Cruising on a mega-ship has become a very popular way to vacation. With a variety of activities, entertainment venues, onboard attractions, and dining venues, large cruise ships offer something for everyone.
Although there are many reasons to sail on a mega cruise, they also have some disadvantages. Before booking your next cruise vacation, it’s a good idea to understand the benefits and drawbacks of sailing on a mega cruise ship.
With that said, here are the pros and cons of sailing on a large cruise ship.
7 Pros of Sailing on a Big Cruise Ship
1. Variety of Activities
As cruise ships have evolved, major cruise lines have constantly been one-upping each other by adding a variety of exciting activities and onboard attractions. When sailing on a mega cruise ship, you’ll get to experience some of the most exciting activities at sea.
These activities can range from zip lines, rock-climbing walls, and dry slides to escape rooms and laser tag arenas.
On Norwegian Cruise Lines’ newest mega-ship NCL Aqua, you’ll find an Aqua Slidecoaster, which combines the elements of a roller coaster and waterslides!
Cruise lines always innovate on their newest mega ships, so you can expect new activities and onboard attractions to keep things exciting.
2. Plenty of Food Options
One of the benefits of sailing on a mega-ship is the wide variety of food options. If you’re into trying different restaurants and culinary experiences, you’ll love what the larger cruise ships offer.
For example, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, features over 40 dining venues and bars!
Many new cruisers are concerned about whether they will enjoy the food on a cruise ship. However, since mega-ships feature so many dining options, there is always something to eat, even for the pickiest eaters!
3. Family-Friendly Environment
If you sail with young kids, they love going on a larger cruise ship. Typically, larger cruise ships have a family-friendly environment and plenty of entertainment, activities, and food options that appeal to families traveling with children and teenagers.
Onboard a large cruise ship, you will find water slides, splash parks, ropes courses, surf simulators, indoor skydiving, trampoline parks, roller coasters, and more!
With so many activities and attractions onboard, you’ll never have to worry about bored children. Furthermore, there is always a complimentary kids club, which is a fun, supervised, and safe venue for kids and teens to make new friends and participate in activities.
Related: 8 Best Cruise Lines for Families You Need to Know
4. Amazing Entertainment Options
One reason to sail on a larger cruise ship is the variety of amazing entertainment options. Whether you enjoy listening to live music and comedians, watching production shows, or special guest performers, mega-ships are known for their top-tier entertainment.
For example, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas has an ice rink for ice skating shows, an aqua-theater for aqua shows, and a traditional theater for classic production shows. If you enjoy spectacular shows, then you’ll love the entertainment onboard a mega-ship.
5. Something For Everyone
Whether it’s activities, entertainment, or food options, bigger cruise ships have something for everyone. From kids clubs, ropes courses, and waterslides to adult-only pools, late-night comedy shows, and the spa, larger cruise ships are built to accommodate every type of cruise passenger.
As someone who has been cruising since I was 4 years old, I know that cruise travel has always been the perfect family vacation.
As a kid, I spent the day at the kids’ club while my parents sat by the pool. At dinner time, we’d all sit down and eat together. In the evenings, we’d walk around the cruise ship or watch the onboard entertainment.
Our cruise vacations allowed us to spend family time together while having fun and exploring new destinations.
However, cruises aren’t only for families. Couples, solo travelers, and people of all ages can find something they like.
Related: I Took My First Cruise Ever on Icon of the Seas, the World’s Largest Cruise Ship!
6. Fun Atmosphere
Typically, larger cruise ships will have a promenade with different bar venues, shops, and restaurants. These areas of the cruise ship have a very fun vibe, and they are a great place to enjoy yourself during your cruise vacation.
Often, cruise passengers who choose to sail on larger cruise ships want to have fun and let loose while they’re on vacation. In comparison to smaller cruise ships, the passengers tend to be a little older and are looking for a calmer and laid-back atmosphere.
So, if you’re looking for a cruise vacation filled with fun and excitement, a mega ship is your perfect match!
7. Easy to Meet New People
Whether you’re a solo cruiser or enjoy making new friends, large cruise ships make it easy to meet new people. With many different bars, activity venues, and a fun atmosphere, making friends on larger cruise ships is easy.
Furthermore, the cruise will have events like singles and solo-traveler meetups, which are great ways to meet new people.
As someone who has sailed on smaller and larger cruise ships, I’ve always found it easier to meet new people on a larger ship.
Related: Cruising Solo? 12 Things You Need to Know About Cruising Alone
5 Cons of Sailing on a Big Cruise Ship
As popular as large cruise ships are, there are some downsides. Here are some cons to big ship cruising to consider.
1. Large Crowds
The big crowds are one of the biggest cons of cruising on a larger cruise ship. Although many mega-ships do a great job at crowd control, there will be times when the cruise ship feels crowded when there are over 5,000 passengers onboard.
Furthermore, the large crowds often lead to long lines. You may be stuck waiting in a long line at the buffet, going into the theater for a show, or returning to the cruise ship in port.
As someone who doesn’t enjoy being in large crowds and busy areas, this is one of the biggest downsides to sailing on a mega-ship.
2. Easy to Get Lost
Another downside to cruising on a larger cruise ship is that it’s easy to get lost. Since mega-ships can be over 220,000 tons and are loaded with different venues and activities, getting used to the cruise ship’s layout will take a few days.
If you’re going on a mega ship, familiarizing yourself with the ship’s deck plans will save you a lot of time, confusion, and frustration!
Related: First-Time Cruiser? Here’s How to Find Your Way Around the Ship
3. Cost of Extras
There are plenty of amazing activity options when sailing on a larger cruise ship. However, one major drawback is that some of the activities can cost extra.
This can be very disappointing for families with children cruising on a budget. Spending extra money on activities like go-karting, mini golf, bowling, or virtual reality games can quickly add up your budget.
Before booking your cruise, it’s a good idea to research which onboard activities are included and which ones have an extra cost. This way, you won’t have to deal with any unexpected expenses once you’re onboard.
4. Less Intimate Experience with Crew Members
The reality of sailing on a larger cruise ship is that you will have a less intimate experience with the crew members. Since there are so many cruise passengers, crew members will have less time to interact with you on a more personal level.
Although a mega ship won’t affect service, it may affect your experience. Many cruisers who enjoy smaller ships appreciate getting to know the crew members and receiving more personalized service.
While sailing on a smaller Holland America cruise ship, I visited the same bar every evening. Since it’s a smaller cruise, the same crew members would be there every night. By the end of the cruise, I got to know the crew members very well, and they made my cruise vacation memorable.
5. Can’t Access Certain Cruise Ports
One of the cons of sailing on a larger cruise ship is that you can’t access certain cruise ports. Now, rest assured that plenty of cruise ports can accommodate mega-ships. However, there are specific ports that can’t.
If you’re interested in visiting specific cruise ports, you may want to consider a smaller cruise. Typically, smaller cruises, like luxury lines, expedition ships, or river cruises, can visit destinations that large cruise ships can’t reach.
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Final Thoughts On 12 Pros and Cons of Sailing on a Big Cruise Ship
Sailing on mega cruise ships offers a unique travel experience. You will have the convenience of various dining options, activities, and onboard attractions while visiting multiple destinations.
Although there are many amazing reasons to sail on a large cruise ship, it’s important to understand the downsides.
Do you prefer cruising on a mega cruise ship or a smaller cruise ship? Please let me know your experiences in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ethan
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Ethan Schattauer, a seasoned cruiser since the age of four, has gone on over 40 cruises with his family. Drawing from his extensive travel experiences, Ethan offers a fresh and youthful perspective on the world of cruising. He also writes about cruise cuisine, onboard experiences, and practical tips, providing valuable insights for cruise travelers worldwide.