Is Cruising Just for Retired Couples?

There is no escaping the fact that cruise holidays still have a slight stigma about them. Traditionally the beloved getaway of retired couples, is the cruise industry beginning to change its image?

The simple answer is yes, however, it’s a little more complicated than that. Like all travel sectors, certain cruise packages and cruise lines are aimed at differing age brackets and demographics. For example, lines like Holland America and Fred Olsen still attract an average age passenger of 65, whilst lines like Carnival, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean attract a far younger clientele. Here you can check for the best cruise package.

These cruise lines have made focused efforts to appeal to younger generations by creating active spaces, more connectivity and different itineraries. This is not to mention the emergence of expedition cruises that offer an adventure experience unlike any other.

Below I’ve written my top reasons why cruising is no longer just the playground of the retired generation, but a fresh way to approach family holidays and getaways.

Active Pursuits

20 years ago the most you were going to find on a large cruise ship was a cinema, theatre, and pool. Since then a lot has changed and there is now a whole host of activities for the younger and more active generations. On the latest ships from Royal Caribbean and Carnival you’ll find rock climbing walls, surf pools, arcades, ice-skating rinks, go kart tracks and much more! With all of these activities being implemented, there is really no excuse for a family not to get involved. If this doesn’t sound too appealing, then younger couples may consider a line like Celebrity that focus on classy pursuits like wine bars, croquet, and cocktail making sessions! Their famous real lawn area on the top deck is seriously cool and fun.

Connectivity

Wifi has come along way in just the last ten years. It used to be that you would have to wish your family farewell as you boarded your cruise ship as you certainly wouldn’t be hearing from them whilst at sea. This is now not the case as modern cruise ships have state of the art connectivity to the outside world and can provide wireless throughout the ship. This is also great for kids as they can connect to their latest games and friends within the comfort of their cabin. Parents these days will know how important good wifi is for keeping the kids busy!

Itineraries

Finding the right itinerary to suit you and your family is probably the most important element when choosing a cruise. Luckily these days many cruises offer shore excursions to suit all age groups. For example, in Alaska you can choose to do anything from cultural city walks, to gold panning with kids, or ice hiking on a glacier. Most kids don’t want to be dragged around an old city looking at paintings by artists they have never heard of. It’s great therefore that cruise lines are offering multiple excursion options at each destination.

The Pure Freedom

Whether you love or hate cruises, there is no denying the fact that they allow couples and families to visit a multitude of locations (and often countries) in one single trip. For example, if you’re cruising the Mediterranean, you’re likely to visit 4 or 5 countries within one week. This is simply not viable if you’re travelling traditionally, especially if you want time to explore each region. There are also other regions, such as the Alaskan coast, that can only be explored by boat, thus making it your only option. So, although it sounds strange as you’re seemingly trapped on a ship, cruise holidays actually give you a real sense of freedom that is hard to match when staying in a hotel.

Expedition Options

In recent years expedition-style cruises have also become very popular. They cater to adventure travellers and people wishing to explore remote regions and get off the beaten path. You may think this sounds great (and it is), but the costs can be quite high. For example, Antarctica cruises start at around $6,000 per person, while longer itineraries like the Russian Arctic and the Northwest Passage will cost in excess of $10,000. For luxury options you can double those prices at least. This being said, expedition cruise are by far and away the most exciting form of cruising, especially for wildlife lovers and photographers.