These engaging voyages are perfect for multi-generational 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 forecast that 21.7 million Americans will go on ocean cruises this year. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reports that luxury cruises and small ship expedition voyages are very popular. Small ship cruise lines are experiencing a wave of multi-generational group bookings as well.
Luxury small ship cruises carrying fewer than 350 guests are ideal settings for multi-generational 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.
Why Small Cruise Ships Appeal to Multi-generational Families
Small ship cruises offer big advantages for family groups. These ocean-going voyages offer 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
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions Photo
Guests on board National Geographic Venture learn about navigation under the guidance of the ship’s Captain. Photo courtesy of National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, Copyright David Vargas
8 Factors to Consider When Selecting a Small Ship Cruise
There are multiple types of small ship cruises and itineraries. Multi-generational 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 multi-generational vacation:
- Family interests, needs and travel goals. Multi-generational 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 milestone anniversary, think about what’s needed to make the festivities truly special.
- Desired cruise itineraries. Determine when your group can travel and look for itineraries with ports of call and experiences that match your 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. Private charters with more customized itineraries may be available as well. Minimum age requirements may vary for private charters, specific cruise itineraries and certain departures.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions photo (if desired)
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 multi-generational 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 each ship’s staterooms and suites, dining options, public areas and onboard amenities. Luxury 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.
- Budget considerations. Small ship cruises are available at a variety of price points. It’s key for families to discuss budgets and determine the best options. Sometimes, grandparents or others may be covering the entire cruise cost, or family members may be paying individually. Check with your travel advisor or the 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.
- Activities, excursions and entertainment. Successful multi-generational 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 a variety of options to keep everyone engaged and entertained. If family-focused programs and amenities are important to your group, check on those as well.
- 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.
- 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. Multi-generational 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.
- Exclusivity and customization. Small ships accommodate fewer guests, providing a more intimate feel. Multi-generational groups with special interests and families with younger children may wish to consider special voyages 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.
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection photo
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Evrima features a luxurious pool area and other five-star amenities. Photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Copyright Jack Hardy
How to Book a Small Ship Cruise
Multi-generational families can reserve luxury small ship cruises and expedition voyages with a travel advisor, a 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 multi-generational 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 by cruise line and type of booking, and travel insurance is recommended.
Small ship cruise lines often offer incentives for family groups. These may include complimentary berths for a certain number of guest bookings, per-person savings, discounts for children, special amenities for grandparents, and other perks.
Top Small Ship Cruise Lines for Multi-generational Groups
There are ocean-going small ship cruise lines to match the needs and preferences of all kinds of family groups. Some luxury cruise lines 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 photo
Ecoventura’s luxury expedition yachts provide guests with an intimate environment featuring beautifully designed interiors inspired by the Galápagos Islands. Photo courtesy of Ecoventura
Ecoventura
Ecoventura offers exceptional luxury expedition cruises in the Galápagos Islands. Each of the company’s three Relais & Châteaux expedition yachts offer an exclusive, intimate environment for 20 guests. Private yacht charters are popular with multi-generational 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 multi-generational groups booking voyages during summers, holidays and school breaks. 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 multi-generational 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 transformative expedition voyages for multi-generational families seeking to bond on the trip of a lifetime. These immersive journeys allow multi-generational 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 unforgettable family vacations. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions finds it’s often the grandparents who plan multi-generational cruise vacations to celebrate milestones or treat their family to an awe-inspiring adventure.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ 24 ships vary in size, accommodating between 16 and 148 guests. Private charters are available for families and multi-generational groups. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ exclusive National Geographic Global Explorers program for kids and teens under 18 is offered on sailings in select destinations. Multi-generational 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 photo
Kids participating in the onboard family program explore the lagoon at Motu Mahana with the naturalist. Photo courtesy of Paul Gauguin Cruises, Copyright Shelly Strazis
Paul Gauguin Cruises
The enchanting South Pacific region is ideal for multi-generational families wishing to reunite and make lifelong memories together. Paul Gauguin Cruises offers award-winning small ship luxury cruises aboard the 330-passenger m/s Paul Gauguin. These exclusive voyages provide exceptional opportunities for multi-generational families to bond while enjoying unforgettable experiences in idyllic French Polynesia and the South Pacific. The Gauguin’s all-inclusive journeys make island-hopping easy, allowing family groups to explore five or more spectacular isles and private beaches at their own pace.
The recently renovated Gauguin features outstanding culinary experiences in three restaurants, spacious accommodations with connecting room options, a pool and watersports marina, engaging entertainment and enrichment programs, and superb service with one crew member for every 1.5 guests. 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 events for children ages six to 15 on over 10 sailings each year.
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is a superb choice for multi-generational 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 family group 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, a world-class spa program, and personalized service. Caribbean, Northern Europe, Mediterranean and South Pacific itineraries are available.
A luxury voyage on Evrima is a relaxing way for multi-generational 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 Photo
Guests enjoy spectacular views while hiking above Lamplugh Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park on an UnCruise Adventures Alaska voyage. Photo courtesy of UnCruise Adventures
UnCruise Adventures
UnCruise Adventures is ideal for multi-generational families seeking destination-focused journeys filled with cultural immersion, nature-oriented activities and active exploration. On UnCruise Adventures voyages, families bond while enjoying the luxury of unforgettable shared experiences. These memorable 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 an excellent choice for multi-generational 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 multi-generational groups. UnCruise designed their engaging “Wild, Woolly and Wow: Kids in Nature” Alaska voyages aboard the 86-guest Wilderness Legacy specifically for multi-generational families seeking to create priceless memories and make dreams come true. 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.
More Luxury Small Ship Cruises to Consider
Multi-generational 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 luxury small ship cruise lines, including Atlas Ocean Voyages, Ponant, Explora Journeys and Windstar Cruises. Private yacht charters in the Mediterranean and other locations are also excellent options for multi-generational 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 itineraries on its luxury yacht, Evrima. Photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection