Monstrosity or Cruise Ship?

[Oceansaway17]

okay this is a topic near and dear to me. I have done two Oasis class and one Quantum class on RCI. I have done the NCL EPIC too. I have done several mid size HAL ships. To me cruising is like eating out. What are you in the mood for. If you have a hectic life and want a slow pace go mid size. But, even those ships are crowded at the pools and buffet. The thing about Oasis class is once underway, the ship has a small feel because you don't feel crowded. They control the shows by making everyone reserve shows. Many options and times are available. This way the whole ship does not show up at once. I think the large ships offer so much for entertainment and food. And you can wander around and people watch or sit and read. It is fun to see the various styles and decorations of the ships and sample the variety of food. I started off doing Home Lines in 1977 and they only had main dining rooms and two seatings. The thing with larger ships is you can do so much or so little. The Oasis class ships are something to NOT miss. Just do one to see what I mean. And I suggest the Allure of the Seas. But I would still take mid size ships to Alaska like I did on the Amsterdam with their covered pool. RCI made the mistake of putting Explorer in Alaska and that ship does NOT have any covered pools. So RCI can say "WE HAVE THE LARGEST SHIP IN ALASKA" but I was uncomfortable on it and their bragging rights made no sense. Actually one more thing, NCL has new BLISS doing Alaska with large inside observation lounges in front of ship. toodles all. I love all the various cruise lines for various reasons.

[Tatka]

Completely agree.

Last year we did Allure, Anthem and Veendam in a row. Enjoyed all three, but I wouldn't like to go on Veendam from NY thru Bermuda into Caribbeans with many seadays or first two on NE/Canada itin, they simply won't fit there., and Allure doesn't have covered pool.

[Lady Chew]

We are 4-star on HAL, we love their ships & itineraries ... but we loved our cruises on Oasis & Allure, and will be on Harmony in two weeks! We don't care about the ports, those ships are so incredible, we walk around asking ourselves "how did they possibly do that on a ship?" There is so much do to & see, or to not do at all(and plenty of places to not do anything in particular) ... the entertainment is really ramped up, there are more food choices ...

Even if you're not into the rock-climbing walls or water sports or zip lines or whatever (as we are not) ... most of them are so much fun to watch!

[UPNYGuy]

Actually one more thing, NCL has new BLISS doing Alaska with large inside observation lounges in front of ship. toodles all. I love all the various cruise lines for various reasons.

 

 

I don't think I would want to go on Bliss to Alaska. It is going down Tracy Arm. A ship that size might not be able to get fully down it. Also, I would not want to compete with almost 4000 people for space in the observation lounge. Furthermore, she lacks a true, full promenade deck.

 

Granted, I do not have an issue with megaships, but I think I may have an issue with them in Alaska. Difficult to say, as I haven't sailed on a megaship yet to AK.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[KroozNut]

I think that any ship greater than maybe 1500 passengers is a monstrosity. The really big ships are mega monstrosities.

 

DON

 

Definitely agree. Vacationing on a floating city doesn't really appeal to us at all.

[UPNYGuy]

Definitely agree. Vacationing on a floating city doesn't really appeal to us at all.

 

 

Options are getting limited now, except for luxury lines. Over half the Holland America fleet (by the time Nieuw Statendam comes online) will be larger than that. And ALL of the Celebrity, Carnival, RCI, and NCL fleet is larger than that.

 

Off the top of my head, I can think of Seabourn, Oceania, Viking, and Azamara with ocean ships that are smaller.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[ontheweb]

Options are getting limited now, except for luxury lines. Over half the Holland America fleet (by the time Nieuw Statendam comes online) will be larger than that. And ALL of the Celebrity, Carnival, RCI, and NCL fleet is larger than that.

 

Off the top of my head, I can think of Seabourn, Oceania, Viking, and Azamara with ocean ships that are smaller.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Add Pacific Princess to your list of smaller ships.

[cruisemom42]

To me, a "mega ship" is the largest of the large -- so I'd have to say those that carry 3,000+ passengers. And I have zero interest.

 

When I cruise, I cruise almost entirely for the ports. (And not the Caribbean.) I hate Las Vegas and "faux glitz" decor. Also hate the anonymity of the large ships and the behaviors that go with it.

 

There's a reason I enjoy cruising the 330 passenger Aegean Odyssey, although she's at the extreme and I'm happy to cruise somewhat larger ships. But we tried the new Regal Princess (3550 pax) for New Years and it was not at all the experience I'd hoped for.

[KroozNut]

Options are getting limited now, except for luxury lines. Over half the Holland America fleet (by the time Nieuw Statendam comes online) will be larger than that. And ALL of the Celebrity, Carnival, RCI, and NCL fleet is larger than that.

 

Off the top of my head, I can think of Seabourn, Oceania, Viking, and Azamara with ocean ships that are smaller.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

That's why the other (smaller ) half of HAL's fleet really appeals to us right now. I figure we have at least a few more years until they're all replaced with monstrosities as well. :)

[Tatka]

We were on Royal Princess for New Year 2017. It was terrific. Partially due to a size. Ship accommodated all different types of celebrations. From pub style British NY, to classic dancing on Piazza, to disco dancing on Lido deck and more. Variety....

 

Again... it is about design of ships and organization of activities.

Royal does have some downgrades like an absence of full circle of promenade. It is a problem on many newbuilds.

[gwsster]

I agree, The Symphony of the Seas would be too "busy" with an estimated 6,360 passengers on board. This is too many humans for me, even though the ship is HUGE. I would prefer not to be in a port that has several Mega Ships disgorging on the same day, too crowded and not fun.

 

Definitely agree. Vacationing on a floating city doesn't really appeal to us at all.

[UPNYGuy]

I agree, The Symphony of the Seas would be too "busy" with an estimated 6,360 passengers on board. This is too many humans for me, even though the ship is HUGE. I would prefer not to be in a port that has several Mega Ships disgorging on the same day, too crowded and not fun.

 

 

That has happened to us, and it was a B!TCH. The pax on Oceania Marina did not look pleased. It was Norwegian Getaway (ship we were on), Carnival Magic (I think) and Oceania Marina at Costa Maya. That is a SMALL port for a SINGLE megaship, let alone 2(!), with a midsizer beside that. DW and I went off just for giggles to see, and it was a mess of epic proportion.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[KroozNut]

To me, a "mega ship" is the largest of the large -- so I'd have to say those that carry 3,000+ passengers. And I have zero interest.

 

When I cruise, I cruise almost entirely for the ports. (And not the Caribbean.) I hate Las Vegas and "faux glitz" decor. Also hate the anonymity of the large ships and the behaviors that go with it.

 

There's a reason I enjoy cruising the 330 passenger Aegean Odyssey, although she's at the extreme and I'm happy to cruise somewhat larger ships. But we tried the new Regal Princess (3550 pax) for New Years and it was not at all the experience I'd hoped for.

 

Definitely agree cruisemom!

[KroozNut]

Again... it is about design of ships and organization of activities.

 

Yes, but most importantly, personal preference. It really boils down to what one is looking for in the entire cruise experience.

[KroozNut]

I agree, The Symphony of the Seas would be too "busy" with an estimated 6,360 passengers on board. This is too many humans for me, even though the ship is HUGE. I would prefer not to be in a port that has several Mega Ships disgorging on the same day, too crowded and not fun.

 

Agree..

 

As an analogy - during my Navy years, I was stationed on a destroyer (~250 crew) for 3 years; and when we pulled into ports by ourselves it was great... we had everything to ourselves.

 

But if we were accompanied by an aircraft carrier (~5000 crew at the time) or any other large vessel in that same port, it was no fun at all... way too crowded. And many of the smaller ports we visited couldn't even handle the larger vessels, they were just too overwhelmed.

 

I think it is somewhat similar today with the civilian cruising experience. Personally, I'm constantly checking the cruise schedules of the ports we'll be visiting hoping that we'll be the only ship in port that day, and that there won't be any of the 'megaships' there either. ;)

[ABoatNerd]

Love this thread and very topical really.

 

Mega ships are not on my radar. But they appeal to many consumers today who are being "processed" by the entertainment/sports industrial complexes. No wonder these ships are appealing and cruise lines love it.

 

Cruise lines are very successful in creating these "inward" focused ship products that the ocean is increasingly irrelevant.

 

Cruise lines could just stop sailing them - tie up at a caribbean island and let r rip.

 

Sailing is redundant to these ships and frankly also to the passengers.

 

It seems to me there are 2 groups of cruise passengers and the gap between them is getting wider; 1) the ship being teh destination, with many "for pay" activities (megaships) and 2) smaller ships with premium product patronized by an older crowd who is actually interested in the ocean and seeing the world

 

Fortunately there is a choice for the consumer

[KroozNut]

Love this thread and very topical really.

 

Mega ships are not on my radar. But they appeal to many consumers today who are being "processed" by the entertainment/sports industrial complexes. No wonder these ships are appealing and cruise lines love it.

 

Cruise lines are very successful in creating these "inward" focused ship products that the ocean is increasingly irrelevant.

 

Cruise lines could just stop sailing them - tie up at a caribbean island and let r rip.

 

Sailing is redundant to these ships and frankly also to the passengers.

 

It seems to me there are 2 groups of cruise passengers and the gap between them is getting wider; 1) the ship being teh destination, with many "for pay" activities (megaships) and 2) smaller ships with premium product patronized by an older crowd who is actually interested in the ocean and seeing the world

 

Fortunately there is a choice for the consumer

 

You hit it on the head..;) for us it is our love of being on a ship at sea, and all the nuances that go along with that. When we're cruising on a megaship, we can sometimes lose awareness that we're even on a ship at sea. :confused: We may as well be at a huge resort hotel in Vegas... and that is NOT the experience we're looking for when we cruise.

[donaldsc]

Love this thread and very topical really.

 

Mega ships are not on my radar. But they appeal to many consumers today who are being "processed" by the entertainment/sports industrial complexes. No wonder these ships are appealing and cruise lines love it.

 

Cruise lines are very successful in creating these "inward" focused ship products that the ocean is increasingly irrelevant.

 

Cruise lines could just stop sailing them - tie up at a caribbean island and let r rip.

 

Sailing is redundant to these ships and frankly also to the passengers.

 

It seems to me there are 2 groups of cruise passengers and the gap between them is getting wider; 1) the ship being teh destination, with many "for pay" activities (megaships) and 2) smaller ships with premium product patronized by an older crowd who is actually interested in the ocean and seeing the world

 

Fortunately there is a choice for the consumer

 

+1 on that statement. I am one of those people who regard the ship as just a big bus to get me places and I care less what activities are happening on the ship. I need ports and lots of them, not cruise ship amenities.

 

I will add to the highlighted part your statement. Have the ship go nowhere at at. Just have it go to the nearest required foreign port, stay there for as long as is necessary to fulfill the requirements of the Jones Act, and then anchor off shore so that they can open the casinos. That would save a lot of fuel and enable them to offer a cheaper product. I would not take one of those cruises but I will bet that there are many who cruise on the mega monstrosities who would.

 

DON

[Tatka]

Yes, but most importantly, personal preference. It really boils down to what one is looking for in the entire cruise experience.

We felt that 225k tons Allure of the seas was much more spacious than 69k tons Splendor of the seas which is not a megaship.

 

Also about design... Princess (Grand and such classes) does it beautifully with pool "partitions" each of which feels like a smaller yacht as well as three smaller restaurants.

 

As for us we love them all, and in some reason 90k tons ships the best. :)

[cruzingnut]

I'll quote all of this because it does hit the nail on the head! We went on the Allure thinking we would either like it or run off it screaming at the end of the week. We did like it BUT, we don't need all the "stuff" on it and particularly don't like the fact that you rarely ever see the ocean (unless you have an outside balcony). We've also been on the Getaway and the Escape. If you are looking for anyplace quiet, you will not find it on these ships (Getaway + Escape). At least we found a place on the Allure that was quiet during the day; the lounge overlooking the kids pool area. Think about it....so huge, so much to do...this clientele isn't into what we are, and that is relaxing days at sea with interesting ports. What Don said is a great idea...almost afraid now that they will read this and start doing just that. Why not? It might just come down to that if the islands decide that they simply cannot handle the number of passengers that will be coming off these ships.

 

Linda R.

 

 

+1 on that statement. I am one of those people who regard the ship as just a big bus to get me places and I care less what activities are happening on the ship. I need ports and lots of them, not cruise ship amenities.

 

I will add to the highlighted part your statement. Have the ship go nowhere at at. Just have it go to the nearest required foreign port, stay there for as long as is necessary to fulfill the requirements of the Jones Act, and then anchor off shore so that they can open the casinos. That would save a lot of fuel and enable them to offer a cheaper product. I would not take one of those cruises but I will bet that there are many who cruise on the mega monstrosities who would.

 

DON

[GUT2407]

The Mega ships don't appeal to us at all.

Us either.

[OleSalt]

[i did two weeks on Norwegian EPIC. Very unhappy. No lounge to see the ocean or ports. Ship is one giant floating casino. No signs pointing forward or aft. I tried one of the "Studio cabins" which was fun.. Would not do megaship again....

[UPNYGuy]

[i did two weeks on Norwegian EPIC. Very unhappy. No lounge to see the ocean or ports. Ship is one giant floating casino. No signs pointing forward or aft. I tried one of the "Studio cabins" which was fun.. Would not do megaship again....

 

 

Epic to me appears very inward facing. DW and I have sailed 4 cruises on the Breakaway Class, and do like that particular layout (not so inward facing). I will admit that MSC Seaside has me intrigued. That ship is ALL deck space and promenade.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Tatka]

Epic doesn't appeal to me one bit. But there are so many different ships.

[debsjc]

I really didn't expect to like the Epic, we tried it because someone I work with recommended it, and we got a great deal. Surprisingly I thought overall it was a great ship, love the Spice H20 adults only pool with the different level terraces, the thermal spa suite is gorgeous, and the Epic theater was impressive (as were the shows in it)

 

Yes the casino is a bit annoying, but the great choice of specialty restaurants make up for it - we had it included, but if not you can add specialty dining to an entire 7 night cruise for $129