Small ship cruises include everything from small yachts to ocean-going vessels. Private yachts cruising the Galápagos Islands may accommodate as few as 14 passengers while the Victory Cruise Lines' Victory I has a maximum capacity of 190 passengers. 

Most ships these days offer Wi-Fi, though the reliability is still unpredictable. Satellite Internet has improved drastically over the years but the connection is not going to be as reliable as it is on land. Ships that offer Wi-Fi often limit the bandwidth available — ideal for a quick email or check-in, but not suited for browsing the web or uploading photos. For more information about the Wi-Fi policy, please check your program materials or directly with the cruise line.

Older ships are constantly being taken out of service and refurbished. Refurbishments can depend on the condition the ship was in when it is brought to dry dock and can range from rearranging the cabin configuration to updating the ship’s décor. 

Bottled water is available on all cruise ships, though often at an additional price that can be as steep as $4 per bottle. Ships have state-of-the-art water filtration systems, so tap water — including the bathroom tap — is safe to drink and readily available throughout the ship. Instead of purchasing water on board, you can bring a reusable water bottle to refill in your cabin.

One of the best parts about small ships is they often dock in the center of town. Since marine trade was the primary form of trade and transportation for many of these cities, the downtown region is often accessible from the docks. In the event of a tender port or a longer distance to town, Road Scholar will ensure that you're able to get back and forth. 

Small ships will accept cash and credit cards while on board, requiring bills to be settled at the end of the cruise. The currency accepted on board varies by cruise line; most cruise lines operating in Europe use Euros while ships in North America use U.S. dollars. Some may offer services converting currencies. It is always a good idea to carry small bills in the local currency for when you are in port; there may be a minimum purchase amount required to use your credit card.

Small ships typically only have one restaurant on board in addition to a lounge that serves snacks, coffee and tea through the day. Breakfast is served as a buffet while dinner is a multi-course meal served in a single sitting. Lunches will vary between buffet and plated table service depending on the cruise line and the activities planned for the day.

The chefs aboard small ships are flexible and will do their best to accommodate dietary restrictions. To understand the options available, talk to the Group Leader or the maître d′. If you have significant dietary restrictions or food allergies, please reach out to Road Scholar ahead of time to discuss. 

In order to maximize the amount of time that can be spent in port, most cruises will complete a majority of their sailing at night. On cruises in which the ports of call are shorter distances apart, more sailing will typically be done during the day. On occasion, some cruises will visit multiple ports in the same day with time dedicated to sailing to enjoy the local scenery and natural beauty.

Laundry is available on most cruises but varies between self-service and paid laundry service. When operating self-service laundry machines, cruise lines charge a machine operating fee, for detergent and dryer sheets. Cruises that offer paid laundry service charge per item and the service selected — wash/dry, wash/press or press only. Some cruise lines keep a laundry bag inside your cabin that your steward will pick up around the midpoint of the sailing.