What’s the difference between large and small ships? Are new ships better than older ones? Here is the latest to make sure you select the right ship on which to sail away.
There’s something to suit virtually all tastes when it comes to which ship to choose. Ships are measured (not weighed) in gross tonnage (GT) and come in four principal size categories, (based on lower bed capacity):
Large resort ships: for 2,501–6,500 passengers
(measure 101,001–230,000 gross tonnage).
Think: double-decker bus (with some seats that are better than others).
Mid-size ships: for 751–2,500 passengers
(50,001–101,000 gross tonnage).
Think: long-distance coach (comfortable seats).
Small ships: for 251–750 passengers
(5,001–50,000 gross tonnage).
Think: mini-van (some are executive types; some are more mainstream).
Boutique ships: 50–250 passengers
(1,000–5,000 gross tonnage).
Think: private car (luxury, mid-range, or compact).
Space
For an idea of the amount of the space around you (I call it the ‘crowd factor’), check the ‘Passenger Space Ratio’ given for each ship in the listings section (gross tonnage divided by the number of passengers, based on two lower beds per cabin, plus single-occupancy cabins).
Passenger space ratio:
51 and above: outstanding
31 to 50: very spacious
21 to 30: not very spacious
20 and under: very cramped
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Advantages and disadvantages of large resort ships |
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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They have the widest range of public rooms and facilities, often a walk-around promenade deck outdoors, and more space (but more passengers). |
The itineraries may be limited by ship size, and there may be tender ports where you need to take a number, sit in a lounge, and wait… and wait. |
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They generally have more dining options. |
Room-service breakfast is not generally available on the day of disembarkation. |
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The newest ships have state-of-the-art electronic interactive entertainment facilities. |
They are floating hotels – with many announcements – and many items cost extra. They are like retail parks surrounded by cabins. |
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You can expect abundant entertainment, including lavish Broadway musicals and Las Vegas-style production shows. |
Finding quiet spaces to read a book will be challenging, except in a pay-extra retreat. |
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There are more facilities and activities for people of all ages, particularly for families with children. |
Finding your way around the ship can be frustrating, and signage is often confusing. |
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Children of all ages will have a whale of a time. |
There will be a lack of available elevators at peak times. |
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They generally sail well in open seas in bad weather. |
You may have to use a sign-up sheet to use gym equipment such as treadmills or exercise bikes. |
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Announcements could be in several languages. |
The restaurant service staff is trained to provide fast service, so it’s almost impossible to dine at leisure. |
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The large choice of rooms is likely to mean a large range of price points. |
The food is prepared on a large scale – cooking for 5,000 is not quite the same as cooking for a dinner party of eight. |
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There will be a huge variety of passengers on board – great for socializing. |
Telephoning room service can be frustrating due to automatic telephone-answering systems. |
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There is a wide choice of shopping opportunities for clothing, watches, and jewelry. |
There will be lines for embarkation, reception, elevators, buffet meals, shore excursions, security checkpoints, and disembarkation. |
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The newest ships have large spas with numerous exercise and body-pampering facilities. |
In the early evening, deckchairs are taken away, or strapped up, so they can’t be used. |
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There are more outdoor aqua park facilities – popular with families. |
The in-cabin music is typically supplied through the television set; it may be impossible to turn off the picture while listening. |
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There are large casino gaming facilities. |
Some large resort ships have only two main passenger stairways. |
Large resort ships (2,501–6,500 passengers)
These ships provide a well-packaged vacation, usually in a seven-day cruise.
However, if you meet someone on the first day and want to meet them again, make it a specific place and time; remember that your new acquaintance may always be at a different meal seating.
It is the standard of service, entertainment, lecture programs, level of communication, and finesse in dining services that can move these ships into high-rating categories. Choose higher-priced suite accommodation, and the service improves. In other words: pay more, get more.
Large resort ships are tightly programmed. It is difficult, for example, to go swimming in the late evening – the decks are cleaned and pools are often netted over by 6pm. Having Champagne delivered to outdoor hot tubs for a late-night celebration is virtually impossible. The flexibility for which cruise ships were once known has been lost – victims of company ‘policy’ and insurance regulations. Welcome to ‘conveyor-belt’ cruising, with few cultural offerings.
Royal Caribbean’s mega ship Harmony of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean
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Advantages and disadvantages of mid-size ships |
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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They are neither too large, nor too small; their size and facilities often strike a happy balance. |
Few have large showlounges for large-scale production shows, so entertainment tends to be more of the cabaret variety. |
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It is easy to find one’s way around. |
They don’t offer as wide a range of public rooms and facilities as the large resort ships. |
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They generally sail well in bad weather, being neither high-sided like the large resort ships, nor of too shallow draft like some of the small ships. |
Most activities will be geared to couples, and single travellers might feel left out. |
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Lines seldom form, except on ships approaching 1,600 passengers. |
Aboard some ships bathrooms may be small and cramped. |
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They appear more like traditional ships than most of the larger vessels, which tend to be more ‘boxy’ in shape and profile. |
There are fewer opportunities for social gatherings. |
Mid-size ships (751–2,500 passengers)
These suit the smaller ports and are more maneuverable than larger ships. Several operate around-the-world cruises and other long-distance itineraries to destinations not really feasible aboard many small ships or large resort ships.
There is a big difference in the amount of space available. Accommodation varies from large ‘penthouse suites’ with butler service to small interior cabins with no view. These ships will generally be more stable at sea than ‘small ships,’ due to their increased size and draft. They provide more facilities, more entertainment, and more dining options than smaller ships. There is some entertainment and more structured activities than aboard small ships, but less than aboard large resort ships.
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Advantages and disadvantages of small ships/boutique ships |
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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Most provide ‘open seating’ in the dining room; this means that you can sit with whomever you wish, whenever you wish, for all meals. |
They don’t have the bulk, length, or beam to sail well in open seas in inclement weather conditions. |
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They provide a totally unstructured lifestyle, offering a level of service not found aboard most of the larger ships, and no – or almost no – announcements. |
They don’t have the range of public rooms or open spaces that the large resort ships can provide. |
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They are at their best in warm-weather areas. |
Options for entertainment are more limited than on larger ships. |
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They are capable of offering true culinary excellence, with fresh foods cooked to order. |
The cost – this is the upper end of the market, and doesn’t come cheap. |
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They’re more like small inns than mega-resorts. |
The size of cabin bathrooms (particularly the shower enclosures) is often disappointing. |
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It’s easy to find your way around, and signage is usually clear and concise. |
The range of shore excursion opportunities is more limited. |
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They provide an ‘open bridge’ policy, allowing passengers to visit the navigation bridge when it is safe to do so. |
Swimming pools will be very small; in fact, they are more like ‘dip’ pools. |
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Some small ships have a hydraulic marina water-sports platform at the stern and carry equipment such as jet skis and scuba/snorkeling gear. |
Many of the smaller ships do not have balcony cabins because the accommodation decks are too close to the waterline. |
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They can visit the more off-beat ports of call that larger ships can’t. |
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When the ship is at anchor, going ashore is easy and speedy, with a continuous tender service and no lines. Access to these less-crowded ports means more exclusivity. |
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Small ships (251–750 passengers) and boutique ships (50–250 passengers)
Choose a small or boutique ship for an intimate cruise experience and a more limited number of passengers. Some of the world’s most exclusive cruise ships belong in this group – but so do most of the coastal vessels with basic, unpretentious amenities, sail-cruise ships, and the expedition-style cruise vessels that take passengers to see natural wonders.
Select this size of ship if you don’t need much in the way of entertainment, large resort ship facilities, gambling casinos, several restaurants, and if you don’t like to wait in lines for anything. If you want to swim in the late evening, or have Champagne in the hot tub at midnight, it’s easier aboard boutique or small ships than aboard larger ships, where more rigid programs lead to inflexible, passenger-unfriendly thinking.
An illustrated nature talk aboard National Geographic Explorer.
Lindblad/Sisse Brimberg & Cotton Coulson
Pool deck aboard Independence of the Seas.
Douglas Ward
What about age?
A ship’s condition depends on the level of maintenance it has received, and whether it has operated on short or longer cruises – short cruises cause more wear and tear. Many passengers like older ships, as they tend to have fewer synthetic materials in their interior decor. It’s inevitable that most older ships won’t match the latest high-tech hardware, but today’s ships aren’t built with the same loving care as in the past.
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The biggest of the big |
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Ship name |
Cruise line |
Gross tonnage |
No. of passengers |
Year built |
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Symphony of the Seas |
Royal Caribbean International |
227,700 |
5,488 |
2018 |
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Harmony of the Seas |
Royal Caribbean International |
226,963 |
5,496 |
2016 |
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Allure of the Seas |
Royal Caribbean Int. |
225,282 |
5,400 |
2010 |
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Oasis of the Seas |
Royal Caribbean Int. |
225,282 |
5,400 |
2009 |
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MSC Meraviglia |
MSC Cruises |
171,598 |
4,500 |
2017 |
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Anthem of the Seas |
Royal Caribbean Int. |
168,666 |
4,180 |
2015 |
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Ovation of the Seas |
Royal Caribbean |
168,666 |
4,180 |
2016 |
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Quantum of the Seas |
Royal Caribbean Int. |
168,666 |
4,180 |
2014 |
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Norwegian Bliss |
Norwegian Cruise Line |
167,800 |
4,200 |
2018 |
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Norwegian Escape |
Norwegian Cruise Line LineLineLine |
165,157 |
4,266 |
2015 |
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Norwegian Joy |
Norwegian Cruise Line |
165,157 |
3,900 |
2017 |
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MSC Seaside |
MSC Cruises |
160,000 |
4,140 |
2017 |
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MSC Seaview |
MSC Cruises |
160,000 |
4,140 |
2018 |
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Norwegian Epic |
Norwegian Cruise Line |
155,873 |
4,200 |
2010 |
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Freedom of the Seas |
Royal Caribbean Int. |
154,407 |
3,634 |
2006 |
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Independence of the Seas |
Royal Caribbean Int. |
154,407 |
3,634 |
2008 |
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Liberty of the Seas |
Royal Caribbean Int. |
154,407 |
3,634 |
2007 |
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Genting Dream |
Dream Cruises |
151,300 |
3,360 |
2016 |
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World Dream |
Dream Cruises |
151,300 |
3,360 |
2017 |
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Queen Mary 2 |
Cunard |
148,528 |
2,620 |
2004 |
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Norwegian Getaway |
Norwegian Cruise Line |
145,655 |
3,998 |
2014 |
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Norwegian Breakaway |
Norwegian Cruise Line Line |
144,017 |
3,998 |
2013 |
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Regal Princess |
Princess Cruises |
142,229 |
3,600 |
2014 |
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Royal Princess |
Princess Cruises |
142,229 |
3,600 |
2013 |
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Majestic Princess |
Princess Cruises |
142,229 |
3,560 |
2017 |
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Britannia |
P&O Cruises |
141,000 |
3,638 |
2015 |
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MSC Divina |
MSC Cruises |
139,400 |
3,502 |
2012 |
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MSC Preziosa |
MSC Cruises |
139,400 |
3,502 |
2013 |
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MSC Fantasia |
MSC Cruises |
137,936 |
3,274 |
2008 |
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MSC Splendida |
MSC Cruises |
137,936 |
3,274 |
2009 |
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Explorer of the Seas |
Royal Caribbean Int. |
137,308 |
3,634 |
2000 |
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Voyager of the Seas |
Royal Caribbean Int. |
137,280 |
3,634 |
1999 |
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Adventure of the Seas |
Royal Caribbean Int. |
137,276 |
3,634 |
2001 |
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Mariner of the Seas |
Royal Caribbean |
137,276 |
3,634 |
2004 |
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Navigator of the Seas |
Royal Caribbean Int. |
137,276 |
3,634 |
2003 |
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Carnival Horizon |
Carnival Cruise Line |
135,000 |
3,954 |
2018 |
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Costa Diadema |
Costa Cruises |
132,500 |
3,700 |
2014 |
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Disney Dream |
Disney Cruise Line |
129,690 |
2,500 |
2011 |
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Disney Fantasy |
Disney Cruise Line |
129,690 |
2,500 |
2012 |
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Carnival Breeze |
Carnival Cruise Line |
128,251 |
3,646 |
2012 |
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Carnival Dream |
Carnival Cruise Line |
128,251 |
3,646 |
2009 |
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Carnival Magic |
Carnival Cruise Line |
128,251 |
3,646 |
2011 |
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AIDAperla |
AIDA Cruises |
124,100 |
3,286 |
2017 |
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AIDAprima |
AIDA Cruises |
124,100 |
3,286 |
2015 |
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Celebrity Reflection |
Celebrity Cruises |
122,210 |
2,852 |
2012 |
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Celebrity Silhouette |
Celebrity Cruises |
122,210 |
2,852 |
2011 |
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Celebrity Eclipse |
Celebrity Cruises |
121,878 |
2,852 |
2010 |
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Celebrity Equinox |
Celebrity Cruises |
121,878 |
2,852 |
2009 |
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Celebrity Solstice |
Celebrity Cruises |
121,878 |
2,852 |
2008 |
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Ventura |
P&O Cruises |
116,017 |
3,092 |
2008 |
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Diamond Princess |
Princess Cruises |
115,875 |
2,674 |
2004 |
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Sapphire Princess |
Princess Cruises |
115,875 |
2,674 |
2004 |
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Azura |
P&O Cruises |
115,055 |
3,096 |
2012 |
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Costa Fascinosa |
Costa Cruises |
114,500 |
3,016 |
2012 |
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Costa Favolosa |
Costa Cruises |
114,500 |
3,012 |
2011 |
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Costa Serena |
Costa Cruises |
114,147 |
3,000 |
2007 |
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Crown Princess |
Princess Cruises |
113,561 |
3,114 |
2006 |
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Emerald Princess |
Princess Cruises |
113,561 |
3,114 |
2007 |
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Ruby Princess |
Princess Cruises |
113,561 |
3,114 |
2008 |
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Caribbean Princess |
Princess Cruises |
112,894 |
3,114 |
2004 |
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Mein Schiff 1 |
TUI Cruises |
111,500 |
4,134 |
2018 |
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Carnival Conquest |
Carnival Cruise Line |
110,239 |
2,974 |
2004 |
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Carnival Freedom |
Carnival Cruise Line |
110,239 |
2,974 |
2007 |
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Carnival Glory |
Carnival Cruise Line |
110,239 |
2,974 |
2003 |
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Carnival Liberty |
Carnival Cruise Line |
110,239 |
2,974 |
2005 |
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Carnival Splendor |
Carnival Cruise Line |
110,239 |
2,974 |
2008 |
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Carnival Valor |
Carnival Cruise Line |
110,239 |
2,974 |
2004 |
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Star Princess |
Princess Cruises |
108,977 |
2,602 |
2002 |
Good signage aboard Celebrity Reflection.
Douglas Ward