Hello First name / friend!

 

Dare we say, the world looks better from the water? 🌊

 

I’ve never been interested in being at sea. Looking at it? Absolutely. But out there in it—big boats, open water, no thank you! 

 

Which is ironic, considering my family’s deep ties to the ocean. 

 

My great-grandfather captained ships, my grandfather spent a lifetime at sea, my aunt built a career documenting life on the water, and so many women in my family shaped their lives around the rhythms of men returning to port. And then there’s my name—if you know Dutch, it’s a dead giveaway of my seafaring roots. 

 

I always thought the sea-leg gene skipped me—until now. 

 

I’ve realized that some places are best explored by water, and as humans, travel by ship has been a calling for many for centuries. 

 

So I set out to find boats I could truly stand behind—ones that feel connected, intentional, and extraordinary. I’ve been curating this list for months, finding experiences where the ship isn’t just transport but part of the journey itself.

 

And I’m so excited to finally share it with you.These boutique cruises take that idea to the next level. You can find all of them in our Travel Journal HERE. A few to get you dreaming coming up…but first:

Rascal Voyages is 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 Southeast Asia'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.

 

Suites: 5

Guests: 10

 

Great for: families, honeymooners, and groups of friends who want adventure, relaxation, and luxury—all on their own terms.

 

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.

 

Suites: 10

Guests: 20

 

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.

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.

 

Guests: 150

 

Great for: honeymooners who want the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime trip, adventurous families ready to step away from the mega cruise, retirees ticking off their seventh continent.

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.

 

Suites: 16

Guests: 32

 

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.

See the rest of our picks here in the Travel Journal.

 

Unlike mega-ships, these vessels are part of the destination—small enough to dock in hidden coves, flexible enough to follow the tides, and intimate enough to feel like your own private escape. And in many cases, they actually can be. 

 

With just a handful of guests on board, these experiences are perfect for families, groups of friends, or anyone ready to go big and charter an entire ship.