Peace and Quiet

[SeniorTraveller023]

I'm looking for a cruise line that promotes their product by saying something to the effect, "We offer serene entertainment and quiet venues for exercise and dining." On most cruises there is over-amplified music everywhere. What cruise line gives customers a little serenity?

[PORT ROYAL]

3 minutes ago, SeniorTraveller023 said:

I'm looking for a cruise line that promotes their product by saying something to the effect, "We offer serene entertainment and quiet venues for exercise and dining." On most cruises there is over-amplified music everywhere. What cruise line gives customers a little serenity?

 

It all depends on your price point.  

Suggest start with Cunard at entry level, and let other CC members to add their best suggestions.

[1980dory]

3 minutes ago, PORT ROYAL said:

 

It all depends on your price point.  

Suggest start with Cunard at entry level, and let other CC members to add their best suggestions.

We like Cunard very much. Our number one choice without going to the very expensive luxury lines.

[ger_77]

We like Holland America Lines because there isn't music constantly playing everywhere.  There are many venues where you can sit and enjoy peace and tranquility.  Having said that, if you'd like, you can enjoy the music at the BB King Blues Club, or the new Rolling Stone Rock Room on some of the new ships.  They also have the Adagio Strings on many (most) ships that offer calm, soothing music.

 

Have you looked at river cruises?  They don't have big musical entertainment groups on most of their ships.

 

Smooth Sailing!  🙂🙂🙂

[Flatbush Flyer]

Oceania:

 

R ships w/ <700 passengers; O ships <1200.

String Quartet on all ships

Comprehensive libraries

Exceptional bedding and cabin amenities

Afternoon Tea

Finest Cuisine at Sea™

"Country Club Casual" dress code

Inclusive pricing (e.g., airfare or credit et al.)

Highly restrictive smoking policy

Cosmopolitan/decorous demographic

Numerous exotic/extended itineraries

 

AND

 

NO "prom nights"

NO "phony art auctions"

NO "PITA photogs"

NO "incessant announcements"

NO "thundering herds of humanity"

NO "nickel-diming"

 

As for cost: Do the "net daily rate" math! You will be pleasantly surprised at the quality/value quotient.

Edited May 28, 2019 by Flatbush Flyer

[Heidi13]

The previous response only ever quotes "Oceania", however any of the Luxury/Premium lines will meet you needs for quiet venues, serene entertainment and quality meals. With higher pax/space ratios, you will find these ships much quieter, with vastly superior service and quality.

 

Each of the Cruise Lines have slight differences, so best to check them all to determine which works best for you - Crystal, Regent, Seabourn, Silversea, Viking Ocean, Azamara & Oceania. Personally, our preference is Viking, as they guarantee no kids (18+ only) and no casino, which for us is a waste of space.

 

While you will find few kids on these lines, I note Oceania is actively advertising for families on their Alaska cruises.

 

The base fares are certainly sticker shock, but post cruise, the total cost for us is not much more expensive than mega ships. 

[leaveitallbehind]

Of the mass market cruise lines IMO Celebrity caters to a more adult and less family demographic with none of the high energy entertainment and activities venues, with good food and and with a good focus on the passenger and service.  Certainly there are other more luxury focused lines as already mentioned, but, again IMO, Celebrity is a good fit with your preferences in the mass market segment.

[cb at sea]

Even on a ship with less "sedate" entertainment, there are always quiet, peaceful areas for those not inclined towards "being entertained"....no worries!

[navybankerteacher]

Without going to the significantly higher priced luxury lines, you will find that Cunard and, to a somewhat lesser extent, Celebrity and HAL offer the serenity you seek. They are likely to be somewhat more expensive than Royal Caribbean, Carnival and NCL;  but, while you may not always get what you pay for, you will certainly never get MORE than you are willing to pay for.  The budget lines are cheaper - but much of their “entertainment” is fairly described as “noise”.

[Kate P.C]

We found the Pacific Princess really relaxing and intimate. It's a very small ship and it was exactly what we needed for our vacation.

[richmke]

On 5/28/2019 at 7:59 AM, SeniorTraveller023 said:

I'm looking for a cruise line that promotes their product by saying something to the effect, "We offer serene entertainment and quiet venues for exercise and dining." On most cruises there is over-amplified music everywhere. What cruise line gives customers a little serenity?

 

I was on Carnival, and did not notice over amplified music in the exercise and main dining rooms. People in the Exercise Rooms wanted their own music (ear phones), and dining rooms were noisy from all the people talking. Oh.. there was occasionally loud music when the wait staff put on a short show.

 

Other than the luxury cruise lines, you might want to look at booking Princess, and then reserving a chair in their Sanctuary area (adult only quiet area with reserved lounge chairs). The cost of an inside/sanctuary is less than balcony. You can reserve by the: 1/2 day (morning/afternoon) or entire day, for one day or any/all days. Avoid or enjoy the louder party areas when the mood suits you.

 

Edited June 5, 2019 by richmke

[Hlitner]

So lets shock some folks.  When it comes to serenity we would have to rate MSC's Yacht Club at the top of the heap....and we have been on 15 cruise lines!  Their Yacht Club is a ship within a ship (only on some vessels) with an expansive lounge and a large private sun deck.  The Sun Deck is generally quiet as is the lounge except for a few hours in the evening when they have some relatively soft classical entertainment.  If you leave the Yacht Club area (which is protected with card operated doors) you will find plenty of noise and madness :).  As to Cunard, we have only cruised on their Queen Mary 2 and could always find a quiet place to read.

 

As to Celebrity, they do have a tendency to play background music over their speakers in many of their "quiet areas."  We have over 200 days on Celebrity (just returned this morning from the Summit) and finding a truly quiet area can be frustrating.  It varies slightly from ship to ship.  

 

Hank

[helen haywood]

Hank, will you stop singing the praises of MSC Yacht Club all over Cruise Critic?!? 😜

[basictek]

Just did a Holland America and it was very quiet, laid back, much older crowd, and we were bored (so we're going on RCI Oasis next) but I'd agree with Holland although we were on a small ship (1997- rotterdam) their newer bigger ships may not be so quiet. Also to note the rotterdam had really low fares vs higher fares on the newer ships. 

[calliopecruiser]

It's one of the things I love about Crystal........I'm sure it's true of other luxury lines as well. 

[JimnKaren]

OR...one can do as I do - remove the hearing aids!

 

Jim

[trish1c]

There was an adults only section of Princess that was quiet. 

 

There was an adults only section of NCL on the new mega-ships called H2O all the way aft that was quieter but it still had some music.  

 

I have found the promenade deck under the lifeboats to be quiet.  Another option is a high deck, away from the pool.  

[zqvol]

If you want quiet and boring HAL is the way to go

[Mike981]

18 hours ago, JimnKaren said:

OR...one can do as I do - remove the hearing aids!

 

Jim

 

Amen Jim. Works for my wife's in-home daycare as well.

[1980dory]

Also works when my wife starts nagging at me.

[SbbquilterUT]

We enjoyed Celebrity for mass market and Viking Ocean or River for special occasions.

[Heidi13]

23 hours ago, trish1c said:

There was an adults only section of Princess that was quiet. 

 

On one of our Princess cruises with an abundance of kids, while the Sanctuary was adults only, you could hear the kids screaming from the pool area and the boom, boom from the film screen sound system. Wasn't exactly quiet.😞 

[AF-1]

SeniorTraveler023,  you can find somewhere for peace and quiet on all the cruise lines;  are you wanting to know which line provides quiet relaxing atmosphere all the time?  I say a large balcony at the back of the ship with the waves going by is good for nice relaxing and quiet time.  Lulls you to sleep

[LynnTTT]

Unless you are looking at the "luxury" experience, I would focus on the mass marketing lines that focus less on water slides :-).

Try Holland, Celebrity and Princess. The passengers will be older

[clo]

On 5/28/2019 at 6:46 AM, Flatbush Flyer said:

Oceania:

 

R ships w/ <700 passengers; O ships <1200.

String Quartet on all ships

Comprehensive libraries

Exceptional bedding and cabin amenities

Afternoon Tea

Finest Cuisine at Sea™

"Country Club Casual" dress code

Inclusive pricing (e.g., airfare or credit et al.)

Highly restrictive smoking policy

Cosmopolitan/decorous demographic

Numerous exotic/extended itineraries

 

AND

 

NO "prom nights"

NO "phony art auctions"

NO "PITA photogs"

NO "incessant announcements"

NO "thundering herds of humanity"

NO "nickel-diming"

 

As for cost: Do the "net daily rate" math! You will be pleasantly surprised at the quality/value quotient.

And IIRC, except for some Alaska Expeditions, there are NO activities for children.  They're not banned but....