If the idea of sharing a ship with 7,000 passengers makes you queasy, the biggest cruise liners might not be your thing. But go too small, and you risk missing out on the perks that make cruising special – poolside lounging, a choice of bars and restaurants, spa days at sea and quality entertainment. That’s where 'Goldilocks cruises' come in: mid-sized ships that strike the perfect balance. Not too big, not too small – just right. 

Click through this gallery to discover the best Goldilocks cruise ships in the world... 

With space for 1,250 guests, Oceania Marina is large enough to offer variety – multiple specialty restaurants, a well-equipped Culinary Centre, a spa and generous public spaces – yet small enough to avoid feeling crowded.

Dining is a highlight, with standout venues like Toscana, Red Ginger and Jacques. The atmosphere on board is relaxed and polished, making it a solid choice for travellers who want a refined cruising experience without the scale of a mega-ship.

Virgin Voyages, beloved by the younger (and young-at-heart) cruising crowd, is known for its high-octane entertainment, waterside hammocks, 20+ dining venues, late-night live music bars and onboard Squid Ink tattoo parlours – all within its adults-only spaces.

The latest addition, Brilliant Lady, joined the boutique fleet in 2025 and delivers a private-yacht feel with the full service and style you'd expect from Virgin. On Caribbean voyages, she docks at Virgin’s private Beach Club at Bimini, where guests enjoy included cabanas, hammocks by lagoon-style pools and a DJ beach club vibe. 

Fresh from a major refurb, Crystal Serenity is one of Crystal Cruises’ signature ships, sailing around Europe before heading to the Americas and Caribbean.

With space for just 740 guests, this elegant mid-sized ship offers personal butler service in every cabin and suite, upscale dining (including Nobu Matsuhisa’s only restaurant at sea) and a wellness area with full-sized paddle tennis and pickleball courts. Expect standout service and entertainment ranging from Broadway shows to TED-style talks.

Inspired by sleek superyachts and offering facilities that rival upscale all-inclusive resorts, Explora Journeys is a standout choice for luxury travellers. Explora II, the second in a growing fleet, accommodates up to 922 guests in all ocean-facing suites.

She sails the Mediterranean until November before continuing to the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula, with itineraries focused on immersive, small-group shore experiences. Onboard, guests enjoy five heated pools, a full spa, six restaurants and 12 bars and lounges. 

With strong ties to its Norwegian heritage – from Scandi-inspired décor to a focus on wellness and exploration – Viking excels in the Goldilocks zone of cruising, with a fleet of stylish ocean and river ships. Its classic ocean vessels – including Viking Saturn – carry 930 guests, all designed to access ports large and small.

Designed for curious travellers, they feature onboard historians offering destination-specific lectures and serene libraries for quiet reading. And for spa lovers, the Nordic Spa – complete with sauna, steam room, and a rejuvenating Sea Snow Grotto – is not to be missed.

The second ship in British cruise line Ambassador’s fleet, Ambition offers year-round no-fly cruises from UK ports, along with no-fly voyages to the Caribbean in winter. She carries up to 1,200 passengers across 680 cabins, including 125 with balconies and 113 suites.

Dining options include two main restaurants and several speciality venues, plus the exclusive Chef’s Table, which includes a galley tour and tasting menu. Thanks to her manageable size, Ambition can navigate narrow waterways like the Norwegian fjords and access smaller Caribbean ports.

Norwegian Cruise Line has some super-liners (complete with waterslides and go-kart tracks), but for a more intimate experience, look to the Norwegian Sky. Carrying 1,944 passengers and fully refurbished in 2022, the family-friendly ship has two large outdoor pools, five hot tubs, kids’ zones and a theatre – so there’s never a dull moment.

This cruise is good for low-key cruisers – with no dress code or formal evenings, a freestyle dining approach (eat when and where you like) and a range of late-night bars and lounges with live entertainment.

Part of NCL’s luxury brand Regent Seven Seas, Seven Seas Grandeur offers yacht-like elegance with a capacity of 744 passengers across all-balcony suites. Its most lavish accommodation, the Regent Suite, spans 4,443 square feet (413sqm) with two bedrooms, an in‑suite spa retreat and a private balcony with a mini‑pool.

The ship boasts beautifully refined spaces, including the Observation Lounge, Grandeur Lounge and intimate Connoisseur Club. Signature itineraries – from Southampton to Iceland – explore the Norwegian fjords, Faroe and Shetland Islands.

One of Celestyal’s two mid-sized ships, Celestyal Journey has capacity for 1,260 guests. There’s plenty to fill the days with eight bars, seven restaurants, an entire floor dedicated to wellness and two swimming pools.

Settle into a contemporary-styled cabin (many with balconies) or a light-filled suite, and enjoy itineraries that give you direct access to smaller (and more scenic) ports in the Mediterranean and Middle East. 

Amazing facts about cruise ships you might not know

Silver Nova is one of the two largest ships in Silversea’s fleet, with 728 all-suite accommodations, each with large private terraces and panoramic views. Designed with sustainability at its core, the ship features cutting-edge waste-to-energy systems to reduce emissions.

Onboard, guests enjoy nine dining venues, several bars and butler service for every suite. In summer, Silver Nova sails in Alaska, followed by immersive small-group voyages through Asia and Australasia.

Azamara Journey offers a more thoughtful kind of cruise, with a relaxed, club-like atmosphere and a focus on meaningful travel. With space for around 700 guests there’s room to unwind – whether that’s over a long lunch at Prime C steakhouse, a quiet moment in the library, or a dip in the open-air pool.

The ship’s small size means it can dock in places the big players can’t, while AzAmazing Evenings – private, locally inspired events – bring the destination on board. 

A firm favourite with British cruisers, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers a selection of more intimate ocean ships with a classic yet elegant style and enriching itineraries. Its Signature Experience programme features carefully curated shore excursions in destinations such as the Azores and the Scottish and Irish coasts.

Borealis, one of the line’s newer and more compact ships, carries 1,353 guests and can access smaller ports that larger cruise ships can’t reach. On board, guests can relax in comfortable lounges, swim in two pools and unwind in the Atlantis Spa with its thermal suite.

At the premium end of the cruise spectrum, Spirit of Discovery – Saga’s first purpose-built boutique ship – accommodates 987 passengers in all-balcony cabins, offering space for peaceful relaxation while remaining intimate enough to encourage socialising.

A calm, refined atmosphere runs throughout, but there’s plenty to do beyond admiring the view: all-inclusive bars and lounges, a West End–style theatre, spa facilities and a spacious outdoor lido with swimming pool.

Compact enough to access ports many larger cruise ships can’t, Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam offers the best of both worlds. Enjoy deck pickleball, a sea-view pool and live music in B.B. King’s Blues Club and the Rolling Stone Lounge.

Wherever you sail, the Global Fresh Fish programme, born from Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s collaboration, delivers local sustainable seafood – think yellowtail snapper in the Caribbean or halibut in Alaska.

Launching in July 2025, Oceania Allura is the newest addition to Oceania’s fleet and a perfect choice for travellers who value culture, cuisine and comfort. Designed to carry 1,200 guests, this all-veranda ship offers a wealth of enriching experiences – from chef-led cooking demonstrations to immersive 'Culinary Discovery Tours', which explore regional food traditions in small groups.

Whether you’re touring tropical plantations or learning to master Venetian dishes in a private villa, the focus is on authentic local flavour. For an elevated evening onboard, guests can book an exclusive fine wine pairing dinner at La Reserve.

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