When you think of cruise ships, you usually think of a huge ship that holds hundreds of passengers and a large crew to cater to their needs. It's true that most travel agencies push cruises on large, luxurious ships that travel to famous ports in places like Bermuda and the Bahamas. Hospitality and ambience rate high on these cruises and are a big selling point for a once in a lifetime experience.

Often times, cruise ship travelers are attracted to packages that head to popular destinations on their list of "places to see". However, there are those who prefer three day or weekend get-aways to unknown destinations on smaller ships. These trips are short and economical, making them ideal for those who wish to take a shorter cruise for an affordable price. These cruises provide all the basic amenities as that of a standard cruise, but the size of the ship, number of passengers and crew are much smaller. A small crew and fewer passengers tend to make a trip more relaxing and intimate.

Small cruise ships usually sail along scenic coasts with a guide providing history and details about area. Some trips have packages with a day or two stop-overs allowing passengers to explore the land and enjoy the cruise at the same time.

The small cruise ship usually runs on river waters rather than the sea. It cruises along the coast of popular towns and quiet villages that are off the beaten track but certainly worth seeing. Because these ships are smaller, it is easier to navigate through waters that would not support larger liners. They can be navigated through small inlets, ports and narrow channels and prove to be great stress relievers for high fliers and adventurers.

Booking a trip on a small cruise ship can be challenging. Many people prefer them to larger ocean liners because of cost, value for the money and shorter trips. These vacations are in demand all year long, so do yourself a favor and book well in advance of your desired date of travel. Booking can be done through any travel agency or on the Internet. Special discounts are often available depending on the time of year.