

Ecoventura sees many families and multigenerational groups booking voyages during summers, holidays and school breaks. This year, the cruise line offers over 25 designated family departures on its yachts. When multiple yachts have families aboard, guests are matched by children’s ages and multigenerational groups are organized together. Family-oriented and age-tailored activities and excursion groups are customized to the ages and paces of guests onboard. Group and family-oriented discounts are available.

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions offers outstanding expedition voyages for multigenerational families seeking to bond on the trip of a lifetime. These immersive journeys allow multigenerational families to reconnect, learn about the natural world and share extraordinary experiences. The cruise line offers an exciting array of off-the-beaten-path itineraries for transformational family vacations. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions finds it’s often the grandparents who plan multigenerational cruise vacations to celebrate milestones or treat their family to an awe-inspiring adventure.

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ 21 ships vary in size, accommodating between 28 and 148 guests. Private charters are available for families and multigenerational groups. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ exclusive National Geographic Global Explorers program for kids and teens under 18 is offered on sailings in select destinations. Multigenerational travel has long been popular with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions guests, particularly on their Galápagos, Alaska, Baja California, Antarctica and Iceland itineraries.

Paul Gauguin Cruises

The enchanting South Pacific region is ideal for multigenerational families wishing to reunite and make lifelong memories together. Paul Gauguin Cruises offers award-winning luxury small ship cruises aboard the 330-passenger m/s Paul Gauguin. These sailings provide exceptional opportunities for family bonding while enjoying unforgettable experiences in idyllic French Polynesia and the South Pacific. The Gauguin’s all-inclusive voyages make island-hopping easy, allowing families to explore five or more spectacular isles at their own pace.

The Gauguin features outstanding culinary experiences in three restaurants, spacious accommodations, a watersports marina, engaging entertainment and enrichment programs, and superb service. Outstanding local Tahitian cultural ambassadors bring Polynesian culture to life on every voyage. Paul Gauguin Cruises’ complimentary Moana Explorer Program, created with Te mana o te moana, provides daily naturalist-led activities and adventures for children ages six to 15 on more than 10 sailings each year.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is an excellent choice for multigenerational groups seeking an ultra-luxury yachting experience with family-friendly amenities. Intimate voyages are offered on the cruise line’s 298-passenger yacht Evrima, and bookings on the fleet’s larger yachts are also available. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s voyages feature luxurious suites, enriching programs and entertainment, exceptional dining experiences and personalized service. Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries are available.

A luxury voyage on Evrima is a relaxing way for multigenerational groups, particularly those with younger children or older family members, to forge core memories and effortlessly explore multiple destinations together. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Ritz Kids program is offered year-round. On Evrima, children ages four to 12 can enjoy the program’s enriching activities during three fee-based sessions daily, with enhanced programming during holidays and summer months.

UnCruise Adventures

UnCruise Adventures is ideal for family groups seeking destination-focused journeys filled with cultural immersion, nature-oriented activities and active exploration. These unforgettable small ship cruises visit secluded areas far from the tourist crowds. The UnCruise fleet includes nine expedition ships accommodating 22 to 86 guests. Full ship charters are a superb choice for multigenerational family groups, offering exclusivity and significant opportunities for customization.

UnCruise Adventures offers various itineraries in Alaska, the Galápagos, Mexico and the Hawaiian Islands. UnCruise Adventures’ extraordinary Alaska voyages are particularly popular with families and multigenerational groups. UnCruise designed their engaging “Wild, Woolly and Wow: Kids in Nature” Alaska voyages aboard the 86-guest Wilderness Legacy specifically for families seeking to create priceless memories. These family-oriented sailings feature adventure-rich excursions, interactive wildlife experiences, the Kids in Nature program’s hands-on activities, and fun-filled learning experiences.

For more options on cruise lines suitable for family reunions, explore our article on Reunite On The Best Cruise Lines For Families.

More Small Ship Cruises to Consider

Multigenerational family groups vary in age and interests and often include older children and young adults. Those less interested in family-specific departures and amenities may consider other leading small ship cruise lines, including Adventure Canada, American Cruise Lines, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Ponant and Windstar Cruises. Private yacht charters in the Mediterranean and other locations are also excellent options for multigenerational families seeking highly personalized, exclusive luxury cruise experiences.

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By Nancy Schretter, Contributing Editor

Header Photo:  The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection offers memorable Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries on its luxury yacht, Evrima. Photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection