They say “big is beautiful”, but then folk wisdom also tells us that “good things come in small packages”, so it’s hard to know which tack to take. On balance, though, our money is on the latter in this issue, as small ship cruising has really come into its own, offering both luxury and personalisation, as well as providing a truly novel experience (see our feature on page 28).

Specialist itineraries and curated cruise experiences are fuelling the demand for sailing on smaller vessels and both the current level of guest satisfaction and repeat booking ratio for this kind of ship are extremely high. Eco-friendly tourism is another advantage, with smaller ships more able to provide opportunities for sustainable travel.

An increasingly aging British population means a proliferation of more mature travellers seeking the kind of service that is possible only on ships catering for a more exclusive crowd. Once agents pinpoint those clients who are looking for a more intimate and relaxed cruise experience, then they can recommend small ships with confidence.

Elsewhere in this issue, we bring you a supplement dedicated to Asian rivers, featuring all the latest developments from the region, a comprehensive overview of the main waterways and associated sightseeing highlights, plus a selection of itineraries to propose to your clients and an index outlining what lines sail to which destinations.

The timeless charms of the Mediterranean and the captivating attractions, both cultural and natural, that await passengers who journey to Chile make up the rest of our overseas destinations coverage this month. A review of NCL’s Norwegian Joy, which has undergone a $50 million renovation to great effect, and a sailing down the scenic Rhine round out our summer issue.

One other thing of note before we say goodbye until September is the launch of the 2020 Wave Awards. Next year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with brand new categories and an amazing new venue – check it out at thewaveawards.com