The cruise world is changing incredibly fast. Ships get bigger. Tech gets smarter.
And little by little, some familiar cruise things are quietly fading into the background.
Some won’t be missed at all. Others…well, longtime cruisers are already feeling a bit nostalgic.
Here are the things that are very likely to disappear from cruises in the coming years.
1. Paper daily programs
That printed schedule on the bed or tucked into a rack by the elevator is already fading on a lot of ships.
Apps are cheaper, instant, and way easier to update when a show time changes or the captain reroutes the ship.
Paper will not vanish completely overnight, because some guests still want it, and some lines, like the old-school feel.
But the default is going digital. Less paper, fewer copies, more QR codes.
2. Cash at the bar and cash tips for every little thing
Cruises have been pushing toward cashless for years, and it is only getting stronger.
Tap, scan, charge it to the room, done. Even casinos are moving toward systems that feel more like a digital wallet.
Cash is still accepted on some ships. But the idea of walking around with bills for drinks, tipping constantly in cash, paying for stuff with money in hand, that vibe is disappearing.
3. Printed shore excursion tickets and big paper confirmations
Same story as the daily program. Excursion tickets used to be printed.
Now it is more like a digital check-in, a scan, a wristband, a cabin card, something quick.
It’s cleaner for the crew too. Less confusion. Less people showing up with wrinkled papers arguing about times.
4. Self-serve buffet stations with everybody touching the same utensils
Some ships brought it back, some never fully did, but the long-term trend is pretty clear.
Lines are redesigning buffets so it feels more controlled. More crew plating food.
More separated stations. More hand washing enforcement and flow management.
On different ships, you may’ve noticed that the buffet tends to be less wild than it used to be.
5. The classic fixed dining room setup for everyone
In the past, the main dining room was pretty traditional with early or late seating, the same table, and the same waiter every night.
That model is already shrinking on newer ships because people want flexibility, specialty dining, and different experiences.
Fixed dining will still be offered, especially on lines that lean classic. But the idea that most of the ship does fixed dining is fading.
Anytime dining and mixed formats are taking over.
6. Daily turndown service twice a day
This is a sensitive one because people love it.
But staffing is expensive, and ships are trying to balance service with efficiency.
Many lines have already reduced cabin service frequency, and more will likely move toward a simplified routine.
The cabin will still be cleaned, of course. It just may not be that old-style morning clean plus evening turndown for everyone.
Some cruise lines are starting to offer morning cleaning for all cabins, while the evening turndown is becoming a suites-only perk.
7. Free room service menus
Room service is another thing that has been quietly changing for years.
Smaller menus, more delivery fees, more items moved behind a paywall, more bundles, and more emphasis on grab-and-go alternatives on board.
Some lines will keep a decent free selection because it is part of their brand. But the big, generous, always free room service vibe is getting rarer.
Many passengers don’t realize this, so be sure to check the list of things that are no longer free on a cruise.
8. Dress codes that are actually enforced
Formal night is still a thing, but the strict version is definitely fading.
Many ships now look more like a mix. A few guests dressed up, and a bunch of people in smart casual.
On most mainstream lines, the enforcement is softer and softer. The trend is comfort and relaxation.
This doesn’t mean that there aren’t still rules about what to wear. For example, there are some outfits that are banned on cruises.
9. Paper photo packages and long photo counter sales pitches
Cruise photographers are not disappearing, but the whole system around it is changing.
Less paper proofs, more digital galleries, more app-based buying, and more quick kiosks.
And those long, pushy moments at the photo counter are slowly going away.
Some cruisers believe a beautiful printed photo is still the best choice. It is a keepsake that lasts forever, unlike a digital file.
10. The old-style muster drill with everyone packed together
This one already happened on many ships. The safety part stays, obviously. But the old format is what is disappearing.
More self-check-ins on the app, watching a video on the cabin TV, and scanning in at the station to confirm attendance.
It is faster, less stressful, and honestly, it feels like the ship respects your time more.
Most reactions to this change have been very positive, even though it’s one of those cruise traditions that the younger generations will never experience.
Some will be missed. Some will not. The key is simply not getting caught off guard, especially with the major cruise policy changes rolling out in 2026.
