Luxurious Ships
In Boutique Size

© Traveling Times, Inc.

Recently, boutique-size floating resorts have begun to surface on oceans worldwide. These appealing smaller sized ships provide discriminating travelers with an Old World cruising experience in an environment that offers just about everything the big ships boast, only in smaller form.

     Thirteen years ago, Cunard's Sea Goddess I, a 100-passenger ship, set sail as one of the first yacht-like ships. Since then, many other ultra-deluxe small ships have entered the cruise market. Companies such as Seabourn, Windstar, Silversea and Radisson Seven Seas have launched their own boutique ships.

     These yacht-like luxury ships offer an unusually warm and friendly environment. Though daily activities may not include a singles get-together at 7:00 each evening, there is plenty to do to keep guests entertained. Clearly, these ships are for passengers who can entertain themselves.

     Radisson Seven Seas'ship, the Paul Gauguin, will provide an idyllic, intimate mode of transportation for exploring the islands of French Polynesia-Rangiroa, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti.

     Carrying a mere 320 passengers, the Paul Gauguin is small, yet boasts spacious staterooms with special touches such as marble-appointed bathrooms and private balconies. Onboard this delightful small ship there will be two fine restaurants with open-seating dining, a world famous French spa, a full casino and a water sports marina platform.

     Totally unlike any other ship, the Radisson Diamond, serving only 350 guests in six-star comfort and elegance, features a dramatic twin-hull design and wide stance that provides a comfortable and stable ride. Aboard the Diamond, personal and public space abound, whether in the all-ocean-view staterooms and suites, in the superbly proportioned public rooms, or in the glass-walled elevators that whisk you from deck to deck.

     Radisson's Song of Flower, at slightly 8,000 tons, is surprisingly spacious and delightfully luxurious. This vintage-type vessel, updated and upgraded, offers guests luxurious ocean-view accommodations and six-star cuisine in an unpretentious elegance and understated Scandinavian style. Enriching lectures by distinguished writers, diplomats and cultural experts are befitting to the experience.

Recognized for its tall and sleek sails billowing in the breeze, Windstar ships featuring expansive teak decks, computerized ballast system that adjusts to changes in direction, wind and current, casino, fitness room, pool and hot tub, plus a library stocked with video tapes and CDs, are the closest to a grand private yacht. These romantic vessels, carrying a mere 148 passengers, can navigate into remote spots, harbors and villages that larger cruise ships cannot access. And because of their size, the service-one of the highest guest to staff ratios-is impeccable, and the cuisine exceptional. Additionally, because of their size, these yacht-like ships often ply exotic waters such as the west coast of Costa Rica or Italy's Amalfi Coast.

     The sleek Seabourn ships each carry only 200 passengers, but are large enough to carry twice as many. Hence, spaciousness and elegance prevail. The suites have five-foot-wide picture windows, and like many other boutique ships, personally engraved stationery is provided for guests. Walk-in closets, marble baths and fluffy terry robes are but a few of the amenities that make the Seabourn ships among the most elegant at sea.
-M. Cole