Dispelling the Myth

This probably seems like an oxymoron as I am almost part of that sometimes demonised demographic However, I can honestly say that this is one of the major misconceptions about cruising. Cruising definitely isn’t just for old people. Contemporary cruising really is multi-generational, and I truly believe that you would enjoy it whatever your age.

To prove my point, this is my wonderful cruising family, and here is our potted cruising history!

Our First Cruise

John and I started cruising around 20 years ago for our 25th wedding anniversary. He hadn't fancied it up until then having been on a school “cruise” back in the early 70s which had put him off (on SS Nevassa, an ex-troop ship for any of you ship buffs out there) . However, a great deal came up for a 21 night Southampton-Caribbean round trip on P&O Aurora and he reluctantly agreed for me book. The rest, as they say, is history.

Obviously we both loved every minute (even our little inside cabin) and kicked ourselves for leaving it so long to try it.

I would maybe recommend carrying out a bit more research than we did before you go on your first cruise. There are so many places to choose from and different cruise options.

Cruising with Teens

As soon as we got back we booked three more cruises - Norwegian Fjords on P&O Oriana and a family back-2-back cruise on Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas in its inaugural season. We did that one as part of a months Florida holiday (I worked in education at that time and luckily had the whole summer off - and as the main cost was flights it was a no-brainer). We had a couple of weeks pre-cruise visiting the gulf coast beaches and theme parks before embarking on our eastern/western Caribbean cruise. I had booked it as a cruise-only as with the rate of exchange at the time it was a real bargain.

My four daughters were all teens at the time (13, 16, 18 and 19) and threw themselves enthusiastically into their own clubs and made lots of international friends . Fortunately, the older ones weren’t great drinkers so the over-21 alcohol rules didn’t worry them (see my related post here). Although not as well equipped as ships today, they loved the ice rink, cinema and all the entertainment laid on for them. One of my girls even got to the final of Royal Caribbean’s Pop Idol!

Now of course there is so much more out there to entice even the most surly of teenagers - ships with huge water parks, zip wires, state-of-the-art gaming, even go-cart tracks!

Check out Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, MSC Bellissima , NCL Bliss and of course P&O Britannia for great teen cruises.

Cruising as Crew

After this we cruised in various combinations of family groups (dependent on school and university schedules). Eventually my youngest daughter Rebecca (or Bex) became an Entertainments Officer with P&O Cruises on Oceana and Ventura (she even got to ring the ships bell on New Year’s Eve, an honour afforded to the youngest crew member on board - she was just 19 years old). It was on the Ventura that she met her future husband, Sean, a drummer in the ship’s resident band. Annoyingly, she left before we could make use of friends and family benefits 🙄)!

An Engagement at Sea

My third daughter, Eleanor (or Elle), having also got the cruising bug, was determined to introduce her boyfriend Alex to her favourite holiday and booked the Ventura whilst her sister was still onboard. What she didn’t know was that he had asked Bex to organise a celebration as he planned to propose. Such a romantic gesture and the perfect setting.

We continued cruising in family groups whenever we could and always as part of an extended US holiday, including stopovers in New York before flying on to Florida.

One of our favourites was our first experience of Celebrity on the Eclipse where we had booked adjacent hump cabins giving us an extra wide balcony, especially when we had the interconnecting divider unlocked. Loved the luxurious robes!

A Honeymoon Cruise

When my second daughter Amy married her husband Chris there was no doubt in either of their minds that they would honeymoon on a cruise. They even had a nautical element to their wedding, which was in Lake Orta in Italy, with guests being taken on a cruise of the lake to reach their reception.

They originally booked the maiden voyage of Princess Cruise’ Regal Princess departing from Venice two days after their wedding. However, to their disappointment the maiden voyage was moved to the previous week. After we explained the situation to Princess they upgraded the honeymoon couple to a suite!

Travelling with Babies and Children

Continuing the family tradition, Elle and Alex took their 18-month daughter Ivy on Mariner of the Seas for old times sake. They travelled with Alex’s parents, two teenage siblings and his 8 year old sister, all first-timers.

My granddaughter loved every minute and a great fuss was made of her by the crew. She had an early dinner in the buffet but still joined her parents in the main dining room later each evening. Although there were crèche facilities on board, they didn’t use these but did make good use of the playrooms and swimming pools. They were provided with a cot in their cabin but took their own bedding.

Alex’s 8-year-old sister absolutely loved her time onboard, from making new friends in the kids clubs, pool and deck parties and dressing up for formal nights. She particularly enjoyed her freedom, as even her very protective parents realised how safe an environment a cruise ship is for children (given a few common sense safety pep talks) and allowed her to explore more independently than she had previously been permitted. They were then able to enjoy more relaxed couple time.

Needless to say, we’ve also converted my daughter’s in-laws, who now cruise at least once a year.

Couples Cruising

John and I have now been on 20 cruises spanning our 40s, 50s and early 60s, and many of those have been as a couple or with friends rather than with family.

Although we have never chosen an adults only cruise, as we love seeing families having fun and enjoying the sea, we do occasionally make use of adult only areas if we crave some quiet time. Most ships have an adult only pool or solarium area for example.

I would say at this point, if a child-free environment is essential to you, do choose your cruise carefully as there is nothing more certain to spoil everyone’s enjoyment than a fellow passenger tutting or complaining about children playing, splashing about or generally having fun on their family holiday. Their parents have actually probably had to pay more for their trip and are entitled to see their children enjoying their holiday without suffering a guilt trip.

Travelling without the family means we can choose upgraded accommodation, enjoy drinks packages to the full, and choose activities or excursions that are more adult-focussed.

We generally choose anytime dining so we have the flexibility to dine where and when we want (usually planning around the evening entertainment).

Choice of itinerary might also be different when travelling without children. Expedition ships, for example, aren’t generally kitted out to cater specifically for children, and we have probably done more walking and exploring in ports than we did with the children (without the “are we nearly there yet?” or “this is boring” commentary)!

Extended Family Cruising

Now our family has grown and we have seven grandchildren between 1-8 years of age (with another due in a few months). My ambition is to get all of my family on a cruise together (quite a challenge as with 17 of us to organise we can barely manage to do that for Christmas dinner!). Everyone is keen (and I’m sure it would be a done deal if we were paying), it really is about logistics and choosing between so many great family-friendly ships.

In the USA, extended family cruising is common-place, as families can be scattered all over the vast country so a cruise reunion is a great way to catch up. I think we need to embrace this train of thought as I can’t think of a better holiday to meet everyone’s needs, young or old.

So in conclusion, whilst “old people” certainly do cruise, they are now unlikely to be in the vast majority (apart from on a few cruise lines), since other demographics are discovering the delights of ocean travel and brands are proactively trying to widen appeal. In fact, look out for cruise lines such as Virgin Voyages who are promoting new cruises predominantly for millennials - you are very much in demand!

We wished we’d discovered cruising in our twenties. It is the perfect way to explore the world, and as affordable as many other resort-based holidays With cruise lines now building ships with younger people in mind, now is a great time to start your own cruising adventures.

Is Cruising Just For Old People?