Small Ships Cruises

As river cruises go, the Nile is often considered the ultimate experience. Winding its way through the nation of Egypt like a silver dragon lying across the dusty desert, the body of water that gave life to one of the greatest civilisations in history is a joy to explore.

Such a splendid waterway needs a great cruise tour to get the most out of it, and there is none better than the 10 Night Nile Grand Tour. Starting at the fascinating city of Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza, this part of the trip is in a hotel before air transfer to the outdoor museum that is Luxor for a cruise that takes you all the way to Abu Simbel. This incredible journey allows for all the essential Egyptian sights at a comfortable pace. Intrepid travellers can check off a number of items from their bucket lists, including the Temple of Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and the ancient city of Thebes.

But the cruise also features a number of lesser-known archaeological wonders that nonetheless show off the skills and innovation of those ancient builders. The Aga Khan Mausoleum and the Temple of Derr, for example, offer superb insights into how an ancient race lived and died.

Another unexpected highlight comes in the form of the botanical gardens on Kitchener's Island. When one thinks of Egypt, the overbearing image is a harsh one of unforgiving dust and desert. But the extraordinary flora that can be found here is quick to dispel that illusion, and the many shades of green defying the sun is simply wonderful.

As well as visiting the stunning attractions above, the 10 Night Nile Grand Tour features accommodation aboard Five-Star Deluxe cruise vessels designed to ensure comfort throughout the trip. So if you want to witness the entirety of this extraordinary waterway, you know now which cruise tour to book.

When thinking of cruises, it's all too easy to imagine a behemoth of a vessel, sporting thousand-seater dining rooms and enormous balconies. There's no reason to be put off cruises entirely if this doesn't sound like your cup of tea – here at Seafarer, we prefer to offer a more personalised experience and our passenger lists are more likely to stand at around 200 than 2,000.

This already sounds more appealing, but what are the other benefits of opting for a smaller vessel? Read on and find out.

Access to smaller ports

The upside of going on a smaller vessel is that you can visit seaside cities and towns that don't have ports or harbours constructed with the enormous ships in mind. This allows you to get right to the heart of the culture of your chosen destination, and you won't find yourself hampered by all of the Duty Free outlets that characteristically dominate the larger ports. It's one thing to explore a busy and thriving metropolis. It's quite another to witness the extraordinary intimate atmosphere of a smaller destination. And the advantage is, with a smaller vessel, you need not rule out the larger harbours, so you can be sure of enjoying plenty of variety during your journey.

On board intimacy

The intimate atmosphere of the smaller places you'll be able to visit is replicated on board with a smaller-size cruise ship. As well as the increased diversity you can look forward to in the itinerary, there is a more relaxed atmosphere among the cruise goers, particularly with Seafarer as an informal dress code is always encouraged. Cruisers are invited to sit where they like at dinner, so forget about seating plans. You are more likely to see people regularly on a smaller vessel and so making friends becomes easier. This is the same among the crew members, who are far more likely to address you by name and remember how it is you take your martini or your coffee.

Get closer to the culture

With larger cruise ships featuring multiple bars, restaurants, casinos and entertainment rooms, there is a danger of distracting oneself from the culture of the destination. Tours in smaller ships tend to focus on what's outside, with educational films and lectures being much more commonplace. Instead of spending hours in the bar waiting for the next port, you can go up onto the deck and have a swim alongside the ship as it anchors in a little cove – an experience that just isn't offered on the larger vessels. There is a greater connection to the ocean and much more of that seafaring feeling. The ocean is ever present – a wonderful romantic companion to your trip, rather than being just a mere detail. Many of the cabins even open directly onto outdoor passages, meaning you'll be as close to the water as it is possible to be at all times.

Luxurious surroundings

Smaller doesn't have to mean less luxurious. You might be surprised by the level of luxury you can encounter on a smaller vessel cruise, and because everything is more personal, you'll only appreciate it even more. Expect comfortable beds, private bathrooms, televisions, lounges and much more besides – although you may have to pay extra for some of these, as you would on a larger cruise.

So to sum up – a cruise on a smaller vessel certainly offers a different experience, but it's certainly no less luxurious or comfortable. There is a greater focus on the destination and the journey, and much more of that feeling of being at sea. If you've never been on a cruise before – or if you think you'd enjoy a change from the larger ship cruises – you should definitely give it a try. With an intimate atmosphere and a varied itinerary awaiting you, it's likely you'll come away smiling.