I am not sure why, but in recent years it seems that all passengers want to travel on the latest ships.
Perhaps cruise lines have become better at marketing and can easily convince passengers during ship launches. But it seems that no one wants to travel on old ships, even though many are only a few years old.
But are we sure that traveling on the newest ships is always the right choice? Actually no, some positive aspects might lead you to choose an older ship. Let’s see what the most important ones are.
1. Classic Cruising Experience
One of the first, and perhaps most important, reasons that might lead you to prefer older cruise ships over newer ones is definitely the atmosphere you find on board.
Old ships often retain traditional cruising elements, such as formal dining rooms with fixed seating times and dress codes.
In addition, they can have a unique charm and character that newer ships may lack. Most of the older ships have classic decor, elegant wood paneling, and vintage fixtures that evoke a sense of timeless elegance.
2. Fewer Crowds
Older ships are almost always less crowded than newer ones.
This is not something you should underestimate; it is a very important advantage.
You’ll find fewer lines at the buffet and during disembarkation, more free lounge chairs at the pool, and more attentive service.
The last time I was on a new cruise there was not a single free seat on the pool deck. This prompted me to write the 7 smart strategies to outwit chair hogs.
3. Personalized Service
As I was saying earlier, since smaller cruise ships are less crowded, they offer more attentive and personalized service.
In my experience, the staff seemed more relaxed and less stressed. I had opportunities to talk with them and even made friends with some.
Many remember your name and also remember your preferences.
Of course, I tipped them very well also because, as we saw in the article on cruise workers’ salaries, their wages are not that high.
4. Unique Itineraries
You probably noticed this if you looked at some itineraries before booking your cruise.
Older cruise ships tend to have the most unique and interesting itineraries.
Why is that? The reason is quite simple, the companies try to sell those cruises by relying more on the itinerary than the ship.
Imagine if the newest ships also had the best itineraries. Very few people would book cruises on the older ones.
Note that some itineraries can only be done by small ships, for example, the Galápagos Islands, the Beagle Channel and Chilean Fjords, or the Aegean Islands.
5. Lower Cost
The price of cruises on older ships tends to be quite lower compared to newer ships.
It’s simply a matter of supply and demand. When many people make reservations the price goes up, while if the cruise date approaches and there are many vacant cabins the price goes down.
As I have already told you, most passengers like to travel on the latest ships so the older ones are generally cheaper.
If you want to save even more money, you can look at the 20 tips and tricks to save money on a cruise.
6. Less Sales-focused
In the past, cruise ships were less sales-oriented.
For this reason, there may be fewer stores, special restaurants, or areas where paid activities are carried out.
In contrast, on modern cruise ships, everything is designed to sell you something and make you spend money.
To avoid unpleasant surprises, check the only cruise ship extras that are worth the money and the list of things you should never buy on a cruise.
7. Passengers Interact More Easily
I don’t know if this is something you’re interested in, but I’ve noticed that on older ships it’s also easier to connect with other passengers.
The atmosphere is more cozy and intimate, and it’s easy to find yourself often with the same people.
Therefore, in my opinion, they are a good choice for passengers who travel alone or if you like to make friends while traveling.
Before booking, besides checking how old a ship is, also check its cleanliness. You can find the updated ranking here.
includes non-surge power strip, lanyards, luggage tags, magnetic hooks and more!
