When comparing new vs old cruise ships, travellers face a compelling choice that can dramatically impact their holiday experience. With the average cruise ship being 17.5 years old, most sailings actually take place aboard more established vessels rather than the latest floating cities grabbing headlines.
Understanding the differences between new vs old cruise ships is crucial for making an informed decision that matches your preferences, budget, and travel style.
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What Defines New vs Old Cruise Ships?
The new vs old cruise ships debate typically centres on vessels launched within the past 5-10 years versus those that have been sailing for 15+ years. Modern ships entering service today average around 140,000 tonnes with capacity for 4,000-6,000 passengers, whilst older vessels typically measure closer to 70,000 tonnes accommodating 2,000-3,000 guests.
This fundamental size difference drives many of the key distinctions between new vs old cruise ships.
Why New Cruise Ships Are Winning Passengers
Revolutionary Amenities and Attractions
When examining new vs old cruise ships, modern vessels clearly lead in innovative amenities. Today’s mega-ships feature attractions that would be impossible on older ships: roller coasters, surf simulators, skydiving simulators, and multi-level waterparks. These floating resorts offer experiences that rival major theme parks, making them particularly appealing to families and adventure-seekers. The ship is the destination.
The new vs old cruise ships technology gap is equally impressive. Modern vessels incorporate smart elevators that learn passenger patterns, RFID wearable technology for seamless purchases*, and sophisticated entertainment systems with high-definition displays throughout the ship. Many new ships also feature app-controlled cabin environments where guests can adjust lighting, temperature, and entertainment options from their smartphones.
* Note: Princess Cruises use a wireless ‘medallion’ device across their entire fleet – including their old ships.
Superior Accommodation Variety
The new vs old cruise ships comparison reveals significant differences in stateroom options. New ships offer an extensive range of accommodation categories, from innovative interior cabins with virtual balconies to multi-level suites with private hot tubs and butler service. The proportion of balcony cabins has increased dramatically, with some newer vessels featuring balconies on 70% or more of their staterooms.
Modern cruise ship cabins also include practical improvements like additional USB charging ports, improved storage solutions, and enhanced en-suite facilities. Many feature advanced anti-fog bathroom mirrors and heated floors – luxuries rarely found on older vessels.
Check out The Complete Guide to Cruise Ship Cabins to learn more about why accommodation variety matters.
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Diverse Dining Experiences
In the new vs old cruise ships culinary arena, modern vessels excel with numerous specialty restaurants featuring celebrity chef partnerships and diverse international cuisines. These ships often showcase 15-20 different dining venues, from molecular gastronomy to authentic regional specialties, catering to evolving passenger tastes and dietary requirements.
Environmental Advantages
The new vs old cruise ships environmental comparison clearly favours modern vessels. Many recent ships operate on liquified natural gas (LNG), producing significantly lower emissions than traditional marine diesel. New ships also incorporate advanced waste management systems, energy-efficient LED lighting throughout, and improved hull designs that reduce fuel consumption.
The Compelling Case for Older Cruise Ships
Intimate Atmosphere and Better Navigation
The new vs old cruise ships debate often overlooks the charm of smaller, more intimate vessels. Older ships typically measure around 850 feet with approximately 12 decks, compared to modern mega-ships exceeding 1,000 feet with 18+ decks. This manageable size translates to shorter walking distances, less crowded elevators, and an overall more relaxed cruising experience.
Passengers on older ships report feeling less overwhelmed and more connected to the sea, with easier navigation between restaurants, pools, and entertainment venues. The smaller scale creates a more familial atmosphere where passengers can actually get to know fellow travellers and crew members.
It’s also worth noting that older, smaller ships can go to destinations that their mega sisters cannot. Prince Christian Sound in Greenland is too narrow for megaships for instance. And if you want to go through the historic Panama Canal locks, you’ll need an older, Panamax-class ship.
Superior Service-to-Guest Ratios
When comparing new vs old cruise ships, older vessels generally provide better passenger-to-crew ratios, resulting in more personalised attention. With fewer guests competing for crew attention, passengers often receive superior service quality and more meaningful interactions throughout their voyage.
This enhanced service extends to dining venues, bars, and guest services, where staff can remember passenger preferences and provide more attentive care – something that becomes challenging on ships carrying 5,000+ guests.
Authentic Cruise Character
Many cruise enthusiasts prefer older ships for their authentic maritime character. These vessels often feature classic design elements like elegant multi-deck dining rooms with crystal chandeliers, grand staircases, and traditional nautical décor that connects passengers to cruising’s golden age.
Older ships typically include amenities that have disappeared from modern vessels, such as dedicated card rooms, quiet libraries, and intimate lounges perfect for conversation. The absence of constant digital entertainment creates an environment where passengers engage more with each other and the ocean experience.
Some cruise lines, like Ambassador, use older ships that have been off-loaded by other cruise lines. MS Ambience is the original Regal Princess for instance.
Significant Cost Savings
The new vs old cruise ships price comparison strongly favours older vessels. Recent research shows that similar Caribbean itineraries can cost £750+ more per person on new ships compared to older vessels. For example, an 8-night Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean‘s 2001-built Adventure of the Seas costs around £1,381 per person, whilst a 7-night cruise on the brand-new Star of the Seas costs £2,118 per person – nearly £750 more for a shorter voyage.
These savings extend beyond initial fares, as older ships often feature more inclusive pricing and fewer premium upcharge venues.
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The Challenges of Each Option
Limitations of Older Vessels
The new vs old cruise ships analysis must acknowledge that older ships face certain limitations. Maintenance costs increase significantly as vessels age, with cruise lines spending approximately 7% of revenue on ship upkeep. This can sometimes result in visible wear and tear, particularly in cabin areas where renovations prove more challenging and expensive than updating public spaces.
Older ships also offer limited balcony availability, creating premium pricing for these desirable accommodations that can cost more than twice the price of interior cabins. Additionally, vintage vessels may lack modern accessibility features and energy-efficient systems that newer ships incorporate as standard.
Drawbacks of Modern Mega-Ships
Despite their impressive amenities, the new vs old cruise ships comparison reveals significant challenges with modern vessels. The sheer scale can overwhelm passengers, with crowds of 5,000+ guests creating bottlenecks at popular venues and making it difficult to secure prime dining reservations, seats in theatres or deck chairs.
The abundance of premium experiences and specialty venues on new ships can lead to substantial additional costs beyond the base cruise price. Many passengers find the need for advance reservations for restaurants, shows, and activities makes the cruise experience feel overly structured rather than relaxing and spontaneous.
Our take on the new vs old cruise ships debate
We began our cruise adventures on Sky Princess which at that time was the Princess Cruises flagship. The world was just coming out of Lock Down when we went on a four day section, sailing up and down the Channel. Sky Princess is massive – but it was also at least half empty because of Covid restrictions.
As the world got back to normal, we went on a few other megaships – Regal Princess, Emerald Princess and MSC Virtuosa. As the ships starter to carry more passengers, the experience altered dramatically – and not always for the better.
Later we went on the much older Island Princess, chosen because of its Greenland itinerary. Reviews of the ship were poor. It’s old, battered, unreliable air conditioning (allegedly), lacks the bells and whistles associated with newer Princess ships etc.
But what Island Princess lacks in gloss, it makes up for in terms of service and charm. We now actively seek out Island itineraries – it has become our favourite ship. We were even lucky enough to be onboard when she celebrated her 21st birthday.
Given that the ‘mainstream’ cruise lines are prioritising mega-ships, it may be that cruisers must choose older ships if they want a cosy experience without the cost of an ultra luxury cruise line. Especially if you want to visit the historic Panama Canal or the smaller fjords of Greenland.
We’re not averse to mega-ships, but the 20+ year old ships in the Princess fleet are its hidden gems. We suggest hopping onboard one while you still can.
Making Your New vs Old Cruise Ships Decision
The new vs old cruise ships choice ultimately depends on your personal cruising priorities:
Choose an older ship if you value:
- More intimate, relaxed atmosphere with fewer crowds
- Better passenger-to-crew service ratios
- Classic cruise elegance and maritime tradition
- Significant cost savings on fares and onboard spending
- Easier navigation and more accessible layout
- Traditional cruise experiences with authentic character
Select a newer ship if you prioritise:
- State-of-the-art amenities and innovative attractions
- Extensive dining and accommodation variety
- Latest technology and environmental features
- Comprehensive family-friendly facilities
- Modern design and contemporary luxuries
- Resort-style entertainment and activities
The Future of New vs Old Cruise Ships
As the new vs old cruise ships landscape evolves, cruise lines are spending millions retrofitting older vessels with popular amenities to keep them competitive. Carnival has added Guy’s Burger Joint and specialty restaurants to older ships, whilst Celebrity has introduced suite-only retreats to their Solstice Class vessels.
This trend suggests that the new vs old cruise ships distinction may become less pronounced as cruise lines invest in updating their entire fleets rather than relying solely on new builds.
Both new and old cruise ships offer exceptional holiday experiences when properly matched to passenger expectations. The key to navigating the new vs old cruise ships decision lies in understanding which vessel characteristics align with your travel preferences, budget, and desired atmosphere. Whether you choose cutting-edge innovation or timeless cruise tradition, the magic of cruising ultimately comes from the destinations explored and memories created at sea.
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