Small Ship
Mediterranean Cruises

Search and book your Mediterranean Small Ship cruises in Croatia, Greece, Italy & beyond.

The best small cruise ship companies in the Mediterranean: Find your perfect holiday.

With over 35 years of travel expertise, Belmondo brings together the Mediterranean's best small cruise ship companies in one place. We work directly with renowned brands like Emerald, Ponant, Windstar, and Sea Cloud, as well as specialized local operators.

While the cruise industry often classifies vessels with up to 700 passengers as 'small ships,' our focus is much more intimate. With an especially large selection in Croatia and Greece, most of the vessels we represent accommodate just 30 to 50 guests. This allows you to avoid the crowds and sail directly into charming coastal towns and historic harbors that larger vessels cannot reach.

Explore the region's most beautiful destinations, from the sunny coastlines of Italy, France, Spain, and Turkey. Sail along clear waters on our Croatia small ship cruises, or discover ancient ruins and idyllic islands on our small ship cruises in Greece. Seeking a broader adventure? Our Adriatic Cruise itineraries connect Slovenia, Montenegro, and Italy in one continuous voyage. Enjoy authentic local cuisine, visit historic harbors, and create lasting memories.

Choose from more than 80 small
cruise ships

We offer a selection of more than 80 small cruise ships so you can find the perfect vessel for your journey. As you explore our website and compare search results, you will notice a diverse range of options to suit different expectations. These vary from international luxury brands offering fully all-inclusive experiences to regional premium yachts that provide comfortable en-suite cabins and an authentic local atmosphere.

Browse our Croatia cruise ships to explore the Adriatic's beautiful coastlines, or choose our Greece cruise ships for comfortable sailings through idyllic islands. Italy's charming coastal towns await, while France offers Riviera elegance, Spain delights with vibrant traditions, and Turkey charms with its Turquoise Coast.

Step aboard these intimate vessels and experience the Mediterranean up close. Simply enter your destination and preferred travel month in our search tool to view available ships and detailed itineraries.

Lounge deck

Mediterranean cruise destinations

Croatia, Greece, Italy, France, and Spain offer some of the finest Mediterranean destinations, featuring natural harbors and historic coastal cities. Because of their lower draft, our featured small ships can moor directly in the centers of many historic towns, allowing you immediate access to local life and UNESCO sites.

Review specific routes across our Croatia cruise destinations, where each day brings new ports of call. Discover our Greece cruise destinations, where you can explore ancient archaeological sites and traditional island communities with expert local guides. Italy’s scenic coastal towns offer classic architecture and renowned regional cuisine for relaxed evening meals ashore. Spain welcomes you with accessible harbors and vibrant coastal culture.

These varied Mediterranean regions are easily within your reach. Experience them in comfort without the mega-ship crowds.

Dubrovnik

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Check out amazing deals on our cruises and experience the beauty of the Mediterranean.

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Why Book With Us

35+ Years of Experience

35+ Years of Experience
Contact us directly for expert advice on Mediterranean ships and routes. Call or message us on WhatsApp.

80+ Small Cruise Ships

80+ Small Cruise Ships
Choose from authentic regional yachts to international all-inclusive brands.

Best Price Guarantee

Best Price Guarantee
Book directly with us. We will match any publicly available price for your chosen cruise.

No credit card or bank fees

No credit card or bank fees
Pay by credit card or bank transfer with absolutely no extra costs or hidden fees.

Frequently Asked Questions about Small Ship Cruising

While some travel agents and cruise lines classify ships with up to 700 passengers as "small," we specialize in truly intimate vessels. Although a few of our featured ships can accommodate up to around 300 guests, the majority of the ships we represent in the Mediterranean, particularly in Croatia and Greece, accommodate only 30 to 50 guests, ensuring more personal space and a relaxed atmosphere.

The Adriatic and Aegean seas are ideal for small ship navigation. Our most extensive selections are in Croatia and Greece. We also offer specialized routes along the coastlines of Italy, France, Spain, and Turkey.

Due to their lower draft and compact size, small vessels can access exclusive harbors that large liners must completely bypass. This includes docking directly in the centers of historic Adriatic towns like Hvar, Korcula, and Vis. In Greece, small ships can navigate the narrow Corinth Canal and drop anchor in secluded bays around islands like Paxos, Symi, and Hydra.

In popular Mediterranean ports, particularly in Croatia and Greece, small ships often moor side-by-side (a practice known as rafting). This means you may need to step across the decks and through the corridors of other vessels to reach the pier. Passengers must have a basic level of balance and mobility for this daily procedure.

Due to their intimate size, traditional construction, and multiple deck levels, most small ships accommodating 30 to 50 guests do not feature elevators. Accessing cabins or the dining salon often requires navigating steep stairs. Additionally, port infrastructure in historical Mediterranean towns may involve uneven surfaces. We strongly advise guests with severe mobility limitations to contact our booking team to check the exact layout of specific vessels.

Cabins on ships designed for 30 to 50 guests are generally smaller than those on large luxury liners, prioritizing practical space over expansive lounging areas. However, premium operators like Emerald, Ponant, and Windstar offer spacious cabins and suites. All cabins are fully equipped with air conditioning, private en-suite bathrooms, and storage.

While there are no strict airline-style weight limits, cabin storage space is more compact than on large ocean liners. We strongly recommend bringing soft-sided luggage bags that can be easily stowed under the beds. Packing relatively light ensures you have maximum comfortable living space in your cabin. This does not apply to luxury vessels operated by Emerald, Ponant, and Windstar, which feature spacious cabins with ample luggage storage.

The atmosphere on our featured small cruise ships is entirely relaxed and casual. Unlike traditional large cruise ships, there are no formal "captain's dinners" or black-tie requirements. Comfortable daytime wear, swimsuits, and casual evening attire are perfectly suited for the Mediterranean climate and the laid-back local dining scene.

Most of our Croatia and Greece cruise ships operate on a half-board basis (breakfast and lunch included), allowing you to explore local restaurants in coastal towns for dinner. A welcome dinner and a Captain's dinner are usually included. On the other hand, luxury cruises with operators like Emerald, Ponant, and Windstar typically offer fully all-inclusive dining. With advance notice, the onboard chefs can easily accommodate standard dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free meals.

Most small ship cruises in Croatia and Greece include breakfast, lunch, and a welcome dinner, along with filtered water, tea, and coffee during meals. You typically purchase alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and bottled water at the onboard bar, and they're billed to your cabin at the end of the cruise. However, luxury operators often include all non-alcoholic beverages, and many offer fully all-inclusive packages that cover premium alcoholic drinks as well.

The Euro (€) is the standard currency for onboard purchases across most of our Mediterranean routes, including Croatia and Greece. Bar tabs and crew gratuities are typically settled at the end of the voyage. However, some international luxury lines, such as Windstar, use the US Dollar as their standard onboard currency. While premium vessels accept major credit cards, it is wise to have cash (Euros) for tips and small purchases in remote island ports.

Small ship cruising focuses on the destination rather than onboard distractions. You will not find casinos, Broadway shows, or massive water parks. Instead, the entertainment consists of daily swim stops in hidden Adriatic or Aegean bays, enjoying the sun deck, reading, and mingling with a small group of like-minded travelers. Luxury brands like Emerald, Ponant, and Windstar do offer onboard entertainment, such as live music, providing a perfect acoustic backdrop for evening cocktails and conversation. The true entertainment happens when you step ashore directly into the heart of historic ports.

Yes, English is the primary language used for all onboard operations. The cruise directors, hospitality staff, and local tour guides on our featured Mediterranean vessels are fluent in English, ensuring clear communication for safety briefings, daily port orientations, and onboard service.

Yes, Wi-Fi is available on all of our featured vessels. Depending on the specific ship and operator, the connection may be complimentary or require an additional fee, which is always detailed in the specific cruise itinerary. However, because the connection relies on regional mobile networks, the signal can be intermittent or slow when sailing between islands or anchoring in remote Mediterranean bays.

Most of the vessels we represent do not feature dedicated children's facilities, childcare, or youth entertainment programs. The onboard environment is primarily adult-oriented. While teenagers often enjoy the daily swim stops and historical port visits, these small-ship cruises are generally not recommended for toddlers or young children.

Yes, booking a standard double cabin for one person usually incurs a single supplement fee, which ranges from 50% to 100% of the regular per-person rate depending on the ship and travel season. Because vessels with 30 to 50 guests have a very limited number of cabins, we recommend booking early for solo travel.