COVID-19 has increased the demand for smaller cruises due to safety concerns. Cruise lines are taking every precaution they can but you may want to consider a smaller cruise line.
There are other benefits to smaller cruises as well. We are going to tell you all about small cruise lines so you can make an informed decision about your next trip.
Pros
Exclusive Destinations
Big cruises don’t have access to many smaller ports, limiting the destinations they can go to. If you are looking to travel to a more remote, less touristy place, a smaller cruise is your best bet.
Once you are at your destination, there are many excursions that aren’t offered on larger ships. You’ll get the opportunity to visit with locals and learn more about the culture.
Wining and Dining
Smaller ships may appeal to you if you consider yourself a foodie. The dining experience on smaller cruise ships will be higher quality. The ship won’t have to mass produce food as they do on large cruises.
Making Friends and Crowds
If you are traveling solo or looking to meet people, one of the small cruise lines is a perfect place. With fewer crowds, you’ll likely see people multiple times throughout your vacation and be able to build friendships. Whereas on a large cruise ship there’s a good chance you won’t see the same people.
Another great bonus is the smaller crowds and lines. You won’t have to spend a lot of time waiting for a fresh towel or a drink.
Staff to Passenger Ratio
There will be fewer passengers for every staff member. The smaller cruise companies focus on personalization; they take extra time to learn your name, your drink order, and how you like your coffee.
Cons
Limited Options
On smaller vessels, you won’t have as many options when it comes to onboard activities and food. Large ships often have a large variety of food choices.
A smaller ship won’t have space for as many entertainment options. There might only be five to ten activities to choose from, whereas a large boat will have three or four options every hour.
Food options are limited as well. It comes down to if you prefer quality or quantity. There is nothing wrong with either choice, if you like to have a wide variety of food to choose from, a bigger ship may be the way to go.
Cost
The price for smaller cruise vacations will probably be more expensive. The smaller crew-to-guest ratio creates a more luxurious experience but will cost you more.
Passenger Capacity
If you enjoy a crowd or if you’re looking for the best party cruises, a smaller ship might not be ideal. On a larger boat, you can easily avoid certain people. If there are a few passengers that are too rowdy or just not your cup of tea, you can easily find somewhere else to go, whereas, on a smaller ship, it could be hard due to the limited space.
Small Cruise Lines
If you’ve tried cruising on large vessels and didn’t like it, consider trying one of the small cruise lines. It will provide a different vacation experience, and you may decide you enjoy cruising.
We hope our list of pros and cons helped prepare for your next cruise vacation. If you found this article helpful, check out our other articles for more information and tips.