The following group of essays will be of the various types of Cruise Ships and the folks who sail on them.
The Big Cruise Ships. What most people think when you say do you like to cruise.
What do you think of when someone talks about Cruising? Most folks think about the largest Cruise Ships and the ones you see on TV all the time. This will be the first type of ship I will discuss. For this Chat, a large ship will have anywhere from 2,000 to 5,500 passengers. Ship geeks will get into tonnage and lengths, I will skip that and just refer to the humannity.
The current largest ship on the Ocean is the Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Sea. 2,759 staterooms with a max capacity of 6,680 passengers. Royal has the 3 biggest passenger ships on the ocean right now and will continue in the lead with their next 2 ships.
I like and recommend Royal Caribbean so I will describe Large Ships looking at the Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Sea, the Royal family shares a lot of similar features so use this as the middle of expected features on this size of a ship! Other brands in this space that you may know of are Carnival, MSC, Princess Celebrity, and Disney Cruise Line.
Large ships are resorts at sea, everything from inexpensive inside cabins to luxurious suites. Thousands of people enjoy shopping, shows, dining, and theme park pools. For the brands listed above and Royal as well the price of the Cruise includes your room and meals in the main dining room and the buffets. Pandemic Buffets are where you point at your entre and it is plated for you. Drinks both alcoholic and non, excursions, specialty dining are all extra charges. At meals, the included beverages are usually coffee, tea, and water many of these cruise lines will include soft drinks with your meal. Now lets take a look at your room.
There are dozens of room categories on each cruise ship, for this essay I’ll go easy. Inside Cabins (Staterooms). The name says it all. Usually, a fake porthole can be very dark if that’s necessary. Least expensive room on the ship, usually the fewest amenities or inclusions as well. Outside Stateroom porthole or window no balcony. These rooms may have a porthole or a window that may open. Another type of room that is a step up is with a French Balcony which is a window that opens wide enough that your living room becomes your balcony.
You can expect your inside stateroom will be 150 sqft or less. Your ocean view staterooms will start at 160 sqft and go to about 220 sqft.
The next category is a stateroom with a balcony. Similarly sized with ocean view staterooms but with an extra 60 to 100 sqft balcony. Usually enough room for a small table and 2 chairs. This is a favorite type of room and usually, on new Cruise ships, it is the majority of rooms available.
In my experience (your mileage may vary) these rooms have a king or queen bed (more likely a queen) a sitting room with a pull-out bed. Some have 2 double beds that the cabin Stewart will put together. Some larger ones will have a pull-down bunk. That said 4 adults are too many, but 2 kids can work depending on their size. The modern Ships have lots of inventive storage space and interesting bathroom spaces. I’m a big guy and fit in almost all of these spaces, with the shower being the most difficult. 6’4″ is big for the showers. These rooms are comfortable and you get used to the size quickly.
Here is the Cruising game changer a Suite. Virgin has the Mega Rockstar Suite which is 2100 sqft, has its own hot tub, a powder room, and a separate bedroom, Shown here is the Royal Suite. I have had the privilege to sail with MSC in its Yacht Club and will describe our experience which is comparable across Large Cruise lines. You will receive a special boarding area and ease of entry onto the ship. There will be a separate area for you with a pool, bar, and area for suite members to hang out. This quickly makes the huge ship very small. You will also likely have almost all beverages included, with a stocked mini-bar in the room. A butler and concierge specifically for you. Once you get into a suite it is hard to sail any other way.
Onboard Amenities and Dining and extras.
These 5,000 person mega-ships are cities on the ocean. From broadway-style plays to Las Vegas shows and casinos. Your travel advisor (me please) will direct you to the type of ship that has the best amenities for you. You can expect athletic club-quality gyms, running track, climbing walls outdoors yoga, and exercise classes. 3 or more pool areas with an adult-only pool area. One or more of the pools will have a giant movie screen and many have amusement park types of slides and drops (some go out over the ocean).
Each cruise line has its own level of food quality and its customers will love one over the other. For me, there is a level of consistency in large banquet settings. Depending on your culinary pallet your travel agent can find the cruise line you will be happiest on. Outside of the large seated dining, these ships will have multiple specialty dining. These will usually cost more (though less than a similar restaurant at home) usually between $15 to $50 per person. Royal has a Johnny Rockets on board so the selection is from quick to casual to fine dining. Dress is usually nicer on board than maybe at home. For sit-down dinners slacks, skirts, and collared shirts. Ripped jeans, shorts, tank tops are discouraged and sometimes flat-out denied. Most ships have a scaled-down formal night (no tuxes or Ball gowns) but a jacket or a nice dress is always appreciated.
You have to consider the price of the amenities that are not included with the saling price. The Large Cruise ships tend to have a low price to entice sailors but you have to add the extras to your budget. I mentioned that both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are typically not included in the price of the cruise. Depending on how much you like your Dr. Pepper and Rumchatta. Drinks are less expensive than home but you can expect $4 to $10 for a beer $5 to $15 for a drink. A good day at the pool can run you a couple of bucks. Many Cruise lines have both Alcoholic and Non-Alcholic drink packages. The Cruise lines don’t lose money on these. Figure $65 a day per adult in the room for a basic drink package. There will also be a wine only package and a Non Alcohol drink package. The wine package usually goes with dinner, you can buy X bottles of wine at the start of the cruise usually at a 15 to 25% savings on buying a bottle at dinner each night. Your travel advisor (me) we’ll have access to the prices prior to booking. Tours you do in port (excursions) will also cost extra these can run from $40 to $125 per person. Usually, these are fun outings that go with your interests. From historic to food and beach tours. If you intend to eat at the specialty restaurants that will also be a ship incurred fee. Add this and whatever shopping you will do onto your base price to get a better idea of budget.
What about the Kids (Should we bring them on a Cruise)
Did you see those pools, how about the climbing wall? The Mega ships expect (live on) multi-generational families. I can vouch for Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean for kids clubs so good your kids will be begging you to let them go back. No, I want to go have lunch/dinner with my friends. You will be “stuck” having dinner, drinks, and a show with your spouse. All kids past diaper-wearing till they turn 18 will have an age-appropriate group to join. 12 years ago we were on a Disney Cruise and our kids still stay in touch with some of the kids (now adults) they met. It’s funny, Virgin Voyages is adult only and they recently had their MerMadien voyage. They were thinking most of the people on the cruise would be 30 to 45 years old, first dinner at 8 Pm, Clubs and Casino open all night, Shows starting at 11 pm. Well, those folks have kids and they will sail with them on Disney, This first cruise had a slightly older crowd of folks whose kids have graduated to pay their own way.
Well, these are my thoughts on the Big cruise ships. The positives of these vessels are the amenities, the ability to meet a lot of new people. Lots of fun things to do onboard. The downsides Lots of people, crowds. At the port, it can take a half-hour to get off and your excursions are 2 and 3 busses with your cruise companions following a bored tour guide with an umbrella with a tour number.
I will be writing about smaller ocean class ships next 1200 or fewer passengers. I will also do a ship review of the Disney Wonder a 2500 passenger cruise that I just finished.
I am a certified consultant with Disney Cruise Lines. Virgin Voyages, Royal Carribian, Carnival, Norweigan Cruise Line, MSC, and Oceania. I look forward to finding you the best cruise for you.
