Is 32 too young to sail on Oceania?

Our cruise, 2 weeks mid summer, was comprised mostly of those in the age 50-70 range. A few of our new friends on board were in their 40's. I saw some larger family groups, including younger people who were along on the grandparents' dime. They seemed to enjoy time with their families and certainly a nice cruise around Europe beats flipping burgers all summer. These younger folks found each other for activities or time off ship. However, I did not see many young couples in their 20's or 30's and no babies/toddlers.

Oceania does not really cater to the young family market, but then, many of the upper end lines don't. Carnival, Norwegian and Disney seem to target the younger demographic. The premium and luxury lines target the more affluent consumer, and those who seek longer cruises. Oceania has some lounges and sedate cabaret type shows in the evening, plus a casino which appeared to be quite lively. You will find a late night bar and perhaps some limited disco action. Most of our fellow travelers were off ship all day on excursions or port visits, dined later (7-10 pm) and then retired about 11-12. We were up again about 7 am for the next day's excursion, and that schedule tired us out. So we didn't seek late night thrills beyond our cabin.

If you want couple time, time to explore a new location, and the chance of meeting some very nice, educated, well travelled older folks (think your parent's age,) you will be welcomed on board and as dining guests at group tables. The maitre'd will set you up with others in the dining room if that's your choice. Of course, when dining with people you have not met before, you can get stuck with some clunkers and some diamonds. We've had it both ways, but it's part of your experience and memories. If the itinerary and features of the cruise appeal to you, go ahead and try it. When dining, you always have the option of a table for 2, and you won't feel left out by opting for that when you please.

Hola,

I posted earlier on this thread and thought I would chime in again. My partner (40s) and I (30s) cruised Azamara last year and loved it! We cruise annually and every single year I passed one of the smaller luxury lines and I said "next year we won't be on this floating circus, we will be on one of those little beauties." And then we did...and it was brilliant.

I select cruises on port itineraries and Azamara didn't offer anything this summer that I liked. Oceania has some great port intensive intermarries this summer and so we jumped onboard (with two of our friends in their 30s/40s).

Why these little ships are brilliant:

* no rush getting on and off (maybe a plus of having a ship full of senior citizens who are truly in no rush)

* super quiet sea days. I got up, ran the outdoor track with a few other people, flopped in a chair and read all day. No loud music, pool games, bingo announcements...ahhh, silence because that is what everybody else is doing too!

* open seating with glorious food and wine

* an intimate setting that allows you to get to know people a little bit (often educated and well travelled)

*not a single pair of legs running lengths of the hallways outside our door :) Seriously, I can't blame a 7 year old for thinking that's fun, but it sounds like an elephant charging all night long.

* We like to do our own thing: read all day or off the ship all day, a drink in the room, dinner and a walk or a board game after dinner. I don't need entertainment in the evening because I'm in bed early so that I can get up and enjoy my day.

Honestly, I paid no attention to the age of my fellow cruisers last summer. I will pay no attention to the age of the travellers on my Oceania cruise this summer.

The only question is is this the type of cruise that appeals to you? My 60+ year old parents...no way! They need something more lively. Me...absolutely!

Base your decision on likes/dislikes and not age.

Hola,

 

I posted earlier on this thread and thought I would chime in again. My partner (40s) and I (30s) cruised Azamara last year and loved it! We cruise annually and every single year I passed one of the smaller luxury lines and I said "next year we won't be on this floating circus, we will be on one of those little beauties." And then we did...and it was brilliant.

 

I select cruises on port itineraries and Azamara didn't offer anything this summer that I liked. Oceania has some great port intensive intermarries this summer and so we jumped onboard (with two of our friends in their 30s/40s).

 

Why these little ships are brilliant:

* no rush getting on and off (maybe a plus of having a ship full of senior citizens who are truly in no rush)

* super quiet sea days. I got up, ran the outdoor track with a few other people, flopped in a chair and read all day. No loud music, pool games, bingo announcements...ahhh, silence because that is what everybody else is doing too!

* open seating with glorious food and wine

* an intimate setting that allows you to get to know people a little bit (often educated and well travelled)

*not a single pair of legs running lengths of the hallways outside our door :) Seriously, I can't blame a 7 year old for thinking that's fun, but it sounds like an elephant charging all night long.

* We like to do our own thing: read all day or off the ship all day, a drink in the room, dinner and a walk or a board game after dinner. I don't need entertainment in the evening because I'm in bed early so that I can get up and enjoy my day.

 

Honestly, I paid no attention to the age of my fellow cruisers last summer. I will pay no attention to the age of the travellers on my Oceania cruise this summer.

 

The only question is is this the type of cruise that appeals to you? My 60+ year old parents...no way! They need something more lively. Me...absolutely!

 

Base your decision on likes/dislikes and not age.

That amigos is the value of the product. With a high quality of ship the result is you have, if nothing else a great foundation to enjoy of its self. While peoples ages and their personal manners and attitudes can be important they are only a portion of the total equation .

Too, the higher quality ships charge higher fares and appeal to a more well traveled and interesting group who appreciate others who share their values . Most assume that if your a passenger on their line of choice your pretty much a co-equal and share similar appreciations.

Its sort of Darwinist... your personal enjoyment potential rises in direct relation to the fare and the fare is linked to the quality of the ship.

My husband and I were 32 when we took our first Oceania cruise (March 2014). We were the youngest passengers BY FAR, save for one cute 5 year old girl cruising with her grandparents. We were actually mistaken by some other passengers for performers while having dinner one night!

We had an amazing time and are looking forward to another Oceania cruise in the fall. If you love great food, an uncrowded ship, and an elegant ambiance, then you'll like Oceania. I can't see what's not to love - no screaming kids crowding the pool, no cheesy "discos," and no annoying announcements about limbo contests by the pool. And in the ports, you can be as active as you like to be (don't go on the ship tours). My husband and I don't care much about the age of who we are sitting with at dinner or chatting with during trivia - we met lots of great people on board.

Really, unless you demand a "party atmosphere," I can't see how you wouldn't love Oceania. We have kids, and we've done a Disney cruise and enjoyed it, but when he and I can get away by ourselves - we want a grown-up experience!

My husband and I were 32 when we took our first Oceania cruise (March 2014). We were the youngest passengers BY FAR, save for one cute 5 year old girl cruising with her grandparents. We were actually mistaken by some other passengers for performers while having dinner one night!

 

We had an amazing time and are looking forward to another Oceania cruise in the fall. If you love great food, an uncrowded ship, and an elegant ambiance, then you'll like Oceania. I can't see what's not to love - no screaming kids crowding the pool, no cheesy "discos," and no annoying announcements about limbo contests by the pool. And in the ports, you can be as active as you like to be (don't go on the ship tours). My husband and I don't care much about the age of who we are sitting with at dinner or chatting with during trivia - we met lots of great people on board.

 

Really, unless you demand a "party atmosphere," I can't see how you wouldn't love Oceania. We have kids, and we've done a Disney cruise and enjoyed it, but when he and I can get away by ourselves - we want a grown-up experience!

I'm getting to be old . But do think there are folks older than I onboard .Plenty of them . But we have met some very nice people at shared tables for dinner . The service crew pushing drinks that occurs on most lines doesn't happen here .There are some deck activities plugged on the P.A. system 2 or 3 times a day . The art throughout the ship (Riviera ) is fabulous . Crew , in the dining area are always looking in on you . Plates are cleared in less than a minute almost without fail . This is the most casual , yet luxurious line I have ever been on . Very few complaints and many people are on their third or more O cruise .

I love the Oceania R Ships. I took my Daughter on a Dubai / Istanbul cruise last year. She is early 30's. "daddy,"she said. "This Ship is a floating old folks home." I laughed, as I adore everything about these R Ships.

This age demographic is an interesting subject and surely not just one of age there must be many other factors involved. I know in my thirties I would have enjoyed these cruises , although at that time I was to busy being a poor hard up parent so couldn't afford these type of holidays , might have lobbed the kids of the back if I had ! , only kidding honest your honour!

So as well as age , how about nationality , I find the mix interesting and have generally enjoyed the company of people from all over the shop, far more interesting than just a bunch of Brits !

One thing I have just realised and I made did a quick trawl through another thread of the contributors , it seems the Cruise critic forums for Oceania are predominated by USA citizens , I can see that being a U.S. Line , but is that true of the onboard demographic , especially say on a med cruise ?

One thing I have just realised and I made did a quick trawl through another thread of the contributors , it seems the Cruise critic forums for Oceania are predominated by USA citizens , I can see that being a U.S. Line , but is that true of the onboard demographic , especially say on a med cruise ?

On our two Oceania cruises (one in the Med., one in the Caribbean) the largest percentage of passengers were from the U.S. and Canada. There were probably more Brits on our Caribbean cruise - likely due to people wanting to vacation in a warmer climate. It seems that itineraries sailing in the Med. have decreased in popularity recently and we have seen some special pricing for Brits so it is likely that the percentage of Brits sailing on Oceania will be higher this year (just an assumption).

The ages of the passengers tend to skew lower on Med. cruises - especially during the summer months when more families travel.

When we first started cruising on Renaissance (late 1999) the demographic was pretty much totally U.S. and to a lesser extent Canadian. By the time of our last Renaissance cruise (May 2001) there were a handful of Europeans and Australians on board.

With Oceania it is much more international but still on all of our cruises the U.S. and Canada passengers have been the clear majority. But many more nationalities are now represented on board.

Mura

Just got off of the Regatta which did a round trip Miami going to Bermuda and Charleston, SC trip. The age was old. I am 65 and we were hard pressed to find younger people. After the show, which people did not attend, it was dead. Very few showed up at the 10th floor lounge for karaoke, disco, and other dance venues. The whole ship catered to an older demographic.

I would not recommend this to anyone under my age. There is no one your age to socialize with. If you want to lay in the sun during the day, eat dinner, see a 9:30 show and then go to your cabin then this is the cruise line for you. The casino was empty. The two lounges that offer happy hour from 5-6 p.m. were crowed during that time. Otherwise, not much action. I must say, however, that Trivia was fairly busy - about 8 groups of 8 at each session.

In speaking with passengers in their late sixties, I was told that the trips in Europe draw a younger crowd. Perhaps because they are very port intensive. I would not send my 50 yr. old son on this cruise line.

My daughter and S-I-L did an Alaskan cruise last summer with friends. When I mentioned/recommended Oceania, they responded that everyone says "That's an old folk's line".

Perception easily becomes Reality.

My daughter and S-I-L did an Alaskan cruise last summer with friends. When I mentioned/recommended Oceania, they responded that everyone says "That's an old folk's line".

 

Perception easily becomes Reality.

Is that Oceania ships and the R class do not offer or attract those seeking party time, gala shows, and blaring night life like those offered and promoted Carnival, Princess RCCL and Holland.. People select Oceania because, whatever their age they want to avoid those things and focus on the pleasure of ocean travel, quality cuisine, conversation with and in the company of similar fellow passengers.. Its discernment as Jim and Stan said so well. Its a refuge to settle into and enjoy and savor for those seeking exactly that.

I once while sailing through the night on my boat, encountered a Carnival Ship, around 3 am.... it lit the horizon so that you had to wear dark glasses and when still 2 miles from her you could hear the blaring din of sounds of bands discos and God knows what that filled the air..... It was amazing...

That iS why I picked O.... That is why many do.

Just got off of the Regatta which did a round trip Miami going to Bermuda and Charleston, SC trip. The age was old. I am 65 and we were hard pressed to find younger people. After the show, which people did not attend, it was dead. Very few showed up at the 10th floor lounge for karaoke, disco, and other dance venues. The whole ship catered to an older demographic.

 

 

We were on the same cruise & did see some younger people maybe 40's

many were out by the pool on sea days

a few walkers & scooters were in evidence

I guess we went to different shows because we could not find a seat for some ... the place was packed but yes the lounge only holds maybe 200

lots by the grand staircase for the string quartet

Dinners were a long drawnout process so maybe most people were still trying to get served

YMMV

We are in our 60's but our cruise selections over the past 30 years have always been totally itinerary, food and cabin based. Even in our 30's, we didn't care about discos, casinos, nightclubs, shows, or any of that stuff. Frankly, I've never seen a cruise show that was all that good anyway, and that includes many with celebrity (albeit B celebrity) entertainers. On sea days, my favorite pastime is a high-class pool, a good view of the passing ocean, a gourmet buffet lunch and a good book or NY Times Sunday Crossword. So, to each his own; I don't think it is age based. JMO

One of the wonderful things is that the cruise industry is not a "one size fits all" industry and we cruisers have plenty of options of which lines/ships to choose from. Different people look for different qualities in choosing a cruise line. That being said, I believe Oceania caters to a more senior crowd and/or those 35 going on 65 folks as noted above. Nothing at all wrong about that. Other lines cater to a different crowd. As to the OP, I believe that the dearth of under 40 (60?)cruisers on Oceania is a reflection of what the ship and cruise line wants to be, so many of those under 40s may well be happier choosing a different option, for their cruising experience, at this stage of their lives. BTW, I've heard 60+ers complain about O ships being too slow and sleepy for their tastes and opt to move on to other lines. Options are wonderful and O, like all the other lines, is certainly not "one size fits all". :D

I'm 35 and I have booked a 21 night voyage in January 2017 to Hawaii and French Polynesia. I'm really looking forward to it. I realise that there will be more "well traveled" people than myself but I look forward to meeting them and hearing their stories. I'm happy with a meal and a nice glass of wine then head to bed to recharged for the next day ahead. I hope you enjoy it. I'm sure you will. At the end of the day..... It's only what you make of it.

Enjoy! [emoji3]

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This thread cracks me up. I appreciate the "Critic" aspect of Cruise Critic, but random opinions based on nothing other than an opinion may be best written in your personal diary.

Some real life reporting on the subject. Take it for it's worth, but it covers both sides of the subject.

First opinion: My now thirty year old son has been on two Oceania cruises. One other cruise since he has been "of age." Here is his opinion, even when offered free cruise to Europe with business class airfare: PASS. Just not his cup of tea.

Second opinion: My now 28 year old daughter has been on four Oceania cruises. Her position on cruising with Oceania: When are we going again!!!??? The "DD" has reveled in her time spent in after dinner conversations with Cruise Critic's dearly departed Don Horner, head to head trivia with the equally famous (infamous) JimandStan, sitting in the front row for some shows (not all), winning big at the Casino tables, eating escargot at Jacques, enjoying a glass of wine while listening to the string quartet, lounging in the hot tub with her SO, and ...... The moments never end. None of this covers the moments she has spent exploring great and small cities throughout Europe. Nor the moments hanging out with yours truly. OK, maybe that's more special for me. :)

The point, if as with the OP you are in your early thirties, then you know yourself. Do your own research. Read reviews. You guys grew up assessing the value of what is posted to online sites like Cruise Critic. I trust you'll figure out if Oceania is a good or great fit for your cruise/vacation needs and desires.

After getting back from our cruise, the answer to my original question is, yes we were definitely too old for Oceania. We saw one couple on the entire ship that looked younger than us. We had a great time though and will probably be spoiled when it comes to cruising on other more age appropriate cruise lines.

After getting back from our cruise, the answer to my original question is, yes we were definitely too old for Oceania.

:confused:

did you mean you are too young for Oceania

:confused:

did you mean you are too young for Oceania

I'm sure that what they meant. So most of our advice was right but I'm glad they had a good cruise anyway!

I love that people need to compare Carnival with those wanting some activity at night on a ship. I've always had a blast on Crystal, the avenue saloon, disco, all fun for all ages. On my one (and only) Riviera cruise, the ship was dead, dead, dead and not due to the passengers, it was due to the ship really not providing anything fun. The piano player looked tortured to play anything, the disco was an ipad where passengers just gave up after it didnt work all that well. If you are in your 30's you'd enjoy Crystal, Seabourn or Silversea as the crew really enjoys having you on board and the cruise staff is around to provide a fun time for all, whether you want to participate of not

I have noticed form various comments here and there that -- surprise, surprise! -- there are differing opinions. Some of the younger passengers are bored, bored, bored ... but others are not.

I know for myself I would have loved to be on Oceania as a youngster ... could I have afforded it! (Well, back then it was probably more a time constraint than a financial constraint. I was an opera-singer-wannabe who had a part-time job and could take time off whenever I wanted. My husband was a pretty highly paid Wall Streeter -- nothing like today's highly paid Wall Streeters! -- but we were able to take longer trips because my office wasn't paying me vacation pay, and Howard was tacking on business visits in various cities.

But we were always of the personality to prefer a quieter cruise.

I remember a young couple we met on a Renaissance cruise. They were in their late 30s (we had dinner with them one night) and the average age on the cruise seemed to be 70-somethings. (We were younger ourselves than the average but not in the 30 something range.)

I asked them how they felt about the age demographic and they were fine with it but they had been taken aback a bit when they were boarding and saw four wheelchairs being loaded ahead of them.

So it's really up to the individuals. For those who want a lively time at night, Oceania clearly isn't the cruiseline of choice. Whatever your age, if you are on a port intensive cruise (as our first cruises were), it might not matter. But with at least some sea days, it can be different.

Mura

You made me laugh this morning. I took my Daughter from Dubai to Istanbul and she said "Daddy, this is not a cruise ship. This is an old folks home". But I love it......

(no screamin runnin kids....)

I love that people need to compare Carnival with those wanting some activity at night on a ship. I've always had a blast on Crystal, the avenue saloon, disco, all fun for all ages. On my one (and only) Riviera cruise, the ship was dead, dead, dead and not due to the passengers, it was due to the ship really not providing anything fun. The piano player looked tortured to play anything, the disco was an ipad where passengers just gave up after it didnt work all that well. If you are in your 30's you'd enjoy Crystal, Seabourn or Silversea as the crew really enjoys having you on board and the cruise staff is around to provide a fun time for all, whether you want to participate of not

I think you hit the nail on the head there, avalon. On board entertainment is my biggest disappointment on O, and I've always wondered why, after the show in the lounge, they kill any atmosphere stone dead by making everyone get up and move up several decks to Horizons. Very occasionally there's been a great atmosphere on deck 5 but up on deck 10 there's a big empty room with very little happening. I think it suits the staff to have everyone go to bed early!

We have good friends who cruise with Crystal - I must ask them about the entertainment. The really enjoy the enrichment.

I think you hit the nail on the head there, avalon. On board entertainment is my biggest disappointment on O, and I've always wondered why, after the show in the lounge, they kill any atmosphere stone dead by making everyone get up and move up several decks to Horizons. Very occasionally there's been a great atmosphere on deck 5 but up on deck 10 there's a big empty room with very little happening. I think it suits the staff to have everyone go to bed early!

 

We have good friends who cruise with Crystal - I must ask them about the entertainment. The really enjoy the enrichment.

Never thought of that! So true....Oceania does nothing to keep the mood upbeat. Piano player just sets the mood for SLEEP! Several years ago they had a magician mingle on Deck 5 and the place was packed!!! No one left. Unfortunately never again. Singer in lounge some nights, dj spinning .... anything more lively than Trivia!! Our last O cruise they played some deck games with crew and passengers.....everyone either joined in or got up to watch. Looked like all enjoyed the change of pace. Doesn't have to become a party boat but a little more social activities besides Bingo and Trivia would be nice. We may be older but still like a good time!