What’s the difference between a large and small cruise ship?

[@soremekun]

I'm a fan of the Quantum and Oasis class. I like big boats and I cannot lie!

[@markt.3454]

You kind of failed to discuss the "vibe" or character differences between the larger and smaller ships. Big ships are great if you're looking for a theme park resort experience. Lots to keep you busy, active, entertained, and "amped up" all day long. That's great if that's the kind of vacation experience you're looking for. Many people believe the bigger ships also feel more crowded and less relaxing. Smaller ships tend to operate at a somewhat slower pace and are great for destination vacations or if you're looking for a vacation experience that allows you to disconnect, relax, and rejuvenate with less constant go-go-go. Smaller ships often have more of a feel of classic elegance. We've found the food to be great on both sizes. The shows and entertainment are different on smaller ships but just as good. Sailing on a smaller ship often gives you a chance to get to know (and be known by) the staff, which often leads to a more personalized experience. For us anyway, it's not always just about stuff, options, and more, more, more. It's sometimes about personal restoration, taking it easy, and enjoying a slower pace for awhile.

[@Veriax549]

Ok I see that’s understandable ( I read it all).

[@marczahn]

We’re more of a “small ship” fan when it comes down to it. Being less crowded, it actually seems that we get to know many of the other guests and there is a lot less walking to and from cabins, even though we usually book ones near the center. But any cruise is a good cruise regardless of the size of the ship.

[@raymullen3583]

We are more a Mid--Size , We enjoy the Pool Deck , Hot Tubs and such..... The bigger Ships are like a Park ..We stick around 3, to 3500 Person Ships. But they are all GREAT!!!!

[@jomamma51]

My choice of ship depends on the destination. My favorite cruises have been on the smaller ships.

[@vancelewis8597]

I am a “Central Park” size ship person. If the ship has a Central Park, I like it! Great video Matt!

[@stevek7068]

I have come to appreciate the smaller ships. I find it so much easier to navigate and relax! That said, I like to try the larger and newer vessels from time to time as they are truly amazing.

[@DonLekei]

Until they stop allowing smoking in the casino, no more small ships for us. On our last cruise on Rhapsody the smoke from the casino permeated Deck 5 and the Centrum and drifted down to our deck 4 cabin. My Wife, who is allergic to smoke was sick every morning for the first 5 days until we figured out that smoke was coming in and they moved us to a different cabin. Now that all public indoor smoking is banned it is extremely noticeable on small ships.

[@joetteberner4291]

For me it's which ports the ship goes to. Big or small, I like them all!

[@chicocabalatungan8831]

I've only tried Splendour and Radiance so far and they were both Excellent experiences :D I'm leaning towards liking smaller ships better cause of the intimacy of it but I guess it's not quite a fair comparison as I havn't tried the bigger ones

[@florencerosenthal6929]

I've only been on 2 cruises, Allure and Symphony and I was amazed by both. Next one is Harmony in 2022. I like new ships, with great entertainment and itineraries with beach days.

[@brianbooth5162]

I am more concerned with certain amenities and activities a ship has rather than how big the ship is. For example when RCL announce the Tidal Wave slide on Liberty of the Seas, I said “I HAVE TO DO THAT!” And that ended up being our first RCL ship. This year we’ve got a cruise on the Allure (we scheduled it before COVID and thought it would get remodeled before we left), and next year we are going on Navigator to do the new water slides/ coaster.

[@ar12.]

I went on the the voyager of the seas and while it was fun I couldn’t help but feel that their was too many people at every activity but one bonus was that the boat was very stable.

[@catherinekayne1071]

I have been on 6 cruises so far, all Royal Caribbean. I have been on small ships like Mariner and gigantic like Oasis. I liked all of them the same. Oasis was my favorite as it was the only sailing that my kids schedule allowed them to join us. So to me its not the ship but what memories I make on that sailing.

[@dchenkin02]

My only cruise was on Norwegian Gem; it is a smaller ship by mass market line standards. It still had a listed capacity of 2,400 passengers and there were more activities offered everyday than could be done by one person.

[@jacquelyns9709]

A 2,000 passenger ship is not small! A small ship carries 1,000 or less passengers. If a ship has stabilizers, it will be smooth sailing unless it's in a storm. Just watch out for crossing the Gulf Stream. You might get queasy if you suffer from motion sickness.

[@maninmotionfull-timecruisi7764]

I realized a lot has changed in the past two decades, but I still find it weird to hear Voyager Class referred to as small ships. I sailed on one of them, Navigator, when she was the largest cruise ship in the world. Voyager Class was a real game-changer.

[@scottj4683]

I prefer which ever one I am on. Harmony (aka The Big Chalupa) and Mariner (aka The Marinator) are my favorites though.

[@cherylfairfield9646]

Thanks for this. We are new cruiser planning 30 anniversary trip on Harmony next year but want to do a NYE one with friend this year. It didn't occur to me that the port size would be the defining factor for where ships went. Thanks again so glad we found your Royal Caribbean blog.

[@scottj4683]

@@cherylfairfield9646 You will love Harmony, especially if Captain Johnny and Cruise Director Mark are on board. best combo in the business.

[@cherylfairfield9646]

@@scottj4683 Thanks for the info. we also are looking at NYE on Mariner. just have to get our friends "onboard" to join us.

[@scottj4683]

@@cherylfairfield9646 Also a great ship with an awesome crew. The only advice I will give is use a good travel agent and if you can, get a balcony cabin. Research location because it matters, but if you have a good agent, they will do it for you.

[@cherylfairfield9646]

Thanks again for the info. Our friend are "on board" we are booked in aft cabins. For NYE.

[@firecatsrt]

Been on vision and majesty. Booked on anthem and oasis, can't wait to see the difference. we do enjoy the smaller ships' atmosphere

[@melvinjacobs2328]

The last small sip I sailed was the Serenade. While most of the ship wasn't crowded, there were times in the atrium you couldn't move. Also, on the Serenade there was a lot of idle time that I wasn't crazy about. My choice would always be the larger ships.

[@BrianAlt]

I like BIG SHIPS and I cannot lie!

[@sarahgreen7704]

My fitbit loves larger ships. I dont have a personal preference. I just love to cruise.

[@aristotlen21]

So far I only did the Mariner and Navigator, both sorta similar and revamped recently. Going on the Freedom next month and my first big ship the Odyssey in January 😬😬

[@lerouxly67]

Have yet to experience a large. Been on Jewel (small) and 2 Voyageur-class (medium). Loved them both. Booked on Inde and the big chalupa (Harmony) in November. Will be cruising solo for the 1st time on both. Really looking forward to it.

[@litzie50]

You'll love Harmony!!

[@nuzzir]

Hi Matt, silly question, but are your videos monetized? Thanks in advance! Love the videos and channel

[@sharonstockman1080]

Oasis Class all the way

[@litzie50]

I agree!!

[@jeffreyclinard2002]

I've never been on Oasis class or Quantum class, so I'm uncertain how I'd like things larger than Freedom class. However, the size of the ship isn't as important to me as the destinations. Right now, that means a Voyager class vessel is my next booking. I imagine it will only be a matter of time before I do sail on a mega ship. I have some concerns about the sheer number of passengers on that class of ship, but I'm also curious about the extras they offer.

[@campaignteam]

I wish there were more Freedom class ships. They are just as long as Oasis class ships but have far fewer passengers. Specialty dining is not important at all to me (I refuse to try them)

[@bearbullcruising6427]

Hi Matt I love the large ships I first sailed on a large ship almost 10 years ago aboard Norwegian epic which was one of the largest cruise ships at that time and then a couple of years ago I sailed on harmony of the seas which is completely awesome I love the large chips because I am visually impaired and use a mobility scooter and it’s just more room to move around and to navigate which makes a big difference then a smaller type ship I feel and the restaurants as you said are amazing on larger ships more choices I love Johnny Rockets and it’s just amazing to imagine yourself on such a big vessel and it actually floating and moving and you’re not really feeling it in most cases it’s totally a thrill

[@Keep-on-ok]

I don’t cruise to go to an amusement park. I like the shows but the quality of the food and ports is more important.

[@sandrarisbey]

I much prefer smaller ships as I cruise for relaxation.

[@asmpparker]

I have found that the food on the smaller ships in the main dining and the buffet are not nearly as good as they are on bigger ships. And this seems to be consistent across multiple cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Celebrity Cruises.

[@anntaylor72002]

I love the Freedom Class ships but I haven’t tried the larger classes yet.

[@dianacarragher5845]

Have sailed on Quantum Voyager & Radiance class ships love Ovation of the Seas as I have had 5 voyages including Singapore to Sydney several times

[@julieb7882]

You touched on how some destinations are more accessible to smaller ships. Royal can no longer cruise to Quebec or montreal with the loss of the Empress. How few years they may have left to sail out of Cape Liberty because their ships won't be able to pass under the bridge to get to & from port. It's rather sad. Guess some destinations just aren't worth what it takes to build new smaller ships.

[@PAWS0810-]

AS A world traveller its an easy answer - if you do your homework - smaller ships go into smaller sometimes more beautiful ports. rather than larger ports in bigger cities. so much to choose from 85+ cruises here giving it a break until all the BS ends.

[@SuperXCsabre495]

Largest I have been on is the Norwegian Escape. I'd like to check out the Oasis class ships at some point due to the fact they're the largest in the world!

[@litzie50]

65 cruises and RCCL Oasis class is my favorite. Simply amazing ships especially the shows!!

[@sbeiring76]

Small ship is all I have been on so unclear what I am missing but one day we will get to a big ship trip.

[@curtishickman6996]

We prefer the Voyager to Oasis class ships. Can't wait to see what the Icon class is going to offer,

[@TravelWithJosianne]

Oasis and quantum are my ships 🚢

[@LuisMartinez-ft9or]

I will choose the smaller ships every time. Specifically, I like pricier more luxurious cruise lines. That way I can mostly avoid screaming kids.

[@stevesafety6743]

All of these are large ships. Check out American Dream Cruises “Ocean Victory” 186 passengers or Uncruise’s largest ship Wilderness Legacy 86 passengers

[@lakelorain]

We sail all sizes. Small ships for the ports, big ships for the ship.

[@funnytime47483]

I will make my own giant ship name happy at fans

[@christinedelrossi2819]

Small ship for me when I'm solo, big ship when cruising with family!

[@BrianAlt]

"That's what she said?"

[@Jammeraz1955]

Medium like Adventure of the Seas. We tried Harmony of the Seas but wasn't our type.

[@mrs.queenb7781]

Go big or go home!! 😆

[@catmjs]

I am a small ship person but I am also an older person and I am not sure I would enjoy the bigger ships

[@Tindecasterodeordenezafransisc]

Big ships

[@cspriggs96]

Wait...I thought it was the "Wind-Jamair"

[@mdsupa]

Which size can you feel the sea more? for the sensitive people who has sea sickness?

[@dchenkin02]

The smaller the ship the more you can feel rough sea waters. A mega ship or Cunard's ocean liners are designed to give you the smoothest sailing.

[@marykay8587]

Guess what! I booked the cheapest cruise online....actually it was the only RC going to Alaska but I'm going to see if I can transfer my booking to a travel agent....has anyone done this? Is it possible?

[@brackjrdodd8789]

I miss the Empress of the Seas!

[@imtrau5931]

The big ships are not even hard to navigate and bigger one mean a lot more exercise

[@gailjohnson9066]

If I take kids, big ship. Otherwise smaller will sometimes be better.

[@Keep-on-ok]

Royal Caribbean needs to provide Covid testing at the ports.

[@michellejade3272]

Went on Enchantment. It was small and old. I saw rust in many areas on Lido. The price & shows were great but I wouldn’t be in a hurry to sail on it again. The small size meant there was only one running track that was closed due to wind most of the cruise. It was only open in port. The views from the jogging track deck are beautiful but we couldn’t go there with it closed all the time. It only had pools, hot tubs, a rock wall and trampoline. We did our regular 5Ks on deck 5. Larger ships often have 2 running tracks so if one has to be closed due to wind, usually the other one will be less windy & open. This style of ship also had a geriatric crowd and few families with young children.

[@brianscrivener4670]

I prefer the Freedom class of ships The larger Quantum and Oasis classes are too big and have too many kids. We prefer the smaller ships that mainly have adults on them. The less water slides the better.