8 of the best small ship cruises from UK ports for 2026 and 2027

1. Hebridean Princess

This little gem of a ship, known to many as a favourite of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (she chartered it twice for family celebrations), Hebridean Princess is the perfect choice if you want to explore the beauty of Scotland's Western Isles and more. Just 48 fortunate guests can travel in cosseted country house style, with plenty of tables for two at dinner and tiny group tours ashore including walking, cycling, visiting private stately homes and enjoying a wee dram at a remote distillery. Fares are fully inclusive, covering dining, excursions and onboard drinks.

Also of interest to many will be Lord of the Highlands, a newer addition to the Hebridean Island Cruises fleet and infused with the same relaxed house party atmosphere as the Hebridean Princess. Operating along the intricate waters of the Caledonian Canal, with the elegant appeal of a vintage Pullman carriage, it caters to just 38 guests and is perfectly in keeping with the line's unmistakably Scottish heritage.

2026 and 2027 sailings include themed cruises such as walking, wildlife, photography and history, as well as the chance to explore Scotland's remote islands, England, the Channel Islands, France, Belgium and Holland on select departures.

2. Silversea

Silversea offers stylish small ship experiences from UK ports. In May 2026, Silver Spirit departs Southampton for a British Isles cruise around Scotland and England. August 2026 voyages include France's Atlantic Coast, including Saint-Malo and Rouen.

In 2027, a spring sailing on board Silver Wind departs Edinburgh to explore the dramatic Scottish Islands including Iona, St Kilda, and the Treshnish Isles. Using the ship's Zodiacs, discover a haven for birds including Atlantic puffins, razorbills, common guillemots and northern fulmars as well as seals and basking sharks.

3. Ponant Explorations

Ponant brings French elegance to its journeys on their sleek 184-guest Explorer-class yachts. In summer 2026, visit the islands of Scotland as well as calling in to Iceland and Scandinavia's ports.

For 2027, April and May itineraries include Scotland's Mull and Iona, the Faroes and Norwegian coastal ports, with some departures from Greenwich to Glasgow in conjunction with Smithsonian Journeys for extra cultural immersion on board and in destination.

4. Seabourn

Seabourn offers a range of UK round-trips, including a fabulous 2-week Dover-Dover voyage in May 2026 exploring England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Other highlight includes the 2-week Norwegian Fjords departure from Southampton, sailing as far north as Tromsø, above the Arctic Circle. Longer 16 or 28 day journeys combine the British Isles, Iceland and Norway.

In 2027, a 14-night Midsummer in the Land of the Midnight Sun voyage departs Dover on Seabourn Quest, heading deep into the Norwegian Arctic with calls at Trondheim, the Lofoten Islands (Svolvaer), Tromso and Honningsvag for the North Cape. For 2026, those with more time can combine segments into a 28-night The British Isles & Norwegian Fjords sailing that pairs the harbours of Cornwall, Belfast and Edinburgh with the fjords and Arctic coastline on a single extended voyage from Dover.

5. Oceania Cruises

Oceania is known for thoughtfully designed itineraries with longer days in port to fully immerse yourself in the destination. In 2026, 1,250-guest Marina departs Southampton for British Isles roundtrips, with options to extend into the Baltics or south towards Iberia. On 2 August, Vista sails a 25-day Southampton roundtrip combining a full British Isles circuit with Baltic capitals including Copenhagen, Tallinn and Stockholm. The 4 September departure is an 11-night Discovering Scotland voyage from Southampton to Belfast calling at Dover, Aberdeen, Invergordon, Portree on Skye and Londonderry, with the option to extend south through Bordeaux (overnight), La Coruna and Porto, finishing in Lisbon.

For 2027, Marina returns to the British Isles with two standout departures. The 31 August sailing is an 11-night Legends & Lore roundtrip from Southampton taking in Dundee, Invergordon, Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, Killybegs in Ireland's wild northwest and Belfast before looping back via Dublin and Waterford. Those with more time should look at the 8 June departure, a 28-night Grand Summer at Sea from Southampton to Copenhagen that threads Scotland and Ireland together with a full Baltic programme.

6. Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent's magnificent newest ship, the 746-guest Seven Seas Grandeur, joined the fleet in November 2023 and boasts spacious accommodation, a huge range of dining options, a beautiful observation lounge and inviting deck areas.

In 2026, Seven Seas Grandeur operates 2 Southampton roundtrips. The first on 6 June is a 10-night journey venturing south to Saint-Malo, La Rochelle, Bordeaux and Bilbao. The second is a round-Britain 12-night itinerary on 16 June visiting Dublin, Belfast and the Shetland and Faroe Islands. For 2027, Grandeur returns with a series of 12-night British Isles sailings between June and July, running Southampton to Edinburgh or the reverse, calling at Dublin, Belfast and the Orkney Islands with multiple included shore excursions at each port.

7. Crystal

Crystal's 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 by guests for their spacious lounges and public areas, flexible dining options, and outstanding programme of activities on board.

On 7 July 2026, Crystal Serenity's 19-night Southampton to Liverpool sailing takes in medieval Rotterdam and Copenhagen before heading into Norway's fjords and Scotland's remote isles of Harris and Lewis, with the option to disembark in Copenhagen for a shorter voyage. For 2027, two departures sail in July and September. The July sailing is a voyage with calls into Zeebrugge for Bruges and Ijmuiden for Amsterdam plus the UK's east coast and Norway, Sweden and finally Copenhagen, while the September departure explores France and Portugal's Atlantic coast.

8. Explora Journeys

Launched in July 2023, Explora Journeys has quickly carved out a slice of the luxury cruise market with its 2, soon to be 3, resort-style vessels offering spacious accommodation, a fantastic range of dining and plenty of facilities.

Experience the line's newest ship in 2026 on 926-guest Explora III. The 17 August departure is an 8-night Southampton to Copenhagen voyage exploring the beauty of Norway's fjords. Or opt for the 9 September sailing with time in Derry and Stornoway before heading to Iceland's Seydisfjordur for snowy mountains and cascading waterfalls, the bubbling mud pools and lunar landscapes around Lake Myvatn near Akureyri, and an overnight in Reykjavik where the journey ends. For 2027, several sailings between June and September depart Southampton for Copenhagen, with itineraries spanning the Norwegian fjords, British Isles and Iceland.