Cruise Destination Ideas for Your Next Small Ship Holiday

Choosing the right cruise destination is about more than finding a beautiful place. It is about season, travel style, flight time and the kind of holiday you want. Some travellers want easy Mediterranean sunshine, with culture close at hand.

Others prefer winter warmth, remote islands or a once-in-a-lifetime long-haul escape. Moreover, small ship holidays can make each destination feel more personal. They reach smaller harbours, quieter bays and places larger vessels often miss.

Meanwhile, the best choice is not always the furthest or most famous place. It is the cruise destination that feels right for you.

For an easy summer cruise destination, the Mediterranean remains a natural choice. Greece, Croatia and Italy are among our strongest recommendations for summer. They are easy to reach from the UK, with excellent seasonal flight options.

In addition, each offers warm weather, beautiful coastlines and rich cultural experiences. Greece is ideal for island-hopping, hidden harbours and relaxed days at sea. Croatia combines historic towns, clear water and a wonderfully varied coastline.

At the same time, Italy brings dramatic scenery, superb food and unforgettable coastal towns. For travellers wanting a summer small ship holiday, the Mediterranean is hard to beat.

Greece remains our most-requested small ship cruise destination. It is easy to reach, with seasonal flights from many UK airports. What’s more, the long summer season gives travellers plenty of choice.

The food, scenery and island culture are also hard to beat. Whether you choose the Ionian Islands, Cyclades or Dodecanese, each route feels distinct. However, small ships make the real difference here. They can reach quiet harbours, sheltered bays and anchorages larger ships often miss.

Explore our Greece small ship cruises

Italy is a wonderfully rich summer cruise destination. Sicily, the Amalfi Coast and the Aeolian Islands offer dramatic Mediterranean scenery. At the same time, this coastline is ideal for travellers who love history, food and sea views.

A small ship holiday can connect places that feel difficult to reach alone. Think volcanic islands, clifftop villages and sheltered bays with a quieter atmosphere. 

Further afield, each stop brings its own mix of culture, architecture and local flavour. For beauty, warmth and variety, Italy by sea remains a standout choice.

Explore our Italy cruises →

For a winter-sun cruise destination, Cape Verde is a compelling choice. The islands offer reliable warmth, Atlantic scenery and a slower pace. Moreover, Cape Verde feels different from many traditional winter-sun holidays.

Direct UK flights make it easier to reach than many far-flung escapes. As you travel, the islands offer varied landscapes, from beaches to volcanic peaks. For travellers seeking warmth without the usual resort feel, Cape Verde stands out.

Cape Verde is a distinctive winter cruise destination with a character all of its own. The islands sit in the Atlantic, off the west coast of Africa. They offer winter warmth, varied scenery and an unhurried island atmosphere.

Plus, each island feels different from the next. Santo Antão is known for mountains, valleys and dramatic volcanic landscapes. São Vicente offers culture, music and a lively harbour-city feel.

Meanwhile, the overall pace feels relaxed, warm and refreshingly different. For winter sun beyond the obvious choices, Cape Verde is a strong recommendation.

Explore our Cape Verde cruise →

For a long-haul cruise destination, French Polynesia is hard to match. It feels genuinely far removed, both geographically and emotionally. Likewise, the scenery is extraordinary, from turquoise lagoons to volcanic peaks.

The Society Islands include Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha’a. Together, they offer warm seas, dramatic landscapes and unhurried island life.

At the same time, small ships can explore lagoons, bays and anchorages with ease. For travellers seeking a truly far-flung escape, French Polynesia is unforgettable.

French Polynesia is a remarkable long-haul cruise destination in the South Pacific. It offers turquoise lagoons, volcanic peaks and warm, unhurried island life.

Moreover, the Society Islands are ideal for exploring by sea. Our small ship voyages visit Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha’a. Each island brings its own blend of scenery, culture and lagoon life.

Meanwhile, travelling by small ship gives guests access to beautiful bays and anchorages. For a once-in-a-lifetime escape, French Polynesia is hard to beat.

Explore our French Polynesia cruises →

The right cruise destination is not only about scenery, season or itinerary. It is also about how you want the holiday to feel. Some travellers want an easy short-haul escape with familiar summer warmth.

Others prefer a winter-sun route, or a far-flung journey somewhere extraordinary. Additionally, comfort levels vary from one person to the next. That might mean flight time, climate, pace, destination style or travel practicalities.

What matters is choosing a holiday that feels exciting and reassuring. If you are unsure, please call us and speak to our team. We have visited many of these places personally. As a result, we can talk through your options.

There is no obligation, and there are no silly questions.To sum up, the best cruise destination is the one that suits you. Choose the place that matches your season, travel style and sense of adventure.