Traditional, nautical feel or mall at sea?

[Shep_Proudfoot]

I really prefer a more traditional, nautical feel on a ship rather than glitz, glam or the feeling that I am in a floating mall. For an example of the former I think of the Celebrity Millenium, for the latter in my personal experience the Carnival Conquest felt somewhat mall-like but likely would seem relatively traditional in comparison to the new Oasis of the Seas and Epic class ships from RCCL and NCL, respectively. (ships I likely would never book, save an amazing deal)

 

So, what ships or lines do you feel are most "ship-like" and "nautical feeling" and can be recommended to someone like me who doesn't like the concept of a mega mall at sea?

[Toto2Kansas]

Princess would fit the bill, especially their smaller ships. More like cruising used to be, but they aren't for those who feel they need to be entertained constantly or have half a dozen dining venues to choose from.

[Essiesmom]

How do you define traditional cruising? If it relates to size of vessel, you should stick to the smallest ships in any line, which also tend to be the oldest these days. But if 'traditional' means the feel of the cruise, not the size of the ship, then cunard might suit you. they are all about the tradition of crossings and cruising. EM

[kitty9]

If you don't want a mall ship, then stay away from the likes of Oasis, Allure, Epic and the rest of the behemoths. On those ship's, you hardly know you're at sea. The smaller Princess ships and the Celebrity fleet are not considered in the behemoth class.

[bob brown]

Perhaps the most 'nautical' are the smaller 'S', 'R', classes on Holland America Line. Also their smallest, the Prinsendam.

HAL ships have full teak promenades, with wooden steamer loungers, with lap rugs. The decor throughout the ship conveys a nautical appearance.

They also have perhaps the most traditional cruise experience of all.

[Putterdude]

For the first time we experienced the Crown and Ruby Princesses in January....they would be as large a ship that we will want to sail on but pale in comparison to some.

[paul929207]

We love the small Princess ships. They hold about 700 passengers and can go to wonderful ports that the huge ships cannot visit.

[PattyG12]

We really enjoyed the Radiance class of Royal Caribbean. They are small and have alot of glass to enjoy the beautiful caribbean.

[Krazy Kruizers]

hal is more nauticall -- we don't care for those big ships that have the malls, rock climbing walls, water slides, etc.

[luddite]

For about another year, you can sail the western Caribbean out of NOLA on the NCL Spirit. It is their smallest ship. Decorated differenly than their others and it is very intimate.

[Aquahound]

I've been on ships of all sizes and I have never seen a mall on a ship. The bigger RCI ships don't have any more shops than any other main stream ship. I think that's a bit of an embellishment.

 

That said, it's hard for me to give a preference. I like all kinds of ships for different reasons. I was blown away by the Oasis, but I also love Radiance Class and Celebrity's ships.

 

My thing, is, I just strive to avoid sameness. I like new things and new ships.

[navybankerteacher]

I've been on ships of all sizes and I have never seen a mall on a ship. The bigger RCI ships don't have any more shops than any other main stream ship. I think that's a bit of an embellishment.

 

That said, it's hard for me to give a preference. I like all kinds of ships for different reasons. I was blown away by the Oasis, but I also love Radiance Class and Celebrity's ships.

 

My thing, is, I just strive to avoid sameness. I like new things and new ships.

 

 

Johnny Rocket's, skating rinks, wave riders, bowling alleys, climbing walls, etc. plus the plethora of shops are what people mean when they say a ship is like a mall.

 

Holland America ships -with all-around teak promenade decks, wooden (not aluminum or plastic) deck chairs, brass fittings, traditional dark hull (no big-lip mouth at bow or NCL hull paintings) all contribute tothe traditional feel -- which I suppose could be called "sameness".

[paul929207]

I rarely go to malls at home. Why would I pay big bucks to vacation in one?

[jocap]

There are lots of small, older ships sailing from Europe, including Fred Olsen, Thomson, Saga, Louis etc....and some lines with only one or two ships which have specialised cruises, like Voyages of Antiquity, Marco Polo, Spirit of Adventure etc.

These ships are mainly about ports, being small enough to visit unusual places, and the entertainment is likely to be music and lectures, not shopping and theatre.

And....they're not for everyone.

The latest small ship will be P&O Adonia, presently Royal Princess, which will be adult only, is presenting itself as more upmarket than the rest of the line, and is going to many new ports.

Jo.

[Shep_Proudfoot]

Thanks everyone. HAL sounds like it might be what I am looking for because I am thinking mainly things like nautical, ship-like decor. By that I mean teak, brass, dark woods, etc rather than more modern decor. I also appreciate true promenade decks that allow for walking all the way around them, something that some of the newer ships lack. This doesn't necessarily mean a smaller ship to me, as I think 80-90K tons feels about right, which I'd say is pretty much medium sized anymore. Smaller Princess ships might work too, and while Cunard appeals to me visually, I also fear it might be too stuffy as I am not one of those that look forward to formal nights!

[Happy ks]

We really enjoyed the Radiance class of Royal Caribbean. They are small and have alot of glass to enjoy the beautiful caribbean.

 

While I wouldn't call Radiance small, we very much enjoyed this ship. Lots of windows to see the ocean. We prefer this size to the larger ships, especially the fact it doesn't seem like a mall at sea.

[Two Tumbleweeds]

I really prefer a more traditional, nautical feel on a ship rather than glitz, glam or the feeling that I am in a floating mall. For an example of the former I think of the Celebrity Millenium, for the latter in my personal experience the Carnival Conquest felt somewhat mall-like but likely would seem relatively traditional in comparison to the new Oasis of the Seas and Epic class ships from RCCL and NCL, respectively. (ships I likely would never book, save an amazing deal)

 

So, what ships or lines do you feel are most "ship-like" and "nautical feeling" and can be recommended to someone like me who doesn't like the concept of a mega mall at sea?

 

:)We like a ship to look and feel like a ship, not like a small town made to float. We favor two cruise lines at present; Princess and HAL, although all lines are starting to build these huge monstrosities which just don't fit our bill. We also like the time at sea which is, in reality, the most relaxing part of a cruise. A lot of ports mean a lot of hustle and bustle which is fine if you want to visit exotic and interesting places, but it does mean less relaxation. Huge doesn't mean the best, and that's why there are still smaller ships getting fully booked.:D

[Aquahound]

Johnny Rocket's, skating rinks, wave riders, bowling alleys, climbing walls, etc. plus the plethora of shops are what people mean when they say a ship is like a mall.

 

I realize that. I just don't agree with it.

 

By the way, I would cruise HAL in a heartbeat, only because I never have and it intrigues me. I'm a cruise lover who loves all types of cruise ships for different reasons.

[agabbymama]

Thanks everyone. HAL sounds like it might be what I am looking for because I am thinking mainly things like nautical, ship-like decor. By that I mean teak, brass, dark woods, etc rather than more modern decor. I also appreciate true promenade decks that allow for walking all the way around them, something that some of the newer ships lack. This doesn't necessarily mean a smaller ship to me, as I think 80-90K tons feels about right, which I'd say is pretty much medium sized anymore. Smaller Princess ships might work too, and while Cunard appeals to me visually, I also fear it might be too stuffy as I am not one of those that look forward to formal nights!

 

HAL Vista Class and Celebrity Millennium Class are close in ship size/feel, and both will have formal evenings. There the similarity ends. HAL has the teak wood promenade deck (making circumnavigating the ship easy), wood deck chairs w/blankets, fresh flowers everywhere, lots of wood and brass, Elemis amenities in the rooms, robes for all cabins, real wash clothes in public the restrooms, great hot breakfast menu, a little larger cabins, the best beds afloat and the friendliest crew.

 

Celebrity was a close second, but no all-round promenade deck, plastic deck chairs, plastic flowers, your cabin steward was friendly (but not others just around the ship), and we were constantly told we were in the wrong place to get where we wanted to go (either go up a deck and continue forward, or go down a deck).

 

HAL is my preferred line, while they have instituted an "anytime" dining option, they do still have traditional seating, and I wanted to be sure you knew they do have formal nights, and ASK that you observe formal nights the whole evening everywhere on the ship (but that isn't always enforced).

 

Give them a try, I think you'll like them!

[dln929]

Thanks everyone. HAL sounds like it might be what I am looking for because I am thinking mainly things like nautical, ship-like decor. By that I mean teak, brass, dark woods, etc rather than more modern decor. I also appreciate true promenade decks that allow for walking all the way around them, something that some of the newer ships lack. This doesn't necessarily mean a smaller ship to me, as I think 80-90K tons feels about right, which I'd say is pretty much medium sized anymore. Smaller Princess ships might work too, and while Cunard appeals to me visually, I also fear it might be too stuffy as I am not one of those that look forward to formal nights!

 

If you do book on HAL, will you come back and report? What you want on a ship is what I want, too. We're going on our first cruise this year. One of the main reasons I never had an interest in cruising before was that I don't care for malls, and most ships look like floating malls to me (albeit very upscale malls ;)). I want a ship with old-fashioned wooden decks and deck chairs!

[Rocketlady]

We were on the Oasis a couple weeks ago. We had an outside balcony to view the ocean. Yes, you probably could

never feel like you are on a ship if you never went swimming , ran the track every morning or walked, eat in some of the restarants with a view or wide open area. I am not a shopper so none of the stores impress me. Too expensive any way.

 

I would go again in a heart beat on the Oasis. And I have been on the Carnival twice.

[navybankerteacher]

If you do book on HAL, will you come back and report? What you want on a ship is what I want, too. We're going on our first cruise this year. One of the main reasons I never had an interest in cruising before was that I don't care for malls, and most ships look like floating malls to me (albeit very upscale malls ;)). I want a ship with old-fashioned wooden decks and deck chairs!

 

Two small touches which make HAL stand out:

 

1) Fresh squeezed orange juice at breakfast - (no extra charge as on NCL)

 

2) Perhaps the oldest seagoing tradition is honored - a coin is placed under the "stepped" mast - as was always done with sailing ships - you can check it for yourself on the Sky Deck (above the Crow's Nest).

[dln929]

Two small touches which make HAL stand out:

 

1) Fresh squeezed orange juice at breakfast - (no extra charge as on NCL)

 

2) Perhaps the oldest seagoing tradition is honored - a coin is placed under the "stepped" mast - as was always done with sailing ships - you can check it for yourself on the Sky Deck (above the Crow's Nest).

 

That's lovely. I'm going to be reading lots of HAL reviews in future to see if this is going to be where our 2nd cruise is headed. (I think I like cruising and we haven't even been on our first yet!!! )

[Shep_Proudfoot]

Of course! Couldn't agree more and HAL is sounding more intriguing than I previously thought it would be. But it won't be for awhile since I just booked the semi-behemoth Celebrity Equinox. We'll see if that was a wise choice or not.

 

If you do book on HAL, will you come back and report? What you want on a ship is what I want, too. We're going on our first cruise this year. One of the main reasons I never had an interest in cruising before was that I don't care for malls, and most ships look like floating malls to me (albeit very upscale malls ;)). I want a ship with old-fashioned wooden decks and deck chairs!

[bob brown]

HAL certainly has the most nautical ambiance on board. And it is descended from an over-a-century old ocean liner heritage.

 

That said, for nautical appearance on the outside, the Disney ships are retro styled to look the most like old liners. Long bows, twin 'funnels', traditional stern, etc. However, it doesn't follow through that way aboard.