Cruise ship fans reveal the secret to bagging bargain breaks on quieter ships with more attentive staff and better ports of call

The secret to a lower-price cruise getaway with more attentive staff and better ports of call has been revealed.

Cruise ship fans shared their tips for booking bargains with better guest service and fewer crowds – opting for an older, smaller ship like the 26-year-old Vision of the Seas.

Vision of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean, seems to have no chance of beating the world’s largest cruise ship Icon of the Seas, which offers 20 decks with the tallest waterfall, tallest water slide and largest water park.

With fewer pools, water slides and restaurants, the Vision could disappoint travelers looking for an extravagant, luxury cruise experience. But many travelers say they prefer a more sedate atmosphere – and the price difference is significant.

An eight-night tour of the coasts of Florida and the Bahamas costs just $426 on Vision of the Seas, while a seven-day cruise on the Icon starts at around $2,536.

With fewer pools, water slides and restaurants, the Vision may disappoint travelers looking for an extravagant, luxury cruise experience

A social media user shared a video of herself enjoying the facilities on Vision of the Seas

David Di Vito, 34, is among those who have the best time on smaller, older and well-traveled ships, and Vision of the Seas is his favorite.

The sound engineer from Las Vegas told me the Wall Street Journal that on the Vision the WiFi was more reliable, the staff was more responsive and booking excursions at ports of call was easier.

The Vision’s capacity of 2,050 guests also meant he and his fiancée, Marina Vail, were not overwhelmed by crowds like travelers on the Icon, which can accommodate up to 7,000 people.

Enjoying ocean views from various spots on the ship, Vail had her best time participating in the trivia games and scavenger hunts the cruise had to offer.

Mari Marks, luxury travel consultant at Protravel International in Beverly Hills, California, said: “Each ship has its own personality. Because not everyone is going to enjoy being with over 5,000 of their new best friends.”

Vision of the Seas made its maiden voyage in May 1998 and underwent improvements in 2013. It offers several sailings to Bermuda, Bahamas, Canada and New England, all starting under $900 per person.

Vision of the Seas, both operated by Royal Caribbean, seems to have no chance of beating the world’s largest cruise ship Icon of the Seas (pictured), which offers 20 decks with the tallest waterfall, tallest water slide and largest water park.

Vision of the Seas made its maiden voyage in May 1998 and underwent improvements in 2013

The cruise offers several sailings to Bermuda, Bahamas, Canada and New England, all from $900 per person.

The drydock renovation the ship underwent in 2013 makes it a good option for travel advisors and experienced cruise fans.

“A 10-year-old ship that hasn’t been in drydock will feel older than a 20-year-old ship that came out of drydock two years ago,” said Phil Perrey, a minister from St. Charles. Missouri.

He said that when booking cruises, he checks when a ship was last renovated, rather than when it first sailed.

Cruise companies repair their ships, renovate facilities and install new ones during the dry-docking process.

Chris Chiames, Carnival Cruise Line’s chief communications officer, said three of Carnival’s ships, Sunshine, Radiance and Sunrise, were even renamed after extensive renovations.

Older, smaller ships can also serve more destinations, the WSJ reports, because giant ships sometimes can’t dock in small ports like Tahiti.

Older, smaller ships can also serve more destinations, the WSJ reported, because giant ships sometimes can’t dock at small ports, like Tahiti

Some cruise lines offer a wider range of activities and destinations on smaller ships

Carnival Cruise Line’s flagship Celebration features the first roller coaster at sea, but Adam Carnevale, a small business owner from North Carolina, was unimpressed.

David Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, said his company offers a wider range of activities and destinations on smaller ships.

He said: ‘We intentionally place our smaller ships in more exotic destinations with longer, port-intensive itineraries that provide a more immersive experience that our guests love.’

Chiames recognized that larger ships have superior facilities and entertainment, along with a luxurious dining experience.

He said: ‘Larger ships offer greater operational efficiencies, greater revenue generation opportunities and more space to offer a variety of accommodations, dining, entertainment and recreational facilities.’

Carnival Cruise Line’s flagship Celebration has only been in operation for a year and can accommodate up to more than 6,500 people.

Despite featuring the first roller coaster at sea, Adam Carnevale, a small business owner from North Carolina, was unimpressed.

He said the food and service on the Celebration did not match what he experienced on the Carnival Sunshine, which debuted in 2008.

‘You don’t have to give me all those nice things. Sometimes vanilla is good,” he said.