Cruise Ships in Service Before 1980

What’s the difference between large resort ships and midsize/boutique ships? Are new cruise ships better than older cruise ships? What are theme cruises? By Berlitz Guides

Advantages:

• Have strong, plated hulls (often riveted) that can withstand tremendously hard wear and tear; they ‘take the weather’ well.
  
• Have large cabins with long, wide beds/berths, because passengers needed more space in the days when voyages were much longer.
  
• Have a wide range of cabin sizes, shapes, and grades more suited to families with children.
  
• Have toilets that are of the ‘gentle flush’ variety instead of today’s ‘barking dog’ vacuum toilets.
  
• Are mostly powered by steam turbines, which are virtually free of vibration or noise and are considerably quieter and smoother than modern vessels.
  
• Have portholes that sometimes actually open.
  
• Have interiors built from traditional materials such as wood and brass, with less use of synthetic fibres (less likely to affect anyone allergic to synthetics).
  
• Have deep drafts that help them to achieve a smooth ride in the open seas.

Disadvantages:

• They are not so fuel-efficient and, therefore, are more expensive to operate than the new ships.
  
• Need a larger crew, because of the more awkward, labour-intensive layouts of the ships.
  
• Have a deep draft (necessary for a smooth ride) but need tugs to negotiate ports and tight berths.
  
• Have a tougher job complying with the current international fire, safety, and environmental regulations.
  
• Are usually fitted with older-type open lifeboats.
  
• If 10 years or older, plumbing and air-conditioning problems in cabins and public areas are commoner.

Cruise Ships Since 1980

Advantages:

• Incorporate the latest in high-tech electronic equipment and in advanced ship design and construction.
  
• Meet the latest safety and operating standards.
  
• Typically have ‘pod’ propulsion system, which replaces conventional propeller shafts, propellers and rudders, with the result that there is little or no vibration.
  
• Have more interior public rooms, and maybe no exterior promenade deck.
  
• More standardized cabin layouts, fewer categories.
  
• Are more fuel-efficient.
  
• Have a shallower draft, which makes it easier for them to enter and leave ports.
  
• Have bow and stern thrusters, so they seldom require tug assistance in many ports, reducing operating costs.
  
• Have good plumbing and air-conditioning systems.
  
• Usually have the latest submersible lifeboats.

Disadvantages:

• Do not ‘take the weather’ as well as older ships (sailing across the North Atlantic in November on one of the new large resort ships can be unforgettable). Because of their shallow draft, these ships roll, even when there’s the slightest puff of wind.
  
• Tend to have smaller standard cabins, which can mean narrow, short beds.
  
• Have thin hulls and do not withstand the bangs and dents as well as older, more heavily plated vessels.
  
• Have decor made mostly from synthetic materials (due to stringent regulations) and could cause problems for passengers sensitive to such materials.
  
• Have toilets of the powerful vacuum suction ‘barking dog’ type.
  
• Are powered mainly by diesel (or diesel-electric) engines, which inevitably cause some vibration; although on the latest vessels, the engines are mounted on pliable, floating rubber cushions and are, therefore, virtually vibration-free.
  
• Have cabin windows that are completely sealed instead of portholes that can be opened.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publications 2008