Mature, yet lively atmosphere wanted.

[canadian4321]

My wife and I are cruising in April for our 20th anniversary, and we enjoy having a few drinks, listening to music, and a lively nightlife. That said, my days of body shots and throwing chairs off the lido deck are long behind me, so I'm trying to walk a fine line in cruise selection.

We cruised before, on a new ship, 10 day itinerary, and exotic ports and were really disappointed in the night life. Obviously, in hind sight, I can see that itinerary selection would draw an older crowd. I've also heard Carnival draws the loud party crowd.

So my question is this - What cruiseline + itinerary = Music, drinks, and 40 somethings that are fun to be around?

[boulders]

Royal Caribbean, particularly the newer ships- Oasis, Allure and maybe the Freedom class too.

[Aquahound]

I've only got experience on 4 lines but of those, I'd say Royal Caribbean is the best mix for what you're looking for.

[Colorado Kat]

Check out NCL as well.

[GTO-Girl]

Royal Caribbean, particularly the newer ships- Oasis, Allure and maybe the Freedom class too.

 

Absolutely agree!!!

[SteveH2508]

I would stick another vote for NCL as well.

[dorisis]

Royal Caribbean gets my vote also.

[Karysa]

My wife and I are cruising in April for our 20th anniversary, and we enjoy having a few drinks, listening to music, and a lively nightlife. That said, my days of body shots and throwing chairs off the lido deck are long behind me, so I'm trying to walk a fine line in cruise selection.

We cruised before, on a new ship, 10 day itinerary, and exotic ports and were really disappointed in the night life. Obviously, in hind sight, I can see that itinerary selection would draw an older crowd. I've also heard Carnival draws the loud party crowd.

So my question is this - What cruiseline + itinerary = Music, drinks, and 40 somethings that are fun to be around?

 

Lots of families and teens cruise RCL because of all the activities such as waterparks, inline skating and rock climbing walls. Of the cruiselines I have sailed RCI, Costa, Carnival and NCL I would think that one of the medium to smaller ships on NCL would be best.

[caribsun]

My wife and I are cruising in April for our 20th anniversary, and we enjoy having a few drinks, listening to music, and a lively nightlife. That said, my days of body shots and throwing chairs off the lido deck are long behind me, so I'm trying to walk a fine line in cruise selection.

We cruised before, on a new ship, 10 day itinerary, and exotic ports and were really disappointed in the night life. Obviously, in hind sight, I can see that itinerary selection would draw an older crowd. I've also heard Carnival draws the loud party crowd.

So my question is this - What cruiseline + itinerary = Music, drinks, and 40 somethings that are fun to be around?

 

What you are looking for describes my latest Carnival cruise on the Freedom. Book a 7-8 day day cruise when schools are in session and also stay away from 3-4 day cruises.

 

I have been on 10 CCL cruises and never experienced a rowdy atmosphere.

[skandls]

Lots of families and teens cruise RCL because of all the activities such as waterparks, inline skating and rock climbing walls. Of the cruiselines I have sailed RCI, Costa, Carnival and NCL I would think that one of the medium to smaller ships on NCL would be best.[/quote

 

There maybe a lot of families on board the Oasis or Allure but they won't take away from your cruise. The huge ship means there are a lot of areas with a lot of stuff going on. We took SIL and BIL (40's) on the Allure they tried to get to every live music venue on the ship - I don't know if they made it. The activities will keep you busy with out jello shots and chair tossing.

[Keith1010]

I would take a look at Celebrity followed by RCI.

 

Keith

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

I would choose RCI as a 1st choice and then Celebrity as 2nd choice.

[caribsun]

I enjoy Celebrity but tends to get sleepy after 10PM. ;)

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Go with Princess ....

[cb at sea]

Any of the mainstream cruiselines will suit....few are doing body shots....and if they are, you need not join in!

 

Not every sailing on every ship will have the same "nightlife" feel....this week, you may have lots of late night folks....on the next sailing, it could be an "early to bed" crowd....no way to predict!

[runner15km]

I had very good cruises with Carnival just go with 7+ night cruises. :) And stay away from spring break.

[kcwingwalker]

Lots of families and teens cruise RCL because of all the activities such as waterparks, inline skating and rock climbing walls. Of the cruiselines I have sailed RCI, Costa, Carnival and NCL I would think that one of the medium to smaller ships on NCL would be best.

 

NCL might be good and if you book a suite the perks are fabulous and the prices are more reasonable than you might think.

 

Courtesy of Waldspepper

 

Here are a few tips to help you sort out the perks associated with the different types/levels of suites on Norwegian Cruise Line.

 

• Perks come with all full suite accommodations. Mini-suites do not fall into that category. Any stateroom category that starts with an "S" is considered a full suite.

 

• Some ships are equipped with a Haven, and some are not. Ships that are equipped with a Haven will have two levels of suite: Haven suites and non-Haven suites. Haven Suites are designated by the letter "S" followed by a number. Non-Haven Suites are designated by the letter "S" followed by a letter.

 

• Haven suites have access to the Haven regardless of where they are situated on the ship. The Haven has its own pool, hot tub, sauna, and sundeck. Some have their own restaurant and bar within the Haven complex. Some Haven's also have a retractable roof over the central area. Haven configuration varies based on ship class/generation

 

• All suites have access to a private restaurant for breakfast and lunch.

 

• All suites have Butler and Concierge service.

 

• All suites receive invitations to a special cocktail reception with the Captain and other Officers.

 

• All suites receive priority embarkation and disembarkation, as well as priority tendering.

 

• All suites receive one bottle of Sparkling Wine, one large bottle of water, a bowl of fresh fruit (replenished upon consumption) and a fresh flower arrangement in their suite, along with treats delivered daily by the Butler. (Note: Garden Villas, Deluxe Owner's Suites and Owner's Suites receive Champagne instead of Sparkling Wine)

 

• Garden Villa's receive 6 bottles of alcohol with unlimited mixers, soda and water, while Deluxe Owner's Suites and Owner's Suites each receive 3 bottles of alcohol with unlimited mixers, soda and water.

 

• All suites are provided with a variety of Elemis brand toiletries.

 

• All suites are equipped with a Coffee/Cappuccino/Espresso Machine (Most are Lavazza pod-style machines), however the Sun has Lavazza machines in the Owner’s Suites, but drip-style coffee brewers in all other suites (these suites cannot accommodate these devices).

 

• All suites have access to the Pre-Cruise Concierge service, which helps to coordinate your individual selections on pillow types, coffee and tea preferences, and a variety of special requests.

 

• All suites (except the SG and SJ suites on Deck 12 of the Star and some suites on the Sun) have a portable phone, which can be used throughout the ship.

 

• All suites are equipped with the "Bliss Bed" which truly lives up to its name.

 

• All suites have an expanded Room Service menu. Essentially, order whatever you want, and if it is available on the ship you will have it.

[Guest maddycat]

I would take a look at Celebrity followed by RCI.

 

Keith

 

Royal Caribbean definitely. Celebrity does NOT have a lively nightlife, which is what the OP wants.

[Capt_BJ]

IMO, viewing your post, the issue on the cruise you describe was not the line but the LENGTH.

 

IME when you jump from a 7 day cruise to a 10 day cruise, the average age of the cruiser jumps 20 years. Around the time of our 20th anniv' we did the same thing .. took a 10 day cruise .. and WHAT A SLEEPER!!! We were on Princess which we'd sailed before and leaving from the same port but while a 7 day cruise was FUN a 10 day cruise found virtually all the pass' asleep by 11 pm. The casino was a tomb .... they didn't even bring the dj staff on the trip!!!! We asked a bar tender what was up and he passed to us the 'longer than 7 day' theory .. and added "you should see a 10 day Alaskan cruise!!!!"

 

OR

 

today, our preference is WINDSTAR ... no dress up, always nice people, mellow and relaxing. We took our first around the time of our 20th and fell in love - well we were in love ... but we liked the cruise too!

 

I prefer Princess or RCCL for what you describe - on RC, Freedom class is enuf for me ... ALLURE reminds me of a shopping mall.

 

carnival or NCL .... no way for us

 

For Carn' ... after my work experience I simply won't sail them . . .

 

NCL - our last two experiences were horror stories (after several years of enjoying NCL, we had a 'fair' experience as NCL introduced Freestyle ... then a horrible trip. Believing this to be an anomaly we tried again .. WORSE.) We cut up or 'club cards' and sent them to the CEO. Cattle boats now . . . IMO.

[Cruisin' Chick]

One thing to note is that spring break may still be going on in early April (it's the college kids that may kick a cruise into being a party ship). Mid-April is when the school district here (the second largest in the country) takes off for spring break in 2014 as Easter falls pretty late this year, but might not be a factor for non-west coast cruises. Plus, again, it's the college crowd that gets rowdy and not the little kids. Go for a cruise that's longer than seven days. On my last three Princess cruises, there was a lively crowd, but then they were the holiday cruises. I didn't check the disco at night to see if things were happening there, though.

[skandls]

If you can do 14 nights - do a B2B on the Oasis or Allure. You will have enough to keep you busy with time to repeat things you really enjoyed. It would be and eastern and western Caribbean as the ships switch off every other week.