Is there too young an age to river cruise?

[megank_2009]

Hello,

My husband and I booked a Viking River Cruise on the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel in September.  We are celebrating our 10th anniversary.

I have been reading many reviews, etc. and I note that the general age of all of the guests are over 50.  My husband and I will be 37 when sailing on our cruise. Did I make a mistake?  Will we still enjoy the cruise? Will we be bored?   I think the simplicity of staying on a ship and visiting multiple destinations is quite appealing, however I am having some anxiety about it due to the age gap.  I am sure everyone will be nice, but nervous we made a pricey mistake. 

Thank you!

[LHT28]

We had several 30 somethings on our river cruise  (not Viking)  but  they all looked like they were having a good time

we were mid 60's at the time

Just  enjoy  the excursions you like  or do your own thing 

age is a state of mind  IMO

[Mary229]

We always consider the shop or boat a floating hotel.  We are happy to socialize with other guests but it is not the focus.   I have been sailing Holland America since I was 40 and it never bothered me the age of other guests. One benefit is that mature travelers often have great advice for visiting ports as it is not likely their first cruise.  I love getting choice gems of knowledge 

[sanger727]

I took a river cruise in Vietnam last year. I'm 38 and while a vast majority of the passengers were 60+, there was another group around my age. I didn't feel like it was a bad choice. Our cruise director did a really good job on the excursions of making sure everyone was comfortable regardless of ability. There were several walking excursions that ranged from easy to moderate+ and they always had tuktuks or buses available for people that didn't want to walk. 

[Essiesmom]

Think about why you wanted to book this cruise/trip.  It would be easy transportation, would not have to find hotels, meals provided…great scenery.  Well, the other guests probably booked for the same reasons.  Chances are it is not their first time to Europe, or river cruise.  They are educated, interesting people.  Not the old people you see in sitcoms.  Read about your ports in guidebooks, like Lonely Planet, Rick Steves and others.  Choose what you want to see.  It is not required that you take the included tours, or even the optional tours.  However, occasionally I have read that the boat will drop off the tours, and proceed up/down the river and pick them up at a different place.  I think that would be the day to do a ship tour.  
   My major reservation about river cruises, other than the price, is that like ocean cruise ships, they move from place to place at night…but there is so much interesting and beautiful scenery out there that you are missing!  EM

[*Miss G*]

I haven’t sailed Viking but on our Avalon river cruise in October there were more passengers between the ages of 25 & 50 than there were elderly passengers.  In fact, I think I could count the number of seniors on one hand.  River cruising is much more physically active than ocean cruising so perhaps that’s why.

 

You might want to post this on the RIVER CRUISING BOARD where you’ll find more first-hand information.

[jsn55]

10 hours ago, megank_2009 said:

Hello,

My husband and I booked a Viking River Cruise on the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel in September.  We are celebrating our 10th anniversary.

I have been reading many reviews, etc. and I note that the general age of all of the guests are over 50.  My husband and I will be 37 when sailing on our cruise. Did I make a mistake?  Wi still enjoy the cruise? Will we be bored?   I think the simplicity of staying on a ship and visiting multiple destinations is quite appealing, however I am having some anxiety about it due to the age gap.  I am sure everyone will be nice, but nervous we made a pricey mistake. 

Thank you!

Whew!  I thought for sure you were asking for opinions on bringing your toddlers on a river cruise!  I can almost guarantee you'll both enjoy yourselves immensely.  We've only done one Viking ... a cruise/tour of China.  It was a disaster solely due to an incompetent tour leader, but we love Avalon in Europe.  We did 'your cruise' on Grand Circle, our first, when we were 54.  So much to see and learn ... the age of your fellow pax is really of no importance at all.  You'll be able to figure out who to spend time with and who to avoid very quickly and gracefully.  I particularly like Avalon's choice of dinner venues, so we can just sit up in the lounge together munching little bites and drinking champagne, or join everyone in the MDR if we like.  Viking probably has the same kinds of choices.  I'm sure Viking also has excursions at different levels so everyone enjoys themselves.  That's really important.  Read the reviews of your cruise on CruiseCritic to gather all the little intel that's so important to a successful trip.  There's only one problem with a European river cruise ... it spoils you for any other kind of travel!

[edinburgher]

The main onboard  difference between river and ocean cruising is, IMHO, the  evening entertainment which we found quite sedate on our one and only river cruise. (14 nights Budapest to Amsterdam)

 

If you like to dance every night until the early hours, join in karaoke, spend time in the casino etc, than river cruising may not suit you, as most evenings on ours, entertainment was very low key, consisting of a quiz, or a glass blowing demo, or local singers/musicians. I don't know if that was typical of every river cruise or not as we only so far did one.

 

Evenings aside, you will more likely enjoy everything else on offer, and that includes the company of interesting fellow pax regardless of their ages, and September evenings should still be light enough to enjoy your own company (and a glass or two) sitting outdoors (or in the observation lounge) enjoying the scenery as one of the joys of river cruising is  close cruising.

 

For what it's worth, I think that, if you expect quieter evenings, and not "party" evenings, you will be fine.

Edited January 31, 2023 by edinburgher

[cruisemom42]

15 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

Think about why you wanted to book this cruise/trip.  It would be easy transportation, would not have to find hotels, meals provided…great scenery.  Well, the other guests probably booked for the same reasons.  Chances are it is not their first time to Europe, or river cruise.  They are educated, interesting people.  Not the old people you see in sitcoms.  

 

10 hours ago, jsn55 said:

We did 'your cruise' on Grand Circle, our first, when we were 54.  So much to see and learn ... the age of your fellow pax is really of no importance at all.  You'll be able to figure out who to spend time with and who to avoid very quickly and gracefully.  

 

I totally agree with the sentiments above. 

 

If you book the cruise because it sounds good/interesting/like fun, then you can assume others have also. Whether they are 20 years older or 20 years younger -- does it really make a difference? 

 

I've never been able to wrap my mind around this assumption that someone has to be my age/my gender/my same marital status to be "appropriate" company onboard a ship.

 

[Mum2Mercury]

My parents went on a river cruise, and they commented they were among the youngest cruisers; they were in their upper 60s.  They had an absolute blast, and they made me want to go on a river cruise. 

[notamermaid]

On 1/30/2023 at 6:09 PM, megank_2009 said:

Did I make a mistake?  Will we still enjoy the cruise? Will we be bored?   

No, I do not think you did. A mistake would be not to talk to the folks on board that are older than you. Get a feel for the people that you could gel with and listen to some amazing stories. I am sure that will happen. I recommend the stickies at the top of this river cruising board for some great info. It will prepare you better. But I am convinced you will enjoy the cruise still even without reading those. No you will not be bored I think, just do some preparation and planning (but stay open to last minute changes). Within the limitations of the time frames the itinerary demands you can do lots that is a bit more energetic, if that is what you need, like hiking and cycling (for tips or potential bike hire ask the cruise director). There is little evening entertainment but the day is filled with so much activity that you may not miss it much.

 

Have a great time.

 

notamermaid

 

[Roz]

You're going to find that your fellow passengers are active, interesting people.  

[Canal archive]

I’m pretty sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised, we’ve been there and got plenty of T’shirts. Go with an open mind and enjoy yourselves but be aware it’s really addictive. Enjoy.

[Second seating]

We started river cruising when I was 54 on Uniworld, and we were not the youngest but close.  The older cruisers are mostly well traveled and very interesting.  River cruising is very different than ocean cruising, very port intensive. Many river cruises later they are move active now!

 

Second seating

[Coral]

I was in my 30's on my first river cruise and in my 40's on my second......

 

I always find interesting people of all ages on river cruises. Most people have been pretty active on my cruises. I wouldn't worry.

[bundtkate]

I am going to be 36 when we take our upcoming river cruise and my husband will be 39. I'm not worried as I understand we'll spend little time on the ship outside of eating and sleeping since we're in port every day, but if you have anything you'd like a under-50 perspective on, lemme know. We're going in July so a bit before y'all. Our itinerary is different (Cities of Light), but I understand the onboard experience should be similar and, if anything, ours may be a bit worse from a age divide perspective since it's a longer sailing which tend to trend older.

[steamboats]

I was 28 yo on my first river cruise (which was in the US). Our DD was on her first river cruise at the age of 18 months.

 

I was 37 on my first Danube river cruise (and our DD 5).

 

So there´s no "too young" for a river cruise. If you like that laid back feeling and slow cruising and being surrounded by people who are not your age group but can share wonderful stories then you´re definitely not too young for river cruising.

 

steamboats

[Canal archive]

Just think of us (shhh whisper here) as not oldies but similar to a fine wine fuller and more elegant as we mature.

[TMLAalum]

My friend had her 21-year-old granddaughter with her on our Avalon Danube cruise. M.A. led her gram on adventures separate from the cruise excursions when there was free time, e.g. a Vienna museum that required several trams to get there. 

My advice is to research opportunities for exploring the ports your cruise will visit. Do you enjoy wine, are you foodies, history buffs? Take time for just the two of you when you can!

[steamboats]

8 hours ago, Canal archive said:

Just think of us (shhh whisper here) as not oldies but similar to a fine wine fuller and more elegant as we mature.

 

I matured quite a bit since my first river cruise and almost fit into the age frame now 🤣.

 

steamboats

[pontac]

On 1/30/2023 at 5:09 PM, megank_2009 said:

Did I make a mistake?  Will we still enjoy the cruise? Will we be bored? 

 

No, Yes, Definitely No. Every day at least one included tour, and there's always sights to see on the river banks as you cruise along. Bored? Relaxed and tired more like!

 

On 1/30/2023 at 5:09 PM, megank_2009 said:

 I think the simplicity of staying on a ship and visiting multiple destinations is quite appealing,

 

Yes, it's a floating hotel. You'll unpack on-board in Amsterdam, visit all the intermediate sights, and not have to pack until you reach Basel. There's no on-board casino, no theatre, no lavish floor shows but plenty of sightseeing and much to eat and drink.

 

You can have as much interaction with other passengers as you wish. Beyond talking with some when sharing a dinner table, we had hardly any so ages of fellow guests didn't register. The only way you're going to be certain if river cruising is for you is to take a river cruise. I'm betting before you get to Basel you'll be planning your next.

 

Bon Voyage!

 

(we've cruised this route with Viking twice before, last time in April 2022 from Basel to Amsterdam)

[UDChE89]

I took my first one last year at 55.  I was the only non-German speaker on the boat and among the youngest and had a fantastic time.  In fact, I’m redoing part of the route with a cousin in April and she’s looking forward to it as much as I am.  Fortunately, I don’t need the club or casino that you find on an ocean cruise but enjoyed the relaxation of it much more than I ever thought I would.

[RobInMN]

I think the average age can vary a lot by cruise line.

 

Our first river cruise was a Dunube cruise on Vantage in 2005. My parents had done a number of river cruises prior. This was something my parents wanted to do with us. There were 6 of us, my parents, me, my wife, my sister, and her husband. My parents were in their 60's the rest of us in our mid 30's. My parent's were probably on the younger side, and the 4 of us "kids" would have been the youngest on the cruise ship (other than crew), by a good 25 years, if it wasn't for the fact that the company owner's (grand?)daughter and her friend were on board. Every daily itinerary listed the number of steps (climbing steps) that would be on that day's excursion. I think all us "kids" would describe it as far more interesting than fun. There were a lot of things "missed" because it was not appropriate activity level wise for the target passengers.

 

Next river cruise was on AmaWaterways, Rivers and Castles, from Nuremberg to Luxembourg in 2018. While my dad still paid for it, I had a lot of influence in the selection. My parents now about 80, us "kids" now close to 50, and our kids, 10?, 13?, & 18 all came as well. There were at least 2 other family groups like ours. There were people of all ages, even a few kids younger than my niece. I think everyone, regardless of age, had a great time. Much more active group, lots of excursion options, and even different activity levels for those excursions.

 

Last river cruise was on Grand Circle. This was sprung on us after it was booked. It was a Christmas Markets cruise just this last December. My daughter and her boyfriend didn't go, but my sister's kids (now 13 & 16) did. While not nearly as family oriented as the AmaWaterway's one, and not as many kids, the crew made a comment about never having so many kids on one cruise before. Average age of the passengers skewed higher. Even so, my sister's kids and other kids on the cruise seemed to have a good time. 

 

My wife & I do a lot more ocean cruises (Royal Caribbean), but have AmaMagna booked here next month for the Grand Danube. We plan on doing both more river cruises and ocean cruises in the future. 

 

Whether it's ocean or river, we agree about the "floating hotel". We love that aspect. of it.

[CPT Trips]

1 hour ago, RobInMN said:

Last river cruise was on Grand Circle. This was sprung on us after it was booked. It was a Christmas Markets cruise just this last December. My daughter and her boyfriend didn't go, but my sister's kids (now 13 & 16) did. While not nearly as family oriented as the AmaWaterway's one, and not as many kids, the crew made a comment about never having so many kids on one cruise before. Average age of the passengers skewed higher. Even so, my sister's kids and other kids on the cruise seemed to have a good time. 

We had a similar Christmas markets cruise with GCT. A large (>20 maybe as many as 30), multigenerational family group. The age range was septuagenarian (maybe older) to teenage. We had a couple overnights in towns and the 20 and 30 year olds headed to the clubs along with the crew.  Breakfast service suffered just a bit. 😉🤷🏻‍♂️ On nights aboard the lounge was more entertaining that on our other cruises. 

[CPT Trips]

8 hours ago, TMLAalum said:

My friend had her 21-year-old granddaughter with her on our Avalon Danube cruise. M.A. led her gram on adventures separate from the cruise excursions when there was free time, e.g. a Vienna museum that required several trams to get there. 

My advice is to research opportunities for exploring the ports your cruise will visit. Do you enjoy wine, are you foodies, history buffs? Take time for just the two of you when you can!

Definitely research each city on the itinerary that will have free time. Particularly the not so well known ones and ones you aren’t familiar one. We now travel with a list of things to do if/when we have time. Generally the trip leader/concierge/cruise director can help you with directions. 
 

If the trip leader comes up with an interesting activity for the free time we will join. If not, frequently we will breakaway from the morning tour towards the end to go DIY explore on our own. If you do breakaway mid-tour, inform the guide. There is usually a lot of time before we need to return to the ship for the port talk or departure. The lunch break typically takes a least two hours and there is a lot to do in that time. Plus we get to try the local street food and beverages.