Cruise for Mid-30's Professionals - No Kids

[Baseball Guy Midwest]

Neither of us have been on a cruise since gradeschool...Big Red Boat. So we told each other we would do one cruise - on a nice ship - and see if we like it.

 

I think we are in a lost demographic. We don't have kids and are mid-30's with disposable income.

 

I was leaning towards Crystal or Regent but I've heard we would basically be cruising with a bunch of older people. Not sure if that is true or not...

 

 

I don't want to "party" but I want to be able to meet couples our age or similar. We spend enough alone time together so we like our vacations to be a mix of things.

 

That said, we are looking Jan/Feb 2017, Caribbean or similar, and price pretty much doesn't matter.

 

 

We love food and drinks - don't need a lot of excursions - we can find our own way around most islands.

 

Some of my friends have suggested Norwegian and upgrading to the "Haven" or something like that...

 

I have no clue on cruising

 

Help??

 

Thanks to all!

[WupperAV]

You sound like older people types anyway. We've been on cruise and you never see kids from day 1 as they have their own deck and cruise directors. BTW/I was on 1 that had 2400 aboard with nearly half children.

 

Ever look around a room and realize 1/2 the people are below average?

[LHT28]

To add to your list of Regent & Crystal you could look at Oceania, Windstar Seadream & Azamara some are not all inclusive but it would give you a good cruise

Yes there will probably more people over 50 on the cruise but depending on the itinerary you could also meet some your own age

 

Enjoy whatever cruise you choose

[SWFL Cruisers]

I would recommend Celebrity. Check out there itineraries and I'm sure you would find something you like.

[cb at sea]

Hey! We "older" folks know how to have a good time! Not party "animals", but we can hang with anyone...we've been practicing longer than you "young folks"! So, don't go thinking all older folks are boring and can't have some fun!

[Baseball Guy Midwest]

Haha I didn't mean to suggest older people don't have fun. ;)

 

I'm hearing from friends that maybe Seadream Yachts is a good option because it tends to be a lot of activities...

 

Thoughts on that?

[zqvol]

We have been on Sea Dream 8 - 10 times. I think it fits you perfectly. There will be a wide range of ages, but the ones older than you are will probably act younger than you. Small ships, exceptional cuisine. Great ports that the big ships never think about going to and truly all inclusive except for the spa and excursions.

 

Here is a blog of two SD cruises we have done.

 

http://dreamingonthesea.blogspot.com/

Edited August 25, 2016 by zqvol

[Cruise_Christy]

Age doesn't really matter on ships, attitude does. Don't look for a ship with your "demographics", look for a ship with your cruising style - ie. entertainment, late night activities, the right food for you. Hubbie and I are 34 with no kids and have been on cruises with 5 different lines and loved every one of them. In all honesty no, we don't meet couples our own age very often - those our age often tend to be traveling in family groups (not always with kids, but with extended family too). The 30s couple travelling together with no family is definitely a minority from my experience, perhaps to be expected when most people our age have kids.

 

The more luxury brands tend to have older travellers because those our age often don't have the free time / disposable income or have kids and look for more family activity orientated cruises. However, an action packed itinerary will yield a younger demographic. Our favourite line so far is Celebrity and our 2nd favourite is Princess. Traveling on RCCL for the first time on Sat and looking forward to it though. We pick very itinerary-busy schedules and find that those 20-30 years older than us on those often give us a run for our money in activities!

Edited August 25, 2016 by Cruise_Christy

[pf778c]

I was in my late twenties when I booked our first cruise with Silversea. We were, without a doubt, the youngest guest on that cruise, but had a fabulous time! The average passenger age on the luxury cruiselines is fifties to sixties, with many much older, however passengers tend to be well traveled and interesting, and you'll find that age is really about as relevant as eye color. Entertainment is lower key; more wine tastings, lectures, and trivia than hairy back contests, kids clubs, and water slides. The entire experience is more relaxed - eat when, where, and with whom you wish at a moment's notice, not worries about who's turn it is to pick up the drinks tab, special requests, etc. all make you feel like a quest rather than a passenger.

 

Definitely look into the luxury lines. I have not experience with Crystal or Regent, but they both get excellent reviews and have many, many loyal customers.

[WupperAV]

You can go after school starts or in the spring before Spring break to avoid the Trycyle Motors.

 

4/5 of people can't do Math. Yogi Berra

Edited August 26, 2016 by WupperAV

[Hlitner]

I would recommend Celebrity. Check out there itineraries and I'm sure you would find something you like.

 

The OP is looking for a cruise line with "no kids." Celebrity does not fit that category....at all.

 

Hank

[AdoraBelle]

The OP is looking for a cruise line with "no kids." Celebrity does not fit that category....at all.

 

Hank

 

I believe that by 'no kids' they meant THEY have no kids. They were describing their demographic, not stating a requirement (I think).

 

That said, sounds like they have enough money to get out of the mass-market group anyway.

[CELTICGIRLCRUISER]

Celebrity would probably be the best bet within the mainstream lines as it is "at the upper end" of that section of the market and on the longer voyages/off peak it should be mostly adults.

 

Any of the more upscale lines already mentioned above for a little bit more luxury/sophistication.

[wolverineinOH]

I am also mid 30s no kids and I really like Windstar. Good food, nothing formal, staff is excellent, watersports platform, reasonable costs for excursions and drinks IMO. My hubby and I did a SeaDream cruise and liked that too, but Windstar is our go to cruise line now.

[Langley Cruisers]

The OP is looking for a cruise line with "no kids." Celebrity does not fit that category....at all.

 

I believe you misread that. OP doesn't have kids but said nothing about not wanting an adults-only cruise.

 

OP on every single cruise we've been on, there has been all age groups, from babies to mature adults 80+ in years. It's a mix. You'll find others your age who are in the same place in life you both are.

 

Enjoy yourselves. :)

[Capt_BJ]

I am also mid 30s no kids and I really like Windstar. Good food, nothing formal, staff is excellent, watersports platform, reasonable costs for excursions and drinks IMO. My hubby and I did a SeaDream cruise and liked that too, but Windstar is our go to cruise line now.

 

When we were 30 and 40's WINDSTAR was our go-to as well when sans kids .... but most WINDSTAR is not in the Carib ....

 

also consider an EU river cruise ...... IMO they are very 'WINDSTAR like' so far as ambiance, pass' to crew ratio, informal style (but not t-shirt and shorts), can be all inclusive or close (similar to WS ... how much is included varies by line), and you seldom see kids .... but here we ARE talking flying to EU .... so cost goes UP. You'd be on the young side but IME, but would fit in easily from what we've experienced (others in your age who sailed with us)

 

.....

 

I'd stay away from the lower cost mass market lines ... ESP Carn', NCL; and RCL is just on the edge .... your description of what you want says this to me. You're looking for better ...

 

What you REALLY want to find is a GOOD, cruise special travel agent ....... but then again the real question is what's your 'disposable' budget ..... you say "does not matter" ..... hmmmm

 

 

 

http://www.starclippers.com/us-dom

Edited August 26, 2016 by Capt_BJ

[grandmarnnurse]

I was going to suggest Norwegian, also, with their Haven Suites. Other than that, Royal Caribbean has some very nice ships with a lot of amenities. But going back to Norwegian, the Getaway and Breakaway have The Waterfront, which is a nice dining and bar area, plus an adult only area. Whatever line you choose, I suggest to try one of the lines newest ships, that will provide you with all the amenities/venues that you would like.

 

 

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[ducklite]

Another vote for Windstar. You will be the younger side of the demographic, but the people who cruise that line are active and sociable. I'd suggest the Med, amazing itineraries on the masted ships!

[Piggeldy]

We fit your demographics...

As we haven't yet cruised much can't really give as many recommendations as others, but we really liked Celebrity. Cunard wasn't for us (liked the plays and lectures, cabin was nice but that's pretty much all that stuck... we ran into far too many rude people, including staff, food was only okay and we thought the buffet was a mess). We are also looking at Princess, HAL and Crystal.

 

I am not overly sociable, so I prefer mid-size and larger ships (1000+ pax). I don't think Windstar or Seadream would be my thing. I know why I moved away from rural village life into the anonymity of a larger city ;) We loved Hurtigruten but their 'cruises' aren't focused on socialising, really. I don't mind kids but would still try not to cruise during summer break, I also don't mind college students but wouldn't consider short spring break cruises. Celebrity Eclipse fit my bill quite nicely (enjoyed the food, cabin, layout of the ship, experienced good service, entertainment... really had not much bad to say about it).

 

We are trying Royal this year. For itinerary. We will see how it goes.

I am planning a Med cruise with my mom in 2018 and mostly considering Celebrity. We will try a different line (including Azamara and Oceania) if the itinerary is right though.

[Extra Kim]

I'm 35 and my wife is 24, we have sailed Royal and Celebrity (& I have done one cruise on NCL Epic). What we have found out is that the short 3-4nts cruises are NOT for us, they are more or less booze-cruises with focus on party and selling stuff (they have less days to sell their stuff and they know it :rolleyes:).

If you want to sail with people in your own age, don't take a cruise that's longer then 7nts, longer cruises then to attract older people when sailing in the caribbean.

I think that a 7nts cruise on Celebrity´s Solstice-class could be something for you, even if Celebrity attracts a little older people then Royal.

[frenchcanrican]

My DH (41) and I (39) have been cruising since our early 30's. We have been on 4 day - 15 day cruises on Carnival and Royal Caribbean. We are Diamond on Royal and plan on going on Celebrity for 14 days then NCL to give them a try this year and early next year. We also go on several land vacations a year (rafting, hiking, camping, the active kind) With all that background in mind. Below is my advice:

 

The best cruises have been the ones that are over 7 days. We have met wonderful older couples and singles that have thought us about life and how to really enjoy ourselves. And remind us that age does not matter. It's about conversations and experiences.

 

So yea the age group will be older in the longer trip ships but that is okay. Breakfasts are quieter, dinners become very elegant , the pool is less crowded, the hot tubs are empty after 8pm, and the gym equipment is available without waiting.

 

It's really a great vacation. Enjoy and Sail on.

 

 

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[sail7seas]

You are not a lost demographic. You will find many like 'souls on HAL. Look at Windstar When we were your age, we started sailing HAL and ultimately have sailed themover 90 cruises.HAL= our cruise line of choice.

 

MyDH passed away several years ago. Now I AM ON my own and plan to cotinue sailing HAL.

Edited August 28, 2016 by sail7seas

[LHT28]

When we were 30 and 40's WINDSTAR was our go-to as well when sans kids .... but most WINDSTAR is not in the Carib ....

 

 

 

Windstar have several cruise in the Carib on both the sailing vessels & the triplets

Star Clippers also have several in the Carib

[ducklite]

When we were 30 and 40's WINDSTAR was our go-to as well when sans kids .... but most WINDSTAR is not in the Carib ....

 

.....

 

 

 

 

Not at all sure what you are talking about. The Surf and at least one of the other ships spend late October through April in the Caribbean every year.

[sail7seas]

Windstar have several cruise in the Carib on both the sailing vessels & the triplets

Star Clippers also have several in the Carib

 

 

Does Windstar still not comerr to U.S. ports? YThey w ailing from Babados a few years ago. We were there with them several tiermes.

Edited August 28, 2016 by sail7seas