For Billy Hirsch, going on cruises isn’t just taking a holiday—it’s a lifelong passion rooted in childhood memories.

“I was introduced to cruising as a young kid because my father worked for a cruise line,” Hirsch confided to Reader’s Digest.

“Travelling with my family, cruising became a love of mine, and those early experiences sparked my desire to explore more of the world by cruise ships.”

As an adult, his love for cruising only grew, though the financial responsibility of his vacations shifted.

“Paying for those trips became my responsibility, so I started with cheaper sailings,” Hirsch reflected, explaining that, being a South Florida native, a weekend getaway on a cruise ship became his default holiday choice.

Now, after years of extensive cruising, Hirsch has a keen eye for what makes a cruise truly special—especially when it comes to avoiding crowds.

When asked about his favourite cruises with the least amount of passengers, he points to a couple of standout ships that offer serene experiences in uncrowded spaces.

One of those ships is the Oceania Regatta, a smaller vessel by modern standards, which Hirsch describes as having an intimate, almost homelike atmosphere.

“It feels like you’re in someone’s lovely home… which happens to be a ship,” he said.

Despite its more compact size, the Regatta doesn’t sacrifice luxury. It still offers a range of public spaces for guests to relax, enjoy onboard entertainment, or take in beautiful views.

With fantastic dining options and a warm, cosy vibe, this ship offers an escape from the hustle and bustle typically found on larger vessels.

For those seeking a more contemporary take on a less-crowded cruise experience, Hirsch recommends the Celebrity Edge.

Known for its groundbreaking design and innovative entertainment options, the Celebrity Edge is a marvel in modern cruising.

“Celebrity Cruises knows how to time events and can flow and disperse people throughout the decks, so you don’t feel like that many people are on board,” Hirsch says.

The ship’s unique Infinite Verandas, with their floor-to-ceiling windows and roll-down tops that transform rooms into balconies, make it feel even more spacious and private.

Hirsch, a fan of this ship, has sailed on it “about five or six times,” and is eager to explore the new ships in this class—Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Beyond—which promise even more cutting-edge experiences.

While Hirsch enjoys these modern ships, he also appreciates the grandeur of the industry’s largest vessels, such as the Symphony of the Seas.

Although these ships can carry thousands of passengers, Hirsch is fascinated by the design and engineering that makes them feel surprisingly manageable. “It’s hard to wrap your head around how they conceptualise these mega-ships,” he admitted.