Where to START? (Young couple)

[N1kk1]

My BF & I are trying to plan a cruise, but we have no idea where to START,:confused:.

 

My biggest fear is that we're going to get stuck on a cruise line that attracts a specific demographic like families/singles/couples ONLY.

We're basically looking for an adult group that is comprised of singles, couples, groups of friends, etc.

(No kids would be preferred.)

 

We're looking @ a longer period (11-15 days) in more culture based places (Greece) rather than hot spots (Cancun).

Keep in mind we're a young couple (27/28) & like to party, just not with a bunch of 19 year olds.

 

Where do we START looking?

I'm so lost.

[LHT28]

you may want to read this thread

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1940578

 

Most main stream lines cater to families

 

I would find a TA in your area that specializes in cruises

tell therm exactly what you want, budget

Not sure if you will find everything you want in one cruise line ...you will have to compromise on some of your wants ;)

[N1kk1]

you may want to read this thread

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1940578

 

Most main stream lines cater to families

 

I would find a TA in your area that specializes in cruises

tell therm exactly what you want, budget

Not sure if you will find everything you want in one cruise line ...you will have to compromise on some of your wants ;)

 

I did read that, thank you, :).

I was prepared to spend a fair amount of money, but it looks like the more money we spend the older the age group which is something we don't want.

I guess that's good news!

[LHT28]

I did read that, thank you, :).

I was prepared to spend a fair amount of money, but it looks like the more money we spend the older the age group which is something we don't want.

I guess that's good news!

 

Well you have a couple of options

cheap cruises with lots of kids & families or more upscale cruises with people your parents age ;)

 

Hope you find something that suits you

 

Lyn

[N1kk1]

Well you have a couple of options

cheap cruises with lots of kids & families or more upscale cruises with people your parents age ;)

 

Hope you find something that suits you

 

Lyn

 

Where do young couples cruise to?

Or is this why they stick with all inclusive resorts?

Personally, I've done the latter & was rarely satisfied.

I was looking forward to the organization that comes with a cruise.

[LHT28]

Where do young couples cruise to?

Or is this why they stick with all inclusive resorts?

Personally, I've done the latter & was rarely satisfied.

I was looking forward to the organization that comes with a cruise.

Not sure if they stick to a specific area or not

We are mid 60's & have had some young people on our cruises to the Baltic, Norway, British Isles, Caribbean, Panama

 

You just pick a cruise to places you want to go then go enjoy & not worry about the age of your fellow ship mates

 

If you do not want a lot of families on your cruise pick one of the upscale lines

Not everyone on them is ready for the bone yard ..yet :D

 

I have seen some 80 yr olds that can run rings around us ;)

 

Lyn

[N1kk1]

Not sure if they stick to a specific area or not

We are mid 60's & have had some young people on our cruises to the Baltic, Norway, British Isles, Caribbean, Panama

 

You just pick a cruise to places you want to go then go enjoy & not worry about the age of your fellow ship mates

 

If you do not want a lot of families on your cruise pick one of the upscale lines

Not everyone on them is ready for the bone yard ..yet :D

 

I have seen some 80 yr olds that can run rings around us ;)

 

Lyn

 

There *may* be a few single friends coming with us so we most definitely need to worry about the age/type of people certaine cruises attract.

I had the most miserable in time in Cancun with my BF a few years ago because everyone was single & the average age was 19 so there was NO ONE on our resort to interact with.

I understand that there will be different people, but like bars & restaurants they attract a certain type & that's all I'm hoping to figure out on these forums.

For now, haha.

Next comes what cruise line to even research.

[kcwingwalker]

you may want to read this thread

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1940578

 

Most main stream lines cater to families

 

I would find a TA in your area that specializes in cruises

tell therm exactly what you want, budget

Not sure if you will find everything you want in one cruise line ...you will have to compromise on some of your wants ;)

 

Agree!

 

OP needs to be flexible and might be pleasantly surprised to find that a mix of ages on a cruise is enjoyable. Or perhaps sign up for a HAL Grand Voyage of at least 30 days (very few or no children)........just joking!

Edited November 8, 2013 by kcwingwalker

[SteveH2508]

My BF & I are trying to plan a cruise, but we have no idea where to START,:confused:.

 

My biggest fear is that we're going to get stuck on a cruise line that attracts a specific demographic like families/singles/couples ONLY.

We're basically looking for an adult group that is comprised of singles, couples, groups of friends, etc.

(No kids would be preferred.)

 

We're looking @ a longer period (11-15 days) in more culture based places (Greece) rather than hot spots (Cancun).

Keep in mind we're a young couple (27/28) & like to party, just not with a bunch of 19 year olds.

 

Where do we START looking?

I'm so lost.

 

Are you people who like to be 'regimented' or do you want to 'do your own thing'?

 

I remember having similar difficulties before our first cruise. I spent hours researching the various cruise offers to the Baltics. Eventually we settled on NCL because they had the 'Freestyle' concept. We were not disappointed and have sailed several times since with them.

 

You need to a bit more specific about your wants - are you party people; culture vultures; history buffs; foodies; dress up and party or dress down and party; kids or no kids - the list goes on.

 

There is probably a cruise line out there which will generally fit your requirements. (Though there will be some things that do not fit - there is no 100% perfect solution)

 

In this forum you might get a more unbiased set of opinions - go to a particular cruise line board and the cheerleaders may well sway your decision.

 

Budget; vacation time available; travelling to to the port are all factors to be considered as well.

 

If you spend some time browsing these boards you might be able to pick up on the 'vibe' of different cruise lines and then make a more informed decision.

 

Looking at your requirements - I think you need to be looking at:

 

out of school holiday time

Europe

 

Definitely no kids means you are looking at P&O's adult only ships (never sailed on them so cannot comment upon them) - but out of school time should achieve the same objective to an extent.

 

Try the Norwegian Jade back-to-back Greek islands and Croatia/Turkey sailing out of Venice. We did it 2 years ago and it was awesome. (Yes - I'm biased but it is a start point for you):D

[kcwingwalker]

Are you people who like to be 'regimented' or do you want to 'do your own thing'?

 

I remember having similar difficulties before our first cruise. I spent hours researching the various cruise offers to the Baltics. Eventually we settled on NCL because they had the 'Freestyle' concept. We were not disappointed and have sailed several times since with them.

 

You need to a bit more specific about your wants - are you party people; culture vultures; history buffs; foodies; dress up and party or dress down and party; kids or no kids - the list goes on.

 

There is probably a cruise line out there which will generally fit your requirements. (Though there will be some things that do not fit - there is no 100% perfect solution)

 

In this forum you might get a more unbiased set of opinions - go to a particular cruise line board and the cheerleaders may well sway your decision.

 

Budget; vacation time available; travelling to to the port are all factors to be considered as well.

 

If you spend some time browsing these boards you might be able to pick up on the 'vibe' of different cruise lines and then make a more informed decision.

 

Looking at your requirements - I think you need to be looking at:

 

out of school holiday time

Europe

 

Definitely no kids means you are looking at P&O's adult only ships (never sailed on them so cannot comment upon them) - but out of school time should achieve the same objective to an extent.

 

Try the Norwegian Jade back-to-back Greek islands and Croatia/Turkey sailing out of Venice. We did it 2 years ago and it was awesome. (Yes - I'm biased but it is a start point for you):D

 

Good suggestions!:)

[ducklite]

We spent two weeks on Wind Star last year and there were a few 20-something's, more than a few 30-something's, and mostly 40-60 something's. that said, it was a lively crowd, and although we tend to get to bed early as we wake up and work out every morning, we heard that the bars and casino stayed lively until at least midnight every night. With port calls starting at 8:00 am on a port intensive Med cruise, even the younger people were tired by then. One if our friends closed the bar a couple of times, and regretted it the next day. :)

 

There were a handful of singles, mostly couples, some friends cruising together, no kids.

 

Elegant casual dress every evening, no formal nights, no jackets required. Lots of slacks and polos on men and cute dresses or slacks and tops for women in the evening.

 

Great food, great people who were very friendly to everyone, great ports, never a line for anything. Take a look at them, I think they might be what you are looking for.

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

Edited November 8, 2013 by ducklite

[jamessemaj]

Interesting demographic question. After thinking about it, I am at a loss for what might fit the bill. Longer cruises with no children will be an older crowd. People around your age, maybe a bit older, will have children. I hate to splash cold water, but I really don't think what you have in mind is possible. Hope I am wrong for your sake. Good luck finding what you want.

 

Edit: oops, just read ducklites post. I was thinking in terms of mainstream lines. I know nothing of possibilities in smaller lines which might cater to your needs.

Edited November 8, 2013 by jamessemaj

[blackpool belle]

I have found in the past the longer the cruise the older the passengers. Definitely book outside of school holidays to avoid lots of children. Perhaps a "freestyle" rather than more formal cruise will attract more people your age like NCL which has already been suggested.

[Colorado Kat]

I would look at NCL and Carnival. Older demographics will have no children, but not so many people your own age.

 

I would stick to fall cruising. Fewer vacations for school children then, so fewer kids.

 

Any cruise line will have kids, but they are typically at kids clubs or the main pools. Look for something with an adult-only area. Kids will not be in the casinos or the bars.

 

Have fun!

[taglovestocruise]

We did a 13 day Med cruise a few years ago in May/June on Brilliance of The Seas. Being a longer cruise and before the end of the school year there were very few children, the average age was around 40. If you read these boards you will see that RCI attracts the more lively of the age groups, I remember the bars and lounges open well into the AM. happy cruising

[hansolosmom]

We did an 11 day Med cruise on Celebrity in July. - tons of kids!

 

We did a Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas in Oct and there was a nice mix of cruisers young and old.

 

Why do I mention this? Because Celebrity is supposed to be an upscale less kid line & Royal a more family oriented line, but we found the demographics way out of the expected.

Time of year has so much to do with the types of people which will be onboard. If you want to avoid kids, then avoid summer vacation time, Spring break, holidays and around Presidents' Day (some school districts get the week off, so it's becoming a more popular cruise week).

 

I think SteveH gave home good ideas.

 

For us, we always choose our destination first, then I browse travel websites to see which lines I can choose from & go from there.

[murphy4]

IMO is it more important to pick WHERE you want to go and work from that, the best time of year would be fall, or Jan. stay totally away from March, you run into spring break and Canada winter break (tons of kids) feel free to look at the cruses I have done and ask any questions you want. I am not sure I would do anything longer than a week for your first cruise. I love the Oasis and Allure due to the Adults only section which is very large. Those are incredible ships.

[SteveH2508]

Another thought:

 

Our first cruise was on a 2000 pax ship - we thought it was huge!

 

Taking a first cruise on a 5000+ pax ship could be overwhelming. Some people like the mega-ships some don't (we are not keen).

Edited November 9, 2013 by SteveH2508

[ducklite]

IMO is it more important to pick WHERE you want to go and work from that, the best time of year would be fall, or Jan. stay totally away from March, you run into spring break and Canada winter break (tons of kids) feel free to look at the cruses I have done and ask any questions you want. I am not sure I would do anything longer than a week for your first cruise. I love the Oasis and Allure due to the Adults only section which is very large. Those are incredible ships.

 

She already said they want to go so e place lie Greece, not the Caribbean. The Med is best April-early June and September-October.

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

[alexspepa]

the older crowd can definitely party - especially at martini hour!

 

I would seriously suggest you and bf take some ballroom dance lessons - you would have a great time dancing with the old folks.

[jcl410]

You may want to look at the smaller ships that go to the destinations you are looking for...

 

For me, I enjoy sailing, so I really like going on the Star Clipper ships. They cater to a more independent type of cruiser. It's more of an attitude, than an age thing.

(If you are a big partier, these ships won't be for you.)

 

In reality,though, most main stream lines have a very broad range of ages, and activity levels aboard. You will see fewer families on longer cruises, but with lots of people on board there is still plenty of choices.

 

(example: I took a 14 day cruise out of Singapore in the 90's on Royal Caribbean. I was a single guy in my 30's. At my table for dinner, there was a mid-20s honeymoon couple from Mexico, two mates in their 20s on holiday from London, and 4 ladies (30's, 40's?) from South America. The rest of the passengers were equally diverse. )

 

Aloha,

 

John