Small Ships

which cruise lines offer small ships of 200-300 persons ??

River cruises.

Seaborn and other premium lines.

Viking Ocean (I think)

Viking Ocean ships are around 900 passengers; similar to HAL's Prinsendam (which will leave the HAL fleet next year).

My favorite ship, Aegean Odyssey (only ship belonging to Voyages to Antiquity cruise line) carries about 330 passengers when completely full.

Thank you. I will check them out.

Windstar

Silversea

Ponant

Scenic

Seadream

American Cruise lines

American Queen steamship company

Star Clippers

coming soon

Ritz Carlton

Thank you. I will check them out.

Azamara and Oceania's "R" ships hold <700. Oceania's "O" ships are <1100.

Azamara and Oceania's "R" ships hold <700. Oceania's "O" ships are <1100.

So tiresome.

Which of Oceania's ships meet the OPs criteria of 200-300 pax?

So tiresome.

 

Which of Oceania's ships meet the OPs criteria of 200-300 pax?

Nothing like a concrete thinker (or, at the other end of the spectrum, perspective for an inquiry by someone whose profile lists only Royal Caribbean).

Add Lindblad / National Geographic and some of Hurtigruten's ships to the list.

Sea Dream's two ships each hold 112 at maximum capacity.

So tiresome.

Which of Oceania's ships meet the OPs criteria of 200-300 pax?

I agree

Even Oceania's small ships are twice the number of pax that the OP is asking about

I agree

 

Even Oceania's small ships are twice the number of pax that the OP is asking about

Look at OP's profile: Royal Caribbean. Perhaps s/he is looking to get away from the crowds and just chose to start looking at the "opposite end." Of course, that far end would be a yacht charter with many options in single and double digit passenger loads.

The prices of the expedition and larger "yacht" sized/styled luxury ships might be a financial stretch for some. So, options that may exceed the 200-300 person mark while still being classified as "small" cruise ships would, at least, offer budget friendly alternatives.

I'll go in the other direction.... MV Hebridean Princess carries just 50 passengers...

200 to 300 is in that awkward range between yacht and “small cruise ship” (which ordinarily suggest 800 or more - unless you are talking river craft. I doubt a Royal Caribbean fan has a clear idea of how little of what he is used to would be found on something under 300 pax.

200 to 300 is in that awkward range between yacht and “small cruise ship” (which ordinarily suggest 800 or more - unless you are talking river craft. I doubt a Royal Caribbean fan has a clear idea of how little of what he is used to would be found on something under 300 pax.

Which, is why I suggested "R" ships of two cruise lines-perhaps more realistic expectations for OP.

200 to 300 is in that awkward range between yacht and “small cruise ship” (which ordinarily suggest 800 or more - unless you are talking river craft. I doubt a Royal Caribbean fan has a clear idea of how little of what he is used to would be found on something under 300 pax.

I find the 200 to 300 passenger ships I've been on to be a wonderful size, not an awkward one. Large enough to provide everything I want, including a good variety of other passengers to interact with. Small enough to visit unique port and to provide wonderful levels of service I spent 28 days on Windstar's Star Legend this May including 9 days crossing the Pacific.

Nothing over 500 should count as a small ship.

Look at OP's profile: Royal Caribbean. Perhaps s/he is looking to get away from the crowds and just chose to start looking at the "opposite end." Of course, that far end would be a yacht charter with many options in single and double digit passenger loads.

The prices of the expedition and larger "yacht" sized/styled luxury ships might be a financial stretch for some. So, options that may exceed the 200-300 person mark while still being classified as "small" cruise ships would, at least, offer budget friendly alternatives.

The lines with 200-300 passenger ships mentioned in the thread so far span a range of prices. Star Clipper and Voyages to Antiquity are lower cost examples.

Sometimes the same line has quite a range of prices depending on the itinerary and dates one chooses. Windstar prices for their Greek itineraries have given some of us sticker shock but for some other itineraries they are relatively low. Even more so if one checks weekly for the 7-for-7 specials (sale prices on 7 cruises posted each Thursday). They have a price assurance policy so if the price goes down within 90 days of sailing, you can get a price adjustment.

I find the 200 to 300 passenger ships I've been on to be a wonderful size, not an awkward one. Large enough to provide everything I want, including a good variety of other passengers to interact with. Small enough to visit unique port and to provide wonderful levels of service

 

Nothing over 500 should count as a small ship.

Couldn't agree more!

But like Goldilocks, everyone has to find the size ship that's 'just right' for them, I suppose....:')

Have heard noble Caledonia cruises are. Small ship immersive trips we did Moscow - st Petersburg 1996 it was a music theme on a river boat with lots of great tours included

They also do ocean cruises which may be worth investigating!

Star Clippers are a WONDERFUL option to the large ship insanity, their product is similar, and their pricing is not "over the top" like so many of the other "small ship" cruise lines.

The ROAD SCHOLAR organization has chartered Voyages to Antiquity's Aegean Odyssey for 3 years from 2020 thru 2023. 

It holds 350 passengers.

http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/aegean-odyssey-to-become-road-scholar-s-flagship.html

Celebrity Xpedition carries around 100 passengers. We were on it in the Galapagos. Excellent trip!