Which ship? There’s something to suit virtually all tastes, so take into account your own personality and tastes. Ships are measured, not weighed, in gross tons (gt) and come in four principal size categories:
- Large Resort Ships: for over 1,200 passengers
(typically measure 50,000–160,000 tons)
- Mid-Size Ships: for 500–1,200 passengers
(typically measure 25,000–50,000 tons)
- Small Ships: for 200–500 passengers
(typically measure 5,000–25,000 tons)
- Boutique Ships: for up to 200 passengers
(typically measure 1,000–5,000 tons)
Whatever the physical dimensions, all cruise ships provide the same basic ingredients: accommodation, activities, entertainment, plenty of food, good service, and ports of call, although some do it much better than others (and charge more).
Space
For an idea of the amount of the space around you, check the Passenger Space Ratio given for each ship in the listings section (gross tonnage divided by number of passengers). A Passenger Space Ratio of 50 and above is the ultimate; 30 to 50 is very spacious; 20 to 30 is reasonably spacious; 10 to 20 is high density; and 10 or below is extremely cramped.
What about age?
A ship built before 1980 is considered old. However, this really depends on the level of maintenance it has received, and whether it has operated on short or longer cruises (short cruises get more passenger throughput, and so more wear and tear).
Yet many passengers like older ships, as they tend to have fewer synthetic materials in their interior decor. Although it is inevitable that some older tonnage cannot match the latest in high-tech, ships today are not constructed with the same loving care as in the past.
Most cruise advertising you’ll see revolves around the newer, larger ships, there are many older ships that have much to offer if you don’t want the latest trendy facilities and city high street feel. Indeed, some of the older, smaller ships have adequate facilities, tend to have more character, and provide a more relaxing vacation experience than the go-go-go contemporary ships, where you’re just one of a crowd.
Theme Cruises
Each year, an ever richer variety of theme cruises is available, with many cultural, ecological, and educational subjects. Typical topics range from antiques to wine tasting, from archaeology to holistic health. |
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