age groups in p&o cruise to greenland june '10

[greenland]

hello everyone!! I would just like to know what the general age group would be on the cruises to greenland & iceland on the p&o cruise ship aurora that happen in june each year? I have never cruised before but happened to see that they do this cruise once a year and I have always wanted to visit Greenland, Iceland and also the Norwegian fjords, so its a very easy and relatively good value way to get a taste of the places. I would be afraid that my boyfriend and I would be completely out of place however!! We have looked into expedition type cruises but they have worked out very expensive and awkward time wise etc, so this cruise sounds ideal. Any ideas?

[qm2lover]

Hi,

 

We are going and it is an absolutely fantastic cruise.

 

Often these northern cruise do have an older age range. But we still think we are 25 even though we are now 30 years older!!

 

However, we have booked the kids on this one and they are both determined to come. (They are both single at moment though of course that might change.) Daugher will be 29 and son will be 27 next June.

 

The cruise is what you make it though. We have cruised since we were late 20's and in thoes days the age of passengers was much higher. We have had great times and met so many great people who I guess were considerably older than us at the time but ages made no difference.

[greenland]

Thank you, thats very helpful and its true thats its what you make of it yourself as well! I am really looking forward to it now. Have you done this particular cruise before? I was also wondering how many formal/semi formal nights there would be on a cruise of 19 days? Its more the destinations than the formal aspect of the cruise that appeals to me I have to say!! I would prefer if there weren't too many as its very awkward flying two connecting flights to Southampton with sets of clothes for both day and then formal evenings as well. Any ideas?

[gavotteers]

We have done that cruise in 2008 on Aurora and 2009 on Oriana here are a few photo's that might be of interest.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/barbaravalerie/sets

 

Mel

[qm2lover]

Hi

gavotteers,

Thanks for the photos. Looking forward to it even more.

 

Greenland,

Sorry not replied earlier, just got back from Aurora. It was very rough on the way out. Force 10/11. We were fine as it does not usually affect us and we actually enjoy it! But I know some people suffer quite badly.

On this 14 night cruise there were 4 formal, 4 semi formal/informal and 6 smart casual. So I guess on 18 nights it is likely to be something like 5 formal, 5 semi formal and 8 smart casual. As a rough guide the evenings of days at sea are formal and semi formal. The first and last night is always smart casual. The evenings with the evening in port is usually smart casual as are the evenings of the days in ports. However the Ents. team usually manage to confuse matters and have some casual nights on sea days and some semi formal nights on port days!

 

It is bad enough for me to pack without the flights you have. Where are you travelling from?

 

We have done this cruise (minus Greenland) twice before and it really is great. First time in June and the weather was great, very warm. Second time in August and it was wetter. We always choose the cruise for the destination and sometimes after a tiring day (just being at sea, doing nothing is very tiring!!) it seems a pain to have to bother to get dressed up. But it really is worth it. You just have a shower (wakes you up) and change anyway as you would at home so you might just as well put on something just that bit smarter. No problem!! Must admit that I do not bother about somethings quite so much now. No, or very little, makeup, brush thro' hair (cannot be doing with straightener etc. - 'better things to do than stuff a mushroom') bare legs.

 

When else (except perhaps Xmas) do you get the chance to wear long dresses? See all the men of all ages, different shapes and sized all looking fantastic in suits, DJs and Tux. It really is a very special atmosphere and well worth any effort.

[greenland]

just saw this reply now, thanks a mil, really looking forward to it now and getting very excited! we actually don't have to fly now at all which is great, so i can pack to my hearts content - we are from ireland and can board from the stops here which is very handy. i must go on a shopping trip soon for some glam outfits, looking forward to dressing up now - as you say, its not often you get the chance so it will be nice!

[Merlin7]

We did this cruise on Aurora in 2008. It was 18 days.

 

Not a sunshine cruise of course, although we did have great weather in Greenland, missed some ports due to engine problems, and it was very wet in Norway!!!

 

It's a great itineray.

[Merlin7]

Sorry,did not answer your query.

 

Mainly older, than us, persons on our cruise, but not us of course!

 

We are in our 50's and there were many older and younger than us.

 

Shared a table with a couple in their 20's and also a couple in their 80's.

 

All good company.

[qm2lover]

Hi Greenland,

 

Good to hear from you again.

 

Not long to wait now. Wonder what the weather will be like.

There is a group on the shipping company's forum website if you want to take a look.

 

Have you booked any tours yet?

[greenland]

hi qm2lover, i am getting ridiculously excited at this stage, really looking forward our first cruise :-) i have booked two excursions, the golden circle in iceland and the polar flight in akureyri. how about you? i am thinking that we can just do our own thing in the other ports probably. i am packing for all eventualities weather wise!! lucky i'm not flying and can pack plenty!

[greenland]

thanks merlin as well, really looking forward to this cruise now, hope it stays dry for us in norway!!

[qm2lover]

Hi

 

We have booked tours for the two ports in Iceland as well, but not the same as you. We have booked Iceland thro' the Lens and Jewels of the North.

 

We have done the Golden Circle tour and it is great.

 

Took a look at your dress on your other thread, it is lovely. Agree with LibraLass. It could be either - formal or semi-formal. I like to wear long dresses on formal nights (but not too fussy) while my friend always wears cocktail length for formal and semi-formal. It really is just what you want to wear and what you feel comfortable with.

 

Glad you are not restricted on packing now. Where do you join the ship?

You can take as much as you want. Dont know how we will get all my luggage in our car - but there should be four of us so there isnt that much room left in one car for the luggage!!

 

Hope we get reasonable weather.

[BORDER REIVER]

Hi,

 

We are on that cruise and are both over 55. We've read somewhere that the average age will be over 65. As it's only our 2nd cruise, we've booked shore excursions everywhere, with the highlight probably being a 4x4 glacier trip in Iceland :D. Still trying hard to find something to do in Nuuk - P & O have made it clear they will not be organising anything and not willing to give any help. Hoping to do helicopter flight to icecap (or whale watching), if I can get help from tourist board.

[clivep]

Hi to all.

 

Just booked this cruise today.

 

The P&O roll call forum appears to be empty so it seems a good idea to keep this thread alive.

 

I've not looked at excursions yet but other cruiser's views are always welcome.

[Merlin7]

There is nothing to do in Nuuk except enjoy the scenery, and hopefully some whales, on the approach up the fjord.

 

The waterfront here is pleasant to walk around but no swimming as it's only 2-3 degreesC and your survival time would be about 6 minutes :-0

 

We were very fortunate to have a gloriously sunny day and a temperature of 10 degrees C.

 

We saw one of the best ever 'sunsets' after midnight. The sea was like molten lava and the sky was just incredible. Look out on the port side for a very large glacier, easily visible as it was still light.

[tony13579]

Well we are booked too. I can't wait. We are both in our 40's.

I am looking forward to Greenland and Iceland especially and will be bring the BIG camera and lens :) as we have no flights to contend with.

 

We went on QM2 recently and it will be interesting to compare.

Great itenerary

 

Tony (and Tracey)

[lostinvegas]

Hi Greenland, I would not worry about average too much. We booked our first cruise when we were 24 (7 years ago). We were definitely the youngest people on the ship who had paid for their own cruise and most people thought we were probably with our parents. Last year we went to the Caribbean with some friends who are a little younger than us (21 and 24) and they had a great time. We have cruised several times now and are both 31, we still feel quite young on board but have always met and socialised with lots of other interesting people.

 

We love cruising and are planning another one this year on another cruise line although have been on P&O, Celebrity and Carnival P&O is our favourite.

 

Chris

[qm2lover]

Hi

 

A few of us from another site are planning a very informal meet.

Probably in the Crowsnest at approx. 11.30 am on the first sea day - the day after Dublin think that is Monday, 21st.

 

Just turn up if you can, unless you get a better offer!!

 

It would be nice to put faces to names, especially on this slightly longer cruise.

[greenland]

Only a week to go now! Eek, can't wait! Anyone plan anything to do in Greenland?

[qm2lover]

Hi Greenland and everyone,

 

Have you seen the other thread on this site? BORDER REIVER has found some great information on Greenland.

 

Have spent time this evening ironing. How is the packing going?

[Sir Tipalot-Knott]

Hi all, my better half and I are also cruising with you & would like to add that age is normally an advantage to cruising as experience counts greatly...

I myself am a sprightly 73 years young whereas my wife is 24 & we share many interests...;)

[qm2lover]

Hi

 

Hope all the packing is going well.

 

Have a safe journey and a fantastic holiday.

 

And maybe meet up with you on the ship.

[greenland]

Just to say we had an amazing time, really really enjoyed it and am already looking at what cruise we'll do next year!! I couldn't make the crows nest the morning ye met up, totally slept in that morning! Did you all enjoy the trip?