How do some of the industry's oldest and smallest cruise ships compare?
Growing up, I was convinced that newer meant better — that the newer the ship, the better the dining options, amenities, and overall vibe of the ship.
However, as I began branching out and sailing on older vessels, I quickly discovered why so many veteran sailors adamantly avoid mega-ships like Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas. For example, they lack the same intimate feel as older ships, and they often feel way more crowded.
Size isn't the only thing that's changed about cruises over the past three decades. Today's vessels are almost like floating amusement parks, with roller coasters, water slides, ice skating rinks, unique bars, fun dining concepts, and other innovative features.
In 2024, I sailed on Vision of the Seas and Carnival Elation. Both these ships launched in 1998 and are among the two lines' oldest and smallest vessels at sea.
Vision of the Seas, for example, measures 78,340 gross tons, while Star of the Seas, one of the world's largest cruise ships, comes in at 248,663 gross tons. Comparatively, Carnival Elation measures 71,909 gross tons, and Carnival Jubilee, Carnival's biggest ship, is 183,521 gross tons, according to the cruise line.
Although these vacations were far from glamorous, they offered a different perspective on cruising that's often overlooked today.
Here's how my cruises on old Royal Caribbean and Carnival ships compared — and which one offered a better experience for the money.
Cabin Comparison
On both five-night cruises aboard Vision of the Seas and Carnival Elation, I stayed in the cheapest possible accommodations: windowless interior staterooms.
There were pros and cons to both rooms. Carnival Elation's, for example, felt a little more modern, with added charging options, including bedside USB ports. This was due to the ship's multi-million-dollar refurbishment in 2017, when all staterooms received new island-inspired interiors and upgrades.
As such, my inside room on Carnival Elation didn’t feel nearly as dark or worn as I expected for a ship approaching 30 years old.
On the flip side, Vision of the Seas' bathroom was cleaner and better maintained, though both had shower curtains and were compact.
The bathroom on Carnival Elation was the worst part of the stateroom. For starters, there was barely any storage, and the showerhead was disgusting, showing obvious signs of limescale build-up.
It also broke a few days into the cruise, with the small piece attaching the showerhead to the bolted rod falling off. It took over a day before maintenance could fix it, and whenever we showered, water splashed everywhere.
I also thought that, while Vision of the Seas' room was smaller at 132 square feet (compared to Elation's 185 square feet), it had a more efficient and functional layout.
There was a small couch that served as a great catch-all place for our tote bags, lanyards, and raincoats. There were also two nightstands, so my friend and I had equal space to store water bottles, books, and portable phone chargers.
I also preferred this cabin's storage options, which included a cabinet with deep shelves above the television and built-in shelves in the bathroom.
Read more: I sailed in tiny interior cabins on old Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships. I'd only book one again
In comparison, there was more empty space in my Carnival Elation cabin, with no loveseat and just one nightstand. This was strange since there were two USB ports built into the headboard on that side of the bed.
The storage wasn't as ideal, either. For example, although there were shelves near the vanity, they were exposed, making the space feel more cluttered. There was also just one small rack for toiletries and cosmetics in the bathroom.
In the end, while the décor and amenities of my Vision of the Seas inside cabin were a little more dated, it was the more comfortable choice due to its cozy layout, smart storage options, and updated bathroom.
Ship Amenities
Neither Vision of the Seas nor Carnival Elation is known for its record-breaking amenities. In fact, both vessels are pretty bare-bones compared to today's mega-ships. You won't find zip lines, ice skating rinks, rope courses, or roller coasters onboard.
That said, Carnival Elation offered more exciting activities beyond the standard daily schedule and pool deck, including a small water park and mini-golf course. Comparatively, Vision of the Seas offers a rock climbing wall and a sports court.
I also enjoyed Carnival's evening entertainment lineup more, with hilarious comedians at the Punchliner Comedy Club and talented musicians at Duke's Piano Bar. The live shows weren't all that bad, either, though they were a far cry from the Center Stage productions on newer ships like Mardi Gras or Carnival Celebration.
That said, I much preferred Vision of the Seas' pool areas, especially the adult-only Solarium. The enclosed space was so relaxing, and it kept us shielded from the inclement weather that plagued most of our voyage. Plus, it was steps from the Vitality Spa, which had a complimentary sauna and steam room available to adults.
The adult-only deck on Carnival Elation wasn't well-kept, with soot blanketing the lounge chairs and even staining my partner's clothing.
Beyond that, both vessels also offer a casino, live music, game shows, and more. Generally speaking, I thought that Royal Caribbean's events were more low-key. However, the silent disco in the centrum was just as fun as Carnival's on the Lido Deck!
Food Review
Carnival has long blown Royal Caribbean out of the water when it comes to its fast-casual dining options — and that remained true aboard Carnival Elation. The Fantasy Class ship had everything from juicy cheeseburgers to made-to-order tacos and fresh pizza.
The casual options on Vision of the Seas were more limited in comparison. However, I'd argue that Vision of the Seas is a better ship for foodies since it places a greater emphasis on its main dining experience and specialty restaurants.
Onboard Vision, there are four specialty restaurants, including the cruise line's beloved steakhouse, Chops Grille. Carnival Elation doesn't even offer that, with its two specialty restaurants being the pricey Chef's Table experience and a casual sushi joint.
While it's safe to say that most cruisers believe the overall quality of Royal Caribbean's food has declined in recent years, my experience on Vision of the Seas was a pleasant surprise.
Izumi Sushi, in particular, was a home run, where I enjoyed everything from the edamame to the creamy firecracker shrimp roll and savory miso ramen.
That said, the Main Dining Room was consistent and reliable. I had more hits than misses, including the French Onion Soup, Warm Apple Cobbler, Crispy Coconut Jumbo Shrimp, Rustic Chicken Korma, and Tiramisu.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Carnival Elation, where my partner and I left the dining room disappointed and underwhelmed on multiple occasions.
One night, for example, my partner was served a bland chicken breast with hardly-seasoned vegetables. The same lackluster vegetables were served with my chicken parmigiana.
Not only was the dining room's food mediocre, but the service was slow. Our drink orders weren't taken one night until about thirty minutes after we sat down.
Vision of the Seas vs. Carnival Elation: Which is best?
Picking a cruise ship can be a difficult choice. Not only do you have to think about the itinerary, but also whether the vessel has the onboard amenities that you're interested in.
If, for example, you want a newer mega-ship, neither Vision of the Seas nor Carnival Elation is a good choice since these dated vessels lack when compared to the endless dining options, world-class shows, and high-tech amenities found on ships like Star of the Seas and Carnival Celebration.
Still, an older ship can be a good home base for your next vacation, especially if you're worried about the price.
For example, my five-night cruise on Vision of the Seas in an inside stateroom cost $1,396.76 for two travelers, including taxes, port fees, and gratuities.
My five-night sailing on Carnival Elation over spring break cost nearly the same, coming in at $1,475.30 for two passengers in a standard inside room.
Comparatively, I recently paid over $1,700 for a seven-night cruise on Carnival's Mardi Gras ship from Port Canaveral to The Bahamas and the Eastern Caribbean, and my weeklong cruise on Icon of the Seas last year cost well over $7,000, including our Central Park infinite veranda cabin, drink package, and shore excursions.
So, yeah, older ships can provide tremendous value for travelers looking to stretch their budgets as far as possible. However, as this article shows, it's even more important that you devote time to researching the specific ship before putting down a deposit.
In the end, I'd pick Vision of the Seas over Carnival Elation any day because it offered a more balanced overall experience.
Both ships show their age and lack the flashy features of modern mega-ships. That said, although the onboard entertainment and amenities weren't as impressive as Carnival Elation's, I much preferred the dining experience, adult-only sun deck, and overall vibe of the vessel.
Read more: I tried Carnival's older cruise ships and never want to go back
