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Cruises have changed a lot over the years. From old traditions of the past to more recent changes, these are the things you may have loved, but will likely never see on a cruise again.

If you’ve been cruising for a long time, you’ll recall some of these nostalgic cruise traditions. However, even if you’re a relatively new cruiser, you may notice some of the things that have changed on cruises since the pandemic.

In some cases, you’ll find some things that are in the midst of disappearing on cruises right now.

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Things We No Longer See on Cruise Ships

Times have changed, and it may be hard to believe that some of these things actually happened on cruise ships!

1. Golfing Off the Back of the Cruise Ship

It may be hard to imagine, but a couple of decades ago cruise passengers were allowed to hit golf balls off the back of the cruise ship. This was actually popular cruise activity!

The practice has been banned since 1990, as it’s bad for the environment and marine life. While you can no longer hit golf balls into the ocean, many cruise ships do have mini-golf and other fun sports available.

2. Skeet Shooting

Some cruise passengers will remember skeet shooting off the back of the cruise ship. Up until the early 1990’s, cruisers could participate in a skeet shooting activity, and shoot clay pigeons with shotguns provided on the cruise.

Needless to say, this is no longer allowed on a cruise for a myriad of good reasons!

3. Topless Sunbathing Deck

Up until the late eighties, several cruise lines reserved the top deck for those who wanted to sunbathe topless. While not banned on all cruise lines, most major cruise lines no longer have a topless sunbathing deck.

There are a couple of exceptions, most notably Virgin Voyages which allows topless sunbathing on the sun deck on Deck 17, called The Perch.

4. In Person Muster Drills

While some nostalgic cruise traditions may be missed, most frequent cruisers are happy that in person muster drills went away on most cruise lines as they restarted after the pandemic.

Since then, many cruise lines adopted a form of e-muster, where cruise passengers watch a safety video on their cell phone or stateroom and check in at their muster station with a crew member.

There are some cruise lines that are using a hybrid model, like Virgin Voyages that has a small group check in and demonstration by a crew member. Others, such as Disney, have returned to an in person muster drill.

5. Elaborate Ice Sculptures

Cruises were once really elegant ways to travel. This seemed to include beautiful and elaborate ice sculptures displayed at the lido buffet, main dining room and out on the deck for special parties and events.

While ice sculpture demonstrations are still happening as an activity on some cruise lines, seeing the beautiful creations day to day is far less common.

6. Midnight Buffet

A staple on cruise vacations for many years, the midnight buffet saw its last days quite a while ago. While beautiful to look at and photograph, tastes changed and many cruise passengers no longer wanted to feast so late at night.

There was a lot of food waste and the set up and take down took a lot of crew effort. While cruisers may reminisce about the good old days of the midnight buffet, most admit it was time for it to go.

Related: Biggest Changes to Cruising this Year

7. Plastic Straws

A more recent change, plastic straws have been removed from cruise ships for environmental reasons. Instead, some cruise lines are using paper, candy or biodegradable straws instead.

8. Cruise Recap DVD

It’s hard to recall exactly when the cruise recap DVD went away, but it was likely at the same time that cell phone cameras got so good!

Up until about a decade ago, it was common to see a videographer or two filming throughout the cruise. Those who participated in some of the events would likely see themselves in the cruise recap DVD.

At the end of the cruise, the short movie was played for all the passengers at the farewell show in the ship’s theater. Many guests would purchase the cruise DVD to share with friends and family back home and have as a memory.

9. Smoking Everywhere

Years ago smoking was permitted in many places on a cruise. This included balconies on cruise ships, where it is now strictly forbidden as its a potential fire hazard.

These days, cruise passengers can smoke in designated smoking areas which are often found outdoors. Some cruise ships also allow smoking in the casino.

10. Cruises to Nowhere

Cruises to nowhere no longer exist, at least from US cruise ports. While cruise ships used to be able to have a one or two night cruise that went out to sea, but didn’t stop anywhere, this is no longer allowed.

Cruises to nowhere, as they were called, were stopped in 2016 due to a law that states that cruise ships leaving the US must stop in foreign soil before returning.

Things That Are Slowly Going Away

Times continue to move forward, and this means that we are seeing some of these changes at this time.

11. Formal Night

While formal night still exists on cruises, the practice of getting dressed up in black tie formal wear has been gone for a few years. Many cruise lines have opted for other terms for the dress up night including “chic evening“, “elegant”, “dressy” and “dress your best”.

While formal and gala evenings are still special, we are seeing a change as cruise passengers want to pack lighter and dress less formally.

Related: 10 Dress Code Mistakes You’ll Regret Making on a Cruise

12. Wall of Photos

Cruise ship photographers still exist, but the “wall of photos” is far less common. With the changes in technology including facial recognition, cruise passengers can now use portals and screens to view their photos.

There are even some cruise line apps where cruise passengers have reported being able to view their souvenir photos.

13. Free Room Service

Cruise vacations included room service for years. However, in recent times we have seen some cruise lines that have begun charging for room service. It’s actually a bit confusing, as it differs by cruise line.

In some cases there is a charge per item, while in other cases its a flat fee. Some cruise lines, like Celebrity, have “complimentary” room service but have a $10 plus service fee delivery charge.

Continental breakfast may be “free” on your cruise during certain hours. Still, other cruise lines continue to offer included room service, so be sure to check.

14. Chocolates on Your Pillow

Sadly, many cruise passengers have noticed that their favorite cruise line is no longer putting chocolates on their pillow at night. A nice touch, it’s becoming rare (although still possible) to find these days on many popular cruise lines.

15. Twice a Day Housekeeping (Turn-down service)

Up until recently, almost every cruise line offered twice a day housekeeping of passenger staterooms. This included a quick cleaning, if necessary, a towel refresh and turn-down service.

As part of the cost cutting measures, sadly, many contemporary cruise lines have cut on this passenger service. Premium and luxury cruise lines are still offering the twice a day cabin service, but for how long?

16. Towel Animals

A fun staple on cruise lines for years was the towel animal. Towel animals are not going away on every cruise line, but we are seeing less and less of them.

Some cruise passengers see towel animals as a waste of a cabin attendant’s time and the cruise lines resources.

17. Ships Not Sailing Full

If you cruised as cruise lines were restarting, you remember the days when cruise ships were sailing at reduced capacity. While it was nice for guests while it lasted, cruises are pretty much “back to normal” and so is demand.

Video Things You’ll Never See on a Cruise Again

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Final Thoughts on Things You’ll Never See on a Cruise Again

It’s true, cruises are changing, but nothing ever stays the same. Many cruise passengers feel nostalgic about the “good old days” of cruising. However, the reality is that most of us would much rather be on today’s cruise ships than on those of the past.

Do you recall some of these things that we no longer see on cruise ships? What do you think might be changing next? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

Ilana

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