Need a vacation but scared to make the wrong choice...

[SUBnet192]

I'm 42 and my wife is 49 (probably not happy that I'm posting her age but..) and we're looking at a cruise on the Equinox (Greek Islands) for the end of the month.

 

It's a last minute thing, so fairly pricey and I want to make sure I don't spend my hard earned money on a cruise I'll end up hating. This would be our first cruising experience...

 

I saw a few videos and most guests seem quite a bit older than us. I also don't consider myself a 'sophisticated' person i.e. I much prefer jeans and tshirt over suit and tie :)

 

I'm also concerned about on board entertainment. I'm the kind of person who hates not knowing what to do, drives me nuts (I REALLY need a vacation right now and worrying about the vacation is not healthy for me!).

 

I planned an Italy trip last year which we loved (Rome, Florence, Venice in 10 days), visiting museums, monuments, etc.

 

We're not much of a beach/suntan couple so...

 

Thanks for your input!

 

Marc

[cb at sea]

I don't think you'll "go wrong"...cruising is a great vacation! There will be a wide range of ages on most ships....so don't worry about ages! Everyone is there for a good time, and quite frankly, older folks have having fun down to a science....lots of practice! Most cruiselines have plenty of entertainment...shows nightly of one sort or another.

Most cruiselines will have a formal night or two....you don't necessarily need a tux, but a suit or at least, jacket and tie, would help you "fit in". There are options for dining in places other than the dining room where dress is "casual" everynight.

 

However, cruising to ports gives you limited time in each place. If you really like "in depth" sightseeing and exploring, a land-based vacation may be the best for you. Cruising simply gives you a "taste" of each port. A guidebook, to help you plan your port days, is a MUST! That way, you won't be wasting time doing something that really doesn't "float your boat"!

[paul929207]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

If you like to do ports on your own, get a copy of Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports. Great book. We are heading that way in 9 days.

[Keith1010]

You will see a slightly older passenger this time of the year than in the summer but I would book it and you will find a range of passengers at different ages.

 

Nowadays, the attitude of the person is more important than their physical age.

 

Keith

[SUBnet192]

You will see a slightly older passenger this time of the year than in the summer but I would book it and you will find a range of passengers at different ages.

 

Nowadays, the attitude of the person is more important than their physical age.

 

Keith

 

I agree 100% about the age (I'm not 20 anymore either), but I'm more concerned about the entertainment targetting a certain age group/audience. Ballroom dancing is not for me (even if my wife would probably bug me to try lol).

[SUBnet192]

I don't think you'll "go wrong"...cruising is a great vacation! There will be a wide range of ages on most ships....so don't worry about ages! Everyone is there for a good time, and quite frankly, older folks have having fun down to a science....lots of practice! Most cruiselines have plenty of entertainment...shows nightly of one sort or another.

Most cruiselines will have a formal night or two....you don't necessarily need a tux, but a suit or at least, jacket and tie, would help you "fit in". There are options for dining in places other than the dining room where dress is "casual" everynight.

 

However, cruising to ports gives you limited time in each place. If you really like "in depth" sightseeing and exploring, a land-based vacation may be the best for you. Cruising simply gives you a "taste" of each port. A guidebook, to help you plan your port days, is a MUST! That way, you won't be wasting time doing something that really doesn't "float your boat"!

 

I guess I'll take the risk and hope for the best! We're looking at 5K$ just in base cost + incidentals, so I am going to cross my fingers for a worthwhile experience!

 

As expected, this will be a taste of the area mostly but still a better sampling than I would do by car/train/etc with much less hassle.

 

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated!

[Roz]

What sort of entertainment are you looking for? Are you referring to evening entertainment? There are a number of bars, and some of them will include music, such as the piano bar. Most ships have a disco, and there's also a nightly show in the show lounge. Acts range from comedians, Broadway revues, singers, dancers, and various types of musicians. There will be movies, bingo games, and the casino, plus a venue or two that offers classical music and/or jazz.

 

As far as age, you'll probably be mid-range. I've found on port-intensive cruises, especially if I have early shorex, I'm not up too late most nights.

 

Go and enjoy your cruise. It sounds wonderful.

 

Roz

[DebbieMacG]

You will love the Equinox it's a beautiful ship. We did the Greek Isles last November on her and had a fantastic time. We are in our mid 40's and there plenty of folk younger and older than us :)

 

We sailed on her sister ship in May are sailing on another sister ship in four weeks and next year will be back on the Equinox :D

 

Have a great cruise xxx

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

I would be surprised if you did not get hooked after your first cruise.

 

Med ports are so wonderful. So much cultural and history to explore.

[SUBnet192]

Thanks everybody for the feedback. I just hope the trip lives up to the hype :)

 

Regarding on board expenses, they recommend buying drinks packages, however I don't know what's included already! We don't drink wine, my wife doesn't care much for alcohol while I enjoy a beer now and then, we don't drink much pop, so bottled water and juices are pretty much it for us. Is there anything at all included in the base cost of the cruise? I find this part of the information quite lacking on the Celebrity website (other than incentives to buy packages).

 

Thanks,

 

Marc

[Roz]

Marc,

 

You will a better response to your questions if you post them over on the Celebrity board.

 

Roz

[DebbieMacG]

Thanks everybody for the feedback. I just hope the trip lives up to the hype :)

 

Regarding on board expenses, they recommend buying drinks packages, however I don't know what's included already! We don't drink wine, my wife doesn't care much for alcohol while I enjoy a beer now and then, we don't drink much pop, so bottled water and juices are pretty much it for us. Is there anything at all included in the base cost of the cruise? I find this part of the information quite lacking on the Celebrity website (other than incentives to buy packages).

 

Thanks,

 

Marc

 

Tea, coffee, milk, chocolate milk, orange juice, lemonade, hot chocolate, non bottled water are all included at various venues.

 

Come over to the Celebrity boards you will get a great welcome :) also you could sign up for the roll call for your cruise http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=206

[sail7seas]

Hopefully your Greek Islands cruise includes a day in Athens. If so, there is so much to see and do there, you can't possibly lack for things of interest.

 

The islands are slower pace yet still plenty to tour.... the ruins are fabulous and plenty of tours from which to choose.

 

Hopefully, you will enjoy that cruise as much as many of us seem to enjoy similar itineraries. We still marvel at the beauty of Mykonos, Crete is so interesting and Athens is one of our favorite cities. We visited there for multiple days several trips and would go again happily.

 

[chipmaster]

Last minute can mean deals or it can mean sky high prices for cabin/airfare.

 

Value is in the eye of the beholder

 

One key thing, insure the ports you visit are ones you really like. IMHO cruising is all about the fact you can wake up in a different port every day. You better love those ports, also be aware you only get ONE day in each for the most port. Very different than a land tour you did last where you had multiple days to explore the wonders of each city.

 

You should't feel to worried about your age, on every cruise I've been on i've seen lots of couples from their 20's to their 80s.

 

What your ship offers versus your interest is something you should research thru books, a travel agent or online here. There is some truth that boat line cater/market to certain styles and hopefully you pick one that match your vacation style. Can you wear those jeans and t-shirt for most of the cruise on many lines, yes. Will you have a better time if you also bring a set of nicer clothes for the more formal evenings, I'd say yes to that to.

 

Happy last minute planning

 

I'm 42 and my wife is 49 (probably not happy that I'm posting her age but..) and we're looking at a cruise on the Equinox (Greek Islands) for the end of the month.

 

It's a last minute thing, so fairly pricey and I want to make sure I don't spend my hard earned money on a cruise I'll end up hating. This would be our first cruising experience...

 

I saw a few videos and most guests seem quite a bit older than us. I also don't consider myself a 'sophisticated' person i.e. I much prefer jeans and tshirt over suit and tie :)

 

I'm also concerned about on board entertainment. I'm the kind of person who hates not knowing what to do, drives me nuts (I REALLY need a vacation right now and worrying about the vacation is not healthy for me!).

 

I planned an Italy trip last year which we loved (Rome, Florence, Venice in 10 days), visiting museums, monuments, etc.

 

We're not much of a beach/suntan couple so...

 

Thanks for your input!

 

Marc

[zoncom]

Sub, Great time to do that area on a great ship. Inside cabin from large discount cruise only agency way to go. Call Celebrity Choice air directly for reasonable air( I booked cruise w. discount agency prior.). I just saved many 100s on Euro fare for Fall.You can even stay over pre or after from another gateway. Get some travel /cruise books out of your library.Saw on another cruise site new 2013 Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships just out.Frommers and Fodors do same subjects.

[lady_cruiser]

You also might want to go the the Roll Call section and find the date of your ship's sailing. That way you can talk to other people here at Cruise Critic that will be sailing on the same ship, at the same time, as you will be.

[SUBnet192]

You also might want to go the the Roll Call section and find the date of your ship's sailing. That way you can talk to other people here at Cruise Critic that will be sailing on the same ship, at the same time, as you will be.

 

Did it over the weekend, thanks for the suggestion :)

[Cruising started]

No wrong choices on vacation. Have fun.

[WelshTraveller]

The important thing is to go with the flow and not worry too much while you are away.

 

I have been travelling alone for years and its very easy to get caught up in the very small details, I have learned that planning is the key but to remain a little flexible so if some little thing doesn't go how you planned it, you are not getting upset over it - theres a certain amount of 'hey ho its an adventure' about the whole thing and you will be having expriences you have not had before, so its all good right???

 

Saying all that my very first cruise will be next May and I am super excited about it, goodness knows how it will all work out but I am not wasting anytime worrying about it now I have picked out my cabin etc and got it all booked ;)

 

Life is about experiences, and its too short so make the most of every opportunity you have.