The Right Ship

A ship built before 1980 is considered old.  However, this really depends on the level of maintenance it has received, and whether it has operated on short or longer cruises (short cruises get more passenger throughput, and the more waer and tear).  Yet more passengers do like older ships, as they tend to have fewer synthetic materials in their interior decor. 

New Ships: 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 with little or no vibration (see section on Berlitz Rating)
• Have more interior public rooms, and maybe no exterior promedade deck.
• Offer more standardized cabin layouts and 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, thus reducing operating costs.
• Have good plumbing and air-conditioning systems.
• Usually have the latest submersible lifeboats.
   

New Ships: Disadvantages

• Tend to have smaller standard cabins, which can mean narrow, short beds.
• Have decor made mostly from synthetic materials (due to stringent regulations) and could cause problems for passengers senstivie to such materials.
• Have toilets of the powerful vacuum suction "barking dog" type.
• Are powdered 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.

Pre-1980 Ships: Advantages

• Have strong, plated hulls (often riveted) that can withstand tremendously hard wear and tear; they "take the weather" well.
• Have long cabins with long, wide beds/berths, because passengers needed mroe 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 toliets 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 tradtional 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.
   

Pre-1980: Disadvantages

• They are not so fuel efficient and, therefore, are more expensive to operate than new ships.
• Need a larger crew, because of the more awkward, labor-intensive layouts of the ships.
• Have a deep draft (necessary for a smooth ride) but need tugs to negotiate ports and tight berths.
• Are usually fitted with older-type open lifeboats

The Crew
You can estimate the standard of serivce by looking at the crew to passenger ratio.  The best service levels are aboard ships that have a ratio of one crew member to every two passengers, or higher.  The best ships in the world, from the point of cew living and working conditions, also tend to be the most expensive ones.

Most ships now have multinational crews, with one or two exceptions.  The crew mixture gives the impression of a ship being like a miniature United Nations.  If the crew is happy, the ship will be happy, too, and passengers will sense it.

Corporate Cruising
Corporate, incentive organizations and seagoing conferences provide a growing market for cruise companies.  Ships of all sizes, types and styles can provide an exciting venue for between 50 and 3,000 participants.  Corporate organizers like having such things as accommodation, food or entertainment for their delegates organized as one contract.

Cruise companies have specialized departments and personnel to deal with all the details.  Corporate organizers don't even have to think about car rentals either.  Many larger ships have almost identical cabin sizes and configurations, a bonus for incentive houses.

Once you have signed the contract and paid the deposit for a charter, no refund is possible (thus insurance is essential). Although you may need only 70% of the capacity of a ship for your purposes, you will have to pay for the whole ship if you want an exclusive charter.

If you want to charter a whole ship (popular among corporations and association), where you haev complete control over the utilization of public areas, do the following:

• Decide which part of the world you want to be in.
• Decide how long you want to cruise for.
• Estimate how many will be in your group.
• Make arrangements as early as possible (at least one year ahead, preferably more)
• Although you can contact cruise lines directly.
   

Theme Cruises
Each year, an ever richer variety of theme cruises is available, with many cultural, ecological and educational subjects.  Typical topics range from antiques to wine tasting, from archaeology to holistic health.

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