Luxury Small Ship Cruises 2026/27
It’s safe to say Unforgettable Travel knows a thing or two about small ship cruising. We’ve been operating our own award-winning luxury small ship cruises in Croatia for more than ten years, with most of our team having worked in the industry far longer. We’ve gathered the very finest cruise line partners for this curated collection of fascinating ocean and river cruising itineraries, elegant hotel extensions and bespoke cruise and tour combinations that showcases the very best in small ship cruising.
For those looking for a more authentic experience, away from the well-worn travel routes in an intimate atmosphere with fewer passengers, small ship cruising will fit the bill. Cruising the Unforgettable Travel way involves identifying the perfect type of ship for you, be it a stylish river cruise ship meandering past riverside towns, a boutique yacht that can access fabulous uninhabited islands or a majestic sailing ship, discovering those true hidden gems.
Most of our cruises typically accommodate between 100 and 300 guests, allowing the crew to provide a more personal experience.
While these ships may be small, there is plenty to do while onboard, from relaxing on a comfy lounger surrounded by the scenery to taking advantage of luxurious amenities. Your evenings can be spent socializing with your fellow passengers and you’ll be accessing award winning dining, often influenced by each new port and serving the local fare.
All our hand-picked cruises can be fully tailored with bespoke land-based trips, featuring your choice of luxury hotels, private transfers, unique experiences and tours with hand-chosen local guides, while we personally look after all your logistics.
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Cruise & Land Tours 2026/27
Below is a selection of our beautifully curated cruise and land tour itineraries. Each journey can be completely customized with personalized land excursions, your choice of luxury accommodations, private transfers, and unforgettable experiences led by carefully selected local experts.
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When to go: May - September
Star ClippersItalian Coast Cruise & the Best of Italy Tour
Rome, Amalfi, Sorrento, Ponza, Rome, Florence, Venice
11 NightsFrom £5,499 PPEmbark onboard a masted Star Clipper yacht for an enchanting cruise, before exploring the best of... -
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When to go: March - October
AmaWaterwaysSensational Seine and Champagne Cruise & Land Tour
Paris, Champagne, Les Andelys, Le Havre, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Vernon, Paris
12 NightsFrom £6,749 PPDiscover an adventurous getaway that delves into intriguing history, incredible art and architecture,... -
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When to go: July - September
Star ClippersIstanbul, Cappadocia and Greek Islands Cruise & Land Tour
Istanbul, Cappadocia, Athens, Dikili, Limnos, Skiathos, Skopelos, Poros, Athens
13 NightsFrom £5,999 PPThis cruise & land tour allows you to experience two countries in one trip with a choice of...
Ocean Cruising 2026/27
Ocean cruising invites you to embark on a journey of adventure and relaxation, exploring breathtaking coastlines and vibrant ports of call. Wake up each morning to stunning ocean views, ready to discover new destinations just beyond your cabin door. An ocean cruise is the perfect choice if you’re seeking a travel experience that beautifully blends luxury with discovery.
Ocean Cruise Itineraries
Below, you’ll find a few samples of our excellently hand-crafted ocean cruise itineraries. For more, check out our cruise line partners or your chosen destination for our full range.
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When to go: June - September
SeaDream Yacht ClubLuxury Athens & Greek Islands Cruise
Athens, Milos, Tinos, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Cesme, Patmos, Kythnos, Athens
10 NightsFrom £7,584 PPBegin your luxurious journey with four enchanting days in Athens, where ancient heritage, vibrant... -
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When to go: July - August
Emerald Yacht CruisesRome & An Italian Adventure Cruise
Civitavecchia, Amalfi, Capri, Sorrento, Gaeta, Porto Cervo, Bonifacio, Civitavecchia
10 NightsFrom £7,845 PPSpend three unforgettable nights in Rome, where ancient history and vibrant culture come to life.... -
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When to go: June - July
Windstar CruisesCopenhagen & Endless Days In Norway Cruise
Copenhagen, Stavanger, Ålesund, Åndalsnes, Trondheim, Sistranda, Frøya, Olden, Bergen, Copenhagen
12 NightsFrom £6,538 PPNature lovers and outdoor adventurers alike will find endless inspiration on these fjord-focused... -
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When to go: December - March
Star ClippersGems of the Windward Islands Cruise
Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts, Iles des Saintes, Martinique, Barbados
7 NightsFrom £2,499 PPIsland-hop through The Windward Islands of the Caribbean, made up of an arc of gems that includes... -
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When to go: May - October
SeaDream Yacht ClubFrench & Italian Riviera Discovery Cruise
Nice, Sanary-sur-Mer, St. Tropez, Cannes, Portofino, Livorno, Portoferraio, Rome
11 NightsFrom £7,922 PPExperience the very best of the French and Italian Rivieras on this unforgettable journey, combining... -
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When to go: April - October
Windstar CruisesBarcelona & Best of the Rivieras Cruise
Barcelona, Palamos, Sanary-Sur-Mer, Monte Carlo, Cannes, Portofino, Portoferraio, Rome
10 NightsFrom £4,499 PPBegin your journey with a three-night stay in vibrant Barcelona, immersing yourself in its rich...
River Cruising 2026/27
River cruising is one of the most delightful ways to explore the world’s hidden treasures. If you’re seeking an immersive travel experience combining comfort and adventure, you’ll find it on a river cruise. Imagine gently gliding along serene waterways overlooking picturesque landscapes and charming villages unfolding before your eyes. Each day presents a new destination, inviting you to step off the ship and dive into local culture and history.
Popular River Cruise Destinations
River Cruise Itineraries
Below, you’ll find a few samples of our excellently hand-crafted river cruise itineraries. For more, check out our cruise line partners or your chosen destination for our full range.
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When to go: January - September
AmaWaterwaysThe Beautiful Blue Danube Cruise
Budapest, Bratislava, Wachau Valley, Melk, Linz, Vienna, Budapest
7 NightsFrom £2,845 PPA grand adventure on the beautiful Danube River, you'll discover many gems in the heart of Europe,... -
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When to go: May - October
Emerald River CruisesAmsterdam & Treasures of the Rhine Cruise
Amsterdam, Cologne, Koblenz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Breisach, Basel
9 NightsFrom £4,099 PPFlowing nearly 765 miles from the Swiss Alps to the Dutch waterways, the legendary Rhine reveals... -
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When to go: March - November
UniworldLisbon & Highlights of the Douro Cruise
Lisbon, Porto, Régua, Pochino, Salamanca, Barca D'Alva, Pinhão, Guimarães, Porto
10 NightsFrom £4,999 PPArrive in Lisbon for a three-night stay, beginning with a highlights tour of neighborhoods like... -
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When to go: March - November
AmaWaterwaysSensational Seine Cruise
Paris, Les Andelys, Le Havre, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Vernon, Paris
7 NightsFrom £3,614 PPDiscover the best of Paris and Normandy with a cruise that sails round trip from the French capital.... -
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When to go: March - November
UniworldLyon & Landscapes of Burgundy and Provence Cruise
Lyon, Mâcon, Tain-l’Hermitage, Viviers, Avignon, Arles
10 NightsFrom £3,999 PPBegin with a delightful three-night pre-cruise stay in Lyon, where you’ll explore the city’s... -
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When to go: April - October
Scenic CruisesGems of Bordeaux Cruise
Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion, Libourne, Blaye, Fort Medoc, Bourg, Cadillac, Bordeaux
7 NightsFrom £3,842 PPFor an unforgettable mix of world-renowned wines, mouthwatering cuisine, and rich history, join...
Ocean Cruise Line Partners
River Cruise Line Partners
Cruise Guides
The Ultimate Guide To AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is the complete package. It offers curated cruise experiences on luxurious contemporary ships, daily included excursions tailored to guests’ needs, fine dining, and enriching entertainment. Its ships have a relaxed atmosphere with more spacious staterooms than most other lines,...Read MoreThe Ultimate Guide To Windstar Cruises
Immersive escapades and authentic life adventures are right at the heart of Windstar Cruises’ ethos. Bucket list experiences curated by its partner upscale travel company, Xanterra Travel Collection, range from spiritual excursions visiting sacred marae sites in French Polynesia to...Read MoreThe Best River Cruises In Europe
Snaking through Paris, the Seine River flows alongside the imposing Eiffel Tower, past the majestic Arc de Triomphe, near the grand Champs Élysées Boulevard and the exceptional Louvre Museum. It glides under the Pont-Neuf bridge, which crosses to the Île...Read MoreThe World’s Best First-Time Cruise Tips
Frequent cruisers often plan their cruises way in advance, much further out than other vacations. For those with specific itineraries and dates in mind, holiday sailings you’re interested in, celebratory dates or anniversaries you’re planning a cruise around, or favorite...Read MoreThe World’s Best Tall Sailing Ships
Star Clippers’ flagship, Royal Clipper, holds the Guinness World Record as the biggest square-rigged ship built since the German cargo ship Preussen (launched in 1902). Carrying 277 passengers, it’s the most retro-designed ship in our guide, with interiors of rich...Read MoreThe Ultimate Guide To Small Ship Greek Island Cruises
It’s a little-known fact that glorious Greece, stretching from the fortress-topped town of Kavala to the wilder landscapes of the five-fingered Peloponnese, has the Mediterranean’s longest coastline. If that’s not enough reason to get on the water here, this country...Read More
Why book with Unforgettable Travel
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100% Financial Protection
We are a licensed and fully bonded tour operator financially protected by both the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust (ABTOT). All clients that travel with us are fully financially protected.
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Destination Experts
Our travel experts live and breathe the destinations they specialise in. This shows in their passionate to create hand crafted trips for our clients. We don’t offer cookie cutter trips, just truly unforgettable journeys unlike any other.
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The Best Guides
What makes our trips extraordinary is the unique immersive experiences we include. We pride ourselves in our black book of sought after expert guides, game rangers and local contacts who believe in our philosophy, unforgettable.
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We Care
From the moment you book your trip, we are on hand 24/7 to assist you throughout your journey. With regional offices around the world, we have ground logistics teams on hand to help you every step of the way.
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