Big Ships vs. Little Ships
Collectively, the seven major lines operate ships accommodating anywhere between 700 and 5,400 passengers. There are pros and cons with ship size, and it comes down to a matter of preference: amenities vs. personalized experience. Think of it in terms of a hotel stay – a mega-resort offers numerous restaurants, spa services and activities; while a bed & breakfast offers personalized attention and the opportunity to interact with other guests.
Large ships offer practically every service imaginable, and some cruise lines take advantage of their ships’ size for unique marketing offers: the surfing simulators on Royal Caribbean’s mega-sized ships, or the bowling alleys on some larger Norwegian ships. But you (usually) won’t feel crowded – all ships are sized proportionally to their passenger count, and there are enough lounge chairs and dining tables for everyone. But if you strike up a conversation with another passenger on Day 2, you might not run into them again until Day 7 (if at all).
Small ships may not have extensive spa services, specialty restaurants or Broadway-style shows, but they make up for it in experience. Don’t be surprised if the cruise director remembers your name, or your waiter remembers that you prefer decaf coffee with dessert. Small ships also have the benefit of being able to visit more ports – some of the larger cruise ships simply can’t fit into some harbors!
For a first-time cruiser, I would recommend a mid-sized ship, between 2,000 and 2,800 passengers. This will give you a good balance between personalized service and access to services/amenities.