This Week in Cruise: The Latest in Small Ships

By Adam Leposa Nov 6, 2017 11:49am

Small ship and expedition cruise lines announced a number of new options for travelers this week.

American Cruise Lines announced plans to triple its capacity for coastal cruises in the Pacific Northwest. The line is launching two new itineraries for 2018 in Puget Sound—five-day Highlights of Puget Sound and 11-day Grand Puget Sound. These cruises are roundtrip from Seattle, WA, and will triple the line's capacity in the region, as the line already offers an eight-day cruise to Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, as well as cruises to Alaska.

The abbreviated Highlights of Puget Sound cruise includes ports of call such as, Anacortes, Friday Harbor, and Port Townsend. The Grand Puget Sound itinerary spans a longer journey and cruises the San Juan Islands, including additional ports of call such as Olympia, Tacoma, and Victoria, British Columbia.

In Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, an entirely new expedition cruise line is launching this month with plans to pay travel agents 10 percent commission.

Offshore Outpost Expeditions (OOE), which is being billed as a “new type of expedition cruise,” is offering travel agents 10 percent commission, plus an inaugural season bonus commission of $500 per booking for up to four guests, and $1,000 per booking for five guests or more.

OOE’s Pacific Provider will sail out of San Jose del Cabo starting November 26, offering expedition cruises in the Sea of Cortez for the 2017 – 2018 cruise season. A second destination is expected to be announced later this year.

Finally, Zegrahm Expeditions has announced its 2018 President’s Cruise, Sea to Sahara. Guests will join Zegrahm President Van Perry to explore many of the islands and ports that the region has to offer.

The new itinerary will take guests from the gardens of the Cape Verde Islands and sands of the Sahara Desert to the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands and the bustling markets of Morocco.