Best Large Ships

ig ships are more than 70,000 tons and carry more than 1,800 passengers; the largest carry more than 4,000. And because of their majestic size, these ships are able to accommodate both more passengers and more options to keep them occupied. Today's big ships are among the most advanced and feature-rich at sea, offering the widest possible range of amenities and options. Most of these are mainstream ships, but some are premium.

These megaships include the bells and whistles modern passengers have come to associate with a cruise. They have the most amenities, including rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, bumper cars, bowling alleys, and surfing simulators. If there's a new amenity, you can bet it will soon appear on one of the big mega-sized cruise ships. Big ships often have magnificent spas, expansive casinos, and extensive, high-tech gyms with the latest machines and also a staff able to offer class on everything from ab work to yoga to spinning. They offer nonstop activities designed for all interests: they may have high-energy Las Vegas– or Broadway–style music revues; a wider variety of restaurants and lounges; dance clubs and discos; well-rounded children's programs; and more.

However, there are some trade-offs. The size of big ships limits the ports to which they travel. And because they pack on the passengers, lines can develop almost everywhere, or reservations (when offered) can be tough to book. But a well-run big ship can overcome these problems through judicious use of technology and by employing a similarly big crew to address the needs of passengers.