In our opinion, nothing could be nicer than to take a small ship cruise from the UK, although of course 'small' is a relative term. Whether you want to avoid the crowds and queues of the megaships while still enjoying excellent facilities and entertainment on a resort-style ship, or you prefer the intimacy of a tiny but spacious vessel such as the 48-guest Hebridean Princess, there is going to be an appealing voyage for you.
Options include longer cruises and itineraries visiting the Baltic, Norway, Iceland and even Greenland, or southwards to France and Spain. For many, a British Isles cruise will have a magic all of its own. Here is our pick of the best small ships cruising from UK ports:
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), 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 and cycling, visiting private stately homes, and enjoying a wee dram at a remote distillery. Inclusive fares, whilst high, cover every detail of your trip from the moment you embark, and you will travel in unpretentious style as truly welcome guests.
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.
Sailings depart several times a month with options on both ships; we like the Footloose itineraries that focus on gentle hikes and sailings that mix in calls in to Ireland, plus in 2025 Hebridean Princess has a selection of sailings exploring the South coast of England including the Channel Islands.
2. Silversea
In 2025, spring sailings depart on 23rd April, 3rd May, and 13th May on board Silversea's newest expedition vessel Silver Endeavour, travelling between Portsmouth and Edinburgh exploring the dramatic Scottish Islands including Iona, Skye, St Kilda and more. 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. Expedition itineraries also operate aboard the 274-guest Silver Wind, with a Portsmouth to Dublin voyage on 19th May exploring Ireland and Scotland.
If expedition cruising is not what you're looking for, Silversea's 596-guest Silver Dawn enjoys two sailings around the British Isles from Southampton on 3rd September and 15th September, taking in the vibrant cities of Belfast, Dublin and Glasgow. On board Silver Dawn you can enjoy the incredibly popular Sea And Land Taste (S.A.L.T.) culinary programme of excursions and venues.
3. Ponant
Ponant's sleek 184-guest Explorer class yachts bring a touch of French flair to the coastlines of Scotland, Wales and Ireland in 2025. You can enjoy a 8-night voyage on 4th May from London to Glasgow on Le Bellot visiting the Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly, the charming village of Kinsale in Ireland and Scotland's picturesque isles of Mull and Iona. Le Bellot also enjoys Glasgow round-trip expedition cruises in May exploring the Orkney, Shetland and Faroe Islands.
If you don't mind flying one way, you can also sail from Glasgow to Bergen or Reykjavík to enjoy the dramatic scenery of Norway or Iceland in summer 2025. Alternatively, sail from Copenhagen to London on 20th August, taking in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, or between Lisbon and London on 20th April and 30th August to explore France and Spain.
4. Seabourn
In 2025, Seabourn Sojourn will head on a genteel UK round-trip on 31st May both departing and returning to Dover and focusing on our own nation's highlights with calls in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, England and Ireland. You can also enjoy a fantastic Norwegian Fjords voyage sailing round-trip from Dover on 14th June venturing right up to the North Cape, or alternatively enjoy a circumnavigation of Iceland from Dover on 28th June.
There are also options to combine voyages to create extended journeys up to 28 days in length visiting the British Isles, Iceland and Norway, or for something more adventurous a 24-day 9 August departure from Dover sees you also call in to Iceland and Greenland's wild shores, ending in Canada. In 2026, you can expect a similar collection of itineraries on board the 604-guest Seabourn Ovation.
5. Oceania
Oceania are known for thoughtfully designed itineraries with longer days in port to fully immerse yourself in the destination. In 2025 the newest ship in the fleet, the 1200-guest Vista, enjoys several Southampton round-trip options including around the British Isles on 23rd May and 4th August, and an interesting circumnavigation of Ireland on 15th August exploring Cork, Galway, Belfast, Dublin and more.
If you'd like to venture further afield, the 3rd June departure explores France and Spain, including an overnight in Bordeaux and time in San Sebastián and Bilbao, or if the Baltic is calling, the 21st July sailing takes you to Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm and more, enjoying overnights in many ports of call. There are also plentiful options which either begin or end in Southampton and require a one-way flight if you are not limited to purely no-fly options.
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. Ex-UK options include exploring the shores of the British Isles on a Southampton-round trip on 11th June 2025 or a golf themed voyage on 23rd June, taking in Belfast, Glasgow, and Liverpool. In 2026, Seven Seas Grandeur operates two Southampton round-trips, the first on 6th June ventures southwards to Saint-Malo, La Rochelle, Bordeaux before two calls in Spain, and the second is a round-Britain itinerary on 16th June including calls in the Shetland and Faroe Islands.
Other options include an extended 20-night Norwegian Fjords itinerary on 7th July 2025 sailing from Southampton and back into Tilbury on board Seven Seas Voyager, or Seven Seas Navigator sails from Southampton to Edinburgh on 29th July 2025 exploring Iceland and Greenland.
7. Crystal
The 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.
Although Crystal's schedule had a British Isles itinerary from Dover in 2024, there is no such voyage in the next couple of years, but instead there are interesting sailings either starting or ending in the UK, so requiring a one-way flight. Choose Crystal Serenity's voyage from Lisbon to Portsmouth on 12th June 2025 offering an opportunity to explore the food and wine hotspots of Porto and Bordeaux, or the 22nd June sailing from Portsmouth to Copenhagen. In September 2025 why not explore the wild shores of Scotland, the Faroes and Iceland as you sail from Liverpool to Reykjavik?
8. European Waterways
The magnificent 8-guest luxury barge Magna Carta sails serenely along the River Thames between Hampton Court and Henley-on-Thames. You will get the chance to explore your own country as a tourist, visiting picturesque riverside towns, pretty villages and numerous royal palaces.
