This was published 2 years ago
What size cruise ship is best? Tips on choosing the right cruise ship for you
By Brian Johnston
Choosing a cruise isn't as easy as picking a cruise line, since almost all lines operate ships of varying sizes.Credit: Holland America Line
Few things affect the cruise experience more than the size of the boat in which you float. In landlubber's terms, think of a 10-room hotel compared to a big resort. Or a hole-in-the-wall eatery compared to a jumbo-sized restaurant. Either may represent budget or luxury and each has its own attractions, but the entire experience will feel very different.
Ship size determines many things about your cruise, from the entertainment and dining options on board to the types of ports visited and the number of shore excursions offered.
Large ships have economies of scale and pack more in; small ships are often upmarket and, of necessity, emphasise destination over shipboard experience. Beyond that, however, you'll find a different ambience from ship to ship according to its proportions.
Smaller ships will often emphasise destination over onboard experience.
Choose a cruise that doesn't suit your sensibility or interests and you'll sail into troubled waters. This isn't as easy as picking a cruise line, since almost all lines operate ships of varying sizes.
Norwegian Bliss, for example, carries 4905 passengers but Norwegian Sun, belonging to the same line, only 1936, with the on-board experience differing accordingly. Lines such as Silversea and Viking operate expedition ships considerably smaller than the regular vessels in their fleets.
When it comes to eco-credentials, cruise ships have been improving their woeful environmental record through improved water and waste efficiency, use of solar panels, better exhaust-gas cleaning technologies, sustainable restaurant sourcing and the like. New ships are far more likely to have these eco-considerations built in; some have new energy-efficiency hull designs too. But size is important as well, since most small ships run on cleaner marine gas oil rather than heavy fuel oil.
Some expedition companies such as Ponant now run some ships propelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG), which have zero emissions when in electric hybrid mode. Hurtigruten's Roald Amundsen, launched in 2019, was the first cruise ship equipped with batteries for hybrid power, setting a new standard for small sustainable vessels. Many of Hurtigruten's older vessels are being refitted to use battery packs, LNG or biogas.
Such new, smaller-sized expedition ships are generally the best eco-choice, but things are slowly changing for big ships. When launched in late 2018, AIDAnova (6654 passengers) became the first cruise ship to feature dual-fuel hybrid engines with the ability to run completely on LNG. Almost half of new cruise ships of varying sizes now use LNG.
An unavoidable question to fit the times is whether size matters in respect to COVID-19? Not exactly, since dozens of ships both big and small have had coronavirus outbreaks, though strict protocols mean all have been contained.
Royal Caribbean says that in the second half of 2021 it had 1745 positive COVID tests among 1.1 million cruise passengers, or 0.16 per cent of the total.
That said, a ship with 6000 passengers is more likely to see an outbreak than a ship of 200, and the COVID age has seen a notable spike of consumer interest in small-ship and expedition cruising. This is however an acceleration of a longer trend as travellers look for more boutique experiences, new destinations and more eco-sensitive cruise options.
Choice increases every year. Emerald Azzurra (100 passengers), Celebrity Beyond (3260), Seabourn Venture (264), Silver Dawn (596) and Viking Octantis (378) are among new launches of all shapes and sizes in 2022. Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas (6988 passengers) has just sailed on its maiden voyage and is the world's biggest cruise ship by gross tonnage, and longer than an aircraft carrier.
Cruising is plagued with often inaccurate stereotypes and, with the biggest ships usually grabbing the headlines for the right and sometimes wrong reasons, it can be easy to overlook this industry's huge variety of choice. Sailing on Safari Quest as one of only 22 passengers doesn't compare with sailing on Wonder of the Seas.
So make sure you choose the ship size best suited for you. To ensure smooth sailing, here's Traveller's guide to everything you need to know.
THE TINY SHIP
Credit: APT
NUMBER OF PASSENGERS
Up to 100
WHO
APT, Coral Expeditions, Emerald Cruises, Heritage Expeditions, Intrepid Travel, Lindblad, Sea Cloud, UnCruise Adventures.
PERFECT FOR
People more interested in travel and experiences than simply being on a ship. These modestly proportioned ships are for active, exploratory holidays, not ones focused on indolence and pampering. Ship style varies from rough-and-ready to the feel of a private yacht, but you'll rarely find top luxury.
PROS
Facilities are limited so the main plus is intimacy. Choose these ships for their destinations, which often can't be reached by larger vessels, and consider the ship a convenient floating hotel and restaurant.
CONS
Petite ships aren't for the seasick prone though they're niftily adept at hugging coastlines and slipping into calm bays. With little public space in which to hide and the same faces over every meal, socialising can get tiring. If you aren't a chatterbox, bring a fat book to hide behind.
SAIL AWAY
Itineraries are a mixed bag but often explore small regions in depth, expedition destinations, and more off-beat ports. APT's seven-night Hobart-return "Tasmania's Wilderness Coast" cruise departs February 1, 2023, from $9133 a person; Coral Expedition's seven-night Cairns-return "Outerknown Adventures on the Great Barrier Reef" has departures in November 2022, from $4750 a person. (APT and Coral Expeditions, with their low passenger number vessels, are among the few operators with permission to cruise in Australian waters due to the federal government ban in place until at least April 17). See aptouring.com; coralexpeditions.com
THE NOT TOO TINY BUT STILL SMALL SHIP
Credit: Aurora Expeditions' Greg Mortimer
PASSENGERS
100-200
WHO
APT, Aurora Expeditions, Heritage Expeditions, Lindblad, Ponant, Seadream, Silversea Expeditions, Windstar.
PERFECT FOR
Anyone who has done the predictable ports and is looking for a more unusual (and often expedition) experience, coupled with personalised service and a boutique-hotel atmosphere.
PROS
For the most part, high standards, gourmet dining, all-inclusive pricing and no waiting around for disembarkations. This is as close as you get to feeling like a billionaire on a private yacht.
CONS
On-board activities aren't much more exciting than a lecture, round of bridge or some light reading. The small pool of passengers can become awkward if you don't click (but is great if you do). Eating times are less flexible than on bigger ships, as are dining choices, and you'll likely have to share tables.
SAIL AWAY
Ships this size operate luxury cruises to sunny islands or expedition cruises to remote destinations. This is the perfect size for Antarctica, where regulations prohibit more than 100 passengers landing at any one time. Silversea's 14-day "Puerto Williams to Valparaiso" cruise departs March 3, 2023, from $14,200 a person; APT's 11-day Broome-to-Darwin "Kimberley Coast" cruise has departures between June and September 2023, from $12,495 a person. See silversea.com; aptouring.com
THE SMALL THOUGH NOT TOO SMALL SHIPS
PASSENGERS
200-500
WHO
Hapag-Lloyd, Hurtigruten, Paul Gauguin, Ponant, Scenic, Silversea, Viking Expeditions, Windstar.
PERFECT FOR
Well-heeled, active adventurers, with most ships in the luxury expedition category. Viking's newly launched expedition ships aim at a more mid-range budget (a relative term, as expeditions are always pricey).
PROS
As proof that good things do come in small packages, these ships satisfy with their destination focus, luxury levels and smooth service. Some even pack a wow factor with helicopters and submarines. They're large enough to have some dining choices and plenty of open deck space.
CONS
Not much room for decent-sized swimming pools or multiple dining and bar venues, and only modest evening shows; the theatre more often hosts lectures. Cliques can rapidly form among the small number of passengers. Not generally family friendly.
SAIL AWAY
This is the niche size for quality expedition cruise ships, so expect interesting itineraries in remote, rugged and polar destinations, as well as to smaller ports and islands. Scenic's 14-day San Diego to Puerto Caldera "Baja and Costa Rica Discovery" departs September 28, 2022, at $15,605 a person. Viking's 13-day Ushuaia to Buenos Aires "Antarctic Explorer" has departures November-December 2022, from $19,995 a person. See scenic.com.au; vikingcruises.com.au
THE MID-SIZED BUT NOT OVERLY BIG-SIZED SHIPS
Credit: Hurtigruten
PASSENGERS
500-1000
WHO
Azamara, Hurtigruten, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, Viking.
PERFECT FOR
Couples and retirees, as ships at this size are generally upmarket and have little room for kids' facilities or abundant distractions. Many are luxury but some (such as Azamara and Viking) are mid-range. Passengers are well-travelled, open-minded and looking for educational and cultural experiences.
PROS
Providing you aren't looking for theme park-like water slides and Broadway-style shows, this ship size offers the sweet spot between the compact sacrifices of small ships and the impersonal fun of big ones, with high service levels, attractive decor and a sense of space.
CONS
Relatively limited cabin categories. No kids' clubs and seldom any organised activities for children, although quieter, sensible teenagers are sometimes spotted on board. Some lines, such as Viking, with adult-only policies, don't accept under-18s.
SAIL AWAY
Ships of this size combine big-ticket destinations with lesser-known but interesting ports, seldom repeat itineraries, and offer both country-intensive and more wide-ranging journeys. Viking's 21-day Athens-to-Mumbai "Passage to India" cruise departs October 25, 2022, from $9695 a person; Silversea's 12-day "Auckland to Melbourne" cruise departs January 4, 2023, from $12,800 a person. See vikingcruises.com.au; silversea.com
THE LARGE BUT NOT TOO HUGE SHIPS
Credit: VRX Studios
PASSENGERS
1000-plus
WHO
Cunard, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, P&O Australia.
PERFECT FOR
Those looking for elbow room and on-board activities without the over-the-top choices and hubbub of the biggest ships. While mostly mid-range, these ships vary greatly in price and luxury levels. Oceania is the most elegant, arguably offers the best food at sea, and features the more sedate entertainments and amenities of luxury ships.
PROS
Plenty of choice, with ships usually providing spas, multiple restaurants and bars, big-production shows and various educational opportunities. If you're put off by mega-ships but worried that on-board cruise life may not appeal, this is the category for you.
CONS
Some (but by no means all) are refurbished older ships from the days when tight cabins and en-suites were the norm. None are as cutting-edge as mega-ships and you can start to feel like one of the crowd when it comes to personalised service.
SAIL AWAY
These ships wander the world (except for P&O Australia, which sticks to the Asia-Pacific) but visit predictable ports and avoid small and remote destinations, although Oceania is more adventurous. Oceania's 14-day Sydney-to-Bali "Awe of Australia" cruise departs December 12, 2022, from $5410 a person; Cunard's seven-night Melbourne-return "Gardening Journey" cruise departs February 4, 2023, from $1799 a person. See oceaniacruises.com; cunard.com
THE VERY LARGE BUT NOT SO MAMMOTH SHIPS
PASSENGERS
2500-plus
WHO
Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Holland America, MSC, Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean.
PERFECT FOR
Multi-generational and family-oriented passengers, a younger demographic, and those looking for flop-and-drop holidays. Destination is often a secondary consideration. Budget-friendly, although only the basics are included. Celebrity and Holland America edge towards the luxury end and are often described as premium category.
PROS
A wide range of amenities, restaurants, entertainments, kids' clubs and lots of sailings to sunny destinations. Nobody will complain about being bored and family members of varying interests can each do their own thing.
CONS
Slow disembarking and tendering and sometimes crowded spaces, especially the pool decks. The older vessels of mega-ship companies are this size, so jump to the mega-ship category for the whizz-bang latest in cruise-ship wonders and technology.
SAIL AWAY
The world is covered but expect an emphasis on cities, popular islands and mainstream tourist destinations in heavily cruised regions such as Alaska, the Caribbean, Mediterranean and South Pacific. Celebrity's 10-night Rome-to-Barcelona "Greek Islands and Malta" cruise departs September 5, 2022, $3585 a person. Norwegian's nine-day Southampton-to-Copenhagen "France, Germany and Norway" cruise departs April 29, 2023, from $2564 a person. See ncl.com; celebritycruises.com
THE HOOLEY-DOOLEY THIS IS MEGA MEGA-SHIPS
PASSENGERS
4000-plus
WHO
Carnival, Costa, MSC, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean.
PERFECT FOR
The same cruisers as very large ships. But note that mega-ships often have adults-only zones such as spas, swimming pools and restaurants, and their size means tranquil corners can always be found.
PROS
Mega-ships are floating resorts, entertainment districts and sports facilities rolled into one. They offer everything in one place, multiple pools, dozens of dining options (great for the picky eater) and some kick-back days at sea to enjoy them all. With so many cabins to fill, you can sometimes bag last-minute bargains.
CONS
Frequent queues, and the need to make advance reservations (even before you board) for popular shows, dining venues and shore excursions, which hampers holiday spontaneity. While mega-ships offer abundant choices, add-on fees can blow your budget.
SAIL AWAY
Mega-ships operate short- and medium-length itineraries from homeport cities such as Miami, Rome, Barcelona and Singapore, often with several days at sea. Royal Caribbean's seven-night Rome-return "Western Mediterranean" cruise has departures May to August 2022, from $1437 a person, Norwegian's seven-day Seattle-return "Alaska" cruise has departures May-June 2023, from $2209 a person. See www.royalcaribbean.com; ncl.com
FLOW CHART: 10 WAYS TO CHOOSE A RIVER CRUISE SHIP
Viking offers mid-range river cruises that are more destination focused.Credit: Viking Cruises
1. Lock size and bridge height, especially in Europe, mean river ships are similarly sized, but differ in passenger number and luxury levels. In the mid-range consider Avalon, Emerald, Travelmarvel and Viking, which has the biggest fleet and geographical spread. See avalonwaterways.com; emeraldcruises.com.au; travelmarvel.com; vikingrivercruises.com.au
2. Tauck and Uniworld offer the greatest on-board luxury, fine dining, attentive service and personalised excursions. In a sometimes-bland business, Uniworld ships feature flamboyant decor not to everyone's taste but splendidly confident and over-the-top. See tauck.com.au; uniworld.com
3. Does mateship matter? Most passengers are American except for the pan-European blend on CroisiEurope. If you're after Australian conversation, APT and Scenic have majority Aussie contingents. Prices are steep but all-inclusive. See aptouring.com; croisicruises.com
4. River cruise standards are high so you won't find mega-ship bargains at $100 a night. The most value-conscious mainstream company is CroisiEurope whose other plus is its niche cruises such as the Guadalquivir in Spain and Loire in France. See croisicruises.com
5. River ships aren't designed for rambunctious children and make few concessions to kids. Uniworld and Tauck offer multi-generational itineraries with family-oriented activities. Adventures by Disney is the most child-friendly. See adventuresbydisney.com
6. Europe is river-cruise central but you can cruise the Murray in Australia, rivers in Asia and many in the US. American Cruise Lines offers an interesting variety, including cruises themed on music, history, art and autumn foliage. See americancruiselines.com
7. Very small-ship companies include UnCruise on the Columbia River, Aqua Expeditions on the Amazon and Assam Bengal Navigation on the Brahmaputra. Variety Cruises runs an unusual journey along the Gambia River in West Africa. See varietycruises.com
8. Themed cruises are increasingly popular, covering everything from World War I history to classical music, beer to opera. Avalon is the leader with cruises themed on wine, food, Jewish history, photography, gardens and special events. See avalonwaterways.com
9. For a super-slow pace and more intimate experience, consider barging. Companies include European Waterways and French Country Waterways. UTracks combines active guided bike-and-barge tours in France and the Netherlands. See utracks.com
10. Solo supplements are a bane but cruise lines sometimes offer waivers or special deals, and AmaWaterways' ships feature solo cabins. Riviera Travel has the most frequent offers, plus some European cruises dedicated to solo travellers. See rivieratravel.com.au
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