Right now Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas is a mammoth ship at 160,000 tons (carries 3,634 passengers and 1,360 crew) but it won't hold the worlds largest cruise ship for long. Royal Caribbean will be launching a 220,000 ton ship (5,400 passengers) named Oasis of the Seas in late 2009.
Freedom of the Seas has Flow Rider - it's a wave current that lets you surf or boogie board (on a ship)!!
Inline ice skating rink, gigantic rock climbing wall, and a promenade shopping mall.
There are full sized boxing rings, special pools for water sports and even a 4 bedroom Presidential Suite.
Also out or coming out are Costa's Concordia, Cunard's Queen Mary 2, and Celebrity and Holland America also have huge ships being built.
Large - 2,000 to 4,000 passengers
Medium - 1,000 to 2,000 passengers
Small - under 1,000 passengers
Pros of the Large Ships
It's like a big resort hotel with plenty to do.
Activities galore and enough for every age.
Huge casinos and Show lounges.
Giant Gyms.
Lavish spa facilities.
Multitude of alternative dining options.
Demographically diverse.
Cons of the Large Ships
Crowds everywhere for every activity and every dining venue.
Never enough deck chairs.
Lots of children (a con if you want to travel without children)
Pros of Medium to Small Ships
More personalized service.
Lower key entertainment.
Fewer families (more couples, seniors).
Several small pools.
Enrichment opportunities.
More like ships and less like resorts.
More relaxed pace.
More interesting itineraries on the smallest of ships.
Cons of Medium to Small Ships
Passengers tend to be older, especially on longer voyages.
Fewer balcony cabins.
Limited children programs.
Smaller gyms and fewer workout facilities.
Smaller casinos and Show Lounges.
My choice is in the Medium to Small Ship range, I feel like I'm on a ship, the medium ships are still large to me. There is plenty for me to relax and enjoy, the food is better on the smaller luxury lines, and it's quiet and peaceful, you can sit and enjoy the sea.
What is your idea of a cruise?
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Came over from Linda's (your EC at other blog). What a cool idea to write about cruising. I took my first in April and got married in St. Thomas. Cannot wait to go on another one :o)
Do you read John Heald's blog on Carnival's website? I love it!
We were on a Carnival cruise five days to Mexico two years ago. I don't know if it was small, medium, or large, although it seemed really big to me. My comment took on MamaFlo's Journal so I am hoping it will take here too.