When it comes to cruising, most people are flocking to the newest cruise ships. It’s understandable since everyone wants to check out the newest ship. They are attracted to the newest ship innovations, shows, and dining options. However, there are some advantages to sailing in the older cruise ships, here’s why.
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Reasons to Sail on Older Ships
It’s Cheaper
Older cruise ship are usually cheaper. You will save money if you sail on the older cruise ships. There is usually a premium when it comes to booking the new cruise ships while the older cruise ships are typically less expensive at a 30-50% discount. Plus, it’s also easier to find last minute deals on older cruise ships.
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Unique Rooms
One of the reasons why I love sailing on older cruise ships is that older ships offer unique and sometimes surprising staterooms, which can provide a more special experience than newer ships.
For example, I once sailed on Norwegian Spirit. The maiden voyage was 1998 and renovated on 2022. I sailed it before the renovation. I booked an inside stateroom and it was amazing. It was first of all the biggest stateroom I’ve ever been to. There were unique touches, like vintage fixtures. I imagine we were in the captain’s or high-tier officer’s cabin. It was really special to have experienced such as room.
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Less Crowded
Older cruise ships were built before the era of mega ships, so they usually have a smaller capacity of around 2000 passengers. Compare this to the mega ship of today where the passenger capacity is in the range of 4000 to 5000 passengers! This means you’ll be cruising with fewer passengers, making embarkation, disembarkation, and getting on tender boats less crowded.
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Smaller Ship
Older ships are typically half the size of newer ships, which makes getting around easier. You won’t find multiple pools, sprawling spas, state-of-the-art theaters, or a dizzying array of restaurant options, but everything will be easier to find. You don’t need to worry about getting lost. It’s great for passengers with mobility issues. It’s also great for families with children because older kids can easily get around and the parents with babies don’t have to carry or push their kids on strollers too far to get anywhere. The space will be smaller and cozier in the older cruise ship.You will definitely be doing less walking for sure!
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Off the Beaten Path Itineraries
Older ships may have more unique and interesting itineraries, as they are more flexible in their routes. They can navigate narrow waterways and fit under bridges that larger ships cannot. Plus at some ports, being in a small ship has its advantages because you can dock directly at the pier while the big ships end up wasting a lot of time going on tenders because the pier are not deep enough for the big ships to dock.
For example, Royal Caribbean’s smallest and oldest ship, Grandeur of the Seas can make stops at ports such as Bonaire, St. Croix and Key West, Florida while its largest mega-ships can’t make these stops. This can make for more interesting and unique itineraries. While larger ships tend to have the run-of-the-mill common itineraries.
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Old School
Older ships offer a glimpse into the past golden age of cruising, with grand staircases and classic maritime details. Some older ships still maintain the tradition of formal dress-up dinners. If you appreciate these things, then you’ll enjoy sailing on older ships.
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Oldest Cruise Ships by Cruise Lines
Below is a list of the oldest cruise ships by cruise line, including the maiden voyage year, size, passenger capacity, and CDC rating. The CDC rating is based on unannounced inspections twice a year to ensure sanitation compliance, with a score of 85 or below being unsatisfactory.
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Oldest Norwegian Cruise Ship
Norwegian Spirit
- Maiden voyage: 1998
- Size: 75,904 gross tons
- Passenger capacity: 2,032
- CDC Rating: 97
Norwegian Spirit is sailing in Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Check for cruise deals on Norwegian Spirit.
Oldest Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship
Grandeur of the Seas
- Maiden voyage: 1996
- Size: 73,817 gross tons
- Passenger capacity: 1,992
- 996 cabins (versus 2805 cabins for the newest Icon of the Seas)
- CDC Rating: 98
Grandeur of the Seas has sailings in the Bahamas, Western Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean. Check prices and itineraries of the Grandeur of the Seas.
Oldest Holland America
Volendam
- Maiden voyage: 1999.
- Size: 61,214 gross tons.
- Passenger capacity: 1,432
- CDC Rating: 97
Volendam is primarily sailing to New England/Canada. I did see a 15 night Panama Canal cruise for April sailing from San Diego. Check prices and itineraries of Volendam.
Oldest Carnival Cruise Ship
Carnival Elation
- Maiden voyage: 1998.
- Size: 71,909 gross tons.
- Passenger capacity: 2,190
- CDC Rating: 93
Carnival Elation is primarily sailing to the Bahamas. Check the prices and itineraries of Carnival Elation.
Carnival Paradise
- Maiden voyage: 1998.
- Size: 71,925 gross tons.
- Passenger capacity: 2,124
- CDC Rating: 97
Carnival Paradise has sailings in Western Caribbean. Check the prices and itineraries of Carnival Paradise.
Oldest Celebrity Cruise Ship
Celebrity Millenium
- Maiden voyage: 2000
- Size: 90,940 gross tons.
- Passenger capacity: 2,218
- CDC Rating: 100 perfect score
Celebrity Millenium has sailings in India and the Far East (Japan). Check for the prices and itineraries of Celebrity Millenium.
Oldest Princess Cruise Ship
Grand Princess
- Maiden voyage: 1998
- Size: 107,517 gross tons.
- Passenger capacity: 2,600
- CDC Rating: 98
The Grand Princess has sailings in Alaska, Pacific Coastal and Australia. Check the prices and itineraries of the Grand Princess.
Oldest Cunard Cruise Ship
Queen Mary 2
- Maiden voyage: 2004
- Size: 107,517 gross tons.
- Passenger capacity: 2,600
- CDC Rating: 98
Queen Mary 2 is sailing in Europe from Southampton, UK. Check the prices and itineraries of the Queen Mary 2.
Oldest Disney Cruise Ship
Disney Magic
- Maiden voyage: 1998
- Size: 83,000 gross tons
- Passenger capacity: 1,750
- CDC Rating: 99
Disney Magic is sailing in the Bahamas, Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean. Check for the prices and itinerary.
Oldest MSC Cruise Ship
MSC Armonia
- Maiden voyage: 2001
- Size: 65,542 gross tons
- Passenger capacity: 2,199
- CDC Rating: 95
MSC Armonia is sailing in South America and will later move to the Mediterranean. Check for prices and itinerary, you can get great deals on their repositioning cruise- there is a 17 night transatlantic cruise from Rio de Janeiro , Brazil to Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy on March 18, 2024 and another one on March 31, 2025 with prices as low as $42 per night!
Check out these cruise packing lists with free printables
Alaska cruise packing list
Caribbean cruise packing list
Mediterranean cruise packing list
Mexico cruise packing list
Bermuda Cruise Packing List
British Isle Cruise Packing List
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