PUT A SAIL ON IT
Boutique “Hotels” That Float
Image credit of Nour el Nil
For a long time, I couldn’t find my way into cruise travel. The mega-ships have never been a fit—the sheer scale, the environmental impact, the detachment from place. But if there’s one thing I believe in, it’s that travel should feel deeply connected to where you are, woven into the fabric of the destination rather than hovering above it.
It was a trip to the Adriatic last spring got me on a boat to start (a big step for me). Something clicked, and I started seeking out water-based experiences that felt right—not just as a mode of transportation but as a way of being *in* a place. I come from a family of seafarers—my name (Hoogerwerf) an indicator, my great-grandfather captained ships, my grandfather spent a lifetime at sea surviving seven sunken ships (lucky or unlucky?), and my aunt has built a career documenting life on the water. I had always assumed that sea legs had skipped me. Until now!
The cruises pulled together here aren’t just about seeing the world from a ship—they are about experiencing it through the ship itself. These vessels are part of the landscape, part of the story, part of the culture. Whether it’s a dahabiya floating down the Nile like traders and travelers have for centuries, a traditional wooden schooner tracing the Dalmatian coast, or a barge winding through the backroads of France’s waterways, these journeys are built to bring you into the rhythm of a place.
So, if you're the big boats aren't floating yours, or you’ve been waiting for a cruise that feels more like travel and less like transit, this is for you. Let’s get you on board.
Belmond Les BAteaux
south of France
In France, the slowest way is often the best way. Aboard the Napoléon, a 12-passenger barge winding through the Rhône, time stretches. Each day is a rolling exploration of Provençal life—cycling through lavender fields, sipping wine in sun-drenched vineyards, or joining a local truffle hunter on a foraging excursion. The boat itself feels like a floating country house, where long lunches on deck blend into afternoons spent watching the countryside drift by as the sunsets. This is river cruising at its most intimate and relaxing.
Great for: groups of friends, retirees and near-retirees, company or creative retreats—can you imagine?
🔗 More info
Image credit of Belmond
Nour el Nil
Egypt
The Nile is the lifeblood of Egypt, and aboard a traditional dahabiya, you move through it the way travelers have for centuries. Unlike larger ships that rush between major sites, Nour el Nil drifts gently, docking in places inaccessible to big boats. You’ll sip tea on deck as local fishermen pull in their morning catch, wander through villages untouched by mass tourism, and dine by candlelight on the banks of the river. This is Egypt at its most timeless—history, culture, and daily life unfolding around you as you sail.
Great for: multi-generational trips, honeymooners who want romantic culture and history over resort life, birthday celebrations of all birthday celebrations, solo adventurers looking for inspiration
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Image courtesy of Nour el Nil
Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX)
Greenland’s Ice Fjords
Greenland’s west coast is a place of towering glaciers, quiet fishing villages, and endless Arctic light. HX’s expedition cruises take you along this wild and dramatic coastline, navigating past enormous icebergs that glow blue in the midnight sun. These hybrid-powered ships are designed for sustainability, allowing you to explore this fragile landscape with minimal impact. You’ll visit remote Inuit communities, sail through narrow fjords where whales surface alongside the ship, and experience the Arctic in a way that few ever do.
Great for: solo travelers who want a bucket-list trip but don’t want to feel isolated, retirees who’ve already done Alaska and Norway and want something wilder, small groups of adventurous friends
🔗 More info
Image courtesy of HX
True North
Kimberley Wilderness Adventure, Australia
The Kimberley is a vast and untamed stretch of Australia where waterfalls plunge from towering cliffs, tidal movements create rushing horizontal waterfalls, and Indigenous rock art dates back tens of thousands of years. This cruise is designed to bring guests into the heart of this landscape—no roads, no crowds, just pure immersion in one of the most remote places on Earth. With only 36 guests, this expedition is crafted for those seeking adventure without sacrificing comfort. Zodiac explorations of hidden coves, hikes to sacred rock art sites, and fishing excursions in pristine waters are all part of the experience. Flexible itineraries respond to the tides and wildlife movements, meaning every trip is different. Onboard, the focus remains on relaxation and fine dining, with locally sourced seafood and a casual yet refined atmosphere.
Great for: active retirees, luxury travelers who prefer expedition experiences over traditional cruises, CEOs looking to get off the radar for a bit, and those seeking an immersive, all-inclusive way to explore Australia’s most remote and dramatic landscapes.
Photo credit True North
Aqua Mekong
Vietnam & Cambodia
The Mekong isn’t just a river—it’s the thread that weaves through the heart of Southeast Asia. Aboard the Aqua Mekong, you become part of the river’s rhythm. With its modern yet regionally inspired design, this boutique vessel is built to reflect its surroundings, from the handwoven textiles in the cabins to the menu created by a top Southeast Asian chef. Onshore excursions take you into floating markets, hidden temples, and remote villages, while life on board is all about soaking in the sights and sounds of the Mekong in luxurious comfort.
Great for: well-traveled boomers, small groups of friends who want to eat their way through the region, couples who want an intimate, slow-travel experience
🔗 More info
Image courtesy of Aqua Expeditions
Aria Amazon
Peru
There are few places on earth as untamed as the Peruvian Amazon, and the Aria Amazon places you in the thick of it without sacrificing an ounce of comfort. Floor-to-ceiling windows make the jungle feel like an extension of your suite, while excursions take you out on skiffs to encounter pink dolphins, sloths, and remote indigenous communities. With only 32 guests, the experience is intimate, designed to connect you deeply to one of the planet’s most biodiverse corners while offering a front-row seat to its ever-changing landscapes.
Great for: couples who want an exotic honeymoon without roughing it, families with teens who crave a real adventure, retirees who want an immersive experience without sacrificing comfort, solo travelers seeking adventure and respite with all the creature comforts and no decision-making needed
🔗 More info
Photo credit Aqua Expeditions
Rascal Voyages
Indonesia & The Coral Triangle
Rascal Voyages is private yacht travel at its most fun and free. Whether you want days filled with diving, birdwatching, and jungle treks or prefer painting on deck, stargazing, and lazy swims in hidden lagoons, the experience is yours to shape. Sail through Indonesia’s most breathtaking waters on a handcrafted wooden phinisi with a full crew, a private chef, and total flexibility—go where you want, do as much or as little as you like. Think sunrise yoga, beachside barbecues, and cocktails under the Milky Way.
Great for: families, honeymooners, and groups of friends who want adventure, relaxation, and luxury—all on their own terms.
Image courtesy of Rascal Voyages
Four Seasons Yacht
Hidden Greece
Forget the typical Mediterranean cruise circuit—Four Seasons' upcoming yacht expeditions slip into the smaller, quieter Greek islands, where time moves differently. Instead of Santorini, think Patmos, where monasteries overlook untouched beaches, or Symi, with its neoclassical harborfront. Each port tells a story of craftsmanship and history, and your adventure through them will leave you with memories that linger long after the voyage ends. With just a fraction of the guests of a traditional cruise, the focus is on seamless access to incredible destinations and the kind of service that Four Seasons is known for—except this time, you’re waking up to a new horizon every morning.
Great for: first-time cruisers who refuse to do an itinerary with a thousand other people, luxury travelers who want space and privacy
Photo credit Four Seasons
Lindblad & NAT GEO Expeditions
Antarctica
Antarctica is the ultimate voyage, and Lindblad’s small expedition ships take you there with expert naturalists, marine biologists, and National Geographic photographers on board. Unlike larger vessels, these ships can navigate narrow channels, getting you closer to towering ice cliffs and colonies of penguins. Daily excursions take you onto the ice itself—kayaking between icebergs, hiking across untouched landscapes, or watching humpback whales surface just meters away. This is a journey to the very edge of the world, where the ship is not just your transport but your front-row seat to the planet’s last true wilderness.
Great for: honeymooners who want the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime trip, adventurous families who would never step foot on a mega cruise, retirees ticking off their seventh continent
🔗 More info
Photo credit Lindblad and Nat Geo Expeditions
Packing it up
These cruises aren’t just a way to travel—they are an experience in themselves, deeply tied to the places they move through. They don’t just show you a destination; they fold you into it. If you’re ready to set sail on something extraordinary, let’s find the right one for you.
If these experiences spark your curiosity, let’s chat about how we can bring get you sailing—a journey that will forever stay with you. Learn More.
Katy HOogerwerf
Katy Hoogerwerf is a US-born travel designer based in Europe with expertise in design, wellness, and culturally immersive experiences. A hotel enthusiast at heart, she specializes in discovering unique properties with compelling stories and curating journeys that prioritize meaningful connections.
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