With 7-night cruises onboard Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas starting at $1,390 per person for an inside stateroom, many may assume that taking a cruise is out of their budget.
The demand for cruise vacations is so high that the industry has seen a steady increase in pricing over the past few years. Plus, inventory has been selling out further in advance, leading to fewer last-minute deals.
Even so, cruising remains one of the most affordable ways to travel. Opting for interior cabins, choosing older ships, and booking during a region's off-peak season can help potential cruises sail for less.
Though older ships may not have the same state-of-the-art amenities as newer ones, there are numerous advantages to choosing an itinerary on an older vessel. For example, lower demand for aged ships typically results in big savings.
A weeklong cruise on Grandeur of the Seas in October 2025 starts at $571 per person, while the cheapest cabin on Icon begins at $1,645 per passenger. A family of four could cruise on Grandeur for less than it would cost two people to sail on Icon of the Seas!
The trend is evident on other cruise lines, too. Carnival Magic has 7-night cruises in September 2025 for as little as $619 per guest. In comparison, it costs at least $839 to sail on the newest ship in the fleet, Carnival Jubilee.
Not only do older ships have lower fares, but there are fewer opportunities for onboard spending. Carnival Elation, for instance, only has two specialty restaurants: Chef's Table and Bonsai Sushi Express. Carnival Celebration, on the other hand, has over eight.
Plus, older ships don't have the real estate for amenities like roller coasters, go-kart tracks, and escape rooms, all of which typically come with an extra charge. The escape room on Utopia of the Seas, for example, costs $30 per person, while the roller coaster on Carnival's three Excel Class ships is priced at $15 per ride.
Still not convinced? Here are 5 reasons you should consider sailing on an older cruise ship.
Read more: I sailed on the oldest and smallest Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships
Smaller crowds
Today, cruise lines are focused on building ships that are larger than ever before. With that, however, comes an increased passenger capacity. Whereas Grandeur of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's oldest ship in service, can accommodate up to around 2,400 guests, Icon of the Seas has a maximum capacity of 7,600.
Though crowds on a cruise ship are inevitable, older and smaller vessels are ideal for those who prioritize a quieter and more relaxing experience. Rather than wake up when the sun rises to enjoy a peaceful breakfast in the buffet and claim seats on the lido deck, the intimate setting on older ships correlates to shorter lines for dining and activities.
The reduced congestion is evident beyond the dining areas and pool deck. When it comes to onboard shows, you're less likely to have to make a reservation. Instead, seating is first-come-first-serve. However, it's still advisable to arrive at least fifteen minutes before showtime, especially if you want a seat in the first few rows.
Another advantage to sailing on a ship with a lower maximum passenger capacity is that you're more likely to form connections with other passengers, as social events—from deck parties to game shows—can feel more intimate.
Read more: Pros and cons of sailing on an older Carnival cruise ship
Personalized service
With fewer passengers to tend to, you can expect more attentive service on older cruise ships. While that's not to say you won't be catered to on massive vessels, the sheer size and number of guests on newer ships can lead to a more impersonal experience, as they have to maintain a more standardized approach to service.
On newer cruise ships, it's not uncommon to have fewer interactions with crew members. Plus, the overall experience may feel less personalized. Whether you need your dining time adjusted or have a special request, you will likely receive prompt responses on older ships, with the crew going above and beyond to ensure everyone's needs can be reasonably met.
The meaningful interactions with the crew members on older ships help give guests an experience that feels truly special. Do not be surprised if you form connections with crew members who begin to remember your name and personal preferences after meeting them just one or two times.
Read more: 9 most important crew members to meet on your cruise ship
Unique ports of call
Tired of visiting the same ports of call in The Bahamas and Caribbean? Though seeing planes land at Maho Beach, exploring ancient ruins, and lounging on cruise line private islands are all fun activities, there are plenty of other destinations worth visiting. The older and smaller the ship, the more unique your itinerary will be, as they can access less-accessible ports.
This will allow you to explore charming coastal towns, remote islands, and historical cities that aren't on the radar of today's mega-ships. Maybe you want to venture to South Africa or take a once-in-a-lifetime cruise through the Panama Canal. You'll have significantly more options when it comes to your cruise's itinerary if you broaden your search to include older ships.
Plus, older ships often sail from lesser-used embarkation ports, such as Baltimore, Maryland; Mobile, Alabama; Jacksonville, Florida; and New Orleans, Louisiana. In 2025, for instance, the "newest" cruise ship sailing from Baltimore is Carnival Pride, which made its debut in 2002. It's worth it to see if any ships are sailing from a city near you, as you could save money on airfare by driving to your embarkation port.
Read more: 13 Travel Hacks To Make Getting to Your Cruise Ship Easier
Easy to navigate
Worried about getting lost onboard? It's easy to learn the layout of older ships because of their smaller size and straightforward design.
Even if you don't look at the deck plan before boarding, you will quickly become familiar with key venues such as the Main Dining Room, lido deck, and your cabin. Of course, if you get lost, crew members will be happy to assist you in locating your destination.
Passengers with limited mobility will also appreciate the shorter commute, as the distance between amenities is shorter than on newer ships.
Don't worry, despite their age, many older ships are well-maintained. Even Carnival's oldest ship, Carnival Sunshine, features Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, and Waterworks! Norwegian Cruise Line is also known for updating its older ships with new features and dining options.
Reminiscent of a more traditional era of cruising
When I sailed on Carnival Elation in March, I was surprised that passengers couldn't purchase digital copies of professional photos taken onboard.
Instead, all guests had to shift through the printed photos to find their own pictures. Newer Carnival ships have a dedicated Pixels Gallery where guests can log into their onboard account on an iPad and purchase photos digitally.
Though cruising today is vastly different than 20 or 30 years ago, with many newer ships highlighting cutting-edge technology and other conveniences, older vessels have a nostalgic charm that easily gets lost among the roller coasters, high-tech shows, and other innovative amenities (I mean, did you ever think you'd be able to pay $100+ to dine in a "train car" on a cruise ship?!).
What's the best way to look for cruise deals?
Finding a cheap cruise requires some flexibility. You may not, for instance, be able to sail in a balcony cabin or on one of the newest ships in the industry.
Instead, scoring a great deal might require you to sail during the off-season in an interior stateroom on an older vessel. Shifting your travel dates by just a week or two can also result in some pretty amazing savings!
Additionally, travel agents sometimes have access to exclusive group rates that aren't advertised on cruise line websites. They may also offer other perks, like onboard credit or prepaid gratuities, to help save you even more money!
Not only that, but they'll act as your personal liaison with the cruise line, so you won't have to sit on hold to make changes to your reservation, book add-ons, etc.
It also pays to see if your cruise line bundles certain add-ons with the cruise fare, especially if you're considering booking them separately. Celebrity Cruises, for example, says you can save anywhere up to $800 with their "All Included" package that includes a Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-F, and Princess Cruises' Princess Plus fare is less expensive per day than the cost of a Plus drink package.
Read more: What to know before booking a cheap cruise
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
