Just a bit about choosing a cruise ship and the entire cruising experience.
Going Big …Ships carrying 3,000 + Passengers – Pluses: Generally, you can find the lowest cabin costs aboard the largest ships. They will have some of the most varied on-board attractions; Climbing Walls, Basketball Courts, Golf Courses, Elaborate Water Parks on deck. Family oriented; ergo many children, and diverse children’s events and themes. Generally these are more focused on the shipboard experience. Terrific for those who want a great Group Travel experience with people of all ages. For people who love City Life!
Minuses: Generally more crowded, less service oriented, The shore at Ports of Call experience can be more crowded as well. The largest carries 6,000 passengers and 1,450 crew! That’s a lot of folks having fun in the same confined space!
Go Smaller – Less than 2,500 Passengers. Pluses: Quieter, more refined experience. Great for couples looking for the intimate dining and service related trip. Can include gourmet dining. Great for Theme Oriented Groups, ie Dining, History, Diving. In other words, groups wishing to focus on a particular interest. Smaller ships often have a more varied itinerary as they can dock at smaller, more exotic Ports of Call.
Minuses: Generally a bit more expensive. These ships may have fewer attractions aboard.
Cruse Line profiles -
Least Expensive (Budget) Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian
Moderate – Disney, Princess, Costa
Luxury – Silversea, Cunard, Crystal, Seabourn, Regent 
YBoggleTravel.com provides the best resource for whichever type of cruise interests you most. And don’t forget the Travel Insurance to ensure your travel value!
If you are looking for a cruise ship escapade, better visit the Bahamas! It’s a paradise there where yo can see white sand and crystal clear water on the beaches.
Julia Robyn recently posted..Rheumatoid arthritis – is Celebrex good for this?
Julia, thanks for reminding us of the beautiful Bahamas. This wonderful island nation is captivating! We are actually going to provide a post just about The Bahamas soon, so look for it! We will highlight the perfect climate there, warm and engaging people, and the spectacular island scenery!
Hi Alicia,
Thanks for pointing out some of the criteria to help one choose a cruise. Coincidentally, the news this week has highlighted the safety factor. Is there a way to check the safety records of the cruise lines and the particular ships? In the case of the Costa Concordia disaster, it was apparently he Captain’s error that caused the ship to run aground and capsize. Is there a way to check the safety record of the Captain before buying a cruise?
I have been on two cruises, and both times it was with a group of top network marketing leaders. I think the experience must be significantly different when one travels alone or with a spouse. (Think Love Boat
I think I prefer to socialize with a group with common interests. I suppose those who like to gamble share an interest with many cruising strangers.
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Buddy,
Thanks for your message concerning “SHIP ZZ …”. As of now, I am not aware of any way to check the safety record of Captain of cruise ships. But I know that cruise lines, like airlines, have a great safety record over the years as defined by safe cruise miles logged. We have just initiated a Google Alert to keep us updated on any changes the Cruise Industry might make regarding safety records of their captains.
However, just as in air travel, bus travel, rail (not to mention deaths on the highways) there are occasional accidents. We believe the Costa Concordia Captain’s alleged error was an anomaly. Obviously, the result was a horrible loss of life, trauma and injury to those who were aboard on that day. Still, when you look at the overall safety record of the Cruise Industry we think it continues to represent a significant value in travel, at very low actual risk to vacationers.
The Travel Veteran
I love cruises. I have mostly traveled on RC and Carnival and I have to say that they are great.
I look forward to taking a luxury cruise at some point in the next few years. I also plan on taking my kids on a Disney Cruise.
I’m surprised that more people don’t take cruises as a vacation. I’ve got to say, you get a really great bang for the buck. It’s the ultimate vacation. Exotic destinations, a Floating Hotel with pools, spas, night clubs, nightly comedy and shows. 3 Courses of Fine Dining are available. All kinds of activities…
Thanks!
-James
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My grandmother does a lot of Alaskan cruises. I am not partial to the cold, so I normally take warmer cruises. I like normally the Caribbean packages, but my last cruise was a bit disappointing. We were bunked near some college kids that were loud as can be. It did not matter how many times we had someone come tell them to go somewhere else, quiet, or go to bed.
However, that is not going to stop me.
Alicia,
boy things have changed since I was in the travel industry. Yet, I never booked or travel bia ships. I would love to take some mini cruises this year and move to longer travel early next year.
Your definitions of the classes of travel is remarkable. There is so much confusion when choosing to take a cruise. Most of us get frustrated with how much this and that is. When you should pay the people who take care of you during your travel?What is safe and not?The best part to stay on the ship v.s. price. When is the best time to purchase tickets? How much insurance should one have covered even when the credit card company supplies basic coverage? That is why my wife and I have always taken a flight to all our island locations and stay on the island. I now want to attempt ship travel.
Your vast knowledge is priceless. Your one of our great mentors in our industry. I look forward in picking your brain to make valued choices in the near future travel. This site is awesome and one to bookmark.
Thank you Alicia for sharing usable information and at the right time of the season to utilize.
Hi Alicia,
I’ve never cruised in my life but it is one
of my dreams, it looks so nice and i love to explore the ships.
I love the sea but do get sea sick when I did not drink my pils
before i went out to Scuba so i need to remember to drink my pils.
but i think it is better on a big boat.
Regards
Theuns
Hi Alicia, I’ve never cruised anywhere, but would love to someday. Your post whetted my appetite! I think I’d prefer the smaller for less crowds on board, and more interesting (translated that means “less crowded”) ports of call.
I have yet to take a cruise but found this post to be very inspiring and help for when I do.
Thanks for the great info. I actually love cruises but getting to chose the right one is always a hassle because of all the features and attractions. I can say for experience that Royal Caribbean (the ships and the service) is extraordinary, even though they are high capacity ships.
Maybe one day I will go on the luxury ones… I wonder how those are…
Thanks for sharing the great travel info,
I am glad that there are more cool resources for travel out there like groupon getways and others. With so much stress in the world, especially financial stress it’s so healthy to find a way to take an awesome trip!
I am a total newbie with cruising but am getting ready to plan my first one. I had not know there were 3 classes of cruise travel! Thanks for your great advise! I appreciate you taking the time. Now another question which is least likely to contribute to sea-sickness?
Lynda, you will be delighted to know that with technology and the size of most current cruise ships, most patrons find it difficult to believe they are on the open seas during a typical cruise! It is like spending time in a huge luxury hotel. However, if you are super sensitive to motion sickness, you should select larger ships and/or locate your cabin “amidships” (in the center of the vessel from end to end).
Let us in on your planning and we’ll show you a trick to keep your cruise cost down.
Hi Alicia,
I’ve only cruised on Royal Caribbean and I had no idea that line was considered in the budget category! If RC is budget, I can only imagine what luxury is like! I prefer a ship not too small or not too large. As you said, the minuses of a big ship is less service oriented and more crowds. I prefer less crowds. I know that some the cruise ships are huge with malls, casinos, and other major attractions.
I took a short weekend trip to Mexico on a smaller ship, and small does not work either! It didn’t have enough attractions as you stated. So middle size is my preference. You get a healthy dose of attractions without the crowds! Thanks for your overview. It makes me want to take another cruise!
Raena Lynn