Sustainable Travel: Why small ship Cruises Lead the Way
Small ship cruises · Sustainable travel
Worried about how travel impacts the planet? Cruise tourism is often part of the problem. Small ship cruises embrace sustainable travel by protecting nature while creating meaningful, responsible adventures.
They present a sustainable travel alternative that minimises environmental impact while offering authentic, immersive travel experiences. Large cruise ships overcrowd ports, leaving a huge carbon footprint.
Let’s explore how boarding a small ship can contribute to a more sustainable way to travel.
In short
Small ship cruises support sustainable travel in three ways: lower emissions than large cruise ships, small groups that avoid overcrowding busy ports, and more money spent with local businesses, farmers, and fishers. Variety Cruises, whose small ships carry 50 to 70 passengers, was named best cruise line for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism at Greece’s Tourism Awards 2019, and its crews have led beach clean-ups with their guests.
7,000+
passengers on the largest cruise ships
50–70
passengers on Variety Cruises’ small ships
Under 200
passengers: our definition of a small ship
2019
Tourism Award for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism
On this page
The environment
The Environmental Benefits of Small Ship Cruises
Lower Carbon Emissions
Large cruise ships burn huge amounts of fuel, releasing CO2 and impacting climate change. In contrast, smaller vessels generate modest emissions and often rely on greener technology. For example, they use hybrid or electric engines and even wind power. This helps reduce their environmental footprint while still offering an amazing sustainable travel experience.
Reduced Overcrowding
Mega-cruise ships bring thousands of passengers to already overburdened destinations, leading to environmental degradation and loss of local cultural integrity. Meanwhile, small ships avoid mass tourism hotspots, reducing stress on popular destinations and helping distribute tourism more evenly.
Eco-Friendly Waste Management
Small ship cruise operators implement strict policies on waste treatment and reduction, recycling, and water treatment to minimise their impact. These waste policies reflect the core values of sustainable travel.
Marine Conservation Efforts
Many of them partner with conservation organisations to protect marine ecosystems. Some initiatives support sustainable travel through coral reef restoration and eco-friendly fishing practices. Others include educational programmes that teach local communities and passengers about marine biodiversity and conservation.
Local communities
How Sustainable Cruises Strengthen Local Communities
More Direct Spending in Local Communities
Small ships dock in less-touristed ports, allowing passengers to spend money at locally owned businesses rather than large corporate-owned terminals. By encouraging sustainable travel, these cruises provide an economic boost to communities that may not otherwise benefit from mass tourism.
Sourcing Food Locally
Unlike large cruise lines, small ship cruises support sustainable travel by sourcing local ingredients. They frequently buy fresh produce from regional farmers, fishers, and markets along the journey.
This supports local farmers, fishermen, and markets, ensuring that the economic benefits of tourism extend to local food producers. It also reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transportation.
Sustainable Tourism Development
Some smaller-scale cruise lines work in partnership with local communities to support long-term development. For example, Variety Cruises’ Variety Cares programme collaborated on a school construction project in West Africa. This initiative helped expand access to education in the region.
This type of direct engagement ensures tourism revenue supports long-term local development. It avoids overwhelming communities with short-term booms that sometimes have negative consequences.
Smaller Excursion Groups
Large cruise ships often release thousands of passengers into small towns at once, overwhelming infrastructure and local services. However, sustainable cruise options limit guest numbers, which allows for more intimate, low-impact excursions. These smaller groups provide a more personal and respectful experience while minimising disruption to local communities.
Cultural Exchange & Authentic Experiences
Small ship cruises promote cultural exchange as a cornerstone of sustainable travel. Activities include cooking classes, artisan markets, and traditional craft workshops with local hosts.
In practice
Sustainable small ship cruising in practice
Our partner Variety Cruises has put sustainability into practice on board and ashore.
A captain’s beach clean-up
In 2022, while cruising the Flores and Bali Seas in Indonesia, Captain Antoniou Leontios of Panorama II began dropping anchor in a bay each week and going ashore with crew, and later guests, to collect plastic from the beach. The rubbish was stowed on board and disposed of properly at the next port. His example inspired other captains across the fleet.
Our vessels are uniquely placed to do something practical – we only have small ships of 50-70 passengers so we can get close up to beaches and moor anywhere. Overall our philosophy is ‘small is beautiful’ and that’s not just about the size of our ships but about doing the small things that can add up to a big difference.
Cutting single-use plastic
In 2019, Variety Cruises set out to remove single-use plastics such as straws, stirrers, cups, lids, and bottled water across its fleet, starting with Panorama II. The same year, it was named best cruise line for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism at the Tourism Awards in Athens, held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organisation.
Where it matters
Where Small Ship Cruises Make a Difference
1. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands have strict regulations to protect their fragile ecosystem. They show how small-scale tourism supports conservation efforts effectively. Eco-conscious cruise lines adhere to these guidelines by limiting visitor numbers and ensuring eco-friendly operations.
Travellers can explore this unique archipelago while learning how conservation protects the Galápagos tortoise and marine iguana.
2. Greek Islands, Greece
Mass tourism in Greece has placed immense pressure on major destinations like Santorini and Mykonos. Small ship cruises help sustainable travel by visiting lesser-known islands like Milos, Naxos, and Folegandros.
These communities often rely on sustainable tourism practices to preserve culture and support local livelihoods. These islands offer visitors the chance to experience traditional Greek culture while avoiding the overwhelming crowds. Read more in our guide to the quiet Greek islands.
3. Croatian Islands & Dalmatian Coast
Dubrovnik has been heavily impacted by overtourism, with large cruise ships bringing thousands of visitors daily. Sustainable cruise operators visit quieter islands like Vis and Korčula, avoiding mass tourism crowds. This reduces congestion and promotes eco-friendly experiences like cycling and farm-to-table dining.
4. Gambia River, West Africa
The Gambia River provides an exceptional ecotourism experience, with small ship cruises offering access to mangrove forests and remote villages. These voyages contribute to local conservation efforts, including protecting endangered bird species and funding anti-poaching programmes. The direct economic impact of small-scale tourism in this region helps sustain local communities while preserving their unique ecosystems.
5. Cape Verde Archipelago, West Africa
Cape Verde is increasingly affected by climate change, making responsible tourism vital to its sustainability. Responsible cruises support local communities by promoting eco-conscious tourism initiatives, such as marine conservation programmes aimed at protecting sea turtles. These also help generate income for small businesses through partnerships with local farmers, fishermen, and artisans.
Before you go
Travelling Responsibly: What to Know Before You Cruise
- Choose Off-Season Travel: Visiting destinations outside peak seasons helps reduce overtourism and allows for a more authentic experience. For example, the Antiquity to Byzantium cruise explores Greece in spring or late autumn. During this time, iconic sites like Ephesus and Delos are far less crowded.
- Select Operators with Strong Sustainability Policies: Look for cruise lines that prioritise renewable energy, low-impact excursions, and community partnerships.
- Engage in Local Experiences: Choose excursions that support locals, like dining at family-run restaurants and buying handmade crafts from artisans.
- Participate in Conservation Efforts: Many small ship cruises include activities like beach clean-ups, coral reef monitoring, and wildlife protection projects. Passengers are encouraged to take part in these initiatives to leave a positive impact on the destinations they visit.
Leading the way
Sustainable Travel: Leading the Way Forward
Small ship cruises support sustainable travel by lowering environmental impact, directly supporting local economies, and offering more meaningful experiences. They show that responsible travel is possible through school projects, local food sourcing, and community-led tourism.
This way, travellers can help protect delicate ecosystems, preserve cultural heritage, and contribute to long-term sustainability efforts. When planning your next trip, choose a small ship that reflects your sustainable travel values and supports local destinations.
New to small ships?
Read our first-timer’s guide to small ship cruising, including how small and large ships compare.
Common questions
Sustainable small ship cruising: your questions answered
Are small ship cruises more sustainable than large cruise ships?
Yes. Small ships generate more modest emissions than large cruise ships, carry far fewer passengers, and avoid overcrowded hotspots. They also tend to source food locally and spread tourism income to smaller communities.
How do small ship cruises support local communities?
Small ships dock in less-touristed ports, so passengers spend money at locally owned businesses. They buy produce from regional farmers and fishers, run small excursion groups, and some lines support projects such as Variety Cares’ school construction in West Africa.
How can I travel more responsibly on a cruise?
Travel outside peak season, choose operators with strong sustainability policies, pick excursions that support local people, such as family-run restaurants and artisans, and take part in conservation activities such as beach clean-ups.
Which destinations benefit most from small ship cruising?
Places under pressure from mass tourism, such as the Greek islands and Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, and fragile ecosystems such as the Galápagos, the Gambia River, and Cape Verde.
Ready to travel more responsibly?
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