Do the 4-day cruises have a different vibe and a different crowd from 7-day cruises?

[daviesmom]

I've only been on one cruise before and it was 7-day, Eastern Caribbean cruise with Princess, which was a very mixed and fairly calm crowd. I've booked a 4-day Western Caribbean cruise with Carnival in December, and am wondering if it will be a lot more of a party atmosphere. Would there be fewer young children than a one week cruise? More college kids? I have no idea what to expect, but I know it's going to be fun no matter what! I'm a mid-thirties, married woman going with a friend of mine who's the same age. I just hope we're not the oldest people on the ship!!

[Wennfred]

You will find more of a party atmosphere on 3 and 4 day cruises. No college kids but more fun hard working adults that need to get away for a quick weekend.

 

 

Fred

[beach410]

I have never taken a 7 day cruise, but have always enjoyed our 3, 4 and 5 day cruises and dont find that much different about them even when we cruise during spring break or summer, just more younger kids. The clientelle is very mixed in ages, from a few college kids, families, older singles and up to the eldest generation you can think of! I have never experienced roudy or rude behavior by the college kids or the young children, we have been lucky. But maybe thats because I am having such a good time myself, I dont pay attention!

 

My first cruise was 3 days with friends for mothers day, our group consisted of the ages from 19-81. We all had a blast, there is something to do for everyone. I especially enjoyed the piano bar that cruise, havent been able to duplicate that experience since then though, but I will keep trying.

 

Last November we went with our neighbors, 4 days, Key West and Cozumel, they are in their mid 30's, I am in my lower 40's, but havent aged since 31 if you know what I mean, anyway, this was their first cruise and they enjoyed it very much. We spent a lot of time dancing on this cruise.

 

We always find ways to have a good time, 3, 4 or 5 days, its never enough though, I hope you have fun too!

[grandmato4]

I do think you will see and feel many differences in your two cruises but you will still have a good time !:) No, you certainly will not be the oldest on the ship and will have many other's your same age, and younger and older! Likely it will be more of a party cruise atmosphere than your previous cruise but much will depend upon the actual makeup of your cruise. We just did a 5 night cruise and it was far from a party cruise.

I suspect you will have as good of a time as you and friend decide to make it!!;) :)

[racegrrl]

When in December are you going? That will make a big difference of the make up of passengers . . . early December will more than likely be people without kids with them. Over the holiday break - children and families aplenty.

 

We have done two four days and one seven day. Seemed like the most activity we saw in the bars were on the shorter cruises, but that could have been the time of year we went. Both January cruises had more "older" passengers (I'm 36), and the one we went on in November seemed to be a big fat across the board mix. That one also left out of Miami - so it could have been the port of origin that created the mix.

 

We have ALWAYS been able to find a good time on all of our cruises! We are looking forward to our upcoming quickie-getaway three day in mid December - kind of a get-ready-for-the-holiday-madness cruise. We plan on a PARTY! :D

[yuki5900]

Did the 3 day Sensation out of Port Canaveral in May (my 7th cruise, 2nd 3 or 4 day) and one of the first things we noticed was that the passengers were much more multicultural than what we usually see. Loved it! I am always happy to see a diverse crowd. The other thing we noticed was that there were hardly any seniors aboard...or else they all looked really good! Enjoyed the Sensation so much we did the exact same cruise 2 months later.

[Mikel1733]

We did a 4 day out of Miami on the Imagination. It was definitely a party cruise. Turns out to fill the ship Carnival offered Florida residents $159pp while the rest of us paid $300-$400pp. There were some large family groups and they took over every venue whether it be bingo, the midnite comedy show, the casino, etc. Quite loud and overbearing really. Still a great cruise everytime we got off the ship was great. Would have like to get a shot at the price the locals got. :(

[Lilmatcat]

We did a 4 day out of Miami on the Imagination. It was definitely a party cruise. Turns out to fill the ship Carnival offered Florida residents $159pp while the rest of us paid $300-$400pp. There were some large family groups and they took over every venue whether it be bingo, the midnite comedy show, the casino, etc. Quite loud and overbearing really. Still a great cruise everytime we got off the ship was great. Would have like to get a shot at the price the locals got. :(

 

 

Carnival doesn't give price breaks just to the "locals". They rotate around and offer "resident rates" to people from other states. Right now I've noticed several deals for Minnesota residents -- which is nice considering the airline costs are up right now.

[jobster71]

It seems that the 7 day Conquest had more "mature aged" passengers than the 4-5 day Ecstasy. Both was a blast.

[jandjfun]

The 3 dayer we took was party, party, party!! It went to ensenada and back to LA. It was a total blast!! I was in my late fourties! Now if you want to see a different crowd, there is a huge difference between a 7 day cruise and a 12 day cruise! The longer the cruise, the older the people aboard get. It was boring as heck during the day, but the disco was a total blast at night cuz there were only about 50 people in there, we all fit around the bar, and we all partied together!

[yogi2929]

There is also a difference between the 3 day and 4 day cruises on the Paradise. The 3 days (F-M) are more of a party atmosphere. The four day (M-F) are more relaxed.