Small Ship Adventure Cruise Blog
Blog on small ship cruise adventures for discerning travelers & travel reviews.
New Staff Addition at Sunstone Tours & Cruises
Sunstone Tours & Cruises is thrilled to announce their new staff addition. Please help me welcome Whitney Androlia, who will join the staff as a front line agent, and co-owner. Whitney has worked along with her mother Linda, the owner and founder, for a number of years. Always in the background keeping the paperwork flowing, she will now join Linda in sales and working directly with clients.
Paul Gauguin Arrives in Dry Dock for Major Refurbishment
The Paul Gauguin recently arrived in Singapore for a major multi-million-dollar refurbishment, which should conclude early April 2025.
American Cruise Lines Launches Mississippi River Cruise Season
American Cruise Lines is kicking off its 2025 Mississippi Season soon. American’s riverboats will embark on over 12 itineraries along the Mississippi River through December. The company’s Mississippi Season cruises, ranging from 8 to 51 days, offer a variety of authentic American experiences across 10 states, from New Orleans, Louisiana, to St. Paul, Minnesota.
15% Off 2025 & 2026 Hawaii Cruises
Looking to experience Hawaii in a unique way? Save 15% on any cabin category for select Hawaii 2025 and 2026 sailings. This limited-time offer expires on March 31, 2025.
Adventure Forever: $250 to $500 Off Select Alaska Sailings
Save up to $500 per person on select sailings aboard the Safari Endeavour and Wilderness Legacy, and all sailings aboard the Wilderness Adventurer. Expires March 31, 2025
The Iconic Wilderness Adventurer Returns to Service for the 2025 Alaska Season
UnCruise Adventures is excited to announce the return of the recently refreshed Wilderness Adventurer for the highly sought-after 2025 Alaska season.
American Cruise Lines adds second ship in Alaska in 2025
American Cruise Lines is bringing a second ship to Alaska in 2025 with five itineraries from May through September.
Top 5 Small Ship Destinations in 2025
For 2025, small-ship cruises are continuing to rise in popularity due to their ability to access remote and less-explored locations. These destinations are perfect for those seeking adventure, tranquility, or a deep connection to nature, all while enjoying the personalized experience that small-ship cruising offers.
Why a small ship cruise?
Ever wonder about the difference and draw of small ship cruising? We here at Sunstone Tours & Cruises are happy to share some insight.
Paul Gauguin Cruises Releases New 2026 Voyages Brochure
Paul Gauguin Cruises has released its 2026 Voyages Brochure, featuring itineraries aboard the 330-guest Paul Gauguin.
Enjoy Special Savings When You Book Between December 3-31, 2024
This holiday season, give your friends and family a present they’ll treasure for years to come: the gift of exploration with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.
Big Ships Bring Too Many People to the Small Town of Sitka
A Sitka nonprofit has filed an application to the city for a public vote on cruise ship tourism limits for Sitka.
Indeed, See America!
American Cruise Lines’ “Great United States” itinerary is far more than a typical river cruise. In fact, it spans three separate cruises (including an ocean cruise!), two flights, and a land-based tour that travels to 15 states in total.
Fewer European cruises, more Caribbean … for a reason
Ports are tired of the big ships depositing so many thousands of passengers their city is taken over … not an issue on small ship cruises. Small ships are always welcome.
Lindblad puts National Geographic name first
This year, Lindblad rebranded its name and partnership to National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. CEO Sven-Olof Lindblad said during the company’s Q2 earnings call that the new name “leads with the power and name recognition of National Geographic,” which is well known in media, from its documentary programs to its monthly magazine.
Arthur Frommer dies
Arthur Frommer, who built a travel media empire that included books, magazines, newspaper columns, television and radio died November 18 from pneumonia complications.
Dogs, Dogs, Dogs … 250 of them on your cruise
Margaritaville at Sea Islander will play host to the first-known dog-friendly specialty cruise in November 2025. The cruise will be put on by Cruise Tails and Expedia Cruises of West Orlando.
Victory Cruise Lines Returns to the Great Lakes
Victory Cruise Lines is set to return to the Great Lakes in 2025. Previously known as American Queen Voyages when it merged with Victory Cruise Lines and American Queen Steamboat Company in 2021, they ceased operations on Feb. 20, 2024. Hornblower Group, the former cruise line’s parent company, filed for bankruptcy soon after.
American Cruise Lines Purchases Former American Queen Voyages Ships
American Cruise Lines has purchased the successfully bid for the classic paddlewheeler American Queen and three other riverboats that sailed for the former American Queen Voyages (AQV).
UnCruise Adventures Alaska Savings on 2024 Adventures
Sailing with UnCruise Adventures to Alaska offers a unique and immersive experience that differs from traditional large cruise ships. UnCruise Adventures offers the following “whale-sized” savings to Alaska in 2024.
American Queen Voyages Shuts Down Operations
River cruise line American Queen Voyages has shut down, canceling all future cruises and instructing future guests to apply for refunds.
American Queen Cruises Exists the Great Lakes
American Queen Voyages (AQV), part of Hornblower Group, announced that it will not return to the Great Lakes in 2024 and plans to sell its Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager vessels.
Everything I Expected Galapagos Cruising To Be Was Wrong
Gary Bembridge from the Tips for Travellers video blog (vlog) recently posted about a cruise he took on Silverseas Silver Origin to the Galapagos Islands. He found that despite his research and preparations, his Galapagos Silver Origin cruise was very different to his expectations.
Climate change and the impact on Alaska Glaciers
Google Earth’s newest feature, Timelapse, is highlighting the impact that climate change is having on Alaska’s Glaciers.
COVID-19 Protocols for Small Ship Cruises
As the small ship cruise lines ramp up to begin sailing again, travelers must be educated about the various COVID-19 protocols that must be followed to ensure save travel for all.
Small Ships the Only Way to Experience Alaska in 2021
Canada has dealt a significant blow to the 2021 Alaska cruise season by extending its cruise ban. This ban excludes American-flagged ships with smaller capacity. Therefore, American-flagged cruise lines such as Alaskan Dream Cruises, American Cruise Lines, Lindblad Expeditions and UnCruise Adventures will be sailing Alaskan waters in 2021.
I Saw the World on Cruise Ships
High school didn’t serve up much adventure, so Devin Murphy signed up to do grunt work on expedition ships that sailed to Alaska, Iceland, Antarctica, and other far-flung places. Turned out to be a pretty great idea.
Lindblad Expedition’s second polar vessel
The hull of Lindblad Expedition’s National Geographic Resolution has arrived at Norway’s Ulstein Verft shipyard, triggering the start of outfitting work on the polar expedition cruise vessel.
Wilderness Legacy announced as renamed S.S. Legacy
The leading small boat adventure company, UnCruise Adventures, recently revealed that it has renamed the 86-passenger S.S. Legacy to be the Wilderness Legacy. The multi-deck ‘whale whisperer’ will now join its green hulled sister vessels.
Blount Small Ship Adventures Ceases Operations
Family-owned small ship cruise operator Blount Small Ship Adventures has ceased operations. The cruise line, founded in 1966 by Luther Blount as the American Canadian Line and headquartered in Warren, Rhode Island, had hoped to restart operations in 2021.
Traditions and Ancient Customs of Columbia and Panama
Discover ancient customs adapted to modern life in Central America. Discover an indigenous paradise in Panama’s Guna Yala. Venture to the village of Tuchín to meet the indigenous Zenú people in Columbia.
The Endemic Wildlife of Colombia and Panama
With a plethora of species of birds and mammals, Colombia’s rainforests and Panama’s national park in the Canal Zone offer a diverse selection of wildlife to experience.
Welcome to Mackinac Island
Vacationers adore the unique American destination Mackinac Island. Its devotees long for the time they can return to their beloved island retreat and truly disconnect from workaday cares. Clip-clop rhythms of horse hooves soothe the soul, with not a car in sight. The rich aroma of Mackinac’s signature treat – its famous fudge – permeates charming shops. The view from America’s longest front porch at the Grand Hotel stretches for miles. This peaceful port draws visitors back year after year.
Premier Wildlife Viewing with Alaskan Dream Cruises
As pioneers of Alaska cruising, and after 50 years of operation, Alaska Dream Cruises has developed an unrivaled knowledge of the region’s most abundant wildlife areas.
American Queen Steamboat Company offers Star Spangled Cruises in 2021
While we can’t travel today, we can look forward to the future when we can. On this day, when we celebrate our country’s independence, we can begin to ponder what we might do next year to celebrate. With all the pent-up desire to travel, what better way to celebrate America’s birthday than on an American Fourth of July river cruise?
Recently released giant tortoises settle back on their island
Fifteen recently released Española tortoises are settling back in their natural habitat after they spent decades in a breeding program to save their species from extinction.
UnCruise Adventures Confirms 2020 Summer Sailings
The American owned, U.S. flagged small-boat adventure company, UnCruise Adventures has confirmed that its 2020 Alaska sailings will commence August 1st.
Panama Canal with Lindblad Expeditions
Experience the canal’s staggering scope and surprising wildness over two days. The Panama Canal changed global commerce and stands as one of the greatest feats of engineering in human history. National Geographic Quest is the perfect platform to transit it.
Great Lakes cruise season postponed until 2021
The 2020 Great Lakes cruise season has been officially postponed until 2021, due largely to preventative measures taken by both American and Canadian ports restricting cruise ship docking to halt the spread of COVID-19.
Small ship cruising in a post-COVID-19 world
Like many industries, the entire cruise industry has been halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While cruises that hold more than 250 passengers and crew are suspended due to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mandate, this does not apply to many small ship cruise lines, with many ships carrying 120 or fewer passengers.
How-to guide to a safe & rewarding Antarctica experience
There are many, many reasons to want to visit Antarctica: the dashing history of the Heroic Age of exploration; the penguins; the majestic bergs and glaciers; the breathtaking mountains surging 9,000 feet straight up from the sea; the ability to see for hundreds of miles through dust-free air; or the profound absence of anything man-made.
Exploring Vietnam and Cambodia with Lindblad Expeditions
Rivers are the heart and soul of countries and cultures, a pulsating lifeline. And no river teems with more life than the mighty Mekong, which winds its way through the lush lowlands of Cambodia and Vietnam. Lindblad’s dual-natured, in-depth land and river exploration takes us from the heart of Cambodia’s 9th-century Khmer empire, at Angkor, to Vietnam’s most storied city, Saigon. They’ll largely travel along the Mekong—with our riverboat, Jahan, providing an all-five-senses-engaged front-row seat.
Amazon’s Pacaya–Samiria Reserve
The Pacaya–Samiria National Reserve is a pristine swath of jungle stretching more than five million acres, and harboring some of the Amazon’s most diverse flora and fauna.
