According to a poll
conducted by Condé Nast Traveler, a premier travel magazine with vacation
ideas, destination information and travel tips, the following are voted as the
world’s 5 best small cruise ships in random order.
Here is the list of
the world’s five best small cruise ships of 2012 according to the votes of Condé
Nast Traveler magazine readers. Seabourn occupies three slots and two are by
Lindblad and Paul Gauguin.
National Geographic
Endeavour of Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad
Expeditions’ forerunner first went tours on the Galápagos in 1967. In 1996, the
company acquired Endeavor to be a North Sea fishing trawler. Thus, both the
lines and the ship are veterans at sailing the islands which Charles Darwin
made popular. Endeavour has 96 passenger capacity with 10 and 16 day long itineraries
from Guayaquil, Ecuador, Friday. The Endeavor is a small cruise ship where
passengers should not expect luxury-liner amenities. However, all its cabins
have small writing desks and water views. The meals are at single-seating at
unassigned tables. Endeavor’s one unusual feature is a floating massage
platform, for massage treatments which are completed by the sea’s gentle
rocking motion.
Paul Gauguin of Paul
Gauguin Cruises
The sole ship of
Paul Gauguin Cruises line, Paul Gauguin is a 332-passenger capacity cruiser
that sails where Gauguin painted. It was specifically built for the islands of
French Polynesia where shallow depths keep bigger ships away from ports. Paul
Gauguin itinerary include several more far archipelagoes, such as the
less-known Tuamotus and other islands that may never heard even by veteran
travelers, like the Ua Huka in the Marquesas which is mainly populated by goats
and horses. Paul Gauguin has seven decks for guests which accommodate passengers
in cabins from Porthole Staterooms to various suites. All cabins have 70
percent occupied by verandas and balconies. A retractable marina and dive
programs onboard occupy days, and ending with dinners where drinks are served
gratis.
Seabourn Odyssey of Yachts
of Seabourn
At the top of the
list is one of the cruises of Yachts of Seabourn – Seabourn Odyssey. This
highest rated impressive fleet of Seabourn started operation in 2009 as the
company’s first of larger ships trio (Soujourn and Quest followed in June 2010
and June 2011 respectively). Compared to the earlier ships of Seabourn having
104 suites, these trio have 225 suites each, 90 percent of the cabins of which
have verandas and are from 295 to 1,989 square feet.
Like the other
Seabourn cruise ships, chef Charlie Palmer heads the kitchens. However, a new
indoor and outdoor restaurant is added where the meals are set in an open
kitchen. The 11,400 square feet sized Spa at Seabourn is one of the largest
ones found in luxury ships. Odyssey usually cruises the Mediterranean whole
year round – Dalmatian Coast, Turkey and the Greek Isles and has itineraries to
Fort Lauderdale-to-Los Angeles and South Pacific as well.
Seabourn Pride of Yachts
of Seabourn
Like sister ships
Legend and Spirit, Seabourn Pride maintains a staff-to-passenger ratio of
almost one to one. Suites number to 104, with 40 percent of its 277 to 575
square feet size occupied by balconies and having all ocean views. Your fare
includes all meals, drinks at the four bars and lounges. The Pride has a
private marina that extends from the ship’s rear to let guests enjoy water
sports even at sea. Pride gets around world cruises, Baltic, Middle Eastern,
Asian and Mediterranean itineraries.
Seabourn Sojourn of Yachts
of Seabourn
Second of the three
most recent cruise ships of Seabourn, this 450-passenger capacity Sojourn is
almost two and a half times the size of the company’s older ships. With
Sojourn’s bigger space, you shall find a lot to see and do including the
two-storey 11,400 square foot spa having outdoor cabanas and space. Cabins are
90 percent verandahs and there are suites with solariums. Most of all, it has
Seabourn’s signature of fabulous service, water-sports marina and plenty of
space per cruiser.
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