What Cruise Ship Size is for You?

Cruise ships are either small, middle, or large-sized. For your Hawaiian cruise, choosing the ship size and not necessarily the cruise line is one of the biggest decisions you have to make. Your choice should reflect your lifestyle and the size of the ship is related to the amenities, the ambiance, and the luxury level of the ship.

Usually, bigger cruise ships have more amenities but smaller cruise ships give a cozy, homey feel. Bigger ships tend to be newer but smaller ships often are more luxurious and are more pricey. Mega-cruises are more family friendly while the smaller cruise ships cater to the upscale and mature crowd.

Large cruise ships carry around 2,000 to 4,000 passengers. NCL’s Pride of America is a mega cruise ship that travels all year round to Hawaii. Here are some facts about NCL’s Pride of America:

• Gross Tonnage: 90,000
• Length: 920 feet
• Width: 105 feet
• Max Speed: 25 knots
• Decks: 15
• Cabins: 1,120
• Passenger Capacity: 2,146
• Crew capacity: 1,100

Here is a list of the pros and cons of big cruise ships:

Pros
There are a lot of organized activities which cater to various interests.
There are a lot of swimming pools to choose from for kids and adults.
Plenty of cabins to choose from with more affordable price.
The casinos are huge.
There will be no dull moment for kids as there are plenty of activities and facilities dedicated just for them.
The gyms are large and have state-of-the-art equipment.
Features include spas, bars and nightclubs,and even theaters complete with musical productions.

Cons
Long lines at the buffet, embarkation, and debarkation.
The ports of call you it visits are standard.
There are a lot of people and kids which may tend to get noisy.
The service are likely to be impersonal.
You may get lost in finding your way around a large ship.

Small cruise ships carry less than 1,000 passengers.The Safari Explorer is an example of a small cruise ship that travels to Hawaii. Here are some details about the Safari Explorer.

• up to 36 guests
• 16 crew members
• 145′ in length
• 36′ beam
• 10 knots cruising speed

Pros
These ships boasts of up-to-date features and good amenities.
The service is more personalized.
There are less lines and the cuisine is fantastic.
Can visit smaller ports of call and more exotic destinations.
Small crowds.
More luxurious cabins.
Features a smaller scale but more elegant entertainment.

Cons
Low key activities.
There are limited facilities and activities for the kids.
The pools are smaller.
The cruise fare is definitely more expensive.