Small ships go where big ships can’t: tiny harbours, secluded bays and island villages. On a small ship you get to know the crew and your fellow passengers, and on a real sailing ship you can feel the wind in the canvas and even climb the mast.
Here are the best small-ship and sailing cruise lines we sell.
You’ll find on this page
- A comparison table of every cruise line in this guide
- Real sailing ships
- Small ships and yachts
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- How to book or get expert advice at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the cruise lines
| Cruise line | Style | Fleet | Best for | Included highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Clippers | Small ship and sailing | 3 Tall ships | Tall-ship adventure | All meals, Watersports, Mast climbs |
| Sea Cloud Cruises | Small ship and sailing | 3 Tall ships in fleet | Historic romance | All meals, Sail-setting demonstrations, Lectures on board |
| Windstar Cruises | Small ship and sailing | 6 Small yachts | Sailing with comfort | All dining, Watersports platform, Sail Away ceremony |
| SeaDream Yacht Club | Luxury ocean | 2 Twin yachts | Luxury yachting | All dining, All drinks, Marina watersports |
| Variety Cruises | Small ship and sailing | 9 Small yachts | Island hopping | All meals, Drinks with meals, Snorkelling gear |
| Paul Gauguin Cruises | Small ship and sailing | 1 Dedicated ship | Tahiti | All meals, Drinks with meals, Watersports platform |
| The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection | Luxury ocean | 3 Luxury yachts | Luxury hotel style | All-suite accommodation, All dining, Drinks throughout |
| Azamara Cruises | Premium ocean | 4 R-class sister ships in the fleet | More time ashore | AzAmazing Evening, House drinks, Gratuities |
Fleet sizes and inclusions are from each line’s own information and can change; inclusions often depend on the fare you book.
Quick verdicts
Real sailing ships
Star Clippers
- Small ship and sailing
- 3 Tall ships
- 227 Max guests (Royal Clipper)
Three working sailing ships, including the five-masted Royal Clipper, the largest square-rigged sailing ship in service, with mast climbs and watersports.
Best for: Tall-ship adventure
Sea Cloud Cruises
- Small ship and sailing
- 3 Tall ships in fleet
- 94 Max guests (Sea Cloud Spirit)
Sea Cloud, built in 1931, and Sea Cloud Spirit are square-rigged ships with sails set by hand, carrying 64 to 94 guests.
Best for: Historic romance
Windstar Cruises
- Small ship and sailing
- 6 Small yachts
- 342 Max guests
Motor-sailing yachts with white sails at sunset, plus all-suite Star-class yachts, with a watersports platform.
Best for: Sailing with comfort
Small ships and yachts
SeaDream Yacht Club
- Luxury ocean
- 2 Twin yachts
- 112 Max guests
Two 112-guest yachts with all drinks included, marina watersports and DreamBeds on deck.
Best for: Luxury yachting
Variety Cruises
- Small ship and sailing
- 9 Small yachts
- 4-72 Guests / yacht
Nine small motor yachts of 4 to 72 guests, family-owned since 1949, in the Greek islands, the Mediterranean, the Seychelles and beyond.
Best for: Island hopping
Paul Gauguin Cruises
- Small ship and sailing
- 1 Dedicated ship
- 332 Max guests
One ship of 332 guests, purpose-built for French Polynesia, with a watersports platform and a private islet day.
Best for: Tahiti
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
- Luxury ocean
- 3 Luxury yachts
- 298 Max guests (Ilma)
Luxury yachts of around 200 to 300 guests with balcony suites and all dining and drinks included.
Best for: Luxury hotel style
Azamara Cruises
- Premium ocean
- 4 R-class sister ships in the fleet
- 702 Guests per ship — small-ship scale
Four 702-guest ships with longer port stays and overnights, reaching smaller ports the big lines can’t.
Best for: More time ashore
Why choose a small ship?
Smaller ships reach smaller ports and secluded anchorages, stay longer in port and offer a relaxed, social atmosphere without queues. The trade-off is fewer facilities: no big theatres or waterparks, and on sailing ships, cabins are compact and there may be steep stairs. They suit couples and independent travellers who value the destination over the ship.
How we chose these cruise lines
We compared the small-ship and sailing lines we sell by ship size, style and destinations. We sell more than 60 cruise lines, from big family ships to tiny expedition vessels, so these recommendations are based on what each line actually offers: ship size, what’s included in the fare, who it suits and who it doesn’t. Fares, inclusions and ships change, so always check the details for your sailing, or ask a Travel Designer to compare them for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the largest sailing cruise ship?
Star Clippers’ Royal Clipper, the largest square-rigged sailing ship in service.
Do sailing cruise ships use engines?
Yes, alongside the sails when needed, but the sails are used whenever conditions allow.
Are small-ship cruises good for people with limited mobility?
Tall ships often have steep stairs and tender landings; check with a Travel Designer first.
Where do small ships sail?
The Mediterranean, Greek islands, Caribbean, French Polynesia and more.
Find your cruise
Browse every cruise line we sell, or ask a Travel Designer to compare ships, cabins and itineraries for you.
Keep planning
Updated October 2026. Cruises can be booked through Travelisto, with flights and hotels added where you need them.
