Best cruise for 50 year old couple

[Harvest02]

This will be our first cruise for our 25th wedding anniversary. We are looking at Western Carribean at the end of April 2020. Thinking Carribean Princess. We want a good first time experience with as few kids on board as possible. Our kids are grown and we just want a more adult cruise but with people our age. Is this a good one?

[OCruisers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

We've cruised on Caribbean Princess many times and have always totally enjoyed.  

Not many "Spring Breakers" at the END of April. 

Look forward to a wonderful Western Caribbean cruise on Caribbean Princess!    

[Essiesmom]

If you can stretch longer than 7 days, you might look at Celebrity Equinox, an 11 day itinerary.  EM

[Heidi13]

You will receive a multitude of recommendations. The Caribbean Princess was the first modified "Grand" Class of ships, where they added an extra deck of cabins (500 pax) to exactly the same hull & public spaces. Having sailed with Princess for 35+ years, our favourite ships were Island/Coral & Diamond/Sapphire. The Diamond/Sapphire are "Grand" class & of superior build quality, as they were built in Japan, rather than Italy.

 

We enjoyed the Grand class, but found the Super Grands way too crowded. Did 1 cruise on Emerald and never booked another Super Grand. Our final cruise with Princess was 2015, as we find their quality and constant nickle & diming do not meet our expectations.

 

If the lack of kids is an issue, check out Viking Ocean, which have nobody < 18 years. The base fare is higher, but they are significantly more all-inclusive, including a free excursion in each port.

[calliopecruiser]

22 hours ago, Harvest02 said:

We want a good first time experience with as few kids on board as possible. Our kids are grown and we just want a more adult cruise but with people our age. Is this a good one?

Everyone is different, and what's good for you might not be good for another 50 year old couple.  What is it you want other than few-to-no kids?  Is the Caribbean a priority?  Are you looking for great food, larger cabins, or good on board entertainment choices?  Do you want your on-board experience to be pay-as-you-go, or more inclusive? 

[Harvest02]

We like to go out here at home with friends...dancing, eating out, socializing. We are young at heart for sure. We want to be with people our age that enjoy the same things. We are not home bodies. We we're leaning towards princess but worried there won't be enough late night activities for us. Hubby saw the NCL breakaway and loves all the clubs and go cart track. So we are torn. We have friends that are on a celebrity cruise right now and they said they are one of the youngest on that one. Will be interested to hear their thoughts once they are back. The one thing we know for sure is end of April beginning of May is what we are aiming for when all spring breaks are done. Any other thoughts welcome!

[Heidi13]

We find the average age depends on both the cruise line and length of cruise. On a trans-canal from Ft Lauderdale on Coral Princess we were one of the youngest pax (early 50's) between Ft Lauderdale & L/A, but for the 2 additional days up to Vancouver we became almost the oldest.

 

If considering the glitzy mainstream lines with an abundance of rock climbing walls, skating rinks, wave riders, etc you should probably expect to be nickle & dimed constantly, with poor quality meals, etc. May want to read a few threads regarding meal quality on NCL. In the past few months, I recall seeing at least 2 threads stating they had the same menu every night.

[SRF]

The best cruise, is the one you take.

 

You will find activities across the age line, and interests.

 

What do YOU like to do?

 

 

[trish1c]

Other than no kids what are your interests?  We are your age & sailed the Caribbean Princess about 8 years ago.  I wouldn't do it again.  Princess was a nice ship.  We liked the chocolate chip cookies & loved the itinerary, Southern Caribbean at the time but the cruise was just too boring for us.  They practically roll up the sidewalks at 10 pm.  The only bar left open is the disco (not our speed).  If you are night owls this is not the ship for you.  If you are morning people you might have a great time.  There were not a lot of kids; a few babies but that was about it.  

[Jimnbigd]

During the USA school year you won't have many kids, but you'll probably always have some kids on the lower to middle priced cruises. Also,  late dining has fewer kids. High priced cruises such as Crystal, Regent, and Silversea won't have many if any kids, but these are very expensive. Since you probably have to fly, try something from Ft. Lauderdale or Miami. Don't rule out the Easter Caribbean.

 

I like the Royal Caribbean voyager and freedom class ships. If one or both of you are working and want to take only one week's vacation, try a cruise that sails and returns on Sunday, but fly out on Saturday and spend the night. And don't book too early a return flight -- after 1pm should be fine from Ft. Lauderdale or Miami, since the airports are fairly close to the cruise terminals.

 

You are wise to book now for next year. You'll probably get a better price and cabin selection.

Edited April 23, 2019 by Jimnbigd

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On 4/21/2019 at 2:58 PM, Heidi13 said:

If considering the glitzy mainstream lines with an abundance of rock climbing walls, skating rinks, wave riders, etc you should probably expect to be nickle & dimed constantly, with poor quality meals, etc. May want to read a few threads regarding meal quality on NCL. In the past few months, I recall seeing at least 2 threads stating they had the same menu every night.

We did NOT get nickel and dimed on the Allure of the Seas 3 weeks ago, despite the presence of rock climbing walls, a skating rink, waver riders, etc. The MDR food was better than on NCL. Loved all of the activities and entertainment.

 

We were disappointed with NCL's food, but loved the activities and entertainment, and also the cabin. Didn't get nickel and dimed either.

[Harvest02]

18 hours ago, trish1c said:

Other than no kids what are your interests?  We are your age & sailed the Caribbean Princess about 8 years ago.  I wouldn't do it again.  Princess was a nice ship.  We liked the chocolate chip cookies & loved the itinerary, Southern Caribbean at the time but the cruise was just too boring for us.  They practically roll up the sidewalks at 10 pm.  The only bar left open is the disco (not our speed).  If you are night owls this is not the ship for you.  If you are morning people you might have a great time.  There were not a lot of kids; a few babies but that was about it.  

We ended up picking Norwegian Breakaway! Lots of nightlife and loved the itinerary. We are excited. Glad we decided not to do Princess. This decision for Norwegian feels right!

[Heidi13]

2 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

We did NOT get nickel and dimed on the Allure of the Seas 3 weeks ago, despite the presence of rock climbing walls, a skating rink, waver riders, etc. The MDR food was better than on NCL. Loved all of the activities and entertainment.

 

We were disappointed with NCL's food, but loved the activities and entertainment, and also the cabin. Didn't get nickel and dimed either.

Totally accepting of your opinion, suggest we just have different definitions of nickle & diming. Our expectation is for a cruise to be much more all-inclusive - no fees for going to specialty restaurant, included room service, included drinks at meals, included specialty tea/coffees, included wi-fi, included spa, no photogs, no shopping host, etc.  

[SRF]

1 minute ago, Heidi13 said:

Totally accepting of your opinion, suggest we just have different definitions of nickle & diming. Our expectation is for a cruise to be much more all-inclusive - no fees for going to specialty restaurant, included room service, included drinks at meals, included specialty tea/coffees, included wi-fi, included spa, no photogs, no shopping host, etc.  

 

Pay now or pay later.

 

If you use all the "freebies", then it may be a good deal.  If you don't use them, you are paying more for things you do not use.

 

TANSTAAFL

 

 

Edited April 23, 2019 by SRF

[navybankerteacher]

3 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

Totally accepting of your opinion, suggest we just have different definitions of nickle & diming. Our expectation is for a cruise to be much more all-inclusive - no fees for going to specialty restaurant, included room service, included drinks at meals, included specialty tea/coffees, included wi-fi, included spa, no photogs, no shopping host, etc.  

Good point - I’ve found that if you are at all interested in reasonably good food reasonably well presented while sailing NCL, you need to pay for the specialty restaurants:   what I would refer to of as nickel & diming because reasonably good meals you do not have to prepare for yourself is one of the enjoyable aspects of cruising.

[KmomChicago]

10 hours ago, Harvest02 said:

We ended up picking Norwegian Breakaway! Lots of nightlife and loved the itinerary. We are excited. Glad we decided not to do Princess. This decision for Norwegian feels right!

 

If it feels right, then it's right.  You should have a fabulous time.  Norwegian is doing something right as they have been in this game a long time with plenty of success and loyal returning passengers. As you know Breakaway is a fairly large and newish ship with plenty of bells and whistles, just a lovely vessel.  Food is subjective but we have always had more than enough good food included on every cruise and never found anything to complain about with any line in that regard.

 

As for the nickel and diming, this simply means that more expenses are optional allowing you to control your spending as you see fit.  Except for prepaid gratuities, nobody has to buy any of the optional products or services, like upgraded dining, booze packages, spa services, photos, souvenirs, casino/bingo, shore excursions, wifi, etc.  I prefer to think of it as more a la carte rather than nickel and dime, as I don't want much of that stuff anyway so the higher cost of a premium all inclusive line would be mostly lost on me.

[trish1c]

19 hours ago, Harvest02 said:

We ended up picking Norwegian Breakaway! Lots of nightlife and loved the itinerary. We are excited. Glad we decided not to do Princess. This decision for Norwegian feels right!

 

 

Congrats on picking something that appeals to you!  We prefer the nightlife on NCL ships, very vibrant.  

 

I have never sailed the Breakaway but have sailed her sister the Getaway. These are huge vessels.  I love the bar outside in the back.  I think it's called H2O.  I never remember or care about the bar names but if I knew them it would make things easier on these boards, lol 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

21 hours ago, Harvest02 said:

Glad we decided not to do Princess.

but why? We enjoy Princess. Mid-40s, with an 8 yo kiddo. My parents enjoyed it very much as well - late 60s. My friends (mid-40s) love Princess (but only Regal and newer), and so do their parents and siblings.

[rmurray847]

On 4/23/2019 at 4:24 PM, Harvest02 said:

We ended up picking Norwegian Breakaway! Lots of nightlife and loved the itinerary. We are excited. Glad we decided not to do Princess. This decision for Norwegian feels right!

We sailed on the Breakaway (Transatlantic) last April.  I think you should be pretty happy.  There are a lot of venues for "nightlife" from an actual night club, to a comedy club (you must see HOWL AT THE MOON if they're still doing it), and several other bars.  Spice H20 is a blast too, if you like dancing.  I've never sailed Princess...but I can tell you that my wife and I (55ish) enjoyed the Breakaway.  And the party mood on a shorter cruise should be amplified even more.  

[George C]

Agree longer cruise will have less children, also celebrity and hal normally have very few children.