What Do We Expect Modern Cruise Ships to Look Like?

[Bob C.]

 What did those sailing tall ships think when the paddle steamers came to be?  What did the wooden hull folks think when steel began to be used for construction? Welding vs riveting? Cruising vs Trans-Atlantic travel?

I've stated on another post that I consider RCCL ships to be the most tasteful in exterior design.  They are a nice blend of maximizing balcony space while maintaining an overall ship look as opposed to some of the floating boxes out there.  Regardless, a traditional QM, QE, QE2 look would find difficulty competing in today's cruise market.  Who wants a 12 inch porthole when you can have 3 x 1.5m (on avg) balcony for a reasonable price?

So again my question: what do you think a modern day cruise ship should look like?

[highlander0108]

Good question Bob.  
I don't mind the look of the RCI ships at all. I do think the Disney design is a clever design, but then again I am partial to ships with dark hulls and red funnels.   On a side note, I just remembered that on my first QE2 trip, we passed one of the Disney twins in off St. Thomas at night while at dinner.  The speed differential was quite noticable.  Before I could get down to the cabin and grab the camera, she was gone.  People did comment at our dinner table that the ship was attractive and a nice modern interpretation of a liner.

Ken

[Jakester]

I am in agreement with you. RCCL has the best looking mainstream boats, but QM2 is the best ship on the water.

[Bob C.]

UPDATE:   I do not include the Oasis Class in the above argument...

[Jakester]

UPDATE:   I do not include the Oasis Class in the above argument...

Nor do I....