Finding It Hard To Find Right Cruise Lune

[CatalinaUK]

Hello! Just joined because I am overwhelmed by research, and I've read so many helpful tips on these forums that I thought making a profile would help me! 

 

I'm trying to find the right cruise line for myself and my husband. I've taken one cruise with my sister (Fred Olsen to Iceland) and while I liked some of the experience, I didn't love it. I'll explain why later.

 

My husband and I are late 40s & are based in the United Kingdom. We do not have children and we are not interested in a party/booze atmosphere. Casinos and sports bars hold no interest. We like culture (history, archaeology, and art) and learning about the world.

 

We are both "alternative" looking: I have very brightly-coloured hair and a nose piercing. My husband has tattoos and works in men's fashion, so he dresses very nicely with a distinct look. I am very quiet and like to read, cross-stitch, and watch the world go by. My husband is more gregarious and out-going, and likes to make friends with smart & creative people.

 

My research has me leaning towards Viking Ocean, Azamara, and Oceania - but all of them seem to attract a much older crowd who have very vocal opinions about how other people look. My Fred Olsen cruise had a few people remark on my hair and outfits (I like to wear 1950s inspired dresses) and I don't want to feel like that again. I also don't want my husband to feel like he's the youngest in the room by decades. 

 

Cruising is an attractive form of holiday to me because I have mobility issues which often leave me exhausted when we travel, and I love sailing. I just don't know which cruise line to pick. I'm looking at Mediterranean cruises right now and I feel overwhelmed. 

 

Help?!

[BklynBoy8]

As we did at the beginning we selected the style the line offers, the locationswe were interested in and the amount of days we were available to sail.

 

 

[donaldsc]

I don't know if your mobility issues would make it difficult to do stairs since their ships have only stairs and some of them are sort of steep but have you looked at Clipper Cruise lines.  They are sailboats only and they do attract an interesting crowd.  On our last cruise one night we shared a table with a person who gave us all sorts of useful information on how to beat the English tax revenue system.  In another night we had a long discussion with someone who shared my interest in old English sports cars as we both had owned classic Austin Healey sprites.  Nobody on the cruise was ever fussy.

 

https://www.starclippers.com/us-dom/

 

DON

[CatalinaUK]

Thanks for the Star Clipper tip, Don! I hadn't come across the company before but the itineraries look really interesting. I also like that it is a smaller ship. I'll do some research into the line (I'm relatively fine with stairs but I'd prefer not to climb them constantly) but it is definitely added to the list.

 

Thank you so much - I knew that CC would be a helpful place.

 

Cat

[john watson]

7 minutes ago, CatalinaUK said:

Thanks for the Star Clipper tip, Don! I hadn't come across the company before but the itineraries look really interesting. I also like that it is a smaller ship. I'll do some research into the line (I'm relatively fine with stairs but I'd prefer not to climb them constantly) but it is definitely added to the list.

 

Thank you so much - I knew that CC would be a helpful place.

 

Cat

Star Clippers is nothing like any other cruise line.  I have done two and they have multilingual talks and the gameshows at night tend to have an easel.  Deck games like golf all around the ship and the infamous wet landings.  Hilarious if you are not expecting standard stuff.

Regards John

[Flatbush Flyer]

3 hours ago, CatalinaUK said:

Hello! Just joined because I am overwhelmed by research, and I've read so many helpful tips on these forums that I thought making a profile would help me! 

 

I'm trying to find the right cruise line for myself and my husband. I've taken one cruise with my sister (Fred Olsen to Iceland) and while I liked some of the experience, I didn't love it. I'll explain why later.

 

My husband and I are late 40s & are based in the United Kingdom. We do not have children and we are not interested in a party/booze atmosphere. Casinos and sports bars hold no interest. We like culture (history, archaeology, and art) and learning about the world.

 

We are both "alternative" looking: I have very brightly-coloured hair and a nose piercing. My husband has tattoos and works in men's fashion, so he dresses very nicely with a distinct look. I am very quiet and like to read, cross-stitch, and watch the world go by. My husband is more gregarious and out-going, and likes to make friends with smart & creative people.

 

My research has me leaning towards Viking Ocean, Azamara, and Oceania - but all of them seem to attract a much older crowd who have very vocal opinions about how other people look. My Fred Olsen cruise had a few people remark on my hair and outfits (I like to wear 1950s inspired dresses) and I don't want to feel like that again. I also don't want my husband to feel like he's the youngest in the room by decades. 

 

Cruising is an attractive form of holiday to me because I have mobility issues which often leave me exhausted when we travel, and I love sailing. I just don't know which cruise line to pick. I'm looking at Mediterranean cruises right now and I feel overwhelmed. 

 

Help?!

Let me save you any more searching.

Oceania. Small ships with exquisite service and the finest cuisine at sea. Pricing is most recently very inclusive including airfare or air credit.

The age demographic is very dependent on itinerary with shorter, traditional, Med, Caribbean and Alaska cruises drawing adults from 30s and 40s upward including multi-generational families. The longer (3-7 weeks), more exotic itineraries cater more to retirees and folks not restricted by work schedules.

Azamara used to be O’s chief competitor in the Premium cruise industry segment. But, that line has new owners and “the jury is still out” on the current situation. Viking Ocean promotes itself as Premium (and pays lots of ad dollars to convince folks). But, IMO, it’s an Oceania “wannabe” that falls short of the mark.

We’ve already done approx. 400 days on O ships. In a word: Stellar!

 

[donaldsc]

23 hours ago, CatalinaUK said:

Thanks for the Star Clipper tip, Don! I hadn't come across the company before but the itineraries look really interesting. I also like that it is a smaller ship. I'll do some research into the line (I'm relatively fine with stairs but I'd prefer not to climb them constantly) but it is definitely added to the list.

 

Thank you so much - I knew that CC would be a helpful place.

 

Cat

 

Our cabin was lower down so we had to do the stairs a lot.  They do have several cabins available on the deck level that would eliminate most of the stair climbing.  

 

DON

[broadwaybaby123]

Have you considered Royal Caribbean or Celebrity? They're owned by the same company as Azamara. Celebrity is more subdued, while Royal appeals to a more adventurous crowd.

 

Also Princess might be another option for a high-end cruise (by high-end, I mean more subdued)

[Flatbush Flyer]

56 minutes ago, broadwaybaby123 said:

Have you considered Royal Caribbean or Celebrity? They're owned by the same company as Azamara. Celebrity is more subdued, while Royal appeals to a more adventurous crowd.

 

Also Princess might be another option for a high-end cruise (by high-end, I mean more subdued)

Azamara was sold to Sycamore Partners several years ago. Bargain basement deal too.

[Cruzaholic41]

On 8/26/2023 at 7:58 AM, CatalinaUK said:

 

My research has me leaning towards Viking Ocean, Azamara, and Oceania - but all of them seem to attract a much older crowd who have very vocal opinions about how other people look.

Help?!

I have actually cruised all 3 of these lines multiple times and without a doubt, I recommend Viking. Not only did I find the service and food better, but in general, the passengers seemed more relaxed and not so judgmental. Oceania is the worst and for some odd reason, that attitude even makes it’s way here by their loyalists. 
 

I also recommend Celebrity. Given your description of your husband, this might actually be a better choice because there are more activities. 
 

Good luck on your decision. 

[crystalspin]

10 hours ago, CatalinaUK said:

I'm trying to find the right cruise line for myself and my husband. ...

My husband and I are late 40s ...We are both "alternative" looking:...

My research has me leaning towards Viking Ocean, Azamara, and Oceania - but all of them seem to attract a much older crowd who have very vocal opinions about how other people look...I don't want to feel like that again. I also don't want my husband to feel like he's the youngest in the room by decades.

...I just don't know which cruise line to pick. I'm looking at Mediterranean cruises right now and I feel overwhelmed. 

 Hi Cat! and welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

I just love that you two are late 40s and have alternative presentation. Although I am about to turn 65, I think I don't dress it! I have gone through multiple styles (including 50's shirtwaists with cardies! and about a decade of wearing salwar kameez) and currently wearing pocket leggings and rayon tunics most of the time.

 

I am also so happy that you got solid direction from @Cruzaholic41 just above this. I have not sailed any of your three short-list lines. I was going to suggest you lurk on the sub-boards to see if you "felt welcome". Viking Ocean is here:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/689-viking-ocean/

 

We are HAL-fankids ourselves; we did take my older 30's half-sister along with my stepmom, to Alaska. They had a blast. But -- my sis could make friends in a coal mine!

 

We had one cruise on RCCL, on a smaller ship, the Rhapsody of the Seas -- I think you would have liked it! The Elite Loyalty crowd was snooty but kept to themselves. There were a number of alternate life-style couples that we met, and the Attrium entertainment was much more upbeat than HAL.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On 8/27/2023 at 3:20 PM, broadwaybaby123 said:

Have you considered Royal Caribbean or Celebrity? They're owned by the same company as Azamara. Celebrity is more subdued, while Royal appeals to a more adventurous crowd.

 

Also Princess might be another option for a high-end cruise (by high-end, I mean more subdued)

I too would like to recommend Princess. Our first Celebrity cruise will be next year, but Princess is usually more upscale and sophisticated than Carnival or RCI. That said, I would stick with Royal class and newer ships on Princess. Longer cruises tend to attract a much older crowd. We usually go during school holidays which attracts families with kids, but last time we went on a 10 day Thanksgiving cruise, and the average age seemed to be 75+. We are in our late 40s.

 

Celebrity is similar to Princess - more posh than Carnival or RCI. RCI does offer lots of fun and active things to do on most of their ships, like ice skating, zip lining, rock climbing, laser tag, surf simulator.... We like RCI a lot as well. Their shows are usually great as well (but look for newer ships).

 

I don't have an opinion on any of the more upscale and premium lines - never been on them, and don't plan to either. We travel with our kid and we are not luxury oriented....

[thinfool]

So you went on a cruise in the past and now you are trying to go again.  Most of us here fall into that group.  We were hooked.  And we may have explored the various lines that you have looked at.

Still, over time, we have all had bookings on several different cruise lines and came away with our own evaluations and opinions.

So....this will be your second cruise.  Pull the trigger, use a dart board, whatever you can find to make a decision....after that experience there will be another one, and another one.  Eventually you may or may not settle on a favorite cruise line.  One with the correct mix of passengers, cost, food, entertainment, etc.  Great!  You will fit right in!

So go for it.  See you on the seas.

[navybankerteacher]

On 8/26/2023 at 10:58 AM, CatalinaUK said:

Hello! Just joined because I am overwhelmed by research, and I've read so many helpful tips on these forums that I thought making a profile would help me! 

 

I'm trying to find the right cruise line for myself and my husband. I've taken one cruise with my sister (Fred Olsen to Iceland) and while I liked some of the experience, I didn't love it. I'll explain why later.

 

My husband and I are late 40s & are based in the United Kingdom. We do not have children and we are not interested in a party/booze atmosphere. Casinos and sports bars hold no interest. We like culture (history, archaeology, and art) and learning about the world.

 

We are both "alternative" looking: I have very brightly-coloured hair and a nose piercing. My husband has tattoos and works in men's fashion, so he dresses very nicely with a distinct look. I am very quiet and like to read, cross-stitch, and watch the world go by. My husband is more gregarious and out-going, and likes to make friends with smart & creative people.

 

My research has me leaning towards Viking Ocean, Azamara, and Oceania - but all of them seem to attract a much older crowd who have very vocal opinions about how other people look. My Fred Olsen cruise had a few people remark on my hair and outfits (I like to wear 1950s inspired dresses) and I don't want to feel like that again. I also don't want my husband to feel like he's the youngest in the room by decades. 

 

Cruising is an attractive form of holiday to me because I have mobility issues which often leave me exhausted when we travel, and I love sailing. I just don't know which cruise line to pick. I'm looking at Mediterranean cruises right now and I feel overwhelmed. 

 

Help?!

Try checking out Viking - they have a number of good Mediterranean itineraries, no casinos, and are not party/booze oriented.  

[cruiseaholic777]

Royal Caribbean would be perfect for you. Princess would be a good choice if you were older. I have been on 34 cruises and I have 2 more in the near future. Look at the reviews and compare. Have a great cruise.

[Hlitner]

Let me start by saying we are "old as dirt" and have cruised on 16 different lines (which will increase to 19 over the next year).  So we have a good basis of comparison.  I think the OP's research is spot on!  Assuming they have no interest in casinos, they might want to give Viking Ocean a try.  

 

As to being the youngest cruisers on the ship, that may be an issue (especially if you book a longer cruise).  That being said, at one time DW and I were among the youngest and always enjoyed the experience.  It is less about real age and more about attitude.  There are some cruise lines where folks seem to embrace acting old (we have felt this on some HAL cruises).  But there are other cruises where the ole folks are actually quite young at heart (we have found this on Seabourn).  

 

As to Oceania, our vote is still out since we have yet to try this line (it will be happening this March) and we have some doubts.  Azamara is a great product, although we are not big fans of their "R" ships (Oceania also has several of these vessels) and their postage stamp cabin bathrooms/showers.

 

Hank

[Shorex]

On the occasion that I recommend a particular cruise line I attempt to tailor the recommendation to the questioner. Some people always recommend the same line without fail. Given your description of preferences, I recommend Viking. No casino, no kids. Here's a youtube video to check out:

 

All the various cruise have lots of youtube videos. Keep in mind most of them are promotional -- that's just marketing. And every cruise line has its cheer squad.

 

And I never worry about unsolicited comments. I would just say, "because I choose to, ta ta."

 

[CDNPolar]

We are Viking enthusiasts and recommend that you try Viking Ocean, or River, depending on the itinerary that you are after.

 

We are a gay male couple that has a lot of years between us - what did they used to call it - May/December?

 

We are well accepted on Viking ocean and river cruises, and we recently met a solo female cruiser on Viking ocean that had lovely cobalt blue hair and she was also well accepted.  We recently also connected with a heavily inked couple that was proud to show their ink.  No problem.  They were very outgoing and seemed to know everyone on the ship by the end of the itinerary.

 

Viking has an higher age demographic, but we are finding that we are seeing younger all the time.  This is a good thing, but also it does depend on the length of the cruise, the destination, time of year, and all of that.

 

Viking works for us because:

 

1. It is almost all inclusive meaning that you don't pay extra for specialty restaurants, coffee, etc.
2. There are no children under either 17 or 18 years
3. No casinos and crazy nightlife
4. Viking are as I think Viking refer to themselves as the thinking persons cruise line - lots of lectures and resident historians that speak about where you are travelling.
5. Viking food is - to us - outstanding, and this is one of the reasons we go back to Viking
6. The Viking Crew are exceptional and the service is high end

 

We find overall that the Viking demographic is very accepting and open, and if they are not, they don't speak up about it.  

 

Often we find that because Viking is heavily repeat guests - over 70% - that these folks have travelled the world for many years, seen it all, been exposed to it all, and are accepting, if not welcoming of everyone.