Different Types of Ships for Ocean Cruises
The purpose of a cruise ship is to focus completely on holidays on the water and provide recreation, food, and opportunities for relaxation. The cruise industry is expanding all the time with more and more people are taking advantage of good deals on ocean cruises all around the world. Cruise ships are becoming more specialized and this has a big influence on the design, including size, functionality, aesthetics, and even the material from which some areas of the ship is made.
There are four general types of ships that cruise companies employ for different styles of ocean cruises.
Contemporary Ships
Cruise ships that fall under this type usually run cruises that are low to medium in price. These ships are large, often referred to as “mega-ships”, with the capacity to accommodate upwards of 3,000 passengers. These ships are gaudy but modern and brimming with amenities like many different bars and restaurants, spas and gyms, and enormous facilities for children. They may have different types of entertainment for a variety of age groups.
Premium Ships
Premium ships can be medium to large and even include the mega-ship category. But they generally take a smaller number of passengers so the cruises are less crowded. Quality of food tends to be better and they can often provide a wider choice of destination.
Budget Ships
These tend to be the older, smaller ships and some people refer to cruises on these ships as “cheerful and cheap”. Both entertainment and food are more old fashioned than on the Premium or Contemporary ships and the other amenities like gyms, spas, and children’s areas are much more basic. The usual destinations for the budget ships are the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
Luxury Ships
These ships provide a much more lavish cruise experience. They serve gourmet-quality food in elegant restaurants with great service everywhere on the ship. Tips for staff, alcoholic beverages, and shore excursions are often included in the price of the cruise. The ship itself, including the cabins, are much more elegant. Most cabins are suites and are usually “outside” cabins, often with a private balcony. The ships are smaller and can access smaller, more unusual ports than the big mega-ships, making destinations options broader.
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