Cruising is one of the most popular ways to travel the world, offering a variety of destinations, activities, and experiences. However, not all cruises are created equal, and some travelers may prefer a different kind of cruising experience than the typical mega-ships that dominate the industry.

Smaller ships and larger ships have different advantages and disadvantages when it comes to amenities and activities. The differences are based on personal preferences.

Smaller ships tend to offer higher-quality service and food, and an increased focus on the destinations, but if non-stop action and entertainment is what you want, then a big ship is best for you. Larger ships have more variety and options for dining, entertainment, and activities, such as amusement park attractions, Broadway shows, water slides, and virtual reality games. However, they may also have more crowds, noise, and queues.

Smaller ships have an advantage over bigger ships in that they can visit remote destinations and undiscovered areas. With their smaller size, these ships can visit more exotic ports, traverse rivers and call at tiny islands off limits to larger cruise ships. However, they may also have fewer facilities and amenities on board, such as pools, spas, gyms, and shops.

Larger ships may offer more stability and comfort in rough seas, as well as more accessibility and safety features for passengers with disabilities or special needs. However, they may also have higher environmental impact and more regulations and fees in some ports. Ultimately, the choice of ship size depends on your personal preferences, budget, and travel goals. You may want to try both types of ships to see which one suits you better.

Some cruise lines offer all-inclusive small-ship cruises. These are cruises that include most or all of the costs in the fare, such as airfare, transfers, excursions, dining, drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and laundry. Some of the best all-inclusive small-ship cruise lines are:

Silversea Cruises: This luxury line has a fleet of nine small ships, ranging from 100 to 596 passengers, that sail to over 900 destinations worldwideAd1. Silversea’s all-inclusive fares cover round-trip airfare, transfers, shore excursions, specialty dining, premium beverages, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and laundry. Silversea also offers expedition cruises to remote and exotic regions, such as Antarctica, the Galapagos, and the Arctic.

Sea Cloud Cruises: This line operates two historic sailing ships, Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II, that accommodate 64 and 94 guests, respectively, as well as a new yacht, Sea Cloud Spirit, that carries 136 passengers. Sea Cloud’s all-inclusive fares include round-trip airfare, transfers, shore excursions, fine dining, select beverages, gratuities, and Wi-Fi. Sea Cloud’s ships sail under wind power whenever possible, offering a romantic and authentic sailing experience.

Atlas Ocean Voyages: This new line debuted in 2023 with its first ship, World Navigator, a 196-passenger expedition vessel that visits off-the-beaten-path destinations, such as the Black Sea, the Holy Land, and Antarctica. Atlas’s all-inclusive fares include round-trip airfare, transfers, shore excursions, dining, beverages, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and emergency medical evacuation insurance. Atlas also offers a unique perk called “All Inclusive All The Way,” which covers pre- and post-cruise hotel stays, spa treatments, and L’Occitane toiletries. These are just some examples of all-inclusive small-ship cruises that you can choose from for your next vacation. You can also check out other cruise lines that offer inclusive pricing or add-on packages, such as Viking, Oceania, Windstar, and Norwegian.

Here are some general tips to help you choose the right size of ship for your needs:

Think about what kind of cruise experience you want. Do you prefer a lively and diverse atmosphere with lots of options for dining, entertainment, and activities? Or do you prefer a more intimate and personalized experience with fewer crowds and more focus on the destinations? Larger ships tend to offer more variety and options, but smaller ships tend to offer more quality and authenticity.

Consider your destination and itinerary. Do you want to visit popular ports with plenty of attractions and excursions? Or do you want to explore remote and exotic places that are off the beaten path? Larger ships can access more ports and offer more stability and comfort in rough seas, but smaller ships can visit more unique and undiscovered areas that are inaccessible to bigger ships.

Compare the costs and benefits of different ship sizes. Larger ships may have higher base fares, but they may also include more amenities and perks in the price, such as drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and specialty dining. Smaller ships may have lower fares, but they may also charge extra for some services and facilities, such as shore excursions, spa treatments, and laundry. You may also want to factor in the environmental impact and port fees of different ship sizes.

Read reviews and ratings of different cruise lines and ships. You can find helpful information and feedback from other travelers who have experienced different ship sizes and can share their opinions and tips. You can also look at photos and videos of the cabins, public areas, and facilities of different ships to get a better idea of what they look like and what they offer.

Ultimately, the best way to find out which ship size is right for you is to try them out for yourself. You may discover that you enjoy different ship sizes for different types of cruises, or that you have a clear preference for one over the other. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy your cruise vacation.