HAL for our 30 & 40 year old kids

[sierrajean]

My husband are taking our single daughter (she's 40) along with our son and his wife (30 & 37) on a cruise to Mexico in Feb. or March. We don't know if we should book HAL or Carnival. We've sailed Carnival before but not HAL. We found Carnival a bit young for our taste but this cruise is for them. I've heard that HAL is for the older crowd. Is this true? Any input is appreciated.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Oosterdam??

 

You all will enjoy it very much. And this cruise attracts a lot of people in that age group.

[btobey]

DH and I are both 39 (I turn 40 the day before sailing!), and we expect that we're going to be amongst the youngest passengers on our Canal cruise next spring.

[Hoyaheel]

Age isn't important. What's important is what your 30 & 40 yr old kids are going to want to do and what environment is important to them.

 

I'm 34 and my husband is 39--we went on the Maasdam last fall for our anniversary (11-day southern Caribbean) and are booked on a 15 day on Westerdam next year through the Panama Canal. We LOVE HAL. We're not all night partiers, don't care about the production shows, or the casino (when we want to gamble, we go to Vegas) We want a relaxed vacation, nice sized cabin, good service, good food, things to do during the day but no one "bugging" us. We also prefer to go on ships with fewer young children, and so far--HAL has met all our needs beautifully.

[CruisinKiki]

I am 37 and my DH is 48. We have sailed HAL three times in the last four years. We are often on the young side of the crowd, but we have never felt out of place. Often pax group by activity so you are likely to be amongst others who have similiar interests or are in your age group (i.e. those who choose a more active excursion or onboard activity may be younger, etc.) Also, we have found that pax ages vary based on itinerary. I would think a Mexican itinerary might be a little younger than some. I'm sure they will enjoy it!

[innlady1]

My husband are taking our single daughter (she's 40) along with our son and his wife (30 & 37) on a cruise to Mexico in Feb. or March. We don't know if we should book HAL or Carnival. We've sailed Carnival before but not HAL. We found Carnival a bit young for our taste but this cruise is for them. I've heard that HAL is for the older crowd. Is this true? Any input is appreciated.

 

One of our daughters and her husband went on the Veendam when they were first married and in their 20's...and loved it! They're quiet and into nightlife...and it was perfect for them.

 

Depends upon what your kids like. I'd say HAL would be a good choice; so would Princess.

[btobey]

I'm 34 and my husband is 39--we went on the Maasdam last fall for our anniversary (11-day southern Caribbean) and are booked on a 15 day on Westerdam next year through the Panama Canal. We LOVE HAL. We're not all night partiers, don't care about the production shows, or the casino (when we want to gamble, we go to Vegas) We want a relaxed vacation, nice sized cabin, good service, good food, things to do during the day but no one "bugging" us. We also prefer to go on ships with fewer young children, and so far--HAL has met all our needs beautifully.

You and your DH sound a lot like me and my DH--too bad you're not on the same Panama sailing with us next year! ;)

[Hoyaheel]

If you're in the spring--looks like you're doing westbound? And we're doing eastbound in the fall. Hubby's 40th birthday is April, and the Panama Canal cruise is what he wants to do to celebrate--but spring is his busiest season at work (I'm more flexible, as long as I don't have a grant going in:rolleyes: ), so the autumn trip works out much better for us. Have fun!

[btobey]

Yep, Westbound for us and I turn 40 in April also! The cruise is to celebrate our 5-year anniversary in June, but DH really wanted to do Panama Canal, and April/May turned out to be the closest we could get (I work at a college, so fall wouldn't be a good time for me). Hope you guys have fun too!

[papadave]

My wife and I are in our early 40s. We have been on HAL for a 7 day Carribbean cruise out of Florida and an 11 day cruise out of New York. The 7 day cruise had a number of people our age on it, but the 11 day cruise had more older folks. If you're going to Mexico on a 7 day cruise my guess is that there will be enough people who are not senior citizens. I'd be more cautious with a longer cruise, especially one that takes place when people with school aged children can't get away.

[crusing_gidget]

I am in my 30's I have been on 8 HAL cruises and loved ALL of them. I also have been on Carnival which was OK, HAL service was much better . Carnival is "the fun party ship" I went during July 4th week so it was very loud and kids everywhere. I prefer HAL to carnival but as someone mentioned you have to be comfortable with the environment and tours and ship

 

enjoy

[Hoyaheel]

I'd be more cautious with a longer cruise, especially one that takes place when people with school aged children can't get away.

 

See, what makes you "cautious" makes me jump for joy:p . I haven't found that people being "my age" makes them any more or less compatible than people younger or older would be. Matter of fact, since we don't have kids, we tend to have more in common with "empty-nesters" than we do with couples our age--most of whom have kids at home and therefore can't travel when & where we want to;)