The 5 Least Crowded Cruise Ships for Tranquil Sailing

Is a cruise last on your vacation list? Maybe you’ve scoffed at your more extroverted friends’ suggestions of setting sail because you feared a cruise would be overrun with people. Or perhaps you’re worried you’d feel claustrophobic.

Cruises have long been subjected to stereotypes of loud crowds gorging on food and swimmers stuffed into the pool deck. Introverts, don’t fret! You just haven’t found the right ship yet.

Today’s cruise lines are working hard to challenge many cruising clichés. You can now travel on boutique ships instead of booking massive ocean liners. And while space can be limited out at sea, plenty of smaller ships still feel expansive. Try one of these compact cruises for your ticket to smooth sailing!

The Size of Your Ship — What You Should Know

It’s important you understand the differences between giant ocean liners and smaller river cruises before you set sail.

The mega cruise ships can weigh in at over 220,000 tons. These ships spend much of their time on the ocean, hitting major ports. In the biggest ships, you can find 3,500+ people onboard with you. During peak season, you may have trouble even snagging a deck chair. Although ships this size give you variety, like the best Broadway shows and specialty dining, many compare them to floating malls.

Mid-sized ships hold around 2,000-2,200 people. These are often older, refurbished ships, and many can be booked at discounted rates. They’re more limited than the larger ocean liners for dining and entertainment, but they still include plenty of lively options.

And finally, there are the smallest ships that carry under 1,000 passengers. The Celebrity Xpedition weighs just over 2,000 tons with an occupancy of 48 passengers. The smaller size allows for access to narrower, more remote ports of call. These cruises may not include theme-park-style activities, but they connect you more to the sea experience.

The Benefits of Small Ship Cruising

Boarding a smaller ship means more attention to detail. And to you.

The smaller ships are less family-friendly and more adult-focused, and the small ship crews have high-end luxury down to a science. These ships boast some of the best amenities and higher quality details, from fine linens to ultramodern espresso machines. And with fewer passengers, crews can personalize your service. Will your favorite bartender remember your usual drink? Could the cabin steward honor your special request? You bet! No need to fear emergencies out at sea, either. The higher crew-to-passenger ratio means more highly trained staff who can accurately gauge the wellness of passengers as well as the weather on the horizon.

Small ships = better shore excursions

Imagine a mega ship unloading 4,000 passengers into a port. Now picture just 150 of you hopping off at that same destination. Smaller ships mean less crowded excursions. And forget the tourist traps! A physically smaller ship can also fit into narrower ports, so you’ll get the bonus of exploring more far-flung and culturally interesting destinations.

Budget-friendly packages

The smaller the ship, the more likely you’ll get an opulent inclusive package at an affordable rate. You’ll find many of the separate costs on the bigger ships, like gratuities, dining options, high-end onboard activities and even wine, will be included on these little luxury liners.

You’re not just a face in the crowd

With fewer passengers, you’ll avoid lines when dining and attending shows. You may even be able to skip reservations entirely. You’ll recognize many of the same faces during your cruise, and you might make new friends.

The 5 Least Crowded Cruise Ships

Azamara Luxury Cruises

All Azamara ships are identical in size carrying 700 passengers maximum. These luxury boutique ships overnight in some of the world’s most beautiful and historically fascinating ports of call. Along with sea deck barbecues and chocolate buffets, you’ll get a rare evening extravaganza when local entertainers hop on board for a culturally immersive encounter.

Celebrity Cruises Xpedition, Xploration and Flora

Celebrity Cruises Galapagos cruises balance exploration with relaxation. The Xpedition is a 48-passenger vessel; Flora holds 100 passengers, while Xploration carries just 16 passengers. Celebrity’s small ships boast al fresco dining, balcony or ocean view rooms, in-suite dining and nightly lectures. In addition to the 7-night Galapagos cruises, you can now take an all-inclusive 10 to 16 night trip that includes a South American adventure.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise

See the Egyptian Nile onboard Uniworld’s SS Sphinx, featuring French balconies attached to all staterooms with walls upholstered in blue Egyptian cotton in each bedroom. You’ll take a guided tour of the Pyramids of Giza. Or join one of the themed cruises where you can explore European Christmas markets or take one of the family-friendly cruises in the Generations Collection. Uniworld’s River Cruises promises to be an explorer’s dream come true with complimentary bikes onboard, signature lectures and Wi-Fi.

Ama Waterways

Ama means love, making it the perfect intimate river cruise to travel into the heart of Europe’s most picturesque cities. An Ama Waterways cruise focuses on the countries you visit, not the ship. Think of these ships as luxury transportation that double your leisure time with all your excursions included. Their most celebrated sojourn is the Romantic Danube cruise that includes a wine tasting and stops in Linz, Vienna, Budapest and other cities.

Oceania Cruises

If regional cuisine is your obsession, consider Oceania's smallest ship, Sirena, carrying only 648 passengers. Try a Culinary Discovery Tour with Food Network-style cooking classes and wine-paired dinners. And if you've got food allergies or follow a specific diet, you’ll find a unique vegetarian menu onboard. For those adventure seekers with insatiable wanderlust, Oceania offers a 180-day around-the-world cruise.

AAA Travel provides peace of mind when you travel — before, during, and after your vacation! AAA Travel has teamed up with some of the industry's best cruise lines to provide you with added amenities, AAA Vacations® 24/7 Member Care, and the Best Price Guarantee. Your next cruise vacation starts with AAA, your complete travel solution. Visit your local AAA Travel Agent or book at https://www.aaa.com/tripcanvas/category/cruises.