For frequent cruisers - large vs. smaller ships

[wassup4565]

excludes the behemoth ships. They can only go to certain ports - not interesting for us.

Another very good point. The really large ships have a limited number of ports that can accommodate them.

[printingchick]

Would like to read about your input on your past cruises on newer/large ships vs older/smaller ships...

 

Pluses and minuses for these?

 

It's been a long time since I cruised on Carnival, so these observations will be based on my Royal Caribbean cruises.

 

My first was on a Voyager Class ship, which would be considered mid-sized in today's megaship days. At that time Freedom of the Seas was the LARGEST ship at sea. I LOVED the Voyager Class. Found it awe-inspiring. The Royal Promenade, an ice rink on a ship...amazing!

 

My next cruise was on a Freedom Class, which I believe was still the largest class at the time. It was not all the different from the Voyager Class except in size. It also added the FlowRider and the H2O Zone. While I found it an impressive ship, I also felt it too crowded. Long lines for the elevators. People jammed in shoulder to shoulder at the really big events. (The 70s party, in particular, was not enjoyable due to the crowds.)

 

My next cruise was on a Radiance Class ship - quite small by today's standards. (Probably more similar to a Fantasy Class on Carnival.) I chose it for the itinerary, expecting to be disappointed with the lack of bells and whistles. No Royal Promenade. No ice rink. No FlowRider. Small main pool.

 

You know what I found? I LOVED the smaller ship! It was actually LESS crowded than the larger ships! Sure, it had fewer on-board gimmicks, but that meant the focus was on the OCEAN. Isn't that why we choose a cruise over a land based resort...to be AT SEA? It was easier to get to know people on a smaller ship and the service was amazing. Admittedly, my cruises on the Radiance Class ships have both been port-intensive, with only one sea day. This is another perk of small ships that was already mentioned. They can go to a LOT of ports, unlike the mega-ships, which are limited to ports with docking facilities capable of handling ships that large.

 

I'm a small ship fan. I really prefer the more intimate setting and easy to navigate vessel.As I read in a post here recently, I prefer OUTWARD focused ships to INWARD focused ships.

Edited October 2, 2014 by printingchick

[donaldsc]

My best cruise was one to AK on a ship that held 50 passengers. I consider anything over about 1000 passengers to be a big ship. Unfortunately, the cruise companies are retiring the smaller ships and the small 5 star ships are a bit expensive.

 

DON

[Keith1010]

We prefer ships that are 1,000 or less passengers.

 

We have sailed on ships as small as 200.

 

But if our children (they are married) were young, we would probably go on larger ships.

 

Keith

Edited October 2, 2014 by Keith1010

[NMLady]

Would like to read about your input on your past cruises on newer/large ships vs older/smaller ships...

 

Pluses and minuses for these?

 

We prefer the older smaller ships. Will not cruise on any ship with mote than 2000 passengers unless the itinerary is extremely unique.

[shealea]

I don't have advice to offer. But when my dh and I were on our last cruise, they kept playing on the cabin tv over and over showing the building of the Breakaway and all that it has to offer. It looks fantastic!!! And I'm longing to go on a cruise on that magnificent ship.

 

But, then again, I worry just a bit that I will be overwhelmed by the size and trying to get around. And, knowing me, I will want to see and try to do everything. And I think on a ship that large it will be hard to do it all.

 

Plus, on the smaller ships like the Jewel and Pearl, that we are used to, one of the things that I enjoy so much is running into the same people over and over out on the decks and in the lounges etc. I really love meeting and visiting with people from all over and all walks of life. I LOVE that. My dh said on the last cruise, "You really do love talking to EVERYONE!"

 

I think people are so much fun to meet. I think I would miss that on a mega-ship.

 

Plus, I've been on the Jewel and Pearl (the ships are both set up the same), a total of FOUR times, and I just now on our last cruise feel like I know that ships really well and am confident that I can find my way around and won't get lost!!! he,he,he!!!! I get turned around so easily and hope I never get lost in the forest!!! lol!

[SuiteTraveler]

My experience is that the new larger ships (Epic, Allure, Oasis) feel far, far, FAR LESS CROWDED than the smaller ships almost all the time. I have also been on river cruises and I think they are fantastic as well. BUT...any day on a ship is a good day to me! So, while I like all the variety and restaurant choices on the larger ships, that would not cause me not to sail on a smaller ship with a fantastic itinerary - especially for a port intensive cruise such as in Europe or where only a smaller ship could cruise such as the Panama Canal. To be honest, I've loved every single cruise and every single cruise line I've been on! Of course, some Iines I like better than others, but really, every single cruise line we've tried has had pros and cons and I try to always look at the bright side and enjoy my vacation and think how lucky I am to live in a day and age where I can do this type of travel.

[JimAOk1945]

We are actually looking forward to our next two cruises since they will be on smaller ships. We enjoyed the cruises we have been on, but we cruise for the itineraries not the ships. The smaller ships take us where we want to go.

 

Cruising is a great way to travel. It's nice that there is something for everyone.

[jammen]

Would like to read about your input on your past cruises on newer/large ships vs older/smaller ships...

 

Pluses and minuses for these?

 

 

I do like both, but prefer the smaller ones.

[dorisis]

After reading all the replies so far, it looks like most are for smaller ships. Yet the cruise lines keep building larger ships.

[cruisemom42]

After reading all the replies so far, it looks like most are for smaller ships. Yet the cruise lines keep building larger ships.

 

The larger ships are more profitable. The cruise lines have to charge more per person for a cabin on a smaller ship because the fixed costs per person are higher. They can charge less per person on the larger ships (making the berths easier to fill) and still make more money on them due to onboard revenue.

 

On a Princess cruise a few years ago I asked an officer who attended our Meet & Greet on Caribbean Princess (then the largest Princess ship) if Princess would keep their smaller ships and/or get more. He said no -- the passengers on ships like Caribbean Princess were basically "subsidizing" those on the smaller ships.

 

Edited to add: I do hope more ports will, like Venice, start to reconsider the effects of these monster-sized ships on their cities. Perhaps this will force a few more "modest sized" ships to be built for use in some areas of cruising.

Edited October 4, 2014 by cruisemom42

[calliopecruiser]

After reading all the replies so far, it looks like most are for smaller ships. Yet the cruise lines keep building larger ships.

 

Far more profitable for the company, and it allows them to offer "super sale" prices to attract new customers. One of their competitive goals is attracting new people to cruising to expand the market, not just trying to win cruisers away from other lines.

 

I think a more interesting poll or stat would be how many new cruisers (3 cruises or less) travel on bigger vs smaller ships.

[Grannycb]

The smaller ships let you feel connected to the ocean. The staff seems to have more contact and better service. I don't care for new ships. Been there, done that, won't take anymore inaugural cruises. Large ships have their place. Sometimes we feel like seeing different types of shows so will book a big ship for that reason alone. Other times we want to visit smaller ports so look for smaller ships. It's all about the type of cruise vacation you want.

[cruiseapril]

We prefer ships with 2,000 passengers or less.

[lakelorain]

Prefer around 2000 person ship. Favorite is RC's Radiance Class for all the glass and views of the ocean. I want to know I'm at sea, not in a crowded amusement park.

[GTO-Girl]

Prefer around 2000 person ship. Favorite is RC's Radiance Class for all the glass and views of the ocean. I want to know I'm at sea, not in a crowded amusement park.

 

About to take our first Radiance class ship in January (Brilliance) and we cannot wait.....:D

 

We have sailed different sizes from the mega to the smaller and we love them all.......for different reasons.

 

Heck....we just love to cruise!!!.....:rolleyes:

[BruceMuzz]

I manage what most people think is a small ship.

Most of my passengers tell me they much prefer small ships.

 

Every day I see those same people in my office complaining:

 

-Why don't you have more gangways like the bigger ships?

-Why don't you have more restaurants like the bigger ships?

-Why don't you have more bars like the bigger ships?

-Why don't you have bigger dining rooms like the bigger ships?

-Why don't you have more childrens facilities like the bigger ships?

-Why don't you have a larger show lounge like the bigger ships?

-Why don't you have more entertainment like the bigger ships?

-Why don't you have a bigger casino like the bigger ships?

-Why don't you have more service staff like the bigger ships?

-Why don't you have bigger / more swimming pools like the bigger ships?

-Why don't you have more duty free shops like the bigger ships?

-Why don't you have more public rooms like the bigger ships?

-Why don't you have more new technology like the bigger ships?