The Small Ship CollectiveFind the cruise that's right for you
Eight questions. An honest match. No brochure language.
You already know you want a small ship experience. The question is which one is actually built for the way you travel. Answer a few questions about what matters most to you and we'll match you against the lines we work with — with an honest comparison of what's included and what isn't.
The Small Ship Collective
Find your perfect cruise line
Not all luxury cruises are the same.
Find the one that fits you.
A few questions. Two minutes. A side-by-side comparison of what's actually included across your top three matches — so you know exactly where your money goes before you speak to an advisor.
Inclusions decodedYour top 3 matchesFree comparison table
Before we begin
Are you looking for an ocean or expedition cruise — or a river cruise?
A
Ocean or expedition — Mediterranean, Caribbean, Arctic, Antarctica, remote coastlines
B
River — European waterways, the Douro, the Mekong, and beyond
Question 1 of 8
What kind of experience are you drawn to?
A
Iconic destinations — Mediterranean, Baltic, Caribbean, world-famous ports
B
Remote and rare — Antarctica, the Arctic, the Amazon, places most travellers never reach
C
Both — famous cities and wild places
D
I’m still figuring that out
Question 2 of 8
What’s your ideal ship scale and feel?
A
A private yacht — very few guests, deeply intimate
B
A boutique hotel at sea — small, but with everything you’d want
C
A stylish resort — space, variety, multiple restaurants and pools
D
I don’t have a strong picture yet
Question 3 of 8
How important is a truly all-inclusive price?
A
Essential. I want zero surprises when the final bill arrives.
B
Important, but I don’t mind adding a drink package or excursion credits.
C
I’d rather customize — I prefer to pay for what I actually use.
D
Honestly, I’m not sure what “all-inclusive” even means at this level.
Question 4 of 8
How central is dining to your experience?
A
Culinary excellence is a top priority — I eat well at home and expect the same onboard
B
Great food matters, but it’s not the centrepiece of the trip
C
The destinations matter more to me than what’s on the plate
D
I don’t have strong feelings about this yet
Question 5 of 8
Do you want an adults-only environment onboard?
A
Yes — I want a guarantee that no children will be on my ship
B
I’d prefer a mostly adult atmosphere, but a strict policy isn’t essential
C
We may be travelling with children, or I want to keep that option open
D
I haven’t given this much thought
Question 6 of 8
Which word best describes your ideal onboard vibe?
A
Elegant — classic luxury, refined, white-glove, timeless
B
Modern — cool, sophisticated, relaxed and unpretentious
C
French — cultured, intimate, distinctly different
D
Wild — adventure first; the ship is a basecamp, not the destination
Question 7 of 8
How far off the beaten track do you want to go?
A
Take me somewhere extraordinary — places most travellers never reach
B
Remote but comfortable — I want the adventure without sacrificing luxury
C
Give me the iconic and beautiful — Europe, the Mediterranean, the classics
D
I’m open to anything
Question 8 of 8
What’s your typical budget per person for a 10–14 night voyage?
A
Under $10,000
B
$10,000 – $20,000
C
$20,000 – $35,000
D
$35,000+ — I care more about the experience than the number
Question 1 of 7
How important is a truly all-inclusive price?
A
Essential — spirits, excursions, gratuities, and tips all included in the fare
B
Important, but I’m happy for drinks to be included and to choose my own excursions
C
I’d rather customise — pay for what I actually use
D
I’m not sure what river cruise pricing looks like
Question 2 of 7
Do you want an adults-only environment onboard?
A
Yes — I want a guarantee that no children will be on my ship
B
I’d prefer an adult-focused atmosphere, but a strict policy isn’t essential
C
We may be travelling with family, or I want to keep that option open
D
I haven’t given this much thought
Question 3 of 7
What level of personal service matters most to you?
A
White-glove — I want a dedicated butler at my suite
B
Attentive and warm — great service, but a personal butler isn’t a priority
C
The destination is everything — I’m here to explore, not be pampered
D
I’m not sure yet
Question 4 of 7
How central is dining to your experience?
A
Culinary excellence is a top priority — I eat well at home and expect the same onboard
B
Great food matters, but it’s not the centrepiece of the trip
C
The destinations matter more to me than what’s on the plate
D
I don’t have strong feelings about this yet
Question 5 of 7
Which best describes your ideal onboard vibe?
A
Classic and elegant — refined, white-glove, timeless luxury
B
Boutique and distinctive — art-filled ships with real personality
C
Clean and understated — Scandinavian simplicity, destination first
D
Active and outdoors-first — I want to be exploring more than relaxing onboard
Question 6 of 7
Which rivers or regions appeal to you most?
A
Classic European rivers — Rhine, Danube, Moselle (Amsterdam, Prague, Vienna)
B
France-focused — Seine, Rhône, Bordeaux, Dordogne
C
Less-travelled rivers — Douro (Portugal), Mekong (Southeast Asia), or other exotic routes
D
I’m open to wherever the best cruise takes me
Question 7 of 7
What’s your typical budget per person for a 7–10 night river voyage?
A
Under $5,000
B
$5,000 – $10,000
C
$10,000 – $20,000
D
$20,000+ — I care more about the experience than the number
Matching you to your cruise lines…
Your cruise line matches
Your top three fits, with a full inclusions comparison below.
What’s actually included — side by side
Ready to book? You know what’s been recommended — receive an additional $100 onboard credit when you book a cruise with us and mention that you’ve used this tool.
Exclusive benefit for quiz completers
Book a consultation and unlock onboard credits
When you book through The Small Ship Collective, you access exclusive onboard credits and amenities not available when booking direct. Tell us about your trip and we’ll show you exactly what’s available for your matches.
You’re all set.
We’ll be in touch within one business day to schedule your consultation. In the meantime, review your matches and bring any questions to the call.
The Small Ship Collective · Luxury Cruise Specialists