Younger Guests on Viking?

[betsymonty]

I'm new to the boards, but I thought you guys might be able to provide some information.

 

My boyfriend and I want to take a cruise together. We're both in our late 20s, and are currently childfree. As such, we would really like to avoid cruise lines that cater to children and families. We really want a quiet, easy trip with cultural enrichment, good food, nice people, and elegant surroundings.

 

Is Viking a good fit for a young couple? I've read that their guests are often older; will we feel left out?

[Dauntless]

 

My boyfriend and I want to take a cruise together. We're both in our late 20s, and are currently childfree. As such, we would really like to avoid cruise lines that cater to children and families. We really want a quiet, easy trip with cultural enrichment, good food, nice people, and elegant surroundings.

 

Is Viking a good fit for a young couple? I've read that their guests are often older; will we feel left out?

 

You might have found just what you are looking for with Viking. Certainly child free. (I did see a couple of children the first night of our cruise in the dining room. When I questioned about it, I was told they were the captain's children and since we were overnight in port, they had come on the ship to have dinner but they did not make the cruise.) You might see families but the kids will probably be your age. Viking's target market is 55+ but they don't seem to be infirmed. They appeared to be younger than I thought but I'm in their target and it might just have been my eyes. All the things you mention about food, surroundings, people and enrichment are there. While they have entertainment, think more cabaret style than Broadway extravaganzas. The staff is mainly in their 20's so you will have people your age to interact with. Shore excursion staff and the Explorer's Desk people will probably be of the same mindset as you and the entertainers. Many of these people might be able to point you in the right direction both on board and off for your interests.

 

Your cruise will be what you make it. These boards are a good place to find information about your cruise. The cruise line posts will tell you about the ship experience. The roll call for your cruise and others on the same itinerary will give you vast insight as to what people on board might be just the things and people you are looking for. The Ports of Call Section will give you insight to the destinations. They won't all be from your cruise line but they will have knowledge of other things available on shore that you might not hear of otherwise. Don't know your destination but do your research so you know what you are looking at when you see it. The people on the roll call will be like your group, even though you may have never met before. Go to the Mix and Mingle. You can put names to faces. On Viking the staff attends as well so you get an insight to them.

 

I have only done one cruise and it was with Viking on the Viking Homelands cruise. Having watched the Love Boat growing up and living not that far from the water I couldn't understand the fascination. I had been sea sick and sunburned before. Not a big drinker or gambler so Alfie, what is it all about? It's not about any of those things unless that is what you have in mind. It's about broadening your horizons. The boutique hotel experience, restaurants without drive thrus, sophistication without fussiness or pretentiousness. It's getting below the surface with out invading other people's personal space. It's about relaxing and immersing yourself in a situation that you feel enhances the everyday life.

 

It's a vacation. Now I know what that really is. Try it and you'll see what all the talk is about. I know I did and I don't regret a single moment or dollar spent.

[Vineyard View]

Betsymonty - yes you will be among the youngest on board.

Will you feel left out? I personally believe that if YOU two are comfortable being with an older group, you will be embraced. A big percentage of Viking travelers are well seasoned travelers, and enjoy meeting new people of all ages. If traveling is a continued goal of yours, there will be a wealth of experiences and information that you could draw from if you have that desire.

 

keep in mind that entertainment will not be that which is geared towards the younger crowd. But if you enjoy great food, a beautiful smaller ship, excellent crew, a good gym, a peaceful spa, and space to engage with others....or find quiet time, Viking Oceans provides that....along with cultural experiences and a growing geographical map from which to choose.

Edited January 7, 2017 by Vineyard View

[KyOh]

While you would be among the youngest cruisers on the trip, I don't think that would be a problem. While 55+, we didn't encounter any "old" people on our Viking Homeland trip in July! There were several younger people traveling with an older relative. We loved it so much we've booked Viking again. Try it.

[Peregrina651]

Traveling on the New Year's Eve cruise in the Mediterranean , there are a number of multigenerational family groups on board. No children but late teens and older.

[Pyroforyou]

We are in our early 40s and love traveling with Viking. We dont like to gamble and dont want kids all over the place. Everyone was so nice to us and they treated us like their children or grand children. You have to take advantage and travel when you can because you never know what next week holds.

[dln929]

I'm new to the boards, but I thought you guys might be able to provide some information.

 

My boyfriend and I want to take a cruise together. We're both in our late 20s, and are currently childfree. As such, we would really like to avoid cruise lines that cater to children and families. We really want a quiet, easy trip with cultural enrichment, good food, nice people, and elegant surroundings.

 

Is Viking a good fit for a young couple? I've read that their guests are often older; will we feel left out?

 

We have two children the same age as you and I would not hesitate to take them on a Viking cruise with us, or even recommend one to them. My husband and I are 59 and 61 and on our last Viking Oceans cruise we felt among the younger on board but you know what? It didn't matter. Viking attracts an age level that while "old" in years, is young in outlook and energy and interest in life. It's really lovely to see. I hope that when we're twenty years on, we have the same zest and youthful outlook. You and your boyfriend would have a wonderful time on Viking. I expect to see you both cutting the rug on Beatles tribute night...;)

[garycarla]

As to cruising without kids in general, a few tips that apply across most cruise lines.

 

Cruises longer than a week thin down the young families - it is too hard to take more than a week off.

 

Watch the calendar. From mid-May to Labor day is when most kids cruise and of course year end holidays. Spring break is really hard to figure as it varies around the country, but surely avoid the week before or after Easter.

[Krisval]

I agree that you will certainly be welcomed by all. As I posted in response to a similar post a couple months ago, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how feisty us older ones can be! We stay up past 9:00 and dance until the wee hours. I believe we can show you that age does not define our limitations. In fact, I hope your experience is so wonderful that you grow to anticipate aging with a better understanding of how your experiences now will enable you to be just as interesting, active, and accomplished as those you meet on the cruise. Best wishes for a fabulous experience.

[VikingSeasick]

Just be aware that the boat will be dead at 9pm. This is when the restaurants close and any place that you find to relax in peace will be taken over by cleaning crew and other crew members passing through nonstop. The ship is basically a giant strip mall of restaurants and at this time of the year the only people you'll encounter on the pool deck after hours is crew. Although there's usually one person who stays up to 11 to watch the classical trio. It was refreshing when amateur hour was over and the music began to play again on the speakers.

[Vineyard View]

"The ship is a giant strip mall of restaurants".....,what ship were you sailing on VikingSeasick? I cannot imagine it was a Viking Oceans...

True......they are not party ships filled with guests taking shots and partying till dawn......DH & I are guilty of not being late night party goers.....so a lot of night life is not what Viking is known for....nor what they proclaim to be.

[Peregrina651]

Just be aware that the boat will be dead at 9pm. This is when the restaurants close and any place that you find to relax in peace will be taken over by cleaning crew and other crew members passing through nonstop. The ship is basically a giant strip mall of restaurants and at this time of the year the only people you'll encounter on the pool deck after hours is crew. Although there's usually one person who stays up to 11 to watch the classical trio. It was refreshing when amateur hour was over and the music began to play again on the speakers.

 

Different strokes for different folks. Sorry you didn't like Viking but there are plenty of people who do and I am quite happy to continue sailing with them. Lucky for you there are plenty of other cruise lines for you to try and maybe you will eventually find one that you can enjoy.

[KyOh]

While we didn't stay up until the hours of three or four, we really enjoyed dancing to the music of Oaseas, the band on our cruise, after all of the other events of the evening. They were great. And I don't know where you got the idea that the musicians weren't professionals. The trio, pianist and guitarist were outstanding on our cruise last July on the Star. I guess you can't make everybody happy.

[philw1776]

Most of us Viking customers are geezers, just not all. That said, there was one late 20s aged mixed race couple on our latest river cruise Amsterdam then up the Rhine. They seemed to be having a great time on tours and on the ship and were socializing well with the older guests.

 

Viking river cruises are not known for late night (after 9 PM) partying with a few notable exceptions. :p

 

So, if you're someone comfortable in your own skin being outside your daily social environment and have a positive attitude and enjoy a fun graduate seminar on local European history, etc., you'll love the river cruises. There are opportunities to go off on your own, like spending a late night out in Amsterdam.

Edited January 9, 2017 by philw1776

[softcastle]

My fiancé and I are both 25, and my parents are going with us on the Viking Homelands cruise on the Viking Sea this May, and we couldn't be more excited! They warned us that we would be the youngest folks there, but after Princess and Royal Caribbean cruises filled with rowdy kids and drunken casino guests, we're down for anything with peace and quiet. Plus, I'm sure everyone has interesting stories and trips for future travels!

[siggyg]

My wife and I were definitely on the younger end of the spectrum (we're in our late 30s). As others have mentioned, we had a wonderful time meeting and interacting with folks on our Viking Sea cruise last month. There were several folks younger than us, but not too many. We usually cruise with our small kids, so this was a much more relaxing cruise than we were used to. Make sure you visit the infinity pool and the snow grotto!