It was not just that. Actually the only crew member we remember was the cruise director. It was the family/friend feeling we all had towards each other. Being a small ship, we got to know or at least see and acknowledge everyone on the ship.
To me…. and this is only the way I feel, the large ships now are like being in a resort when on the beach, like walking around in the mall when inside walking the promenade, and like being in Vegas for the entertainment. All very impersonal.