Does the Size Really Matter?

[vlynn]

HI! I have only sailed on two Carnival ships, the Pride (5th time in February) and the Glory. Plus two RCI ships again small class the Enchantment and the Grandeur. I am very hesitant to try larger ships, I have this idea that it won't feel like I am on a ship, it will be crowed, it won't be as relaxing....etc.

 

Please tell me am I right or do I have it all wrong?

 

What I love about cruising is the feeling of the ship, I enjoy the movement, looking at the ocean, being able to find quiet places to sit, fun activities when desired, really it is that relaxing in the middle of the ocean feeling.

 

I don't want to feel like I am at an amusement park or a mall or surrounded by 1000 people....

 

But, I know they aren't building the small ships any more so, please tell me the big ships aren't so bad or if they are...just so I know what to expect. It is very likly we will be sailing one in 2017.

 

Thanks! :D

[ryansmith18]

In my opinion you do indeed have it all wrong. I very much prefer the larger ships, the Dream class being my favorite by far. I've never felt like I was at an amusement park - it feels like a ship. You're still surrounded by endless water and I haven't had too much of a problem finding a nice place to sit and enjoy the view.

[carib1]

HI! I have only sailed on two Carnival ships, the Pride (5th time in February) and the Glory. Plus two RCI ships again small class the Enchantment and the Grandeur. I am very hesitant to try larger ships, I have this idea that it won't feel like I am on a ship, it will be crowed, it won't be as relaxing....etc.

 

Please tell me am I right or do I have it all wrong?

 

What I love about cruising is the feeling of the ship, I enjoy the movement, looking at the ocean, being able to find quiet places to sit, fun activities when desired, really it is that relaxing in the middle of the ocean feeling.

 

I don't want to feel like I am at an amusement park or a mall or surrounded by 1000 people....

 

But, I know they aren't building the small ships any more so, please tell me the big ships aren't so bad or if they are...just so I know what to expect. It is very likly we will be sailing one in 2017.

 

Thanks! :D

 

 

 

I'm with you on this one! I do not like the bigger ships, went on the Dream last year and did not like it one bit. I felt it was crowded, the elevators never worked or had to wait forever for one. We had a cove balcony and it took at least 30 min each day to get to the Lido deck using the elevators. (for those that say just walk up the stairs....I have COPD from chemical burns so that is not an option).

 

I love the mid-sized ships, going on the Glory next month. And I cruise for the same reason as you:)

[Tapi]

One of the biggest misconceptions is that larger = more crowded. Ships, like the Fantasy class, have a much worse space to passenger ratio than ships that are twice its size. Interestingly enough, the ship where we felt the least crowded was on the mammoth 225,000 ton Allure of the Seas. Yes, 6,000 passengers, but the sheer size and layout of the ship made parts of it feel quiet and basically deserted. It was absolutely wonderful. We found an open deck in the aft of the ship, with loungers and incredible views of the ocean and the wake of the ship, which we made our own since most of the time we were there all by ourselves.

 

But larger ships do make you feel a bit less connected with the ocean. Many public areas may have either limited or no views, which is why I recommend getting at least an oceanview or balcony stateroom, otherwise you will definitely miss the connection with the ocean.

 

Give a larger ship a try and see if you like it. With family and children who want constant entertainment and variety, larger ships can't be beat. But on unique itineraries, a couples only atmosphere, or a cruise where the main draw is relaxation and watching the ocean go by, a smaller ship may be the better choice.

Edited September 9, 2015 by Tapi

[KLD1019]

In my opinion you do indeed have it all wrong. I very much prefer the larger ships, the Dream class being my favorite by far. I've never felt like I was at an amusement park - it feels like a ship. You're still surrounded by endless water and I haven't had too much of a problem finding a nice place to sit and enjoy the view.

 

aside from the Jubilee (which was too long ago for me to remember), Dream class ships have been the only ones ive cruised on. last year the Magic, this year the Dream, next year the Breeze. and i LOVE them!

[ABQrobin]

have to agree... we were on the Magic last year and it seemed HUGE, no crowds at all. Freedom and Glory seemed so much smaller and more congested at times.

[Jay Sam]

I like aspect of all different size of ships.

 

The larger ones have a lot to offer, but have never felt like it was crowded.

 

The smaller ones are great too. All seem to have just the right amount of things to do for me.

 

I agree with one of the other posters, that actually the larger ships may be a little less crowded than the Fantasy class for example.

 

Never have taken Oasis class on RCL, but from what I have read and have heard the guests are spread out and doesn't seem as busy as you may think.

[vlynn]

Thank you all the feedback is really helpful. So far it seems that maybe the overcrowding is more apparent on the very small ships (which I haven't sailed either) and the inbetween size. So if I go big I might want to go very big not just a class or two up?

 

The ships we are considering for 2017 are the Sunshine or the Anthem....

 

I really appreciate all the insights please keep them coming. I want to go with the right expectations (or no expectations) because then I know I will have a great time. :D

[topofE]

My last cruise was on the Dream and I definitely noticed more crowding. Since it is bigger, there are still empty hallways, empty decks to walk around, etc. It isn't like you are at a concert getting pushed around or anything. But with a couple thousand more people and only 1 pizza place, 2 buffets, 1 sandwich shop, 1 grill, 1 customer service desk, 1 casino bank place, etc the lines were noticeably longer. On the smaller ships there are times when you could go to the sandwich shop and be the only person there. I never found that on the Dream. There were a lot more people looking for what seemed to be the same amount of loungers on Lido.

 

With that said, we are going on her again in December so it wasn't make or break. But my whole family DID notice that we seemed to be waiting in much longer lines than usual.

[uncleg]

I cruise the Dream a couple of years ago, never seemed crowded.loved the huge atrium area, the only place that was crowded to me was gym...to me it was the same size or smaller than on Fantasy class. I also like the Fantasy class, just the right size...only atrium is to small.

[Davey Wavey]

I think the bigger ships DO feel crowded, but only at certain times, like embarkation/debarkation, middle of the night pizza, specialty restaurants, casino, customer service, etc. Basically anytime there is one place to handle the entire ship the lines are noticeably longer. Otherwise, they didn't feel any more crowded than the other ships.

[skittl1321]

While I am trying to Magic, I am very apprehensive about it. Crowding is not what has prevented me from going on a large ship.

 

To me, size matters in one very important way: evacuation.

 

I am just not convinced one of the true mega-ships out there could evacuate in a timely manner in an at sea emergency, and God forbid it ever gets put to test.

[cruizinrican]

In just about everything that matters, bigger is usually BETTER!! ;)

Edited September 9, 2015 by cruizinrican

[YubaSutter]

The my opinion that bigger is always better, unless it's your wife or cellmate.

[skittl1321]

In just about everything that matters, bigger is usually BETTER!! ;)

 

 

Best cruise ever was on a ship with fewer than 100 passengers. Wish I could afford more like that!

 

No way a big ship is going to have that beat.

[jocko4279]

Spirit class is the best size-wise that Carnival has to offer. Big ship amenities with less crowding.

[Florings]

I love the Spirit class ships. The right size for my husband and I. Have been on Conquest class and Fantasy class, both are good too - but Spirit by far the best.

 

Haven't been on the larger ones yet, and have to say I, too, am a bit apprehensive about the crowds....

[PunkyH]

Well, everyone has their own opinions and that is great. Our favorite ship is the Elation ( fantasy class). We did the Pride repo from Tampa to Baltimore this past spring and we loved the Pride. Would definitely be our favorite ship if it was near us, but it is not. We have sailed the Dream 3 times and we do not like it. Too big for us. Seating around the atrium is uncomfortable. The leather seats are not deep enough and slant down. We feel like we are going to fall off the seat. That being said if someone close to us wanted to go we probably would.

[A_Touch_of_Island_Fever]

I have been on relatively few cruises compared to most that post here. Have been on the Inspiration, Fantasy, Freedom of the Seas and Caribbean Princess. Going on the Valor February 2016 to get married in Dominican Republic and then celebrate for 5 more days. I haven't really noticed a difference, but all those ship sizes might be comparable, I didn't really pay attention. The crowds were around the main pool on each ship. Never had to wait too long in a buffet line and longest wait for MDR was maybe 20 minutes (we always do your time or anytime dining). We get to the shows we want to see early, so that's never been a concern. We have noticed, and taken advantage of, the fact that the hot tub areas empty out when the early diners go to get ready for dinner. That is our time for a soak, a cold beverage and some peaceful time to plan the evening. Other than the pool deck I have never felt crowded on any of our cruises though.

[Taters]

The largest ship I have been on was 113,000 GT. I do not understand why there are only 2 pools on these larger ships and do not care for them or the crowds. Yes, the lines are longer.

 

My favorite is the Spirit class on Carnival and the Island and Coral on Princess. Both of these classes of ships are about 90,000 GT, have three pools and lots of room for passengers. This is my comfort zone.

 

I will not go on one of the huge ships with all of the "bells & whistles", as I do not need a Mall of America experience. I prefer the more traditional cruise experience and seeing many of the same passengers on a daily basis.

Edited September 10, 2015 by Taters

[mzloolue]

While I am trying to Magic, I am very apprehensive about it. Crowding is not what has prevented me from going on a large ship.

 

To me, size matters in one very important way: evacuation.

 

I am just not convinced one of the true mega-ships out there could evacuate in a timely manner in an at sea emergency, and God forbid it ever gets put to test.

 

I think so too.

 

I like to be on an upper deck for that reason too.

[KARTI1955]

I was apprehensive about the larger ships also until I sailed on the Breeze. Loved it and it never seemed crowded at all. Then again, any ship is fine by me :)

[Ironman1989]

I'm fairly new to cruising, but my thoughts are that with a smaller ship that has fewer passengers, port visits would be less crowded and it would be easier to catch a tender in the ports that use them. Any thoughts or experience on that aspect?

[volfan22701]

We have been on fantasy class, pride, victory, valor, sunshine, and liberty. Liked them all. Least favorite was sunshine. Favorite by far is the pride.

[Tapi]

The ships we are considering for 2017 are the Sunshine or the Anthem....

 

 

Well that changes things a bit. Sunshine is, not only one of the ships with the worst space to passenger ratio in the Carnival fleet, but also one of the worst in the entire cruise industry. As you may already now or not know, it's an almost 20 year old ship that was refurbished, staterooms were added and public venues eliminated. While she still gets positive reviews from some, the revised space to passenger ratio can't be overlooked. There were plans to "Sunshine" other ships in the Carnival fleet (and even names were copyrighted and secured) but the plans were scrapped after the Sunshine was completed, the negative reviews started pouring in, and the engineering snafus became apparent.

 

Do yourself a favor, and sail on the Anthem.

Edited September 10, 2015 by Tapi