Can you ever go back to a smaller ship?

[gotmysealegs]

My first cruise was on the Canival Fascination, a 70000 ton, 2000 passenger ship. Our next one will be on the Voyager.

Once I've done the biggest and best will everything else seem small and boring?

-----------------------------
RCI Voyager - April 23, 2005
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=dc143c&cdt=2005;4;26;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Carnival Fascination - June 2003

[Sheffie]

I did the Golden Princess, which is a mega ship, and then sailed on the Horizon, which is a small ship. I loved the Horizon. Sailed on the Century this spring and loved her, too. I find that I REALLY like the smaller ships better. I like the feeling of seeing some of the same people time and again. The crew really get to know you on smaller ships, too. I think that cruises are what you make them. If you want to have a marvelous time, you will.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
Mark Twain

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2005;3;26;16;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Till we sail Splendour of the Seas 3/26/05!


Century 3/20/04
Horizon 4/03
Golden Princess 3/30/02
Grandeur 4/01
Holiday 3/92

[bobbie0253]

We don't mind doing smaller ships after the Voyager class. As long as we have some idea of what to expect, everything is great.

Honestly the first time we sailed the Adventure we were overwhelmed (sp?). The second time we sailed the Adventure it was a much more enjoyable cruise. Very relaxing [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Bobbie

Voyager of the Seas in....
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=006400&cdt=2004;5;16;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]


Adventure of the Seas 2-03
Enchantment of the Seas 3-03
Majesty of the Seas 5-03
Adventure of the Seas 9-03
Sovereign of the Seas 11-03
Sovereign of the Seas 1-04
Grandeur of the Seas 3-04

My albums can be viewed with this link...
[url="http://public.fotki.com/bobbie0253/"]http://public.fotki.com/bobbie0253/[/url]

[Alexis]

Hi,
We have done 20 cruises on ships from 17,500 tons to the Adventure at 140,000 tons.
Our next cruise is on the Empress of the Seas, RCCL's smallest ship at 48,563 tons.
We go by the itinerary and the price.

[B]12/06/04[/B]
[B]THE EMPRESS OF THE SEAS.[/B] [B]**10 ISLANDS IN 11 NIGHTS**[/B]
[B]VISIT OUR ROLL CALL [url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=9663035247"] HERE [/url] [/B]

[MVPinBoynton]

We are a little concerned about going on a small ship after all the wonderful ones we have been on. But we decided on doing the 30,000 ton Tahitian Princess to see Tahiti next year. Everyone raves about it. Like Alexis, we look at the itinerary first and price not far behind.

Mike


See our reviews and pictures at [url="http://www.thepreismans.com/"]Mike and Carol's Website[/url]

Costa Classica 3/94
Celebrity Mercury 4/98
Carnival Destiny 4/99
Crown Princess 7/01
Norwegian Star 11/01
Grand Princess 12/01
Sun Princess 3/02
Celebrity Constellation 11/02
Brilliance of the Seas 6/03
Navigator of the Seas 11/03
Jewel of the Seas 06/04
Tahitian Princess 02/05

[superjerryw]

It depends on how you define small. A 70,000 ton ship is pretty big and can offer most of the amenities of larger ships. The interesting thing is that there is a drastic drop in ship size when you go below 70,000 tons as most of the smaller ships are about 45,000 tons wiht little in between. It also depends on what amenities you are looking for on the ship. I like a ship with a nice gym and I know that the ships in the 45,000 ton class usually have tiny gyms that I find of no use so I would not normally book on a smaller ship. I would only book on a smaller ship if it had an exceptional itinerary I could not find on a larger ship.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ff00&cdt=2004;3;19;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

Donuts, is there anything they can't do....

[dobie]

We were on the Adventure in March, and although we had a good time, we really wouldn't sail that class again unless it was really cheap. Have been on the Golden Princess as well, and the Vision class, and down to the Nordic Prince size!! We look for a covered swimming pool (which believe it or not the Solarium is not covered on the Adventure which was not a good thing). We also want a good gym. We're going on the Vision again in Oct (3rd time I believe) and then the Island Princess in March. We really enjoy meeting people on the smaller size ships.

[ellen m]

I have loved every ship I have been on from the Nordic, Sovereign, Vision class, and the Adventure. From the first day I feel like I've come home. Each have their own style but they feel simular. I loooooooooove to cruise.

[lovetocruiserccl]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Alexis:
Hi,
We have done 20 cruises on ships from 17,500 tons to the Adventure at 140,000 tons.
Our next cruise is on the Empress of the Seas, RCCL's smallest ship at 48,563 tons.
We go by the itinerary and the price.

_12/06/04_
_THE EMPRESS OF THE SEAS._ _**10 ISLANDS IN 11 NIGHTS**_
_VISIT OUR ROLL CALL [url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=9663035247"]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=9663035247[/url] _<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Why yes you can. That was my first cruise and I loved it I want to return to it for some new memories. Have a wonderful time.

Nordic Empress 2times
Monarch Of The Seas
Majesty Of The Seas
Explorer Of The Seas
Navigator Of The Seas Aug 2004

[gene624]

I do not MIND a huge ship, but my preference is a smaller ship. I loved the Sea Goddess II (now doing business as, I think, Oceania. Also Renaissance's original smaller vesels. My second cruise -- which I repeated about 5 times-- was on the old Seawind Crown (now out of service) it held about 600+ pax and I loved it. Of course I was in the huge owners' suite (an actual apartment).
Gene in Birmingham

[sailor moon]

My goal is to try all the different sizes from Empress to Voyager. Each is such a different experience and setting. So far I have done Monarch, Rhapsody and next May -Radiance. I am still trying to find a Voyager class ship that fits my schedule and pocketbook.

JB
UPCOMING CRUISES:
Splendour of the Seas 4/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;4;22;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
Enchantment of the Seas 9/04
Rhapsody of the Seas 11/04
Radiance of the Seas 5/04 - Alaska

[Guest OBAYbee]

I think I have a harder time getting on an older ship. Seems as of late I have been on all the new ones and would like to be on the next new one to come out.
So, my answer would be yes..no...yes..no... hehe
Smaller would be over ruled by newer.

[mbisson]

Interesting question"can I go back to a smaller ship?"

Is a frogs butt water tight?

-Monte

some of my cruising photos:
[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/m1bisson"]http://community.webshots.com/user/m1bisson[/url]
A bad day cruising is better than a good day at work.

The worst cruise I ever took was pretty damned good.

Platinum with RCI, a couple cruises with NCL and 1 with CCL

Clock remove but cruise in Dec

[Taters]

When my DH and I went on the Conquest this past September, I was very disappointed. This 110,000 beheamouth felt very impersonal - more like a resort than a cruise ship. I won't do a huge ship like that again. My favorite cruises have been on the Song of Norway, Song of America, Jubilee and Enchantment of the Seas.

Have fun!

Taters [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Song of Norway, 1971
Imagination, 1/1996
Imagination, 1/1998
Song of America, 1/1999
Jubilee, 1/2000
Inspiration, 1/2001
Enchantment of the Seas, 11/2002 - Back to back!
Carnival Conquest, 9/2003
Island Princess, 12/2004

[Alexis]

Hi lovetocruiserccl,
Thank you. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]
I am really looking forward to that cruise. I have read so many good things about the Empress, that I know we will enjoy her.

[B]12/06/04[/B]
[B]THE EMPRESS OF THE SEAS.[/B] [B]**10 ISLANDS IN 11 NIGHTS**[/B]
[B]VISIT OUR ROLL CALL [url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=9663035247"] HERE [/url] [/B]

[sandhillwings]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Can you ever go back to a smaller ship? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
It isn't the size of the ship that matters, but how well you use it...

[cruisinisforme]

As much as I lover the Voyager class ships because of their size and everything there is to do. I have to do we usually have more fun on a smaller ship. There may not be as much to do, but we are a friendly group, and we usually get to know sooooo many people. Last year on the Enchantment, it was just me and my girlfriend, but we had made so many friends that it took us over 20 minutes to leave the dining room on the last night because we had made so many friends on the ship everyone wanted us to come and say goodbye. So I can easily go back to the smaller ships just because they tend to be friendlier. This is not to say people on the larger ships aren't friendlier, but usually their are so many and they tend to come in groups, just as we do, and you do not get to know as many of them. So there is something to offer on both kinds, you wont be disappointed.

Janet

Mariner of the Seas 3/04
Enchantment of the Seas 9/03
Explorer of the Seas 7/03
Carnival Triumph 2/03
Imagination 7/02
Jubilee 4/02
Sensation 2/98
Carnivale 10/91

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;9;12;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until we sail again on the Mariner

[bpear1600]

We've been on 17 cruises and we will never sail on a ship less than 70,000 tons again.

Small ships have always been boring to us. They usually have inadequate gyms and activities. We like to do more than eat, drink and lay around.

To each his own.

Bob



[img]http://www.uconnhuskies.com/images_new/2004_champs2.jpg[/img]

[jimcald]

In the last 3 years we have done Inspiration, Explorer and then Elation in that order (Inspiration and Elation were both the same class as Fasination). We were also worried about going back to the smaller ship after having cruised the BIG one but we loved it. We found that each ship has it's own pros and cons but the experience was no less enjoyable on any of them.

Jim...


Adventure of the Seas - Thanksgiving Cruise 2004
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;11;21;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

Carnival Elation - Easter Cruise 2004
RCI Explorer of the Seas - Feb 2003
Carnival Inspiration - Feb 2002
NCL Seaward (AKA Norwegian Sea) - June 1992
USS Dale (CG-19) - 1990
USS Coontz (DDG-40) - 1988

[kbt2]

I personally, yes, can go back to a smaller ship. It definitely has it's benefits as well...crowds, comotion, etc...is less. I like both classes of ships.

Kim
Dawn Princess
Regal Princess
Grand Princess
Mercury - Celebrity
Windward - NCL
Monarch of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2004;5;7;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0000[/img]

[DUBIDUB2]

Just got back from Princess Golden. Yes, it was good but the Voyager class was definately better....



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RCCL - Mariner (April 3rd 2005)
[B]Princess - Golden (April 3rd 2004)
RCCL - Navigator (June 2003)
RCCL - Explorer (April 2002)
RCCL - Voyager (June 2001)
Carnival - Paradise (Dec/Jan 1999/2000 Millenium Cruise)
Big Red Boat [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] (1997)[/B]
[img]http://www.cyberbreezes.com/images/animated/7bdolph.gif[/img]

[hdawson]

Very easy to go back to smaller. Galley has to prepare maybe one third as many meals so I've found the food to be considerably better. Same for service. More personalized. Fewer guests mean you get to know your fellow cruisers and crew better. Although the Voyager class are amazing ships, I came home feeling like I had spent the week at Mall of America. (slight exageration)
Rock wall climbing doesn't interest me or inline skating. The ice skating shows are very good considering it's on a ship but does not compare to the traveling ice shows such as Icecapades, etc. Brilliance was the prettiest ship I've seen but again, very big at 90,000 tons. Celebrity's Horizon was one of my absolute favorites at 46,000 tons. Both Brilliance and Horizon do leave you with the feeling of being at sea and on a ship.

[Larry Dymnd]

I myself have cruised on larger ships the largest for me was the Carnival Victory 1 1/2 weeks after 911. Ship was at almost full capacity 3000 quests. Loved it. I have also sailed the Pacific Princess(Love Boat) Loved it.
I personally perfer smaller ships. But I'll cruise on any ship. Even the Staten Island Ferry.

May 21, 2004 Grandeur of the Seas
January 09, 2005 Adventurer of the Seas

[jimcald]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Larry Dymnd:
I personally perfer smaller ships. But I'll cruise on any ship. Even the Staten Island Ferry.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
OT but a funny story. If you really want to have some fun (and see things you will later wish you could un-see [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] ), ride the Staten Island Ferry from 8pm-8am sometime (I did this as part of Navy shore patrol and saw some wacky stuff [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] )

Jim...


Adventure of the Seas - Thanksgiving Cruise 2004
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;11;21;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

Carnival Elation - Easter Cruise 2004
RCI Explorer of the Seas - Feb 2003
Carnival Inspiration - Feb 2002
NCL Seaward (AKA Norwegian Sea) - June 1992
USS Dale (CG-19) - 1990
USS Coontz (DDG-40) - 1988

[mbisson]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by sandhillwings:
It isn't the size of the ship that matters, but how well you use it...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You can cross the ocean in a row boat, but it's sure more fun on a ship [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] (if ya know what I mean)

-Monte

some of my cruising photos:
[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/m1bisson"]http://community.webshots.com/user/m1bisson[/url]
A bad day cruising is better than a good day at work.

The worst cruise I ever took was pretty damned good.

Platinum with RCI, a couple cruises with NCL and 1 with CCL

Clock remove but cruise in Dec