Mid 40's - too young to river cruise ?

Hubby and I have been cruising with Ocean Village - when that finishes next year the others seem far too formal....

We like informal dress - flexible eating - few drinks and entertainment at night - walk round on shore during the day - NOT nightclubbers etc !!

My family (parents and auntie and uncle) - who have done a few river cruises and love them say we are too young :( for the river cruises as they tend to be quiet affairs with persons 60 +

Does anyone know of any River Cruise operators who cater for us mid 40's people who like a nice relaxing holiday - but a bit of entertainment in the evening ?

Carrol

I hope not! My husband and I (early 40's) just booked Amsterdam to Paris for April 2010. There is some entertainment in the evening but I'm sure you'll meet plenty of intersting people with a wealth of entertaining stories to share.

I know how you feel carrpediem. I also want to try river cruising but my TA says we are too young. I dont get it. We dont like to party much at night, a bit of entertainment is all we desire as well as people to talk to at dinner and on the tours. We are very friendly, enjoy great food and want to try the "dont have to upack every day scenario". We do love bus tours and have been with Trafalgar and Insight several times so Uniworld seemed liked a good choice. We were so dissappointed with her lack of recommendation. (by the way, i am 51 and my husband is 60) so when will the river cruise be right!!

Someone out there, tell us if the river cruising is too sedate...:confused:

We are going on our 5th river cruise in March. On our first cruise I was 54 and when I saw all the "older" people boarding I had wondered what I was in for. The average age was probably 70, and I enjoyed meeting and talking to every one of them. There were some very interesting, and very educated people on those trips.

If you don't mind being around older, interesting people you will do just fine. Don't let the age sigma keep you from cruising and enjoying yourself. Try it, if you don't like it, try something different the next time.

I guess we have the same basic question.

My fiancee (23) and I (30) are looking for travel after we get married in May '10. We were wanting to do one of these river cruises in June '10. I'm a college professor who likes history and seeing Europe since getting the bug (twice) in college. She's a teacher who has never been, but would like to see things overseas since she has never been.

The cruises look like they are appropriate to our interests since we're interested in seeing old cathedrals, castles, and history and have ZERO interest in the party scene and being with 3,000 other people on a HUGE boat.

The question is whether we will look like total misfits if we at the young ages of 24 and 30 and end up on one of these ships next year? :D

I'm sorry, but I just don't agree with the TA's and others who say you are too young to river cruise. I think that is all a bunch of hooey!

Our group of 4 just returned from AMA's Europe's Heartland Cruise from Prague to Paris. We are in our early to mid 50's (yes, a little older than you).

There were plenty of folks older than us, but also quite a few younger. And there were at least 10 (out of 110) that were in their 30's. Some were traveling with parents, but they seemed to have a great time. And AMA always split up their shore excursions into 2 or 3 groups which included a tour for "gentle walkers" and "active walkers." The ships also have bicycles which you can take out on your own.

I also like the smaller ships where you can get to know others. And we find talking to older people just as interesting, if not more so, than talking with people our age.

I agree that the evening entertainment is not like on an ocean cruise line, but we actually prefer that. Believe me, after touring all day, we were not really in the mood for partying anyway.

And what we did really enjoy were the wonderful local tour guides who fed our interest in local history, architecture, etc.

Anyway, I believe that all this "age appropriate" talk is merely a state of mind. It really depends on your interests and personal preferences more than your age.

I started my river cruising in my early 50's.

Yes we were younger than the rest of the passengers, but had a great time with them.

Extrememly interesting people onboard.

Very well travelled and with lots of great stories.

You're absolutely not too young and besides as stired said, it's a ll a state of mind.

otr, you will have a great time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We've only been on one river cruise until now, although it'll be two in about two weeks, when we go on Viking's China's Cultural Delights cruise. I don't think there's anything to be concerned about with the demographic on river cruise ships. On our first one, it was definitely biased toward 50+ but there were people of all ages, and everyone seemed to have a good time.

If you have only done ocean cruising to this point, the differences are likely to come from other quarters than comparative ages. The focus on river cruises is the land through which you're passing and its attractions, not a giant floating amusement park. In consequence, there aren't the structured recreational activities one find on the ocean cruise ships. Also, since the river cruise vessels are relatively small, there aren't the facilities for the "gourmet" food, although the food is certainly tasty and abundant.

I agree with everything except the comments about the food. Please click on the link to my review of our recent AMA cruise. The best food, hands down, of ANY cruise I've been on, including ocean cruises.

We've only been on one river cruise until now, although it'll be two in about two weeks, when we go on Viking's China's Cultural Delights cruise. I don't think there's anything to be concerned about with the demographic on river cruise ships. On our first one, it was definitely biased toward 50+ but there were people of all ages, and everyone seemed to have a good time.

 

If you have only done ocean cruising to this point, the differences are likely to come from other quarters than comparative ages. The focus on river cruises is the land through which you're passing and its attractions, not a giant floating amusement park. In consequence, there aren't the structured recreational activities one find on the ocean cruise ships. Also, since the river cruise vessels are relatively small, there aren't the facilities for the "gourmet" food, although the food is certainly tasty and abundant.

I was just 40 when when I did my first river cruise. I was a bit surprised at just how old the others were at first since I was by far the youngest on board other than the crew. I enjoyed getting to know just about everyone on board and they were so well traveled, it was fun talking to all of them. The day tours kept us busy enough that most nights I was more than happy to return to my cabin for some quiet time before the next day. You won't know until you try it, so I say give it a try!

I did my first river cruise when I was 40, and will be doing my 3rd in April 2010 when I will be 43. Yes, there were a lot of older passengers but I felt quiet at home - on a couple of the trips we had some passengers younger than me. Some of those older passengers have more energy than 20 year olds. However, I must admit, I did not go on any of the organized tours unless it was somewhere that you had to go by coach. I researched all the stops before the trips and mom and I would wave goodbye and off we would go on our own tours - it was great as we moved at our own pace. There are bicycles on board and you are welcome to use them. There was entertainment at night on board, but I was too exhausted by the end of the day to attend most nights entertainment.

It was great to have the older passengers - as they are so interesting and always have a story to tell. One fellow passenger had to leave Budapest, at a young age due to the Communist Invasion and was it was so interesting (but sad) to have a first hand account to what happened in Budapest.

If you love the cultural side of travelling and do not need to go night clubbing - I can highly recommend a River Cruise.

Good luck with your choices and happy travels

Thank you all so much for your responses :D

May be some of us could look at booking the same one then at least there would be a few of us (lol) for the 1st time anyway....

Hubby and I are in UK - I am looking for something next year (poss September) - any recommendations

Carrol

Hi Carrol

If you have not been to Budapest before - try and find an itinery that includes a stop there. It is an amazing city. We actually stayed on longer after our cruise. My mom is returning this year on a similar cruise with my dad and will again be staying for a few extra days in Budapest.

A Christmas Cruise, is a great way to start with river cruising as the atmosphere is so wonderful on the boat and at all the stops.

I have only travelled with Uniworld but think they are great, and have recently booked a Windmill and Tulip trip for April 2010. They offer so many itinaries. You are so lucky as your flight will be short and cheap!

if you would like any more info just let me know

Jean

My fiance and I are in our mid to late 30's and have done a few river cruises. We have loved every single one. We are big travellers and found this was the best way to see different countries and have learned so much. They are so romantic! We loved being around passengers that older then us and had so much fun. We had passengers on the ship that were in their 70's and put us to shame. They had so much energy and out lasted us everynight in the lounge. If you don't mind being around "older" people then you will have an amazing time.

My fiance and I are in our mid to late 30's and have done a few river cruises. We have loved every single one. We are big travellers and found this was the best way to see different countries and have learned so much. They are so romantic! We loved being around passengers that older then us and had so much fun. We had passengers on the ship that were in their 70's and put us to shame. They had so much energy and out lasted us everynight in the lounge. If you don't mind being around "older" people then you will have an amazing time.

Thanks for your response. This makes me feel a lot better about planning for next year's vacation. We'll be younger (24 and 30) when we go and want to make sure we're not traveling with people on walkers and wheelchairs.

Anyone have any suggestions for lines that might tend to have younger people?

You can add me to the list of "young" river cruisers. I did my first with Avalon with my mother when I was in my 20s and she was in her late 40s. I'm now booked to travel with my husband (we're 30) on another this fall with AMA. We travel for the sights and local cultures, not to meet other travelers, so the older ages of the other passengers doesn't really phase us - we simply enjoy using the boat as a hotel and mode of transportation. Of course, we're not nightlife people...we'd much rather get up early and explore a new town!

It sounds like some companies now separate out tour groups by pace, but if that's not the case with whatever company you choose, I'd highly recommend watching the group sign-up process VERY carefully. When I went on the Poetry a few years ago, my mother and I lucked out and finagled our way into a slightly more sprightly group. Of course, we soon discovered that the boats dock in such convenient locations that it's much easier to just wander off and do your own thing if you don't want to be held to the group's pace.

Something else to look into is dinner seating arrangements. My understanding is that some lines have a number of tables for two available if you don't feel up for socializing with the older crowd. (I've heard this may apply to AMA, but it's worth checking with each line if this is important to you.)

I don't know if certain lines tend to have younger passengers, but I noticed that the off-season sailings are more frequently offered to travel agents at a discount if lots of empty cabins remain close to the departure date. Thus, my November '05 cruise had quite a few passengers who would be considered young (40s/50s) by the standards of river cruising. Also, as is the case for vacations in general, shorter tours are more likely to include non-retired people since those of us still young enough to be working don't have unlimited vacation time.

Have fun researching!

What the h*** is too young for a river cruise??

I was 28 yo on my first river cruise (in the US). I was 38yo on my first river cruise in Europe. My DD was 18 months old on her first river cruise (US) and 5 yo on her first river cruise in Europe.

If you don´t need party all night but can enjoy some piano / keyboard music (and sometimes even more) at night. If you don´t need a night club, casino, all day round entertainment but prefer to relax just watching the scenery go by and explore the history of the river towns. If you don´t mind travelling with people being much older than you than you´re definitely not too young for a river cruise.

But definitely don´t expect anyone at your age or any kind of big entertainment. Then you´ll be disappointed.

steamboats

Thanks for your response. This makes me feel a lot better about planning for next year's vacation. We'll be younger (24 and 30) when we go and want to make sure we're not traveling with people on walkers and wheelchairs.

 

Anyone have any suggestions for lines that might tend to have younger people?

My sister and brother in law who are both 30 came with us on our last one Paris & Normandy and are completly hooked!

I am 34 and my husband is 38 and we are booked for Aug 2010 Scenic Ruby river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. Keep in mind that a few nights you will be docked so you have a chance to go on shore for evening walks/entertainment should you choose to do so after dinner.

Well, it sounds as if river cruising is going to be our next big adventure. I just need now to figure out where. I love organized travel and the ship just seems like a step up from a bus every day, though some of my fondest memories occurred on the way to somewhere. As someone once said, travel is not in the destination but in what you do on the way ..(or something close to that).;)

Actually, there are several reasons to consider a river cruise when you are younger, and more mobile.

From my experience, river cruising makes more demands on those that have mobility issues. Not all ships have elevators, and some that do have the chair type that transport one person up/down a flight of stairs. Additionally, all river cruises dock at river level, which is (other than New Orleans in my experience) below the level of most streets. In some cases, since docking space is shared, you may have to walk through one or two ships to get to the dock. China has not heard of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), and depending on the country, there can be issues with those with problems walking moderate distances or climbing 8 or 10 steps.

I don't want to overstate the challenges, because many river cruisers enjoy the experience, but you will never be more able to climb to the top of the bell tower in a cathedral to take in the view of the city. When the ship's tour ends, you will want to spend an extra two hours on your own exploring the shops and side streets of a river town.

To be fair, the river cruises will not have the broadway show troupe, the line dance class, the comedian, magician and juggler for the evening entertainment. They will have a cultural experience at each stop. Typically they will offer enrichment lectures about the language, culture, and politics of the counties you visit. The food will be good to great, but with fewer choices than on an ocean cruise on the big boats. There will be "always available" menu options if you don't see something that you are interested in for that meal.

We sail on both ocean and river cruises. We are in our low 60s. We enjoy both experiences, but if we only did the ocean cruises, we would have missed a wonderful set of experiences.

Why would age matter...we have met so many interesting people of all ages on our 3 different river cruises. Our first one, down the Danube, from Passeau to Budapest was amazing and we had an Italian girl who was 26 right up to some Aussies that were 75+. On that cruise I was 47 and my hubby 56. There was always some type of entertainment in the lounge and never heavy rock music....nice dancing music and you could at least hear yourself talk. The last cruise we did in July, Moscow to St. Petersburg had 4 teens on board and they really enjoyed most of the tours. The art not so much but the artifacts they really enjoyed seeing. Some offer night tours and some are docked close to the city so that you can go and enjoy walking around yourself. One of the most amazing dinners we had was in a local restaurant in Budapest that we just walked into and had a "Seinfeld Soup Kitchen" guy running around serving everyone. He just made our evening and all for a cost of about $25 including local Hungarian wine. With the river cruises, they can visit places that the big cruise ships can't so that is a real bonus. You are never too young to river cruise!!!!

My husband just turned 40 and I just turned 36 and we have been on 2 river cruises together, and 4 years ago I went with my mom - we have loved every one of them. This summer when my husband and I sailed there were two couples that were in their late 20's on board - when I asked them if they were enjoying it one couple said they had sailed on one last year and enjoyed it so much they talked their friends into coming with them this year. On both there have also been a lot of couples in their late 40's - mid 50's and everyone seems to mix perfectly. I think anyone that says river cruising is only for the "older" crowd is crazy!

Any vacation is what you make of it - sometimes we take part in the organized tours, but a lot of times we get off the ship and wonder around on our own. We also take the bikes out every chance we get and ride along the rivers, and at night if we are docked in a city we get off the ship after dinner and go walk around, maybe even stop and get a drink or an ice cream. We've even been known to eat dinner of the ship if we decide we want something a little different. My point is that river crusing offers the best of all worlds - we have everything included if we want to take advantage of it - or we can go off on our own and explore if we want - it's totally our choice. I would highly recommend river cruising to anyone that is interested in seeing fasinating cities and having a wonderful, pampered experience - regardless of their age.

Just my opinion, but so far everything has gone very smoothly. They are extremely helpful, however, you might have to wait on the phone for someone to answer. That keeps costs down. They answer all questions and are very honest. Their pricing includes airfare. Also, for you "YOUNGER" cruisers, they are (BY FAR) the cheapest!!!

We took our first river cruise last year from St. Petersburg to Moscow and the average age was 70+. We enjoyed it so much that we have scheduled a trip to China within the month. The focus of these trips is more cultural, scenery rather than a floating Disneyland. We thoroughly enjoyed the mature travlers, many of whom have travaled extensively and have many stories and experiences to share. We love to travel and if you do too, you will enjoy the river cruises - regardless of your age.....ours happens to be 40s.