Cruising has changed a lot. Like, a LOT.
Some changes are awesome. Faster internet, modern ships, more food options.
But every now and then I’ll be on a ship, walking around, and I’ll randomly think…man, remember when cruises did that?
Not everything from the old days needs to come back, obviously. Some stuff was outdated, some was kinda cheesy.
But a few traditions really had something special. So here are a few cruise traditions that have quietly faded out and that many seasoned cruise passengers miss.
1. The formal night that was actually formal
There’s still a formal night on most cruises. But the vibe is different now.
It used to feel like everyone committed. Suits, gowns, people would get their hair done, take photos like they were attending a wedding.
Now it’s more like wear something nice-ish if you feel like it. Which is fine, some people find it more comfortable and modern.
But many others kinda miss the moment where the entire ship looked upgraded for a few hours. It made the night feel special.
I’m sure many of you have great memories of them
2. The midnight buffet
If cruising had a very unique thing, it would’ve been the midnight buffet.
You’d walk in and it looked like a food museum. Carvings, decorations, towers of desserts, random fancy stuff.
A lot of ships either removed it completely or toned it way down. Some cruises still do a special buffet night, but it’s not the same as it used to be.
If you haven’t experienced it, it’s hard to explain because it was really a one-of-a-kind buffet.
3. Deck games that felt like a social thing
There are still deck activities, but old-school deck games had a different energy.
Shuffleboard tournaments that got weirdly intense. Passenger vs passenger ping pong. Trivia where the same group of people showed up every day.
Now the ship entertainment is often more polished, more scheduled, more produced. Which is cool.
But I miss the casual we’re all just hanging out and being silly together feeling.
Sometimes the best cruise memories come from low-budget fun.
4. The captain’s cocktail party with real perks
Back in the day, the captain’s party wasn’t just a photo opportunity.
It could include free drinks, nicer snacks, a slightly fancier setup, and that classic moment where the captain says something cheerful and everyone clinks glasses.
These days, depending on the cruise line, it’s often more limited. Or it’s tied to loyalty status.
Or it’s been replaced by other events that feel more like a quick announcement, a photo, and then okay, goodbye.
I know loyalty perks are a thing now, and that’s fair, but I miss when it felt like the whole ship got invited.
5. The daily printed program
There’s something about waking up, grabbing the daily program (the paper one), and planning the day while getting ready in your cabin.
Circling events. Highlighting showtimes. Arguing with your travel buddy about whether bingo is worth it. Checking port times to make sure you don’t miss the ship.
Now a lot of ships push everything through apps. Which is convenient, especially when the schedule updates live.
But the paper copies were part of what made it feel special. The day just felt more planned out.
It’s kind of like paper books these days. They may seem outdated compared to digital, but they still have their own charm.
6. The sea day that felt slower and quieter
This one is a vibe thing, but it’s real.
Sea days used to feel calmer. More ocean liner energy. People read books, walked the promenade, and gazed at the sea. There was less pressure to stay busy every minute.
Now, ships are packed with stuff to do and a lot of people.
Again, I love modern ships. But I do miss that slightly slower cruise rhythm where doing nothing felt like the plan.
And if you have sea days on your next cruise, don’t forget to check out these useful sea day hacks.
7. The old-school crew interactions
Cruise staff are still amazing. Honestly, they’re the heart of the whole experience.
But cruising has gotten bigger, faster, more standardized. On some ships you feel like everything is run by systems now. QR codes, automated services, fewer little human moments.
Years ago it felt more common to have small chats with crew in certain areas, or see familiar faces working the same spots daily.
It’s not gone everywhere. Not at all. But it’s less consistent than it used to be, and many old passengers notice it.
BONUS POINT: Rude Passengers
The last point doesn’t involve ships, workers, or onboard services, but simply passengers going on a cruise.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed this too, but lately it seems that cruises attract a lot of rude people.
It probably also depends on which cruise line you’re sailing with, but lately I’ve noticed more loud behavior, more people cutting lines, and more rudeness toward crew members
Fortunately, some cruise lines have recently taken measures. For example, Carnival has tightened these guest rules following past incidents, and others have started banning passengers if they do these things.
The Future of Cruises
Cruising evolves. That’s normal. And honestly, a lot of the modern changes are improvements.
But it’s still okay to miss the classic stuff. Those traditions were part of why cruising felt different from any other vacation.
And if any cruise line wants to bring some of them back, plenty of passengers would certainly be happy.
