What can X do to appeal to more cruisers?

[DominoBlue97]

I'd love to hear your viewpoints on this: It seems that upscale atmosphere and younger passenger age rarely go hand in hand on any cruise line I can think of. I'm in my mid 20s, single, and planning my first X cruise this summer with a friend. I realize the average X cruiser is a good bit older than me, but I'm really not into the all-out party atmosphere often seen on Carnival or RCCL.

 

I'm not sure if X realizes that there are lots of 20-somethings / young professionals who would rather spend a bit more $ to cruise on a premium line like X as an alternative to the mainstream lines. It's very appealing to have the great dining, service, and overall upscale atmosphere offered by Celebrity and I'd take it any day over the spring break mood on other lines. I think X could really tap into the market for younger cruisers (who will also be paying life-long cruisers if satisfied!) by offering some perks like leaving the pool open later (this is a BIGGIE for us young'uns!), a few shipboard activities & active excursions targeted at younger folks, etc. Times have changed and younger people are working hard to buy high quality merchandise at specialty stores on land, and I think many would be more interested in a quality cruising experience if it was offered in a way that appealed to them. Honestly, when I see the X commercials, I'm very attracted to the promise of the luxurious cruise, but I don't see myself reflected in the commercial.

 

I hope this comment isn't misinterpreted as an attempt to change the atmosphere of X cruises. (Some of the coolest people I know are 3 times older than me!) I just think that broadening their marketing strategy and ideas about their customer base could be very beneficial. The overall mood of X is why I chose this line, but in my dream world X could meet the sensibilities of my age a little better by making a few small changes both before booking and during the cruise.

[superjerryw]

While you might be interested in what X has to offer, the majority of people in your age range probably are not. Most people in their 20's don't want to spend their vacation with a bunch of seniors, hence the popularity of the party oriented ships. You also need to keep in mind that if X was trying to attract people like you they would have to have activities on board that would be of interest to you. Such activities, music, etc. would be of little interest to the older people making up the majority of passengers and would likely cause them to become dissatisfied with what Celebrity was offering.

 

You also mention starting to become a lifelong Celebrity cruiser while in your 20's. Perhaps this is what they are afraid of. If you love Celebrity and then get married and have kids you will want to cruise with your kids. If Celebrity attracts a large following among people in their 20's they will eventually find themselves having to cater more to families as the people in their 20's start to raise families. Once again, they would have to go against the current scheme of catering to an older audience. An influx of families with children would likely result in the older passenger base taking their business elsewhere.

[newmexicoNita]

The idea of attracting 20 somethings is fine, but each line needs to have nitch and Celebrity's is the slightly older group. It is working for them so why would they want to change? BTW, you will find some cruisers in your age group on X as you will on all lines, but X is geared to the slightly older group and I don't think this should change. NMnita

[SS Cruise Lady]

The idea of attracting 20 somethings is fine, but each line needs to have nitch and Celebrity's is the slightly older group. It is working for them so why would they want to change? BTW, you will find some cruisers in your age group on X as you will on all lines, but X is geared to the slightly older group and I don't think this should change. NMnita

 

Hi Nita :)

 

As the mother of a 27 year old married daughter, I find this thread to be very interesting. My son in law, who has never been on a cruise, would like to try one, and I am having trouble deciding which one would be appropriate for them. They are too young for Celebrity, but at the same time they are too sophistocated for most of the cruise lines that cater to people their age. Do you have any suggestions?

[Steamboatin]

A very simple way to alter the demographics is to lower their prices.:D

[Nancynurse]

We took a cruise to Alaska on "X" last year, and found that there was a good mix of older passengers as well as younger. You might find that the average age is considerably less once you get on the ship. You will have a fantastic cruise! Enjoy. Nancy

[catmand]

Hi, you mention keeping the pools open later as one point. We both agree with that. Having said that, on our last cruise we found the t-pool and hot tubs open until 11 every night, I guess it was such a point of contention for us that we never found the time to use either of them............:D So, at least on Infinity the 12 days of May 28th-June 10th 2005 the pools and tubs were open until 11pm.

As for age? Speaking for AkaWanda and myself I know when we look in the mirror both of us wonder who the hell that old person is looking back at us. I think I also speak for most of our fellow Celebrity cruisers when I say we are all 20 at heart, with a lot more knowledge and slightly slower bodies.

If Celebrity appeals to you then it does and age shouldn't make any difference. My OLDER brother sails solo and now after HAL, Princess, and Celebrity has settled on RCCL, he is a very active 70.............is there anything better than a cruise vacation, something for everyone.

[canderson]

We took a cruise to Alaska on "X" last year, and found that there was a good mix of older passengers as well as younger. You might find that the average age is considerably less once you get on the ship. You will have a fantastic cruise! Enjoy. Nancy

You bring up an interesting point, intentionally or otherwise -- time of year and itinerary have a pronounced effect on the average age of cruisers on any line, and Celebrity is no exception. Your Alaska cruise was likely taken while school was out -- a time when both college students and parents with children would be more apt to be able to take the time to do some cruising. Summer and school holidays change the demographic automatically.

[The Big Booper]

If you sail when schools are in session on any line, even Carn---l, you will see fewer kiddie poos and more adults. We took the RCL Enchantment from Boston rt to Maine and Canada this past September and found an older demographic similar to X on this trip. We just took the Connie one way from NJ to San Juan 2 weeks ago and found a similar demographic.

 

The Enchantment was far livelier than the X which had little in the way of activities requiring participation, aside from the sock hop and the tropical pool party on Caribbean night. The RCL had these two plus Love and Marriage, Battle of the sexes, a couple other games similar, and The Quest.

 

We have been on 2 Carnival cruises which is 2 too many and RCL is nowhere as loud, crowded, smoky etc as Carnival. And these were Carnival sailings when schools were in session.

 

Mr. Incredible

[cruznon]

SS cruise lady,

Have your daughter and son-in-law would enjoy the Oosterdam Mexican Riveria cruise. It's elegant, has great service and yet many younger cruisers also. I had heard HAL was basically an older crowd. We didn't fing that at all. I think the ship and the itinerary attract many younger cruisers.

[cruznon]

SS cruise lady,

Perhaps your daughter and son-in-law would enjoy the Oosterdam Mexican Riveria cruise. It's elegant, has great service and yet many younger cruisers also. I had heard HAL was basically an older crowd. We didn't find that at all. I think the ship and the itinerary attract many younger cruisers.

[DominoBlue97]

Personally, I wouldn't use the average older passenger age on X as a criteria in choosing my cruise. It's the upscale experience they offer that is so appealing to me, and I could care less about age because so many cruisers are young at heart and frankly, much more adventurous and interesting than a lot of people my age! I agree that every cruise line has a target audience that they cater to, and it seems that X is doing a good job with its targeted demographic. I wouldn't expect them to overhaul the way they do things now to create the absolute ideal cruise for me, because I know that I'm not really within their target age group. But, I just wanted to start this thread to emphasize that as a young person, I am very much interested in X cruises and am interested to hear what others think about small concessions they could make to appeal to a broader audience.

 

BTW, If I have kids someday, I might take them on a short Carnival, Disney, or RCCL cruise but not on X because I know it's not really an exciting atmosphere for kids compared to the other lines. I'd save the X cruise as temporary escape from them!

[SS Cruise Lady]

SS cruise lady,

Perhaps your daughter and son-in-law would enjoy the Oosterdam Mexican Riveria cruise. It's elegant, has great service and yet many younger cruisers also. I had heard HAL was basically an older crowd. We didn't find that at all. I think the ship and the itinerary attract many younger cruisers.

 

Thank you, Cruznon, for your great suggestion :)

[newmexicoNita]

Hi Nita :)

 

As the mother of a 27 year old married daughter, I find this thread to be very interesting. My son in law, who has never been on a cruise, would like to try one, and I am having trouble deciding which one would be appropriate for them. They are too young for Celebrity, but at the same time they are too sophistocated for most of the cruise lines that cater to people their age. Do you have any suggestions?

Actually our granddaughters did the Connie (with their parents and us) about 2 years ago and had a good time. They enjoyed the sophistacted atmosphere. Our oldest granddaughter is getting married on the Zenith in 3 weeks. So I am not sure this wouldn't work, but short of having them do X maybe the next best would be Princess. Obviously NCL and Carnival wouldn't work even though I personally love the new NCL ships (Carnival NOT) that is for me anyway, I have clients that fit in perfectly with the Carnival demography. HAL is for those older than me if they can still cruise and of course the upscale ships would be great in some cases, but so very pricey. NMNita

[newmexicoNita]

A very simple way to alter the demographics is to lower their prices.:D

But that lowers everything else about the ship as well, plus, not always is X more expensive. 2 years ago we choose the Connie for our Thanksgiving cruise: reason, it was the least expensive line offering great deals on balcony cabins. Our GD is getting married on the Zenith as it had the best rates and her newly graduated college friends or those still in school had to keep the price down. NMnita

[SS Cruise Lady]

Actually our granddaughters did the Connie (with their parents and us) about 2 years ago and had a good time. They enjoyed the sophistacted atmosphere. Our oldest granddaughter is getting married on the Zenith in 3 weeks. So I am not sure this wouldn't work, but short of having them do X maybe the next best would be Princess. Obviously NCL and Carnival wouldn't work even though I personally love the new NCL ships (Carnival NOT) that is for me anyway, I have clients that fit in perfectly with the Carnival demography. HAL is for those older than me if they can still cruise and of course the upscale ships would be great in some cases, but so very pricey. NMNita

 

Thank you, Nita, for your helpful response to my question :)

[CaribbeanBound]

We really wish Celebrity would restrict smoking to the exterior port of the ship and leave the contained areas smoke-free.

 

The air circulation in the casino and night clubs was generally poor. All it took was for one person to light up for the air to become very poor. Therefore we generally avoided these areas. Although we are very sensitive to smoke, we could not detect any smoke smell in our cabin.

 

There was no smoking in the restaurants, show lounge, Library, or Card Room. Smoking was permitted in the night clubs, casino, outside, and the interior port side of the ship. They have every right to smoke in these areas of the ship, and unfortunately they do.

[chessbriar]

I started cruise X in my late 20s. It was the cruise atmosphere I wanted. If I wanted some of the things you are looking for, I'd sail on the other lines. Why try and make your line something to everone. It's better to be everything to a devoted clientele. You'll see X has that.

 

Should they be a Jack of all Trades and a Master of none? No be a Master of what you do and the guest will like you for that.

[CaribbeanBound]

We really wish Celebrity would restrict smoking to the exterior port of the ship and leave the contained areas smoke-free.

 

There was no smoking in the restaurants, show lounge, Library, or Card Room. Smoking was permitted in the night clubs, casino, outside, and the interior port side of the ship. They had every right to smoke in these areas of the ship, and unfortunately they did. The air circulation in the casino and night clubs was generally poor. All it took was for one person to light up for the air to become very poor. Therefore we generally avoided these areas. Although we are very sensitive to smoke, we could not detect any smoke smell in our cabin.

[dkjretired]

Domino, personally I like your attitude and your maturity. I have found 20ish

people on all my Celebrity cruises. I would maybe pick a week when some schools are on vacation but not during a real heavy school vacation week like Christmas or Easter. You will probably get a good mix during Feb. or March on a 1 week or so cruise.

 

 

Personally, I wouldn't use the average older passenger age on X as a criteria in choosing my cruise. It's the upscale experience they offer that is so appealing to me, and I could care less about age because so many cruisers are young at heart and frankly, much more adventurous and interesting than a lot of people my age! I agree that every cruise line has a target audience that they cater to, and it seems that X is doing a good job with its targeted demographic. I wouldn't expect them to overhaul the way they do things now to create the absolute ideal cruise for me, because I know that I'm not really within their target age group. But, I just wanted to start this thread to emphasize that as a young person, I am very much interested in X cruises and am interested to hear what others think about small concessions they could make to appeal to a broader audience.

 

BTW, If I have kids someday, I might take them on a short Carnival, Disney, or RCCL cruise but not on X because I know it's not really an exciting atmosphere for kids compared to the other lines. I'd save the X cruise as temporary escape from them!

[trcori]

BTW, If I have kids someday, I might take them on a short Carnival, Disney, or RCCL cruise but not on X because I know it's not really an exciting atmosphere for kids compared to the other lines. I'd save the X cruise as temporary escape from them!

 

DominoB:

Please note that not all kids crave excitement. Our son, now almost 10, veteran of six X cruises since he was 6 1/2, shudders at the thought of having to contend with those rock-climbing, ice-skating, mini-golfing masses on RCI or Carnival, or having to mingle with Mickey and Minnie and whomever on Disney. X has a fun but dignified kids' program and he loves it. So remember, you never know who you're gonna give birth to!

 

Also as for us oldsters (now both over 45) -- we too wish the pools would stay open later. As has been noted, on the M-class ships, the indoor T-pool and hot tubs are open till 11, but on all our cruises so far, C-class and M-class, nothing outside has been open later than 8 or 9 ... boo -- TR

[psychboss]

While you might be interested in what X has to offer, the majority of people in your age range probably are not. Most people in their 20's don't want to spend their vacation with a bunch of seniors, hence the popularity of the party oriented ships. You also need to keep in mind that if X was trying to attract people like you they would have to have activities on board that would be of interest to you. Such activities, music, etc. would be of little interest to the older people making up the majority of passengers and would likely cause them to become dissatisfied with what Celebrity was offering.

 

You also mention starting to become a lifelong Celebrity cruiser while in your 20's. Perhaps this is what they are afraid of. If you love Celebrity and then get married and have kids you will want to cruise with your kids. If Celebrity attracts a large following among people in their 20's they will eventually find themselves having to cater more to families as the people in their 20's start to raise families. Once again, they would have to go against the current scheme of catering to an older audience. An influx of families with children would likely result in the older passenger base taking their business elsewhere.

 

I agree with "superjerryw". I understand your desire to cruise Celebrity - who could blame you. BUT if you want to sail Celebrity why would you want to change it? Then it would end up being like all of the rest. Those of us that are Celebrity faithfuls like it because it IS different than all of the rest.

[4yanx]

Also, age demographics are deceiving, at best. Just last week, nine of our family took a Carnival cruise. It was the first (and last) time I cruise on Carnival and we did so because of the sailing dates, length, itinerary, and price. It was during the week just after Christmas and we were expecting TONS of kids, given it was school vacation time. While there were SOME kids, there were not nearly as many as we expected. There were, however, a TON of 20’s age passengers. My sons are 22 and 19 and one would have thought this a great deal for them. But, the VAST majority of the 20’s males were Dale, Jr. T-shirt wearin’, tattoo covered, beers in both hands drinkin’ dudes. The females were mostly seen only at dinner in the dining room and sunning on deck. As such, there were quite a few folks the same AGE as my sons, but few with which they probably had much in common. As it turned out, the couple of friends they made (can’t make too many on a five-night cruise) were employees on the ship!

All that said, I'd try a Celebrity cruise and not worry so much about ages. I'd wager you will find more people that you can relate to (given the content of your posts) than you might think.

[98Charlie]

I agree with "superjerryw". I understand your desire to cruise Celebrity - who could blame you. BUT if you want to sail Celebrity why would you want to change it? Then it would end up being like all of the rest. Those of us that are Celebrity faithfuls like it because it IS different than all of the rest.

 

Amen to that.

 

To my thinking, if you wish to enjoy the Celebrity experience, then take it or what it is and don't ask to change it for your own wishes. If you want experiences more in tune to a 20-something crown then there are several lines out there who offer that experience. If you want to try X, then try it for what it is. I've seen many younger people on the X cruises I've been on and many of them seem to be very happy with their experience. If you want more adventure than X has now, then try RCI, Disney or Carnival.

 

But please don't try to change Celebrity. Many of us still like what Celebrity has to offer and although many of us who travel Celebrity are old enough to be your parents or grandparents we still know how to have a great time without climbing walls and pool slides.

 

Dianne

[albertiger]

having just gotten off the Constellation, I wish for the alternative dining option on the Century class ships. the steaks were cooked to order, HOT, and delicious! i found the food up there (Seaview Cafe-$2 gratuity) better than the dining room; I ate there 3 nights!:D