Which should you choose?
This is purely a matter of personal taste. Everybody is looking for their own ideal cruise ship vacation experience, and since I’ve been on ships of all sizes, here are some of the differences.
Advantages of Big Cruise Ships:
Entertainment: As more mega-ships are built it is amazing the variety of amenities they have added: rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, putting ranges. The evening entertainment includes big production Las Vegas style shows and multiple lounges and bars with different kinds of music. There is no excuse to be bored on a big ship.
Lots of people to meet: If you don’t like your dinner companions you can change your table and never have to have a subsequent awkward meeting with the people you didn’t like. There are so many people on board that it is easy to avoid the ones you don’t want to spend time with.
Children’s Programs: There are organized activities for children, tweens and teens, so you can relax and do your own thing while the kids are having a great time and making new friends.
Chance of better deals: With so many cabins to fill, you have a better chance of getting a serious discount on your fare, especially if you can go at the last minute.
Disadvantages of Big Cruise Ships:
Lines of people: To get into dinner, to get on and off the ship, to take a shore excursion. People. Everywhere. All the time.
Ports: There are just some places that a large ship cannot go, either because the harbor is small or the port just cannot accommodate thousands of passengers.
Advantages of Small Cruise Ships:
Fewer passengers: This means no lines, often open seating dining so you can dine when you want and with whom. Feel like having a table for two tonight and a table for eight tomorrow? Just let the maitre d’ know what you would prefer that night. There are opportunities to find a secluded spot on deck where you can almost feel as if you are on your own private yacht.
Variety of ports of call: The smaller ships can slip in to exotic ports, rivers and fjords and visit tiny, unusual places that simply cannot accommodate the big ships. And you won’t have thousands of fellow passengers clogging up the place!
More personalized attention: If you have a question, just hail a passing officer or crew member — they have more time to interact with passengers.
More relaxing: It just is.
Friendlier: If you meet someone interesting, you will see them again and not lose them in the crowd.
Disadvantages of Small Cruise Ships:
Little entertainment: If you want to be dazzled with big shows and extensive casinos, a small ship may not be for you. Often a three piece band in the lounge is the only dance music available. Passengers go to bed earlier, so there is not much to do at night.
Friendlier: I list this in both categories, because if there is someone you dislike it is difficult to avoid them!