6 of 12

Write now Article Tools

The cruise industry offers so many choices for its customers. While there are obvious differences in ports of call and length of cruse, the ships themselves vary greatly in size and amenities. My husband and I have cruised to the Caribbean three times, all on different ships, and I have cruised once around the Greek Isles. Our cruise experiences have all been wonderful, though quite different from each other.

We took our first cruise on a very small Royal Caribbean ship, Majesty of the Seas. As first-time cruisers, I think this was a good "introductory ship" for us. Our stateroom had plenty of space, and there were multiple dining rooms, lounges, and pools. However, the ship did not offer a huge promenade or open area, which was good for our first cruise. I think it may have been a little intimidating. This cruise was a short itinerary, only 4 nights. We cruised to Key West, CocoCay (Bahamas) and Nassau. It was a super starter-cruise.

Our second cruise was also on a small Royal Caribbean ship, Empress of the Seas. This time, we probably should have opted for a slightly larger ship with more to offer. Since we had the feel for "cruise life", we spent less time adjusting to the atmosphere and would have enjoyed extra amenities. This was also a short cruise, and we went to Key West again, and then to two Mexican ports.

Our last Caribbean cruise was on one of the largest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, Navigator of the Seas. The ship was truly awe-inspiring, with a huge promenade, and lots of shops and eateries. It was truly akin to a floating city! This was a longer (7-night) cruise, which went to several of the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Nassau. We thoroughly enjoyed this cruise. Even our two days at sea were filled with activities on this ship that had everything from ice skating to miniature golf. It also had separate pools for adults and families/children, which was a nice amenity.

The Greek Isles cruise was aboard the Sea Diamond (yes, the ill-fated Louis Cruise Lines vessel). While this cruise was nice, simply because of the ports, the ship itself was very lacking. These types of cruise ships cannot compare with the super-ships that cruise other regions. Everything was passable, but nothing was stellar. The rooms were very small, the dining room cramped, and the food was bland.

In summary, you should weigh your needs and your cruising experience when choosing a cruise ship. Do you want a small, intimate ship, or would you prefer to have nearly-unlimited options for entertainment and activities? It is all based on your preference. I personally recommend starting small and working your way up.

Learn more about this author, Karen Hamilton.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Choosing the right cruise ship for you?
We want to hear your view. Write now!