OK now I'm worried - is this what I should expect....?

[jennymaxgirl]

We have booked a Spring Break cruise in March of 2017, mainly because our children will be off school at that time. I am really hoping for the best on our 14 nights. It's actually two 7 day cruises back to back.

 

I have come across this video, is this what is to be expected in March? We do not want to run into crowds of College age kids....! We are sailing on the Regal Princess. This video is of the Caribbean Princess in March of 2015. I would anticipate this on other cruise lines, but was shocked that Princess ships would attract this crowd. Is this a reality for a Princess ship in March? Looks overwhelming to say the least!

 

 

Anyone had a similar experience?

 

Thanks,

Jennifer

[fishywood]

Obviously some very selective editing on that video.

 

I'm pretty sure the CB was sailing four and five day cruises last season. College students tend to book the cheapest cruise they can find that offers a AIBP. Believe it or not from South Florida that is often the short cruises from Miami on Celebrity. No line is immune during the peak of spring break.

 

Your two seven day cruises will likely have more kids than college students--but no guarantees. Nor can it be assumed that sober teenagers will wreak any less havoc than drunken fratboys. You may want to explore taking a true 10 day cruise on Royal Princess instead.

Edited February 2, 2016 by fishywood

[BRANDEE]

We have booked a Spring Break cruise in March of 2017, mainly because our children will be off school at that time. I am really hoping for the best on our 14 nights. It's actually two 7 day cruises back to back.

 

I have come across this video, is this what is to be expected in March? We do not want to run into crowds of College age kids....! We are sailing on the Regal Princess. This video is of the Caribbean Princess in March of 2015. I would anticipate this on other cruise lines, but was shocked that Princess ships would attract this crowd. Is this a reality for a Princess ship in March? Looks overwhelming to say the least!

 

 

Anyone had a similar experience?

 

Thanks,

Jennifer

 

 

Hi,

 

I was on the Caribbean Princess for a b2b last March from March 7 to March 21. There weren't 2000 college kids on board. Don't know when that video was shot. It was published on March 8, so it could have been a very short cruise earlier.

 

I cruise almost every March, usually a 10 day but tried a b2b (7+7)last year. I always find it a nice time of the year. Older crowds on a 10+day and usually very little kids. The shorter 4/5 day cruises may have more younger adults.

 

BTW you can check if a large group has chartered part of the ship for the sailing you are interested in.

Edited February 2, 2016 by BRANDEE

[floridalover5623]

Obviously some very selective editing on that video.

 

 

That video was extreme but they can get very similarly crowded if the college does decide to book your particular trip.

[rcsharp121]

We did a 5 day the first week of March, in 2014, and low and behold it was Florida March break then. We didn't realize till we were at the pool with A LOT of college students that were beyond drunk.... they ended up puking in the pool. The pool was closed for the rest of the day and night.

Most of them were under 21 and snuck booze on the boat or got very drunk at each port. (so drunk they were wheeling them on the boat in wheel chairs)

We also had the Carolina Panthers on the boat with us that week, they were a little more rowdy in the casino at night.

These items all made for GREAT conversation at the pool, bar or diner. lol

Other then those couple things we had an amazing cruise!!

[jolly_cruiser]

It also depends a lot on the port you are going out off and spring break weeks for schools and colleges close by to that port.

 

As other posters noted the shorter 4 to 5 day cruises are more likely to attract the younger adults.

 

The video does seem a little extreme.

 

I am doing a March cruise out of the west coast as well and do not expect this.

[WISH84]

The scene in the video where all you can see is a wall of bodies and the water in the pool was probably taken when there was a contest going on and everyone crowded around the pool to watch.

[john watson]

A lot of video editing to create a sensationalist clip with a lot of impact. 0.12 is Celebrity Constellation. 0.27 was MUTS screen showing a scene from "The Love Boat". The loungers in the background had different levels of occupancy indicating the scenes were taken at different times. The crowd of people were probably only there for a short term event but the impression you are being given is that the whole ship is this crowded and everyone is a college kid. It claims 2000 college kids on board a ship that can carry roughly 3000 passengers. To say this is not a realistic portrayal is a complete understatement.

 

Regards John

[mamaboss]

As I posted on another thread, 90% of my cruises were in March. Last year a 4 & 5 day. It was a different kind of cruise, food and service not as good and first time we sailed on a ship where noro was widespread though out the whole ship but no problems with passengers. Maybe I was just lucky (none of my group got noro either). Have another 4 and 5 day in about 30 days so we will see.

[Viesczy]

That video is all hype and no substance.

 

There's the balloon party (w maybe 75 people involved) and the repeated small group at the pool show many times (and a still that acts like it is all spring breakers but a lot of those must be taking college courses in their retirement years if you look closely).

 

You'll have a few more younger folks on board, yes as they have the time w it being spring break but it is not a 2 night booze cruise.

 

Have you ever been to a high school or larger college football game? You know the mix 50/50 students to alumni? The cruise will be 2 to 1 adults to younger than adults.

 

You're going to have a great time!

Edited February 2, 2016 by Viesczy

[TracieABD]

Actually, I teach college... That looks pretty tame, and reasonably crowded, by Spring Break standards. You should see the pics from Padre Island! :eek:

 

I am grateful that everybody had their naughty bits covered.

 

I am going on a 4 day out of FLL in March. I may be hiding out in the Sanctuary or my room a lot... but, heck, it is 4 days.

[georgiavol]

I concur the video is nonsense. In fact, I wish we had MORE college kids on Princess cruises. Gotta liven it up some more!!

[geoherb]

Our spring break cruises on Princess haven't been like that--but we generally avoid the main pool areas and buffet. We prefer the quiet of the adults-only pools, and we've never seen large crowds of college-age kids at them. Our one spring break cruise on a Carnival ship was like that, but we still had a pretty good time.

[Pythian]

We took a Spring Break 7-day to Roatan (out of Ft Lauderdale) with our kids and had a great time (2012, I think, Crown Princess). There were a lot of kids of all ages – 3 to 26. Maybe 1/3rd of the guests were kids. No issues – in fact, it was pretty darned fun. Older kids (college age and older teens) minded themselves well and seemed to have a lot of fun. I wouldn’t worry about it – you’ll have a great cruise.

[cb at sea]

You'll be fine...college aged kids can't afford a 7 night cruise....there will always be families, like yours, aboard...not an issue.

[Thrak]

Just enjoy your cruise. If you were booked for a spring break cruise on Carnival you would probably have a lot more to worry about. Like others said, most college kids can't afford anything longer than a 4 or 5 day cruise and Princess is not the line of choice for college kids.

 

It would be great if you would come back and give us an in depth review of your cruise and whether or not it was actually impacted by spring break kids.

Edited February 2, 2016 by Thrak

[TracieABD]

Just enjoy your cruise. If you were booked for a spring break cruise on Carnival you would probably have a lot more to worry about. Like others said, most college kids can't afford anything longer than a 4 or 5 day cruise and Princess is not the line of choice for college kids.

 

It would be great if you would come back and give us an in depth review of your cruise and whether or not it was actually impacted by spring break kids.

 

Hi Thrak-

I know your comment was not directed at me, but I might just do a live from in March... If I can squeeze in some writing time between my bikini contest and consumming funnels. (Because, you KNOW every college student wants to Spring Break with their professor!)

 

Tracie-Lynn

[mamaboss]

Hi Thrak-

I know your comment was not directed at me, but I might just do a live from in March... If I can squeeze in some writing time between my bikini contest and consumming funnels. (Because, you KNOW every college student wants to Spring Break with their professor!)

 

Tracie-Lynn

 

Excellent idea Tracie!

[MrMan]

OP "worries" too easily .

[Colo Cruiser]

OP "worries" too easily .

 

 

Not really.

[Cruisin' Chick]

We were on a 3-day Baja cruise on Carnival during Easter weekend. Definitely a spring break cruise. At the pool, many college kids with the beer buckets and funnels. The next day was in Ensenada and it was funny to watch all these kids staggering out of taxis to return to the ship after their time at Hussongs Cantina. The next morning was sooooooo quiet and not because it was Easter.

 

I would definitely avoid any short cruises between February and early April if I want to avoid the college spring break crowd.

[Mom33]

We have booked a Spring Break cruise in March of 2017, mainly because our children will be off school at that time. I am really hoping for the best on our 14 nights. It's actually two 7 day cruises back to back.

 

I have come across this video, is this what is to be expected in March? We do not want to run into crowds of College age kids....! We are sailing on the Regal Princess. This video is of the Caribbean Princess in March of 2015. I would anticipate this on other cruise lines, but was shocked that Princess ships would attract this crowd. Is this a reality for a Princess ship in March? Looks overwhelming to say the least!

 

 

Anyone had a similar experience?

 

Thanks,

Jennifer

 

I was on the Caribbean Princess last March for 5 days. There is no way 2000 college kids were on the ship. The kids that were on the ship, never interfered with our cruise. There were maybe 250 -300 of them.

The Regal costs more than the Caribbean Princess. It will have more families like yours.

Edited February 3, 2016 by Mom33

[mammajamma2013]

I read through the comments and believe what's being said about a heavily edited video. Actually, the most alarming thing I saw were the selfie-sticks. I happen to think those things are silly!

[CruiseAdict218]

Took a cruise almost a year ago on the Regal Princess, 7-Day Eastern Caribbean during Spring Break, while there were a lot of younger people, it wasn't crazy. I'd agree and say that part of the video was probably shot during some pool activity.

[ar1950]

Hi Thrak-

I know your comment was not directed at me, but I might just do a live from in March... If I can squeeze in some writing time between my bikini contest and consumming funnels. (Because, you KNOW every college student wants to Spring Break with their professor!)

 

Tracie-Lynn

 

Not Thrak here, but, sure. A review from the more "mature" spectrum of the college spring break age "continuum" would be appreciated. We did a four and five day B2B in March 2014 on the Ruby and did not see too much spring break mayhem. A few twenty somethings who thought being loud in the MUTS area was funny. The people watching pretty much shooed them away. And a few other loud groups here and there. No big deal overall.

 

So, yeah, Tracie-Lynn. Lets see what your students think about your presense on their break. LOL :D

 

Thanks in advance if you do a live-from.

Edited February 3, 2016 by ar1950