Me and my partner are thinking of cruising next year, we are both in our early 20s but unsure if a cruise would be suitable for us. I have cruised before when I was younger with family and really enjoyed it.
At the minute we are looking at cruising on the TUI Discivery for 7 nights and then a stay for 4/7 nights.
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Lots of cruises are suitable for young people, though how much you enjoy the experience is in large part dependant on the type of people you are and what you like to do.
I don't know what Thompson are like to cruise with, the Discovery used to be a RCI ship but I don't know what Thompson have changed when they took her over.
Where is the cruise you are looking at sailing - if the Med there may be port stops every day and that will give you plenty to do if you are worried about what it's like onboard.
Princess and HAL tend to have quite an older demographic, Carnival line tends to be younger but not sure if it sails in your area.
I'm sure that there will be people here on TA who have sailed with Thompson and who can give you information about what the line is like.
Hiya
Yes of course! Myself and my partner are in our 20's and I always thought cruises were for older people and definitely wasn't keen on the idea of going on one! My partner convinced me too try it so we booked a 10night cruise to morrocco and Spain with P&O on their ship Oceana.
I had an amazing time!! There is so much to do on board and I loved being able to see several different places in one holiday.
We have just booked to go on the Royal carribbean independace of the seas in October and can't wait!
I would definitely recommend it!
121,711 posts
365 helpful votes Cruising is no longer the sole domain of the rich and the elderly, if it ever was at all it certainly hasn't been for the last decade!
Yes, you do of course get well off and older people on any cruise, but there are far more younger passengers these days, particularly on shorter cruises and on lines such as NCL or RCI, which have plenty of activities for those with a lot of energy.
TUI (Thomson as was) are popular with us Brits and they seem to attract a fairly wide demographic, from families to people who have been cruising with them for years and wouldn't sail with anyone else.
Thank you for your replies so far.
I was looking at the TUI discovery which sails around the Med, there are 3 different itineries Available and they all look appealing, all of which we would only spend one day at sea.
I really want to go but my partner is taking some persuading. I think he is slowly coming round to the idea when I showed him the ship and said its aimed at passengers of all ages! I love cruising, I think it's amazing waking up to a different destination every day!
How about the best of both worlds? Take a cruise but choose one that you can book with Contiki Holidays, a company for travelers ages 18 - 35. It's a thought
I am sure you and your partner will have a great time on the Discovery Thomson cruises are very laid back. If he is worried about getting dressed up its not compulsory, but shorts and T shirts not allowed in main restaurant?s at night.
We were 30 & 32 when we first cruised and haven't looked back!
We have been on the NCL Epic round the med which is a varied mix of people, but has a pretty lively night scene (Bliss nightclub, Spice H2O, Duelling Pianos, Casino) - although it's a port intensive cruise with some early starts it's possible to balance the late nights and early mornings with some planning! You could continue drinking until 2-4am. They also show all the sport in the bars and on the TVs in your room.
Thomson Majesty (older and smaller than the Discovery) was a brilliant trip. There weren't many younger people at first glance but actually the atmosphere was brilliant at night. People loved a laugh and the staff went out and enjoyed themselves. It wasn't cringe or forced wither, just general having a laugh without rowdiness. The downside for Mr C was the lack of sport shown, they didn't show football so when we go again we have to apparently time it around the football season!
I have to say P&O was our least favourite for night life - it often stopped serving earlier and the formal dining was far too stuffy for us. Mr C didn't want to wear a shirt and trousers for dinner! I also felt that the cliental were more reserved and less welcoming. I'm sure all the ships are different though, and that was just one week, bit given the formal dining we wouldn't be doing it again.
Have fun!
121,711 posts
365 helpful votes I think you're on the right track by sort of dipping your toes in the water with a split of a cruise and stay. If your partner doesn't take to cruising, he can look forward tot he land holiday, but hopefully he will love and become an addict just like mine did!
We took our first trip last month on P&O Aurora to the Baltic.
The passenger list was predominantly over 50 and elderly. I think the youngest person I spotted would have been about 20-ish and with her mum. Not many young fit looking folks ready to party all night.
The age of the passengers wasn't too much of an issue but the entertainment was - it was all geared towards that age group. Trivia - questions for the 70's and 80's or earlier. Music quiz - 60's onwards to about the 80's.
Aurora is promoted as a family ship with a large kids club so we were worried we'd be surrounded by toddlers but nothing of the sort.
This was our first cruise so maybe unusual but next time I'll be a bit more aware that life will slow down on board.
121,711 posts
365 helpful votes The demographics on board can be very different depending on the ship, the date and length of the cruise. One major factor is the school holidays, and as P&O customers are predominantly form the UK, you would likely see a change once the schools here break up for the summer.
I base this on sailing on the Aurora in May/June, and the Ventura in August. Very few children on the former, and quite a high average age, but lots of little ones on the latter, and a lot more in their 20's, 30's and 40's, too.
