| New ships always seem to get the spotlight, touting outrageous onboard additions that strive for the consumer “wow” factor. But what about their tried-and-true fleetmates — a mix of vessels that have long since paid their dues and the hot new ships from a few years back? Sure, newer ships are often larger and more packed with diversions for every age and taste, but they can also be expensive and crowded, and as with anything new, there are sometimes bugs to be worked out. Older ships might show wear and tear, but cruise lines have been investing millions to keep their entire fleet outfitted with modern amenities and popular attractions.
To help you decide whether new is better or old is the way to go, we’ve compiled a list of elements to consider before making a choice, addressing key points like amenities and price. Check out the key contrasts below. Ship Size
Old: Old stalwarts, which are smaller in size and lighter on fanfare, offer more relaxing and intimate experiences. Sure, they still have plenty of glitz, but passengers don’t have to feel like they’re missing as many marquee activities if they choose to curl up in a lounge with a good book or veg out by the pool for half a day. Old ships are also more likely to have quieter spaces like libraries and card rooms. Smaller ships suit travelers who don’t like large crowds, have trouble traversing the long decks of the biggest ships and don’t want to think about which of the five different sun deck areas they should utilize. But watch out — some cruise lines have refurbished their older ships to add more cabins, both cutting back on available public areas and squeezing more people into the space that’s left. Cabins
Beyond standard verandahs, cabins that specifically cater to certain groups are all the rage. From solo cabins (Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway; Quantum of the Seas) and two-deck suites (Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas) to inside staterooms with virtual scenery (Disney Dream and Fantasy, Quantum of the Seas), specialty cabins have stolen the spotlight. New ships also tend to have more connecting cabins and family cabins and suites, perfect for larger travel parties. Old: Older ships are generally the way to go if balcony space is important to you. However, you’ll have to book early; while balconies might be bigger, verandah cabins make up a smaller percentage of stateroom inventory on older ships. (Some older ships have had balcony cabins added during dry dock.) The plethora of cabin categories on newer ships might also make your head spin, so if you just want to keep it simple, consider an older ship. Carpeting and soft furnishings like curtains and bedding are upgraded frequently during refurbs; despite that, keep in mind that older ships might show signs of wear — scuffs, dings, outdated bathrooms — that newer vessels don’t. Top-Deck Amenities
Old: While most older ships offer mild outdoor pursuits like mini-golf, shuffleboard, Ping-Pong and possibly basketball, they’re much more low-key than newer ships. With swimming pools as their focus, they offer ideal spots for passengers to laze the days away in the sun, drinks in hand. That said, several lines have chosen to add some of the more popular upper-deck offerings to their older ships. Take Princess, for example, which has added Movies Under the Stars movie screens to most pool decks in its fleet after a successful debut on Caribbean Princess in 2004. Then there’s Carnival, which took its popular new Guy’s Burger Joint and Blue Iguana Cantina eateries and added them to the pool decks on most ships during its massive Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades. The line has also added waterslides to all ships in its fleet. For their parts, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have installed rock climbing walls on many of their vessels. Dining
Old: Older, smaller ships tend to have more limited alternative dining options. But that’s a plus for passengers who prefer to avoid the nickel-and-diming associated with for-fee eateries, or those who prefer a smaller number of venues from which to choose. While some older vessels have gotten new dining additions, most remain pleasantly bare bones. Activities & Entertainment
Old: Entertainment aboard older ships is a bit more standard: Broadway revues, magicians, comedians and the like. However, several lines have brought their most recent offerings to older vessels. Most notably, Carnival added the Punchliner Comedy Club by George Lopez to most of its ships, in addition to “Hasbro, the Game Show,” where participants play giant versions of classic board games — like SORRY! and Connect 4 — on stage. The line also debuted its Carnival Live series of for-fee concerts aboard Carnival Fantasy and a handful of other ships in the fleet. Holland America has also livened up its entertainment across its family of vessels by adding Dancing with the Stars at Sea. Based on the popular TV show, the competition pits willing passengers against one another in a dance-off. Norwegian has plans to roll out its popular O’Sheehan’s pub (which offers free grub and for-fee arcade games) on a couple of its older vessels. Not to be outdone, Royal Caribbean has added performances by aerial acrobats to its entertainment lineup on some of its more seasoned ships. Itineraries and Pricing
Old: Cruise lines have huge fleets these days — Carnival has more than 20 ships sailing — so the majority of their voyages are on older ships. These vessels sail every type of itinerary imaginable, from weekend cruises to multi-month round-the-world cruises. If you want to sail the islands of Hawaii or French Polynesia, ogle the scenery in Alaska or the Norwegian fjords, or head somewhere exotic like Asia or Australia, you’ll likely need an older ship. Typically, the very oldest ships in the fleet will be employed on shorter cruises from drive-to ports. These ships lend themselves perfectly to the cause, as they generally lack the extensive number of amenities that keep passengers busy during longer sailings on newer vessels. Pricing for older ships is often very itinerary dependent. An older ship sailing a well-traveled route will be lower than for a newer ship on a similar itinerary. On the flip side, exotic destinations or popular, short-season itineraries can pull in higher cabin fares. |
MSC Cruises said it will give a free, transferable cruise on select 2014 sailings of MSC Divina in the Caribbean for anyone who books the ship for a Mediterranean cruise next summer before Oct. 31.
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