small sailboat with aft cabin

11 Small Boats With Cabins You Can Afford (With Pictures)

If you’re looking for a small boat with a cabin, what you’re essentially looking for is either a trawler, a cuddy cabin, or a “cruiser”.

Let’s break down each category and find some great deals for each.

Table of Contents

After we’ve gone over these categories, we’ll also go over a few questions which need to be answered before you decide on a purchase.

What is the most affordable cabin cruiser or a small cabin boat?

There are a variety of cuddy cabins which are both affordable and spunky while out on the water.

You can find older models for sale between $20,000 and $30,000, and which are between 20’ and 25’ in length.

Some of the best options you can find are:

• 20’ Pro-Line Hard Top
• 22’ Sea Hunt 225 Victory
• Sea Ray Sundeck
• Stingray 21’ Cuddy Cabins

What is the best trawling boat?

While you might not be a fisherman at heart, some of the heartiest boats are fishing boats. They have bigger cabins for fisherman to relax after a hard day on the water as well as large storage areas for their gear.

Trawling is a method of fishing where the fisherman drags a net through the water behind them.

Recreational trawlers aren’t actually fishing boats, however. They resemble the vessel’s design, but that’s where the similarities end.

Remember that recreational trawlers use smaller engines than their fishing brethren; one which will only produce approximately 80 hp.

Trawlers have a dedicated following. These boats can be slow cruisers but, at their heart, they weren’t built for speed. After all, they are single-engine boats that can go from 7 knots to 20 knots.

One of the best values when it comes to trawling boats is the Carver c34 .

Here it is:

While it might not be as inexpensive as the other options in this article, at $371,820, you’re getting a smaller (34 feet long) more economical coastal cruiser.

More economical than a lot of the other boats of the same type on the market right now, which can range up to $500,000 – $900,000(!)

If you look for this boat used, you will most likely find it over $100,000 cheaper than the new sticker price.

What is the best boat to buy for a beginner?

The Glastron GS 259 is a 25-foot-long cruiser with a price range of about $77,000.

While the cabin is huge, as is the full galley, and the large dinette, the price also matches the large accommodations.

However, it will be difficult to find such accommodations on a boat of this size. Not only that, it comes recommended for a beginning boater by Lenny Rudow of Boats.com.

You should also check out the Trailcraft boat models .

What is the best cabin cruiser under 30 feet?

At 28 feet, the Bayliner 285 SB is a great cruiser which is still small enough to be towed and stored on your property.

But at the same time, it is still big enough to say overnight if you feel like going on a weekend excursion on your boat.

The price ranges from $96,000.

What is the best cabin cruiser under 25 feet?

A cabin cruiser is a powerboat with overnight accommodations and a galley.

They are generally faster than trawlers and cuddy cabins and can range from 25’ to 100’ in length. There are a number of different types of cruisers, including:

• Aft cabin cruisers
• Convertibles
• Express cruisers
• Motor yachts
• Pocket cruiser

It cuts it close, but the Cutwater 242 Sport Coupe is just over 25’ (at 26’) and can be found for around $100,000.

It also comes in a longer 10’ model and has a double-stepped hull with a deep entry that turns into a moderate keel pad, which shows off its maximum efficiency.

It even has the option of coming with an electric grill built into the transom, and an adjacent sink.

The former is fully removable and can hide under a fully rigged livewell.

All of these small touches add to its appeal.

What if I don’t necessarily need a cabin?

If not having a cabin isn’t a deal breaker, your options for affordable boats just blew wide open:

The 16’2” Bayliner Element

($14,742) with a cruising speed in the mid 20’s can seat four.

The 17’11” Four Winns H180 OB

($24,451) includes a swing away tongue, full-sized walk-across swim platform, and Bluetooth-capable stereo with MP3 port and two speakers.

The 23’1” Larson LX 225S IO

($43,267) comes with a trailer that has disc brakes, a canvas bow, and cockpit covers. It also has an MP3-capable stereo.

Is it better to buy a used boat?

There are plenty of advantages to buying a used boat. The biggest advantage is the price.

While you might find some expensive boats listed on used vessel or vehicle websites, but you will find more reasonably priced used models than not.

Just like a car, a boat depreciates in value when it gets driven off of the lot.

Because of that, a used boat will better hold its value.

Another perk to buying used is the option to buy from a private seller or a dealer.

While there are many different perks, there are also a few disadvantages. One of which is that you never really know what you’re going to end up with.

You might be able to take it out for a ride with the seller but if you don’t have a boat mechanic look at it, you won’t really know what kind of wear and tear it’s been through.

If you do buy a boat used, make sure to inspect:

• The hull for scratches, dents, and marring
• The motor for damage
• The upholstery for worn spots and tears in the vinyl
• Broken levers

Don’t be shy about inspecting as much as you can.

An example of how to save money with a used boat is with the C Dory 23’ Venture Sport which weighs less than 3000 lbs. and has a fuel capacity of 60 gallons.

Fishermen will love how it tracks while you’re trolling, which will let you focus on fishing.

Every day boaters will love how much headroom is in the cabin and how much more pleasant it is to cruise on rough waters.

When you buy it new, it can be upwards to $100,000 but buying it used, instantly cuts the price in half or even as low as $35,000.

If you decide to find yourself a used boat, it would be best to check out some local options.

When is it better to buy a new boat?

A new boat ensures that you’re getting what you want.

The ability for customization is fantastic. From the paint scheme to the engine and turbines to the stereo system, you can fulfill your wish list in one stop.

New boats are both shiny and clean. You’ll rarely have any issues with the engine. You might also have the backing of a manufacturer’s warranty, which isn’t just a great deal of safety when it comes to your finances (in the long run) but is also great peace of mind.

The downside to buying a new boat is the price.

You’ll also have to deal with the depreciation, which starts as soon as you tow it off the lot. While it might cost a little more, look for high quality, trustworthy manufacturers and builders, which could help with the depreciation.

What exactly is a cuddy cabin on a boat?

A cuddy is another term for a small room on a boat. It comes from the 19 th century when they used to be referred to as saloon cabins, which were on the stern of ships.

These days it refers to a small shelter cabin , which has a small berth and head.

Normally, they are not tall enough to stand in but are still popular recreation boats for boaters who don’t quite want to upgrade to a full-size cabin boat.

A lot of fishermen use cuddy boats as their fishing boats because of the price, storage capabilities, and the small stature.

Final Thoughts

When going on a treasure hunt for your future boat, make sure that you have these things before you leave the house:

• An idea of what you are going to use your boat for (watersports, racing, fishing, day trips, cruising, party boat, etc.)
• An initial list of dreamboats you want to test out
• Clear cut boundaries for price and options (AKA a “wish list”)

Remember that it may take a little while to find your dream boat.

It can be difficult to cull through all of the choices at the lots or on the internet. Know that the only way to make sure which boat is perfect for you is to take it out for a spin on the water.

If you’re still indecisive, that just means that you can go out and try out as many different boats as you can. This search doesn’t have to be a chore; go out and have fun.

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Used Aft Cabin Boats For Sale

Price Reduction

70' Hatteras 1988

Stuart, United States

63' Viking Motor Yacht 1989

Little River, United States

60' Viking 60 Cockpit Sport Yacht 1996

Palmetto, United States

56' Carver 564 Motor Yacht Aft Cabin 2002

Portland, United States

55' Viking 55 Convertible 2013

$ 2,149,000

Pensacola, United States

54' Sea Ray Sundancer 2013

Cancun, Mexico

53' Hatteras 53 Motor Yacht 1980

Mystic, United States

52' Hatteras Sport 1999

Miami Beach, United States

51' Riviera 51 Flybridge 2008

Marathon, United States

50' Absolute 50 Fly 2019

$ 1,060,000

Manhattan, United States

50' Custom Trawler 1991

50' Carver 506 MY 2000

Richmond, Canada

Description

Aft cabin boats generally refer to cruiser-style yachts that feature sleeping accommodations towards the helm or cockpit area. These boats typically offer the owner a bit of privacy between the guest cabin and the main suite, especially if the main cabin is forward in the bow. Aft Cabin boats and yachts range anywhere from 25 to over 60 feet in length and could include either inboard or stern drive engines. Typically aft cabin boats do not have outboard engines, however new boat builders have lately been adding outboard power to almost everything! United Yacht Sales has the expertise and team across the country to help you find the perfect Aft Cabin Cruiser.

SPEAK TO A SALES PROFESSIONAL

If privacy between owner and guests aboard is on your ‘must have’ list, have we got the perfect idea—an aft cabin motor yacht which will fulfill your ‘wish list’ requests. This style cruiser’s unique design commonly prioritizes living arrangements above performance or style. Customarily, it’s designed with the sleeping quarters aft, just behind the cockpit. At times, the main cabin is situated forward or—if it’s a center cockpit layout, then it will sit beneath the cockpit. Looking for lots of extra cabin space as the main goal, then this is a fit… keep in mind there will be a smaller on-deck area when going this route. An aft cabin boat is a match for overnight and extended cruisers along with those looking to liveaboard. Double berths are the norm with the latest models offering a dose of practicality with beneficial layouts such as twin over-and-under single berths popular with those parent boat shoppers and - of course - their lucky kids.

Some prominent builders of aft cabin boats and yachts are:

• Bavaria Yachts
• Carver Yachts
• Cruisers Yachts
• Meridian Yachts
• Sea Ray Yachts
• Silverton Yachts

Looking for a downside to aft cabin cruisers? Some builders have had issues with poor ventilation. And only a handful of aft cabins provide great cross ventilation, making it an undesirable choice for owners looking to cruise the tropics, quite stuffy when journeying in the rain or even just when underway. Compared to other style cruisers, the aft cabin isn’t as popular as an express, sedan or even a convertible. With all the focus on the interior, owners are limited in its applications. 

Those looking for a trade-off when it comes to choosing interior volume over performance and outside space, this boat’s for you! You’ll cash in with an uber comfortable, extra roomy cabin area for you and your guests. But if deck play is the goal, this type of boat disqualifies.

The aft cabin’s high point is her ability to make tremendous use of her amazing full beam width, with its extra spacious, over-sized cabin. And with her salon, galley & dinette standing between the aft & forward cabins, family and friends can enjoy their own private zones.

Onboard an aft cabin boat you’ll get to enjoy a flybridge. Keep in mind, this boat will have those aboard climbing stairs or a small ladder to access her cockpit area and then more steps -again, to get to the helm. The central part of the boat, houses the engine — typically beneath the living room floor. Two models that fit this description are the Carver 456 or Meridian 408 - for example.

One other standout aft cabin beauty is the Bavaria E40 Fly which offers full displacement cruising and an aft cabin in a classy 40ft package.

Her D4 300 engine allows you the ability to cruise at 10 knots as opposed to hitting all record top speeds. Flat out she reaches 15 knots with 10 knots being the speed where the boat is most comfortable.

The helm is located aft in the wheelhouse and mounted centrally with the dinette seating stretching out ahead of it. The bench seat at the helm seats up to three people in face forward direction leaving the skipper at the center of the activities.

Not providing a huge amount of space to play with on the top deck other than the small spot of seating and table, the guests will be better fit to enjoy cocktails and bites rather than an expansive meal.

On her flybridge, there is a small sunpad aft. But —to get excited…take a look inside. This model offers the two-cabin layout, but —if you wish, you can separate the aft double into a pair of twins for more sleeping space or charter use.

Her twin cabin layout offers space and privacy. Both cabins feature comfortable double beds and ensuite access to private bathrooms. The forward cabin’s highlight is her split shower room and toilet.

The full-beam master ensuite aft is central to the E40’s appeal.Being beautiful, sturdy and strong, she draws you in and keeps you there with her frugal cruising, aft cabin privacy, practical decks, a bright saloon and all at good value.

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• Selene 38 Voyager Aft-cabin
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ALL THE SPACE IS INSIDE!

Biggest 38’ family cruiser in the world.

The Selene 38 Voyager Aft-cabin is based on the successful Archer design with several technical improvements like  Diamond Sea Glaze sliding doors, optional Seakeeper gyro stabilization, Li-Ion batteries, a new electricity management system, a sea-chest for easier maintenance, an optional water maker with high-voltage auto-clean system, etc… A happy and classy gentleman’s yacht which has been cruising in British Columbia, the Bahamas, the Greek islands and South-East Asia for decades already. This beautiful and charming pocket yacht has always been incredibly popular because of its unique layout which guarantees privacy to four people or two couples. Because of its moderate size it can be hauled-out by the smallest Travelift and accommodated in almost any marina anywhere in the world. Thanks to its classic lines designed by Howard Chen and the legendary marine architect Ted Hood, winner of the 1972 America’s Cup, the Selene 38 Aft-cabin model is, and will remain, one of Howard Chen’s favorite yachts. When creating this yacht the designers adopted the unique concept of the “Whale Back” hull, that was a trademark of Ted Hood’s designs. This is why the aft cabin concept has so much headroom and space in the engine room. It probably has the best engine room layout for its size anywhere.

BEST ENGINE ROOM IN ITS CLASS

While the Selene 38 Voyager Aft-cabin is a legendary yacht, she doesn’t compromise on modern technology and first class components, like the recent addition of Diamond Sea Glaze doors, improved sound-proofing, optional air-conditioning, generator and larger aluminum fuel tanks for extensive cruising. Howard says that the best-selling yachts of all time were the Grand Banks 36-42, but when their production ended for a while Howard decided he wanted to bring a high quality compact trawler back to the market. He wanted to build an elegant yacht with traditional timber joinery, leather upholstery, teak & holly floors, a spacious interior with two cabins and two heads, a cozy salon, a practical galley and safe decks. The Selene 38 Voyager Aft-cabin is an excellent family cruiser, or the perfect Looper’s yacht. A tender finds its natural spot on top of the aft cabin where it can be loaded by a mast and boom.

Do not hesitate to contact us for more info : [email protected]

Many Selene 38 Voyager Aft-cabin make use of the mast for a steadying sail which gives the boat a classy « heritage yacht » style as well as a simple and maintenance-free stabilization system. And all this, including a flybridge with an outdoor deck salon, comes at an affordable price! As the entry level model of the trawlers range, the Selene 38 Voyager Aft-cabin is still a best-seller. We call it our “small super-yacht”, all the space is inside…

TECHNICAL SHEET

• LOA : 41’-8’’ (12.70m)
• LWL: 34’-11’’ (10,64m)
• Beam: 14’-6’’ (4,42m)
• Draft: 4’-8’’ (1,42m)
• Displacement: 35,700Lbs (16,27t)
• Fuel tank capacity: 500 USG (1892L)
• Fresh water tank capacity: 180 USG (681L)

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Aft cabin for sale (sail)

What is an aft-cabin sailing boat?

The “aft” refers to the rear of the boat, so an aft-cabin sailing boat is one where there is a cabin at the rear. The advantage of having an aft cabin is that it takes advantage of the full width of the boat, resulting in a large, spacious cabin for accommodation.

Which manufacturers build aft cabin sail boats?

Manufacturers that produce aft cabin sail boats include Beneteau , Bavaria , Moody , Jeanneau and Jongert .

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Best aft cabin boats: 4 top options for maximising bedroom space

• Top stories

Our resident used boat expert Nick Burnham picks out four of the best aft cabin boats from the likes of Fairline, Broom and Hardy…

Offering as much cabin space as possible within a given length has become the most obvious way to a boat buyer’s wallet. It’s why side decks that used to be waist height are now head height – if the result is an extra ensuite or a bigger galley, then it’s a sale.

The funny thing is that manufacturers found a great way to maximise volume years ago, and then they (mostly) all stopped doing it. Aft cabin craft don’t stop at the saloon doors, they carry on right back to the transom. Big names were building them, like Princess (435), Fairline (36 Turbo) and Broom (pretty much everything).

Now only niche builders like Haines and Hardy carry on. Why? It fell out of fashion and innovations like V-drive gearboxes and IPS pods means the engines now occupy the space that cabins did.

All of which makes these used aft cabin boats worth a look.

4 of the best aft cabin boats

Fairline 36 turbo.

Built: 1991 Price: £74,950

When I win the euro multi-millions and need a surefire way of creating a small fortune by starting off with a large one, I’m going to start a business building modern versions of all the classic British boats that have us old guard saying “ah, they don’t make ‘em like that anymore”.

From Princess’s back catalogue I would have the 266 Riviera and the original (1980s) Princess 45 . From Sunseeker the Tomahawk 37 and the Renegade 60 and from Fairline I would exhume the Targa 33 and one of these: the Fairline 36 Turbo .

The big news, as is so often the case with aft cabin boats, is the sheer amount of space on board. It’s important to remember that back in the 1980s when this boat launched (this is one of the last), boat model designations were based on the hull length which didn’t include the (bolt-on) bathing platform.

So a modern equivalent would likely have a moulded-in bathing platform which would be included, making it a 40. But even so, it really is quite palatial in here. The best part is undoubtedly the owner’s cabin back aft – a big square room with a double bed and an ensuite.

Guests are banished to the opposite end where there is a vee berthed cabin in the bows and the day heads and galley are up here too. The saloon splits them, this boat featuring a modified layout to give a small booth-style dinette.

The style is 1980s but the quality of the cabinets in the galley will give solid service

It was a great looking boat when it launched and the 36 Turbo is still a pleasingly proportioned and stylishly handsome boat. The raised aft deck means that it links easily with the flybridge via a couple of moulded steps.

Performance

Fairline offered this model with a pair of Volvo Penta TAMD 41 200hp engines, perhaps with an eye to inland use. You don’t want those, you want the upgraded TAMD 61 306hp engine option fitted to this and most other 36 Turbos that nudged 30 knots when new.

Booth-style dinette seats four with plenty of room for more along the L-shaped sofa

Shaftdrive, Bernard Olesinski-designed hull – if you’ve been reading this article for long enough you’ll already know that it’s a winning combination.

Specifications

Length: 36ft 6in (11.2m) Beam: 13ft 4in (4.1m) Draft: 3ft 4in (1.0m) Displacement: 9 tonnes Fuel capacity: 1,055 litres Engines: Volvo Penta TAMD 61 306hp diesels Location: River Thames Contact: TBS Boats

Article continues below…

Best boats from the 1990s: 4 secondhand options under £200,000

Best boats under £50k: Secondhand options to expand your horizons

Cara marine 18m.

Built: 2004 Price £394,950

Based in Carrigaline in County Cork, Cara Marine’s stock in trade was heavy-duty offshore pilot and patrol boats. So when the company turned its attentions to the leisure market, the result was always going to be something special.

Almost every other aft cabin craft utilises the big square aft hull sections to create a big square owner’s cabin. Not here though, you’ll find the owner’s quarters up in the bow. At over 60ft long and 16ft wide, there’s plenty of space for a really decent ensuite cabin up front, and it leaves room for two cabins and the day heads on the lower deck back aft.

There’s a fairly spectacular galley that runs the full beam of the boat and with no lower helm (the only helm position is on the aft deck), that leaves space for a large saloon on the main deck.

Despite being in the bow the owner’s quarters are large and welcoming with lots of storage

An aft deck helm is not unusual with this type of boat; what is unusual is adding an open-backed wheelhouse to protect it. On a smaller vessel this might look clumsy, but this boat is easily long enough to absorb the additional height.

It puts all of the outdoor living space together, protected by a wraparound coaming that can link to the hardtop roof via removable canopies.

You’re probably starting to realise that plenty of free thinking went into the design of this boat, and we’re not done yet. The usual place for engines on this type of boat is beneath the raised main deck saloon.

Not here. Instead they’re right at the back, behind the accommodation. Open a hatch in the deck and you’ll be able to drop into an engine room containing a pair of Caterpillar C12 704hp diesels which give about 28 knots flat-out.

Without a lower helm the main deck saloon has extra space for lounging and eating

The reason those engines are right aft is because they’re effectively huge water pumps! This boat is jet drive, sucking water from under the boat and firing it backwards.

The benefits are a very shallow draft and superb manoeuvrability (the RNLI selected jets to drive its latest 45ft Shannon Class rescue boats for this very reason). Add in RCD Category A (Ocean) rating and it’s quite the package!

Length: 61ft 4in (18.7m) Beam: 16ft 1in (4.9m) Draft: 2ft 7in (0.8m) Displacement: 27 tonnes Fuel capacity: 3,280 litres Engines: Twin Caterpillar C12 704hp diesel engines Location: Lymington Contact: Berthon International

Built: 2001 Price: £119,995

We really couldn’t have an aft cabin used boat feature without including a model from Broom. Broom Boats were the absolute doyen of the aft cabin cruiser; from the Ocean range back in the 1970s right up until they ceased boatbuilding in 2018.

This model replaced the Ocean 34 and was built from 1998 to 2005 before evolving into the Broom 365 and the Broom 370 .

With no lower helm, the entire length of this boat is given over to frankly palatial amounts of accommodation for a 35ft boat. There’s a vee berth cabin forward for guests, along with the day heads and a pretty decent galley.

A couple of steps up bring you to the saloon but, as ever, it’s when you continue aft that the real payoff comes. Back here you will find a huge square owner’s cabin with a central double berth and a very generous ensuite.

Saloon and galley are pretty good but it’s the cabins that really benefit from this layout

Losing the internal helm has been made possible by putting a really well-protected external helm on the aft deck. There are big windscreens, wraparound coamings and canopies to protect this area.

In fact it feels more like a sportscruiser layout. Visibility is great due to its raised position but the air draft is kept lower than a flybridge boat.

CL stood for ‘coastal’, and Broom offered this boat with a variety of engine options right up to a pair of 190hp Yanmar diesels, which gave it 20 knots. But many were built with a single engine for gentler inland use.

Volvo Penta and Nanni were available, but the Perkins M135L fitted to this boat was the most popular option, giving a river-friendly nine knots maximum and four to six knots while cruising.

External helm is on the aft deck but is well protected and feels more like a sportscruiser

Andrew Wolstenholme designed this one with a long keel that protects the propeller and adds useful low speed directional stability plus a large rudder that gives plenty of ‘bite’ for tricky river handling.

It’s quiet too, with that engine buried deep beneath the saloon sole. The result is a versatile and extremely comfortable boat well suited to inland life as well as offering some coastal ability.

Length: 34ft 10in (10.6m) Beam: 12ft 6in (3.8m) Draft: 3ft 2in (0.9m) Displacement: 7.5 tonnes Fuel capacity: 820 litres Engine: Perkins M135L 135hp diesel Location: Marlow Contact: Boat Showrooms

Built: 2003 Price: £245,000

Aft cabin boats come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, as this Hardy 42 Commodore demonstrates. A ‘trawler yacht’ style, rather than a typical motor cruiser with a full-beam aft deck, it features a deeply bulwarked walkaround side deck that encircles the aft cabin coachroof.

You might expect that walkaround deck to impinge on the aft cabin. But though you are aware of it as it pulls the window line in, Hardy has been quite clever about building furniture that slips beneath those decks, so the lack of headroom in this area is far less relevant.

Unlike the previous three boats, all of which had access from the aft deck into the saloon, the Hardy has twin sliding doors on either side that allow access to the side decks. It’s a less direct route but it comes with big advantages for ventilation as well as gifting the helmsman a more direct route from the lower helm to the foredeck.

The galley is down on the lower deck forward and the forecabin has a vee berth as expected, but Hardy has also squeezed in a third cabin with a single berth.

Wide side decks and a lower helm restrict the size of the saloon but side doors are handy

Having squeezed the aft deck in a little, you might expect it to be a less useful space but in fact there’s a pretty decent U-shaped dinette up here, surrounded by canvas wind dodgers. And those walkaround decks are seriously useful for crewing duties.

With its semi-displacement hull, rather than a full planing design, you might expect some trade-off in speed in return for enhanced rough weather capability. But in fact, when we tested a 42 Commodore with slightly smaller 420hp engines back in 2003, we still managed to achieve a very credible 26 knots.

Clever furniture design maximises space in the plush but traditionally styled aft cabin

This is the big news. Another Andrew Wolstenholme design, it has deep vee forward sections and a long keel to give the boat serious offshore capability. And with no planing ‘hump speed’ needing to be achieved, it has a very wide cruising speed band. There’s a good reason why the RNLI uses these Hardy 42s as its crew training boats.

Length: 42ft 0in (12.8m) Beam: 14ft 4in (4.4m) Draft: 3ft 10in (1.2m) Displacement: 13 tonnes Fuel capacity: 1,728 litres Engines: Yanmar 6LY2-STE 440hp diesels Location: Ipswich Contact: Fox’s Yacht Sales

First published in the April 2023 issue of MBY.

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7 best aft cockpit / aft stateroom sailboats.

It is often confusing when talking about center cockpit sailboats when certain models come along into discussion. When I talk about center cockpit yachts, I mean yachts with full width aft staterooms. The assumption is that these two features: a full width aft stateroom and a center cockpit deck mold go hand in hand. But there is a rare class of yachts that mess up this simplified categorization of sailboats. While all center cockpits have aft staterooms, some aft cockpits have full width aft staterooms. There are serious trade-offs including low headroom and a likely lack of overhead hatches. Here is a list of some of the most well known models with this arrangement.

• Baltic 38 – The Swan split-off offers high quality construction and fast lines like on this 38-footer.
• Beneteau Idylle 11.5 – Old school Beneteau before they went all the way to mass production.
• C&C 37/40+ – The inspiration for this list with her spacious centerline queen aft. I should note that the earlier model C&C 44 was the prototype for the 37/40 and had a similar arrangement.
• Hunter 40 Legend – Amazing value and performance, typical Hunter build issues.
• Hylas 42 – Classic Swan style German Frers design.
• Mason 44 – Comes in her original 43-foot version likewise with an aft stateroom.
• Swan 46 – Low freeboard and athletic lines make this a spectacular racer / cruiser.

I have been struggling for a while to put together this list which according to to my records I first drafted on December 14, 2010. Please offer your suggestions in the comments below or any feedback on the current selection.

5 Replies to “7 Best Aft Cockpit / Aft Stateroom Sailboats”

Hi Richard,

As you have included boats up to 46 feet in length in this list you probably should include the C&C 44 as well. First produced in 1985, it was in ways the prototype for the later 37/40+, differing mostly by having a dedicated forward facing nav-station with seat and two heads where the 37/40 has just one larger one.

http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/brochures/44foot/44b1pg01.htm

http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=2769

Ken H. C&C 37/40 Salazar – CAN 54955 Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

Thanks Ken. I like the 37/40 design. I will add in a note about the C&C 44 in the corresponding bullet above.

You will get some arguments on this one, but the mid 1980’s Hunter 40 Legends had a decent aft centerline berth and didn’t sail all that bad either.

Good call Ken. I had a friend with a H40 Legend. He said she sailed great. Only complaint was leaking forward? RJ

Sent from my iPad

Hi Richard.  The Beneteau Idylle 11.5 is a great boat.  However, the aft cabin is not full width, probably more like 2/3 or 3/4 max.  It’s great for big guys like me for sleeping alone and might be OK for a couple if one is short enough or a couple of kids.  Aft cabin to port, aft head to starboard of the companionway and there is a huge cockpit locker aft of the head.  Excellent access to the engine.  It’s really a great boat.  Beneteau should have built at least 1,500 of them.

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20 Best Small Sailboats for the Weekender

• By Mark Pillsbury
• Updated: May 24, 2024

In order to go cruising, most of us require a sailboat with a head, a galley, and bunks. The boat, likely a 30-footer and more often a 40-footer, will have electronics for navigation and entertainment, refrigeration if the trip is longer than a coastal hop, an engine for light wind, and, depending on our appetites for food and fun, perhaps a genset to power our toys and appliances.

To go sailing , however, all we really need is a hull, mast, rudder, and sail. To experience the pure joy of sheeting in and scooting off across a lake, bay, or even the open ocean, there’s nothing better than a small sailboat – we’re talking sailboats under 25 feet. You can literally reach out and touch the water as it flows past. You instantly feel every puff of breeze and sense every change in trim.

Some of the boats in this list are new designs, others are time-tested models from small sailboat manufacturers, but every one is easy to rig, simple to sail, and looks like a whole lot of fun either for a solo outing on a breezy afternoon or to keep family and friends entertained throughout your entire sailing season. This list is made up of all types of sailboats , and if you’re looking for a list of some of the best small sailboats for beginners, you’ll find exactly that here.

Any one of these popular boats could be labeled as a trailerable sailboat, daysailer, or even a weekender sailboat. And while most would be labeled as a one or two person sailboat, some could comfortably fit three or even four people.

– CHECK THE WEATHER – The weather changes all the time. Always check the forecast and prepare for the worst case. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

Marblehead 22 Daysailer

If you have an eye for elegant lines and your heart goes pitter-patter over just the right amount of overhang beneath a counter transom, the Marblehead 22 daysailer, designed by Doug Zurn and built by Samoset Boatworks in Boothbay, Maine, will definitely raise your pulse. Traditional-looking above the waterline and modern beneath, the cold-molded hull sports a deep bulb keel and a Hall Spars carbon-fiber mast with a wishbone rig and square-top main. The 11-foot-9-inch cockpit can seat a crowd, and a small cuddy forward will let you stow your friends’ gear for the day. samosetboatworks.com

Catalina 22 Sport

Many a harbor plays host to an active fleet of Catalina 22s, one of the most popular small sailboats over the years, given its basic amenities and retractable keel, which allows it to be easily trailered. Recently, the company introduced the Catalina 22 Sport, an updated design that can compete with the older 22s. The boat features a retractable lead keel; a cabin that can sleep four, with a forward hatch for ventilation; and a fractional rig with a mainsail and a roller-furling jib. Lifelines, a swim ladder, and an engine are options, as are cloth cushions; vinyl cushions are standard. The large cockpit will seat a crowd or let a mom-and-pop crew stretch out and enjoy their sail. It’s clear why the Catalina 22 is one of the best sailboats under 25 feet. catalinayachts.com

With its large, open-transom cockpit and sloop rig, the Hunter 22 makes a comfortable daysailer for family and friends. But with its cuddy cabin, twin bunks, optional electrical system, opening screened ports, and portable toilet, a parent and child or a couple could comfortably slip away for an overnight or weekend. Add in the optional performance package, which includes an asymmetric spinnaker, a pole, and a mainsheet traveler, and you could be off to the races. The boat features a laminated fiberglass hull and deck, molded-in nonskid, and a hydraulic lifting centerboard. Mount a small outboard on the stern bracket, and you’re set to go. marlow-hunter.com

Not sure whether you want to race, cruise or just go out for an afternoon sail? Since 1958, sailors have been having a ball aboard the Uffa Fox/George O’Day-designed Daysailer. Fox, who in the 1950s was on the cutting edge of planning-dinghy design, collaborated with Fall River, Massachusetts boatbuilder O’Day Corp. to build the 16-foot Daysailer, a boat that features a slippery hull and a small cuddy cabin that covers the boat roughly from the mast forward. Thousands of Daysailers were built by various builders, and they can be found used for quite affordable prices. There are active racing fleets around the US, and new Daysailers are still in production today, built by Cape Cod Ship Building. capecodshipbuilding.com

BayRaider from Swallow Boats

Easy to rig and trailer, the BayRaider from England’s Swallow Yachts is a relative newcomer to the small-boat market in the United States. Nearly all of its 19 feet 9 inches is open cockpit, though a spray hood can be added to keep the forward sections dry. The BayRaider is ketch-rigged with a gunter-style mainmast. The topmast and mizzen are both carbon-fiber, which is an option for the mainmast as well. The BayRaider can be sailed with a dry hull in lighter conditions or with 300 pounds of water ballast to increase its stability. With the centerboard and hinged rudder raised, the boat can maneuver in even the thinnest water.

$28,900, (904) 234-8779, swallowyachts.com

Big fun can come in small packages, especially if your vessel of choice happens to be the 12 ½-foot Beetle Cat. Designed by John Beetle and first built in 1921, the wooden shallow draft sailboat is still in production today in Wareham, Massachusetts at the Beetle Boat Shop. With a draft of just 2 feet, the boat is well-suited for shallow bays, but equally at home in open coastal waters. The single gaff-rigged sail provides plenty of power in light air and can be quickly reefed down to handle a blow. In a word, sailing a Beetle Cat is fun. beetlecat.com

– LEARN THE NAVIGATION RULES – Know the “Rules of the Road” that govern all boat traffic. Be courteous and never assume other boaters can see you. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

West Wight Potter P 19

With berths for four and a workable galley featuring a cooler, a sink, and a stove, West Wight Potter has packed a lot into its 19-foot-long P 19. First launched in 1971, this is a line of boats that’s attracted a true following among trailer-sailors. The P 19′s fully retractable keel means that you can pull up just about anywhere and go exploring. Closed-cell foam fore and aft makes the boat unsinkable, and thanks to its hard chine, the boat is reportedly quite stable under way. westwightpotter.com

NorseBoat 17.5

Designed for rowing and sailing (a motor mount is optional), the Canadian-built NorseBoat 17.5—one of which was spotted by a CW editor making its way through the Northwest Passage with a two-man crew—features an open cockpit, a carbon-fiber mast, and a curved-gaff rig, with an optional furling headsail set on a sprit. The lapstrake hull is fiberglass; the interior is ply and epoxy. The boat comes standard with two rowing stations and one set of 9-foot oars. The boat is designed with positive flotation and offers good load-carrying capacity, which you could put to use if you added the available canvas work and camping tent. NorseBoats offers a smaller sibling, the 12.5, as well; both are available in kit form.

$19,000, (902) 659-2790, norseboat.com

Montgomery 17

Billed as a trailerable pocket cruiser, the Montgomery 17 is a stout-looking sloop designed by Lyle Hess and built out of fiberglass in Ontario, California, by Montgomery Boats. With a keel and centerboard, the boat draws just under 2 feet with the board up and can be easily beached when you’re gunkholing. In the cuddy cabin you’ll find sitting headroom, a pair of bunks, a portable toilet, optional shore and DC power, and an impressive amount of storage space. The deck-stepped mast can be easily raised using a four-part tackle. The builder reports taking his own boat on trips across the Golfo de California and on visits to California’s coastal islands. Montgomery makes 15-foot and 23-foot models, as well. If you’re in search of a small sailboat with a cabin, the Montgomery 17 has to be on your wish list.

With long overhangs and shiny brightwork, the CW Hood 32 is on the larger end of the daysailer spectrum. Designers Chris Hood and Ben Stoddard made a conscious decision to forego a cabin and head in favor of an open cockpit big enough to bring 4 or 5 friends or family out for an afternoon on the water. The CW Hood 32 is sleek and graceful through the water and quick enough to do some racing, but keeps things simple with a self-tacking jib and controls that can be lead back to a single-handed skipper. A top-furling asymmetrical, electric sail drive and Torqeedo outboard are all optional. The CW Hood 32 makes for a great small family sailboat.  cwhoodyachts.com

Sun Cat from Com-Pac

Shallow U.S. East Coast bays and rock-strewn coasts have long been graced by cat boats, whose large, gaff-rigged mainsails proved simple and powerful both on the wind and, better yet, when reaching and running. The 17-foot-4-inch Sun Cat, built by Com-Pac Yachts, updates the classic wooden cat with its fiberglass hull and deck and the easy-to-step Mastender Rigging System, which incorporates a hinged tabernacle to make stepping the mast a one-person job. If you want a personal sailboat ideal for solo sailing, the Sun Can is a great choice. Belowdecks, the twin 6-foot-5-inch berths and many other features and amenities make this cat a willing weekender.

$19,800, (727) 443-4408, com-pacyachts.com

Catalina 16.5

The Catalina 16.5 sits right in the middle of Catalina Yachts’ line of small sailboats, which range from the 12.5 to the 22 Capri and Sport, and it comes in both an easy-to-trailer centerboard model and a shoal-draft fixed-keel configuration. With the fiberglass board up, the 17-foot-2-inch boat draws just 5 inches of water; with the board down, the 4-foot-5-inch draft suggests good windward performance. Hull and deck are hand-laminated fiberglass. The roomy cockpit is self-bailing, and the bow harbors a good-sized storage area with a waterproof hatch. catalinayachts.com

No roundup of best small sailboats (trailerable and fun too) would be complete without a mention of the venerable Hobie 16, which made its debut in Southern California way back in 1969. The company has introduced many other multihulls since, but more than 100,000 of the 16s have been launched, a remarkable figure. The Hobie’s asymmetric fiberglass-and-foam hulls eliminate the need for daggerboards, and with its kick-up rudders, the 16 can be sailed right up to the beach. Its large trampoline offers lots of space to move about or a good place to plant one’s feet when hanging off the double trapezes with a hull flying. The boat comes with a main and a jib; a spinnaker, douse kit, trailer, and beach dolly are optional features. hobiecat.com

Novice sailors or old salts looking for simplicity could both enjoy sailing the Hunter 15. With a fiberglass hull and deck and foam flotation, the boat is sturdily built. The ample freeboard and wide beam provide stability under way, and the heavy-duty rubrail and kick-up rudder mean that you won’t have to worry when the dock looms or the going grows shallow. Both the 15 and its slightly larger 18-foot sibling come standard with roller-furling jibs.

$6,900/$9,500 (boat-show prices for the 15 and 18 includes trailers), (386) 462-3077, marlow-hunter.com

– CHECK THE FIT – Follow these guidelines to make sure your life jacket looks good, stays comfortable and works when you need it. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

Super Snark

Under various owners, the Snark brand of sailboats, now built by Meyers Boat Co., has been around since the early 1970s. The Super Snark, at 11 feet, is a simple, easily car-topped daysailer that’s fit out with a lateen rig and sail. Billed as unsinkable, the five boats in the company’s line are built with E.P.S. foam, with the external hull and deck vacuum-formed to the core using an A.B.S. polymer. The Super Snark weighs in at 50 pounds, and with a payload capacity of 310 pounds, the boat can carry two.

$970, (800) 247-6275, meyersboat.com

Norseboat 21.5

Built in Canada, the NorseBoat 21.5 is a rugged looking craft that comes in a couple of configurations: one with an open cockpit and small doghouse, and another with a smaller cockpit and cabin that houses a double berth for two adults and optional quarter berths for the kids. Both carry NorseBoat’s distinctive looking carbon fiber gaff-rigged mast with main and jib (a sprit-set drifter is optional), and come with a ballasted stub keel and centerboard. Because of its lightweight design, the boat can be rowed and is easily trailered.

$36,000 (starting), 902-659-2790, norseboat.com

Flying Scot

Talk about time-tested, the 19-foot Flying Scot has been in production since 1957 and remains a popular design today. Sloop rigged, with a conventional spinnaker for downwind work, the boat is an easily sailed family boat as well as a competitive racer, with over 130 racing fleets across the U.S. Its roomy cockpit can seat six to eight, though the boat is often sailed by a pair or solo. Hull and deck are a fiberglass and balsa core sandwich. With the centerboard up, the boat draws only eight inches. Though intended to be a daysailer, owners have rigged boom tents and berths for overnight trips, and one adventurous Scot sailor cruised his along inland waterways from Philadelphia to New Orleans.

Known primarily for its line of racing dinghys, RS Sailing also builds the 16-foot, 4-inch Venture, which it describes as a cruising and training dinghy. The Venture features a large, self-draining cockpit that will accommodate a family or pack of kids. A furling jib and mainsail with slab reefing come standard with the boat; a gennaker and trapeze kit are options, as is an outboard motor mount and transom swim ladder. The deck and hull are laid up in a fiberglass and Coremat sandwich. The Venture’s designed to be both a good performer under sail, but also stable, making it a good boat for those learning the sport.

$14,900, 203-259-7808, rssailing.com

Topper makes a range of mono- and multihull rotomolded boats, but the model that caught one editor’s eye at Strictly Sail Chicago was the Topaz Taz. At 9 feet, 8 inches LOA and weighing in at 88 pounds, the Taz is not going to take the whole crowd out for the day. But, with the optional mainsail and jib package (main alone is for a single child), the Taz can carry two or three kids or an adult and one child, and would make a fun escape pod when tied behind the big boat and towed to some scenic harbor. The hull features Topper’s Trilam construction, a plastic and foam sandwich that creates a boat that’s stiff, light, and durable, and shouldn’t mind being dragged up on the beach when it’s time for a break.

$2,900 (includes main and jib), 410-286-1960, topazsailboats.com

WindRider WRTango

WRTango, a fast, sturdy, 10-foot trimaran that’s easy to sail, is the newest portable craft from WindRider International. It joins a line that includes the WR16 and WR17 trimarans. The Tango features forward-facing seating, foot-pedal steering, and a low center of gravity that mimics the sensation of sitting in a kayak. It weighs 125 pounds (including the outriggers and carbon-fiber mast), is extremely stable, and has single-sheet sail control. The six-inch draft and kick-up rudder make it great for beaching, while the hull and outriggers are made of rotomolded polyethylene, so it can withstand running into docks and being dragged over rocks.

$3,000, 612-338-2170, windrider.com

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Edwards Yacht Sales

• 866.365.0706

1985 Albin Family Cruiser Aft Cabin

• Punta Gorda, FL, US

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This Albin 27 Family Cruiser is the legendary favorite pocket trawler. Made in America, Albin aft cabin models remain well respected for seaworthiness, room for a family, comfortable for long range cruising and liveaboard simple lifestyle. White Pelican is in good condition, ready to cruise to your destination with the highly desirable 100 hp Westerbeke diesel. There is no more affordable, comfortable trawler that provides sleeping quarters for 4, full galley, roomy private sleeping stateroom, and the opportunity to meet all the other Albin cruising couples and families along the waterway who will flag you down to say hello.

Specifications

Descriptions, basic information, dimensions & weight, tank capacities.

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Admire from the dock this Albin 27 downeast traditional nautical lines. Note the full walkaround side decks with bow and stern rails and teak hand holds strategically located along the sides. While Albin is on lift, look below swim platform to observe 3 blade propeller protected by skeg connecting keel to rudder.

Step aboard amidship into cockpit. Note two side facing seats with storage underneath. Walk forward through isinglass drop curtains to pilothouse helm. Observe the all-around view from the helm through windshield, side windows and open back over low aft cabin roof while sitting on raised captain's double seat or mate's raised seat. Notice how navigation electronics are within sight and easy reach.

Walk forward and down 3 steps to forward cabin. Look all around to note teak paneling, 6 opening ports and overhead opening hatch. Open starboard door to observe private head with manual marine toilet, vanity with sink and wand shower faucet. Exit head and turn to port to see in-line galley with large counter workspace, sink, and refrigerator. Turn to starboard for dinette with double seats on each side. Walk further forward to double v-berth.

Return up steps to pilothouse, walk through cockpit and down 2 steps to aft cabin. Observe roomy twin berths with cushion to convert to one queen berth. Note storage under berths and 4 opening ports.

Return to cockpit and step up to deck. Walk forward to bow holding teak grabrail. Observe bow rails and bow pulpit with Danforth anchor and rode of chain and rope. Walk back to aft deck and observe stern rails. Look down to see ladder to full-width teak swim platform and folding swim ladder.

This Albin 27 Family Cruiser is the all-time favorite pocket trawler for her seaworthiness and accommodations. White Pelican has airconditioning in forward and aft cabin. Forward cabin has full galley with refrigerator, salon with settee that seats 4 and v-berth. Private head has marine toilet, sink with wand shower faucet. Aft cabin has comfortable twin berths that convert to queen berth. Forward and aft cabins' many opening ports provide great cross ventilation.

Pilothouse seats 2 at helm double bench chair, 1 at mate chair and 4 at side facing seats aft of helm.

• 6' 2" headroom in pilothouse

• 5'10" headroom in forward cabin

• Roomy airconditioned galley, salon and v-berth

• Roomy airconditioned private aft suite with twin berths convertible to queen berth

• Private airconditioned head with marine toilet, sink with wand shower faucet, vanity

• AC outlets in forward and aft cabins

• DC lights in forward and aft cabins

• 5 opening ports and overhead hatch in forward cabin

• 1 opening port in head

• 4 opening ports in aft cabin

• Solar fan in forward cabin hatch

• Privacy canvas covers pilothouse windshield and side windows

• Privacy canvas shields screens on bimini

• Isinglass drop down curtains separates helm area from cockpit

This fully equipped airconditioned galley is perfect for preparing family meals and casual snacks. Everyone aboard appreciates the ample nonperishable and perishable food storage space. Folding counter extension provides plenty of workspace for preparation, serving and cleaning up.

• Ample workspace with folding counter extension

• Lots of cabinet and shelf storage for nonperishable foods

• Norcold AC/DC refrigerator

• Airconditioning keeps galley and salon comfortable

• Stainless steel galley sink and faucet

• AC outlets

Pilothouse helm equipped with standard navigation instruments.

• Garmin 546 GPS color chartplotter

•Raymarine ST 5000+ wheel mounted autopilot

• ICOM VHF radio

• Raymarine R10X 16 mile radar with dome array

• Uniden depth finder

• Jensen AM/FM cassette radio

• Two Group 27 batteries

• Promariner ProSport 12 battery charger

• AC outlets in forward and aft cabin

• 30 amp shorepower with shorepower cord

Diesel powered with highly desirable 100 hp Westerbeke fresh water cooled engine.

• Westerbeke 100 hp fresh water cooled diesel engine

• Engine room accessed easily from pilothouse sole

• 3 blade propeller protected by skeg

• Digital RPM gauge at helm

• Two Mermaid 5200 BTU airconditioning units - one in each cabin

• Pressurized fresh water system

• Manual marine toilet pumps to holding tank

• Windshield wipers

Captain and mate will appreciate full walk-around deck with hand rails in easy reach and bow and stern rails makes for efficient docking and anchoring. This Albin 27 has fully enclosed canvas bimini with screens and interior canvas for privacy and weather protection. Great ventilation through opening pilothouse windows and aft screened canvas enclosure. Enjoy swimming off full width teak swim platform with ladder.

• Pilothouse seats 2 on captain bench chair and 1 on mate chair

• Cushioned raised double helm chair

• Cushioned raised single mate chair with folding chart table

• Pilothouse middle forward and side windows open

• Cockpit and aft canvas bimini with screen enclosure

• Canvas covers bimini screens for privacy at dock or anchor

• Privacy canvas privacy covers over pilothouse windshield and side windows

• Teak bow pulpit with Danforth anchor and chain+rope rode

• Full length teak swim platform

• Folding swim ladder

• Teak grab rails along bow doghouse, pilothouse roof and aft cabin

• Protective canvas covers teak bow pulpit, grabrails, and swim platform

• Bow and stern stainless steel rails

This Albin 27 Family Cruiser is the all-time favorite pocket trawler. Families and couples have lived aboard, cruised long distances and used as summer cottages by the sea. Everywhere you cruise in your Albin 27, you will meet others cruising in theirs or who had the enjoyable experience of owning one. Enjoy all the reasons why this is the favorite: affordable, roomy, seaworthy, easy to single hand, nautical downeast style, fully equipped galley and sleeps 4 comfortably in 2 private staterooms and made with American craftsmanship. If you're looking for your first trawler or downsizing from larger trawlers or sailboats, give this Albin 27 serious consideration. She won't disappoint.

Note: Personal items excluded.

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.

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Whether you are buying or selling your next boat or your first boat, one of Edwards Yacht Sales 45+ Professional Yacht Brokers throughout the Southeast are here to assist. Since 2003 we have acted as our clients trusted advisor throughout the entire process from shopping, to making an offer, to sea trial and survey, to closing.

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11 Best Small Sailboat Brands: How to Choose Your Next Daysailer or Pocket Cruiser

12th oct 2023 by samantha wilson.

Sailing is a relaxing, invigorating pastime that allows you to harness wind and waves in a unique and historic way without requiring a 50-foot yacht to enjoy what’s special about the experience. In fact, small sailboats allow a delightful back-to-basics experience that often gets lost on larger, systems-heavy sailboats.

On a small sailboat you can connect with the sea, feeling the boat move beneath you. The boat is typically easy to rig, simple to sail, and can even be sailed solo. Small sailboats give you the freedom to trailer your or car-top your boat and go anywhere, and they’re perfect for learning the nuances of sailing. There are many excellent brands and models of small sailboat, each with their own appeal, and here we narrow down some of our favorite in the daysailer and pocket cruiser categories under 30 feet. 

Difference Between a Daysailer and a Pocket Cruiser

While there are many different types of sailboat on the market and there is no single definition of either a daysailer or a pocket cruiser, they are used in a particular way, as the names imply. The term daysailer covers a huge array of sailboats, smaller and sometimes larger, and is generally defined as any day boat used for local sailing, with a simple rig, and easy to get underway. A pocket cruiser typically offers a cabin and head, and adequate accommodations for an overnight stay and sometimes longer cruises. Having said that, there is a large overlap between the two in many instances, so the lines may become blurred. 

What Size is a Small Sailboat?

Small is a relative term of course, but in general—and for the purposes of this article—a small sailboat is one that could be sailed by a small crew, often with one or two people aboard. It will have a simple rig and be trailerable, and it might be either a daysailer or pocket-cruiser style vessel as above. Within those categories, there are many models and styles, but when it comes to length we consider a sailboat as small when it’s under 30 feet in overall length. 

The Best Sailboats Under 30 Feet

Pocket cruiser: Beneteau First 27.  The Beneteau First 27 is a modern example of a pocket cruiser, earning Cruising World ’s Boat of the Year award in the Pocket Cruiser category in 2022. With space for up to six people accommodated in a separated bow-cabin and open saloon, it offers families the chance to go farther, explore more, and cruise in comfort. There is a galley with freshwater and a head, adding to the interior home comforts. The sailboat itself is modern, fast, and stable, designed by Sam Manuard, and has been designed to be incredibly safe and almost unsinkable thanks to its three watertight chambers. The handling is also refreshingly intuitive, with a well-designed cockpit, simple deck controls, and double winches allowing it to be sailed solo, by two people, or a small crew. 

Photo credit: Beneteau

Daysailer: Alerion 28.  You’ll certainly turn heads cruising along in an Alerion 28, a daysailer whose forerunner by the same name was designed by Nathanael Herreshoff in 1912 and then updated with a modern underbody for fiberglass production by Carl Schumacher in the late 1980s. This pretty daysailer manages to combine a traditional silhouette and classic feel, with very modern engineering creating an excellent package. Over 470 of these sailboats were built and sold in the past 30 years, making it one of the most popular modern daysailers on the water. With a small cabin and saloon, complete with miniature galley area, it offers respite from the sun or wind and the option for a night aboard. The cockpit offers a beautiful sailing experience, with plenty of space for the whole family. 

Photo credit: Alerion Yachts

The Best Sailboats Under 25 Feet

Pocket cruiser: Cornish Crabber 24.  British manufacturer Cornish Crabber has been producing beautiful, traditional style small sailboats for decades, ensuring they honor their heritage both in the construction style and appearance of their boats. The Cornish Crabber 24 is the most iconic of their range and dates back to the 1980s. It offers a simple yet surprisingly spacious interior layout with cabin, galley, and head, and a good sized cockpit, as well as seating for up to six people. It’s the perfect family sailboat, with clever use of storage as well as just under 5000 pounds of displacement providing stability and easy tacking. Aesthetically the 24 is simply beautiful, with a traditional silhouette (combined with modern engineering), finished in hardwood trims. 

Photo credit: Cornish Crabber

Daysailer: Catalina 22 Capri.  Catalina sailboats need little introduction, and are one of the world’s best-known, most-respected brands building small sailboats. The Catalina 22 Capri (also available in a sport model) is a great example of what Catalina does so well. While we’ve classified it as a daysailer, it could easily cross into the pocket cruiser category, as it offers excellent sailing performance in almost all conditions as well as having a small cabin, galley, and head. Loved for its safety, stability, ease of handling and simple maintenance, it makes for a good first family boat for getting out onto the bay or lake. 

Photo credit: Catalina

The Best Sailboats Under 20 Feet

Pocket cruiser: CapeCutter 19.  This is another model that combines the beauty of the traditional silhouettes with modern-day advancements. The design originates from the classic gaff cutter work boats, but today offers excellent performance—in fact it’s one of the fastest small gaffers in the world. The interior is cleverly spacious, with four berths, two of which convert into a saloon, as well as a simple galley area. With quick rigging, it can be sailed solo, but is also able to accommodate small groups, making it a capable and hugely versatile pocket cruiser. 

Photo credit: Cape Cutter 19

Daysailer: Swallow Yachts’ BayRaider 20.  Classic looks with modern performance are combined in Swallow Yachts’ beautiful BayRaider 20. This is one of the most capable and safest daysailers we’ve seen, but also incredibly versatile thanks to the choices of ballast. Keep the ballast tank empty and it’s light and fast. Fill the tank up and you’ve got a stable and safe boat perfect for beginners and families. While it’s got an eye-catching traditional style, the engineering is modern, with a strong carbon mast and construction. While this is a true daysailer, you can use the optional spray hood and camping accessories to create an overnight adventure. 

Photo credit: Swallow Yachts

The Best Sailboats Under 15 Feet

Pocket Cruiser: NorseBoat 12.5.  Can we truly call the NorseBoat 12.5 a pocket cruiser? Yes we can! The sheer versatility of this excellent little sailboat has convinced us. These beautiful hand-crafted sailboats offer exceptional performance and are described by the manufacturer as ‘the Swiss Army Knives of sailboats’. The traditionally styled 12.5 can be sailed, rowed, and motored. It can be trailered, easily beached, and even used as a camp cruiser, allowing for overnight adventures. There is no end to the fun that can be had with this easy-to-sail and easy-to-handle boat, which makes it a dream to learn in. With positive flotation, lots of clever storage, and a full-size double berth for camp cruising, it really is the perfect mini pocket cruiser. 

Photo credit: NorseBoats

Daysailer: Original Beetle Cat Boat 12: All across the bays of the US east coast cat boats have long been part of the ocean landscape. Able to access shallow rocky coves yet also withstand the strong coastal winds, these traditional New England fishing boats have an iconic shape and gaff-rigged mainsails. Beetle Cat have been producing elegant wooden cat boats for over 100 years – in fact they’ve made and sold over 4,000 boats to date. Their 12 foot Cat Boat 12 is one of their finest models, offering lovely daysailing opportunities. It has a wide beam and centerboard that lifts up, allowing it to access shallow waters, as well as a forward mast and single sail gaff rig in keeping with the traditional cat boats. To sail one of these is to be part of the heritage of New England and Cape Cod, and to honor the ancient art of hand-made boat building. 

Beetle Cat official website

Photo credit: Beetle Cat

The Best Small Sailboats for Beginners

When it comes to learning to sail, it’s important to have a boat that is easy to handle. There’s no quicker way to put yourself or your family off sailing than to start off with a boat that is either too big or too complicated. When choosing your first boat we recommend the following characteristics:

• Small: The benefits of starting off with a small boat are many, as we’ve seen above. They’re easier to control as well as to moor, and they react more quickly to steering and sails. They can be trailered and launched easily, and the loads generated are much lower than on bigger, heavier boats.
• Easy to sail: You want a boat that is stable and forgiving of mistakes, doesn’t capsize easily, and isn’t too overpowered in a stronger breeze. Keep things simple and learn as you go.
• Simple sail configuration: Choosing a boat that can be rigged by one person in a few minutes, and easily sailed solo, makes it easier to take along inexperienced crews. With regards to the rig, all you need are a halyard to hoist the mainsail and a sheet to control the mainsail.
• Tiller steering: We recommend boats with tiller steering over wheel steering when starting out. The tiller allows you to get a real feel for the boat and how the rudder works as it moves through the water. 

For more information on choosing the best beginner sailboat check out our full guide. There are many popular brands of beginner boats including Sunfish, Laser, and Hunter Marlow. Some of our favorites include;

Hobie 16: The classic Hobie catamaran has been a well-loved beginner sailboat for years, and the Hobie 16 started life back in 1969. Since then they’ve made and sold over a staggering 100,000 of the 16s. It has twin fiberglass and foam hulls, a large trampoline, and a pull-up rudder so it can be sailed straight onto the beach. The basic package comes with an easy to handle main and jib with plenty of extras available too such as a spinnaker and trailer. The Hobie 16 promises a great learning experience and lots of fun in a very nifty and inexpensive package. 

Photo credit: Hobie

Paine 14: You’ll immediately fall in love with sailing when you step into a beautiful Paine 14. Made from seamless epoxy cold-molded wood, the P-14 is simply beautiful and offers the classic sailing experience with the design and innovation of a more modern hull and rig. Two people will be able to enjoy getting out on the water together and learning the ropes. The Paine 14 has a lead ballast keel that accounts for nearly half her weight, giving her the feel of a much larger boat, but is still trailerable and easy to manage offering the best of both worlds.

Photo credit: Chuck Paine

High-Performance Small Sailboats

Small sailboats generally become high performers if they are light, have a lot of sail area, or they have more than one hull. More recently, some of have been designed with foiling surfaces, as well. For the purposes of this article, we’d like to close by pointing out one model that is super fast and has versatile pocket-cruising capabilities.

Corsair 880 trimaran : The Corsair 880 trimaran is the grandchild of the company’s F27, a model that launched the popularity of trailerable leisure trimarans about 40 years ago. The 880 has taken the model to new heights and exemplifies the incredible space benefits you can achieve in a 29-foot sailboat. We’re talking an aft cabin, room to sleep 5 people, an enclosed head, and standing headroom in the galley and main saloon. It brings many of the opportunities that a much larger yacht plus the ability to cruise in extremely shallow water. Whether you want to cruise to the Bahamas or enjoy a high-adrenaline race, the Corsair 880 offers incredible performance and unlimited adventures in a truly pocket size. 

Photo credit: Corsair

Written By: Samantha Wilson

Samantha Wilson has spent her entire life on and around boats, from tiny sailing dinghies all the way up to superyachts. She writes for many boating and yachting publications, top charter agencies, and some of the largest travel businesses in the industry, combining her knowledge and passion of boating, travel and writing to create topical, useful and engaging content.

More from: Samantha Wilson

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> > Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. 18-04-2012, 22:02   to the and the . This will be our first sailboat and comfort is important (I am 6'2"). We have a 9 year old son and would like a with two separate cabins. The Allmand 31 seems to be the only one we can find. Does anyone have suggestions for other to look at? Anyone have on sailing with a 9 year old? Thanks. 19-04-2012, 03:28   Boat: Traditional 30 the . And will pick it up faster than a grown up. Give him watch time at the and get him involved in the whole running of the boat. He will feel important at the helm and will quickly understand the importance of every job including etc. Just about any cruising boat with a semi decent quarter berth would suit him. Assuming you take the V. . 19-04-2012, 03:54   Boat: Sabre 425, 42 ft . 38 or 42 feet. I am 6'3" and had a hard time finding a boat with a comfortable berth. With the 425 you have two berths big enough for two couples and a great pull out setee. You could sleep in either with son in other . He could then move to when you get the inevitable guest. But then there are other less expensive -- former Beneteaus that would too. Look at the 437 or 461. 19-04-2012, 03:58   Boat: Rafiki 37 34. The centre-cockpit version has a full aft cabin. Also has a sizeable V-berth. In addition, the main cabin has 7' of , with 6' 6" throughout the rest. It is a very comfortable, stable and solid cruiser. Oh ya, and I happen to be selling one 19-04-2012, 04:09   in Oriental, NC. It was a 36 footer, I believe. 19-04-2012, 04:30   on sailing with a 9 year old? Thanks. 19-04-2012, 04:33   Boat: Clipper Marine 32 CC Aft Cabin Ketch as you search the looking for boats and wondered back out again. The odds of you coming back here again to read any of this would be like winning the lottery, twice with the same numbers. Lol By chance you do come back, What is your ? How much time a year do you plan on using the boat? Do you want to be able to the boat yourself without permits and such? Tight , three weeks a year and sailor would lean you towards a Clipper 32 Aft Cabin or a Halsted 31. These were made around 1976 and clean ones ready to sail are around ten grand , if you can find one. I own two CM32's one being an Aft Cabin I am just now blowing the cob webs out of after being on the trailer three years. They are great looking boats that have a 3.8' , 8' beam, and 6' room in the main cabin. Aft cabin adults can sit up straight on the two births. Plenty of room in the aft cabin for a separate port a potty. Main cabin has a v birth, dining area that sleeps two, large fold away kitchen table, with (option on the shower) and full . has helm and is easy to put all controlls to . They came usually with a but a sail drive gas models were also available. My wife will sell you mine after I am long dead, and not before. I paid four grand for mine with great condition three axle trailer you can pull with any truck. My web site for the boat is www,clippermarine.org.         & 19-04-2012, 05:06   Boat: Clipper Marine 32 CC Aft Cabin Ketch & 19-04-2012, 08:03   Boat: a sailing boat / kitchen make for a lot of living space and offer privacy when needed. As for your kid then have him participate in whatever you are doing (to the right extent). When in the islands - make trips, when anchored - go snorkelling. Use the surroundings to educate him - there will be physics, nature, languages - plenty education for any young (and not only young) person. You known there are people who love boats and outdoor & others who do not. You will know which type he is after your first extended . So just take it easy and have fun sailing. b. 19-04-2012, 08:25   and are looking for something reasonable (commence laughing now) that will allow us to see if this is something we will be interested in doing long term. Ideally, we would like to get a boat 'ready to go' for under $20k. Our plan is to spend the summer on the boat, it for several months and then head back out for several months in the late fall/winter. It definitely feels a bit impulsive to buy a boat but our alternative is to spend that time traveling for a couple months in other countries - we have a lot of experience doing that including dragging our son along since he joined the - so we are used to traveling for extended periods without all the comforts of home. We have a friend who is a certified and instructor who will teach us to sail it but expect to take our time venturing out slowly and the boat. We have a place to it in South so leaving it for a couple months shouldn't be a problem. The biggest problem seems to be our eagerness to find a boat and we don't want to make a huge mistake. Thanks again for everyone who has chimed in so far. 19-04-2012, 08:49   Boat: S/V"KAREN", Pearson Alberg 35. an achilles dingy, 2 kyaks. generally love sailing...especially 9 yo boys...I took my grandsons sailing at about that age and they loved it !!!!...I just heard of a boat that might for you....a 33 foot 1980s ...its in great condition, reportedly a wonderful as well and at the right and in South FLA right now w/an owner that is motivated to sell... PM me and I will give you the contact number...the is amazingly reasonable... in any event your's is a practical and worthwhile dream....go for it 19-04-2012, 08:56   version all the way down to a 30 footer! The Allmand would be a great choice for what you want to do though, nice and I dont know if there is another 31 footer that is so roomy. I saw an Almand advertised on the somewhere recently (NC?) that had been prepared by the owner for a , but he had a change of plans.... it was well under 20K. and loaded.... - Elmore Leonard 19-04-2012, 09:04   Boat: a sailing boat Sea. Sure, the better the boat, the easier the voyage, but once you get out there and find how people cruise it becomes clear there are very many ways to sail happily. Just my 2 eurocents. Good luck in your adventure and let us know how of your progress. barnakiel 19-04-2012, 16:21   Boat: a sailing boat Look it up: a , a big adventure and the three of them: dad, mom, the kid (ooops! and the dog! = four ;-) Regards, b. 20-04-2012, 17:20   Boat: Caliber 40 is good for Bahamas and excellent ventilation Thread Tools Rate This Thread : Posting Rules post new threads post replies post attachments edit your posts is are code is are are are No Threads to Display. - - - - - - - Privacy Guaranteed - your email is never shared with anyone, opt out any time. More From Forbes Why you should consider a small ship for your next cruise vacation. Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Smaller cruise ships can provide a more intimate, enjoyable experience on a cruise vacation. When researching a cruise vacation, the massive, feature-packed ships often take center stage in advertising and promotions. However, smaller vessels can offer a more relaxed atmosphere, closer connections with fellow guests, and a deeper immersion in your destinations, harking back to the golden era of cruising. You might associate smaller ships with luxury cruise lines, and while it's true that many high-end lines do operate smaller vessels, you can still find smaller ships within mainstream cruise lines. For example, while Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas captures attention with its capacity of nearly 10,000 passengers and crew, the fleet also includes much smaller vessels. Rhapsody of the Seas and other Vision-class ships accommodate less than a third of that number. Similarly, Britain’s P&O Cruises is famous for its family-friendly mega-ships like Arvia and Iona , each accommodating over 5,000 passengers. However, the line also offers the smaller, adult-only ships Arcadia and Aurora , with the latter hosting fewer than 2,000 guests. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, another British operator, specializes in more traditional cruising on ships that carry no more than 1,300 passengers. In Norway, Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages offer coastal cruises on smaller ships , with most carrying less than 500 passengers. Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Wednesday, September 4 Harris will propose $50,000 small business tax deduction for startup expenses: here’s what to know, u.s. open: frances tiafoe sets up all-american semifinal against taylor fritz. Although you may have to look a little harder to find them, value deals on smaller ships are available. With that in mind, here are five important reasons why choosing a small ship for your next cruise vacation could offer a more rewarding and unique experience. Intriguing Itineraries Small ships have the distinct advantage of accessing ports that larger vessels simply can’t reach. This opens up a world of unique and off-the-beaten-path itineraries, giving passengers the opportunity to explore destinations that are less impacted by mass tourism. Smaller ships can get under Norway's Hardanger Bridge to reach the interesting ports Eidfjord and ... [+] Ulvik. For example, while larger ships cruising through the Norwegian fjords can dock at popular spots like Flåm and Geiranger, these charming destinations can quickly become overcrowded with passengers from just one large cruise ship. Smaller ships can navigate under the Hardanger Bridge , for example, to reach more secluded ports like Eidfjord and Ulvik. These picturesque villages offer an authentic experience, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty and culture of the region without the distraction of large crowds. Intimate Onboard Experience With fewer passengers, these ships naturally foster a closer, more community-oriented environment. It’s easier to strike up conversations with fellow travelers, form lasting connections, and enjoy more attentive service from the crew. This smaller scale typically also means fewer lines, less waiting, and a greater sense of space. Whether you’re dining, participating in onboard activities, or simply relaxing on deck, the camaraderie on smaller ships can make your journey feel more like an exclusive getaway rather than the bustling atmosphere of a large, crowded resort. Less Stress A smaller ship naturally means fewer choices, which might seem like a downside, but it often results in a more relaxed vacation. Although smaller ships lack some of the incredible attractions of modern ships, they offer a more streamlined experience. You won’t spend your time overwhelmed by endless options or rushing across massive decks to get to the start of an activity. Instead, everything is conveniently accessible, from dining to entertainment, ensuring you can spend more time enjoying your cruise and less time navigating the ship. Plus, with fewer passengers, there’s a better chance of snagging a seat at shows or getting that perfect spot on the deck for the sailaway. While it's not a guarantee, smaller ships tend to attract fewer families, leading to a generally quieter atmosphere. On larger vessels, the pool deck can sometimes turn into a lively, bustling scene with loud music and energetic activities, often aimed at children and young people. In contrast, even when children are onboard a smaller ship, the overall ambiance is typically calmer and more relaxed, allowing you to unwind and enjoy a calmer cruise vacation. More Ocean Views Taking breakfast on the balcony or enjoying a sunset drink with the sea as a backdrop is often an integral part of any cruise vacation. The stacked aft decks of Fred Olsen's Balmoral offer guests lots of space for viewing landscapes or ... [+] wildlife during a cruise. While older ships may lack the abundance of balcony cabins found on newer vessels, they offer something equally special: expansive outdoor deck spaces. Classic ship designs often feature wide promenade decks and stacked outdoor aft decks, providing multiple levels of stunning ocean views. These elements not only enhance your scenic enjoyment but also evoke the charm and nostalgia of the golden age of cruising, allowing you to experience the romance of the sea in a way that modern mega-ships often can't replicate. Fewer Upsells Another perk of small ships is the reduced emphasis on upselling. With fewer specialty restaurants and additional amenities onboard, the focus tends to be more on the overall experience rather than constant sales pitches. While you might still be offered beverage packages, specialty dining, or other extras, the pressure to upgrade is noticeably less intense compared to larger ships, where upselling is often a key part of the business model of cruising at scale. This more straightforward approach allows you to fully enjoy what’s included in your cruise without feeling pressured to spend more. Editorial Standards Reprints & Permissions Join The Conversation One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.  Forbes Community Guidelines Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space. In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's  Terms of Service.   We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil. Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain: False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author Content that otherwise violates our site's  terms. User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in: Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk Actions that otherwise violate our site's  terms. So, how can you be a power user? Stay on topic and share your insights Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view. Protect your community. Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules. Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's  Terms of Service. 672 Wine Club Motorcycles Car of the Month Destinations Men’s Fashion Watch Collector Art & Collectibles Vacation Homes Celebrity Homes New Construction Home Design Electronics Fine Dining Benchmark Wines Brian Fox Art Chase United Disneyland Resort Sports & Leisure Health & Wellness Best of the Best The Ultimate Gift Guide Tiara’s Newest 56-Foot, 600 HP Boat Is a Speed Demon in a Full-Feature Package Tiara just joined a small club of builders that make center consoles over 55 feet. But this new boat distinguishes itself from competitors through luxurious details and smart design. Michael verdon, michael verdon's most recent stories, why this luxe cruise ship’s 3-year world tour got stuck in belfast before it started, new zealand’s thrilling win gets the america’s cup off to a rip-roaring start. Share This Article Related Stories The New Aston Martin Vanquish Is a Luxury V-12 Beast This Ford GT Prototype Is the Only One of Its Kind Left. It’s Now up for Grabs. The ‘Titanic”s Iconic Bow Deck Has Partially Fallen Off, an Expedition Finds These larger models have become status symbols, partly for their impressive speeds, but also for the luxurious details—at least insofar as sportfish boat makers view luxury—across the boats. But many don’t quite understand the definition of luxury on a boat, at least not the same level that brands from Italy understand and implement it, which explains the significant increase in imports over the last ten years. Tiara is one of the few US boat brands that gets luxury is more than expensive looking gadgets, but about the whole package. Its new 56 LS, standing for luxury sport, strikes a nice balance between the two words in its name, without going to extremes on either end. “We want to have the performance, but offer a true luxury experience,” Tom Slikkers, Tiara CEO told Robb Report , bristling a bit when his new boat is compared to competitors.  “We see luxury as not just being able to get from point a to point b in record time, but enjoying the whole day aboard. Our competitors aren’t necessarily thinking that way.” The 56 LS also has some distinctive features from its smaller 48LS and 43LS siblings. “We realized it was time for the next generation,” says Andrew Bartlett, Tiara’s director of design. “We wanted to keep the DNA of our center console design, but provide more enclosure behind the helm station, so owners can seal it during bad weather.” A disappearing bulkhead, a feature taken from its EX60 inboard model, proved a viable solution. “That let us keep the boat’s main characteristic of openness in good weather, but provides protection so owners don’t have to go below-decks in bad,” adds Bartlett. The aft cockpit has a modular design that allows movement of the seating, inclusion of the dining table and connection to the outdoor galley for different social occasions. Both rear sides fold down to expand the cockpit size by about a third. The cabin is a two-stateroom design, with two heads and a shower. The foredeck also has a settee and table, more in line with a cruiser than a center console. Fit and finish throughout promises to be as luxurious as Tiara’s other models. The new 56 LS may not be able to claim the title for speed or size—Scout is building a new 67-foot center console for release later this year—but it could well be the most luxurious center console on the water when it debuts at the Miami International Boat Show next February. Read More On: Large Center Consoles Mercury Marine Tiara Yachts More Marine This Speedy 70-Foot Power Catamaran Is Designed to Cut Through Rough Waters Meet the Wine Club That Thinks Differently. Receive editor-curated reds from boutique California producers four times a year. Give the Gift of Luxury Latest Galleries in Marine 10 Must-Haves That Will Make Your Yacht Trip Even Better 6 Electric Surfboards That’ll Help You Ride the New E-Foil Wave More from our brands, patrick schwarzenegger and abby champion are the faces of tommy hilfiger’s fall campaign, court oks diamond sports’ nba, nhl deals ahead of key fall hearing, hollywood’s secret new weight loss drug, revealed: the hype and hazards of ozempic, national museum of sudan reportedly looted amid civil war, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors. Carnival Firenze cruise ship review: A guide to Carnival's second 'Italian Style' vessel Editor's note: TPG's Ashley Kosciolek accepted a free trip to sail on Carnival Firenze for the ship's naming ceremony and inaugural cruise. The views expressed below are entirely hers and were not subject to review by the cruise line. When Carnival Cruise Line first announced it was adopting ships from sister cruise line Costa Cruises for a product it now calls " Fun Italian Style ," I wondered, given Carnival's usual vibe, if it was possible for the ships to feel even a little bit authentic. Would they be fun or refined? Luxurious or tacky? Carnival Firenze is all of those things — and that's exactly how Carnival passengers like it. When you step on board, you're welcomed into what feels like an Italian theme park. It's an alternate universe's version of Italy, where you're likely to hear "That's Amore" in some form daily, take part in a street festival that features a gelato-eating contest and watch as waiters in ruffle-sleeved costumes perform in the dining room to Justin Bieber songs while a giant fig leaf-clad version of Michelangelo's David holds court over the whole scene, awash in colored strobe lights. It's chaotic and a lot to take in, but somehow it works. Passengers can have their photos taken with a Vespa-style scooter and grab Italian-themed burgers and meatball sandwiches at new iterations of some of Carnival's most popular eateries. A giant replica of Donatello's Marzocco towers above the Piazza del Duomo atrium that serves as the location of Carnival Firenze's massive welcome party. During the event, officers and crew scatter around the atrium's three-deck balcony and wave signs that say "Ciao" and "Benvenuti." The high-energy party starts a sailing off on the right foot. For more cruise guides, news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter . Juxtapose the over-the-top Italian elements with elegant design choices — such as a pool deck that features charming bar facades designed to evoke Italian architecture, well-designed cabins and service that's off-the-charts friendly — and you've got Carnival Firenze. Want to learn more about what to expect during a sailing on this new-to-Carnival ship? Here's my review of Carnival Firenze with everything you need to know. Carnival Firenze overview Carnival Firenze debuted as Costa Firenze, the second ship in Costa Cruises' Venezia Class (similar to Carnival's Vista Class) , in 2021. The 4,126-passenger, 135,156-ton ship was originally designed for the Chinese cruise market, meaning it houses more casino and retail space than the average North American cruise ship. Plus, its pools are smaller than most, with tons of shaded areas around them — a nice touch for anyone who doesn't want to bake in the sun. In early 2024, the ship transferred to the Carnival fleet and underwent a two-month refurbishment to tweak some of the public spaces and add Carnival's trademark blue wave paint scheme on the hull. Notably, the ship is keeping its yellow Costa smokestack, which is emblazoned with a giant letter "C," and won't be outfitted with Carnival's signature red, white and blue whale tail funnel. On board, a large number of your fellow passengers will be West Coasters who often drive to the departure port in Long Beach, California. You'll also find Carnival stalwarts who don't mind making the trip from farther afield to sail on the new ship. Unfortunately, the vessel often seemed crowded, with 4,200 passengers on my sailing — about 1,000 people fewer than maximum capacity. I can't imagine how it would have felt if my sailing were full. As is the case on other Carnival vessels, the food provides excellent value for money, with the number of included options far exceeding the number of specialty restaurants that charge extra. Cuisines run the gamut from Italian and Asian to seafood and steak, and despite some longer-than-average wait times in the dining room, the service is friendly and generally efficient. Cabins are furnished in neutral colors and laid out in ways that make sense, with comfortable convertible beds; closets that feature several layouts with drawers, hanging bars and collapsible shelving; bathrooms with plenty of storage space; and a plethora of electrical outlets for charging. Carnival Firenze is full of activities, including trivia, movies and games. The spa, salon and fitness center offer ways to care for your mind and body, and top-deck waterslides and a ropes course provide opportunities for adventuresome travelers to find their adrenaline fix. The Italian vibe carries through everything you do on board. It will either make you smile or roll your eyes. Regardless, it's a lot of fun. What I love about Carnival Firenze The design elements. I wasn't sure what to expect on Carnival Firenze, but what I found immediately upon boarding was a grand three-deck atrium, Piazza del Duomo, that's both over the top and beautiful. In the center is a bar, from the middle of which rises a faux marble pillar with a replica of Donatello's Marzocco golden lion statue on the top. Your eyes can't help but follow it up toward the ceiling, which is painted to look like a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. As you move between decks, you'll spy Italian-style art in the stairwells and elevator banks. Walls in the cabin hallways are printed with snippets from photos of famous Italian statues; photos of Florentine landmarks like the Duomo serve as headboards in non-suite cabins. But the most impressive element of the ship's design is the Lido Pool area, which is set up to resemble a courtyard with the pool in the center and several Italian building facades overlooking it. Those facades, which are equipped with wrought-iron balconies, house everything from bars and board game areas to a deli, Guy's Burger Joint (with an Italian twist) and a combination Mexican-Italian burrito and taco bar, as well as the ship's JavaBlue Cafe . It's the first time I've ever visited a cruise pool area and not felt like I was on a ship. The artwork During my first night on Carnival Firenze, as I was walking from my cabin down to dinner, I stopped in my tracks and burst out laughing. The aft stairwells on the ship are bedecked with floor-to-ceiling prints that seem innocuous at first, but as you look more closely, you can pick out some exceptionally odd characters. In this particular case, it was two young women who clearly tested the limits of their drink package. Throughout the rest of my sailing, I made sure to study each print carefully, turning up a creepy crone who needs dental work and some pasties, a woman pulling a centaur's hair, another woman choking on plants and a sad dog standing on top of the table in a chaotic version of "The Last Supper" as Jesus nonchalantly looks on. Similarly amusing art was positioned on several walls in the ship's two main dining rooms. At Rococo, the bar that serves the Lido Pool, you'll find the walls plastered with late Baroque-style art featuring subjects that have been embellished with modern twists like sunglasses and pithy text. Women in frilly dresses are overlaid with exclamations like "Don't rush me," "Dogs before dudes" and "Swag." I wasn't a fan of some of the cheesiness on board (see below), but it's clear that both passengers and crew were excited to be there. From the second we were welcomed aboard with a raucous atrium party, the crew was smiling and friendly, and my fellow cruisers were always ready to strike up a conversation. Every waiter asked how my day was, and my room steward greeted me by name whenever he saw me in the hall. The crew at JavaBlue went out of their way to make sure my coffee order was right each morning, and the genuine cheerfulness didn't go unnoticed. What I don't love about Carnival Firenze Flow can be a problem on Carnival Firenze, with galley placement cutting off access from one end of Deck 3 to the other. Passengers traversing the lower decks often have to walk up a deck, over and back down to get where they're going. The Lido Marketplace buffet is also a problem at peak dining times. The main walkways through the venue feel narrow, making it difficult for two-way traffic to flow through the space, especially for people using wheelchairs, scooters or walkers. In some spots, the layout was simply confusing. For example, the Tuscan Lounge has two entrances — a primary one that allows traffic to naturally flow from one venue to the next and a hidden secondary one that most people only find by accident, usually after taking a wrong turn. The fig leaf Although I'm a fan of much of the art on Carnival Firenze, one piece in particular disappoints me. In the Michelangelo Restaurant, one of the two main dining rooms on board, a giant copy of Michelangelo's David stands on the landing of the grand staircase that connects the restaurant's two decks. Previously housed on Carnival Pride, the statue was relocated to Carnival Firenze. It still dons a carefully fashioned fig leaf that was made and attached to cover its groin area after a bunch of pearl-clutching Karens complained about having to see — gasp! — a piece of art that's been around for more than five centuries. Festa Italiana Festa Italiana is a big, loud, cheesy Italian-themed street festival-type celebration that's held one night during each Carnival Firenze voyage. The Lido Pool area is strung with red, white and green flags, and the event, which lasts more than two hours, kicks off with a talented violin trio. Following that, the cruise director moves into what the line calls a "traditional" opening ceremony, involving members of the Playlist Productions cast in cartoonish-looking versions of Italian dress parading around the deck. They perform several times throughout the night, alternating with activities like gelato-eating contests, Italian lessons (where the audience learns a couple of phrases that they scream back and forth at one another) and competitions where participants have to maneuver, blindfolded, around terra cotta pots. The night ends with a DJ, who plays music (think: interesting mashups like "Funiculi Funicula" and Lady Gaga's "Rain on Me") while servers walk around with trays of Italian sausage sandwiches and bites of salami and cheese pastry. Parts of it are fun, but overall, it feels like an amalgamation of stereotypes instead of an ode to one of the world's most beautiful countries. Carnival Firenze cabins and suites Carnival Firenze cabins range from insides with no natural light and outsides with a window to balcony accommodations and suites, including those in La Terrazza, a special zone that offers private cabana, bar and sun deck access. One odd cabin type to note is the ship's inside cabins with windows and portholes. Normally, they'd be considered outside cabins, but because the views are partially obstructed, the line sells them as insides. Book one of these cabins, and you can snag a room with natural light for less money. The ship offers no solo cabins, but it does have 44 accessible accommodations sprinkled throughout all basic categories. The rooms are a mix of fully accessible (access to both sides of the bed), fully accessible single-side approach (access to one side of the bed) and ambulatory accessible (for people who can walk with assistive devices like walkers or canes). Fully accessible rooms are stair-free, flat-threshold cabins, which offer wider (32-inch) doorways, turning space and bathrooms equipped with grab bars and shower seats. Even the most basic of cabins offers a queen bed that converts to two twins and two nightstands with cabinet storage and reading lamps. Some also sleep up to four people with either a sofa bed or a mix of a sofa bed and a pull-down bunk. Each room offers a vanity with a mirror, a desk, a stool or chair, a phone, a minifridge, a hair dryer and plenty of outlets. Rooms also come with ample closet space that includes shelving, drawers and bars for hanging clothes of various lengths. Inside each closet is a code-operated safe for which you can program a four-digit pin. (On the first couple of days of my voyage, I had trouble with my in-room safe. After a quick phone call to my room steward, someone arrived at my cabin within minutes to fix it.) Bathrooms at the basic level are shower only, and they're made of cheap-looking white plastic. Each shower has a fiberglass door instead of a curtain and a single dispenser for all-in-one shower gel and shampoo. They're also equipped with a toilet, a sink, fluffy white towels and plenty of shelving for storing personal grooming items. As cabins increase in category, they also increase in size and amenities. Suites come with additional perks, such as priority check-in, boarding and disembarkation; preferred dinner times in the main dining room; pillow-top mattresses; two large bottles of water and bathrobes; upgraded bathroom toiletries; and extra square footage, some of which is dedicated to larger balconies and even walk-in closets. Some bathrooms at the suite level include bathtubs in addition to shower facilities. Additionally, passengers booked in Ocean suites and La Terrazza cabins (Carnival Firenze's version of Havana Cabana cabins) have access to the exclusive Terrazza Moda sun deck with loungers, hot tubs and a bar, as well as private waiter-served breakfast each morning in the adjoining, indoor Moda Bar and Lounge. When I sailed on Carnival Firenze, I sailed alone and stayed in a balcony cabin outfitted with a double sleeper sofa and a balcony with two metal and mesh chairs and a small drinks table. Its size was more than enough for me and another person, but it would have been tight quarters sailing with the room's maximum occupancy of four passengers. I was particularly impressed by how comfortable the bed was and the number of outlets available for charging devices. (The only minor issue is that only one side of the bed has USB ports for phone charging at night.) One thoughtful touch was the motion-activated nightlight that turns on when it senses movement in a dark room. It's a lifesaver if you find yourself needing to walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I also enjoyed the decor, which is less over the top than on some of the older, more colorful ships in Carnival's fleet but less bland than some of its newest ships. It's a happy medium of neutral whites, light browns and beiges with soothing blue hues and floor-to-ceiling prints of some of Italy's famed landmarks. Dislikes for me included a shower door that leaked, soaking the floor each time I turned on the water, plus "Snoozin'" door hangers that often got caught in my door when I closed it. For the latter, I would've preferred a "Do not disturb" button like many other new ships have. Carnival Firenze's cabins require you to put something in the slot near the door in order to turn on the lights. (I used my room steward's business card.) Speaking of room stewards, mine was fantastic, and he came once a day to clean my room between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. He always did a wonderful job, and he was quick to help when I had clothing to send out for pressing. Carnival Firenze restaurants and bars Carnival firenze food. The food on Carnival Firenze is largely tasty, with lots of options, including no-fee dishes and fancy choices that cost extra. In keeping with the ship's Italian theming, Carnival has added a twist to other vessels' favorite eateries, such as Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina, which appears as Mexican-Italian hybrid Tomodoro. The standard Carnival deli outpost has also been given an Italian spin. Additionally, Cucina del Capitano, the added-fee Italian restaurant on several other Carnival ships, has been replaced on Carnival Firenze with Il Viaggio, an absolutely phenomenal take on modern, upscale Italian food. Overall, the food offerings on the ship are a great blend of old favorites — like the Lido Marketplace buffet, Pizzeria del Capitano, the Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki — and these new takes on existing restaurants. Plus, the ship has so many places to sit outside for an alfresco bite. Check out Deck 5, near Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki, for example. You can enjoy a meal with sea views to boot. Note: Hours for most restaurants vary based on whether it's a sea day or a port day. Check the daily schedule or Carnival's Hub app for details. Carnival Firenze has two main dining rooms: Medici Restaurant (Deck 3, mid) and Michelangelo Restaurant (decks 3 and 4, aft). Michelangelo Restaurant is dedicated to passengers who select Your Time Dining, which lets you eat anytime between 5 and 9 p.m. (The dedicated YTD restaurant can vary by sailing, depending on how many people choose that option.) Medici Restaurant is used for set seating, with two dining times: one at 5:30 p.m. and one at 7:45 p.m. Both serve the same menu for dinner, but only the larger Michelangelo Restaurant is open for Sea Day Brunch on sea days and breakfast (but not lunch) on port days. It also serves afternoon tea on sea days. Meanwhile, the Medici Restaurant serves a pasta bar for lunch on select sea days. I had YTD, and I dined three times in the Michelangelo Restaurant. The first time was for brunch, where I had a vegetable omelet with a side of chef Emeril Lagasse's signature beignets. The second time was for a dinner of a simple but lovely Caprese salad and an Indian vegetarian sampler, which included spiced paneer dumplings, chana madra, peas pulao and rice. (Indian dishes are a little-known Carnival specialty.) The final time was disembarkation morning, when I enjoyed delectable vanilla French toast with maple butter and caramelized bananas. The service was friendly but slow; I had to wait longer than expected between courses at dinner. Both breakfast and brunch were served at a perfect pace, though, with items appearing quickly and looking and tasting fresh. Lido Marketplace is the ship's complimentary Deck 10 midship buffet that is open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks like cookies and other finger foods. For breakfast, you can expect cereal, an omelet station, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, cold cuts and cheeses. Lunch offers a salad bar, various hot entrees and sides, plus a selection of desserts. Dinner is similar, with salads, a carving station and hot items that might include things like Cornish game hen, rice, roasted potatoes, green beans, egg rolls, fried shrimp and Asian noodles. Although the buffet is fine for a meal on the go, I largely avoided it due to crowds. It's a shame, too, because it's one of the prettiest buffets I've ever seen, adorned with faux vegetation lining the walkways and tables set up indoors with umbrellas and lanterns hanging over them, mimicking the feel of an outdoor bistro. I did pop in once in a while to enjoy a cone of soft serve ice cream from the two Swirls locations, which are small alcoves with machines that also serve frozen yogurt. At one point, both sets of Swirls machines were broken, and it was a comical scene as several officers and engineers stood around them looking confused. Elsewhere on Deck 10, near the Lido Pool, you'll find two complimentary venues, Tomodoro and Guy's Burger Joint, both with an Italian spin. Tomodoro serves as the Mexican-Italian stand-in for Carnival's popular BlueIguana Cantina. Both walk-up counters are open for lunch and dinner. I tried both of the Italian burger options from Guy's — one with mozzarella, balsamic, tomatoes, basil and Donkey Sauce and another with pepperoni, marinara sauce, Donkey Sauce, mozzarella, provolone and Parmesan cheeses. Both were just OK, and I was sad to see that my favorite burger, the Pig Patty, was absent from the menu on this ship. At Tomodoro, the menu lists tacos and burritos, as well as Italian meatball heroes, Sicilian chicken wraps and tortas de Milanese. The burritos were fantastic, as always, but my hot take on the changes made to both BlueIguana Cantina and Guy's Burger Joint is if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Venture aft and you'll run into Pizzeria del Capitano , which is open 19 hours a day and makes some of the best pies at sea . (Seriously.) I often waited 20 minutes on sea days, but it was well worth it. (If you don't want to stand in line, you can order pizza to be delivered to your cabin via room service for a $6 fee.) You can choose from Margherita, pepperoni, four cheese, mushroom and prosciutto. You can also order a couple of extra-fee specialty pies, such as teriyaki chicken and Korean steak barbecue. I was pleasantly surprised by Il Mercato, Carnival's take on an Italian deli that is open from lunchtime until late. Usually, the deli is located inside Lido Marketplace, but it was moved to a quieter and less crowded area on Deck 11, just above the Lido Pool, to make room in the buffet for an added-fee chicken wing stand. Il Mercato looks like a bit of an afterthought, given its portable-looking booth area, but the alfresco atmosphere and the food are great. The menu consists of meatball sandwiches, hot dogs and Italian sausage sandwiches. Eight options for both hot and cold sandwiches include grilled ham and cheese, a Reuben, cheese steak, tomato and mozzarella with arugula on focaccia, chicken salad, and turkey and Swiss. I tried the cheese steak with peppers and onions; despite its rather sad appearance, it was delicious and could rival just about anything found in Philadelphia. Carnival has also done something interesting with Seafood Shack on this ship. Instead of only serving seafood, this Deck 10 venue starts as the Breakfast Shack in the morning and then turns into the Chicken Shack for lunch. Both are complimentary and serve up a variety of chicken sandwiches with fries, pasta salads and other sides. (Carnival Firenze doesn't have Shaq's Big Chicken like some of the other vessels in the fleet, so this was a nice way to utilize the space and offer a similar dining experience to passengers.) Although I wasn't staying in a suite, I was able to try the private breakfast for La Terrazza and Ocean Suite passengers offered daily in Deck 5's Moda Bar and Lounge. If you're staying in one of those cabins and have access, trust me when I say you won't want to miss the quiche or avocado toast. Other free food options include La Strada Grill (Deck 5 midship), Fresh Creations salad bar (Deck 15 forward on the adults-only Serenity sun deck) and room service (free continental breakfast). I didn't try any of these because La Strada is only open from noon to 2:30 p.m. on sea days, Fresh Creations was way too crowded when I stopped by and I didn't eat in my room for breakfast. Of these three options, the most compelling menu is La Strada's. It lists a Sicilian chicken hero, roast beef on a roll, Italian sausage, smoked pulled pork and macaroni and cheese, with a choice of salads and sides. Extra-cost food On many of its ships, Carnival already has an Italian restaurant, Cucina del Capitano , which offers a homey ambience and family-favorite recipes from the Italian captains across the line's fleet. Oddly, the restaurant appears on neither Carnival Firenze nor sister ship Carnival Venezia (another vessel that offers the "Fun Italian Style" experience). Instead, it has been replaced by one of my new favorites: Il Viaggio, an upscale Italian eatery with a $42 per-person cover charge, nearly double what most ships with Cucina del Capitano charge passengers to dine. Il Viaggio's decor is elegant but understated, and it opens for dinner only. It doesn't drip with red, white and green or stereotypical Italian adornments, offering a refreshing escape from other areas of the vessel where the theming is intense. The menu, which is billed as "a culinary voyage through Italy's diverse regions — one plate at a time," includes some of the best food I've ever had on a ship. I thoroughly enjoyed the house-made burrata; the pollo parmigiana pizza, which has a crust made of chicken; the gnocchi with goat cheese and truffle oil; and the mile-high gelato pie. For anyone looking for a decent steak dinner that won't break the bank, Fahrenheit 555 on Deck 5 is it. Not only is it one of the most consistently superb oceangoing steakhouses from ship to ship, but its cover charge of $49 per person is nominal compared to what you'd pay at a steakhouse ashore. I ate an incredible filet mignon with onion rings, broccoli and chimichurri sauce, and it was absolutely worth the price. Interestingly, the steakhouse was added after the ship left China. It's in what used to be a hot pot restaurant, so the vibe is decidedly Asian, featuring black counters and tables with deep red carpeting and chairs. Black latticework in part of the space adds to the ambience. Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki, positioned near one another midship on Deck 5, are both open for lunch (on sea days only) and dinner. I had a light dinner of sushi during one night of my voyage, and it set me back just $11 ($3 for an order of edamame and $8 for a California roll). On a different night, I opted for the teppanyaki experience, which involved a chef cracking jokes, singing songs and making flaming onion volcanoes and snakes out of rice as he cooked. Thankfully, we didn't have to try to catch flying food in our mouths. For the $42 flat-fee cover charge, each passenger receives white shrimp, pork belly yakitori, spicy tuna and a choice of either miso soup or kabuki salad to start. From there, you choose from entrees like lobster tail, shrimp, spiced grilled chicken, grilled tofu, black cod and filet mignon or a combination of them. I chose the filet and was pleased with my decision. The meat and accompanying rice and vegetables were exceptionally flavorful. Bonsai Teppanyaki is also open for lunch with a similar menu for $38 per person. JavaBlue Cafe on Deck 10, just off of the Lido Pool courtyard, is one of my favorite places on any Carnival ship. In the warm Mexican weather, I wasn't always a fan of its alfresco location on Carnival Firenze — most JavaBlue locations are indoors — but I was able to grab my daily pick-me-up just the way I like it. Although coffees at JavaBlue come with an extra charge, the price is nominal compared to Starbucks. Plus, if you ask for a punch card, you'll earn yourself a free coffee after you buy six, which isn't hard to do on a weeklong sailing. JavaBlue also sells cupcakes, cookies, doughnuts and other pastries for a fee. Room service is offered for a per-item fee (except for continental breakfast, which is free each morning). Door hangers are no longer offered, so you'll have to order via your cabin phone or the Hub app. The menu on the app for Carnival Firenze seemed smaller than it does on other ships, listing items like pizza and sandwiches. On a particularly busy sea day when I didn't want to wait in line at Pizzeria del Capitano, I ordered a pie to my cabin. For $6, it arrived hot, fresh and fast, and it tasted wonderful. The places I didn't try were All Things Wings and Seafood Shack. Carnival Firenze has a new walk-up counter in the Lido Marketplace buffet that sells wings, with prices ranging from six pieces for $5 to 24 pieces for $18. You can choose from several flavors like barbecue, Parmesan garlic, chipotle honey, hot barbecue and buffalo, which increase in heat respectively. All orders come with bleu cheese dressing and celery sticks. Seafood Shack, found on Deck 10 aft, opens at 3:30 p.m. and stays open late at the same walk-up counter where Breakfast Shack and Chicken Shack are located earlier in the day. It sells for-fee seafood bites, such as lobster rolls and crabcakes, for a la carte prices. A small empanada counter is hidden away in the back of the Tuscan Lounge. I never saw it open, but several passengers told me it only operated at night, selling added-fee options that include shrimp sofrito, chipotle chicken with cheese, beef picadillo, and spinach and mushroom with cheese. Sweet empanadas are also available, including chocolate, banana and coconut; dulce de leche cheesecake; guava and cream cheese; and Nutella and hazelnut varieties. Carnival Firenze bars Unlike the version of the Heroes Tribute Bar that's tucked away in a corner on Carnival's Excel Class ships, the version on Carnival Firenze is much brighter and more centrally located on the main promenade area along Deck 5 mid. Designed to honor service men and women who sail, it has a relaxed vibe and a sports bar ambience. The seating at the bar counter is the perfect spot to watch the big games on multiple TVs. I was a regular at the Tuscan Lounge, also centrally located on Deck 5 aft, mainly because it's where the ship's daily trivia games take place. The space features a lounge area with tables, a dance floor and a projection screen. Across the walkway that runs through the space is a bar set up with stools and nearby tables with black and white striped umbrellas. Frizzante is one of my absolute favorite bars. There, you'll find various spritz-style drinks. I enjoyed a Frizzante Spritz (made with dry vermouth, moscato wine, triple sec and club soda) on my second night on board and kept heading back to the bar to try more cocktails. It's a terrific place to grab a pre-dinner drink if you have a reservation at neighboring Il Viaggio. I admit that I misjudged the Amari Bar at first. Found smack in the middle of Deck 5's main thoroughfare, it serves cocktails made with, as the name suggests, amari — herbal Italian liqueurs. For days, I didn't see it crowded, but perhaps I was merely passing by at the wrong times. By day four or five of my seven-night sailing, it was packed. I was also initially upset to learn that Amari replaced the Alchemy Bar on Carnival Firenze, but I found out later that you can still order some of the most popular Alchemy drinks, such as The Remedy and the Cucumber Sunrise, there. I was fortunate to sit in on a mixology class at the Amari Bar and was fascinated to learn some of the finer points of mixing drinks with an eye — or a tastebud — toward balancing the flavors of each ingredient. For $30 per person, the head bartender, Drazen, will impart some of that knowledge as you belly up to the bar to try samples of what he concocts. Rococo is a fun, partially enclosed pool bar area by the courtyard around the Lido Pool on Deck 10. In addition to the fun art mentioned previously, it also has palate-pleasing beverage selections, including fruity libations with an Italian bent like bellinis, as well as pistachio and limoncello cocktails. Other onboard bars include the centrally located one on Deck 3 in the Piazza del Duomo. The Moda Bar and Lounge on Deck 5 evokes a high-fashion mood with an entryway that feels like a model's catwalk as stylish seating areas flank the sides; it's often the home base for karaoke. Meanwhile, the shockingly red, white and black Piano Bar 88, also on Deck 5, plays host to live piano music daily. Heading up a few decks, the Versilia Pool Bar serves fruity, beachy drinks near the aft Versilia Pool on Deck 10. Finally, the Pergola Bar, found adjacent to Il Mercato and overlooking the opposite side of the Lido Pool, feels like a complete afterthought. It's so sterile and nondescript it's almost not worth mentioning, but I'm putting it in here because the seating area around it is lovely, featuring fake topiary-style pillars and lots of seating that makes for a great place to read. Carnival Firenze entertainment Carnival firenze activities. Carnival Firenze offers a large number of daily activities on each voyage. Passengers might choose to head to the casino (or the smoke-free casino, both on Deck 5), enjoy an alcohol tasting, participate in a sports tournament, mingle at a deck party, play miniature golf, take a dance class or attend a spa, jewelry or shopping seminar. The Cloud 9 Spa on Deck 12 forward is equipped to perform a menu of services, including massages and facials. The connected fitness center is on the small side but features for-fee personal training and organized fitness classes, as well as equipment that's free for passengers to use. Carnival Firenze does not have a thermal suite. The Cloud 9 Salon, found in a different area of the ship on Deck 5 mid, offers manicures, pedicures and hairstyling, haircuts and color. Be warned that you'll pay huge markups for services on board versus on land. Looking to find a group of like-minded travelers on your sailing? Check out meetups for solo travelers, singles, people in recovery, veterans and members of the LGBTQ+ community listed in the daily program. If you're interested in spending time outdoors working on your tan, you can do so at one of two onboard pools: the Lido Pool on Deck 10 midship and the Versilia Pool on Deck 10 aft. Both are ridiculously small for the number of people on board but have more shade than most cruise ship pools. If you're looking for loungers in the sun and don't mind being a bit farther from the pools themselves, head up two decks to 12, where loungers are so plentiful they block part of the jogging track. (Four laps equal 1 mile.) Oddly, the Lido Pool has no hot tubs. If you want to soak, you'll have to go to the Versilia Pool, which has two of them. The adults-only (21 and older) Solarium area on Deck 15 forward also has two hot tubs, and the La Terrazza exclusive outdoor area also has two. Neither Serenity nor La Terrazza has a pool. Pool lifts accommodating up to 300 pounds are available for passengers with limited mobility. Lifeguards are on duty, and children's life vests are available near the Lido Pool. If you're looking for some wholesome fun, head to Deck 11 mid, where a portable cabinet serves as both the book and board game library. The open-air space offers plenty of tables where you can set up that chess or Scrabble board. In nearby alcoves, you'll also find pingpong and foosball tables. Or, simply grab a snack or drink from the Pergola Bar or Il Mercato and take in a movie on the poolside screen. If you're a water baby who loves thrills, head to WaterWorks, which offers waterslides and a splash area for kids on Deck 12 (the slide entrance is on Deck 15). Kids and adults who aren't afraid of heights will also enjoy the top-deck ropes course on Deck 15 mid. Just beneath it is the ship's miniature golf course. Additional activities for youngsters take place on Deck 11 in Camp Ocean, Carnival's kids club . The kids club splits children into four groups: Turtles (up to 2 years old), Penguins (2 to 5), Stingrays (6 to 8) and Sharks (9 to 11). The camp facility connects to an enclosed outdoor playground area that's used on days when the weather is nice. Fun pursuits on the daily schedule might include arts and crafts, themed parties, science experiments, games and story time, depending on the age group. Group babysitting is available as part of Camp Ocean's Night Owls program, which runs until 1 a.m. at a cost of $9 per child, per hour. (Daytime Camp Ocean activities are free.) The ship also has Carnival's Dr. Seuss tie-in, featuring Bookville — a reading room inside Camp Ocean that hosts story time — and the Thing 1 and Thing 2 Birthday Brunch, which is offered at least once per voyage for an extra fee. Tweens and teens have their own dedicated hangout spaces, too: Circle C and Club O2, both found on Deck 3 forward. Activities there are less structured, and participants can come and go as they please. An onboard arcade offers video games for a fee. Carnival Firenze shows The entertainment on Carnival Firenze is squarely OK. I was hoping for something new, but instead, I found shows like "Color My World" and "Dear Future Husband," both of which are already on other vessels in the fleet. Cruise ship standards, such as the "Love and Marriage Show" and adult scavenger hunt "The Quest," are fun the first time you experience them, but I was hoping for something new for Carnival's loyal and repeat guests. The titles on Firenze's proverbial marquee felt tired to me, despite the abilities of the immensely talented entertainment staff. "Dear Future Husband" is at least relatively new. It debuted on Carnival Jubilee in late 2023 and is rolling out to more vessels. It's based on a couple who decides to have their wedding on a cruise ship, and they bring along several of their friends. They sing and dance to pop songs as they board, dress for the festivities and go through the ceremony. Afterward, a "reception" with the cast is held in an onboard lounge. (On my sailing, it was in the Tuscan Lounge.) An out-of-this-world violin trio performed one night in the theater, but otherwise, shows were limited to a lot of comedy, usually held in the perpetually freezing Limelight Lounge. Everything, including the walls, is decked out in crushed blue velvet, and you're greeted by a creepy clown statue that still gives me nightmares. On a positive note, I found plenty of terrific live music throughout the ship each night. Carnival has also stepped up its game lately in the magic department. On my last two Carnival sailings, a roving magician wandered from table to table during dinner to impress us with tricks that had me questioning reality. Carnival Firenze itineraries and pricing Carnival Firenze is offering three- to seven-night voyages from Long Beach, near Los Angeles, along the Mexican Riviera. Itineraries include such ports as Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. At the time of publication, the least expensive price for a sailing was $214 per person ($54 per person, per night) for a four-night cruise departing in November 2025. Note: Prices are subject to change without notice and do not include crew gratuities, taxes or port fees. What to know before you sail on Carnival Firenze Required documents. If you're a citizen of the U.S. on a cruise that starts and ends in the same U.S. port, you'll need a current passport, a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification along with a birth certificate to sail. Some other forms of identification, such as a passport card, are also acceptable. However, other cruises, including ones that begin in the U.S. and end in a different U.S. port, require a passport or passport card. Passports must be valid for at least six months from the day your sailing ends. For cruises from international ports, you'll need a passport. Note: It's crucial that the name on your booking is exactly as printed on your passport or other proof of nationality. We suggest visiting Carnival's website before sailing to view the latest requirements. Related: Which documents do you need for a cruise? From passports to printouts, here's what to take Carnival Firenze passengers will automatically have $16 per person, per day added to their onboard accounts as service charges. Cruisers staying in suites will pay $18 per person, per day. (Children younger than 2 are exempt from gratuities.) An 18% gratuity is also added to bar and cafe purchases, spa services and the Chef's Table. Related: Tipping on a cruise: What to know about cruise ship gratuities Carnival Wi-Fi is generally fast and reliable. However, don't be surprised if you find yourself repeatedly and automatically disconnected, which is annoying. Packages have increased significantly in price in recent years, and each plan is only for one device. (You can log out of one and into another with the same account, but you can't connect more than one at the same time unless you buy additional plans.) Three package tiers are available: Social : Access to most social media, airline websites and apps for $18 per day ($126 for a weeklong cruise) Value : Same as Social, plus access to financial and news websites and apps for $23 per day ($161 for a week) Premium : Everything from the Social and Value packages, plus Skype access and video calling for $25 per day ($175 for a week) Passengers can also choose 24 hours of Premium access for $35. Carnival claims that its packages don't allow FaceTime, iMessage or streaming from popular apps like Netflix and Hulu. However, TPG writers have had success using all of those services with the Premium package. Related: Wi-Fi on cruise ships: 5 things to know about internet use on board Carry-on drinks policy Passengers can carry on one bottle of wine or Champagne per person (21 years and older), which will incur a $15 corkage fee for consumption in public areas. Each person can also bring up to 12 standard cans or cartons of nonalcoholic beverages like juice or soda. Alcohol-free drinks in plastic and glass bottles aren't allowed. Related: Can I bring alcohol on a cruise ship? A line-by-line guide Smoking policy Smoking (including e-cigarettes and vapes) is allowed but only in designated outdoor areas on Deck 11 on the starboard side. Smoking is also allowed in the main casino, but it's for cigarettes only. (For passengers who don't light up, a separate nonsmoking casino is available but is much smaller.) All types of smoking are forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies. A $500 fine will be assessed for cruisers who break the rules of the smoking policy. Related: Is smoking allowed on cruise ships? A line-by-line guide Carnival Firenze does not have self-service laundry rooms or pressing rooms. Instead, passengers can send out their clothing for washing, pressing and dry cleaning for a per-item fee. Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry services Electrical outlets Carnival Firenze has a mix of 110-volt North American outlets, 220-volt European outlets and 220-volt Chinese/Australian outlets in its cabins, as well as plenty of USB ports. In my balcony room, I had two North American outlets, one European outlet, one Chinese/Australian outlet and two USB ports at the vanity, plus two additional USB ports under one of the bedside reading lamps. If you bring a couple of universal adapters, you'll have more than enough spots to charge all your electronics. The currency on Carnival Firenze is the dollar. The ship also operates without cash. Passengers link credit cards to their onboard accounts or put up a set amount of cash to charge against, using their keycards as a means of making purchases. However, you might want to have some bills handy to tip your bartender, room steward, shore excursion guide, luggage porters or room service delivery folks. Drinking age You must be at least 21 years old to drink alcohol on Carnival Firenze. Carnival Firenze does not have a specific daytime dress code, and people dress casually. Mexico is largely a warm-weather destination, so looking like you're going to the beach is perfectly acceptable. Pack T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside on sea days or back on board on port days). During the evenings, the official dress code is only loosely enforced. Most nights are "cruise casual," which generally involves khakis or jeans, polo shirts, sundresses and the like. Ultra casual items like cutoff jeans, men's sleeveless shirts, T-shirts and gym shorts are supposedly not permitted, but I saw plenty of them in the dining rooms during dinnertime on Carnival Firenze. A weeklong cruise will generally schedule two formal nights — known as "elegant nights." If you're bound for the dining rooms or specialty restaurants, men should turn up in dress slacks and a dress shirt; Carnival recommends a sports coat, and a suit would not be out of place. The suggested attire for women on such nights is cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses. If you want to avoid dressing up, seek out the casual eateries, including the Lido Marketplace, or order room service to your cabin. Related: What to wear on a cruise: Cruise attire and cruise line dress codes Bottom line Despite some overly stereotypical moments that made the ship feel like a floating caricature of Italy, I had an amazing time on board this new-to-Carnival ship. The food was excellent, the decor was gorgeous and the crew worked hard to make sure passengers had the best vacations possible. Is Carnival Firenze gaudy and, at times, maybe even a little cringey? Yes, but I found myself taking limoncello shots and stuffing my face with pizza alongside everyone else. Embrace "Fun Italian Style" for what it is, and you're sure to have a great time on board. Planning a Carnival cruise? Start with these stories: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries 43 Carnival Cruise Line tips, tricks and hacks to enhance your vacation at sea Best Carnival cruise ships: Here's which ship you should sail, based on your travel style Carnival cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise, Fun Ship style The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly 206 IMAGES Aft cabin live-aboard Aft cabin Sailing Yacht Interior, Sailboat Interior, Barge Boat, Boat Interior Design, Living On 10 Common Types of Small Boats sailboat aft master cabin Simple, elegant, small sailboat cabin Sailboat Interior, Small Sailboats, Remodeling Projects Kokatat's Launch Socks VIDEO Sailboat Cockpit and Aft Cabin small SAILBOAT compact COFFEE COM PAC minimalist SETUP. Now with Stevia! 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When Carnival Cruise Line first announced it was adopting ships from sister cruise line Costa Cruises for a product it now calls "Fun Italian Style," I wondered ... catamaran gulet motorboat riverboat sailboat trimaran yacht