Do you prefer the larger ships or the smaller ships

[cruisefan2012]

Just for a bit of fun and not to be taken to seriously as I know everybody has their own preference...

 

Big ships being - Britannia - Azura - Ventura - Arcadia

 

Smaller ships being - Oriana - Aurora - Oceana - Adonia

 

Do you prefer the smaller ships or the larger ships...

 

I like the larger ships, I dont think I could sail on the smaller ships after being on the larger ships...

[Scorpio41]

I love the smaller ships. I have been on the bigger ships but they don't hold the same charm for me.

 

I am on Britannia soon and the last ship I sailed on was the Adonia there will be a real contrast there.

 

I'm happy to sail on the bigger ships and have Arcadia in my sights. :)

[AchileLauro]

Oriana - Aurora - Oceana

I would call them medium sized ships myself rather than smaller ships, and I think that they are just about the right size as far as I am concerned. Have tried Ventura and don't think I would bother again so Britannia is definitely out of the question for me.

[Brayman]

Oriana - Aurora - Oceana

I would call them medium sized ships myself rather than smaller ships, and I think that they are just about the right size as far as I am concerned. Have tried Ventura and don't think I would bother again so Britannia is definitely out of the question for me.

 

I would go along with this. Not that I've been on it but I always considered Arcadia to be a medium sized ship rather than a large one!

[jeanlyon]

Tried Azura - not for me. Love the smaller ships of P&O and Fred Olsen. Have done Artemis, Oriana, Arcadia, Braemar, balmoral. On Adonia in 2.5 weeks!!

[daiB]

I like all the ships. Visit them in rotation so no one gets missed out.

 

Adonia is no good to me because of the scooter. Along with other small ships getting off is difficult to impossible.

 

And she has no casino.

[Elviex]

Big ships for me......lots to do etc, lots of different types of people to watch, hopefully more stable. Just more really!!

[jeanlyon]

Wouldn't agree about being more stable. The older liner-like ships are more stable, big or small. the higher the decks are, the more they roll!

Edited April 7, 2015 by jeanlyon

[Clodia]

Aurora, Oceana, Oriana.

Goldilocks ships.

Just the right size. I'll sail on Azura if it's a good itinerary but want to be on the aforementioned 3.

[Scriv]

Aurora Oceana and Oriana for us too

[Host Sharon]

Tried the big ships - Ventura, Royal Princess - and they are not for me. I love small ship cruising and the intimacy and friendliness. It is easier to get to know people on a smaller ship.

[tartanexile81]

We prefer the bigger ships because we enjoy the choice of evening entertainment and dining venues and also the fact that they are newer and therefore in better condition. The layout of the cabins is so much better. However we've spent more nights on Oceana than any other P&O ship and although it's not our favourite we'll go on the ship that offers the itinerary that suits us.

[dsrdsrdsr]

Arcadia and Oriana are more or less the same size, aren't they? Within 10% or so, in terms of number of passengers.

[Host Sharon]

Arcadia and Oriana are more or less the same size, aren't they? Within 10% or so, in terms of number of passengers.

 

69,000grt (Oriana) v 83,000grt (Arcadia)

 

2231 max (Oriana) v 2628 max (Arcadia

[silver service]

From a wheelchair users point of view. Tend to be on aurora with pando.

Medium size, before the latest refit,knew the layout backwards.

Requiring balcony disabled access cabin. Rules out oriana,oceana

And Adonia. Arcadia,the cabins are small, even the mini suite

Also find the ship rather souless I don't mind, Ventura,and Azura.

Liked the big balconies on Azura c deck. The wife does not like the big ones.

Aurora rules ok!

[Zombatar]

Been on Arcadia (loved it), Ventura (4 times so must love it!!) Queen Elizabeth (It was oaky just about) RCI IoS (hated it), Azamara Quest (hated it even more :eek:) and now we are on Britannia in July, Adonia in February next year and Navigator later that year. I think it depends entirely on the ship itself and not on the size or the line (but we do like P and O quite a bit!!! :D)

[kruzseeka]

It's all relative - we haven't done a cruise yet which we haven't thoroughly enjoyed (long may it continue!) but I must say if I take the itinerary out of the equation, I do have preferences for different ships preferring the mid-size ones like Aurora.

 

It seems to me that the amount of public space, theatre size, promenade deck and pool areas works better on Aurora than on the likes of Azura when you take into account the number of passengers on board. I'm not sure you get proportionally more space on bigger ships (especially the theatre - yes I know there are other sizeable entertainment venues but that doesn't help if the majority of passnegers want to see the show). I know you win out with more venues on the larger ships but there are enough for me on an Aurora size ship so given itinerary/cost if it were a straight choice between the mid-size or large ships I'd go for smaller every time.

[davecttr]

69,000grt (Oriana) v 83,000grt (Arcadia)

 

2231 max (Oriana) v 2628 max (Arcadia

Those are the full occupancy figures but as both ships are adult only......no kids!

 

My brochure says 1880 and 2016

[cruisefan2012]

Thank you all for your interesting views

 

Always good to read reviews from both sides

 

I stated yesterday that I prefer the larger ships, I should point out that I have had bookings to go on Aurora which P&O later cancelled on me... Oriana which I later swapped to another cruise

 

Out of those two ships, I would sooner go on Oriana

[kruzseeka]

Thank you all for your interesting views

 

Always good to read reviews from both sides

 

I stated yesterday that I prefer the larger ships, I should point out that I have had bookings to go on Aurora which P&O later cancelled on me... Oriana which I later swapped to another cruise

 

Out of those two ships, I would sooner go on Oriana

 

Just out of interest (not being challenging in the least) what is it about the Oriana which you prefer over Aurora since they are about the same size?

[jh1809]

So far, I've only been on Aurora and Adonia of the P&O fleet. I like Aurora, but I think I like Adonia even more. It seems quite big enough to me. I don't want a casino or a huge number of bars. A smaller ship has the advantage that it can dock in more ports, and embarkation and disembarkation at Southampton both seem quicker and less of a melee. Also the smaller ports are less overwhelmed by passengers from the ship (always assuming that no other ship is in port at the same time, of course).

 

I don't think I'd want to go on a ship much bigger than Aurora, so Britannia would definitely not be for me.

[cruisefan2012]

I dont actually know but will get back to once I have thought of why Oriana appeals to me more so then Aurora... Good question though

[TOMOGP]

I would also class Arcadia as medium size and it is very much our favourite, then Aurora been on Oriana -yup been on Oriana Ventura and hated it due to that would not try Azura, also liked the Sea Princess.

So medium ship for us, but saying that due to my wife loving the interior look of Brittania on that in July, however my saviour is we are going round Britain so if its as bad as I fear (size wise & kids) we can always get of and get a train home :)

[Host Sharon]

Those are the full occupancy figures but as both ships are adult only......no kids!

 

My brochure says 1880 and 2016

 

That is true but I have sailed with three adults in an inside cabin so the same figures could apply. Also I am not sure if my figures include the refitted Arcadia with her extra cabins on the sun deck.

[Jammy Bun]

Small for me, and preferably Fred Olsen. But of the P&O ships I like both Aurora and Oriana's balcony cabins (on Aurora it has to be B deck, not the cut outs!)

 

We've been on Allure of the Seas, which was a great week's holiday, but NOT what I would describe as a cruise. More like a floating resort. And as someone else has pointed out, the vast number of passengers on the large ships ruins the visitor experience in most ports.

 

Watch out for plenty of cheap deals from P&O, they have a lot of cabins to fill now, and they're increasingly offering a very bland product.