Feel too young to be this old...

[recyclelady]

I think it is more of a function of who the cruise director is rather than the itinerary. I remember all kinds of great activities and games when I was in Alaska. When I was in the Caribbean on the Ruby last February, I felt like there were not as many things planned when we were at sea. I think that the CD just didn't plan much outside of shopping talks and art auctions!

[Pearlbill]

To the OP: We are in the same age bracket as you. We love Princess Cruises, especially the 15 days or so ones. Yes, the ship is filled with a much older group, but, because of this we find that the ship is virtually all ours. We can go swimming or hot tubbing late at night and the pool is all ours. In the day we can find lounge chairs anytime we want. We always eat in the dining room (not the buffet, as we find some of the older folk have terrible buffet manners!) at a table for two. The movies are never busy. We find it can be a very intimate vacation, with all the services at a good price. We are not at the age yet where we need an activity director to organize our fun!

 

Pearl

[hubofhockey]

When taking an Alaskan cruise, it's very different for several reasons. One is that it's port-intensive, another is that there's a lot of scenic cruising which is one of the reasons why many people cruise to Alaska, and third, it's not as warm. When we went to Alaska, we spent little time at activities since there was so much to see and learn. We weren't there to play trivia or pool games but to see Glacier Bay, see the glaciers calving, enjoy the Inside Passage, the spectacular scenery, etc.

 

Cruising in the Caribbean is very different as between ports, there's little to see while at sea. Thus, there are far more daily activities and cruising is a different experience.

 

For the person now thinking of going with RCI or NCL, stop to consider why you're cruising to Alaska. If you just want to be on a ship with activities, then go on RCI or NCL but if you're there to see and experience Alaska, Princess and HAL are the best choices. The reason being that they have National Forest Service permission to sail places the others don't. They get the best naturalists and Alaskan lecturers.

 

That would be me and your reason was the original reason we were going to do this on Princess in the first place. We parents look to Princess first. When we're with the kids, we look to RCI or Carnival. But now I am thinking that perhaps RCI would offer a better combination of itinerary and kid related activities. We'll see. Next summer is British Isles (just us parents) and the summer after that is the Allure of the Seas family cruise.

[hubofhockey]

We have done 2 cruises to Alaska, both on NCL. It was just our style...casual! They have great specialty dining options and a very relaxed atmostphere..."dress up or not night" anyone? They offered great shore excursions as well.

 

Thanks. It's something we would consider and we are not interested in "dressing up" in Alaska. While it's something we do on cruises in Europe and less so in the Caribbean, Alaska seems more casual.

[geoherb]

As long as there's a morning session and an afternoon session of trivia, I'm happy. I can fill the rest of my time.

[lovevacadays]

I have never seen Hot Bouillon and Crackers offered as an activity on any cruise (Princess or otherwise), but I have seen all the activities (and then some) offered as stated in post #5. Are you sure you were reading the Patter carefully? After more than 20 cruises on Princess I have never been bored and always end up missing out on at least 1/2 the activities I wanted to participate in due to lack of time.

 

Maybe you should try RCI, they have rock climbing walls, bungee jumping and the like. Is that more of what you are looking for?

 

My thoughts exactly.

[PescadoAmarillo]

10 night cruises on the Emerald from October to Christmas and in January definitely have an older crowd. I'm 51, and I bet I'm in the youngest 25% of passengers. That's fine with me, but if it will bother you it's best you know beforehand. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas it is definitely older than even January.

[Dena]

Can anyone tell me what to expect - fun-filled days and romantic nights or Bingo and boredom?

 

I think only your husband can answer that question.

 

Carnival offers more planned group activities, although we have no interest in those, especially on a romantic vacation. Upscale lines often offer even fewer planned group activities than Princess, they assume their passengers have the ability to entertain themselves. If you have that ability, cruising can provide a very romantic setting. No need to worry about driving and parking to get to a show, a bar, or a restaurant. Plenty of opportunity for moonlit strolls overlooking the water. What more could you want as a back drop for romance. Although I think a warm weather destination would be more romantic than Alaska.

[Northender]

I adore Princess Cruises, however, every time we have taken a 10-day cruise, although my DH and I are in our early - mid 50's, even WE feel like we're on a floating retirement home. On our last cruise to Alaska, the "big" daily activity was "Hot Boullion & Crackers" up on deck (no, that is not the name of a new Disco group, that was listed as an actual "activity" in the Patter!) Also, in the afternoon, another listed "activity" was "Share your cruise stories with your fellow passengers in the Atrium Lounge." I wouldn't call that a planned activity; I would simply call it "conversation." What has happened? I'm no spring chicken, but I'm not ready for "the home" just yet. It seems that on prior Princess Cruises, there were more daytime activities. Lots more games and real fun to be had onboard (not soup and talking). I can't tell you how much money we spent in the Casino because, on Sea Days, there just didn't seem to be that much to do. Also, on our Alaska cruise, folks of a certain age (my age and up) would get a table in the Horizon Court, pull out a deck of cards and play Gin or Penochle or Canasta or Go Fish all day long - it was difficult to find a table to eat at. We're planning on celebrating - and I mean CELEBRATING our 25th anniversay onboard the Emerald Princess this December. Can anyone tell me what to expect - fun-filled days and romantic nights or Bingo and boredom? thanks (and I hope I haven't offended anyone - I'm just looking for the right fit for a cruise line.) :)

 

Join the rollcall. I am sure there are others that can help you with fun-filled days. The romantic nights? well you are on your own there.:)

 

Enjoy your cruise.:cool:

[karatemom2]

The only 10 day Alaska itinerary that Princess does that I'm familiar with is on the Sea Princess out of San Francisco. We went last summer and what you are describing sounds nothing like our cruise. There were people and families of all ages, including a fair number of children. And lots of acitivities during the day.

 

Would you mind sharing what date you cruised?

[Kinkacruiser]

My idea of entertainment is just being at sea and feeling totally relaxed. I'm not big on being amused during the day, but that's just me.

[gertz]

Guess I'm one of the old one's. I don't feel old. What does feeling old feel like? Just went through major back surgery and I still don't feel old.

Started with Princess back in 1991 when I was a little younger. and have been sailing with them every year since then. Wonder when I became old?

This thread keeps popping up every now and then and it sorta makes me a little frustrated. There are some great old people talk to them you could find a few WW2 heroes, and they all are, you could find a 9/11 cop or fireman, what stories these people have. Or you could just meet some nice people. Grow up.

The Emerald it will be ok a little crowded maybe but ok.:D

[Mom33]

If it wasn't for old folk, there would be no young folk.....:D

 

Thanks Mom and Dad!!

[cdngrl]

only one of my cruises had practically no activities. that was due more to the fact that the cd was going on vacation the next cruise. he hadn't planned much in the patters. i used to run around making sure we did every activity. now i don't do any. sitting out on deck people watching, reading, that's what i do on my sea days now. btw, i'm younger than the op, but i guess my activities (or lack of them) make me old. i'm okay with that!

[retiredldo]

I play in a senior softball league, we have over 100 players you have to be 60 to start and we have members in their 70's and 80's and the motto of the league is

 

We do not stop playing because we grow old

We grow old because we stop playing

So not quite sure why folks complain about the activities, or lack there of, press on and enjoy what is there

oooo raaa hhhh

Pete

[suzyed]

Guess I'm one of the old one's. I don't feel old. What does feeling old feel like? Just went through major back surgery and I still don't feel old.

 

Started with Princess back in 1991 when I was a little younger. and have been sailing with them every year since then. Wonder when I became old?

 

This thread keeps popping up every now and then and it sorta makes me a little frustrated. There are some great old people talk to them you could find a few WW2 heroes, and they all are, you could find a 9/11 cop or fireman, what stories these people have. Or you could just meet some nice people. Grow up.

 

The Emerald it will be ok a little crowded maybe but ok.:D

 

So true! Just last April, while at the Hale Koa (military hotel in Oahu), during the Luau, we met a couple who were celebrating their 75th Anniversary!!! Imagine? They were actually AT Pearl Harbor when it was attacked!! They had some amazing stories which they shared in a very matter of fact way! We googled the man later on and he had numerous medals and awards for his military service and was a published author!!

What a wonderful experience it was meeting them...they were adorable and charming!!

[ldubs]

Guess I'm one of the old one's. I don't feel old. What does feeling old feel like? Just went through major back surgery and I still don't feel old.

 

Started with Princess back in 1991 when I was a little younger. and have been sailing with them every year since then. Wonder when I became old?

 

This thread keeps popping up every now and then and it sorta makes me a little frustrated. There are some great old people talk to them you could find a few WW2 heroes, and they all are, you could find a 9/11 cop or fireman, what stories these people have. Or you could just meet some nice people. Grow up.

 

The Emerald it will be ok a little crowded maybe but ok.:D

 

 

Gertz, I don't know exactly what day it happened but I guess I turned into an oldie somewhere along the line. Don't get frustrated. The OP says they are not interested in conversation. It appears they want more active/action oriented activities. Being realistic, I don't think Princess is the best match for what they want.

[Cruisin' Chick]

It seems that much of the time the abundance or lack of activities could be attributed to the CD. Yes, part of the Alaskan cruise itinerary is filled with ports a day. I'm happy with having good entertainment (yes, even the corny shows), activities such as trivia, time to read a good chick lit book. There was also great scenery. And our last sea day on our Alaskan cruise, I joined my hubby in the gym.

 

On my most recent cruise, we had an interim CD, who you can tell wasn't really into showing up at the activities (I think everyone was amazed to see him at the atrium the last night, but he seemed to stay only about 15 minutes, while many of his staff danced with the rest of us). Fortunately, the vacationing CD had already set several activities in motion as well as the incredible duo of Elua providing Hawaiian activities and music. An example of where the activities really defined a great cruise.

[azdmelani]

I just turned the big 30 this year and was exepecting to be one of the younger passengers on our Golden cruise a few weeks ago, but there were a lot of couples etc around our age. I did not see any sort of "bouillon and cracker" related activities.

[karatemom2]

Interesting choice for a first post here, and no follow up from the OP as yet. Makes me wonder if the OP was seriously asking for feedback or just trying to stir the pot a bit! :rolleyes:

[Pia1913]

Interesting choice for a first post here, and no follow up from the OP as yet. Makes me wonder if the OP was seriously asking for feedback or just trying to stir the pot a bit! :rolleyes:

 

I vote for pot stirrer.

[CruiseProGirl]

The only 10 day Alaska itinerary that Princess does that I'm familiar with is on the Sea Princess out of San Francisco. We went last summer and what you are describing sounds nothing like our cruise. There were people and families of all ages, including a fair number of children. And lots of acitivities during the day.

 

Would you mind sharing what date you cruised?

__________________

 

We cruised August 25, 2009. and please, if I offended anyone, I truly am sorry. In my line of work, I deal with the Silver Set every day and some of my favorite clients are in their 80's. I love hearing their stories and I adore how uneffected they are by money or status. I cannot wait to be their age (God willing). What I'm saying is that, I have found my last few 10-day cruises are targeted at ONLY the Silver Set. I swear, every day at 10:30AM up on the Lido deck, the Patter advertised "Hot Boullion and Crackers" and every afternoon, at 2:30 in the Atrium was "Share your stories..." on our Alaska cruise. Granted, our recent 7-day Mexico cruise did have more energetic activities up by the pools. Once again, I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry if I showed any disrespect.

[Princess Patches]

No need to apologize so profusely. I do not doubt that your cruise wasn't as lively for you as your past cruises. So you are not looking for a more physically active cruise like RCI or NCL, but for more trivia type games?

 

I have not sailed on Sea Princess, but I have sailed to Alaska and there were quite a few games on both my Alaskan sailings. On our Mexico cruise last year, there were several trivia type activities every single day including port days (Pictionary, Scattergories, Name That Tune, and other word and group games). They were passengers who showed up at all these games, although trivia was the most heavily attended

 

I would not give up on Princess because I have found that Princess offers more of these kind of activities than other similarly priced lines (Celebrity and HAL come to mind). I am not sure what happened on your Alaska cruise, but it sounds like an aberration to me.

[CruiseProGirl]

Thanks Patches. Yes, we love all those games, trivia, Scattergories, etc. I'm hoping that the steel drums and the "No problem, mon" attitude of the Caribbean will add a more youthful and energetic feel to our cruise.:)

[IKE]

I agree with the Senior Citizens and Older crowd on this board. I have found younger people to be miserable and rude too. I agree there are older people who are miserable but I feel they have probably always been like that. I have sailed all cruiselines and I would recommend Royal Caribbean and Carnival to you as there are many younger people sailing their ships. Age is not a factor to me. I love to cruise period..... The younger passengers do outnumber the older folks on Carnival and RCL.. I think children would be happier also on these cruiselines as they have the large pools and slides, rock climbing and lots of activities to keep them all happy.