Mid-Size Cruise Ships

What’s the difference between large resort ships and midsize/boutique ships? Are new cruise ships better than older cruise ships? What are theme cruises? By Berlitz Guides

500 – 1,200 passengers

These are well suited to the smaller ports of the Aegean and Mediterranean, and are more manoeuvrable than larger ships. Several operate around-the-world cruises and other long-distance itineraries to exotic destinations not really feasible aboard many of the ships in the small or large resort ship categories.

There is a big difference in the amount of space available. Accommodation varies from large ‘penthouse suites’ complete with butler service to tiny interior (no-view) cabins. These ships will generally be more stable at sea than ‘small ships’, due to their increased size and draft. They provide more facilities, more entertainment, and more dining options. There is some entertainment, and more structured activities than aboard small ships, but less than aboard the large resort ships.

Advantages:

• They are neither too large, nor too small; their size and facilities often strike a happy balance.
  
• It is easy to find your way around.
  
• They generally sail well in areas of bad weather, being neither high-sided like the large resort ships, nor of too shallow draft like some of the small ships.
  
• Queues seldom form (except for ships approaching 1,200 passengers), but if they do, they are likely to be short.
  
• They appear more like traditional ships than most of the larger vessels, which tend to be more ‘boxy’ in shape and profile.

Disadvantages:

• They do not offer as wide a range of public rooms and facilities as the large resort ships.
  
• Few have large show lounges for large-scale production shows; hence entertainment tends to be more of the cabaret variety.

Small Ships and Boutique Ships

200 – 500 passengers; 50 – 200 passengers

Choose a boutique or small ship for an intimate cruise experience and a small number of passengers. Some of the most exclusive cruise ships in the world belong in this group (but so do most of the coastal vessels with basic, unpretentious amenities, sail-cruise ships, and the expedition-style cruise vessels that take passengers to see nature). Choose this size ship if you do not need much entertainment, large resort ship facilities, gambling casinos, several restaurants, and if you don’t like to wait in lines for anything. If you want to swim in the late evening, or have champagne in the jacuzzi at midnight, it is easier aboard boutique or small ships than aboard larger ships, where more rigid programmes lead to more inflexible thinking. For a further range of small ship cruises visit our sister site Cruising Holidays

Advantages:

• More like small inns than mega-resorts.
  
• Easy to find your way around, and signage is usually clear and concise.
  
• At their best in warm weather areas.
  
• Capable of true culinary excellence, with fresh foods cooked individually to order.
  
• Most provide an ‘open seating’ in the dining room; this means that you can sit with whomever you wish, whenever you wish, for all meals.
  
• Provide a totally unstructured lifestyle, offering a level of service not found aboard most of the larger ships, and no or almost no announcements.
  
• Provide an ‘open bridge’ policy, allowing passengers to go to the navigational bridge when safe to do so.
  
• Go to the more off-beat ports of call that larger ships can’t get into.
  
• When the ship is at anchor, going ashore is easy and speedy, with a continuous tender service and no lines.
  
• Less crowded ports mean more exclusivity.

Disadvantages:

• Do not have the bulk, length, or beam to sail well in open seas in inclement weather conditions.
  
• Do not have the range of public rooms or open spaces that the large resort ships can provide. Options for entertainment, therefore, are limited.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publications 2008