I look at the reality of cruising on smaller ship lines versus the many misconceptions and things I was warned about by other cruisers about them. I discuss what I found to be the at the 5 upsides and the 5 downsides of small ship cruise line cruising
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00:00 Start
00:40 What is a “small cruise ship” ?
01:20 Upside: Service
02:15 Upside: Getting Around
03:05 Upside: Kids
03:35 Upside: Lines
04:20 Places
05:52 Downside: Nickle & Diming
06:15 Downside: Food
07:13 Downside: Motion
08:03 Downside: Passengers
08:55 Downside: Choice
33 Comments
Terrific video and good, general, recompilation of smaller ship cruising pro/cons. As a side note, I think it's rather sad that "small" these days is 1250 and lower; that's about 1000 too many to be small in my book.
My first cruise was on the original Renaissance ships (106pax). That's small ship cruising. Up to 200 is still small in my book and one can absolutely tell the difference when on a ~200 ship vs a ~500 ships, vs a ~750-1,250 ship.
My definition of a small cruise is (travelling as true solo): "if I can potentially meet up with 75% of passengers, then it's small." If by chance (so excluding things like assigned dining) I see 4-8 people again through the course of a week – I gotta be on large… Anything else is in between… hahaha
It's nice on small ships that you bump into people regularly. On bigger ships, you only see people once. Both have their advantages. Just love cruising
Sounds really boring… Like my job. I want to do something different. Been bored to death on one of these huge super ships. I could not imagine being stuck on a "Couples only" cruise. YUCK. Not how I spend my vacations. Toodles Gary Toodles.
My 1st cruise was in the mid eighties on 18000 ton ship the MS southward. we had a ball. been on many since
Is there still stops in Ruszzia ?
I want to book a NCL prima cruise & I’m searching a NCL office in dubai. Any idea?
what's the name of that stunner of a ship from minute 10:35? all white and with such beautiful lines
We will go on a cruise onboard the AidaStella, next month. Do you know anything about that ship?
Good and valid commentary Gary. I guess, for us, the "deal breaker" would be a big ship with too many people, too many venues, too much noise and all that. We are a pair who enjoy just chilling out so small ships are perfect. Do they cost more, yes, but you get what you pay for and that is OK. However, I fully understand that many people want a lot of activities, fun and entertainment, so a large ship is preferable. In the end, I don't think it is a case of which is better, a big or a small ship, but very much about what you want to do on your cruise.
I can't wait for your reviews of Regent!
Nickel?
Another fabulous video. Thank you for posting it.
Yes, as a solo traveler, paying for two makes pricing difficult for me. But then Seabourn crew go out of their way to make sure I’m looked after and have people to share dinner with. In fact, some of my best dining experiences were with crew members, who were delightful and fascinating people. Very quickly, the ship becomes my own special floating home.
Gary I just saw that u were voted #1 Cruise blogger. I concur!! The other cruise bloggers are mostly unwatchable IMO. They have irritating un- natural voices, think they’re funny (they’re not) etc. You are natural, intelligent, and know cruising inside out. We LEARN from you. Thank you for being pretty darn perfect 🥰🥰🛳🛳🛳
I am a solo traveler & have just booked my first small ship, ultra-luxury cruise on Silverseas, way above my usual price point. Why, because of the hard-to-find Red Sea itinerary,, and because they had a promotional rate of 35% single supplement (!), free night before and after, fantastic discount on business class air, and many included excursions that are you would actually want to go on. Expensive, but the value is there.
Love your videos! I am a guest entertainer/headliner on ships so I have been to quite a few of these ships you have been. Your description is dead on! 🤩I hope to meet you in person in one of these ships! 🚢
Smaller ships are typically luxury ships no? So yes they are smaller but the experience is not comparable to the larger ships since you are paying considerably more for the food, service etc…these smaller ships are not for the average cruiser
Thanks, Gary. I have preferred QM2 due to its stability, speed and well equipped “Medical Department” which I have needed at times. I found your summary of Small Ships interesting but think that I will remain with QM2 if I cruise again.
I cruised on the old Seaward (later Norwegian Sea) back in the 90's. She was tiny by today's standards, about 2,000 passengers and crew but I loved her. She was a lovely ship, well laid out, and quiet. She had an amazing observation lounge – a feature too many modern ships lack. I could take my book up there after breakfast and read for a few hours before the lunch crowd began to come in and make noise. She had a cozy feel the giant ships lack. The staff got to know you well and anticipate your requests. The food was excellent and the service fast. I'd sail on her again.
If a excursion is cancelled due to too few people, is there anything stopping a individual from stepping ashore and doing one's own thing ?.
I served in the US navy for 4 years on a destroyer in the 1970s. We went thru 4 typhoons. 40 ft waves with a ship only 23 feet from waterline to deck. Motion sickness is not a problem.
The reason why cruise ships all suck is because there's no competition when you're first onboard. The only competition you experience is before you put your order. After that cruise liners couldn't care less about you. You're an inconvenience they have to deal with under the fear of you suing them.
Having cruised on Oceania Marina this past September i could not imagine going back to larger cruise ships anytime soon. Excellent food and all round faultless experience.
Great not to feel the ‘bite’ being applied with art shows, photos etc.
Have had two Saga cruises this year on the Discovery in a Midship Suite. The service was excellent but the noise in the main dining room and Grill area was too loud for my liking. So, it’s back to Cunard Queen’s Grill for less money. As for smaller ships having less decks, that, I think, is immaterial as most of the deck house accommodation. These deck do not require a visit, only the deck that your cabin is on.
Love your blogs, Please keep up your very informative reviews.
movement on a vesel is something that I like
One cruise line has the problem of seasickness solved. They're building a ship so large you will board near the stern walk the length of the ship, disembark at the bow and you're on the island without ever sailing on the water. It was inspired by a phenomenon in the mid 1980s called hands across America. When we heard about it we were thinking hands to the moon but it was too impractical.
1:05 Bembridge is a rookie, he needs more cruising experience to be taken seriously. I'm thinking another 24,000 cruises will get him closer.
I've never been on a cruise but would only consider a small, specialized type of cruise. I don't really like being around a lot of people. I'd like to go on more of a learning cruise or one to the Galapagos.
A fantastic video. In summary it all depends on what sort of holiday you want. If you want to have lots of activities, bars, pools and amusements on board, then the large ships will suit you better. If you are looking for a more laidback and elegant experience that provides a personalised service, then the small luxury and ultra luxury lines cannot be beaten.
I did two fourteen day repositioning transatlantic crossings in 1995, eastbound on the RCCL Sun Viking (1.1K passengers) and westbound on the RCCL Nordic Prince (slightly larger but it was half empty) for $1K each way. Those days are gone.
Have you considered a video on those lines that do not require a single supplement? I travel alone.
how many employees are there on a small cruise ship?
Have you considered Uncruise? They have very small ships with the largest having only 43 staterooms. There is only one dining room and NO casino or extravagant shows like on the mega-ships. I enjoy sailing in locations that the very large ships can't.The ports can be touristy, or none at all. My upcoming Alaskan cruise will be my second
Going on a small ship cruise is on my bucket list.