What is the Oldest Cruise Ship in Each Fleet?

34.6 million cruisers sailed in 2024 according to CLIA. With over 300 cruise ships, you might be put off booking a trip on the oldest ship in a line’s fleet. However, older ships can be hidden gems in their fleet with unique styles, history, and greater value. 

Newer ships keep getting bigger and bigger, so older ships tend to be smaller when compared to their fleet mates. This can be an advantage as they can fit in smaller ports for more diverse itineraries. You might also find that they are less crowded with their passenger capacity being lower, and often with a better crew to passenger ratio resulting in better service.

One of the biggest draws to older ships is their value. Most cruisers focus on those newer ships so their demand is higher leaving some of the older vessels with cheaper offerings. On a quick search for a September 2025 Royal Caribbean cruise out of Orlando, there is the brand new Star of the Seas itinerary starting at $1,570 for 7 nights, and there is also a 8 night itinerary starting at $987 on the older Adventure of Seas. That’s over a third of the price and an extra day’s worth of value.

So if you’re curious about some of the oldest cruise ships in each fleet, here is a list in reverse chronological order of the oldest ship for each cruise line. Maybe you’ll find your next cruise on one of them?

Cunard

The RMS Queen Mary 2 was built in 2003 and is the last ocean liner operating today. She shares her name with the RMS Queen Mary which is now a floating hotel and attraction in Long Beach, California. The Queen Mary 2 weighs 142,215 gross tons, has 18 decks, and can carry 2,695 passengers with 1,253 crew. She had a refit in 2016 giving her more cabins and improved features.

Traditional is a key word when it comes to Queen Mary 2. She was built for crossing the Atlantic but comes with plenty of modern features found on cruise ships like a 24 hour buffet. Her style is upscale but functional with a nod to art deco, and with more than 5,000 commission works of art hanging around the ship you’ll feel the grandeur. She has plenty of elegant lounges and spaces to socialize, and you can find yourself enjoying evening entertainment in the theater. She is the only passenger ship that has a kennel, so fido can come along for the ride.

The Queen Mary 2 has a 3.7 out of 5 rating on Cruise Critic, with passengers loving the experience of a more traditional ocean liner transatlantic itinerary. More critical reviewers note that the ship is showing its age and is perhaps ready for another refurbishment and that the quality of the food has slipped recently.

Costa

The oldest cruise ship for Costa is the Fortuna, and she was built in 2003 as a Destiny class ship. She is named after Poseidon's daughter, Fortuna. At 102,669 gross tonnage, 13 decks, and a capacity for 2,702 passengers with 1,090 crew she is somewhere in the middle for size on this list.

The ship’s design was inspired by older Italian steamships, and you can find models of these ships on display in the public areas. She went through a refit in 2018. There is a large atrium spanning from deck 3 to deck 9 with cardboard models of older Costa vessels hanging from the ceiling. You’ll find more amenities to a European market such as casino slots that take Euros. With four pools and a waterslide, there is still stuff for the kiddos to enjoy.

With a respectable 3.0 out of 5 rating on Cruise Critic, many cite the low-cost value as the main attraction. Be careful of the food as many reviewers were not impressed by it. If you want to try the Costa Fortuna, you’ll need to hurry. It was announced in May of 2025 that she has been sold and her last cruise with Costa will be in September of 2026. Don’t fret, because she was purchased by Margaritaville at Sea and will become a new member of their fleet.

MSC

The MSC Armonia is a Lirica class ship built in 2001 for the former cruise line of Festival Cruises under the name of MS European Vision. Since 2004 she has been sailing under MSC as the Armonia, one of four ships in the Mistral class. She’s only 65,542 gross tonnage, 13 decks, and can carry 2,679 passengers with 721 crew making her one of the smallest ships on this list.

Styling and design of the ship is more neutral, you won’t find big over the top elements here. MSC is known to attract a wide variety of guests from all around the world so you will find lots of different languages being spoken, however English will be the primary. There are several restaurants and bars on board, with the biggest draw being the theater with nearly a show each night. With many languages being spoken, shows tend to be more music and acrobatics rather than dialogue focused.

A 3.1 out of 5 rating on Cruise Critic is pretty good given the size and age for the oldest cruise ship for MSC. Cruise goers tend to like the value being offered and the port itineraries often serviced by the ship. Some reviewers note that service and cleanliness can be improved.

P&O

MS Aurora set sail in 2000 and was named by Princess Anne. She has 10 decks, carries 1,950 passengers with 850 crew, and has a gross tonnage of 76,152. She has had several refurbishments in 2014, 2019, and in 2023 each providing updates and newer amenities. 

Designed for the British Market, she sports a more traditional ocean liner look, despite not being one. She is an adult-only ship so you won’t find water slides or an arcade. Her design is properly relaxed and subtle. She has two specialty dining restaurants, two pools, a sports deck with golf, archery, shuffleboard, and more.

Coming in with a 3.7 out of 5 rating on Cruise Critic, Aurora has a loyal crew of repeat passengers. Callouts include the food, and service for the ship. Criticisms are more around the age of the vessel showing here and there with some dated decor and worn out structures. 

Celebrity

The oldest cruise ship for Celebrity is the Millennium which was launched into service in 2000. She is the namesake for the Millennium class of ships and sits at 90,963 gross tons, has 11 decks, and carries 2,138 passengers with 999 crew. The Millennium was the first cruise ship with a turbo-electic COGES power plant that captures heat from the gas powered engine to create steam and for additional recycled power.

In 2019 she got a refit with refreshed decor, cabins, and some trendy new features inspired by Celebrity’s newer vessels. The ship has midship elevators that offer a panoramic view of the ocean and let in lots of light. For those wanting a more upscale experience, The Retreat, Celebrity’s premium class, is available even on this older ship. The Millennium offers an unpretentious style of sophistication. 

With a 3.7 out of 5 Cruise Critic rating, guests love the service and public space available on the ship. Some critics were concerned over the lack of kid friendly activities and cleanliness, while others seemed to love the adult centered cruising and had no issues with the ship’s cleaning.

Royal Caribbean

Voyager of the Seas was built in 1999 and carries the namesake for the Voyager class ships. Weighing in at 137,276 gross tonnage makes her a larger ship for this list and at her launch she was the largest cruise ship in the world. With 15 decks she can carry 3,602 passengers and 1,200 crew.

Her design is a signature for Royal Caribbean, that is to say family fun. She was the first ship with a rockwall at sea and ice skating rink. There is a gorgeous Royal Promenade stretching from one end of the ship to the other. In 2019 she received an uplift increasing her tonnage and adding more water slides and guest rooms including inside rooms with virtual balconies. 

Cruise Critic has Voyager of the Seas with a 3.8 out of 5 rating. Recent reviewers say that she’s still in great condition and has fun shows and good food. Not bad for Royal Caribbean’s oldest cruise ship.

Holland America Line

The MS Volendam was built in 1999 and she is the third ship in the fleet to bear that name. Coming in at 60,906 gross tonnage, 10 decks, and a passenger count of 1,432 with 647 crew, she is the smallest ship on this list. She is a Rotterdam class ship and was refitted in 2014 gaining more amenities, and another refit in 2024.

The latest refit has improved the cabins, drapes, carpets, public areas, spa, pool, and more. Holland America is definitely taking care of this older ship. There are plenty of activities and great food to eat aboard the ship, but this is a more classic vessel without all the flare and glitz found on more boisterous and colorful cruise lines. In 2022 the Volendam was proudly chartered by the City of Rotterdam as a Ukrainian refugee sanctuary for three months. To commemorate this, the ship displays artwork and mementos from the refugee families.

The Volendam has a 3.7 out of 5 rating on Cruise Critic. Guests love the smaller and more intimate size of the ship and call out the great customer service. Some cruise goers were put off by the older age range of guests that typically is found on the ship, and most of Holland America in general. 

Norwegian Cruise Line

The Norwegian Spirit was built in 1998 and is a Leo class cruise ship. She was originally created for Star Cruises with the name SuperStar Leo but was brought over to the NCL family and renamed in 2004. She has a gross tonnage of 75,904, 14 decks, and can carry 2,018 passengers and 912 crew.

In 2020 the Norwegian Spirit got a $100 million renovation adding six new restaurants, seven new bars, updated interiors and rooms, and a new paint job design. Something special about this ship is the main dining room, aptly named Windows, which has stunning double height windows looking out of the aft of the ship.

Currently a 3.8 out of 5 rating on Cruise Critic, guests seem to love the low-key and happy atmosphere of the ship. The food is mentioned to be a highlight and the ship itself is well maintained despite its age.

Princess

The Grand Princess was built in 1998 and is the namesake for the Grand class of ships and is the oldest cruise ship for Princess. She has 17 decks, a gross tonnage of 107,517, and carries 3,100 passengers with 1,100 crew. In 2009 she underwent a refurbishment including energy and environmental efficiency updates, and again in 2011 to remove a nightclub from the bow of the ship that was causing her to sail with her bow high. 

Princess is more of a mature focused cruise line and the Grand Princess reflects that with an upscale but not overly luxurious style and finish. Boasting several restaurants where food is well rated, she also has an adults only section, the Sanctuary. While she leans more adult, she does have kid activities such as Camp Discovery. In her refit she converted her atrium into Piazza, something more common on Princess ships.

Cruise Critic has her rating at 3.8 out of 5, which is pretty good considering her age. Cruises like the service and the vibe from the public areas. Some more discerning guests might point out that the vessel is showing her age.

Disney Cruise Line

The Disney Magic was launched in 1998 as Disney Cruise Line’s very first vessel. She has 11 decks, can carry 2,713 passengers with 945 cast members, and weighs in at 83,338 gross tonnage. With a special waiver from the international maritime rules, she has bright yellow lifeboats instead of the standard safety orange, a first for cruise lines.

For Disney, design and style are carefully and thoughtfully intentional for their ships. The Disney Magic and Wonder were styled after the RMS Queen Mary to invoke the nostalgia of cruise liners from the past. You’ll find Disney characters, hidden Mickeys, and magical elements throughout the ship. Deck 5, where the kids clubs are located, is built slightly shorter giving forced perspective for little kiddos. Disney knows how to entertain families with lots of activities for kids, and adult only sections for parents needing a break.

With a 4.1 out of 5 rating on Cruise Critic, guests love the entertainment, service, and food. Some cruisers found it a bit pricey, a criticism not uncommon for Disney vacations. If you’re a Disney fan, you’ll probably love the ship and all the Disney magic found aboard. 

Carnival

Finally, the oldest cruise ship on this list is the Carnival Sunshine. She has been sailing since 1996 and is a part of the Sunshine class. She is formerly known as Carnival Destiny but got a name change in 2013. She has a gross tonnage of 102,853 with 12 decks and the passenger capacity of 3,002 with 1,150 crew members. When launched, she was the first cruise ship to exceed 100,000 GT, toppling the 54 year record of the RMS Queen Elizabeth as the largest passenger vessel.

In 2013 she would get a refit with her name change, along with a racing themed water park and one of the biggest waterslides in the Carnival fleet. She has a more relaxed decor making her perfect for those that aren’t into the over-the-top styles found on other Carnival ships. There is plenty to do on the ship with lots of activities and places to eat with favorites like Guy Fieri’s burger joint.

With a 3.5 out of 5 rating on Cruise Critic, reviewers love her easy going and laid back family fun vibe. More cautious reviewers note that Sunshine may be too relaxed for some guests with some long wait times and onboard itinerary changes.