| |
Typical Small-Ship Adventure |
Typical Mainstream Cruise Ship |
| Number of passengers |
100 |
2500+ |
| The focus |
The focus is on the destination(s), rather than the
ship as the primary experience. What’s outside the
ship is what’s important. On most small-ship cruises, the emphasis
is on an up-close and personal relationship with the environment,
nature, and wildlife. |
Huge, hotel-like ships, with a mega-resort atmosphere.
Many ships are virtual mini-cities at sea. The focus is often on
the ship itself as a primary part of the experience – what’s inside the ship. |
| The experience |
Intimate, up-close cruises to fascinating, out-of-the-ordinary regions, often in
places big ships simply cannot go. |
A floating resort; always something to do, glitz, glamour, excitement,
entertainment. |
| Itineraries |
Variable, more flexible itineraries. The captain of a small-ship
may pause to or seek out wildlife. |
Conventional itineraries and a selected range of
well-known, popular destinations. |
| Ports |
A wider variety and flexibility of itineraries, made possible
by shallow-draft vessels.
This permits access to smaller ports where large vessels
can’t dock. Many ships also have bow ramps, and/or inflatable
excursion craft for landings on remote and pristine shores. These
smaller ships also make possible opportunistic side-trips to view nature up-close,
for example, to whalewatch in small, secluded bays. |
Most cruise ships stop at major ports only: their
itineraries are governed by the mass appeal of a limited number of heavily-visited destinations.
Most cruise ships can only stop at major ports. These are the only
ones big enough to accommodate huge ships. |
| Dining |
Single-seating dining, which means, on most small
ships, open seating. Guests can sit where they want,
and with whom they want. They’re not restricted to the same table throughout the cruise, with the same companions. The service is
often home-style and informal, too, and the food is high-quality and usually regional,
taking advantage of fresh locally-available delicacies. |
Multiple dining seatings. Most ships have assigned seating, with
passengers restricted to a specific hour for dinner. |
| Attire |
Usually informal, or at most, semi-formal evenings.
Most small-ship cruises tend towards informality, casual dress, and comfort, rather than glamour. |
Often formal or semi-formal attire at dinner. |
| Amenities, Activities, Entertainment |
Since the focus is on
the destination – what’s outside the ship – most small-ship cruises
include onboard expert lecturers who present, explain,
and clarify the wonders visited. Many of these ships also have extensive libraries – filled not only with the latest best-sellers,
but also with fascinating information on the places, people, and wildlife the
ship is visiting. |
Las Vegas style entertainment, casinos, etc. A wide range of
onboard activities available. Resort-like amenities, such as casinos,
swimming pools, showrooms, hairdressers, spas, etc. |
| Accommodations |
With very few exceptions, small-ship cabins have
all the key amenities, such as private baths and comfortable
beds. And most all are outside
cabins – opening to outside passages, making the cabin as close
to nature as possible, yet
as cozy and comfortable as any on a larger vessel. |
Typical hotel-like room, however on the small side.
Some have balcony's at a much higher price than the advertisied
price. |
| At sea |
The sea is ever-present – a magical, romantic
companion during the entire voyage, and an integral part of the
experience. And since small ships tend to travel sheltered coastal waters,
the risk of seasickness is minimized, while the assurance of spectacular views is maximized. |
There’s little connection with the
waters below, and unless a guest is on deck, or in a room with
large windows, it’s possible for him to forget he’s at sea at all. |
