Small ship cruise destinations
From the Greek islands and the Dalmatian coast to the Nile, West Africa, the Seychelles, the Caribbean and French Polynesia — choose where to sail, and we will handle the rest.
Where to go
ATOL protectedFlight-inclusive holidays- ABTOT memberHolidays without flights
- Independent since 1995A family company
- Avg. passengersper vessel
Explore the world
Where small ships can take you
Every destination we offer has one thing in common: it rewards arriving by sea on a small vessel. Compact harbours, sheltered anchorages, river moorings and island jetties are the places our ships were built for.
In the Mediterranean that means the Greek islands, the Dalmatian coast and the Italian shoreline. Further afield it means the Nile, the coast of West Africa and Cape Verde, the granite islands of the Seychelles, the eastern Caribbean and the lagoons of French Polynesia.
Choose a destination below to see the itineraries, vessels and departure dates currently available — or call us and we will help you narrow it down.
By region
Choose a region
From short island hops in the Mediterranean to the lagoons of the South Pacific — pick a region to see its cruises, ships and dates.
Or browse every cruiseGreece
Island hopping through the Cyclades, the Ionian and the Dodecanese aboard boutique yachts and tall ships.
Explore GreeceCroatia
The Dalmatian coast from Dubrovnik to Split, calling at Hvar, Korčula and Mljet.
Explore CroatiaTurkey
Ten days along the Turkish coast by traditional gulet — sun, sea and local cuisine.
Explore TurkeySeychelles
Ten days by yacht among the islands, beaches and reefs of the Seychelles.
Explore SeychellesCaribbean
Royal Clipper, Star Flyer and Sea Cloud II, sailing from Barbados and St Maarten.
Explore CaribbeanPacific
French Polynesia aboard Panorama II and the Galápagos aboard the Galápagos Legend.
Explore Pacific
Destinations
Choose your cruise destination
Browse the full collection below, or narrow it down by destination, month or type of ship.
All 28 cruises
Jewels of the Cyclades
Santorini, Mykonos and quieter Cycladic islands aboard the motor sailer Galileo, with two nights in Athens.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- Apr–Oct
From £3,140 ppFlights & hotel includedCaribbean Royal Clipper
Island hopping in the Caribbean under the sails of Royal Clipper, plus seven nights in a hotel.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 14 days
- Sails
- Dec–Mar
From £3,945 ppFlights & hotel includedDalmatian Paradise
Seven nights among the islands of central Dalmatia on the 36-guest M/Y Futura, plus a hotel night in Trogir before you sail.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 9 days
- Sails
- Apr–Oct
From £2,305 ppFlights & hotel includedThe Seychelles Island Odyssey
Granite islands, white-sand beaches and rare wildlife in the Seychelles aboard M/Y Pegasos.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 12 days
- Sails
- All year
From £3,837 ppFlights & hotel includedClassical Greece
Delos, Mykonos, Santorini, Knossos on Crete, Kythira, Nafplion and Hydra: island hopping with the great ancient sites.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- Apr–Oct
From £3,091 ppFlights & hotel includedSicily & the Amalfi Coast
Sicily and the Amalfi Coast under sail: history, culture and coastline beyond the reach of large cruise ships.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- Apr–Sep
From £2,887 ppFlights & hotel includedTurkish Delight
A traditional wooden gulet for just 16 guests, sailing the Turquoise Coast from Fethiye.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- TBA
Prices TBAFlights & hotel includedFrench Polynesia & the Society Islands
Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine and Raiatea on the 49-guest Panorama II, seven nights from Papeete.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 11 days
- Sails
- All year
From £4,411 ppFlights & hotel includedNile Cruise & Cairo
Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and Aswan by river, then Cairo, the Pyramids and the Sphinx.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- All year
From £2,119 ppFlights & hotel includedHidden Greece
Lesser-known Cycladic and Dodecanese islands, quiet beaches and traditional villages, from Athens.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- May–Sep
From £3,545 ppFlights & hotel includedIonian Odyssey
Island hopping through the green islands of the Ionian Sea on M/Y Harmony G.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- Jun–Aug
From £3,176 ppFlights & hotel includedFrom Antiquity to Byzantium
Epidaurus, Mycenae, Ancient Olympia, Delphi and the Mani, with a resident historian on board.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- Mar–Nov
From £2,533 ppFlights & hotel includedGreek Islands & Turkey
Delos, Mykonos and Patmos, then across the Aegean to ancient Ephesus.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- Apr–Oct
From £3,620 ppFlights & hotel includedCroatia Island-Hopping & Montenegro
Dalmatian island harbours and the coast of Montenegro aboard M/Y Callisto.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- May–Oct
From £2,605 ppFlights & hotel includedDubrovnik to Trogir
One way along the Dalmatian coast, island by island, from Dubrovnik’s old town to Trogir.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- Apr–Oct
From £2,414 ppFlights & hotel includedSouthern Explorer
Between Split and Dubrovnik via Mljet, Hvar, Korčula and Makarska, full board.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- TBA
Prices TBAFlights & hotel includedLa Dolce Vita: Naples to Malta
Capri, Lipari, Taormina and Syracuse between Naples and Malta on the 36-cabin Variety Voyager.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- Jul 2027
From £3,661 ppFlights & hotel includedGreek Islands under Sail
Greek island hopping under full sail on a Star Clippers tall ship.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- Apr–Oct
From £2,701 ppFlights & hotel includedCaribbean Star Flyer
Turquoise Caribbean water and traditional sailing with modern comforts, aboard the clipper ship Star Flyer.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- Nov–Mar
From £3,240 ppFlights & hotel includedLesser Antilles & Grenadines
The Grenadines and the Lesser Antilles under sail on Sea Cloud II, with five-star service.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- TBA
Prices TBAFlights & hotel includedSea Cloud Caribbean
The classic windjammer Sea Cloud in the Caribbean, with flights and hotel included.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 11 days
- Sails
- TBA
Prices TBAFlights & hotel includedTahiti & French Polynesia
A longer French Polynesia cruise on Panorama II, with two nights each in Bora Bora, Huahine and Raiatea.
- Cruise
- 10–11 nights
- Holiday
- 14 days
- Sails
- All year
From £5,204 ppFlights & hotel includedGalápagos Expedition Cruise
Fearless wildlife and volcanic islands with naturalist guides, on the 100-guest Galapagos Legend.
- Cruise
- 4 nights
- Holiday
- 8 days
- Sails
- All year
From £4,617 ppFlights & hotel includedNile Cruise
Seven nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan: temples, tombs and the Valley of the Kings.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 8 days
- Sails
- All year
From £1,675 ppFlights includedThe Islands of Cape Verde
Santiago, the volcano on Fogo and a blend of African and Portuguese culture, aboard M/Y Harmony V.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- Nov–Mar
From £3,220 ppFlights & hotel includedRivers of West Africa
Along the Gambia River and the coast of Senegal for wildlife and village life, with a stay in Dakar.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- Jan–Feb
From £3,889 ppFlights & hotel includedWines of Greece
Greek islands and historic wineries, with tastings led by experts, aboard M/S Panorama.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- TBA
Prices TBAFlights & hotel includedCorsica & the French Riviera
Corsica, Sardinia and the Riviera under sail with Star Clippers.
- Cruise
- 7 nights
- Holiday
- 10 days
- Sails
- TBA
Prices TBAFlights & hotel included
No cruises match those filters
Try another month or destination, or tell us what you have in mind: we often know of departures that are not on the website yet.
Your holiday, your way
Four ways to book your cruise
Book the cruise on its own, take a ready-made package with flights and hotels, or let us shape the whole holiday around your dates and preferences.
Cruise & stay
Packages built around UK flights and the cruise dates, with hotel nights before or after sailing.
Cruise only
Book the cruise alone and arrange your own flights, transfers and accommodation around it.
Tailor-made
Adjust your stay, upgrade your flights or choose specific hotels — the holiday is shaped around you.
Private charter
Take the whole ship for a family gathering, a group of friends or a special celebration.
The ships
Motor yachts, motor sailers and tall ships
Three kinds of vessel, all carrying a small number of guests, with a high crew-to-passenger ratio and a swim platform for stops along the way.
Harmony G Motor yachts
Mega yachts designed for intimate, luxurious cruising with a limited number of guests. Elegant cabins, top-tier amenities and generous deck space, on itineraries that reach some of the world’s most striking coastlines.
Panorama Motor sailers
Traditional lines and modern comforts in one vessel. Motor sailers suit travellers who want a more authentic sense of being at sea, without giving up the conveniences of a well-appointed small ship.
Sea Cloud II Tall ships
Classic windjammer elegance combined with contemporary comfort. Tall ships carry a select number of passengers and bring a real sense of occasion to a voyage under sail.
They combine the comfort and service you would expect of a cruise ship with the ambience and friendliness of a private yacht, which is why we prefer to call them mega yachts. Sustainability is a core value in how and where we sail.
Why book with Seafarer
Small ship cruise specialists since 1995
Wherever you sail with us, the approach is the same: carefully chosen vessels, personal advice, and full financial protection behind your booking.
Specialists since 1995
A more personal and authentic style of cruising, built on over thirty years of specialist knowledge.
Private charter options
Exclusive charters for couples, families, friends and private groups.
Tailor-made holidays
Every holiday shaped around your plans — not a generic package.
UK agent for Variety Cruises
Official UK General Sales Agent for Variety Cruises boutique yacht adventures.
Access to smaller ports
Smaller vessels reach destinations often beyond the reach of large cruise ships.
ATOL-protected holidays
Full financial protection on flight-inclusive holidays. Your booking is secure.
Good to know
Small ship cruises: FAQs
How big is a small cruise ship?
Our smallest ship carries just 34 passengers and the largest carries 72, with most averaging around 40. That scale lets them reach harbours and anchorages large cruise ships cannot enter, while combining the comfort and service of a cruise ship with the friendly, informal feel of a private yacht.
Where do Seafarer Cruises sail?
Our small ship cruises cover the Mediterranean, including Greece, Croatia and Italy, along with Egypt and the Nile, West Africa and Cape Verde, the Seychelles, the Caribbean and French Polynesia. Each destination page lists the itineraries currently available.
What is the difference between a motor yacht, a motor sailer and a tall ship?
Motor yachts are contemporary vessels built for comfort and space, with elegant cabins and generous deck areas. Motor sailers combine traditional lines and sails with modern amenities for a more authentic feel at sea. Tall ships are classic sailing vessels that pair windjammer character with contemporary comfort. All three carry a small number of guests.
Can I book flights, hotels and transfers with my cruise?
Yes. We arrange tailor-made packages combining your cruise with flights from the UK, hotel stays before or after sailing, and transfers. You can also book the cruise on its own and make your own travel arrangements around it.
When is the best time to take a small ship cruise?
It depends on the region. Mediterranean cruising in Greece, Croatia and Italy generally runs from spring through to autumn, while tropical destinations such as the Seychelles, the Caribbean and French Polynesia operate to their own seasons. Our team can advise on the best months for the destination you have in mind.
Can I charter a whole ship?
Yes. Many of the small ships we represent are available for private charter, which suits families, groups of friends, special celebrations and corporate groups who want the vessel and itinerary to themselves.
Are your holidays financially protected?
Yes. Seafarer is licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority under ATOL 9511, so flight-inclusive holidays we operate are ATOL protected. We are also members of ABTOT, membership number 5660, which provides protection for bookings that do not include flights.
Speak to a specialist
Not sure where to sail?
Tell us your dates, your party and the kind of trip you have in mind — we will point you to the destinations and ships that fit.
- Specialists since 1995
- ATOL 9511
- ABTOT 5660
Peace of mind
Book with confidence
Seafarer is licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL 9511) and all air holidays we operate are ATOL protected. We are also members of ABTOT (Membership No. 5660), providing additional protection for bookings without flights.
We have been trading since 1995 — all your deposits and balance payments to us are fully financially secure.
ATOL protected: licence 9511All flight-inclusive holidays are fully ATOL protected
ABTOT member: No. 5660Additional protection for bookings without flights
Guest reviews
98% of our customers say they’d book with us again
Independent reviews of Seafarer, collected by Feefo.
Excellent
4.6out of 5
Based on 643 guest reviews of our service on Feefo
Feefo Platinum Trusted Service AwardFour years in a row
