Large Ships vs Small Ships? Pros and Cons

Lots of food / drink options and greater selection: Not only will you have many food/drink options available but you will have a wide selection of culinary cuisines and experiences including buffets, hibachi, barbecue, Japanese, Thai, Italian, Steakhouse, and many more, not to mention the availability of food at any hour. There is truly something for everyone. You choose when and where to dine. As an example, there are 27 dining options on the Icon of the Seas, so for a 7 day cruise, you could eat at a different location for breakfast, lunch and dinner and still not have tried all of them. Why eat in the same place when you can try a new venue and experience all what the ship has to offer from its wonderful chefs! Most of the specialty restaurants are extra and require a separate fee unless you purchase a package or stay in a specific suite.

More activities to choose from: So much to do and so little time. On a larger cruise ship, there are so many activities that you may not get the chance to do all of them depending on the duration of your cruise. You could certainly keep yourself busy and entertained all day long and never be bored. Each ship has a unique list of activities, so be sure to check each one out to determine which one is right for you.  The variety of activities also provides groups with the flexibility to enjoy their preferred venue during the day and then meet up for dinner with everyone.

Some of the activities include: pool/hot tub, spa/Fitness, rock climbing, zip lines, casino, water slides, surf simulator, cards, bingo, puzzles, reading, dancing, behind the scenes ship tours, cooking lessons, mini golf, board games, onboard shopping, onboard auctions, swimming, etc.  The list is almost endless depending on the size of the ship. Whether your ideal vacation includes new adventures, thrills or just chillin by the pool, the variety allows you to enjoy a different experience every day. Be aware that some of the activities may be extra and require a separate fee.

More entertainment venues: Do you love being entertained? You have come to the right place. There are also plenty of entertainment venues onboard such as theater productions, ice skating shows, comedy shows, outdoor movies, various parties and live music events.  Generally speaking, most of the entertainment venues are included in the fare so you are not having to pay extra.  Why sleep, sleep is overrated anyway!

Less Chance of Seasickness: Something that is not discussed often, but very important. Typically, the larger the ship the less you feel the waves.  If you are prone to seasickness you may benefit from traveling on larger ships as they don’t rock as much as the smaller ships.

More physical space to roam, explore and relax: I think one of the benefits of a large ship is the space to roam and explore. You can wander around the ship and see something new or meet someone new every day. If you are feeling a little claustrophobic, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces to explore. Bored in your cabin on a sea day, you can go for a walk on the promenade deck or walk around the ship and people watch. The bigger the ship, the more space to roam and discover.

More opportunities to meet more people of all ages: With the volume of passengers, you will have the opportunity to meet lots of like-minded (or not) people.  You never know who you will meet and what that friendship will bring! Whether you are in the buffet line, participating in an activity, having a drink at the bar, enjoying a cocktail in the hot tub, there will be plenty of opportunities to meet, greet and share stories.

Lots of opportunities for physical activity: The larger the ship the more decks and stairs to climb. Why take the elevator when you can take the stairs and feel great. You don’t need to visit the fitness center to get exercise, you can get up early and walk/run around the ship before anyone is awake.  You can explore the ship and get physical exercise at the same time, you can walk to your hearts content, on each floor, up the stairs and around the promenade.  The beauty being it won’t feel like exercise because there are so many sights to see!

Activities specifically for children will be available: If you are traveling with children, many of the larger ships have unique programs and experiences for children making it fun for everyone.  In addition, there may also be babysitting services/facilities available in case you are in need of some self-pampering.

Expect lines and waiting: It goes without saying that when there are more people on a ship, there will be more crowds and you may have to wait in line. Lines for buffets, theater seating, poolside seating, restaurants and cafes, elevators, embarking/disembarking at a port, activities, and so on. Be prepared to wait. Patience is a virtue and you will need a lot of patience the minute you leave your cabin so be prepared. In the event that this becomes unmanageable, you may want to attend some yoga sessions. Namaste! In addition, consider doing the opposite of what the norm is. For example: If the most popular time to swim in the pool is from 1:00pm-4:00pm, then you may want to consider swimming at 5 and then eating later that evening. Do the opposite of what everyone else does.

Lots of hustle and bustle: With the sheer number of passengers, you will not be able to avoid people. Especially if the cruise is fully booked. The most popular areas of the ship will be full of activity and hustle and bustle. If this is something you thrive in, then it is really not a con but a pro for you. For those that require downtime, your cabin could be a nice retreat. Again, you may consider doing the opposite of what most people are doing to avoid the crowds. As a side note, you will also find many chair or theater hogs and generally cruise lines are starting to crack down on these by putting rules in place to deter or minimize these occurrences.

You may end up spending more money: There are many temptations and opportunities to spend more on your cruise after you have boarded. Typically, on larger ships there are many options available which may add cost to your vacation. These include spa services, specialty restaurants, certain activities, specialty drinks, casino, not to mention onboard shops, art auctions or photography. If you are on a budget, I recommend checking your folio each night and confirm any expenditures. You certainly do not want to be surprised at the end of cruise. You also want to understand what is fee or free so there are no surprises.

More planning may be required to take advantage of restaurants, activities, etc: As there is limited space per venue, and a lot of people onboard, you might not get a chance to enjoy everything. It might be a good idea to plan and make reservations where ever possible, restaurants, etc. otherwise, you might miss out and be disappointed. Some advanced planning is warranted to fully appreciate and enjoy what the ship has to offer.

Large ships may not be able to visit certain ports: Some of the larger ships can’t get into all of the ports as there are size restrictions. So if you really want to go to a specific port, you may have to go on a smaller ship.

No lineups or waiting: With so few passengers, there are no lines anywhere, really! You walk in to the restaurant, you decide whether you want to sit alone or with others and they seat you. Its that easy. Getting on and off the ship is easy and effortless. This was certainly the case on SeaDream Yacht Club.

No hustle and bustle: There is very little hustle and bustle on the ship as there are few people on it. It is relatively quiet and tranquil, with plenty of opportunities for moving about, but generally low-key. No one is rushing to get to the pool or hot tub before the crowds arrive or rushing to get to a lounge chair before they are booked. There is no need, it will probably be available.

Easier access to facilities: Again, with so few passengers, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the amenities and facilities. On the larger ships, you may have 20 restaurants to choose from however, you may need to book them because they will fill up during the cruise and you may not have the opportunity experience them.

More personalized service: With so few passengers onboard, you will get to know the crew very quickly and they will get to know you and your preferences. They will remember your drink of choice or what table you prefer to sit at or how you like your coffee. These little things make your cruise experience more pleasurable and relaxing.

Opportunities to enjoy toys: Many of the smaller ships have toys onboard, like jet skis, snorkeling, paddle board, zodiacs, etc. If you love water adventures, this is a real treat. You don’t have to get off the ship for an excursion, the excursion is available off your ship. Jet skis anyone?

More Intimate Relationships: It is no surprise that you will see the same faces at every turn. You will have opportunities to get to know other passengers more intimately if you choose. You will see them more often, exchange stories of the day or dine with them at every occasion.

Opportunities to visit small ports: While some of the larger ships can’t get into all ports, the smaller ships can. Want to get up close to St. Bart’s, no problem. The smaller ships are nimble and can get access to some of the smaller ports that larger ships can’t. If you are particular about your ports, you may choose the ports first, and then the ship will be determined from there.

Fewer dining options, activities, entertainment: One of the more obvious cons but keep in mind that this does not mean the quality of the food is less, or the activities or entertainment are non-existent. The quality is typically on par or better as the ship can now cater to a smaller number of passengers and offer a superior experience and the activities may be more engaging. It really depends what you are looking for.

Smaller space to roam: The ship is much smaller and hence there is less space to roam and explore. In general, there will be fewer areas to venture into and discover. It is more about downtime and chillin in similar areas every day.

You are going to see the same faces: This may be an issue if you don’t care to socialize with them or feel you don’t have anything in common.

Increase risk of seasickness: The smaller the ship, the more you will feel the waves and certainly in open waters even more. If you are afraid of water or are prone to seasickness, you may want to think about the size of the ship.