Choosing the Right Ship
When it comes to choosing the right ship size is a big factor. These can be put into categories by the number of passengers it can carry:
Large Resort ships - for over 2,000 passengers
These ships are more of a social experience with extensive facilities. The new ships have state-of-the-art facilities such as golf simulator, ice skating rink or rock climbing wall. Due to the ships large size it can take a while to find your way around. There are structured activities and passenger participation events each day.
There is usually more dining options and is usually at set times, 6.30pm and 8.30pm but some do offer a flexible dining. The entertainment is lavish in large venues at set times. As these are bigger ships they usually sail better in bad weather as they are more stabilised. As a result of there being so many more people on board, getting on and off the ship can take longer, and some smaller ports are not accessible.
Cruise lines featuring Large resort ships:
Royal Caribbean (including Oasis and Allure of the Seas)
Princess Cruises (Including Ruby and Grand Princess)
Cunard (including Queen Mary 2)
Carnival Cruise Line (Including Carnival Dream)
NCL
Celebrity Cruises
MSC Cruises
Costa Cruises
Disney Cruise Line
Holland America Line
Mid-size ship - for 500-1,200 passengers
There is a variety of entertainment and facilities, with a more personal service than the larger ships. Due to the ship being smaller it is easier to find your way around.
These ships are better for smaller ports of call as they are more easily manoeuvred than the larger ships therefore they tend to be more popular for smaller ports of call. The ship may not sail as well in bad weather like the larger ship. Cruise lines such as:
Azamara Club Cruises
Cruise & Maritime Voyages
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Hurtigruten
P&O Cruises
Small ships - for 200-500 passengers/ boutique ships - 50-200 passengers
There is not as many facilities and limited entertainment but does offer flexibility that the larger ships don’t. Some of the most exquisite cruises are on the small ships as they can offer a much better service.
Due to the ships size it is much easier to find your way around with no confusion. This is much more intimate cruising experience. With a small number of passengers there is more choice of enjoying culinary excellence with fresh food cooked to order. Most provide an open seating option where people can sit with who they want when they want for all meals.
They offer an intimate service not found on the larger ships due to the small ratio of crew to passenger. Some even have hydraulic marina water sports platforms located on the back carrying equipment such as jet skis, windsurfers and scuba gear.
Cruise lines include:
Star Clippers
Swan Hellenic
Voyages of Discovery
Viking River Cruises
Windstar
Luxury Cruise Lines
Here is a summary of the five and six star cruise lines offer ultra-Luxury cruising, and superior levels of service:
Cunard
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
The Yachts of Seabourn
Crystal Cruises
Holland America Line
Silverseas
For detailed information about cruise ships see our Cruise Lines & Ships section
