“Maritime regulations result in a very high standard of safety in design and operation of passenger ships,” begins Stephen. “But the naval architect must always use his skill and judgement. Ships are never big enough to incorporate everything [so] the naval architect must use his judgement and skill. It is a balancing act.”

The result is that every cruise ship is unique, offering its own special passenger experience. That said, there are some key commonalities between ships - particularly when it comes to size. This is why looking at the categories of small, medium and large ships can be so helpful.

Nowadays, ships with a capacity of about 1,500 to 2,500 guests are considered mid-sized. Not too long ago, that would have put them among the giants of the oceans. At Fred. Olsen, we see this size of ship as perfect for the types of cruises we offer. Our three ships, Bolette (1,338 passengers), Borealis (1,353) and Balmoral (1,325) all occupy the lower end of “medium”.

“Borealis is one of the fastest passenger cruise ships in the world,” notes Stephen, who designed the flagship vessel. “In today’s world of mega ships, she is mid-sized and can operate to and from ports where larger ships may be denied due to their size.”

Inspired by the famed Rotterdam V (her predecessor), Stephen continues, “Special care was provided to ensure adequate luggage space would be provided for extended voyages.” The ship was also given powerful machinery to allow her to operate at high speed when required to traverse large expanses of ocean within a reasonable time. 

Of course, the personal touch on any ship is assured by high crew-to-passenger ratios on board, and this is a priority at Fred. Olsen. Our ships are large enough to sail across oceans, but nimble enough to go deep into fjords and dock at smaller ports. They’re perfect for excursions and tailored experiences.

This size of the ship allows guests a bit more space and room for larger facilities.  Because they are visiting more interesting places, they attract a cultured, worldly-wise clientele. You can expect pools, spas, shops and theatres, as well as bars and restaurants serving mouth-watering cuisine. But there’s nothing over the top – it’s all on a manageable scale. The overall experience is a sweet balance of comfort, discovery and entertainment.

Over the past 20 years or so, the definition of “large” has shifted somewhat. It started with the launch of the mega cruise ships. In the late 1980s, Sovereign of the Seas (2,800 passengers) marked a real leap in ambition. But that was dwarfed by what would follow in its wake. Current;y the worlds largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, can carry over 7,000 passengers and 2,500 crew. At more than 360 metres from bow to stern, it’s longer than the world’s largest aircraft carrier. 

This type of cruise ship is popular with families and couples who want something different to a package holiday. They cater to customers who like their time to be full of razzmatazz and entertainment. Think water slides, shopping malls, climbing walls, big-budget performances and dozens of eateries. 

It’s fair to say that the destination is less important than the cruise itself to most passengers, although they do visit major tourist spots. The cruises also tend to be for a week or longer. Getting all those people on and off is a logistical feat that doesn’t lend itself to weekend breaks.