Which line for 35 year old single female?

I'm a single 35 year old female solo traveler looking to book a European river cruise in Spring 2018. I think I want to do the tulips and windmills in Belgium and the Netherlands.

I was excited to learn about "U by Uniworld," aimed at a younger demographic, but the more I read about them, I'm growing convinced that I'm a little too old for their targeted millennial crowd. However, I also don't want to be the only young(ish) adult on a senior-focused cruise.

Are there any particular lines or cruises you'd recommend for me? Or a good travel agent?

Thanks for any advice!

Jamie

Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.

[Have done 12 music themed Caribbean cruises.]

Perhaps you should check out Shoe King’s post....you could be kindred spirits at the very least!

Nice idea, Gormet Gal. :) Follow each other's thread and, who knows, you might end up on a painting class for Van Gogh's sunflowers in Amsterdam together. :D

I am actually half serious as I recall a cruise offering something in that vein. Need to look this up again...

For the time being I would say steer away from Viking (my personal opinion due to the company policy and the age demographic) and have a look at Uniworld themed cruises (active, etc.) and Avalon who offer a more active, new itinerary for next year.

Tulips sounds great, try to include Bruges and Brussels, or Gent, or the smaller Nijmegen.

We cannot recommend travel agents (CC policy) but ask around with acquaintances perhaps, they might have been on a river cruise or know a specialised travel agent.

notamermaid

Jamie,

Don't dismiss us "old folks". ;) On my recent Uniworld cruise, the 3 oldest passengers on the ship were the ones doing the optional bike tours. We did several tours that involved climbing uneven steep stone steps up hills and mountainsides, and no one missed a beat. I found my fellow travelers to be active, well-traveled, and educated.

Roz

Jamie,

 

Don't dismiss us "old folks". ;) On my recent Uniworld cruise, the 3 oldest passengers on the ship were the ones doing the optional bike tours. We did several tours that involved climbing uneven steep stone steps up hills and mountainsides, and no one missed a beat. I found my fellow travelers to be active, well-traveled, and educated.

 

Roz

I would never! I'm sure plenty of "old folks" are way more active than I am! Come to think of it, I'm not really sure what my exact concern is.. I guess it's that I automatically go into my most polite and polished mode in the presence of elders, and that seems a little exhausting for 10-ish days 😁 (but I equally as much don't want to assume the role of Mother Hen with those darn millennials) lol 😂

Found it: https://www.avalonwaterways.com/river-cruise/active-discovery-on-the-rhine-northbound/wwa/

I like this itinerary for the varied ports and activities, there is also a concert if you like classical chamber music (I am sure it will be the lightweight type of classical stuff).

For music-themed cruises I had a look round the internet and apart from the long European cruise of 14 days I could only find the odd one on the Danube. For the Rhine there is Lüftner but this might be a bit too "stuffy" for you: https://www.lueftner-************/en/river-cruises/cruise/show/classical-music-cruise-on-the-rhine-2018.html

Perhaps the Uniworld Belgium and Netherlands cruise is the best one. Just bear in mind that the region is flat, I mean really flat and you will be on canals more than on rivers. But the region has its appeal, with so much history and art around. I have just seen, that cruise includes Bruges and Nijmegen. Great.

notamermaid

For the time being I would say steer away from Viking (my personal opinion due to the company policy and the age demographic) and have a look at Uniworld themed cruises (active, etc.) and Avalon who offer a more active, new itinerary for next year.

 

 

notamermaid

Can you please explain a little about this Viking policy I keep hearing about? Is their policy drastically different than other lines?

Sorry Rellyrooly,

I do not mean to be unfair on Viking, the policy is not that drastic. It is just the only company so far that has actually mentioned by word of the boss that active and young cruisers they do not market to. To say it in my words. The ships have no gym onboard. Be it for that reason or another Viking appears to have the overall oldest demographic of all the river cruise lines but this does not mean at all that the cruisers are "inactive". I bet some of those lovely passengers are faster on their feet than I am and twenty odd years older!

notamermaid

The gyms on most river boats are certainly not big enough to be a decision factor for anyone at any age. Cruisers in their early 40’s are definitely in the minority on most cruiselines and cruiser’s in their 30’s would be a rarity but it seems Uniworld is really making an effort...I don’t think the OP is too old at all for the new Uniworld line.

Last year we did Viking's Castles and Legends and there were several young people, mostly female teachers, traveling on this cruise. They blended in with everyone else, older or as young as they were, on the trip.

Keep in mind we "elders" grew up in the 60s and 70s - long live sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. :cool: We can be a lot of fun.

Roz

I recommend Avalon. I was on a cruise in May. There were many women in their 20s and 30s. My daughter was on the cruise with me and she was 27 at the time. She thought she would feel out of place because of her age but there were many in her age range. No matter what line you pick you will have a great time. Enjoy!

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I'm a single 35 year old female solo traveler looking to book a European river cruise in Spring 2018. I think I want to do the tulips and windmills in Belgium and the Netherlands.

I was excited to learn about "U by Uniworld," aimed at a younger demographic, but the more I read about them, I'm growing convinced that I'm a little too old for their targeted millennial crowd. However, I also don't want to be the only young(ish) adult on a senior-focused cruise.

Are there any particular lines or cruises you'd recommend for me? Or a good travel agent?

Thanks for any advice!

Jamie

Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.

[Have done 12 music themed Caribbean cruises.]

Marketing targets and reality are often not the same. My guess is that you will fit in fine on U by Uniworld, and might find that you are still at the younger end of the age group on board.

Perhaps you should check out Shoe King’s post....you could be kindred spirits at the very least!

Can you help need find this? I must not be searching in the right place!

Can you help need find this? I must not be searching in the right place!

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2558274

The gyms on most river boats are certainly not big enough to be a decision factor for anyone at any age. Cruisers in their early 40’s are definitely in the minority on most cruiselines and cruiser’s in their 30’s would be a rarity but it seems Uniworld is really making an effort...I don’t think the OP is too old at all for the new Uniworld line.

Having an onboard gym is a requirement for me. YMMV.

I agree go with U with Uniworld. If nothing else the group will be more fit and active. You will have common experiences to talk small talk. And you won’t be the only single thirty something in a group of 50s to 80s.

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Having an onboard gym is a requirement for me. YMMV.

Me too but usually those tiny gyms are so claustrophobic I can’t stand doing cardio in them....I just do my free weight routine and go for a run when I can. I still manage to lose weight when I travel anyway.

I agree go with U with Uniworld. If nothing else the group will be more fit and active. You will have common experiences to talk small talk. And you won’t be the only single thirty something in a group of 50s to 80s.

 

 

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So true. You would have far more in common with a slightly younger group than a vastly older group!

Have you looked at the SINGLE PRICE/SUPPLEMENT? I know that Tauck doesn't charge one - you will pay the normal price of the cruise, you will not pay more just because you are single. I understand the age issues, but if you want a 1st class experience, all inclusive, with the best guides, excursions, daily treats/surprises - Tauck is your answer. Check out the menu everyday at the guest services desk and if you don't like the one in the main dining room - then Arthur's is also fantastic (even better some nights for us). U by Uniworld would be my 2nd choice. Just know if you go with one of these two all inclusive lines - you will never be able to cruise Viking and like it again. . . . there are huge differences once you've been on the different lines.

Unlike Uniworld, U by Uniworld will notbe all inclusive from what we read earlier.

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Have you looked at the SINGLE PRICE/SUPPLEMENT? I know that Tauck doesn't charge one - you will pay the normal price of the cruise, you will not pay more just because you are single. I understand the age issues, but if you want a 1st class experience, all inclusive, with the best guides, excursions, daily treats/surprises - Tauck is your answer. Check out the menu everyday at the guest services desk and if you don't like the one in the main dining room - then Arthur's is also fantastic (even better some nights for us). U by Uniworld would be my 2nd choice. Just know if you go with one of these two all inclusive lines - you will never be able to cruise Viking and like it again. . . . there are huge differences once you've been on the different lines.

This is a bit deceiving. Truck only offers no single supplement on certain cruises, not really at peak time, it is only in the lowest class cabin category which is a smallish cabin on level 1 and it is extremely noisy. I have never heard this much noise in a cabin in all of my many cruises taken though this was my first river cruise. Maybe that is the norm.

No problem with that age issue, very good mix.

Food is not gourmet but did not expect it, it is good.

Safe Cruising! :)

This is a bit deceiving. Truck only offers no single supplement on certain cruises, not really at peak time, it is only in the lowest class cabin category which is a smallish cabin on level 1 and it is extremely noisy. I have never heard this much noise in a cabin in all of my many cruises taken though this was my first river cruise. Maybe that is the norm.

No problem with that age issue, very good mix.

Food is not gourmet but did not expect it, it is good.

Safe Cruising! :)

Hmmm? It must be cruise and boat dependent because we have been on 4 Tauck River Cruises and we go with my husband’s sister who travels as a single and her Cabin is always across the hall from ours- always quiet. And we go with the cheapest category because we spend the difference on 2 more weeks in Europe post cruise and we find the rooms larger than Viking & AMA- and the bathrooms too. We do take the Xmas Market Cruises, so maybe it’s different. We are doing Uniworld 2018 and can’t wait to compare. We’ve found no better service, guides and excursions than Tauck

Hmmm? It must be cruise and boat dependent because we have been on 4 Tauck River Cruises and we go with my husband’s sister who travels as a single and her Cabin is always across the hall from ours- always quiet. And we go with the cheapest category because we spend the difference on 2 more weeks in Europe post cruise and we find the rooms larger than Viking & AMA- and the bathrooms too. We do take the Xmas Market Cruises, so maybe it’s different. We are doing Uniworld 2018 and can’t wait to compare. We’ve found no better service, guides and excursions than Tauck

I was only offered category 1 for the no SS cabin. I cruised on the Joy. The ship was beautiful.

The service on board was excellent, the CD and Tauck directors not so much. JMHO. Excursions were good, nice options.

It really is subjective. I am not really a 'tour' person; IMO it is as regimented as a bus tour would be only the ship is the bus and so you do not live out of a suitcase.

I agree with others that say they wish there is more down time or sail time to relax.

Not saying I did not enjoy it but I like to be less regimented; way too much time on a bus. :)