Many of us would like to avoid the hassle of airports and stressthat can come with complicated travel arrangements. The perfectsolution is a relaxed UK departure, allowing you to drive to theport for an easy embarkation, and hey presto, you are already onholiday! These are the best small ship cruises from UK ports for2024 and 2025.
In our opinion, nothing could be nicer than to take a smallship cruise from the UK, although of course 'small' is arelative term. Whether you want to avoid the crowds and queues ofthe megaships while still enjoying excellent facilities andentertainment on a resort-style ship, or you prefer the intimacy ofa tiny but spacious vessel such as the 50-guest Hebridean Princess,there is going to be an appealing voyage for you.
Options include longer cruises and itineraries visiting theBaltic, Norway, Iceland and even Greenland, or southwards to Franceand Spain. For many, a British Isles cruise will have a magic allof its own. Here is our pick of the best small ships cruising fromUK ports:
1. Hebridean Princess
This little gem of a ship, known to many as a favourite of HerLate Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (she chartered it twice for familycelebrations), is the perfect choice if you want to explore thebeauties of Scotland's Western Isles and more. Just 50 fortunateguests can travel in cosseted country house style, with plenty oftables for two at dinner, and tiny group tours ashore includingwalking and cycling, visiting private stately homes, and enjoying awee dram at a remote distillery. Inclusive fares, whilst high,cover every detail of your trip from the moment you embark, and youwill travel in unpretentious style as truly welcome guests.
Also of interest to many will be Lord of the Highlands, a recent addition to the HebrideanIsland Cruises fleet and infused with the same relaxed house partyatmosphere as the Hebridean Princess. Operating along the intricate waters of the Caledonian Canal, with the elegantappeal of a vintage Pullman carriage, it caters to just 40 guestand is perfectly in keeping with the line's unmistakably Scottishheritage. Sailings depart several times a month with options onboth ships; we like the Footlooseitineraries that focus on gentle hikes and sailings that mix incalls in to Ireland.
2. Silversea
In 2024, two spring sailings depart on 6th April and 20th April on board brand new expedition vessel SilverEndeavour, travelling between London and Edinburgh exploring thedramatic Scottish Islands including Iona, Skye, St Kilda and more.Using the ship's Zodiacs, discover a haven for birds includingAtlantic puffins, razorbills, common guillemots and northernfulmars as well as seals and basking sharks.
Then on 14th May Silver Dawn, the newest classic Silversea vessel,featuring incredibly popular Sea And Land Taste (S.A.L.T.) culinaryprogramme of excursions and venues, enjoys a more sedate sailingaround the British Isles from Southampton.
3. Ponant Explorers
Ponant's sleek 184-guest Explorer class yachts bring a touch ofFrench flair to the coastlines of Scotland, Wales and Ireland in2024. You can enjoy a 7-night voyage on 11th May from London to Glasgow on LeChamplain visiting the charming towns of Darmouth and St Mary's aswell as Dublin and Belfast. Then on 21st May Le Dumont d'Urville teams up with Smithsonian Journeyson an 8-night voyage between London and Glasgow exploring the richhistory and culture on both sides of the Irish Sea.
On the 18th May a brand new itinerary will be operated on the slightlylarger 264-guest Le Boreal, exploring the Shetlands, Orkneys,Hebrides and the wild and spectacular Faroe Islands on a Glasgowround-trip journey, while on the 15th June Le Champlain sets forth between Glasgow and Bergenvisiting the magnificent Scottish archipelagos of Shetland, Orkneyand the Hebrides, as well as the stunning scenery of Norway'sfjords.
2025 sees the London to Glasgow sailing repeated on the 4th May as well as some lovely Norwegian fjord voyages in summer 2025 and a fabulous London to Lisbon itinerary on 30th August.
4. Seabourn Ovation and Sojourn
In 2024 the lovely 450-guest Seabourn Sojourn delights with twoexcellent sailings from Dover. The first sailing on 27th July is a 14-night round trip to circumnavigate Iceland,the second on 10th August is a breathtaking voyage to the North Cape, thenorthernmost point of mainland Europe, and the tranquil NorwegianFjords.
In 2025, Seabourn Sojourn will head on a genteel UK round-trip on 31st May both departing and returning toDover. A similar 14-night 26th July round Britain voyage again focuses on our ownnation's highlights with calls in Scotland, Wales, NorthernIreland, England and Ireland, while for something more adventurousa 24-day 9 August departure from Dover sees you also call in toIceland and Greenland's wild shores, ending in Canada.
5. Oceania
In 2024 Oceania have a choice of vessels and itinerariesoperating from the UK, with a notable sailing on the 656-guestSirena. On this unusual itinerary, sail southwards out ofSouthampton to explore the perimeter of the Bay of Biscay as youvisit France and Spain departing 22nd April on a 23-nightitinerary. Highlights include two magnificent days exploring aroundBordeaux, and a late evening to enjoy the amazing food in Bilbao. Asimilar 30-night sailing operates on the new 1200-guest Vistadeparting on 15th August, calling to Bruges and enjoying thesame overnight in Bordeaux and late night in Bilbao.
Shorter options include a 12-night Southampton round-tripexploring our shores on 29 August on 1238-guest Marina, with 2025 offering a similar11-night voyage on Vista. For further exploration there areseveral ex-UK sailings from Southampton that explore Scandinavia,such as a 15-night Norway itinerary on Vista on 15 June 2025 and an Iceland-focussed departure on Marina on 30 June.
6. Seven Seas Splendor and Grandeur
In 2024 Regent's lovely ship Splendor, launched in 2020, offersan appealing little hop across the channel departing 12thAugust exploring beautiful Bruges, the Normandy beaches,Honfleur, Rouen and even Paris, not to mention the spectacularscenery of Brittany from Cherbourg.
Regent's magnificent newest ship, the 746-guest Seven Seas Grandeur, joined the fleet in November2023, offering spacious accommodation, huge range of diningoptions, beautiful observation lounge and inviting deck areas areperfect if you wish to explore, with ex-UK options in 2025including exploring UK and Scottish shores on a Southampton-round trip on 11 June 2025 or an Ireland, Greenlandand Iceland voyage from Southampton on 23 June. And remember, on Regent all yourshore excursions are included in the fare.
7. CrystalSymphony and Serenity
The elegant, newly-refurbished 606-guest Crystal Symphony and 740-guest Crystal Serenity returned to the water in summer 2023. Previously widely acclaimed as the'World's Best', these stylish vessels are once again loved byguests for their spacious lounges and public areas, flexible diningoptions, and outstanding programme of activities on board.
Choose a short 8-night round trip from Dover on 18 September in 2024, withovernights in Amsterdam and Rouen, or in September 2025 why notexplore the wild shores of Scotland, the Faroes and Iceland as yousail from Liverpool to Reykjavik?
8. EuropeanWaterways
The magnificent 8-guest luxury barge Magna Carta sails serenely along the River Thames betweenHampton Court and Henley-on-Thames. You will get the chance toexplore your own country as a tourist, visiting picturesqueriverside towns, pretty villages and numerous royal palaces.
Meet the author
Edwina Lonsdale is Managing Director and together with husband Matthew, owner of Mundy Cruising. Most recently she's cruised on Windstar and has also sailed with Silversea, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Crystal, SeaDream, Ponant, AmaWaterways and Aqua Expeditions. Her favourite destination is the Galapagos however she's also enjoyed cruises in the Mediterranean, Danube, Middle East, East Africa & Indian Ocean, Brahmaputra, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, the Mekong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Caribbean and the Arctic. When she’s not travelling she loves reading, food and wine.
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