Small-ship ocean cruising offers the freedom to explore coastlines, islands, and remote ports with ease. With fewer passengers and thoughtful itineraries, these cruises focus on destination-rich routes, immersive shore experiences, and a relaxed onboard atmosphere.
After 24 days aboard Windstar’s Wind Surf in the Mediterranean, we understand why Windstar guests are so loyal. Exceptional service, excellent food, smaller ports, and a relaxed atmosphere make Windstar one of the best values in small-ship luxury cruising.
Our final port day of the cruise brings a relaxed walk through Piran, Slovenia, a climb up St. George's bell tower, and a memorable lunch in a town shaped by centuries of Venetian rule and salt.
A second visit to Dubrovnik brings two dives in the Adriatic, an anniversary dinner at Nautika, and a countryside Peka cooking class that turns strangers into friends, alongside a bit of Republic of Ragusa history.
A second visit to Kotor, Montenegro starts with donkeys, grappa, and a centuries old olive farm run by the Morić family, then winds through the walled old town and a big-ship reality check back at the tender dock.
A scheduling mix-up costs us our Blue Caves tour in Hvar, Croatia, but a ten euro water taxi to a hidden cove called Robinson's turns into one of our favorite afternoons of the whole trip, complete with a surprise gourmet lunch and a stroll through Croatia's glossy "Riviera" town.
Our second visit to Zadar combined a walk through the city's historic old town with a memorable afternoon at Srce Bukovice, where warm hospitality, homemade food, and local traditions offered a genuine taste of rural Croatia.
A rib boat tour out of Rovinj, Croatia turns from swimming and wine tasting along the Lim Fjord into an unplanned rescue at sea, plus a short look at the Venetian history behind this Istrian old town.
A quiet e-bike ride around Rab turned into one of our most memorable days in Croatia. Between pine-lined coastal trails, a sobering piece of WWII history, and conversations with locals who shared their love and hope for the island, Rab reminded us exactly why we fell for Croatia in the first place.
Otranto was our first stop on the Italian east coast, and the first one officially in the Adriatic Sea. It’s a walled village with a beautiful sea wall and harbor sitting right at the gates of the old city. The…
A day trip from the working port of Taranto to the dazzling white hill town of Ostuni turned up
A boat ride along Calabria's Coast of the Gods to swim below the cliffs of Tropea, Italy's most beautiful village, hit a few snags with gear and timing, but the water itself more than made up for it.
A self-guided day exploring Reggio Calabria's Riace Bronzes and waterfront promenade turned into the perfect backdrop for a milestone we never expected to spend on a ship in the Strait of Messina: our 50th wedding anniversary.
A boat ride from Amalfi to Positano brought cliffside villages, a legend about a talking icon that gave Positano its name, and enough lemon gelato and giant frozen lemon treats to last the whole Amalfi Coast.
With Rome already checked off our list and only a short port day ahead, we skipped the highway to the Colosseum and spent a slow morning exploring Civitavecchia itself, fort, lunch, and all.
From Napoleon's brief reign as King of Elba to a wine tasting at a Mediterranean-front estate enclosed by ancient walls, Elba and Portoferraio may be our favorite stop of the trip so far.
Twenty years after our first visit, Portofino is busier than ever, but a ferry ride to Rapallo for a pesto-making class and food tour with the irrepressible Guido turned out to be the highlight of the day.
A small-group food tour through Cannes with a former restaurant owner as our guide: rosé and cheese, a stuffed zucchini flower, steamed prawns, and a stroll past the red carpet steps of the Cannes Film Festival.
From the hilltop village of Èze to the gardens of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and the cathedral and palace of Monaco-Ville, our Monaco shore excursion delivered one of the best days of the whole cruise.
A last-minute wind swap sent us to Toulon instead of Sanary-sur-Mer, and it led to one of our best days yet: yachts and old town charm in Saint-Tropez, canals in Port Grimaud, and a surprise driving tour of Toulon itself
Our first stop after embarking in Barcelona was just 140 kilometers (87 miles) up the Costa Brava coast at the Port of Palamós. After a full sail-away departure from Barcelona, we cruised slowly and leisurely up the northeast Spanish coast…
Three days in Barcelona with old friends, a surprise theft, and a jaw-dropping visit to the Sagrada Família set the stage for our five-part Grand Anniversary journey from Barcelona to Geneva.
We came expecting scenery and stories, but our day in Orkney with guide Lorene gave us so much more—living history, breathtaking landscapes, heartfelt tales of wartime resilience, and a handmade chapel that moved us beyond words. Orkney truly surprised us.
From Lerwick's gray-stone harbor and bustling old town to the windswept green hills where Shetland ponies roam, our day on these northern isles was filled with beauty, history, and unforgettable stories from the people who call this rugged land home.
Join us in Honningsvåg, the Gateway to the Arctic, for a sunlit stroll, thrilling RIB‑boat rides, king crab safari, Sami hut dinner, wild reindeer sightings, a trip to the North Cape, and a taste of Norway’s ancient stockfish tradition.
Our guided Tromsø e-bike tour which combined breathtaking scenery, Arctic history, and cultural landmarks — from the harbor
front and ski jump center to the Northern Lights Planetarium and beyond.
During our Viking "Into the Midnight Sun" cruise, our stop in Lofoten, Norway, turned into one of the most exciting and unique days of our trip. We decided to go our separate ways for the day—Bob went on a fishing excursion with GO2Lofoten, while I opted for an unforgettable experience: Arctic scuba diving in Lofoten and earning my PADI Dry Suit Certification with Lofoten-Diving.
Join us on an epic day in Eidsdal and Geiranger, Norway. We experienced a high-speed RIB safari through the fjords, explored cascading waterfalls, and marveled at panoramic views from Eagle’s Lookout. From rushing water to peaceful lakes, this day was the highlight of our Norwegian fjords itinerary.
Perched between seven mountains and fjords, Bergen took our breath away, both with its natural beauty and charming history. From exploring the colorful wooden buildings of Bryggen and meeting long-lost friends, this Norwegian city delivered postcard views at every turn. Come along as we wander cobbled streets, enjoy fresh local seafood, learn about the history and culture while soaking up the magic of Norway’s gateway to the north.
Cruising through Ha Long Bay reveals towering limestone karsts, floating fishing villages, hidden caves, and one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking UNESCO landscapes.
One day to spend in Hong Kong? Check our our Hong Kong Travel Guide. A one-day Hong Kong travel guide from a cruise stop featuring Victoria Peak views, skyline districts, ferry rides, harbor dining, and airport travel tips. Victoria Park, skyline districts, ferry rides and harbor dining - we covered a lot in a day