Small Ship Cruise: France

Types of Small Ships

When most people think of a cruise, they immediately imagine large ships hosting thousands of passengers and visiting equally populous ports of call. Small ships, on the other hand, offer a more personalized experience that allows guests to indulge in local culture and history in ways that large ships, with their lengthy passenger manifests, never can.

There are several types of small ship cruises available, all of which offer sailings that include France.

• Luxury Yachts: These are the ultimate in indulgence, often featuring gourmet cuisine, detailed artwork, and onboard massages, whirlpools, and other luxurious treats.
• Tall Ships: These vessels recall the early years of sailing, when the wind, sun, and stars determined the success or failure of a voyage. Today’s passengers on tall ships may take turns learning about rigging, steering the ship, or just reveling in the unique experience.
• Barges: While a barge may seem unglamorous at first, they are actually hardy, stable vessels that offer more affordable small ship options for many passengers. Barges often ply rivers and canal systems that larger vessels cannot penetrate.
• River Boats: These vessels are specifically designed for river cruises and often feature elements of both luxury ships and less costly barges. Facilities may include a small fitness center, a library, or an onboard lounge.

Once prospective passengers are familiar with the different types of ships available, the next step is to choose the destination for their small ship cruise: France is a wonderful European option with countless diversions to excite any passenger.

Taking a Small Ship Cruise: France Destinations

Small ships that travel through French waterways offer visitors an intimate glimpse of the French countryside as well as popular cities and ports of call. Specific destinations vary depending on the season, the theme of the cruise, and the tour operator, but may include:

• Paris and the Seine River
• The Beaches of Normandy
• The Burgundy wine country
• The Loire Valley and its numerous chateaus
• Cannes, Rouen, and Marseilles along the Mediterranean coast
• Dozens of small towns, villages, and isolated locations that large ships are unable to visit

Itineraries for small ship cruises typically focus more on the culture of a region than just on specific ports; small ship voyages in France often feature tours of remarkable architecture, history, art, golf, or wine. Voyages may last from 7 to 21 days or longer depending on the route and type of cruise, and many small ship cruises also include several days of accommodations at luxury resorts, famous or historic hotels, or other locations to give guests an even more thorough experience. Many cruise companies also include cruise shore excursions in their prices so guests can indulge in land activities without stressing their budgets.

Is a Small Ship Right for You?

Salut!

Small ship cruises are not necessarily the right choice for everyone. Most small ship companies do not offer children’s activities, and along French routes, translators may not be available in every small village and town passengers can visit. Intellectual stimulation is often the norm on a small ship cruise: France cruise options may include historic and cultural lectures, language lessons, art appreciation workshops, and wine and cheese tasting seminars.

At the same time, many passengers appreciate the cultural depth they can experience on a small ship. For example, a large ship may feature a French wine or single native entrée or dessert the day the ship stops at a French port. A small ship, on the other hand, will likely have the entire menu prepared from local recipes and ingredients specialized to each region it visits, offering guests a far more detailed cultural experience.

Small ship cruises are a unique and intimate way for passengers to experience ports of call and to immerse themselves in different cultures in a way that larger vessels cannot. Voyages focusing on France offer guests a truly native experience, and there are only two words that can accurately describe it: Bon Voyage!