All aboard! Welcome to the wide world of small-ship cruising. Even as these words are being written, the record for largest cruise ship is about to be broken by the debut of a 20-deck vessel capable of carrying 7,600 passengers. The destinations of such floating cities seem almost an afterthought. Fortunately, there exists a cruising alternative for those who care more about substance than size, more about memorable moments than multiple discos. A different breed of cruise enthusiast is increasingly choosing smaller ships that host no more than 500 passengers, often far fewer. This publication, the first-ever guide to small-ship cruising, is for them-and you.