The vibe of a Princess Cruise...is it right for us?

[NODAK1979]

We are a couple without children...ages 33 and 27. I wouldn't say we're party animals in the least, but there's at least one night we would like to stay up late in a nightclub on board that plays decent dance music.

 

Also, we're not much into the formal nights...but we can eat in the buffet those nights, that's fine. No complaints. Other than that though, how accepted is it to wear shorts around the ship or a T-Shirt and shorts?? basically, just really casual wear. That's one thing we loved about Norwegian. We could dress like we're on vacation. Since I wear a shirt and tie 5 days a week at work, I just want a break from that....

 

I'm not sure how old the typical person is on Princess. As a young couple, we're probably in the vast minority anywhere on a cruise ship except maybe Carnival. That said, is the entertainment pretty good at all for people of our age bracket?? You know...comedians...decent shows...etc. Norwegian was pretty good about that, we thought. It didn't feel like it was geared towards a much older crowd OR a much younger crowd...which was great.

 

So basically...good nightlife (a good danceclub and entertainment) and acceptance of those who are dressing casually is what we're looking for....is Princess a decent fit for that?

[PotatoBug]

Unless I was eating dinner in the dining room I spent all my time in shorts, t-shirt, and sandals on-board. You can even eat breakfast, lunch, or afternoon tea in the dining room dressed that way.

[Pam in CA]

If you're on a longer cruise, your fellow passengers will be older. If you're on a 7-night Caribbean cruise, there'll be a good mix. You might be among the younger but it won't be a "geriatric" cruise.

 

Plenty of activities and nightlife but not as high energy as Carnival. Few PA announcements, fewer exhortations to join the fun. As casual during the day as you want -- t-shirts and shorts are fine anywhere on the ship. Nighttime, people dress up a bit; there won't be many in shorts walking around the ship. They're fine in the buffet at night, though.

[waltd]

If you liked Norwegian then I would try RCCL first. We have done RCCL and Princess and it sounds like you would like RCCL better.

[AKman2495]

We could dress like we're on vacation. Since I wear a shirt and tie 5 days a week at work, I just want a break from that....

]

 

 

See, that's what I like about Princess. I live in Alaska and the last time I wore a tie was at my grandmother's funeral last year. So, I want to dress like I'm on vacation. I'm bringing my Tux and plan on dressing "up":)

[deets31701]

My boyfriend and I are in our late 20s. I'm also curious to know if there will be any other people our age.

 

Either way, it's a vacation and we'll have fun.

[NODAK1979]

How would you rate the shows at night?? Do the bars/clubs close early? Just trying to get a feel. :)

[NODAK1979]

My boyfriend and I are in our late 20s. I'm also curious to know if there will be any other people our age.

 

Either way, it's a vacation and we'll have fun.

 

I guess you're right about that...it's a vacation no matter what and if you aren't having fun, you're doing it wrong.

[caribill]

how accepted is it to wear shorts around the ship or a T-Shirt and shorts?

 

Acceptable for everything except the dining rooms and specialty restaurants at dinner time.

 

OK for the dining room at breakfast and lunch.

 

On "smart casual evenings", long pants and a collared shirt for men and at least slacks (or skirt) and a blouse for women for eating in those places.

[Cupcrazy]

My boyfriend and I are in our late 20s. I'm also curious to know if there will be any other people our age.

 

Either way, it's a vacation and we'll have fun.

 

I am 29 and I like Princess. There are always activities for people in their 20s. Like potatobug said, unless its dinner time I'm always in shorts/bathing suit and a t-shirt.

[kicker]

If you liked Norwegian then I would try RCCL first. We have done RCCL and Princess and it sounds like you would like RCCL better.

 

I'd basically agree with this, having just done our first Princess after 7 Royal C's. However, its close and I think either one would make you happy.

 

As others have also noted, the time of year you cruise makes a HUGE difference. Examples:

 

1). cruise mid-January (as we just did) - mostly older crowds, although my Crown Princess cruise had a decent mix. Last year we did Celebrity Eclipse and I think (at 58) I was almost the youngest on board!

 

2). If you cruise in February when many Northern schools have winter breaks, you'll find 1,000 kids on some ships.

 

3). Same for college spring breaks - dominated by college age

 

Another thought: shorter cruises (4 or 5 day especially, but some influence on 7 day) tend to be younger crowds and more inexperienced cruisers. Longer cruises (10 to 14 days) tend to be older, retired crowds who have more free time to cruise.

 

Try reading reviews for the ship/time you plan on cruising - you should get a decent picture from those.

[lexyplexy]

Acceptable for everything except the dining rooms and specialty restaurants at dinner time.

 

OK for the dining room at breakfast and lunch.

 

On "smart casual evenings", long pants and a collared shirt for men and at least slacks (or skirt) and a blouse for women for eating in those places.

 

Capris are just fine for women in the dining rooms. I wear them all the time. Also see a lot of sundresses in the MDR.

[Mr XFT]

My wife and I are in our uper 30's. We had a great time, but our 7 day cruise in early Jan did make us feel like youngsters. It was a good mix, although a good mix could mean different things to different people. Certain clubs and bars go till pretty late, but the "club scene" is not highly visible unless you go to the right places. The crowd is not necessarily a nursing home, but everyone acted maturely, even the young people. If you're looking for a frat party, Princess is not it. In the main public spaces and events, I saw people drinking ALL the time, but I saw VERY few people that acted intoxicated. Everybody is mature enough to not act like a jerk just because they have a little buzz. I was pretty impressed by it, to tell the truth.

[flamomo]

In my experience, even on 7 day Princess cruises during holidays and Spring break, on Princess there is no "party central" atmosphere. Lots of 20-ish passengers, and kids, but still pretty laid back. There's plenty of alcohol intake, but things don't get wild. That does not mean boring ..... there are loads of activities offered.

Princess is a classy, but not snobby or staid, cruiseline.

[geoherb]

We've met plenty of young couples on our Princess cruises, although we don't really qualify any more since I turned 50 last month (and DH is six years older). The cruises around holidays will attract more young folks. Avoid the early December cruises. Those will be full of retired folks from Florida who have jumped at the bargain prices.

[SSM0120]

My DH and I did our first Princess cruise in 08 when I was 26 and he was 35. We loved it and found a good mix of ages. There was plenty to do, but w/o the super party atmosphere.

[gelo7]

I think that Carnival, NCL and Royal Caribbean are all good fits for you. Princess, Celebrity and Holland America may not be your cup of tea.

[Pam in CA]

My wife and I are in our uper 30's. We had a great time, but our 7 day cruise in early Jan did make us feel like youngsters. It was a good mix, although a good mix could mean different things to different people. Certain clubs and bars go till pretty late, but the "club scene" is not highly visible unless you go to the right places. The crowd is not necessarily a nursing home, but everyone acted maturely, even the young people. If you're looking for a frat party, Princess is not it. In the main public spaces and events, I saw people drinking ALL the time, but I saw VERY few people that acted intoxicated. Everybody is mature enough to not act like a jerk just because they have a little buzz. I was pretty impressed by it, to tell the truth.

It's not unusual to have a generally older passenger age in January. Most families and "younger" people have just celebrated the holidays and taken trips then rather than in January. I know when I was in my 20's and 30's, I didn't have any money left over after the holidays. :) I don't think it's changed too much since. You can get some great deals then but usually, it's the "older" people who have the time and $ to cruise then.

[BGarbo]

Princess is GREAT for any age! I'm 27 and went on my cruise two years ago and it was amazing! Be open to meeting new people (all ages) and be ready to "start the party" on the dance floor if you have to. There wasn't a TON of people my age when I went, but by the end of the cruise all of us late nighters were friends! I even went to one port with some of the new people I met!

 

I think it sounds like Princess will be great for you! I've contemplated going on a Carnival cruise but I don't want to pass up the rest of what Princess offers and what I'm assuming Carnival does not. Princess is a great balance...and don't even worry about what you wear during the day. No dress code...swimsuit all day long for me!

 

Have fun!

Jenovia

[Lozzer4612]

I am 29 and I absolutely LOVE Princess. I have cruised previously with RCCL and Carnival and neither compare to Princess. I went on my first cruise a year and a half ago around the Mediterranean for 12 days on the Ruby and I will admit I did feel like the youngest person on the boat. However we always found something fun to do at night- dancing at the nightclub, karaoke (which I probably should not have done :D), pool party etc. I loved it so much we are going back on the Ruby in February around the Caribbean and this time my sister and her finance are coming who are both in their mid-twenties.

[wb2868]

My husband and I took our first Princess cruise at the ages of 40 and 48. We have always enjoyed ourselves. Being from Florida we live in shorts and t-shirts and other than at night when we go to dinner that is usually what we will wear on the boat. We usually close the casino tables down at least two during the cruise there are always other people with us at the same time. We have done cruises of 7 days and 15 days and have had a great time!

[tobyt]

We have cruised NCL, RCL, Princess and Carnival and by no means an expert it is more about you than the crowd. Some trips is a more laid back vibe, our first Princess on CB was the most energetic but each brings a different feel. Some does come from the staff and the events planned but really spend your trip doing what you love and it will be great!

[Sassy's Mom]

We were 36 last year when we cruised on the Crown in April, 2011. We had a great time. Only downside was the southern US schools and many non-US schools were out for spring break (week before Easter) so we had about 1200 kids on board....that made the buffet a bit dangerous with so many shorties running around, zipping in front of you.

 

I'm excited to see if it will be better (less kiddos) in early March this year! That being said, DH and I agreed on several different occasions on which niece/nephew would love particular aspects of our cruise. :)

[fishin' musician]

The dress issues have been well covered in prior posts. I think you'll find the age range slightly advanced of NCL with similar night time activities. We've found NCL's production shows generally to be far superior to Princess's.

[bamelin]

I've been on both Princess and RCI.

 

Princess had better quality food (IMHO) noticably in the buffet and more reserved (but extremely professional) service. RCI food was alot richer and salty but still good.

 

Ship wise (comparing Explorer of the Seas to Star Princess) both were fairly comparable but I thought the Explorer was a nicer ship overall in terms of layout and activities.

 

Princess had a much older crowd (our RCI cruise was 9 days out of NYC, Princess was a 10 day out of Lauderdale). Wife and I are in our early 30's and we were literally the youngest people aboard (by far).

 

With that said we enjoyed the Princess cruise much more. That was due to a combination of the itinerary and food, the southern Caribbean is amazing.