Cruise ships vary in size, amenities, and destinations, with options ranging from large floating resorts to small, intimate vessels. Traditional, mega, small, ocean, river, luxury, adventure, and expeditionary ships offer something for every traveler, from standard services to remote and exotic destinations.
There are many types of cruise ships available for every traveler. Vessels vary according to their passenger capacity and destination. Large, small and mega cruise ships are reachable for cruising experiences from intimate to extravagant. Ocean or river cruises are also available. Other types of cruises are for specific niches, such as remote destinations or the height of luxury. There is a cruise ship experience available for everyone.
Traditional cruise ships, also called large cruise ships, are the most popular and common type of cruise lines. These vessels can hold anywhere from 850 to 3,000 passengers. They are commonly referred to as floating resorts due to the various amenities and services. Most offer restaurants, arcades and shops. Casinos, libraries and spas are also fairly standard features of mainstream cruises.
Mega ships include any ship that holds more than 3,000 passengers. Some of them can accommodate up to 5,000 people. These are the largest and most technologically advanced ships in the world. Mega cruise ships offer all the standard services of traditional cruises and some additional features. These features vary with each vessel. Some examples of additional features are ice rinks and museums.
Small ships offer a more intimate experience for travellers. The smaller vessels are usually motor or sailing. Again the difference in classification depends largely on the capacity of the passengers. Small ships usually hold no more than a few hundred people. They generally offer fewer services but are also less crowded. Often these ships offer a niche service, such as conventions, singles cruises or hard-to-reach destinations.
Ocean cruise ships include vessels of any size specifically designed for ocean voyages. These vessels tend to be on the larger end of the scale. They are built to be rugged enough to provide a relaxing and enjoyable experience for passengers, even in rough ocean conditions. They are also built for long distance cruising, such as world cruises.
River cruise ships, as the name suggests, are cruises that travel along rivers and other inland waterways. These ships are always smaller than ocean cruises. Designs range from high-tech and thrilling vessels to relaxing paddleboats. Some of the more popular rivers to cruise on are the Amazon, Siene, and Mississippi.
Luxury cruise ships are high-end ships. They are designed for maximum comfort and entertainment. Luxury cruises are aimed at passengers who can afford to spend more on higher quality amenities, longer voyages and more exotic destinations than standard cruise lines.
Adventure cruise ships are available for adventurous travellers. These cruises are distinguished by their access to remote destinations. They are generally small and under sail, which allows them access to hard-to-reach destinations. They also tend to provide high quality comfort and an intimate atmosphere.
Expeditionary cruise ships are similar to adventure ships, except they access slightly more isolated destinations. They visit ecological and biosphere reserves, as well as other remote regions of the world, such as Antarctica or the Arctic. These ships are often taken in search of remote places in the world. Inflatable motor boats and sometimes helicopters are aboard the vessels to access the shore. They tend to be less luxurious than standard cruises, but offer basic amenities and services.
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