Dockside Dwelling: From Ship to Shore

These are full-masted, sometimes historically-accurate vessels capable of being powered by the wind alone. Some of these ships use only sail-power during voyages, providing unique satisfaction to passengers who yearn for romance and excitement. Often guests can help crew, hoisting and trimming sails, and even taking a turn at the helm, allowing them to experience the real adventure (and work) of sailing.

Various kinds of river-going vessels ply the inland waterways of major rivers and their tributaries worldwide, and offer travelers a unique way to experience a country or culture from the inside. The key to the experience: a leisurely pace with an opportunity to relax and take in the scenery, not as the blur train passengers perceive, but as intimately and invitingly as it would on a casual walk in the countryside. Interesting and culturally important river ports offer fascinating shore excursions and even shopping opportunities. Authentic time machines to a river’s past, cruises on paddle wheelers or steamboats offer guests a nostalgic look back at river travel on North American waterways.

Smaller, more intimate ships are like bed and breakfasts rather than mega-resort hotel environments, and provide more of a feeling of being on the sea. Aboard a large vessel, there’s little connection with the waters below. But on a small ship, the sea is ever-present - a magical, romantic companion during the entire voyage -and an integral part of the experience. Most staterooms are outside-facing with large windows, making the cabin as close to nature as possible yet as cozy and comfortable as any on a larger vessel. Small ships tend to travel in the safety of sheltered coastal waters, thereby maximizing the spectacular views and reducing the risk of seasickness or getting caught in bad weather.

Smaller vessels mean smaller groups of like-minded, interesting people, sharing intimate and fascinating experiences most people only dream of. Personal interaction is rich among guests and crew, and the service is individualized and welcoming. For example, guests can visit the bridge and watch how the vessel operates. Being served morning coffee and scones with the captain at the helm is a unique treat many passengers enjoy. Even so, small-ship cruises focus on the destination(s) and what’s going on outside the ship rather than the ship serving as the primary experience. Many ships have bow ramps and/or inflatable excursion craft for landings on remote and pristine shores. Shore landings bring fewer sightseers who don’t overwhelm a town or an isolated, fragile environment with hordes of tourists, as some of the larger vessels can. These smaller ships also make possible opportunistic side-trips to view nature up-close, for example, to whale watch in small, secluded bays. Shallow-draft vessels have access to smaller ports where large vessels can’t dock, which allows more time spent at port than at sea and even a stay over night in quaint marinas.

Usually informal, or at most, semi-formal evenings, most small-ship cruises tend towards yacht club casual dress and comfort over glamour. Single, open-seating dining means guests can sit where they want. No one is restricted to a table throughout the cruise, or the same table companions. The food is high-quality, even five-star, and usually regional, taking advantage of fresh, locally-available delicacies.

Since the main focus is on the destination, most small-ship cruises enrich passengers with onboard expert lecturers who present, explain and clarify the wonders visited. Many of these ships have extensive libraries filled not only with the latest best-sellers, but also with fascinating information on the places, people and wildlife of the destination.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce people to a different, more casual and intimate style of cruising, those that emphasize the travel location and provide a real destination sampling.

According to the Cruise Line International Association, 76 percent of all cruisers take cruises as a chance to visit several locations, and of those cruisers 40 percent will make a repeat trip as a land vacation within just two years. Educational trips to shore further immerse cruise passengers in the destinations they visit, so much so that they want to go back for more. Those who may be considering relocating, retiring or investing outside of California can benefit from a shore excursion to discover real estate opportunities with a local broker, depending on the location. Whatever the case may be, there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain by combining a little business with pleasure.