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Choosing Ship Size

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Choosing ship size can contribute to your experience: how many fellow passengers you'll share your vacation with, onboard dining and entertainment options, activities on board, and even the ports of call you visit. Smaller ships can navigate into more secluded ports and have further intimate experiences, while larger ships access bigger, more popular ports. Choosing the right ship can make or break your vacation, so consider your lifestyle and expectations carefully when making this important decision.

​Larger Ships - Over 900 Guests

  • Crystal

  • Cunard

  • Holland America

  • Princess

  • Viking Ocean

​Smaller Ships - Under 900 Guests

  • Oceania

  • Regent Seven Seas

  • Seabourn

  • Silversea

These ships provide a happy medium, combining some big-ship features with a smaller-ship atmosphere. There's no lack of entertainment and features on these ships. Alternative dining is generally an option, and you can still expect ample nightlife, a casino, shows, and a spa. Some vessels in this category are refurbished older ships that offer particularly good value.

Small ships tend to excel at off-the-beaten-path itineraries since the vessels can comfortably access more intimate ports. Smaller ship size does not allow for a lot of onboard extras, but lines often splurge for more plush appointments in cabins and public spaces. The onboard atmosphere is more intimate, with fewer guests and more personalized staff attention, but that attention and exclusivity can come with a price. Intriguing itineraries are more often the focus of the voyage.

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