55+ is a Special Interest?

[Canuker]

I'd venture to suggest that the majority of passengers (at least on the boats I've been on) are 55+. We (clue to my age!) are not a special interest; the folk under 55 are the special interest group!

 

It's probably not the case on something like a 3-day junket to The Bahamas, but on longer trips the 55+ group seems to rule, especially on anything over 7 days.

 

It's clear from the marketing materials that the cruise lines are pitching at a decidedly younger demographic than 55+. But, it appears, with limited success. Perhaps we need special interest groups on here for:

 

Over 70s

Baby boomers

Gen X

Millenials

Teens

Pre-teens

 

What do you think?

I think the peer-to-peer dialogues might be fascinating reading.

Cruise Critic will need "an App for that".

Edited August 13, 2015 by Canuker

[cb at sea]

I've never understood how cruising "over 55" is any different from a younger age! I've been cruising since my 30's, and aside from the changes the CRUISELINES have made, I certainly don't feel any different, or do things any different.....

[misty57]

I think the focus is more on the retired, those who are almost retired, and those of us who wish we could retire!:D "Seniors" often have different interests and challenges than those in their younger years and those with young families. I don't care to dialogue with the "party boat" groups, but maybe with those who find great excursions that would appeal to those in our age group. I think boards for different ages or different occupations would be fun.

[xriva]

I think 55+ is a special interest group, especially because cruise lines target younger people. As I see megaships with acres of space covered with rock climbing walls, rope courses and other items I am never going to use, I have to think - what about us? We take longer cruises. We enjoy the sea. We amuse ourselves. We appreciate a bit of quiet now and then. I have ways to enjoy time away from home without having to climb on things or be constantly bombarded by activities.

 

In the rush to find a younger crowd, a lot of things I like (quiet areas, small pubs, places to just watch the waves) are being replaced with stuff found at theme parks. I outgrew theme parks. It's why I sail.

 

I'm not calling for a return to the stuffy old days - I love Freestyle cruising and I'd like to avoid long pants on vacation - but can we have a few ships that aren't primarily floating theme parks or casinos?

[pascalburns]

I think 55+ is a special interest group, especially because cruise lines target younger people. As I see megaships with acres of space covered with rock climbing walls, rope courses and other items I am never going to use, I have to think - what about us? We take longer cruises. We enjoy the sea. We amuse ourselves. We appreciate a bit of quiet now and then. I have ways to enjoy time away from home without having to climb on things or be constantly bombarded by activities.

 

In the rush to find a younger crowd, a lot of things I like (quiet areas, small pubs, places to just watch the waves) are being replaced with stuff found at theme parks. I outgrew theme parks. It's why I sail.

 

I'm not calling for a return to the stuffy old days - I love Freestyle cruising and I'd like to avoid long pants on vacation - but can we have a few ships that aren't primarily floating theme parks or casinos?

 

i second that.:)

[misty57]

Ha! I agree, but we like watching other people climbing on things! We spend a lot of time in the Solarium, and just walking a little bit to see what's going on. Its kind of like shopping. I like walking through some of the stores but it doesn't mean I'm buying! :)

[lahlah57]

I have never responded to this thread because no one talks about the luxury gurney and IV poles by the wading pool so we don't drown cruiselines. Let's not talk about the salt free....fat free blended free of lumps cuisine too.

Does anyone know the nurse to passenger ratio on any given cruiseline:confused:

 

I can have just as much fun as any 23 year old...almost:D

[misty57]

I have never responded to this thread because no one talks about the luxury gurney and IV poles by the wading pool so we don't drown cruiselines. Let's not talk about the salt free....fat free blended free of lumps cuisine too.

Does anyone know the nurse to passenger ratio on any given cruiseline:confused:

 

I can have just as much fun as any 23 year old...almost:D

 

:confused:

[lahlah57]

:confused:

 

55 plus just sounds like a thread for the special folks who have special needs. A traveling 55yo is no different than a 35yo traveling individual.

I found that 55 was a :confused::confused: age starting point.

[OctoberKat]

I don't know that 55+ is a special interest so much as a category; after all, most of us will get there if not there already.

 

From a strictly individual perspective, here are cruising aspects thst may be heightened in the over 55 category:

 

Few children, please

Lectures and learning opportunities

Classical music

Scrabble

Quiet, peaceful, comfortable sanctuaries

Freestyle dining

Upscale enviroment

Premium drinks and wine

Walk-in pool

Walk-in shower

Destination concierges who are kindly, expert and willing to arrange custom excursions

 

Other 55+s may want card-playing opportunities,

[my3sonsnj]

I don't know that 55+ is a special interest so much as a category; after all, most of us will get there if not there already.

 

From a strictly individual perspective, here are cruising aspects thst may be heightened in the over 55 category:

 

Few children, please

Lectures and learning opportunities

Classical music

Scrabble

Quiet, peaceful, comfortable sanctuaries

Freestyle dining

Upscale enviroment

Premium drinks and wine

Walk-in pool

Walk-in shower

Destination concierges who are kindly, expert and willing to arrange custom excursions

 

Other 55+s may want card-playing opportunities,

 

I think all of these are what most "empty nesters" are looking for after they have concluded raising children, even if they have not hit the 55+ category. I would image the same to be true of most "mature" adults that don't want cruises predominantly geared towards family vacations, college age or young adults.

 

Given the trend towards larger and larger ships, I'm thinking that there will always have to be a balance in order to fill cabins. But it would be nice to know where the lines fall on various offerings.

 

So, what are the recommended cruise lines, length of cruise, time of year to cruise, etc. in the modest to moderate price points for "Mature Adults", especially those in the 45 - 60 age group?

[OctoberKat]

Maybe Holland America? Not certain they offer freestyle dining but if they don't they soon will be. Oceania and Azamara may be options, too. As for season, not summer (children), not Xmas (ditto) and not Spring break (ditto).

Edited August 22, 2015 by OctoberKat

[LHT28]

I prefer smaller ships

no or few children

more adult feel

do not need the loud music or 24/7 activities

I am at a stage in my life where I do not need to see it all in one cruise or port stop

Use to be we would be up & on the go all day I am well past that stage now

I like to enjoy the ports with a slower pace

 

I know there are still people over 70 that can out do me but that is their choice

 

Enjoy

[jayscore]

In advance, I apologize if my comments upset anyone. This is just my opinion coming out here.:rolleyes:

 

The cruise lines are out there to hook customers entirely on demographics.

How old were you when you took your first cruise? If your first was "love at first sight", you will know what I'm talking about.

Now, years later, we look back on; non communication with land, skeet shooting off the aft deck, formal nights and meeting the captain, the semi-adventure of being out at sea, plus the ever-so missing proper behavior with others, and so on.

Anyhow, the cruise lines have evolved into floating hotels, trying their best to attract younger crowds(which we once were.....) with what they think is"what they want".

It's a sort of evolution, if you think about it. We're not being phased out, but we're not the future of cruising, either.

Just saying.....

[xriva]

jayscore - none taken.

 

I took my first cruise when I was 49, so I may not be a valid example. However, I have lived through the big ship to megaship migration.

 

I think you're right about demographics. However, as a Norwegian passenger, I'm not a demographic at which they target their new builds - unless I move up to the Haven.

 

I'm not going to use a ropes course. I'm not going to walk the plank. I spend some minimal time in the casino, but not a lot. I don't need a lot of shows, although I will go, if they're available. So, there is a lot of ship that I am funding that I will never use. So, I'm going to lean toward their older ships.

 

If they aren't getting more families or younger people onboard, then they are annoying me and wasting a lot of money on ship options.

 

I think one solution for us is to find another line - which would require getting my wife to try something new and start over (we're Platinum on Norwegian).

 

I will say that choosing longer cruises will change the demographic. If you want to avoid families, sail during the school year. Take a Transatlantic cruise and you will see an older crowd - our our crossing in April, the average age was 58, which means I was on the young side.

Edited August 23, 2015 by xriva

[my3sonsnj]

Maybe Holland America? Not certain they offer freestyle dining but if they don't they soon will be. Oceania and Azamara may be options, too. As for season, not summer (children), not Xmas (ditto) and not Spring break (ditto).

 

Thanks! I am just returning to cruising, but loved it as a child. My upcoming cruise was specifically scheduled as a longer cruise and January into February to get a feel for a big ship during a time that is usually not chosen by families/college kids. We will see ;) and it will determine what I schedule next.

 

I think I might try a mid size ship next time around and another line before I try to achieve "loyalty" status. But I think the lines that come to ports I can drive to rather than fly will ultimately get my business. I would rather invest in the vacation. Spending $ to get to port and all the hassle with luggage upcharges from airlines seems like a waste if I could put that money into a longer cruise or upgraded cabin.

[OctoberKat]

There's a lot to be said for driving to one's embarkation port (and back) but we're on the West Coast so those options are limited. But a San Francisco or LA embarkation could hook us into an Alaska cruise, maybe Hawaii.

[Travelcat2]

IMO, it is pretty obvious why there aren't more sailings from the West Coast. The Pacific Ocean tends to be very rough in many places. Our two sailing from San Francisco to Alaska were so rough that my DH was seasick (not something that happens to him anywhere else in the world). I do not think that we could take the movement of the seas between the West Coast and Hawaii, the South Pacific or down under. We are thankful that we can fly to our departure port and experience seas that are smooth as silk (especially in the Med. and Middle East).

 

Octoberkat: Suggest that you read the reviews of HAL ships. They have gone downhill quite a bit lately in terms of service and food. For a long time they have been known as an "old folks home". While this is probably not the case on all cruises, it is a large step down from your "first" cruise on Regent and HAL.

[OctoberKat]

IMO, it is pretty obvious why there aren't more sailings from the West Coast. The Pacific Ocean tends to be very rough in many places. Our two sailing from San Francisco to Alaska were so rough that my DH was seasick (not something that happens to him anywhere else in the world). I do not think that we could take the movement of the seas between the West Coast and Hawaii, the South Pacific or down under. We are thankful that we can fly to our departure port and experience seas that are smooth as silk (especially in the Med. and Middle East).

 

Octoberkat: Suggest that you read the reviews of HAL ships. They have gone downhill quite a bit lately in terms of service and food. For a long time they have been known as an "old folks home". While this is probably not the case on all cruises, it is a large step down from your "first" cruise on Regent and HAL.

 

Have you sailed HAL recently or ever?

 

I'm getting the impression you're stalking me in order to discourage me from posting.

[Travelcat2]

Have you sailed HAL recently or ever?

 

I'm getting the impression you're stalking me in order to discourage me from posting.

 

Sorry if you think I'm stalking you - definitely not the case. I peruse many sites on CC and probably do respond when I see a "name" that I recognize. The subject of West Coast departures was of particular interest to me since I live on the West Coast. Many years ago I was told about the rough seas in the Pacific Ocean and, after trying two cruises out of S.F. decided that everyone was right.

 

Regarding HAL, many Oceania and some Regent cruisers have sailed HAL and we also have a close friend that does (although they are looking for another cruise line). My comments were based on what I have heard as well as what I have read on the HAL board in the past couple of years.

 

Also, IMO, no one should be discouraged from posting on CC!

[fizzy]

I'm stalking you and glad to see your comments again.....wherever they show up. Keep at it. By the way, I showed one of my clients the info you posted about your barge cruise and they are enthralled. For all their Tauck river stuff, they had never pushed further ahead to see what else is out there. Very enlightening for them.

[OctoberKat]

Aw, that's so nice, fizzy, thanks!