How important is "demographic"?

Does anticipated passenger mix have much influence on selecting your cruise? Many posters have obvious "red flags": they indicate that they avoid short spring break cruises because they do not like booze cruises, they shy away from Disney because they do not like the likelihood of very many young children, or they avoid HAL because of the "nursing home" reputation some focus upon.

Do you consider the likely (or just rumored) demographic of a cruise line in picking a ship/itinerary ---- and what "red flags" turn you off?

I have officially entered retirement time so the only consideration for me is a cruise loaded with kids. Consequently, I now cruise the smaller cruise lines where kids are basically not welcomed. I’ve previously cruised ALL the family friendly lines, but not any more.

never have... well over 60 cruises on 9 different lines... only once did we wish we knew in advance, when we went on an NCL cruise 25 years or so and found we were on a country western themed cruises -- all entertainment was country western... not our cup of tea... one venue would be find but the enter ship focus was a bit much. Live and learn. But over all demographics is a non issue... we typically cruise off season so avoid crowds that way on and off the ship.

Does anticipated passenger mix have much influence on selecting your cruise? Many posters have obvious "red flags": they indicate that they avoid short spring break cruises because they do not like booze cruises, they shy away from Disney because they do not like the likelihood of very many young children, or they avoid HAL because of the "nursing home" reputation some focus upon.

 

Do you consider the likely (or just rumored) demographic of a cruise line in picking a ship/itinerary ---- and what "red flags" turn you off?

We prefer not to book a cruise when there will be lots of kids on board, such as during Spring Break or during the summer when school is out. We have nothing against children. We have three of our own, all grown adults. We just prefer not to cruise when a third (or more) of the passengers are under the age of 15.

Add us to the ones who try to avoid cruises with a lot of kids. Or loud partyers. So, no Disney. No spring break. And we generally go for longer cruises.

We call it “doing your homework”. We have met people on Oceania, or Regent (small non children/ older clientele cruise lines), that have taken their children or younger 20 somethings....and then complained about the “over 60” crowd. Yup, they are...yup it is important to us. Pls no children, pls no “pool parties, blaring music, hawking anything” Just peace and quiet, and yes, age appropriate for us “over 60”. So, IMHO, it should be important, to avoid surprises, to do homework on your intended cruise line.

There are factors outside of which cruise line that we consider.

No cruises shorter than seven nights.

No cruises selling a drastically reduced fares.

No cruises when most children are out of school.

We avoid Disney, and cruising during summer or spring break to avoid too many children (I don't mind a few - I actually really like kids :D ). We also haven't sailed HAL yet or some of the other lines that cater more to the senior crowd. We learned on our last cruise to not sail out of Tampa as the demographic (and thus the ship's entertainment choices) definitely skewed older than us.

My time will come to join the slower and more serene crowd, but for now, I still like loud parties around the pool with a good DJ and some crazy dancing well past midnight!

I don't do spring break or short cruises on holidays, but other than that, I've got no issue with anyone of any age.

We book for cost, convenience, and itinerary. Chances are we won't be booking cruises with lots of kids because they are in the more expensive season. We don't care about old folks, because we are old, too. But only in years. Unless you are in your 80's, and came of age in the 50's, you won't be old fuddy duddies. We came of age in the 60's, hippies, free love, birth control pills, pot & LSD. There is a t-shirt that says Inside every old person is a young person thinking What the heck happened!' EM

We try to avoid cruises/lines with a very high pensioner passenger base. We would rather have a boat of families because the atmosphere seems to go up a notch for what we like. Even though we are not super partiers we like the ship to still have something after 10pm. We have to cruise in the European school holidays anyway.

I think this is due to our age (30/31). We always say we would have more cruise choice when we are older as atm we avoid various lines and love others...I am sure you can guess which I mean.

I am not saying people in their 50s/60s + can't be fun and we have met fabulous folk of all ages but when you are our age there is a definite feel of a resort/cruise when you are one of the few young ones.

To me, it' very important. As I age, I'm getting less tolerant of people and some of the stupid things they do. For example, you will never see me on a short Carnival cruise during Spring Break.

Being on a cruise ship is really no different than being in any resort-type hotel....as far as the other guests go...you do your thing...they do theirs!

To me, it' very important. As I age, I'm getting less tolerant of people and some of the stupid things they do. For example, you will never see me on a short Carnival cruise during Spring Break.

I've found that people doing "stupid things" has no age limits regardless of the cruiseline, when or where it's going.

I've found that people doing "stupid things" has no age limits regardless of the cruiseline, when or where it's going.

True, but some groups are certainly more prone to it than others.

We love the mega ships but hate a ship full of kids. We have done Allure, Oasis, and upcoming Symphony as transatlantics. A mega ship with no kids and several hundred solo travelers is a demographic that is exactly what we look for. Plus 10 - 12 sea days is a added bonus.

I'm the "pensioner" in my 60's and wife is in her 50's.

Anticipated demographics is very important whether our holiday is a cruise or if we are enjoying an All Inclusive.

We want out atmosphere to be lively and hopefully family oriented. I love the sound of young people filled with laughter. Whether it be Disney, Beaches Negril All Inclusive, or yes, even if it's Spring Break with loud music.

The last thing I want is listening to old people talk about their skin lesions, portfolios, and impending strokes.

I'm the "pensioner" in my 60's and wife is in her 50's.

Anticipated demographics is very important whether our holiday is a cruise or if we are enjoying an All Inclusive.

We want out atmosphere to be lively and hopefully family oriented. I love the sound of young people filled with laughter. Whether it be Disney, Beaches Negril All Inclusive, or yes, even if it's Spring Break with loud music.

 

The last thing I want is listening to old people talk about their skin lesions, portfolios, and impending strokes.

I think I'd like you two :cool:

I'm the "pensioner" in my 60's and wife is in her 50's.

Anticipated demographics is very important whether our holiday is a cruise or if we are enjoying an All Inclusive.

We want out atmosphere to be lively and hopefully family oriented. I love the sound of young people filled with laughter. Whether it be Disney, Beaches Negril All Inclusive, or yes, even if it's Spring Break with loud music.

 

The last thing I want is listening to old people talk about their skin lesions, portfolios, and impending strokes.

I think I like you a lot too. :cool:

We're the opposite of most people on CC I think. Being that we're younger with 2 kids, we prefer the family and active atmosphere. I don't want to sail on a nursing home cruise or feel like I am sailing on a K&W Cafeteria cruise. I want the younger demographic.

I've found that people doing "stupid things" has no age limits regardless of the cruiseline, when or where it's going.

Be that as it may, I've yet to run across people doing "stupid things" on the 350-pax Aegean Odyssey that offers no kids, no casinos and the main entertainment is classical music and guest lecturers (mostly retired university profs).... ;)

Be that as it may, I've yet to run across people doing "stupid things" on the 350-pax Aegean Odyssey that offers no kids, no casinos and the main entertainment is classical music and guest lecturers (mostly retired university profs).... ;)

I love that there are cruises for everyone, because that doesn’t sound like a vacation to me [emoji16]

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We mainly chose our cruises based on the itinerary and usually go for 7 day cruises since when we cruise that's usually our vacation for the year. We also try to go for the best deals, which seem to be May and September, and look for port heavy itineraries. We've mainly sailed with Carnival since they seem to be a good match for us. There are a few itineraries with ports that Carnival doesn't go to that some of the lines that are referred to as "nursing home" ships do, but are hesitant because of price and because we're afraid it would be too quiet and we'd be bored when not in port. We're casual (we do dress appropriately) but also prefer a cruise line that's less formal and more in or comfort zone. We cruised in March once and in April another time, peak "spring break" time. There were a lot of families on those cruises and a LOT of kids. I don't know if we were just lucky or if some of what's said about the behavior of kids is a little exaggerated, but we've never had a problem with the kids. We don't have kids, but unless they are really out of control, then we have no issues. The only thing that turned us off on one of those cruises was the crowds...the ship was packed and wait times (lines, bar service) were a lot longer than what we've experienced. But just like any vacation, we try to choose something we know we're likely to enjoy.

I want to KNOW I'm on a ship, so it has to be moderately small. Mega ships are of no interest to me (rooms with balconies overlooking an "indoor" mall? YUK). I want that damned promenade deck (just like all the old movies have) so I can sit on a deck chair during the day, or lean on the railing after dinner, and pretend Cary Grant or David Niven will come by any minute. After that, where is it going? And can we find quiet places to be together and focus on being a couple? Don't need to be entertained by noise and activities and casinos and what not - we entertain ourselves. So Holland America fits me wonderfully.

Be that as it may, I've yet to run across people doing "stupid things" on the 350-pax Aegean Odyssey that offers no kids, no casinos and the main entertainment is classical music and guest lecturers (mostly retired university profs).... ;)

Fortunate you ;)

Sounds like a cruise I will avoid.