The ships also feature a gym, yoga studio, spa, ocean-view saunas, library and two dining venues. High-tech toys, such as a remotely operated vehicle and underwater video camera, hydrophone, remote-controlled aerial camera and video microscope, allow guests to view footage of undersea life wherever the ships may be. Passengers can utilize each ship's fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks and stash of snowshoes and cross-country skis that aid in exploration. They sport a striking X-bow design (an inverted ship bow design for fuel efficiency), a polar class rating of PC 5 Category A (a notch above most Antarctica cruise ships), and a dynamic positioning system that keeps the ships hovering quietly in place. Lindblad's newest 128-passenger ships, National Geographic Resolution (2021) and National Geographic Endurance (2020), were built for hard-core exploration in the polar regions they call home. Today, the line's fleet of small ships explores nearly the entire planet, always with an impressive lineup of experts and photographers along for the ride. Lindblad Expeditions has been a leader in small-ship expedition cruising since 1966 when company founder Lars-Eric Lindblad pioneered expeditions to Antarctica, Easter Island and the Galapagos. National Geographic Resolution and Gentoo penguin colony on Cuverville Island, Antarctica. Of course, the best small ship for you may depend on where you wish to sail and whether you're looking for a relaxing yacht-like experience or a rugged adventure. However, I also adore certain older small ships for their heritage and atmosphere. The new high-tech expedition ships, outfitted with the latest hardware and design touches, are incredibly appealing. People often ask me which are the best small ship cruises, and that question is difficult to answer. Who needs the bustling Caribbean when you can explore Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean lesser-known Greek Islands like Skopelos and Skiathos French Polynesia or the Galapagos Islands?įor cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. I also gravitate to the off-beat itineraries small ships offer because they focus on unusual and remote places that only small vessels can access. I enjoy the serenity of small-ship cruising, with no lines to wait in or crowds to contend with on board. I'm drawn to the intimacy and instant community that develops between a small number of passengers and crew cruising together. I've sailed on more than 125 cruise ships of all sizes, but my favorites have never been the big "floating resorts." In a world where gigantic megaships draw all the attention, I've always found small ships to be the best.
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