Inside the rise of supersized cruise ships amid wave of demand

Cruises are riding the wave of post-pandemic success as supersized ships are working to keep pace with record-breaking demand, doubling in size in the last 24 years. NBC’s Emilie Ikeda reports for TODAY.



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#Travel #CruiseShip #Cruise

[michelleb]

Royal has announced they are building smaller ships, too.

[Discovery-princess]

Big shout out to all you solo cruise travellers. We get hit the hardest. Not just financially. But that's what makes us stronger.

[jonkrispeterson]

After having 5 cancelled during covid, we spent 21 days on one in the spring. We have 6 booked and we can’t wait. As far as cost, we took 13 days to cross the Atlantic this spring, and got to visit places we would never fly to, like the Canary Islands. The 13 day cruise was only slightly higher than an economy class plane ticket.

[FGHG]

At what point will people, as well as the cruise industry finally just decide, ok enough, ships literally can't and/or should not get any bigger??

[classix]

I have sallied on the newer larger ships and I have sailed on older smaller ships. I found that larger ships usually have worse food, service, and long lines.

[EagleRockers]

I've cruised over 30 times, but never on one of these mega ships. I don't think I'd like it.

[Dangic]

If the ship is the destination, you are doing cruising totally wrong.

[walljason]

Icon is over 200 feet tall and the empire is over 1200 feet…. Didn’t know that they’re off by only off by 2.7 football fields

[Ryanrock]

Allure of the Seas is a mega sized ship and the size did not hinder my enjoyment on it at all. We had a blast and want to go again!

[ACoupleTravelers]

It was great chatting with the Today Show!

[apl]

I went on Wonder a few weeks ago. It's more of a technical novelty interest to me - I didn't even disembark at all of the ports.

[loveistheonlyword]

Not everyone prefers these larger ships. There’s quite a following for the smaller ships in the fleet. Plus many of these ships cannot dock and you end up needing to tender or your destinations are limited. Seems like the companies like them because they can fit more passengers and stretch crew resources.

[FraserAtSea]

As a frequent cruiser, I absolutely love these huge ships. It would really surprise you how 'homely' these large ships can feel - yes, you're cruising with LOTS of fellow passengers, but they're amazing spaces onboard, and the crowds do spread out nicely!

[louismat]

I wonder if Titanic passengers felt the same way

[orlandoparksguy]

Tall as the Empire State Building?? 😄She's 200 ft. tall, not 1200 ft. tall. They even made a graphic! 😂

[CruisingWithCalandra]

Cruising is awesome and the big ships are filled with everything you need for a vacation! Its

[TheUncleSpiderX]

I don’t think there’s a demand of bigger ships

[jeffryan]

I don’t understand the appeal to be trapped on a moving hotel with thousands of people?? To each their own! 🤷‍♂️

[Micahswf]

I take 4/5 cruises a year i love them best vacation money can buy

[PatrickWagz]

It would NOT be a video about cruise ships without comparing their size to a football field AND bringing up the Titanic!!
Well done, TODAY show, well done!!
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