First cruise for older parents

[Meggysmum]

Husband and wife, 80 and 82, never cruised before.

 

They love art, classical musical music and intellectual lectures etc. Hate things like quizzes and karaoke.

 

The husband refuses to wear anything formal.

 

They want to sail from Southampton to the Med.

 

They have posed me with the problem of finding them a suitable cruise. I cruise with my teenage children and use the large ships to make sure that they are entertained. I have absolutely no idea what cruise line or ships would suit them so any advice would be welcome!

[Aquahound]

Wanting art, classical music and lectures, but not wanting anything formal is a bit of a clash. Azamara maybe? They don't have any formal nights.

 

My first idea was Holland America. They do have formal nights, but of course, he does not have to dress up.

[Meggysmum]

Wanting art, classical music and lectures, but not wanting anything formal is a bit of a clash. Azamara maybe? They don't have any formal nights.

 

My first idea was Holland America. They do have formal nights, but of course, he does not have to dress up.

 

I thought that the lack of formal would affect the other interests catered for onboard so I am glad I was right. These aren't my parents, they are the parents of my best friend but because I cruise a lot they expect me to perform miracles!

[LHT28]

I do not know if P & O or Fred Olsen have formal nights but they might be an option... sailing R/T from Southampton

 

Oceania has a R/T cruise to Spain/France no formal nights

 

Azamara is one way from Southampton so they would need to fly back to the UK

 

Other lines will have formal night but they could just go to the buffet on that night but may not have the other requirements

[Meggysmum]

I do not know if P & O or Fred Olsen have formal nights but they might be an option... sailing R/T from Southampton

 

Oceania has a R/T cruise to Spain/France no formal nights

 

Azamara is one way from Southampton so they would need to fly back to the UK

 

Other lines will have formal night but they could just go to the buffet on that night but may not have the other requirements

 

Thankyou. I will certainly look in to those.

[Life is Good Cruising]

Husband and wife, 80 and 82, never cruised before.

 

They love art, classical musical music and intellectual lectures etc. Hate things like quizzes and karaoke.

 

The husband refuses to wear anything formal.

 

They want to sail from Southampton to the Med.

 

They have posed me with the problem of finding them a suitable cruise. I cruise with my teenage children and use the large ships to make sure that they are entertained. I have absolutely no idea what cruise line or ships would suit them so any advice would be welcome!

 

 

Celebrity cruises has a 14 night to the Mediterranean in 2015, leaving out of Southampton. Would he wear a jacket and tie ?

 

Azamara or Oceania are also good choices.

[cb at sea]

What you need to do is direct them to a good travel agent! Let them make their own decisions and take the blame if the choice they make doesn't suit them!

[OCruisers]

What you need to do is direct them to a good travel agent! Let them make their own decisions and take the blame if the choice they make doesn't suit them!

 

:D Bad me ... but I was thinking the same thing.

LuLu

[dorisis]

What you need to do is direct them to a good travel agent! Let them make their own decisions and take the blame if the choice they make doesn't suit them!

 

I agree with that. You don't need to be responsible for any disappointments,

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Holland is a good fit ...

[JimAOk1945]

Here's something else to think about . . . if you pick the cruise and they don't enjoy it, they will complain to your best friend and that may affect your friendship.

 

They should consult a travel agent.

Edited May 3, 2014 by JimAOk1945

[wieslaw]

I thought that the lack of formal would affect the other interests catered for onboard so I am glad I was right. These aren't my parents, they are the parents of my best friend but because I cruise a lot they expect me to perform miracles!

 

Hi,

Can you perform miracles ? They are 80 and 82 and for sure they look at things differently than you do. Their requirements, other than what you have already listed might be different than what you think.

Some posters already gave you the best suggestions (IMO) - stay out of it.

Let the travel agent do the explanation, suggestions and booking.

[NMLady]

Very few mass market cruise lines offer lectures anymore except at specific places such as Glacier Bay or the Panama Canal.

Some lengthy cruises do, such as World Cruise, but if they want lecturers they'll need a more upscale cruise line such as Oceania. No formal attire required for any dining room or any night on Oceania ships.

 

Personally I don't think their needs can be met on most mass market cruise lines.

Very few seem to have ballroom dancing anymore.

They need to talk to a TA, preferably a Cruise Specialist who is familiar with many different cruise lines and has cruised on them.

Edited May 3, 2014 by NMLady

[jocap]

P&O, Fred and Cunard all have quite strict formal nights....yet in other ways are the perfect fit for the couple. They will have lectures, classical music and dance. If you can persuade them to at least wear a lounge suit for 2 nights a week, then P&O's three adult only ships will have none of the more childish activities.

Then.....there's Saga, which is for the over 50s, and would include Saga insurance and free transport from Oxford to the ship! Slightly more expensive, but those two factors make a big saving, and certainly make the experience pleasant from doorstep to ship.

P&O adult have special classical music cruises; all the above have lectures on different subjects.

Edited May 4, 2014 by jocap

[navybankerteacher]

Husband and wife, 80 and 82, never cruised before.

 

They love art, classical musical music and intellectual lectures etc. Hate things like quizzes and karaoke.

 

The husband refuses to wear anything formal.

 

They want to sail from Southampton to the Med.

 

They have posed me with the problem of finding them a suitable cruise. I cruise with my teenage children and use the large ships to make sure that they are entertained. I have absolutely no idea what cruise line or ships would suit them so any advice would be welcome!

 

A couple of these requirements are almost mutually exclusive - classical music and intellectual lectures are more likely to be found on Cunard - which tends to be formal; while the leading informal line, NCL, is least likely to have classical music, or any lectures, and more likely to be big on karaoke.

 

Some flexibility is important - and it is always possible to simply avoid the unwanted aspects ( even formality on Cunard - although that would entail avoiding the MDR at least some nights).