Ship Amenities
a. Large Ship’s: a range of free & premium cabins, dining, amenities, entertainment & activities in a colossal extravagant cruise ship. …. offer a mix of ---
- basic to suite cabins,
- main dining room/buffet to premium dining cafes,
- an array of free to exclusive amenities:
-- pools, exercise room, etc
-- exclusive, premium/pre-arranged amenities
-- activity access: massages, special
entertainments, etc
Usually most is available to all at a Premium add-on cost.
b. Mid-range Ships: (500-2000 guests): More expensive, fewer amenities, but more upscale, generally a quality notch, sophisticated above large ship’s amenities, camaraderie, intimacy, service, amongst fewer guests, greater itinerary flexibility and small port accessibility, deeper engagement.
Pros:
1. Better value: each Cruise Factor may be a notch above.
2. Balanced: a good middle ground between a range of
amenities & intimacy.
3. Service: More personalized, with staff often recognizing
guests.
4. Less Crowded: reducing chaos & wait times for amenities &
activities.
5. Guest to guest bonds: more intimate & relaxed sharing;
6. Better amenities: better, but fewer amenities & extra options,
massages
7. Flexibility: visits more, less busy & unique ports, sites &
activities.
8. Port Access: go where larger ships can’t or fit, so less chaos
at sites.
Cons:
1. Cost: high $/night cuz fewer people & less economy of scale.
2. Fewer Amenities: but upscale
3. Activities: Less variety of activities, yet substantial.
4. Guest to guest: Less diversity, but deeper engagement
c. Very small ships/boats: (? to 100 +): all small boat Cruise Factors strongly depend on the ship’s mission: super luxury & comfort, scientific, sports, adventure, educational; trending to shorter trips. Greater port/shore accessibility, fewer guests, intimate purposeful focus, more cultural immersion, & Friendly.
Whatever you imagine that can be aranged.
Pros:
- Boat Size: small cruise ships to intimate sailing yachts.
a. Current Trend: high quality, less crowded, smaller boats,
less chaotic sites, intellectually worthwhile, experiential experiences.
b. Windstar Cruises intimate sailings & snorkeling in pristine lagoons. - Destinations: access to tight harbors & more shallow bays, & sites. Antarctica, the Galápagos Islands, or remote Arctic
regions(Antarctica) & less crowded ports with unique itineraries.
Windstar Cruises intimate sailings & snorkeling in pristine
lagoons - Cruise Length: varies, but trending to shorter 4-10 days or tailored
- Accessibility: narrow passages, shallow bays & ports docking at small, picturesque ports. ➡︎➡︎➡︎➾➾
- Guest #s: range from just a few to 100, less site waiting time, VIP access, especially in popular tourist areas.
- Personalized Service: high crew/guest ratio, more excellent service VIP site access
- Camaraderie: More intimate, boutique experience & common focus.
- Amenities: high-end amenities with flourishes, all-suite cabins, gourmet dining & high staff-to-guest ratio.
Windstar Cruises, Silversea Cruises, and Seabourns’: - Gourmet dining: gourmet, localized dishes,
- Cultural Immersion: smaller boats, longer port stays & fewer people, can facilitate deeper cultural experiences: local foods & unique off-beaten path sites & interactions with local communities
- Expedition: niche focused on adventure, exploration, & often hands-on learning in remote & ecologically significant areas: polar regions, remote islands, deep fjords, or dense rainforests.
- Adventure & Sports: kayaking, hiking, or scuba diving in remote locations.
- Educational: Biological diversity & natural history, Amazon Rainforest (river cruises), Remote Islands & Archipelagos, Australia’s Kimberley or Papua New Guinea islands; ever more often into harsh environments, yet luxury …. expedition ship’s deep-sea exploration and marine biology focus.
- Seabourn, Silversea, & Viking: unparalleled comfort (diving drones)
- Design your own: Exclusive, you tailor own cruise, if money no object.
- Small Shore Excursion group benefit:
- Eco-Friendly: low carbon footprint; less noise & obstruction
Cons:
- Cost: Usually higher cost/night cuz LESS economy of scale, matches values.
- Limited Amenities: adequate, but quality, intimacy & experience trumps.
- Dining /Activity Variety: depends on cruise vaues.
- Motion: Bad in rough seas for seasick-prone.
- Limited Capacity: may book fast requiring very advanced booking; CON for solo independent travelers.
- Privacy: less solitude except in cabin.
- Limited Luggage & Personal Space: pack accordingly [pplk: packing
But, higher end amenities vary with mission, seasick motion, limited luggage & privacy.
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