When we booked our first cruise, the choice between a brand-new ship and a classic older vessel felt overwhelming. Does a newer ship really make that much of a difference? Is an older ship just as good, or does age show?
We’ve now sailed on five ships across three cruise lines — from the brand-new MSC Seashore (2021) to the Celestyal Journey, a 1994 hull with a €20 million refit. The differences were striking. This comparison is based on real experience, not brochures.
What Counts as a New or Old Cruise Ship?
There’s no official definition, but the industry generally considers ships built within the last 10 years as “new” and ships over 20 years old as “older vessels.” That said, renovation history matters too — an older ship that’s been recently refurbished can feel quite different from one that hasn’t been touched since it launched.
The five ships we’ve sailed illustrate the full spectrum: the Seashore (2021) is a modern flagship, the Discovery Princess (2022) its counterpart on another line, the Fantasia (2008, renovated 2023) sits in the middle, the Sinfonia (2002) is a classic older vessel that shows its age — and the Celestyal Journey (1994, refitted 2023) proves that renovation can matter more than the build year.
Technology and Onboard Amenities
New Ships: MSC Seashore (2021)
The MSC Seashore is built around modern cruising — smart cabin controls for temperature, lighting and entertainment, a large interactive water park with four slides (we rode each one multiple times), and Swarovski crystal staircases that make an impression the moment you board. The Doremi Kids’ Club is the largest in the MSC fleet, and the evening shows were genuinely impressive throughout the sailing.
One honest downside: the air conditioning was set very cold throughout the ship — something we felt for all 17 days of our transatlantic crossing. Pack a light layer even in warm weather.
Mid-Range: MSC Fantasia (2008, renovated 2023)
The Fantasia doesn’t have the waterslides or interactive cabin tech of the Seashore, but the 2023 renovation has kept it in solid condition. The interior is elegant and understated rather than flashy — wide corridors, a good range of balcony cabins, and diverse dining options.
For a Mediterranean sailing with an adult daughter and friends, it was more than adequate — the full ship review covers the cabins and dining in detail.
Older Ships: MSC Sinfonia (2002)
The Sinfonia is where age becomes noticeable. The cabins are small with dated furniture, and the showers in particular felt tired. Housekeeping was also noticeably less attentive than on the Fantasia or Seashore — something we hadn’t expected to matter, but it does over a week. The dining options were limited compared to what we were used to on the newer ships.
One genuine bright spot: the evening shows. The Sinfonia had a different performance every night — something not even the newer ships in our comparison managed. For entertainment, it actually outperformed a newer ship. The Greek itinerary — Athens, Corfu, Kefalonia, Katakolon, Bari, and Santorini — was excellent too. If the destination and entertainment matter most to you and the cabin is just somewhere to sleep, the Sinfonia can still deliver a great holiday.
The Renovation Wildcard: Celestyal Journey (1994, refitted 2023)
Our most recent sailing added an interesting data point: the Celestyal Journey, built in 1994 as Holland America’s MS Ryndam — older than the Sinfonia by eight years. On paper, it should feel the most dated of any ship we’ve sailed.
It doesn’t. Celestyal invested around €20 million in a full refit before launching the ship in the Greek market in 2023, and the difference shows: the ship feels cared for in a way the Sinfonia didn’t. A thorough renovation can matter more than the year on the hull.
Atmosphere and Experience
This is one of the biggest practical differences between ship generations, and it’s worth thinking about before you book.
Newer ships like the Seashore are designed for families and activity — there’s always something happening, the energy is high, and the public spaces are built for maximum entertainment. If you’re travelling with kids or want a dynamic holiday, this works perfectly.
The themed evenings follow the same pattern. The white night deck party on the Seashore — hundreds of passengers in white, music on the open deck, the crossing at its liveliest — was an event the older ships couldn’t quite match: on the Sinfonia the theme nights felt smaller and quieter, more a dining room dress code than a ship-wide party. If themed evenings matter to you, the newer ships simply have more space and production behind them.
The Fantasia offers a more balanced atmosphere — lively enough, but with more space to relax. One thing to be aware of: on our Mediterranean sailing, the evening show programme started repeating by day six. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing on longer itineraries.
Older ships like the Sinfonia tend to attract a quieter, often older crowd — well suited to couples and travellers who want calm over constant activity.
Price: Does Newer Always Cost More?
Generally, yes — newer ships command higher prices, especially during peak season. The MSC Seashore costs noticeably more than the Fantasia for comparable cabin categories, and the Sinfonia is typically the most affordable of the three.
That said, pricing depends heavily on timing and itinerary. A Mediterranean sailing on the Sinfonia in July can cost more than a Seashore sailing in October. Always compare prices for your specific dates rather than assuming older means cheaper.
Five Ships Compared: MSC, Princess & Celestyal Side by Side
| Ship | Best for | Strong points | Weak points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSC Seashore (2021) | Families, active cruisers | Water park, smart cabins, impressive shows, biggest kids’ club | Higher price, cold A/C, crowded pools at peak |
| Discovery Princess (2022) | Food-focused cruisers | Best food we’ve had at sea, great cabins, adult pool area | Premium price, no water park |
| MSC Fantasia (2008, ren. 2023) | Couples, mixed groups | Elegant interior, balcony cabin range, diverse dining | Shows repeat by day 6, crowded sun deck |
| Celestyal Journey (1994, ref. 2023) | Destination-focused cruisers | Excellent food, calm atmosphere, small-port access, free sauna | Weak entertainment, strict meal times, pricey drinks |
| MSC Sinfonia (2002) | Budget + itinerary cruisers | Most affordable, fresh show nightly, great Greek route | Dated cabins, tired showers, weaker housekeeping |
Which Ship Should You Choose?
Choose a New Ship If…
- You’re travelling with children and want water parks, kids’ clubs, and constant entertainment
- Modern cabin tech and design matters to you
- You want the most impressive evening shows and dining variety
- Budget is less of a concern
- Newer ships deliver this across cruise lines, not just MSC — our Discovery Princess sailing showed the same pattern: better food, better cabins, higher price
Choose an Older Ship If…
- You want a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere
- You’re a couple or solo traveller who prefers calm over activity
- The itinerary matters more than the ship itself — older ships often cover excellent routes
- You want to save money without giving up a quality experience
Our honest take: if budget allows, a newer or recently renovated ship is worth it for the overall comfort and entertainment. But an older ship on a great itinerary — like the Greek islands on the Sinfonia — can still deliver a fantastic holiday. The destination matters just as much as the vessel.
FAQ: New vs Old Cruise Ships
Are older cruise ships safe?
Yes. All cruise ships operating commercially must meet international safety standards regardless of age. Older ships are regularly inspected and must pass the same safety requirements as new builds. Many have also been retrofitted with updated safety systems over the years.
Is MSC Fantasia still worth booking?
Yes — built in 2008 and refreshed in a 2023 drydock, the ship remains in solid condition. The Fantasia offers a solid mid-range cruise experience with elegant interiors, good dining, and a wide range of balcony cabins. It won’t have the waterslides of the Seashore, but for a Mediterranean or European itinerary it’s very capable.
How much cheaper are older cruise ships?
It varies considerably by season and itinerary, but older ships are typically 20–40% cheaper than comparable new ships for the same route. The Sinfonia, for example, is usually among the most affordable MSC options — though a peak-season sailing can still be expensive.
Do older cruise ships have good food?
Most do, though the variety tends to be smaller. The MSC Sinfonia, for instance, had noticeably fewer dining options than the Fantasia or Seashore. On newer ships, the range of speciality restaurants and cuisine types is considerably broader.
What is the oldest MSC ship still sailing?
The MSC Sinfonia (built 2002) is one of the older vessels in the MSC fleet. MSC regularly retires and adds ships, so it’s worth checking the current fleet on the MSC website before booking.
The Verdict: New vs Old
After sailing on all five, our ranking is clear: MSC Seashore for families and those who want the full modern cruise experience, Discovery Princess if food quality tops your list, MSC Fantasia for couples or mixed groups who want comfort without the crowds, Celestyal Journey for destination-focused cruisers who value calm over spectacle, and MSC Sinfonia for travellers where the itinerary — not the ship — is the priority.
The good news is that even the oldest ship in this comparison delivered a memorable Greek island sailing. Cruise ships at any age offer something that’s hard to replicate: waking up in a different country every day, with your accommodation already sorted. That part never gets old.