Another cruise line??

[prophet0621]

My girlfriend and I took our first cruise last year on the Carnival Pride and loved it enough to put in a deposit for our next cruise which is in June on the Splendor. No real reason we chose Carnival other than it was a good price, date, and out of Baltimore which is close by. We talked about trying a different cruise line next year for our now annual 'leave all the stress of kids, jobs, bills, and life on the pier for a week' to relax and have fun cruise. Our desire to try a different cruise line has nothing to do with Carnival itself, the Triumph issues don't concern me and I know nothing of the cutbacks everyone complains of since our first cruise was last summer. We just like trying different things (ports, ships, experiences) and want to look for a different cruise line out of the east coast ports.

 

What is your experience with the general passengers on different cruise lines?

 

So, we've both heard a lot of talk (references in posts) from more seasoned cruisers about different cruise lines they have been on and that each have their positives and negatives that will appeal to different crowds. We heard about cruise lines catering to the AARP, 9pm is a late night and the weather is our favorite channel crowd. We've heard about the Brooks Brothers, comparing our 401K and discussing stocks is a riveting conversation and loosening my tie is a sign of a wild night crowd. Which cruise lines are what??

 

I realize those are rather stereotypical but doesn't mean their isn't a bit of accuracy to them.

[shipgeeks]

You might also enjoy Royal Caribbean out of Baltimore. Enchantment now, then Grandeur beginning in a couple of months.

RC is not stuffy. As to nightlife, the one time we sailed on Pride was the least partyish cruise we've ever been on. When we left dinner each night, everyone was already in bed. It really depends on the passenger makeup at any particular time. RC is almost always a mixed crowd. Many oldsters, but many youngs and middles, as well. Shorter cruises more regularly attract younger passengers.

[leaveitallbehind]

We are biased as we have no other cruise experience other than RCI, but we have sailed with them for 20 years and have never felt a reason to look elswhere. Our personal demographics have also changed over that 20 years as well, but we've always felt like it fit our changing lifestyles over time, from a young family, to adult children, to cruising solo without them.

[prophet0621]

Thank you both for the replies, we will certainly look into RCI. Any cruise line will have it's variety of people but some from my understanding do cater towards particular demographics, Disney being the most obvious example.

 

People here posting that some cruises, of a line I can't recall, were frequently dead at 9pm and barely another person to be found. Though their definition of dead may be different than mine I have to wonder about that cruise line. I'm a late to bed and late to rise person, always have been, I really start to 'wake up' around 9pm.

[chipq]

For the most part, you never know what the passenger make up will be like until you sail. For example, the last two cruises that we have had on Holland America (generally thought of to be older set), were widely different. The first trip (Mexico Riviera) had a good mix of all types and the casino, bars and lounges were very active until around 2:00 am. The next time on HAL nearly two years later (Southern Caribbean) was like a geriatric cruise and my wife and I felt like we closed the bar each night, AT 10:00pm.

 

You just can't know for sure until you sail.

 

http://luv2cruise.blogspot.com

[JimAOk1945]

We have sailed on Carnival, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. RC is our personal preference.

 

Give RC a try. I think you will like it!

 

Happy Sailing!

[Scrapnana]

You might also take a look at Celebrity. It appeals to a wide range of age groups.

[LocoLoco1]

prophet0621/

High $price$ = Older. I would say it's fairly accurate to assume the longer and more expensive the cruise is...the older the demographic. A 64-day thru the Mediterranean from Florida at $250/pp USD per day vs. 4-day to Bahamas from Florida at $90/PP would be drastically different. So...by perusing the ship's fares and cruise length and noting if it has a rock-climbing wall and water slide or not one could nail it quite close as to who's aboard, in a general way of course. Locomotiveman Tom

[dmwnc1959]

We heard about cruise lines catering to the AARP, 9pm is a late night and the weather is our favorite channel crowd. We've heard about the Brooks Brothers, comparing our 401K and discussing stocks is a riveting conversation and loosening my tie is a sign of a wild night crowd. Which cruise lines are what??

 

I realize those are rather stereotypical but doesn't mean their isn't a bit of accuracy to them.

 

I'm in the first group you described, but you left out watching favorite old Audie Murphy westerns on Encore! ;)

 

With that said, my last several cruises were on Celebrity, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. But don't not cruise them because us old geezers hit the sack early. Those cruise lines have some stunning ships that cater to just about every age group and entertainment requirement.

 

If that doesn't fit the bill, try the brand new Norwegian Breakaway debuting in NYC in a couple of months. She looks absolutely amazing!!!

 

Have a GREAT cruise! :D

[HappyCruiser54]

I have been on both NCL and RCCL. Both were good for night life. Have been on the Explorer of the Seas, Cape Liberty NJ, twice now. Once a 9 day Caribbean and and once a 5 day Bermuda. Going on again in Oct this time 7 day to Bermuda. We love the Crown & Kettle Pub for late night. Both times they had an amazing guitar player, a great crowd, and good music. We would be there until closing time, 12 -1 AM. They have the solarium for daytime-pool area over 16- hot tubs and bar. Great place to relax during the day. Night time shows, the Viking Crown bar, Schooner Bar, etc. I think you will find alot to do on this ship at night. :)

[Lionesss]

I have sailed

Cunard

Disney

Royal Carribean

Cunard...........for me old school, stuffy

Disney..........awesome!!!, pricey.....

Royal Carribean......meets my needs.

So, we will keep sailing RCI, and acquiring loyalty points.

Sea Ya