HELP! Age demographic on Summit- S. Carribean?

Hello! Can someone who has recently sailed the Summit tell me the age demographic of the cruisers? My husband and I are in our late 30's and considering the Southern Caribbean route in January or February. I'd reallylike to try this line, and the iterary looks awesome.

Here's the issue: Last year we took a RCI cruise and were shocked by the number of elderly people- literally, power scooters everywhere. The ship had zero nightlife, which were looking forward to, as we are night owls. By 11pm, the ship was asleep- even the casino shut down early! It was completely ridiculous. We don't need to party like the college kids, but we do need a bit younger crowd and some nightlife. I really want to book this cruise but if we end up in the same situation, my husband will be SO mad and we wont enjoy the trip.

Help!

 

Here's the issue: Last year we took a RCI cruise and were shocked by the number of elderly people- literally, power scooters everywhere. The ship had zero nightlife, which were looking forward to, as we are night owls. By 11pm, the ship was asleep- even the casino shut down early! It was completely ridiculous. We don't need to party like the college kids, but we do need a bit younger crowd and some nightlife. I really want to book this cruise but if we end up in the same situation, my husband will be SO mad and we wont enjoy the trip.

 

Help!

Hm. Well I'm 30 but I wouldn't say the nightlife is bumping or anything. I'm booked on my third Summit Southern and with the port intensiveness we're generally in bed by midnight. We do the late night shows and do go to the clubs for a little dancing afterwards. You can always party in port but if you're looking for nightlife on a Southern Caribbean route you may want to try Carnival (not a diss at Carnival, just is more of what they offer).

So I am perplexed about the no nightlife on RCCL. We stay out late and always find the clubs hopping or some great party going on. Now Princess had zero night life... Carnival is hit or miss. When we were on the breeze, the piano bar was closed at 12 on the dot. At least one club had people in it dancing most nights, you just have to find it lol

If you found RCCL dead, wait to you cruise on Celebrity. On the Southern Caribbean cruise, expect to see a number of elderly passengers. There will be power scooters and other assistive devices. You will fell REALLY young!

If you are looking at a port intensive cruise, go for the itinerary and have fun. The shows are good on Celebrity but the energy level is a notch below RCCL. The people are really friendly and you won't be overrun by kids. The food and service are generally a notch above RCCL. The specialty restaurants are top notch. Try it!

Hello! Can someone who has recently sailed the Summit tell me the age demographic of the cruisers? My husband and I are in our late 30's and considering the Southern Caribbean route in January or February. I'd reallylike to try this line, and the iterary looks awesome.

 

Here's the issue: Last year we took a RCI cruise and were shocked by the number of elderly people- literally, power scooters everywhere. The ship had zero nightlife, which were looking forward to, as we are night owls. By 11pm, the ship was asleep- even the casino shut down early! It was completely ridiculous. We don't need to party like the college kids, but we do need a bit younger crowd and some nightlife. I really want to book this cruise but if we end up in the same situation, my husband will be SO mad and we wont enjoy the trip.

 

Help!

I can pretty much guarantee it will be dead at night. I was on the Summit in my late 30s a couple of years ago and while we didn't have THAT many "Scooters," like someone else said, the port intensiveness of the Summit itinerary sends everyone to bed by 11. Truly. I have previously described the Summit as being a ghost ship at night.

OP,

I think that you are a little early on hoping for a younger mix of passengers. We are in our 60's and Celebrity was our favorite line until the recent changes. I believe that X is actively trying to court younger passengers and actively trying to disinvite older passengers with the changes in music, food, and dress codes. They know that younger passengers would rather cruise with people their own age and that you are their future, so they really don't want my age group to continue taking up valuable space that is planned for their target demographic. It also means that the perks that the previously loyal customers received will not have to be honored. That helps the bottom line, too.

I hope that I don't sound bitter. I'm over that and it's just my humble opinion.

The bottom line is that it could take a few years for their plan to work. Then they can advertise that the average age of their clients has dropped, and people like you will be more comfortable with this cruise line. Happy sailing, Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

Celebrity is a great cruise line with excellent food and we agree the itinerary is wonderful, but it is fairly quiet.

If you really fancy this cruise why not take your own party with you? Chat with a few of your friends, if three or four couples went you could make your own party!

Another thought, log onto the roll call and ask if there are any other younger people on board.

I was on the Summit last March and had a great time. I didn't see too many scooters but happened to go during Canada's March break so maybe that made a difference. There was a great mix of all ages but I'd say mainly in 40's to late 50's. I was up at Revelations almost every night, some nights were busier that others but usually went to bed after 1:30 pm each night.

I will be back on the Summit this March w/ my nice. So far our rollcall seems to have a mix of people in their 30's to 60's.

We went on the Summit in February 2011. I was 33 at the time, my husband was 35. We were definitely in the younger 25% on board, but there were not a ton of elderly people. It's a port intensive cruise, and involves a decent flight to reach SJU, so I think that reduces the number of mobility impaired passengers.

I'd say the average age was maybe 45-60? At the time I remember thinking that the average passenger was fairly active.

We had a great cruise, but due to the port intensiveness there was not a lively nightlife scene - at least not on our sailing. We were worn out after most stops as we did active things like waterfall rappelling, snorkeling, ATVs, hiking, etc. The casino was only jumping the final two nights.

I can tell you that Puerto Ricans can party!

My wife and I are in our late 30s/early 40s and will be on the Summit in February. We find with cruises in general it is hit or miss for the late night parties, but we are fine with that. The crowd can change from week to week - maybe figure out when spring break is and plan it that week.

It also seems on cruise ships the party starts early for sail away and then by midnight every place seems to die down. As others have said, this itinerary is port-intensive so we are looking forward to exploring the different islands and not necessarily staying up all night. If you are looking for nightlife, maybe an all-inclusive resort might be more your thing.

Our only Caribbean cruise was a two week 2012 Constellation cruise in March. It was the oldest average age we have experienced on any cruise. Also, there were more Canadians that passengers from the USA.

General rule of thumb, the longer the cruise, the older the average age.

Also, book during spring break, you get a lot of youth.

Cruiselines do make a difference. By reputation HAL probably tops the age average. Carnival probably the youngest.

Celebrity is a great cruise line, not known for their entertainment or nightlife. Average ages are certainly over 50...maybe 60 on most cruises we've been on...and on longer 14 day cruises, it's closer to 65-70....after all, who can take 2 weeks to cruise around south america, etc.

Irrespective of the average age, celebrity is trying to make the on-board experience younger friendly...that's the louder music stuff you read about. They can't however create more people late night dancing (and drinking) but they are dead set on trying. I think you'll find that the marketing vibe doesn't quite match the experience on board...yet. It will, over time, but not yet. As far as scooters and wheel chairs go...yes, I've had my foot run over by a scooter in the casino (true)...but I actually found that an RCL cruise we took from Bayonne up to Canada had far more physically challenged folks than any Celebrity Cruise we've been on.

You'll have a great cruise on Celebrity...and since cruiser demographics really change by cruise, you'll either have a lively, younger crowd...or not so much.

Celebrity is definitely not for the party every night crowd...but it's also not for the breathing dead. Since the cruise will be great whatever happens, I'd recommend that you book a celebrity cruise (7 days) and see how you like it.

I can pretty much guarantee it will be dead at night. I was on the Summit in my late 30s a couple of years ago and while we didn't have THAT many "Scooters," like someone else said, the port intensiveness of the Summit itinerary sends everyone to bed by 11. Truly. I have previously described the Summit as being a ghost ship at night.

That sounds heavenly. Thanks for the information (and we're on the 'young' side of the demographics). We just want peace and quiet. ;)

OP - You really should try Carnival and not a port-intensive cruise either if you want nightlife.

We just got off the summit and I would put it around the mid 40's and up with a few families thrown in.