Cruises are cheaper than in the past,which means that the market is open to more people.So cruisers today should carry more people too,that's a reason that they built them like skyscrapers.The balconies-appearance is a side-effect of the open market i think.

Mr.DOT, I disagree with that blanket statement about all mordern cruiseships and ferries being ugly. It is just not true, certainly when it comes to ferries. Many modern ferries are, according to many, very good looking. How about the Superfast vessels and for example the flagships of the ANEK fleet, the OLYMPIC CHAMPION and HELLENIC SPIRIT. Not ugly at all, if you ask me. I do agree with you about the megacruisers. In general those are headed in the wrong direction in terms of styling.

Mr.Dot unfortunately you are right.Today megacruisers are like apartments with a funnel.In fact very often,the funnel and the anchor are the only characteristics that make them look like a ship.

None of the older generation ferries are anywhere near as ugly as many of today's offerings, even the livestock transports have a more pleasing shipshape, of course today's mega cruise liner wins the prize hands down! mrdot.

Lefka Ori and Sophocles V are 1-2 generations younger and indeed they are much better-looking.In general the ugliest japanese ferries are those that are built before 1990, i think.

Ex-Japanese ferries sometimes look strange, but in general I like them, and many of them are positively good-looking (for example LEFKA ORI and SOPHOCLES V).

Correct jadran,she is lenghtened about 40 meters (can't remember the exact extra length) to increase her capacity!Maybe this is another factor for the unusual appearance.

Is she maybe lengthened to have all the 194 meters... unbelievable!!!

No disagreement about that Denis.But for many years they proved to be efficient ships (this one and the sister-ship Kriti I) both in the lines of Greece-Italy and Piraeus-Crete!

What an ugly shipSHAPE!