Royal Princess with a 21yr old..thoughts?

Looking at January 5,2019. Do you think there would be enough “kids” his age? Enough to entertain? DH and I just off Regal and we loved it but didn’t see many his age. Also looked at Carnival Conquest-8 day and liked the itinerary but a bit nervous about carnival-not great experience 15 yrs ago. NCL Getaway was my 1st choice but having some 2nd thoughts. We all had a blast last Summer on Dawn but the “ boys” want to try something bigger/newer. I’m over thinking this.... help.... thoughts?!

Princess is not heavy on 20 somethings. That said, he can have fun with family. Have you considered inviting a friend to cruise with you?

There is a lot he can choose to do; the question is whether those are things he wants to do. Princess doesn't have climbing walls, water slides, or ice skating on board. It is a tough age on any cruise.

Have you looked at the NCL Bliss? They are still building it but it looks like there is a lot to do for young adults your sons age.

Carnival is definitely better for the younger crowd but no so much for the parents unless you are heavy into the partying lifestyle. Have loved some of the itineraries on Carnival but never liked the frat house atmosphere. Just my opinion based on previous experiences. During school vacations/break you'll find some younger people on Princess but more kids than young adults..

I would have been bored to tears at 21 on Princess and probably wouldn't have cruises for another 20 years.

Looking at January 5,2019. Do you think there would be enough “kids” his age? Enough to entertain? DH and I just off Regal and we loved it but didn’t see many his age. Also looked at Carnival Conquest-8 day and liked the itinerary but a bit nervous about carnival-not great experience 15 yrs ago. NCL Getaway was my 1st choice but having some 2nd thoughts. We all had a blast last Summer on Dawn but the “ boys” want to try something bigger/newer. I’m over thinking this.... help.... thoughts?!

On a January 5th Royal Princess cruise I think you will find the average age somewhere in the 50's maybe even as high as 60. You will find very few in their 20's. The Regal and Royal are sister ships and their deck plans are almost identical. The Royal's on board activities will be pretty much the same as you experienced on the Regal. I have seen young adults have fun on cruises, much of it depends on how much they are comfortable hanging around with family. There are some nice water related activities in Grand Cayman and Roatan.

Looking at January 5,2019. Do you think there would be enough “kids” his age? Enough to entertain? DH and I just off Regal and we loved it but didn’t see many his age. Also looked at Carnival Conquest-8 day and liked the itinerary but a bit nervous about carnival-not great experience 15 yrs ago. NCL Getaway was my 1st choice but having some 2nd thoughts. We all had a blast last Summer on Dawn but the “ boys” want to try something bigger/newer. I’m over thinking this.... help.... thoughts?!

Yes, I would say too don't over think it.

He may still be your little boy, but he's 21 and not an 8 or 10 year old who needs all the kiddy stuff to be entertained.

I was on the regal 1/8 last year and yes I would say avg age is 55 or so, but still there were passengers of all ages ( but few school age kids) and dozens around his age. Also he can go to the casino, hang at the pool or whatever.

Plus all the ports! At his age I bet he'll be more interested in the girls that the amusements.

yes - just book him and a 'fwb' into their own cabin - will have a great time ;p

yes - just book him and a 'fwb' into their own cabin - will have a great time ;p

Yep, there's a reason it's called the Love Boat ;)

I truly wish people would drop the Carnival is a party boat meme. It is no more so than any other comparably priced line given similar dates and itineraries.

I truly wish people would drop the Carnival is a party boat meme. It is no more so than any other comparably priced line given similar dates and itineraries.

I agree, princess would get the same demographic as carnival if they only did the shorter cruises and made their ships look more like an amusement park than like a cruise ship.

I truly wish people would drop the Carnival is a party boat meme. It is no more so than any other comparably priced line given similar dates and itineraries.

People on Carnival.

People on Princess.

I'm 27 now, so not that far ahead of your son, and feel like Princess is the best fit for me. We don't really like hanging out with younger people, nor hogging the bar, nor feel the need to be constantly stimulated with exciting things to do. I guess it really depends on his temperament; best thing to do would be to ask him if he'd be interested on a more relaxed cruise or feels the need to be constantly stimulated.

We've traveled with our children at that age, and we have traveled in groups of mostly older people except for 1 or 2 fortunate young people traveling with parents or grandparents. In all of those cases, the young people have been focused on being with family and the destinations.

maybe be prepared to drop some major $$$ for internet minutes...:D

My 2 cents would be dependent on the ports. If the cruise is pretty port intensive then your 21 year old might have a lot of fun. Sea days are great for recuperating from a port day. I know we are spending your money for you but booking him an inside cabin and have a friend join him might enhance his experience.

I'm 27 now, so not that far ahead of your son, and feel like Princess is the best fit for me. We don't really like hanging out with younger people, nor hogging the bar, nor feel the need to be constantly stimulated with exciting things to do. I guess it really depends on his temperament; best thing to do would be to ask him if he'd be interested on a more relaxed cruise or feels the need to be constantly stimulated.

I tried Princess, Carnival Celebrity and RCCL around your age and found Princess the best fit for me. I hated Carnival. I know I would have hated NCL also.

At 21 we cruised Carnival.

It was fun! However, We also did my mother in laws 60th birthday on Carnival and had a great time again. As long as you aren’t going during holiday periods it should be fun for everyone.

We mostly sail Princess. As a family, my husband will only sail princess. I think you can enjoy either cruise line you choose. Carnival will have a more entertaining night life, piano bar (not the same as Crooners), night club (usually has a good amount of people).

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Tricky question really, depends allot on the kid. I myself would have cancelled if my parents bought me a ticket at 21 regardless of the cruise line.

We were on the 1/9/18 Royal. It was a 10 day cruise with very few people in their 20s. (Mostly couples) I feel the longer the cruise, the higher the average age. 7 day would probably be better.

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We were on the 1/9/18 Royal. It was a 10 day cruise with very few people in their 20s. (Mostly couples) I feel the longer the cruise, the higher the average age. 7 day would probably be better.

 

 

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Same thing on the next two cruises as well.

I truly wish people would drop the Carnival is a party boat meme. It is no more so than any other comparably priced line given similar dates and itineraries.

Totally agree.....one of the best cruises we ever did was a Honolulu to Sydney cruise on a Carnival ship....much more fun then a Princess South Pacific cruise we were on and most of the Carnival passengers were pretty similar in demographics to Princess on the similar type cruise.....:)

My oldest will be 20 on our next Princess cruise; we have just done 2 Carnival since December, and even there he spent his time with his younger brother or relaxing (he bought internet so he could do school work and talk to his GF). Our son doesn't drink (even at islands that are 18+) by choice, hates the loud music of the clubs and is WAY to cheap to gamble!:) So even on Carnival, there is very little "to do" for the young adult crowd.

But, he has learned to still enjoy cruising without the kids club. He appreciates, with all the hard work of his college major, the break and down time. Sea days are simply relaxing and port of call days are spend ashore with us. Throw in dinner and a show/comedy, and he has had a full and rewarding day.

So, I don't really think, unless your 21 year old is a big partier, that it will be a tremendous difference in ship experience. What I think will make the difference is being on an itinerary where there are plenty of active shore days with fewer sea days. It is for this reason in December 2019 that we chose not to do the 15 day Hawaii with its 10 sea days, and instead look to do 4 days in Prague, a river cruise and 2 days in Budapest.

People on Carnival.

People on Princess.

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Oh brother. So wrong. I’ve cruised both. More on Princess. About 12 cruises on Princess and I have seen a few walkers but not many. I see people of all ages. Including the folks I cruise with who have been 18 to 65

Well, I just found out that 2 of my daughter's "must see" movies were on the ship last week...that should make her happy.