The newest and biggest ships get the most attention, but there are lots of good reasons to sail the older ships too.
New cruisers might be tepid about going on an older ship because they're not sure if it's better to cruise on a small ship.
When I started cruising, I thought small ships were going to disappointing and lack the aspects of a cruise that I thought I needed. But the more I cruised, the more I discovered what smaller ships can offer.
Royal Caribbean's older ships might be the best choice for value and what they offer onboard.
What’s the difference between older and newer Royal Caribbean ships
The age of a cruise ship is a detail, but it doesn't tell the whole story of what a cruise ship is all about.
In general, an older ship usually correlates to being smaller too. As ships have been built over the years, they've gotten bigger and added more activities, restaurants, and special areas.
The first thing you'll notice about an older Royal Caribbean ship is the size, and the second thing is what it may not have onboard.
If you've cruised on new ships, you may quickly notice if there's an area or feature not onboard. But if you've never cruised before, the differences may not be as obvious.
Older ships may not have as many dining choices, or they may not have the updated menus with them.
You may also find there's less of the top deck signature attractions that families clamor for. A ship built 10-15 years ago would have more than a ship built 20 years ago. It's almost like a sliding scale in that regard.
Something else different about an older ship is the aesthetic of the vessel, such as the cabin decor and look of the halls and public venues.
It's not a problem, but going from a brand new ship to an older ship would have a different look and feel.
Pros and cons of older Royal Caribbean ships
There are many good reasons to try an older ship, so don't let it stop you.
I think the top reason I pick an older ship is the value. Older ships don't command the higher prices that new ones do, and that opens up more possibilities.
Spending less on a cruise means money saved, or you could move up to a bigger stateroom.
The other best thing about an older ship is where it sails to, as you're more likely to find more exotic destinations on them compared to new ships.
While new ships are relegated primarily to the same traditional ports, older ships get to visit more far flung places.
Something else I like about older ships is they have received upgrades that keep the ship interesting.
Depending on the exact ship, there could be new restaurants, water slides, or even shows onboard. Many of these concepts come from new ships, so you can experience the better options without paying for a new ship.
However, there's no question a new ship has the latest and greatest Royal Caribbean has come up with.
New ships are fun because of how much there is to do, eat, and experience. It's overwhelming in a good way, and I love it.
Families especially love new ships because there's more specialized for them. You'll find many more areas dedicated for kids programming on new ships, especially younger cruisers.
New ships have an undeniable cool factor to them. There's a humble brag that comes with being able to say you tried a new ship.
Older ships I recommend trying
If you're sold on the idea of trying an older ship, here are the best small Royal Caribbean ships to consider.
Brilliance of the Seas: The Radiance Class is my favorite small ship in the fleet because they're beautiful ships with good variety of dining choices.
I'd pick Brilliance for where it sails to, as well as the fun onboard. I've sailed the most on Brilliance, and it's never disappointed.
Mariner of the Seas: One of early my favorite cruise ships, Mariner of the Seas has some of the best upgrades of any older ship.
Because it has a Royal Promenade, it has a big ship feel without the new ship price. I consistently find great deals on Mariner, which also contributed to why I've sailed as often as I have on it.
Freedom of the Seas: Another ship that got fun upgrades as part of a refurbishment, Freedom of the Seas is even bigger than Mariner and it's probably the best "step down" from a new ship to try first.
Are older Royal Caribbean ships worth it?
I think there are really good reasons to cruise on a small and old ship, so don't limit yourself just to the new ones.
While I think a new ship is ideal for a new cruiser because they offer the greatest variety of how to cruise, older ships are a good idea to graduate to as you want to sail more often.
Families that want non-stop activities and the best options for kids of varying ages will still find new ships to be ideal.
If you're worried about being bored on a small ship, pick a port intensive itinerary so you're less dependent on the ship.
Writing off a ship based on age or size alone is a mistake because of how much more of the cruising experience you can take advantage of. From different places to visit, venues to try, and money to save, I think older ships are a great idea for just about anyone.
