Three Best Small Ship Cruise Values of 2010

I spend a lot of time reading cruise line brochures, talking with travelers and travel agents, and comparing fares. I spend even more time actually on the road, traveling as much as I can and cruising as often as possible. For these reasons, many people ask me what I consider to be the best value in luxury cruising today.

That's a loaded question because one must make a few basic assumptions about the term "value". When I think of value, I consider the size of the ship, its itinerary, service (both shore side and onboard), the design and condition of the ship, and food and wine.

Since I tend to gravitate to smaller ships, I thought I'd share with you today my three top picks for best small ship cruise values of 2010.

American Safari Cruises
Alaska's Inside Passage • Columbia & Snake Rivers • Hawaii • Mexico's Sea of Cortez • Pacific Northwest/Canada

If you haven't sailed with American Safari Cruises, you are missing out. I love this line for many reasons. The first and foremost being the people behind the cruise line. Dan Blanchard, a captain himself, is CEO of this luxury line. Executive VP of sales and marketing, Tim Jacox, is another pivotal person behind the scenes. The yacht crews are standouts in an industry where it's unusual to find Americans working aboard cruise ships. American Safari bucks this trend and employs Americans who have a passion for both sailing and nature.

The family atmosphere onboard each yacht is probably what brings guests back again and again. The crew puts travelers at ease immediately and that's perhaps why long-lasting friendships are forged between both guests and the crew during each and every itinerary.

These yachts are small—12-passenger Safari Spirit, 22-passenger Safari Quest, and 40-passenger Safari Explorer—and you will feel as if the ship is truly yours. Your every need is catered to and desires are fulfilled almost before you even know you wanted something.

One of the most compelling aspects of American Safari Cruises is the places the cruise line will take you. Forget about queuing up to tender to shore to fight for a spot on a tour bus. With American Safari, you'll just hop into the yacht's skiff to explore glaciers in Alaska, interact with pods of dolphins in Mexico's Sea of Cortez, or visit sea turtles in Hawaii.

Onboard naturalists share their depth of knowledge and introduce you to the flora and fauna of the region you're yachting. On a recent cruise along Alaska's Inside Passage, we saw brown bears (mothers, cubs, and juveniles), orca and humpback whales, sea lions, harbor seals, eagles, and so much more... and these animals were just a few feet away! No need for binoculars when you're getting this close to the wildlife!

American Safari facilitates extraordinary wildlife experiences and that's why I feel any of these itineraries are excellent values. You can book a stateroom or charter the entire yacht with your friends and family.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact American Safari Cruises at 1-(888) 862-8881.


Paul Gauguin Cruises
French Polynesia

Take my advice and book passage aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia this year. Why? Cruise fares are at a low as the ship's new owner, Paul Gauguin Cruises, reaches out to travelers to get the message out that the popular 332-passenger Paul Gauguin is better than ever—even if it is under new management.

Paul Gauguin Cruises is a Pacific Beachcomber company (an entity with 25 years of experience in French Polynesia's luxury hospitality market). Pacific Beachcomber owns six properties managed by InterContinental Hotel Group (Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora) and Maitai Hotels (Bora Bora). Additionally, the company is building "The Brando," a luxury eco-resort located on Tetiaroa, the late Marlon Brando's remote private island.

I just got back from the Paul Gauguin and am already dreaming of returning to the Society Islands. Book a cruise before June 30, 2010 and you'll lock in on a cruise fare that's 45% off the standard rate. Two-for-one or free airfare from Los Angeles to Papeete (depending on the cabin category you book) may also be included. Per diem rates are as low as $325.

The upcoming 14-night President's Cruise is a particularly good value. It embarks Papeete, Tahiti on November 6, 2010 and will call upon ports in the Society and Cook Islands, Tonga, and New Zealand. Paul Gauguin Cruises president Richard Bailey will be on board and plenty of special events are planned. Excellent deals are available for this cruise.

French Polynesia is one of Earth's most beautiful outposts and the history of the region is fascinating. Paul Gauguin Cruises hosts expert archaeologists and marine biologists onboard who give educational and entertaining lectures and take guests on excursions to hike, watch dolphins, and go diving. The cruise line has deep knowledge of these islands and presents the best options to guests. Polynesia is known to be an expensive destination, which is why an all-inclusive Paul Gauguin Cruises itinerary is the ideal way to explore the islands.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Paul Gauguin Cruises at 1-(800) 848-6172.


SeaDream Yacht Club
Caribbean • Mediterranean • Northern Europe

SeaDream Yacht Club is where European chic meets exemplary yet relaxed service. The company tag line proudly proclaims that "It's Yachting, Not Cruising" and there is definitely a difference. There are two 112-passenger yachts in the SeaDream fleet. From the moment you board either ship, you feel like a rock star since every single officer and crew member knows your name. The crew understands how to pamper guests without fussing over them.

The public areas of the yacht are incredibly comfortable and that encourages mingling between travelers. We especially love sunbathing on the Balinese Dream Beds on Deck 6 and nursing a cocktail at the Top of the Yacht bar.

Itineraries blend old favorites with off-the-beaten-path ports of call and shore excursions are not your same-old same-old. (See my extensive SeaDream II Caribbean cruise review to hear about some excursions, including a visit to the Bioluminescence Bay on Vieques.)

The hallmarks of SeaDream are personalized service, beautiful and well-maintained yachts, and innovative itineraries. In 2011, the line is extending its itineraries throughout Northern Europe. There are some especially enticing Norwegian fjords voyages.

Since these ships are relatively small, I encourage you to book your 2010 and 2011 voyages as soon as possible. These new itineraries are proving to be very popular and many dates are already sold out.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact SeaDream Yacht Club at 1-(800) 707-4911.


So there you have it. My three picks for best small ship values are American Safari Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, and SeaDream Yacht Club. What small ships do you favor? I'd love to get your feedback.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo © Leonard Hospidor