Are Cruise Ships Too Big? | The Main Deck Podcast, Ep. 1

The Main Deck has officially launched. In the debut episode of this CruiseNews.com production, Executive Producer Joe Miragliotta and Managing Editor Harrison Liu sit down for a wide-ranging conversation covering onboard fitness routines, the growing role of Wi-Fi in the cruise experience, wave season strategy, and the ever-present debate over whether mega ships have gotten too large. The episode also introduces the podcast’s Reddit-inspired segment, where the hosts tackle real questions from the r/Cruise subreddit community.

Key Takeaways:

Walking the track and skipping the elevator remain two of the simplest ways to stay active onboard, according to both hosts.
Harrison uploaded 10 years of Garmin running data into AI and received a personalized trends report, revealing how his running habits shift between home and travel destinations.
Virgin Voyages includes fitness classes in its fare with no added cost, while Princess Cruises bundles classes into its beverage and Wi-Fi package.
Wave season runs January through March and is when cruise lines front-load bookings with value-added perks, not necessarily the lowest prices.
CruiseNews.com has published a 30-cruise-line wave season comparison grid breaking down each line’s current offers.
Joe pitched a long-term goal: a CruiseNews-hosted fitness and wellness-themed group cruise with guest speakers, trainers, and nutritionists.

Staying Fit on a Cruise Ship

The hosts opened with a topic they’ve both been thinking about: how to maintain a fitness routine while vacationing at sea. Harrison, a distance runner who logs miles in Miami and at ports of call, described running six miles in Key West during a Celebrity Reflection sailing, then still making it to the buffet before most passengers were awake. Joe’s approach is different. He gravitates toward walking the outdoor track multiple times a day, especially on Virgin Voyages, where he finds the track layout clean and well-designed. Weight training takes a backseat on ships for him, dropping from three or four sessions per week on land to one or two at sea.

Both agreed on one universal tip: take the stairs. Joe acknowledged it’s not possible for everyone, but for those who can, it’s the easiest way to offset the extra calories that come with cruising. Harrison added that on larger ships, you’ll often beat the elevator crowd by taking the stairwell anyway.

The conversation also touched on fitness classes offered onboard. Joe recalled a yoga class on Celebrity Beyond and described Virgin Voyages’ 80s-themed dance workout, complete with neon lights and a Richard Simmons energy. Harrison shared his experience on a 16-night Princess Cruises transatlantic, where the inclusive package bundled three fitness classes alongside beverages and Wi-Fi for around $65 per day. That bundle converted him from a skeptic into someone who signed up for additional sessions.

Joe floated a bigger idea toward the end of the segment: a CruiseNews-produced group sailing built around fitness and wellness, open to adults 21 and up, potentially featuring guest trainers and nutritionists. He and Harrison marked March 11 as the date they put the idea into the universe.

The Wi-Fi Debate

The conversation shifted to one of cruising’s most polarizing topics. Joe was direct about where he stands: as a content creator whose livelihood depends on connectivity, Wi-Fi on a ship is non-negotiable. Harrison agreed but framed it differently, calling Wi-Fi “air” while also acknowledging that part of wellness means controlling digital intake.

Joe’s advice for anyone wanting a digital detox was straightforward: lock the phone and laptop in the cabin safe, tell whoever you’re traveling with where you’ll be, and just walk the ship for the day. He noted that Virgin Voyages offers free basic Wi-Fi, enough to check email or post on social media, which gives passengers a safety net even if they’re trying to unplug.

From an industry perspective, Harrison argued that Wi-Fi has been one of the most transformative developments in modern cruising. For years, the interior of cruise ships was a mystery to potential passengers. Content creators like Joe are now broadcasting from inside the ship in real time, showing first-time cruisers exactly what to expect and lowering the psychological barrier to booking.

The hosts also briefly discussed Harrison’s work at Royal Caribbean during the Quantum of the Seas launch, which he described as the first cruise ship to introduce true broadband Wi-Fi. That ship’s connectivity allowed the cruise line to begin inviting content creators onboard as a deliberate marketing strategy, recognizing that creators could now actually work from the ship.

Wave Season, Explained

Harrison broke down wave season for listeners who may not be familiar with the term. Running from January through the end of March, it’s the period when cruise lines historically see the highest booking volume. Coming off the holidays, passengers start planning summer and fall sailings, and cruise lines compete by stacking value-added perks into their offers.

The key distinction Harrison made: wave season doesn’t necessarily mean the lowest fares. Instead, cruise lines bundle extras like complimentary Wi-Fi, third and fourth guest sail free promotions, onboard credits, and reduced deposits. Smaller expedition and luxury lines tend to offer different incentives, such as included airfare or pre- and post-cruise hotel nights, aimed at reducing friction for travelers heading to less accessible departure ports.

Joe connected this to what he called “pain points,” using his mother as an example. For less experienced travelers, knowing that airport transfers, hotel stays, and ground logistics are handled can be the difference between booking and not. Cruise lines understand this and structure their wave season packages accordingly.

CruiseNews.com has published a comprehensive wave season comparison evaluating offers from 30 cruise lines, including a side-by-side grid that breaks down what each line is bundling into its current promotion.

Are Mega Ships Getting Too Big?

Pulling from the r/Cruise subreddit, Joe posed the question that kicked off the podcast’s new community-driven segment. His own take: yes, they’re getting a bit too large for his personal taste, though he acknowledged that’s shaped by his preference for mid-size and river cruise ships. His largest sailing to date was on Wonder of the Seas, where he appreciated the sheer variety of onboard options but noticed the crowds at full capacity.

Harrison offered a different lens. Having worked on the communications team that launched Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class, he argued that mega ships serve a specific and important purpose. For families, the scale means kids can be at the FlowRider while parents are a quarter mile away on the Royal Promenade. The design teams at these cruise lines have gotten skilled at “line busting,” managing the flow of nearly 7,000 guests and 3,000 crew members across a vessel the size of a World War II aircraft carrier.

Both hosts agreed the answer depends on who’s cruising. A couple without children has different priorities than a family of five, and the industry now offers ships at nearly every size to match. Joe compared it to wine: saying you don’t like cruising without specifying what kind is like saying you don’t like red wine without naming the grape.

What’s Next for The Main Deck

The hosts closed by previewing future episodes, including a planned deep dive into Alaska cruise season and upcoming guest appearances from colleagues and creators in the cruise space. They encouraged listeners to leave comments with their longest cruise (including ship name and itinerary) and to suggest topics they’d like covered.
The Main Deck will also feature more Reddit-sourced questions in future episodes, building out the community-driven segment that debuted here.