Why was cruising better in the past?

Prices up and pleasures down. Different era now

Cruising was a true escape on the seas, with time to explore and enjoy the ship, dine leisurely with new friends all together in a single dining room, and arrive at ports filled with exotic adventures.

Now everybody is "connected," even while on board; there are too many influencers who want to describe and film everything they do, port calls have turned into "I can do it better and cheaper on my own," the ship has become merely a convenient central location for diverse restaurants and activities, and people pass each other by without a glance or even get into fights on cruise ships.

I like the smaller ships, but I am willing to try some of the monster ships just because they are so full of cool activities!

The serenity and romance of cruising have taken a step backwards, BUT they are still there. You just have to be more careful where, when and what cruise line you select. For us, a unique itinerary and great shore excursions always help to make our cruises the most special and memorable. The ship onboard experience and dining are also important, but we rarely have complaints. After more than fifty years of cruising, I am dedicated to this form of travel, and I have seen many changes, so I try to be as adaptable as possible.

My first cruise: Chandris Romanza, 1973 Mediterranean and Black Sea. BLISS

Recent cruises in the same area:

Celebrity Constellation, 2019, Venice RT Mediterranean. EXCELLENT

Enchanted Princess, 2023, Rome to Athens. VERY, VERY GOOD

Cunard Queen Victoria 2024. Rome to Barcelona. VERY GOOD

Yet we will also hop on a Caribbean cruise, not caring too much about the cruise line or the stops, if we just want some fun and sun!

I agree with some of the comments about a more casual younger generation, but I was on a Viking River cruise last year and an older gentleman came down to breakfast in his pajamas! Oh, well....

It is still usually better to be on ANY cruise rather than no cruises!

Cruises WERE a luxury vacation. We used to save all year to take a cruise. Now, I can practically book one with the cash in my pocket ( depending on the line ). We used to look forward to the grandeur of the ship. Now, meh. I can’t even relax on a ship anymore. Even the spas get overbooked.

Good question! Just returned from 2 weeks on a cruise. The biggest negatives were the crowds and the folks that seemed to feel entitled (not getting back to the ship on time, pushing ahead into the dining room, jumping ahead of people who were waiting for elevators, etc.) I don’t remember that from our early cruise days.

I agree with everything already mentioned. It isn’t as special as it once was.

To be fair, I never took a 3-day (or less) cruise. Always 7-days +.

I believe the past cruisers believed a cruise was a luxury vacation experience. The ship was as much the experience, as were the ports. Every experience was treated with wonderment and awe. Entertainment ? Things you normally did not see. You were entertained, you were pampered, you felt special. The crew, the ship, the food - all amazing. Memorable. Fun !!! Fellow passengers - fun, happy, and wonderful folks.

IMO - NOW, a cruise seems to be an entitlement where the cruisers should be allowed to do whatever they desire, WHEN they desire, and everyone else should accommodate their wishes. It is a little sad.

My age is showing. Sorry.

no entitled passengers, caring parents keeping their kids under control, comedians who dont worry about offending people, better excursions...no beaches shoved down your throat,

I go along with the smaller ships. I've not had any issues with finding plenty of food variety or its quality. I do think the younger generations discovering cruising has led to a less enjoyable experience overall. They seem to be a lot more egocentric. They have their own flavor of entitlement. The older cruisers have that as well, but it doesn't seem to be the type of entitlement that infringes on others like that of the younger crowd.