Having just returned from a cruise on a mega ship, I'm reflecting on the differences between cruising on a mega ship and a smaller one. A year ago, I experienced a voyage on a much smaller vessel and documented it here. Each type of ship has its own advantages and disadvantages, so I'll be sharing my thoughts on both. Although I may lean towards one, I truly enjoy both types of cruises!
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Additionally, I wanted to mention that on the larger ships, many cruise lines now feature a "ship within a ship" section. For instance, Norwegian offers The Haven, a VIP zone with more luxurious cabins, along with a private pool, restaurant, bar, and more. Staying in The Haven provides a distinct experience, including being escorted on and off the ship and having reserved seating in the theater. Whether it's The Haven with NCL or The Retreat with Celebrity, the experience is exceptional and highly recommended. Please let me know if you're interested. This blog post focuses on the "regular" cruiser who is not in the VIP section.
Ships & Capacity: To give you an idea of what we're comparing, the mega ship I just sailed on is Norwegian Encore, which is 169,116 gross tonnage and has a capacity of 3958 passengers (double occupancy). In comparison, Explora I is 63,900 gross tonnage and has a capacity of 922 passengers.
Arrival at Port & Check-in: When you think about the number of passengers boarding these ships, the arrival experience varies greatly. It's like comparing a jazz club to a Taylor Swift concert (perhaps not that extreme, but you get the idea). The port traffic is noticeably different and can be frustrating when boarding a larger ship. The check-in process also differs significantly. On a smaller cruise, lines are shorter or non-existent, and check-in occurs at a table with a friendly associate using an iPad. On a larger ship, there are multiple lines based on your status with the cruise line. On my recent cruise, I must commend NCL for a very smooth process. I have Platinum status with them, so I used a priority line, but even the other lines were moving quickly due to a well-staffed check-in desk.
Embarkation & First Impressions:
Boarding nearly 4,000 passengers is quite different from boarding fewer than 1,000. On a mega ship, passengers typically wait in a large room, and boarding is done in groups assigned based on your arrival time at the port. On a smaller ship, you can likely walk directly onto the ship after checking in.
Once on a mega ship, embarkation day is notoriously hectic. This is because of the large number of people figuring out what to do and where to go. Additionally, if you board around noon, cabins are generally not available until about 2 or 3:00. If you prepare for this (for example, by keeping your swimsuit in a small bag), it's manageable, but inexperienced cruisers often lug suitcases around all day. Once passengers can access their cabins, the crowds thin out, and things settle down. On a smaller ship, like Explora I, you are welcomed with a glass of champagne and then have the freedom to explore the ship, including visiting your suite.
Staterooms/Suites: On either type of ship, cabins or staterooms can be quite nice and comfortable. Things are typically just smaller on a mega ship (interesting, right?). On my recent Norwegian cruise, I was perfectly comfortable in the room. It had a large bed, a sofa, a decent bathroom with a small shower, and a balcony. However, when I sailed with Explora Journeys, I was more than comfortable in my Ocean Terrace Suite. It had a king bed, a large sitting area with coffee table, a large balcony, a walk-in closet, and a luxurious bathroom with heated floors and a full size shower. It was so luxurious, and I could have lived in it!
Public Spaces: Both types of ships can have beautiful public spaces (bars, restaurants, atriums, pools, etc). It's a numbers thing again. Once a cruise gets going, people typically disperse so that even a mega ship with 4,000 people doesn't feel too crowded. At certain times, corridors, bars, and elevators can be quite crowded, though. The thing that really struck me on Explora I was the luxury of space. It is not a super small ship, so instead of feeling like walking through Times Square, it's more like a leisurely stroll in the park. It could actually be too calm for some people! Below, you see the amazing lobby bar on Explora I (left photo), which feels like being in a 5-star hotel. It gets quite busy before dinner, but at other times, finding a seat is easy. On the right, you see the A-List bar on Norwegian Encore, which is open before dinner and is next to Cagney's Steakhouse. They serve excellent cocktails before dinner, have great service, and it is usually not too busy.
Pools: Yes, pools are public spaces, but this is a very interesting difference worthy of its own category. On the Norwegian Encore, there are two small pools (one adults only and one for children + the private Haven pool). Although there are signs saying not to reserve seats, people get up at sunrise to put towels and other belongings on chairs to reserve them. By the time most people are out, it is impossible to find a chair (although there are TONS of chairs). This is an issue that is often discussed among cruisers! However, on Explora I, there 4 pools (2 aft, 1 forward, and 1 covered pool midship), so finding a spot at the pool is never an issue. Also, instead of fighting for a bartenders attention at the pool bar, it is much easier to get a drink.
Passengers: I am a person who enjoys diversity and being around all types of people. It's interesting, and there's a lot to learn from everyone. I'd say you get greater diversity on a larger ship since it appeals to a wider range of budgets. Larger ships also cater to families with children much more than smaller ships. If children want waterslides and other activities, with lots of other children to play with, then a mega ship is probably a good option. You'll find far fewer children on a smaller ship!
Entertainment & Activities: Both types of cruises offer a variety of entertainment, and I really can't say whether one is better than the other. On my recent NCL cruise, there were a couple of bands, one that did mainly reggae and one that was more of a rock/pop band. There were also people who played the piano and sang, and there were a couple of shows. One of the shows was "The Choir of Man," which I believe is one of the best shows at sea. I've seen it three or four times now and have enjoyed it each time! On Explora I, there was almost always someone playing the piano in the beautiful piano bar, and sometimes the person also sang while playing. There were featured entertainers who did a variety of shows during the sailing, and I can imagine that they now have different entertainers.
Regarding other activities, on a smaller ship, you're more likely to have speakers on a number of different topics, whether it is information about the destinations or self-improvement topics. You might also find daily yoga or other fitness classes available. On NCL, there are lots of daily activities, but they are more along the lines of trivia games, dance classes, sexy legs competition, and napkin folding demonstrations. I can personally alway find something to do, even if it's just reading a book by the pool!
Cost: This may seem obvious, but I think it's a tricky one. My recent NCL cruise cost around $3000, which included a balcony cabin, "open bar," 2 specialty dining meals, and $50 shore excursion credit per port. There were additional charges for internet and gratuities. The gratuities cost me $20 per day ($140 total), and I upgrade to a premium drink package, which also included wifi and cost $294. The total I paid was around $3450. Because of some added perks, I had several specialty dining vouchers, so I was able to do that without extra cost. However, they would normally cost extra. Explora Journeys had a sailing around the same dates, and although I don't have a record of the cost, I believe it would have been about $6000. That's pretty different, but it automatically includes premium beverages, gratuities, wifi, dining in any of the exceptional restaurants (except for 1 upcharge option), and some experience credit (aka shore excursion credit), in addition to the luxury of space. If you enjoy premium beverages and consistently wonderful food, regardless of where you dine on board, those things are built in with a cruise line such as Explora Journeys!
Conclusion: It's probably obvious that I personally have a preference for the smaller, more luxurious ship. Instead of taking two mega ship cruises, you could choose to just do one with a cruise line like Explora Journeys. If you are a family with children, you might prefer the mega ship that has an abundance of activities for them. Regardless, I encourage you to try cruising, and I am here to help you find the right match for you and your cruise companions.
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