Some of Royal Caribbean’s greatest offers will be discovered on the cruise line’s older cruise ships, however how a lot cash are you able to count on to save lots of by crusing on an older ship?
Everyone loves discovering an incredible cruise deal, and discovering an affordable cruise on a 20 12 months outdated cruise ship is extra frequent than discovering a deal on considered one of Royal Caribbean’s latest cruise ships like Wonder of the Seas.
A $2000 inside stateroom on a brand new ship is perhaps priced at solely $1200 on an older ship. You’ll typically see financial savings within the a whole bunch of {dollars} when cruising on an older ship. This means you are capable of stretch your trip price range a lot additional, whether or not which means splurging on a eating package deal, reserving a spa remedy, or planning an opulent port day.
Let’s check out how a lot you’ll be able to count on to save lots of by crusing on an older cruise ship.
Old versus new Royal Caribbean ships
Royal Caribbean has 27 cruise ships in its fleet. The oldest, Grandeur of the Seas, launched in 1996 and the latest, Icon of the Seas, is at the moment underneath building and set to launch in January 2024.
These ships belong to seven ship lessons, that are categorized for his or her distinctive layouts, onboard choices, and dimension:
Related: Royal Caribbean’s 7 ship lessons final information
Most passengers take into account Vision and Radiance Class ships to be older ships, with Voyager and Freedom Classes someplace within the center. Oasis, Quantum, and Icon ships are all thought-about new ships by comparability.
Why sail on an older cruise ship
Older cruise ships lack lots of the onboard actions that Royal Caribbean is understood for, comparable to waterslides, Broadway exhibits, zip strains, and a plethora of specialty eating venues. The adrenaline-filled options you’ll see on Royal Caribbean’s TV commercials are unlikely to be discovered on the oldest ships within the fleet.
Related: Things you’ll discover when cruising on an older cruise ship
Nonetheless, older and smaller ships nonetheless provide a basic cruise expertise, bringing visitors to stunning ports all over the world whereas offering Royal Caribbean’s signature delicacies, leisure, and hospitality.
Cruising on an older ship can provide a extra intimate really feel than a ship with 6,000 passengers. In addition, the ports you go to are typically extra distinctive. Whereas newer and larger ships typically go to the identical ports again and again, smaller, older ships sail to distinctive locations comparable to Costa Rica, Fiji, and Montenegro.
Related: 15 international locations you didn’t know you might cruise to on Royal Caribbean
Plus, older cruise ships are typically priced decrease than newer ships within the fleet, with the potential to save lots of you a whole bunch (and even 1000’s) of {dollars} on a cruise trip.
Putting it to the check: how a lot are you able to save by crusing on an older Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
Just how a lot cash are you able to count on to save lots of by crusing on an older Royal Caribbean ship? Unfortunately, there is not any set value distinction between older and newer ships. Cruise pricing adjustments each day based mostly on the demand on any explicit ship, itinerary, or stateroom class.
Related: How to plan a Royal Caribbean cruise on any price range
You’ll normally see a pattern of older ships providing decrease costs, however often you’ll be able to come throughout incredible offers on newer cruise ships. To decide simply how a lot you’ll be able to count on to save lots of on an older ship, I priced out cruises in three completely different places: Europe, the Caribbean, and Alaska.
In every location, I chosen ships of assorted ages and sizes to match the pricing between every. Pricing relies on a 7-night cruise for two adults. The cruise fare consists of taxes and costs, however doesn’t embrace gratuities.
European cruise: evaluating costs by ship
Traveling to Europe is a dream for a lot of cruisers, and Royal Caribbean sends each outdated and new cruise ships to Europe every summer season season.
Let’s check out the costs you’ll be able to count on to see on completely different lessons of Royal Caribbean ships in Europe. These costs are for a European cruise in June.
Rhapsody of the Seas (Vision Class ship)
- Interior: $1,522
- Balcony: $3,356
- Grand Suite: $7,750
Explorer of the Seas (Voyager Class ship)
- Interior: $1,756
- Balcony: $3,312
- Grand Suite: $7,148
Symphony of the Seas (Oasis Class ship)
- Interior: $2,397
- Balcony: $3,551
- Grand Suite: $8,779
Thoughts
There is little value distinction between Rhapsody of the Seas (Vision Class ship) and Explorer of the Seas (Voyager Class ship). While these two ships are older, Explorer of the Seas is a a lot bigger vessel with a lot of Royal Caribbean’s signature options, such because the Royal Promenade and an ice-skating rink.
Symphony of the Seas, as one of many fleet’s largest and latest ships, comes at a better value than the smaller ships. However, the value distinction between Symphony and the 2 smaller ships shouldn’t be outrageous, particularly if planning to cruise in a balcony cabin.
Related: Symphony of the Seas Guide & Review
Smaller ships (Vision and Radiance Class) have far fewer balconies in comparison with new ships, making the value of a balcony cabin on these ships increased. The balcony value on Rhapsody of the Seas is almost the identical as on Symphony, for instance.
It’s additionally price noting that, whereas a set is over $1000 extra on Symphony of the Seas in comparison with older ships, you’ll obtain many extra advantages by cruising in a set on an Oasis (or Quantum) Class ship. These ships are a part of the Royal Suite Class, with advantages together with complimentary VOOM web, non-public Suite Sun Deck, and meals at Coastal Kitchen, a suites-only restaurant.
Caribbean cruise: evaluating costs on Oasis Class ships solely
While we are inclined to categorize Oasis Class cruise ships as new cruise ships, there’s a 13 12 months hole between the oldest Oasis Class ship and the latest. Therefore, you’ll be able to count on to see decrease costs on the 2 older Oasis Class ships (Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas).
Let’s examine cruise fare pricing on three Oasis Class ships to find out how a lot of a value distinction you’ll be able to count on in the identical ship class. These costs are for a Caribbean cruise in June.
Allure of the Seas
- Interior: $1,404
- Balcony: $2,372
- Grand Suite: $6,024
Oasis of the Seas
- Interior: $1,848
- Balcony: $2,212
- Grand Suite: $5,884
Wonder of the Seas
- Interior: $2,179
- Balcony: $2,823
- Grand Suite: $8,237
Thoughts
Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s latest cruise ship, has a few of the highest cruise fares within the fleet. You can count on to spend a number of hundred {dollars} extra per particular person on Wonder of the Seas in comparison with different Oasis Class ships.
Allure of the Seas, whereas nonetheless an Oasis Class ship, doesn’t have all of the options and facilities discovered on different ships. Her Royal amplification has been postponed, so that you gained’t discover options like waterslides or up to date specialty eating places on the ship.
Related: Is Allure of the Seas the “worst” Oasis Class ship? I went onboard to see for myself
What you can find, nonetheless, are decrease fares. You can count on to save lots of a number of hundred {dollars} per particular person on Allure of the Seas in comparison with crusing on a brand new Oasis Class ship like Symphony or Wonder of the Seas.
Alaska cruise: evaluating costs by ship
Cruising to Alaska is a once-in-a-lifetime alternative for a lot of cruisers, and also you’ll need to profit from your Alaska trip. Royal Caribbean gives cruises to Alaska on Radiance and Quantum Class ships, so that you’ll discover itineraries on each outdated and new ships.
Related: Ultimate Alaska cruise information
Let’s examine the price of crusing on a Radiance Class ship versus a Quantum Class ship to Alaska. These costs are for an Alaska cruise in August.
Brilliance of the Seas (Radiance Class ship)
- Interior: $1,851
- Balcony: $2,455
- Grand Suite: $6,529
Ovation of the Seas (Quantum Class ship)
- Interior: $2,141
- Balcony: $3,043
- Grand Suite: $9,413
Thoughts
Cruising to Alaska on an older ship (Radiance Class) in comparison with a more moderen ship (Quantum Class) will nearly all the time prevent cash. And whereas older ships could not have as many distinctive options–comparable to indoor skydiving and bumper automobiles–many passengers cruise to Alaska for the vacation spot versus the ship itself.
One issue to think about earlier than reserving a cruise on an older ship, although, are flight prices to Seattle versus Vancouver. Older Royal Caribbean ships sail from Vancouver, which can deliver increased airfare costs for these flying from the United States.
Regardless of airfare, you need to count on to save lots of $300-600 on cruise fare in an inside and balcony room when reserving far upfront.
Conclusion
There’s no denying that cruising on an older Royal Caribbean ship can prevent cash, but it surely isn’t so black and white.
As you’ll be able to see within the examples above, cruise costs don’t observe any set guidelines. Just as a result of a ship is ~20 years older than one other ship doesn’t assure that you simply’ll see decrease costs in each stateroom class.
Prices change from crusing to crusing and might fluctuate each day. You may be capable of snag a set on an older ship for the value of an inside cabin on a more moderen ship. On the opposite, nonetheless, you may find yourself paying extra for a balcony on an older ship than a more moderen ship.
It’s typical that you simply’ll save a pair hundred {dollars} per particular person on an older ship in comparison with a more moderen ship, particularly in case you e book far upfront. That being stated, you’ll need to weigh the professionals and cons of crusing on an older ship versus a more moderen ship earlier than reserving to make sure you don’t find yourself shocked or disillusioned on embarkation day.