How Big is Too Big?

Posted by Sue Bryant Oct 17, 2007

Royal Caribbean was the first cruise line to announce a new generation of mega-ships with its ambitious Project Genesis, already under construction at the Aker Yard in Finland. Genesis will launch in 2009 and will carry a whopping total of 5,400 guests.

Others were quick to follow. Carnival Cruise Line, then MSC, with two ships, each measuring 133,500 tons with a passenger capacity of 3,900.

Now NCL has joined the fray with its own announcement of two new megaships with the working title of F3. The steel cutting has already taken place. Each F3 will measure 150,000 tons and will carry 4,200 passengers.

The argument for this enormous size is that it presents more choice on board for passengers. NCL says that 100% of outside cabins will have a private balcony, although it is keeping F3's other features under wraps. Similarly, Royal Caribbean is yet to release much detail about what will be on Project Genesis, although some elements have been revealed, including a surf simulator, climbing wall and the ice rink.

The question is, how much is too much? These giant ships can without doubt absorb the number of passengers; you can be sailing on a big Royal Caribbean or NCL ship now at 100% capacity and not feel especially crowded. The biggest logistical problem is likely to be in port. NCL has already said that its F3 class ships will not be able to use tender ports as it's too difficult to tender that many passengers ashore. Who knows the impact a couple of these massive vessels arriving simultaneously will have on small ports in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean?

Until more detail is revealed, the cruising public is likely to remain only cautiously excited about these giant ships.