Alaska cruise is perfect preparation for a retirement home

[CruisinFools]

THANK YOU so much! I was quite upset at the posters who were trashing me for simply expressing my honest opinion about my cruise experience. Being an employee does not mean that I have to relinquish my right to an opinion. In fact, I quite adore Princess. I think it is the best line for the money. I myself am a Platinum member and attained that status before I was ever employed by them. My enthusiasm for Princess shows in what is called a close-ratio. It is a sales standard and mine is one of the highest in my department. I also happen to hold a company record for receiving the most letters of commendation for my customer service! If I am dissatisfied with a particular cruise, while I may be unexpectedly unhappy, I am certainly entitled to my opinion and to express it here on this website. As stated by several other posters, they agree with me that the entertainment and activities on their Alaska cruises were "boring" however this wasn't a problem for them as they were either enjoying quality time (traveling) with other people (we were not) or they were primarily interested in cruising as a means of transportation to Alaska (again, we see a cruise as more than just a means to get somewhere.)

As much as I like to relax on vacation, I am also looking for a little more "fun"than we ordinarily find at home (and this means on-board as well as off). I stated that the scenery was beautiful and commended the crew for their fantastic service. I mentioned that we enjoyed our stateroom accommodations and the company of our table-mates. However, as I have discovered is par for the course for "some" people, you focused only on my negative comments and I appreciate folks like DP Roberts who are a bit more open-minded. Oh, and by the way, I opted for paying regular price (Platinum member price) rather than taking advantage of any employee discount (and for those folks who were wondering, employees do NOT cruise for free - ever!) so that I could take advantage of my Platinum member perks, which you have to surrender on an employee discount rate. May we please end this thread now? I was curious to know if anyone else had experienced what I did on my Alaskan cruise, and thought I might pass along my honest comments for anyone who might be interested. I see that, although I did get mostly respectful comments, some of you just took this as an opportunity to vent your own negative feelings against anyone with an opinion different from yours, or perhaps a comment that too closely reflected your own behavior. Although I apologized for any untended offense or insult, those of you who know who you are, just couldn't wait to slam me.

Sorry again if I touched a nerve.

[sunsetbeachgal]

Dear Cruisin Fools.

 

I unfortunately found your comments and name calling of seniors to be somewhat offensive, and in addition, after cruising Inside Passage on the Coral Princess (I am Platinum also), I also respectfully do not agree with your observations on our cruise. The daytime entertainment on our cruise seemed to revolve more around educational opprotunities-lectures, listening to the on-board naturalist, watching the lovely scenery, etc. None of the "belly flop dive" or hairy chest competitions that one gets in a Carribeean criuse. Can't say I missed it. The ages on our mid-June cruise were a variety-families, children, teens, middle ages and seniors. When I see an older crowd or those in wheelchairs or with oxygen tanks, I think how lucky I am to be cruising at an age where I can enjoy and be mobile, and I admire them for traveling, despite handicaps.

 

Just my two cents worth...for whatever it is worth!

 

Carole in NC

[Katie100]

On my first cruise to Alaska I picked HAL specifically because I did not want a party-hard noisy cruise. I was expecting spunky senior citizens. Truthfully, many of them seemed too feeble and sick to be travelling. An ambulance met us at every port.

 

Nothing against Alaska - I am going back next year on RCCL.

[TeeBuccs]

Ok, so I concur with many here, ANY cruise (or vacation for that matter) is what you make of it. ATTITUDE is 80% of it!

 

That being said, I think folks that base their vacation decisions around demongraphics to Alaska are nuts! But hey, that's just me. I have never been to somewhere so amazing as AK. I was there to see AK and the sites, the cruise was completely secondary. The ship was a place to lay my head, rest and recover, eat some meals, have some drinks and unwind in preparation for the next day's adventure.

 

As for folks that seem to think only older individuals go to AK - well they should think again. My husband and I were in our 30s' when we went. Frankly, I'm glad we went when we did so we could be very active outside doing hikes, white water rafting and excurions that require physical stamina. There is something for every age group - if you want to just sit and ride and enjoy scenery and history - its there. But if you want to actually break a sweat and get a workout - no better place.

 

Enjoy AK ALL - I can't wait to get back!

[CC Help Michell]

<snip> May we please end this thread now? I was curious to know if anyone else had experienced what I did on my Alaskan cruise, and thought I might pass along my honest comments for anyone who might be interested. I see that, although I did get mostly respectful comments, some of you just took this as an opportunity to vent your own negative feelings against anyone with an opinion different from yours, or perhaps a comment that too closely reflected your own behavior. Although I apologized for any untended offense or insult, those of you who know who you are, just couldn't wait to slam me.

Sorry again if I touched a nerve.

 

 

I replied to your first post, essentially saying that we are in your demographic and didn't see Alaska that way, but to each his own and I hoped you enjoy your next Caribbean cruise.

 

But the above post got my attention again. In your original post, lest you forgot, you concluded by saying: "If anyone wants to spend 10 days listening to "elevator music" and watch people (the average age is 75) sleeping, playing cards or passing gas, take an Alaskan cruise. As they say, live and learn. As for us, it's back to the islands!"

 

I honestly think that isn't an "unintended insult." Nobody had to read between the lines to "find" an insult there. You explicitly said an Alaskan cruise is about watching people sleeping, playing cards, or passing gas. It's also not an "opinion" on your cruise experience -- you made these statements as facts.

 

That's probably why you felt you were "slammed" in reply -- because what you wrote was a clear insult to everyone who cruises in Alaska, of any age. Those who weren't the "watchers" (you) were apparently those doing the gas passing, etc. (everyone else on your ship). Many people posted they found a lot of amazing things to see and do in Alaska, and that it was too bad you didn't.

 

In addition, your OP wasn't just 'opinion" -- you made factual representations in your post. However, on no ship is the "average" age 75, unless the ship carries only people between the ages of 60 and 90, give or take a couple of years, evenly distributed. Every 40 year old onboard would require another passenger at age 105 to maintain your alleged "average" -- and even that presumes no one at all under age 40 is onboard -- not even one family with a couple of infants, kids, or teens.

 

I do agree this thread has run its course, as I think the original post has received exactly the responses it was intended to, but I felt the above post blaming the controversy on everyone else did deserve a reply.

[CruisinFools]

You are right and I apologize for wording my opinion incorrectly and not stating facts accurately. What I should have said was that on MY particular cruise, I experienced a large majority of the passengers spending their time onboard sleeping in areas such as the Horizon Court buffet, Wheelhouse Bar and Atrium Lounge. Many, many folks were sitting in these same areas, playing cards (particularly in the buffet, which was inconsiderate of those folks who were looking for a table to dine at), and as far as the "passing gas" comment, while I agree that was crass, it was nonetheless true as I experienced this more than once in the casino and the elevators. I will assume that these experiences of mine were extremely rare and have never happened on any other cruise.

[hal2008]

I think it is common knowledhe that Alaska crusing is dominated by those past RMD (not just those eligible for medicare).

 

Still it was a surprise when during SUMMER trip (schools were still out), we (in 40's with pre-teen kids) found us in such a minority.

 

Yes, it was bit annoying that people were sitting around for hours occupying prime spots for hours (or whole day) and wished people pushed right elevator buttons. But mostly, it was not an issue at all. You go on Alaska tour for natural beauty (even on sea days).

 

By the way, if you have kids, do your own research, we found HAL's kids program not only very poor but dangerously unsupervised on many occasions.

[Got2Cruise]

I think it is common knowledhe that Alaska crusing is dominated by those past RMD (not just those eligible for medicare).

 

Still it was a surprise when during SUMMER trip (schools were still out), we (in 40's with pre-teen kids) found us in such a minority.

 

Yes, it was bit annoying that people were sitting around for hours occupying prime spots for hours (or whole day) and wished people pushed right elevator buttons. But mostly, it was not an issue at all. You go on Alaska tour for natural beauty (even on sea days).

 

By the way, if you have kids, do your own research, we found HAL's kids program not only very poor but dangerously unsupervised on many occasions.

 

Did not read entire thread. . .but, I think it might have been a cruiseline choice instead of Alaska itself. We cruised the NCL Pearl in July. All age groups were represented, and there were hundreds of kids on board. I was surprised as to how many youngsters. . .

[kenish]

By the way, if you have kids, do your own research, we found HAL's kids program not only very poor but dangerously unsupervised on many occasions.

 

It probably varies by ship, or maybe even individual staff members. We took Zaandam in July, and my teenager and I were both impressed with the facilities, activities, and staff. Of course I don't have firsthand experience with the pre-teen programs, but the facilities for all age groups seemed great. Whenever I saw unsupervised pre-teens and tweens, they were well behaved, having fun, and didn't seem "dangerously unsupervised". OTOH, I share your opinion towards a Carnival cruise we took a few years ago.

 

I'm not disputing your comments, we just had a very different experience so it's not a universal characteristic of HAL. And you're right that choosing the right ship for kids takes lots of research!

[GlenandVal]

we just got back yesterday from a RCCL cruise to Alaska on Serenade

 

I m 52 DH is 62

there were many ages present, a few children, we were hiking in Juneau, walked all over the ports and had a great time, DH didnt want to go in the first place but he is happy he did

[JLC@SD]

If anyone wants to spend 10 days listening to "elevator music" and watch people (the average age is 75) sleeping, playing cards or passing gas, take an Alaskan cruise. As they say, live and learn. As for us, it's back to the islands!

 

......passing gas.......honestly....did you really see much of that......:D

 

My wife doesn't want to do Alaska unitl we are old and feeble......;)

[PennyAgain]

I love this thread. Very entertaining! True that Alaska is no beach holiday, but the passengers are not 'mostly dead or newly wed'.

 

However, and this is a BIG however, the downturn in the economy will affect the age groups that book for Alaska next summer. Families may not be ago to spend for such an expensive trip.

 

With prices going over the moon, it will be interesting to see what happens.

[Barkingowl]

OP you just described the repositioning cruise that we took on Carnival Elation to a T.

[Pssunshinegal]

......passing gas.......honestly....did you really see much of that......:D

 

My wife doesn't want to do Alaska unitl we are old and feeble......;)

 

I know you were just kidding, but that would be her mistake. You should go while you are still able to sea kayak to the ice fields in Valdez for 12-14 hours, or better yet take a kayak camping trip for 3-5 days. You should go while you are still able to hike the ice fields and know the stamina that will take. You should also go while you are able to throw a few things in a backpack and camp with the bears on Katmai. You should also go while you still have the strength to pull in 150 pound fish in Homer. You should go while you still have the stamina to ice climb on Worthington Glacier and rappel down 200 feet ice crevasses. I take my 20y/o kids to keep me doing these things, but I sure wish that I had done them when I was 25.

 

Forget the cruise part, the high energy activities for young people (and those of us 50 y/os that can still do it) in Alaska all in one state is something that you won't be able to find anywhere else in the world. Now if you are looking for nightlife and discos, then there are some in AK, but you are going to have to stay in cities that most people only want to drive through.

 

Janice

[RoofingPrincess]

Interesting. There was a similar lack of selection of onboard activities on the sea days of the 9-day Princess cruise I took - from NYC to the Eastern Caribbean and Bermuda! Maybe it's a property of longer Princess cruises and not the itinerary?

[Menolly]

My husband and I returned from our Alaska cruise last Monday. Now, we are older than the OP (I am 52 and my husband will be 60 in a couple of weeks - our cruise was partly to celebrate his Big 60), but we are hardly ready for the retirement home and would go back to Alaska in a heartbeat!.

 

First, I am sorry that the OP was disappointed with the cruise; my husband and I didn't choose the ship for its on-board events, but for the itinerary and the chance to see Alaska in all its glory. Effectively, we treated it as a floating hotel.

 

We were'n't as active as we would normally have been - I damaged my knee this year (jumping to shore from the bow of a cabin cruiser and landing awkwardly,!), so had to be a little careful (no ziplining :( ). Having said that, we got in some great walks in Ketchikan and Skagway and went up in a float-plane in Juneau as well as going to the Mendenhall Glacier. If we did it again, I think we might choose a much smaller ship - we couldn't care less about casinos/bingo/shows/talent contests/art auctions etc - really not of interest to us - we watched the start of one show and realised that it was not to our taste but it didn't spoil our cruise.

 

I would agree with the OP on certain things - the on-board activities are a bit lame, but then, many of the activity programmes at hotels are as bad (there is a hotel in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife that has one of the cheesiest programmes going, and it doesn't have the advantage of passing some of the most awesome scenery in the world!). The musak played on Horizon Court was enough to send the most determined insomniac to sleep. HOWEVER, we spent our time at sea watching the amazing scenery go past, reading and generally unwinding with each other.

 

The OP must have drawn the short straw on her cruise - the age-range on our cruise was evidently much wider than hers and in any case, most of the "older people" we met were fit and very active and made us feel that our best years are yet to come. There was one lady celebrating her 80th birthday who looked and acted YEARS younger.

 

We never found it difficult to get a table in Horizon Court - people were more than willing to share, unless their party filled up the table of course and we enjoyed meeting other passengers at breakfast and lunch. If we wanted to be alone with each other, we went to our cabin and sat out on the balcony - it was only too chilly to do that for long on the days at Glacier Bay and College Fjord and we enjoyed spending time on deck listening to the on-board naturalist and chatting with fellow passengers.

 

OP, you did have more sea days that we did, which probably didn't help - hope that your Caribbean cruise is more to your liking.

[MIA-SAT]

This is a case of YMMV. Our extended family (70's parents, me, wife, my siblings and spouses (43-52) and three teen/pre-teen children) took the Carnival Spirit in July. There were a wide range of ages on the ship, in fact at least one night, the karaoke bar was over utilized by kids under 10. There were plenty of excursions, ex., sea kayaking, hiking, rafting, zip lining etc., that were not for the rocking chair crowd. My sister, a veteran Caribbean cruiser said that the party crowd factor was far lower on this cruise than on the tropical cruises.

 

I was expecting the cruise to be what the OP experienced, but my expectations were wrong. In fact, I would tell people who wanted to avoid cruises with kids to reconsider Alaska in the summer, because on this particular cruise, kids were present at at least the same levels that they are represented in the general population.

[melika091900]

we went to alaska a few weeks ago ( for my big 30!! birthday ) and we took our daughter 7, and my mom 66, and we had a great time,

to compare to other cruises weve taken, alaska is more laid back, no deck parties or crazy drunks, and i was so glad, it was nice especially since theres a lot of families on there, I think there were 280 kids. or something like that, it was one of our favorite vacations weve taken ,

sorry the OP didnt like it, but im so glad we went .

[plenox]

we went to alaska a few weeks ago ( for my big 30!! birthday ) and we took our daughter 7, and my mom 66, and we had a great time,

to compare to other cruises weve taken, alaska is more laid back, no deck parties or crazy drunks, and i was so glad, it was nice especially since theres a lot of families on there, I think there were 280 kids. or something like that, it was one of our favorite vacations weve taken ,

sorry the OP didnt like it, but im so glad we went .

 

I agree. I like to pace our own schedule and didn't pay much attention to the deck party anyway

[Jenbo57]

I loved sitting and talking to the old folks! Heck, in not too many years, if I'm lucky, I'm going to be one! :D

 

We met one couple on the Mercury in '06 celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary. Each had been married before -- he for 40+ years and she for 30+, and both had lost their spouses. (His first wife died while they were on a cruise...would have loved to ask for the details, but figured that was tacky!) They'd been friends for many years and had often socialized together as couples. They were from New Jersey; he was a retired NYC cop, I think she might have once been a teacher. She walked with the aid of a walker; he was so patient and kind with her. If they had asked us to, I would have sat and played cards with them all day, and I wouldn't have cared if some gas had been passed. Wonderful people.

 

I'm looking forward to cruising to Alaska again next year. Maybe we'll see them again. Didn't meet many folks like them on our Caribbean cruise! (Oh, but I guess that was the point, wasn't it?!?)

[fiddlefooted]

This was a most entertaining thread. Out of pure stubbornness, I read every post, amazed that this "much ado" tennis match could go on as long as it did....and now, here am I, making it even longer.

 

On our May cruise, watch out for me. I am old and intend to sit and do the rocking chair stare and pass a lot of gas.

 

Bon Voyage.

[lovetocruise99]

Out of 15+ cruises the Alaska cruise was my 13-year-old daughter's favorite by far. She even made the comment that she liked being on a cruise with the "old people" because they're much nicer and seemed to be happier!