Cruising is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can hand-pick your destination, meet like-minded travelers and explore your chosen country from a beautiful port. Before you set out to sea, you must know what type of experience you want. Are you looking for crowds, casinos and family-friendly entertainment? Or would you rather enjoy an educational, hands-on experience in a quiet, intimate setting?
In terms of cruise ship size, bigger isn’t always better. Larger cruise ships attract a different clientele than their smaller yacht cruise counterparts. While the small vs. large cruise ship decision may be challenging, knowing what to expect from each can make your decision straightforward.
In This Article
- Small vs. Big Cruise Ship — What’s the Difference?
- Pros and Cons of a Small Cruise Ship
- Drawbacks of a Smaller Cruise
- Pros and Cons of a Big Cruise Ship
- Drawbacks of a Bigger Cruise
- Which Cruise Is Better for You?
- Why Cruise With Windstar’s Yachts?
- Book Your Next Cruise With Windstar Cruises Today
Small vs. Big Cruise Ship — What’s the Difference?
Your chosen cruise ship size influences your onboard experience and overall vacation vibe. Large cruise ships can carry as many as 6,800 passengers. These small, floating cities are full of action-packed activities and dock in well-known tourist ports. You’ll find many entertainment options on board, including casinos, water slides and even go-kart tracks.
In contrast, smaller cruising yachts carry 350 passengers or fewer, and the amenities are slightly different. Instead of offering nonstop, action-packed onboard activities, small ships allow passengers to revel in the joy of being at sea. The pace is leisurely and intimate, and you visit some less frequented local ports, where you might stay overnight and get a genuine taste of the culture. You can visit lesser-known destinations and get lost in your private cruising world.
Small and large cruise ships have unique advantages and disadvantages. Consider your desired experience to make choosing one for your next getaway a breeze.
Pros and Cons of a Small Cruise Ship
Smaller cruise yachts have much to offer vacationers looking for an authentic adventure rich with nature, a chance to make lifelong friends and a firsthand immersion into local culture. Smaller cruises are perfect for people who love to learn new things at their leisure. Some of the benefits of a smaller cruise include the following.
The People
A lack of crowds is one of the most significant selling points of a smaller cruise. It takes less time to make your way to port, serve yourself at the buffet or find a comfy chaise by the pool. Within reason, you can get to where you want to be and enjoy the amenities without crowds of other passengers looking to get their money’s worth too. Connect with your fellow travelers and crew in an intimate and welcoming atmosphere.
Instead of trying to appeal to families with children, smaller cruises target singles and couples looking to soak in everything at all the destinations they come across. These cruises have the added benefit of a quiet and mature ambiance without any tantrums or loud noises breaking through the blissful tranquility.
The Service
On a small cruise yacht, you can enjoy attentive service in a personalized setting. Meet the crew members who prepare your food and provide for your daily needs. The approach is different, as the team can get to know you and focus on your unique preferences.
The Ports
Small ships can get closer to ports and easily navigate less touristy areas, so a smaller yacht might work better if the destination is essential to you.
The Entertainment
Small yacht entertainment is for more discerning travelers. The destination is the focus of these cruises, so you’ll visit small local ports and take in their authentic culture and beauty. As smaller cruise yachts can dock where bigger ships can’t reach, you can focus on the beautiful surroundings, culture and hidden gems of every place you visit.
When you aren’t eating aboard, you’ll get to explore regional cuisine. If you prefer quiet and refined entertainment, small cruise ships are ideal. Instead of comedy shows and loud casinos, you’ll enjoy trivia nights, live music, cocktail evenings and exciting lectures with fellow travelers.
The Peace and Quiet
Small ships have a quieter and more relaxed ambiance. You can connect with being on the ocean without a blaring movie screen, music or children screaming. On a small cruise yacht, you can go to bed early, get a decent night’s sleep and spend the whole day reading in relative tranquility if that’s what you want to do.
Drawbacks of a Smaller Cruise
A larger cruise might be a better fit for you if you thrive on nightlife, lots of onboard activity options and large crowds. For families, the lack of specialized kids’ entertainment like go-karts and video game arcades can lead to unhappy and crying children, which you likely want to avoid on your vacation. Smaller cruises let you explore each destination’s history and culture, so if these elements don’t appeal to you, you might also get bored.
Pros and Cons of a Big Cruise Ship
Large cruise ships are like self-contained cities. As a destination in themselves, they maintain little connection to the sea or the ports’ rich cultures or natural wonders. While there is a lot to like about a large cruise ship, they also have drawbacks, especially if you’re looking for a laid-back trip with individualized attention.
A larger cruise has the perfect vibe for party animals, adrenaline lovers and extroverts who thrive in large crowds. Some of the benefits of larger cruises include the following.
The Variety
Whether it’s food, entertainment or activities, you’ll always have plenty to choose from on a large cruise. You can eat at a different restaurant every night, gamble in a casino, sing karaoke and play on the water slides, all on the same day.
There’s more of everything on a big cruise ship — pools, hot tubs, restaurants and activities. If you prefer nonstop adventure on your vacations, you’ll find what you’re looking for on a larger ship, as long as you don’t mind waiting in lines.
The Kids
Larger cruises can be ideal for parents with young children who need plenty of stimulation and excitement. Little ones have no shortage of activities to keep them busy — some with their parents and some without. With so much for your kids to do, they’ll sleep well at night, so you can trust a responsible shipboard babysitter to look after your kids while you enjoy quality time with your partner.
Often, there is no minimum age on large cruise liners, so a larger ship is an excellent option if you want to take your whole family on your cruise.
The Price
Larger cruises are perfect for families looking for a cost-effective way to enjoy the ship experience. Generally, a ticket on a big liner is affordable, as the passengers don’t expect the same boutique, sophisticated experience or individual attention from the crew.
Drawbacks of a Bigger Cruise
Bigger cruises can be an unforgettable experience, but they have some downsides you should be aware of.
The Crowds
Big cruises may offer more amenities, but you must share them with thousands of fellow passengers. You’ll have to wait in lines for almost everything you’d like to do, from the restaurants to the swimming pools. There’s little chance to build friendships or enjoy some alone time.
The sheer number of people can be overwhelming, and you might only get to do some of your most anticipated activities by booking far in advance.
The Disconnect
While there is plenty to keep you occupied on board, you’ll miss out on the finer points of traveling to exotic destinations. Ships that are too large to make it to port will have to anchor offshore. You may not get to experience the sights, sounds and flavors of local culture while you’re there.
The Fuel Consumption
Larger cruise ships have a correspondingly larger carbon footprint. In general, ships carrying thousands of passengers have a more significant environmental impact. The sheer number of people means the fuel burned daily is unavoidable.
Which Cruise Is Better for You?
As you can see, small and large cruises target two different target markets, but they both have a unique appeal. For a quick recap, a smaller cruise might be better for you if:
- You prefer to immerse yourself in the local culture rather than in large crowds.
- You enjoy a sophisticated boutique experience.
- You love to revel in a relaxed atmosphere.
- You want to get up close and personal with your destination and feel a real connection with the people, culture and nature wherever you go.
- You enjoy history and learning new things.
- You want to make meaningful connections with fellow travelers.
- You prefer to enjoy the shore alone or with small, curated groups.
On the other hand, you might prefer a large cruise ship if:
- You’re looking for a more cost-effective option for the whole family to enjoy.
- You enjoy a varied nightlife and thrive when you have plenty of things to do.
- The ship is more attractive to you than the destinations where it can travel.
- You want to provide a memorable vacation for your children.
- You’re comfortable in large crowds.
- You prefer organized on-shore excursions in large groups.
Why Cruise With Windstar’s Yachts?
Windstar Cruises offers some of the most intimate cruise adventures you can imagine. Our yachts accommodate between 148 and 342 guests, providing the perfect mixture of relaxation and connection. Here are some of the many reasons to cruise with Windstar.
- Authentic experiences: On Windstar ships, you can embrace the journey and the destination, free yourself from crowds and embrace local culture on a personal and genuine level. Our experts will transport you to the heart of your destination for a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of the residents few ever get to see.
- Relaxed schedules: We don’t plan your itinerary down to the minute at Windstar Cruises. Instead, you can do what you want on your cruise, from visiting local markets with our chef to sharing local wine with your fellow passengers. Your experience is yours to shape the way you like it.
- Gastronomic experiences: The onboard dining on a Windstar yacht is seasonal and sourced from a port along your journey. Windstar Cruises has partnered with the James Beard Foundation to create gastronomic delights fitting for a boutique cruise. You can eat whenever and with whoever you want to.
- Exceptional crews: For our team members, hospitality is more than a job. Each of them will go the extra mile to get to know you and provide you with perks that make you feel special. If you show a particular fondness for something, you might find a little extra placed in your favorite location.
- Unbeatable ambiance: Windstar cruises brings together like-minded people who want to make the most of their journey and experience the destination to the utmost. We’ve worked hard to create an intimate and welcoming ambiance that allows you to connect with fellow passengers and make lifelong friendships. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a romantic cruise, you can enjoy your alone time with some charming bonuses.
- Local expertise: We go out of our way to find the hidden gems within your destination beyond the tried-and-true ports of call. In these places, you can immerse yourself in the experience, trade tourist traps for genuine local markets and lose yourself in natural splendor.
Book Your Next Cruise With Windstar Cruises Today
Windstar Cruises has everything you need if you’re thinking about taking your dream cruise this year. Our yachts provide an intimate, boutique sailing experience without crowds or regimented activities. Instead, you can see your destination the way a local would see it — through unique experiences, breathtaking views and a connection with nature.
Our unfailingly attentive service and culinary expertise will complete your experience, providing the perfect finishing touch to a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. If you would like to learn more about how we can make your cruise daydreams a reality, please contact us today, and one of our vacation planners will get back to you and answer your questions. Alternatively, browse our selection of available cruises and make your booking, and let’s get you out on the water.
