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Cabins Even on the biggest ships, cabins aren’t much larger than the one the Marx Brothers spilled out of in _A Night at the Opera._ But the days of little portholes are gone — in an outside

cabin, chances are you’ll enjoy a nice balcony or large windows. What’s more, Disney has given a new life to those formerly dingy inside cabins: On the cruise line’s newer _Dream _and 

_Fantasy_ ships and on the upgraded _Magic_, above the bed you’ll find a “magical porthole” with a high-definition screen behind it. Cameras mounted up on deck beam the outside view all day

long, and the result is an uncanny sense of seeing a live through-the-glass view. Dining You can still head to the formal dining room, but the biggest ships pride themselves on offering

countless dining options, from sprawling buffets to poolside grills. You’ll also find premium restaurants that offer a fine dining experience worthy of a big city — for a reasonable extra

cost. The gourmet menu at the _Disney Dream_’s_ _adults-only restaurant Remy — yes, named after the animated rat in _Ratatouille _— will run you an extra $75, but it was created by chefs

Arnaud Lallement and Scott Hunnel. At Holland America, all 15 ships have menus created by a “Culinary Council” that includes master chef Rudi Sodamin, along with renowned international chefs

Jonnie Boer, David Burke, Jacques Torres, Elizabeth Falkner and Mark Best. Destinations Because of their size, megaships largely stick to ports with big facilities — places such as the

Bahamas, Mexico, the Caribbean, Asia and the Mediterranean. The luxurious, intimate theater on the midsize ship Mariner of the Seas. COURTESY ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL MIDSIZE SHIPS

1,000 to 2,500 passengers Fares typically start between $150 and $175 per day. _(Carnival Pride, Celebrity Summit, Noordam, Queen Elizabeth, Norwegian Sun, Crystal Serenity, Coral Princess)_

Target travelers “These boats cater to the traveler who is interested in fine dining and service — not rock climbing at sea,” says Clem Bason, CEO of DealBase, an online travel business.

Before ships like the _Oasis of the Seas_ set sail, _these _were the megaships. Now they can be an excellent value for travelers who want to enjoy traditional cruise-ship amenities. “They’re

more cozy,” adds Brown of Cruise Critic. “You get to know your bartender.” Some midsize ships enhance the experience even further by taking on fewer passengers: While many ships measuring

just over 800 feet long will hold more than 2,000 guests, premium ships such as Crystal Cruises’ _Crystal Serenity_ will host just over half that many. That means a lot more crew attention

for you. (Once I walked onto the _Serenity _deck and a crew member chirped, “Can I get you a deck chair, Mr. Newcott?”) But it comes at a higher price. A cabin on premium midsize ships such

as _Serenity_ will cost you between $300 and $500 a day. Entertainment Everything’s a tad smaller: Rather than a Times Square theater, the stage venue on a ship such as Holland America’s 

_Noordam_ more resembles a good Las Vegas lounge. Pools You’ll find more than one, but they can be small, and it’s harder to escape the poolside games. Cabins Most of these ships, built

before cabin balconies became hot in the 2000s, have added them.