What would you like added to a 55+ cruise?

[sail-a-bration]

I am 55+ my DH is 51+ we are going on our 3rd cruise, all Carnival. I love cruising but the at sea activities seem to be for a much younger crowd. Like the Hairy Chest Contest, Scavenger Hunt, etc. What activities would you like to see besides Bingo the offiicial oldies entertainment. I would be interested a Tai chi class for relaxation or a garnish class and show us how they make all of the beautiful edible art items on the midnight buffett.

[deepnite10]

personally id like to see up to date 55+ cruising promotion s on various

cruise line s..

 

if the individual cruise companie s value our business..then they would

offer information to CC on these forum s for the most up to date promotion s designed for senior s..

 

one thing i miss from my earlier cruising day s are the ship tour s..my first experience was on a 4 day encenada cruise on a RCCL ship *i can t remember* :confused: ..a couple of hr s during a longer cruise on the second day exclusively for senior s would be nice..

 

im sure the ship s stabilizer s will account for the shift in weight as the senior s move from one of the ship to the other :p

[sail-a-bration]

My DH said how about a mystery cruise, clues all during the cruise the finale on the last night.

[forensic]

I am 55+ my DH is 51+ we are going on our 3rd cruise, all Carnival. I love cruising but the at sea activities seem to be for a much younger crowd. Like the Hairy Chest Contest, Scavenger Hunt, etc. What activities would you like to see besides Bingo the offiicial oldies entertainment. I would be interested a Tai chi class for relaxation or a garnish class and show us how they make all of the beautiful edible art items on the midnight buffett.

 

 

How about cruising on a more upscale cruise line where there are great lectures, high quality cooking demonstrations, etc. Read the web sites of the other cruise lines. Look at HAL for instance or Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, etc. I know that the cruises I have been on the Fitness centers have offered some great Yoga classes for beginners, great for relaxation.

 

My DH says all he wants on a cruise is to be left alone :D peace and quiet, the ship the sea and me! Awwwww;)

 

BUT what could possibly be more relaxing that sitting on a a quiet deck somewhere with a glass of iced tea (or what ever) with a good book and watching the beautiful sea go by. Sea days are a gift from my God to me.

[dollfan]

Although I am five years shy of officially fitting in to this thread. I entirely agree with some informative lectures, maybe some exhibits of art (not the art auction stuff) but more like artifacts. Would also like more Yoga classes to be held in a larger area with room to spread out like a disco not being used then in the smelly exercise room with the sounds of people running on the treadmill and weights hitting the bar.

 

How about an afternoon entertainment session on sea days so you can do more spa treatments at night or maybe enjoy the aqua spa hot tubs or pool at night.

 

and don't hate me for suggesting this if you are a smoker, but it would sure be nice to enjoy an evening in the casino at all the tables and slots without smoke.

[sassyredhat]

I too, would like better facilities for Yoga.

 

A smoke free casio---or at least 1 area for smokers. Don't flame me :)

 

I would like the 'classrooms/lectures at sea' like Crystal CL does.

 

I would like Bingo more often, so there would't be such big crowds.

[Beach Nut]

How about a real ball room, with a small orchestra playing Strauss waltzes for a few hours each night?

 

And waltzing lessons?

 

I'm dreaming. Don't wake me up. :)

 

 

ZZZZZZZ,

Susan

[Beach Nut]

Good idea, Sail-A-Bration - a mystery cruise would be fun!

 

My problem (or one of them :o ) is that I don't seem to have the interest or stamina to focus on the extra-curricular cruise-long entertainment events, but find that I will frequently participate in the events that are more time-limited.

(I keep getting side-tracked because of so many things to do, or not do - like snoozing under a blanket on deck as the sun lowers in the sky. :) )

 

Where did I read that some cruise ship or line is offering a special dinner murder-mystery theater, for an additional charge? Does anyone know if this is being offered anywhere on the high seas?

 

Also, Yoga and Tai Chi offered some evenings for us night owls?

 

How about a meditative relaxation group offered at 11 PM to help get some of us off to Lullaby Land? (For years, in the 80's and 90's I led a "relaxation group" prior to bedtime on the psychiatric unit of a community hospital. It didn't always work for every single patient, but it was the most popular and effective group on the unit, according to many patients. I'd like to be on the receiving end of that kind of service. Maybe someone could lead it on a certain channel of the TV, so that you could just tune in to it and fall asleep in bed - although much of the effectiveness of the group was that I was able to tune in and take cues from the postures, breathing, etc. of the participants and adjust the tone of my voice, the timing, etc. to bring everyone along as much as possible on the same wavelength.)

 

Merry Sailing to All, and To All a Good Night,

Susan

[copvet]

We are in agreement with Susan (Beachnut)regarding a nice ballroom setting with a good band (not recorded music) for dancing. That would be great and we would be out there doing "our thing" nightly. A nice waltz would be very romantic. Anyway, happy sailing and Bon Voyage to all.:)

[ninkb]

DH and I have 5 HAL and 1 Princess cruise under our belts. We love the enrichment lectures that pertain to the ports we visit. Princess had an excellent series of computer classes, good for beginners as well as experienced (such as photo editing).

 

Anything that helps us to meet fellow pax and stimulates the aging brain cells is great!

 

We, too, love the sea days . . . particularly in the warm weather. Crossing the Equator ceremony, On Deck for the Cure walks, even the crazy games. The setting can't be beat. Indeed, sea days are God's gift to us.

 

I think the choice of the cruise line is the most important choice for senior activities.

 

:):):) ninkb

[songanddance]

Waht you all are seeking is exactly what Cunard offers. An adult cruise with intellectual entertainment, relaxing music and a great ballroom for real ballroom dancing with that very special person.

 

take a look, it is not that expensive but so much better in the offerings.

[Jim_Iain]

How about cruising on a more upscale cruise line where there are great lectures, high quality cooking demonstrations, etc. Read the web sites of the other cruise lines. Look at HAL for instance or Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, etc. I know that the cruises I have been on the Fitness centers have offered some great Yoga classes for beginners, great for relaxation.

 

My DH says all he wants on a cruise is to be left alone :D peace and quiet, the ship the sea and me! Awwwww;)

 

BUT what could possibly be more relaxing that sitting on a a quiet deck somewhere with a glass of iced tea (or what ever) with a good book and watching the beautiful sea go by. Sea days are a gift from my God to me.

 

Would have to agree with you. We sail almost exclusively and am pleased to say.... no hairy chest contest, no scavanger hunts and only not announcements in the cabins.

 

Have had wonderful computer and photography classes, lectures and cooking demonstrations.

 

If other lines offered some of the items we might jump ship.

[TonitheTiger]

My DH said how about a mystery cruise, clues all during the cruise the finale on the last night.

 

 

I would vote for a mystery cruise:)

 

Also, It would be great if they would get the spa and hot tubs up later.

[blyle]

Just recently on our Carnival Freedom cruise to Greece and Turkey the average age was about 65 so they changed the regular activities and added bridge and more age appropriate activities and cancelled the others hairy chest etc. They knew the demographics of the cruise and I commend them for changing things when they have a heavy over 55 group. It was delightful!

Carnival is attracting and older group on their new itineraries. I would like to see an in depth program on different itineraries that are offered such as Around the Horn, Europe, Scandinavia etc. More than what the concierge offers. It would save doing so much research and answer lots of my questions.

[cruise_lover]

I vote for a mystery cruise too and regional cooking classes would be nice.

[marnnirk]

My husband and are are approaching 60 and have been on 3 cruises. Our last was a transatlantic cruise with Holl. Am. Everything was amazing except the extra curriculars. I know the demographic is maybe early 60's but that doesn't mean we aren't active and raring to go. The band played for a half an hour each day and I can tell you that people weren't thrilled. Old doesn't mean we can't dance the night away. I was dissappointed that bingo and bridge seemed to be the only options during the days at sea. The movie theatre shares space with the culinary centre and those silly art auctions end up using up alot of lounge and hall spaces. Even the gift shop seemed to be poorly stocked. How about a craft class, bridge class, drink mixing classes, evening shows on deck, etc. Love the idea of a mystery cruise or murder cruise. How about a card tournament( not bridge ) or crib or something most people can play easily ? How about a language class designed to fit one of the ports, or a themed cooking class based on a port? I would have loved to have had more options on the HAL crossing. Found that if you didn't play bridge you were kind of out of options. Older shouldn't mean that the cruise line assumes we just want to eat, sleep and read.

[moniquet]

What about a special deck area, similar to a childrens area;)

 

I did see one cruise advertising they were doing tracing your ancestors sessions but I can't remember which one.

[Annieeee]

My DH said how about a mystery cruise, clues all during the cruise the finale on the last night.

 

 

They already have mystery cruises. I was on a murder mystery cruise in April 2005. You participate all week long. Not everyone on the ship is part of the murder mystery cruise, but if you sign up for it you will be. Try googling ***** . There is a charge for it.

 

Annieeee

[Annieeee]

I would prefer to see a few more themed cruises, but not necessarily geared for seniors only. It could be that there are simply not enough people that would sign up for such a cruise. I certainly don't want RCI or any other cruiseline to think that just cause I am in my 60's that I am only interested in sedentary activities. If I want a sedentary activity, I simply go to the Martini or Champagne bar.:D On sea days, pick two or three decks and look at the art they have hanging, not only at each landing but up and down the corridors. That will make for a nice long walk. Don't wait for the CD or anyone on his staff to provide entertainment for you, take the initiative and organize your own cribbage games, or scrabble or boggle. You want brain games, organize an adult spelling bee, or a good trivia game that is ongoing for the duration of the cruise.

 

And as for port days, well gosh, there are so many things to do. How many of you go parasailing, or power snorkeling? Try going on some exciting excursions to get that blood pumping. After all we are not dead yet! Well I know I am not.

 

Annieeee

[Annieeee]

What about a special deck area, similar to a childrens area;)

 

I did see one cruise advertising they were doing tracing your ancestors sessions but I can't remember which one.

 

Hmm, I can see that being referred to as the old geezers area. lol Like I said I am in my mid 60's so not making fun of our age.

 

Annieeee

[Annieeee]

I would vote for a mystery cruise:)

 

Also, It would be great if they would get the spa and hot tubs up later.

 

What do you mean "get the spa and hot tubs up later"?

 

Annieeee