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Aug 3, 2021
Fifteen Cruises for Travelers Who Hate Cruise Ships
When venturing to a place as fragile as the Amazon, responsible ecotourism should be top of mind.
Not a fan of cruise ships? Sail down the Amazon River, travel Norway's Fjords, or island-hop in the Caribbean without the crowds and buffets of a major cruise liner.
Written by Rebecca Toy
Travel News / Cruises & Crossings
Not a fan of cruise ships? Sail down the Amazon River, travel Norway's Fjords, or island-hop in the Caribbean without the crowds and buffets of a major cruise liner.
If you’ve ever drawn gasps from a horrified crowd with “I don’t like cruises,” then this article is for you. The massive modern cruise ship industry isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Even before COVID-19, the idea of setting sail with Norovirus nightmare stories, questionable ethics, social directors, and daunting environmental impacts turned off sustainable and slow travelers, rights activists, and introverts. Despite the drawbacks of big cruises, there is a certain magic in pulling up to port at a new destination. Those who steer clear of the big ships don’t have to miss out. These top cruising alternatives offer do-it-yourself options for classic routes, new destinations, authenticity, a reduced carbon footprint, and don’t shake down the local economies. Time to set sail!
When venturing to a place as fragile as the Amazon, responsible ecotourism should be top of mind. The Nature Tours Tucano Motor Yacht expedition cruises check all the boxes, focusing on ecological and cultural conservation with three decades of experience. Their six-day cruise departs from Manaus, Brazil, and takes adventurers into the UNESCO World Heritage Central Amazon Conservation Complex to see some of the most untouched areas of the rainforest. With only nine staterooms, the river yacht gives guests a sustainably intimate experience of the Amazon River. The expedition has at least four optional excursions a day, including kayaking, guided row tours, and minimally invasive hikes to spot wildlife and visit local Amazonian communities. The ship hugs the shoreline, looking for wildlife like monkeys, sloths, giant anteaters, and anacondas.