Best cruise line for age 50 - 55

[AliSu123]

Calling all VERY EARLY RETIREES.

Hi, we are UK-based and would like to do a cruise in May 2017, small-ish ship (under 1000 pref), adults only, not too stuffy, but from many of the reviews I have read, the demographic on a lot of these is over 70 and and the entertainment is stuck in the 1970's! We are not exactly Club 18-30 but don't want to be tripping over zimmer frames and mobility scooters. Sorry to be harsh, but I will just have finished 6 months of chemotherapy and I don't need to be constantly reminded of my mortality!

We would also like to sail from the UK (that ups the age, I know) and would like 2 weeks with not too many destinations, as we would like to enjoy actually cruising at sea. We don't really mind where we go, it's the right date and the right ambience that we are looking for. I am also aware that most cruises will already be fully booked.

Have looked at a few like Swan Hellenic, CMV and Voyages of Discovery but I am a bit overwhelmed with the choice, so any recommendations from others in the 50-55 age bracket would be most welcome.

(I accidentally posted this on the .com rather than .co.uk site so I may have duplicated myself!)

[LHT28]

(I accidentally posted this on the .com rather than .co.uk site so I may have duplicated myself!)

both end up on the same Cruise critic site

[beachbum53]

Calling all VERY EARLY RETIREES.

Hi, we are UK-based and would like to do a cruise in May 2017, small-ish ship (under 1000 pref), adults only, not too stuffy, but from many of the reviews I have read, the demographic on a lot of these is over 70 and and the entertainment is stuck in the 1970's! We are not exactly Club 18-30 but don't want to be tripping over zimmer frames and mobility scooters. Sorry to be harsh, but I will just have finished 6 months of chemotherapy and I don't need to be constantly reminded of my mortality!

We would also like to sail from the UK (that ups the age, I know) and would like 2 weeks with not too many destinations, as we would like to enjoy actually cruising at sea. We don't really mind where we go, it's the right date and the right ambience that we are looking for. I am also aware that most cruises will already be fully booked.

Have looked at a few like Swan Hellenic, CMV and Voyages of Discovery but I am a bit overwhelmed with the choice, so any recommendations from others in the 50-55 age bracket would be most welcome.

(I accidentally posted this on the .com rather than .co.uk site so I may have duplicated myself!)

 

I would suggest that you go talk to a cruise specialist in your area. She / He will try to match you up with a cruise that best suits you, based on your preferences.

[CruiserBruce]

Actually the first post ended up on the "Ask a Cruise Question" board, here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2420309

 

where you and I both posted.

[Aquahound]

Calling all VERY EARLY RETIREES.

Hi, we are UK-based and would like to do a cruise in May 2017, small-ish ship (under 1000 pref), adults only, not too stuffy, but from many of the reviews I have read, the demographic on a lot of these is over 70 and and the entertainment is stuck in the 1970's! We are not exactly Club 18-30 but don't want to be tripping over zimmer frames and mobility scooters. Sorry to be harsh, but I will just have finished 6 months of chemotherapy and I don't need to be constantly reminded of my mortality!

We would also like to sail from the UK (that ups the age, I know) and would like 2 weeks with not too many destinations, as we would like to enjoy actually cruising at sea. We don't really mind where we go, it's the right date and the right ambience that we are looking for. I am also aware that most cruises will already be fully booked.

Have looked at a few like Swan Hellenic, CMV and Voyages of Discovery but I am a bit overwhelmed with the choice, so any recommendations from others in the 50-55 age bracket would be most welcome.

(I accidentally posted this on the .com rather than .co.uk site so I may have duplicated myself!)

 

I don't know if any of their itineraries fit your likes, but take a look at Oceania and Azamara. They seem to fit well into your criteria.

[George C]

I would also look at Hal , but none of these lines are adults only, so do not cruise in summer or holidays and also longer cruises have a much smaller amount of children. We also like Sandals resorts which are adult only there are dozens of these in the Caribbean.

[beachbum53]

I would also look at Hal , but none of these lines are adults only, so do not cruise in summer or holidays and also longer cruises have a much smaller amount of children. We also like Sandals resorts which are adult only there are dozens of these in the Caribbean.

 

Unless one of those Sandals resorts is also a cruise ship, that info won't be much help to the OP.

[phillygirl63]

I would also recommend Oceania. We are in our early 50's and have sailed twice with them. Both times were in August on Marina (1250 passengers), and there were very few kids onboard. The passengers consist mainly of couples who are mature, unpretentious, well-traveled and very interesting. Dress is country club casual in evenings, with no formal nights at all.

 

Both cruises, however, had very port intensive itineraries, but I suppose you don't have to leave the ship if you don't want to. Maybe a transatlantic voyage might interest you.

 

The only negative I have about Oceania is that the music played around the ship needs to modernize a bit.

[AliSu123]

I have been thinking:

 

Q. Why do I want to go on a cruise

A. Because I want to see interesting places with minimum effort and maximum FUN!

 

Having had a dull couple of years welded to my sofa I want to experience as many things as we can for our money, and I put it to my beloved that I really fancied doing the whole Butlins at sea, "floating flats" thing. To my absolute delight, he agreed! Talk about back pedalling like a trick cyclist!!!!!:D:D:D Hopefully we'll have years ahead of us to do the 'older demographic' cruises when we've worked out what we do and don't want and can and can't manage on a cruise.

 

P & O Britannia goes to Iberia and Canaries in May, which is perfect, departing Southampton which is a 30 minute drive from home. We will practically sail past my house! Our budget stretches to a balcony room, probably without sofa, I am thinking forward to midships, but any tips as to which part of the ship this should be in would be gratefully received. Also, Port or Starboard?

 

Also, any tips generally would be much appreciated.

[CruiserBruce]

Your rational for going on a cruise is solid. Much like ours.

 

Don't worry about which side of the ship. There are only really a very small number of locations where the side of the ship matters, and that is easily solved by being out and about on the ship. Don't believe that you will be locked in your cabin, and only have a limited view of the world. Be active.

[jocap]

Good for you, for choosing Britannia...the age range will be mixed, but if you're not going in school holidays (May Bank holiday?) there might not be many family groups, apart from babies. In school holidays, ships are very full because many 2 berth cabins have extra beds in the ceiling, which add one or two extra bodies which can vastly increase the numbers. Being a family ship, the activities for children are well organised.

If this is your first cruise, I suggest taking a midship cabin...just because you might need to test your sea legs, and midship is more stable.... think see-saw!

There's loads of tips we could give you, but perhaps you might find P&O UK in the index, and ask there....we've been with P&O quite a few times, but not on Britannia yet. Nor have I found the Butlins at sea part of cruising yet! :D

Keep asking, and enjoy the planning. :)

[MOcruiserman]

I have been thinking:

 

Our budget stretches to a balcony room, probably without sofa, I am thinking forward to midships, but any tips as to which part of the ship this should be in would be gratefully received. Also, Port or Starboard?

 

Also, any tips generally would be much appreciated.

 

Be sure to look at your ship's deck plan. You don't want a cabin directly under or over a public area - the noise will be very disturbing. Also don't get a cabin close to the elevator, again due to noise issues.

[navybankerteacher]

So much for a small ship and few stops. Sounds like a good itinerary - on a round trip, side of the ship should not matter. Just check deck plans to ensure that you are not below or adjacent to a theatre or music venue, recreational deck or galley.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[Pstreet12]

I have been thinking:

 

Q. Why do I want to go on a cruise

A. Because I want to see interesting places with minimum effort and maximum FUN!

 

Having had a dull couple of years welded to my sofa I want to experience as many things as we can for our money, and I put it to my beloved that I really fancied doing the whole Butlins at sea, "floating flats" thing. To my absolute delight, he agreed! Talk about back pedalling like a trick cyclist!!!!!:D:D:D Hopefully we'll have years ahead of us to do the 'older demographic' cruises when we've worked out what we do and don't want and can and can't manage on a cruise.

 

P & O Britannia goes to Iberia and Canaries in May, which is perfect, departing Southampton which is a 30 minute drive from home. We will practically sail past my house! Our budget stretches to a balcony room, probably without sofa, I am thinking forward to midships, but any tips as to which part of the ship this should be in would be gratefully received. Also, Port or Starboard?

 

Also, any tips generally would be much appreciated.

 

You might look into a line such as Celebrity. I think you'll find the cabins more luxurious, and there are several sailings that depart from Southampton. They are currently having a promotion that if you book a suite, you receive at no cost the premium drink package, all grat. paid, on board credit of $300, and unlimited internet. You would also have a special dining room available with a different menu (though you could have main dining from choices if you wanted)--it's possible the included extras would make the cost similar to the balconies you are looking at by the time you figure the added cost of the extras. (All Celebrity and Royal Caribbean ships have a sofa in their rooms.)

[GUT2407]

We are just slightly outside your age range, Mrs Gut just squeezes in, Gut just misses our.

 

I'd say Princess or Celebrity.

[cb at sea]

Don't worry about "ages"...just look at brochures...read about the different lines...and pick what suits YOU....at 55, I felt and enjoyed stuff more like a 45 year old....there is no "right or wrong"....really!

There are wide age ranges on ALL lines..so do NOT take age into account!

[jocap]

Don't worry about "ages"...just look at brochures...read about the different lines...and pick what suits YOU....at 55, I felt and enjoyed stuff more like a 45 year old....there is no "right or wrong"....really!

There are wide age ranges on ALL lines..so do NOT take age into account!

Some lines sailing from the UK don't have wide age ranges- for instance, you have to be at least 50 yrs to sail with Saga; other lines are adult only, such as C&M, or have some adult ships, such as P&O, or certain cruises for adults such as Fred Olsen and Thomson.