6 Ways Old Ships Are Better Than New Ships

It's hard to resist the flash and sparkle of brand-new cruise ships with their modern decor, cutting-edge technology, celebrity chef restaurants, and enough activities to keep you busy for a full week of sea days. But as much as we love these modern mega-ships, they aren't always preferable to older ships. Here are six advantages old cruise ships have over new ships:

1. Old Cruise Ships are Smaller in Size

For the most part, the older a cruise ship is, the smaller it’s going to be relative to the size of the line’s newer vessels. Some cruisers think ‘bigger is always better!’ and want as much packed onto a floating piece of steel as possible. There’s nothing wrong with that mindset, but if you have a hard time getting around or don’t want to spend half of your time on board walking, a smaller ship might be a better option. It also means there are fewer venues to choose from, whether it be restaurants or amenities. Some cruisers see this as a con, but it can be good if you don’t want to hem and haw too long over where to eat lunch.

2. Less Crowded on Older Ships

Newer ships can often carry over 5,000 passengers, meaning that you'll have to deal with seemingly constant crowding and bottlenecks. Good ship design can cut down on the worst of the crowds, but you'll almost always end up waiting in line at the buffet or poolside eateries and scouring the lido deck for a vacant chair. Instead of waking up at the crack of dawn to claim your space on the pool deck on smaller ships, you have a little more time to find your way there.

3. Old-School Charm

If you’ve sailed on an older ship, you know exactly what we’re talking about here. There’s just something about those ‘90s and early 2000s ships that is in-your-face old school, and we don't mean that in a bad way. While many of us do ultimately prefer the subtle tones and clean lines of newer ships that reflect the current interior design trends, there’s something special about walking into an atrium and being smacked in the face with Vegas-style glamour and glitz. It isn’t just the atrium, either, as you can often find funky decor in other spaces, including dining rooms, lounges, the theater, and sometimes even the lido deck. Another big difference between newer and older ships is that many old vessels still don’t have a television screen on the lido deck, something that we don’t mind.

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4. No Reservations 

One of the biggest complaints we see in reviews from members sailing on newer ships is the number of activities and dining options that must be reserved beforehand. Many cruise lines have started requiring reservations for their popular restaurants and shows to combat the inevitable crowds and long lines. This definitely cuts down on the lines, but it requires you to plan your days well in advance, resulting in a more structured and less carefree experience. Older ships may have fewer choices in terms of how to spend your day on board, but there's a better chance you'll actually get to try them. 

5. Exotic Itineraries and Cheaper Sailings

Generally, cruise lines deploy their newest ships on the most popular itineraries, namely week-long Caribbean sailings along with popular Mediterranean voyages during the summer. Longer cruises tend to fall to the older ships, as do exotic itineraries that only a more specific crowd will be interested in. It might cost more to do a specialized itinerary, your options are vast if you’re okay with older ships.

On the other hand, plenty of old ships operate very common and sought-after itineraries, especially weekend Caribbean sailings from Florida, Mexican Riviera sailings from California, and various cruises in Europe since fewer travelers are seeking out these ships without as many bells and whistles. These voyages are much cheaper than if you sail the same itinerary on a line’s newest and shiniest ships in the fleet.

6. Lower Guest-to-Crew Ratio (Better Service)

Cruise lines are packing many more travelers onto their ships these days, but they aren't necessarily adding enough crew members to accommodate them. Generally speaking, there are fewer passengers per crew member on older, smaller ships, meaning cruisers receive more individual attention and better service all around. There are also more opportunities to have conversations with crew members on older ships and get to know them throughout the voyage, which isn’t really feasible on ships with several thousand additional travelers to take care of.