Cruise Ships

There’s reasons why Andante choose small or mid-size cruise chips. Firstly, you can stop at smaller ports and there will never be too many people getting off ahead of you. Fewer lines and less crowds are always a benefit. This is especially relevant to our archaeological and historical cruises because the locations of the sites themselves often tend to be in remote places that are more challenging to reach, and when you add major ports with large ships stopping at them to the equation, you have the problem of thousands of other passengers disembarking at the same time.

Another highlight of taking a cruise on board a small to mid-sized vessel is the individualised attention and excellent service, something you can look forward to on our trips. With a smaller number of passengers to get to know, it’s easier to build rapport with members of staff, which inevitably enhances the overall experience of your river or ocean cruise. From special requests to how you like your morning coffee, a more personalised service is at the heart of this type of cruise.

Enjoying this type of holiday also comes with the bonus of beautiful scenery. Depending on the cabin you choose, the view can be admired from your window or while you relax on the top deck as you sail between stops, and there will be minimal unpacking – another relaxing element that makes cruising such a popular way to travel.

Imagine cruising along the Nile, stepping ashore to explore the legendary Valley of the Kings and the staggering Abu Simbel temple complex in Egypt, or discovering iconic sites associated with mythology in Greece. With Andante Travels, you can.

Every day is different on a small to mid-sized cruise ship and you can be as busy or as relaxed as you choose to be. We have some full days of site visits, making the most of what there is to see, some more relaxed days with half-day excursions and some days spent sailing.

As we’ve mentioned, there are many benefits to taking a river or ocean cruise as opposed to a land-based tour. One of these must be the pleasure of not having to pay every time you want a glass of wine (and not having to remember whose round it is). The vast majority of our cruises are fully inclusive, with a wonderful variety of food on board, and some itineraries include welcome drinks receptions on the first day. More information about this can be found on each tour’s specific page within our brochure.

Life on board will be very comfortable, with fantastic standards of cleanliness upheld and great attention to detail shown at every turn. Small to mid-sized cruise ships also mean smaller passenger numbers, which in turn means there will always be somewhere to relax throughout your cruise – relaxation is at the heart of the experience! Cabins all have ensuite bathroom facilities in addition to TVs and other modern amenities, and our cruises typically have a selection of decks to choose from, meaning there is something on offer to suit every budget.

Our cruises are mostly led by renowned Andante Guide Lecturers, who are part of the group rather than simply a leader – someone with whom to converse and laugh with at mealtimes, as well as someone who is there to share their academic expertise.

The cruises on offer have a slower pace, allowing you to sit back and really take in your surroundings with everything taken care of, but they are still filled with fascinating visits, memorable experiences and all the elements that create lasting holiday memories.

Explore the small and mid-size cruise ships on our river and ocean cruises.