Mega Ship or Smaller Ship? How Cruising Got So Big and Which Is Right for You

From classic ocean liners to today's floating resorts, cruise ships have changed dramatically. But when it comes to your vacation, is bigger actually better?

When Did Cruise Ships Get So Ridiculously Big?

If you've looked at some of today's newest cruise ships and thought, When did these things become floating cities? you're not alone.

Today's largest ships have waterparks, ice-skating rinks, theaters, dozens of places to eat and drink, multiple pools and even entire neighborhoods.

But cruise ships weren't always like this.

Here's a fun comparison.

When Titanic sailed in 1912, she was one of the largest and most luxurious ships the world had ever seen. She measured about 883 feet long and 46,329 gross tons.

Today's Icon of the Seas is roughly 1,200 feet long and nearly 250,000 gross tons.

One of history's most famous "giant" ships would look surprisingly small next to today's mega ships.

The growth didn't happen overnight.

Carnival Imagination, which happens to be the smallest cruise ship I've personally sailed, entered service in 1995 at just over 70,000 gross tons.

One year later, Carnival Destiny made history as the first passenger ship to cross the 100,000-gross-ton mark.

Today, 100,000 gross tons doesn't seem particularly enormous.

Royal Caribbean's Icon Class has taken the floating-resort concept to another level, with ships carrying thousands of guests and offering everything from huge waterparks to multiple entertainment districts and dozens of places to eat and drink.

I haven't sailed Icon Class yet, but trust me, it's on my list.

The largest ship I've sailed so far is Symphony of the Seas. I've also sailed Carnival Jubilee, another very large ship and one of my personal favorites.

After experiencing ships ranging from Carnival Imagination to Symphony, I've learned something.

There really isn't a "best" size.

They're simply different ways to cruise.

The Case for Going BIG

There's a reason I personally gravitate toward mid-size and larger ships.

I like choices.

I love having multiple pools, different restaurants, great entertainment and plenty of activities. I may not actually do everything, but I like knowing it's there.

Carnival Jubilee is a perfect example.

You've got BOLT, a roller coaster at sea, WaterWorks, multiple pools, tons of entertainment and more food choices than anyone reasonably needs in seven days.

And do you know where I spent a huge amount of my Jubilee cruise?

The aft pool.

I loved sitting near the back of the ship, watching the wake and relaxing.

That's something people sometimes misunderstand about big ships. Just because there are thousands of people and activities everywhere doesn't mean you have to spend your entire vacation in the middle of them.

Good ship design matters, and many large ships have quieter areas where you can get away from the action.

Yes, Mega Ships Can Feel Crowded

I'm not going to pretend otherwise.

I've encountered crowded pools and bars, long waits for elevators and popular venues that fill up way too quickly.

When you sail matters too.

Spring break, summer vacation and other times when kids are out of school generally mean more families onboard. If crowds bother you, that's something we should consider when choosing both your ship and sailing date.

Sometimes the answer isn't, "You shouldn't sail a mega ship." It's simply finding the right ship and the right time to sail it.

Big Ships Are Great for Groups

One place I think large ships really shine is family and group travel.

Imagine planning a vacation for grandparents, parents, teenagers and younger children. Everyone has a completely different definition of fun.

A large ship gives everyone options.

Kids can hit the waterpark. Teens can make friends at the teen club. Adults can grab a cocktail or catch a show. Someone who wants a quiet afternoon can find a lounger and read.

Then everyone can meet back up for dinner.

That variety also makes larger ships a great option for conferences, incentive travel and other groups. There are plenty of venues and activities for people to enjoy outside the organized events.

The Case for Going Smaller

After everything I just said, you might think smaller ships don't stand a chance.

They absolutely do.

There's something nice about boarding a ship and learning your way around quickly. Getting from one end to the other doesn't feel like you accidentally completed your daily step goal.

Smaller ships can also offer something a lot of people want on vacation: peace and quiet.

When I sailed Carnival Imagination, I appreciated the more intimate atmosphere and the ability to find quiet places to simply relax.

For some cruisers, that's exactly what they're looking for.

Not everyone needs a roller coaster over their head while they're drinking their morning coffee.

Smaller ships can also have an advantage when it comes to itineraries. The largest cruise ships can't visit every port. Smaller vessels may be able to access destinations that simply can't accommodate the giants.

If the places you're visiting are the priority, that can matter a lot.

Smaller Doesn't Mean Older

This is an important distinction.

Carnival Imagination was both a smaller ship and an older ship.

Those aren't the same thing.

Some of the things I missed aboard Imagination, such as more dining choices and modern conveniences like USB ports in the stateroom, had as much to do with her age as her size.

There are beautiful modern smaller ships sailing today, particularly in the premium, luxury and expedition markets.

So don't assume a smaller ship automatically means an old-fashioned ship.

That said, I know my own cruising style.

I appreciate the charm and quieter atmosphere of smaller ships, but personally, give me the floating resort.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class and Carnival Jubilee are right in my sweet spot. I like having plenty of restaurants, pools, entertainment and things to do, even if I never get around to doing all of them.

Mega, Mid-Size or Small: Which One Is Right for You?

This is where choosing a cruise gets personal.

Before I recommend a ship, I want to know three things: your vacation goals, the ages of the people traveling and your cruising history.

If you want the ship itself to be a major part of your vacation, I'd probably start by looking at larger ships.

If you're traveling with a large family or multigenerational group, I'd want enough options to keep everyone entertained.

If you tell me you hate crowds and want quiet afternoons reading by the ocean, we may start looking smaller.

And if you're somewhere in between, don't overlook mid-size ships.

They can offer a great balance of restaurants, entertainment and activities without feeling quite as overwhelming as some of the giants.

This is why I don't start by asking, "Which cruise line do you want?"

I want to know what you want your vacation to feel like.

That tells me much more.

Sometimes the Itinerary Should Choose the Ship

There's another factor that's just as important as ship size.

Where are we going?

If I'm planning a Caribbean vacation and my goal is pools, entertainment, great food and fun, I'm much more interested in the ship itself. The floating resort experience can be a huge part of that vacation.

Alaska is completely different.

Personally, I see no need for a mega ship in Alaska. I'm going to Alaska to see Alaska.

I want the scenery, wildlife, glaciers and the best itinerary I can find. Whether my ship has the biggest waterslide at sea isn't very high on my priority list.

I feel similarly about many European cruises. These are trips where the destinations may be the star, and a smaller ship may also have access to ports that the biggest vessels can't visit.

Sometimes the ship is the destination.

Sometimes it's how you get to the destination.

Knowing which vacation you're planning makes a huge difference.

So, Which Ship Is Best?

If you've made it this far hoping I would declare a winner in the mega ship versus smaller ship debate, I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you.

There isn't one.

The best cruise ship is the one that fits you.

When I help someone choose a cruise, I look at their vacation goals, ages, cruising experience, destinations and what they actually want to do while they're away.

Sometimes that leads us to a huge floating resort. Sometimes a smaller ship makes much more sense.

And if you're a first-time cruiser staring at hundreds of ships and wondering how you're ever supposed to figure this out, don't worry.

This is the part I love.

I've spent countless hours training with the major cruise lines and earning cruise industry certifications because knowing the differences between cruise lines, ships and even ship classes matters.

The ship your friend absolutely loved might not be the ship you'll love.

My job is to sort through all those choices with you and help find the one that fits.

After all, you shouldn't have to become a cruise expert just to plan a cruise.

That's what I'm here for.