Large Cruise Ships vs Small Cruise Ships: Which One is Right for You?

When booking a cruise, one of the most important decisions to make is whether you want to take a large cruise ship or a small one. The differences between the two can have a huge effect on your cruising experience, due to the amenities and attractions provided, as well as the limitations and drawbacks. If you are trying to decide between a large or a small cruise ship, then read on as we break down the pros and cons of the different sizes of cruise liners.

Large Cruise Ships: Floating Cities at Sea

Large cruise ships are often described as floating cities or floating theme parks, due to the unimaginable amount of restaurants, attractions, rides, and venues that can be found on every deck. These ships can carry thousands of passengers and offer a seemingly endless supply of entertainment and excitement, making them very appealing to cruisers who are looking for a bit of an adventure. If you enjoy theme parks, big parties, and bustling crowds, then these are the cruises for you.

Variety of Onboard Entertainment

With so many more venues and attractions than are available on small cruise ships, there are simply many more options for onboard entertainment. The massive size of these ships also facilitates grander attractions, like stages that span several decks, waterparks that are home to insane waterslides, and even ziplines that fly across the top deck of the ship. The sear scale of onboard facilities allow for a broad range of attractions that are sure to please any cruiser.

Economies of Scale

Another benefit of large cruise ships is that more options can often lead to better deals. For one thing, having so many more cabins available means that there are more possibilities for discounted promotions as the cruise lines try to fill up unbooked rooms. With more restaurants, there are cheaper options and less reason to worry about getting reservations. Simply put, bigger ships means more options, which can mean better deals.

Crowded Ports and Limited Accessibility

The downside to large cruise ships is that the crowds both on board, as well as at port, can make disembarkation and shore excursions a little more time-consuming. While there can be some added excitement with being in a large crowd, nobody likes a line. The ships will also be limited in what ports that they can go to, as some destinations are only able to accommodate small cruise ships. The bottom line is that you are sacrificing some mobility when you book a bigger cruise ship.

Small Cruise Ships: Intimate and Personalized

The primary advantage to small cruise ships is the more intimate and personal experience you can get. When there are only a few hundred passengers on board, it is much easier to make friends with your fellow cruisers, and you are much more likely to run into people again. You can also expect more personalized service from the crew, as they get the chance to know you on a level that isn’t possible on a large cruise ship.

Access to Unique Ports

The mobility of small cruise ships means that they can access ports that do not serve bigger ships. That means there are a lot of destinations that will require you to book a small ship if you want to visit them. Prime among these are river cruises, which often visit smaller towns along the banks of major rivers, allowing for a much more low-key and intimate vacation experience.

Limited Onboard Amenities

The biggest drawback for small cruise ships is the lack of amenities and entertainment that will be available. Many ships will only have a few restaurants and one or two entertainment venues, so you won’t get many choices. But these ships often sail on more destination-focused voyages, so you will get the chance to try new food or seek out different entertainment through shore excursions.

Potential for Seasickness

Finally, it is worth noting that if you struggle with seasickness, then a small cruise ship might be a bad idea. Large cruise ships do not sway as much thanks to their much larger mass, so you are less likely to notice the motion of the ocean. This means that the chances of you being affected by motion sickness is significantly less. There are ways of dealing with seasickness,  such as medication, but anyone who has to deal with it knows it is best to avoid getting it in the first place.

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Related: Take a Cruise! 10 Reasons Why You Should Consider a Cruise Vacation