Why you shouldn’t be a size queen when choosing a cruise
When it comes to choosing a cruise ship, bigger is not always better. The cruise industry continues to roll out larger and larger ships with unlimited dining and entertainment options. But the no-such-thing-as-too-big school of thought can actually dilute your vacation fun.
Dale and I have found that medium-sized ships actually offer a wonderful vacation experience. Our recent [belated honeymoon] voyage aboard the 1,350-passenger Holland America Veendam from Fort Lauderdale to Quebec City gave us a deeper appreciation for this size of ship. After discussing it (at length, over cocktails with new friends we made aboard), we decide there are five key reasons why smaller ships provide a richer cruise experience.
We enjoyed several evenings prior to dinner on an upper deck with very few guests. Quiet time to take in the sea and enjoy the beautiful sunsets.
1. Glitzy excess is for casinos not cruise ships.
This cruise felt like a vacation, not a honeymoon from hell in Las Vegas. We felt more connected to the sea and were able to enjoy all the feelings that come with that. We could appreciate the beauty of the ocean, rather than feeling as if we were aboard a giant floating tourist trap.
2. Personal connections blossom on smaller ships.
We connected easily with the ship’s staff and other passengers on this voyage. Duing some previous voyages on jumbo ocean liners, we missed that sense of connection. We shared jokes, personal stories and laughter with new friends over delicious meals. On a smaller ship, the company of our fellow passengers made our vacation feel more special than if we sailed surrounded by 3,000 distant strangers.
3. No crowds, no waiting.
We never experienced any lines or crowds during our entire 8-day trip. No boring, appetite-deadening waits in the buffet line; no time-wasting lines for the elevator or to go ashore The simple fact of not standing in line added to the overall relaxed feeling of our cruise. Plus, when we arrived in small port cities, they weren’t overrun by tourists.
4. Relaxing in quiet, uncrowded spaces.
The Mix Bar always had plenty of room to sit, relax and enjoy that Martini.
The Veendam has many beautiful public spaces where you can unwind with a good book, a cup of coffee or quiet conversation while taking in spectacular views of the sea. These spaces never felt crowded and noisy; they were built for peace and relaxation. All the spaces were open to everyone and not a select few. The ship also has plenty of options for great food and entertainment, but a ship shouldn’t feel like an amusement park where your only escape is your stateroom.
5. You don’t need a GPS to traverse the ship.
If I want to work out, I’ll go for a run on the track or hit the gym. I don’t want to take a hike every time I need to go back to my room for my sunglasses. On smaller ships, no matter where your stateroom is located on the ship, you are within minutes of wherever else you want to go on the ship. I felt at home and comfortable with the layout of the Veendam within less than a day of boarding. On larger voyages, I’ve actually gotten lost trekking back to my room, even several days after embarking.
What are your thoughts and experiences in relation to cruise ship size? Do you have a preference? Have you sailed onboard a small or medium-sized ship recently?
