When you’re looking to book a cruise, you might notice that newer cruise ships typically cost a lot more. The biggest reason for this is the higher demand to check out all the new bells and whistles a new cruise ship offers.
And because of this demand, cruise lines know they can charge more and try to recoup the cost of building their latest vessel.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas cost an estimated $2 billion to build. They have to get that money back somehow, right? Tanner, from Cruzely, put together a great breakdown of how much Icon will earn from each passenger, with an estimated $3.4 million per day in revenue.
As a sidenote, I did recently find that the newer Star of the Seas actually has some cruises that are cheaper than Icon if you look at certain dates. You can check that article out here.
On a new ship there’s better technology, updated venues and amenities, and some “fixes” to other ships in the fleet, based on passenger feedback.
But does newer mean better? Not always. Some of the best cruises I’ve taken were on ships considered to be old, 15 years or older.
Here are several reasons an “older” ship could give you a better cruise.
Newer Ships Often Have a Few Kinks to Work Out
This is especially true if you take one of the first sailings on a new ship. Don’t expect everything to be up and running at 100%. I’ve been on some new ships that were a bit behind in the construction process and the sounds of power tools could be heard throughout.
The crew are still learning about the ship as well. So, some new venues will not be operating smoothly yet or will require more patience on your part.
Older ships have been through it all, and like a good cheese, are often aged to perfection. Sure, they might not have the latest equipment, but if they are maintained well, they are consistent in what they offer. They might not do it all, but what they do, they do well, and the crew are very familiar with the ship.
Read more: 8 reasons older ships are better than new ones
Older often Means Smaller, Meaning Better Itineraries
I know saying “better itineraries” is somewhat subjective. But the fact is that smaller ships are able to visit ports and regions that the mega ships of today simply can’t.
And yes, most older ships are definitely smaller. Many ships built in the early 2000s averaged 2,000 to 3,000 passengers at most with a gross tonnage of 80,000 to 110,000. Modern ships often boast 6,000+ passengers with a gross tonnage over 200,000.
Whether it’s exploring the Greek Islands, visiting the Caribbean’s hidden gems that are often overlooked, or sailing through the fjords of Norway, smaller/older vessels can bring you closer to those off-the-beaten-path areas.
Smaller Crowds and Easier Disembarkation
Along with the last point, when you are visiting a port of call, it’s a lot easier when offloading a thousand or so passengers as opposed to 3,000 or 4,000 passengers—not everyone gets off the ship. This makes it easier and quicker to explore that quaint port of call and feel a little less like herded cattle.
And with excursions having limitations with how many people they can take, it makes it more likely that you can book that unique “thing to do” while in port.
Nostalgic Charm
Maybe you’re not a nostalgic person, but for me, there’s something special about the maritime history and heritage of a cruise ship from what seems like a bygone era. It’s something I appreciated in some Holland America sailings and also on ships like Celebrity Constellation that I booked a few years ago.
The décor might seem dated to some, but there’s a timelessness to it as well. That main atrium view is something missing on many new ships. I even have a fondness for Carnival’s Fantasy-class ships and the quirky design inside.
Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas is a great example of this as well, and even the design of the buffet area has a certain nostalgia for me.
Tradition and Personalized Service
You aren’t guaranteed to have better service on an older ship. That’s not my point. And there were some articles I read a few months ago questioning the dining service on older ships as being subpar. I’m sure this varies across the board.
But many older ships make up for the lack of bells and whistles with consistency and tradition. This can be seen in the service, shows, and all kinds of other aspects.
Additionally, with fewer people on board it’s easier to talk to someone at guest services without a crazy long line, and if you want to speak with the cruise director about something it’s a little easier as well.
I’ve found most of my cruises on older ships to have great personalized service, but again, this is a subjective point no doubt.
Renovations Keep Things Fresh
Older ships need a refurbishment from time to time, but this just makes the ship feel fresh without adding to its size or detracting from its classic appeal.
These updates can bring modern amenities to key areas like cabins, dining venues, and even add some newer features without the overwhelming scale of a brand-new build.
Older vessels have tons of cruise fans who like to sail on the same, familiar ship, and an update along with a new itinerary or homeport revives those nostalgic memories.
Cheaper Means More Cruises
As I stated at the start of this article, older cruise ships are much cheaper than booking new ones. This means you can go on more cruises for the same amount of money.
If you’re on a limited budget and want to find some last-minute deals, it’s easier to do on an older ship as well, since demand is usually lower.
If you have a flexible schedule, keep an eye on cruise fares with a cruise price alert tool on an older vessel, and save even more money.
