Age of Cruisers

[ScottC4746]

I spoke to a couple at church who are in the early to mid 50's since they took their first HAL cruise to the Caribbean this summer. They said they expected an older crowd but they felt like they were in their 20's compared to the others. Now, that was the Caribbean and a different market from Alaska where I am going. I will be 49 and DH will be 42. We were told by this couple that things get pretty quiet after dinner compared to RCCL. What are the demographics for Alaska? BTW I am not cancelling the cruise, just want to find out what to expect. We are on the Volendam Inside Passage.

[Krazy Kruizers]

For starters -- HAL doesn't have any ships in the Caribbean in the summer. Years ago HAL stopped the summer cruises after a few hurricanes disrupted too many itineraries.

So those people you met at church were not on a HAL ship in the Caribbean this summer.

Alaska will have all age types -- but most people will be in the 50 age group.

[boulders]

RCCL and Princess will also have mostly passengers in their 50's in Alaska.

[Hlitner]

It is true that things do get quiet on HAL ships by 10pm....but it does vary depending on the length of the cruise. A good general rule would be that the longer the cruise the earlier the passengers go to sleep. On the really long cruises (over 25 days) it is not unusual to find very few passengers awake after 10pm. But on a shorter Alaska or Caribbean itinerary you will usually get a livelier group that might be awake until midnight :) But HA does not do anything to encourage folks to stay awake. There are no midnight buffets, the Lido buffet will often open a small area from about 10:30 - 11 or 11:30, and late night comedy shows are just a dream. Sometimes they will have one late night (this would be around 10:30 on HA ships) theme buffet such as a chocolate buffet during a cruise. The Piano Bar will usually be open until midnight, the casino is open (but smells like a dirty ashtray on many HA ships), and they will have a dance band (HAL Cats) playing dance music until at least 11:30....although it can be a lonely venue.

 

Hank

[RuthC]

You will be at the younger end of the age spectrum, even for Alaska. But if you are going after schools have let out for the summer, there will be more families, including parents in your age range.

Alaska is one of those itineraries where the destination matters more than the ship. People are up and out all day (including sea days), so are tired at night.

Consequently, people do tend to go to bed earlier than on Caribbean itineraries. But we do stay up until maybe midnight, or so. There is entertainment until at least that hour.

[tangerinebunny]

To me, HAL's evening venues are more country club than dance club.

 

Lovely facilities but fairly quiet.

[sail7seas]

Hard to know for sure just what the demographic mix will be on any given cruise. We often to b-to-b, and the mix can really vary from one week to the next.

 

You won't know until you are aboard and 'look around'. :D ;)

[Mr and Mrs CIQ]

My DW and I took the 15 day Hawaii Cruise a couple years ago, she was 42 and I was 45. We were probally the youngest on this cruise. It did not bother us or impede our trip in any way. Its all what you make out of it, go and enjoy your trip.

[Lerin]

Can't answer your question but notice you will be cruising in June. That's just before Summer Solstice and will be quite light out. That may entice people to stay up later.

[SpokaneDan]

DW and I are both early 40's, and cruised with our teenagers in both HAL's Alaska and New England routes. We've also done the Caribbean family/party boat stuff with other lines. While we enjoyed them all, "more mature" cruisers are generally the nicest, and most friendly bunch.:)

[MR NW GUY]

I am sure you will love HAL and the age thing won't be too important. Have a great cruise

[Queen of Oakville]

HAL is my favourite line. DH and I are both early 40s.

 

Yes the crowd is older, but we don't feel like young ones. We partied in our early 20s, but are not huge partiers now.

 

It's different than Royal, but not worse.

 

There were very few kids our on spring break sailing - my kids loved all the extra attention from crew and passengers.

[14 months and counting]

We were on the Volendam for that exact cruise this summer and the average age was much lower than usual - lots of families. Usually a seven day cruise attracts a younger crowd - we are leaving for a 22 day in Europe and expect an older crowd. The cruisers on HAL are well travelled and we have met some really interesting people over the years. Now that we are retired we blend more into the demographics, but everyone is so friendly it really doesn't seem to make a difference what their age. Our favorite excursion in Alaska was the Tracy Arm Fjord and Explorer on a smaller ship before we got to Juneau. This trip was expensive but worth it! Have fun!

[Wakepatrol]

It appears the line is going younger. I notice this in all the advertising I receive.

 

The salt and peppered haired guy and his wife have been replaced by a couple about 20 years younger.

[solocanadian]

It appears the line is going younger. I notice this in all the advertising I receive.

 

The salt and peppered haired guy and his wife have been replaced by a couple about 20 years younger.

 

Might be in the advertising but never saw that many on my 3 cruises this year. Most were well over 65.

[sevenseasnomad]

Our 27 yr. old son loves HA. He gets lots of attention from older folks, enjoys talking with them, and he's met lots of people his own age. The disco tends to go late---at least on the cruises we've been on---by late, I mean, 1-2 a.m. So, it is possible to have one venue open later if there are 20-30 somethings aboard as has been the case on almost all of our 7 HA cruises.

 

Alaska is gorgeous. The real star of your cruise is the landscape and wildlife, not the live entertainment aboard. You'll definitely want to return to this last frontier as we are doing this summer.

[Himself]

Age is a relative thhing and every year each of us gets a year oklder. It sure beats the alternative. A cruise is what the cruiser makes of it!

[Himself]

Age is a relative thhing and every year each of us gets a year older. It sure beats the alternative. A cruise is what the cruiser makes of it!

[fm6175]

We have sailed once last winter on HAL . I'm 47 , dear GF is 43 . We were def younger than avg . But we loved it . Met lots of nice people and absolutely loved the overall vibe of cruise . So much so that we have booked two more HAL cruises .

 

 

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[innlady1]

Hard to know for sure just what the demographic mix will be on any given cruise. We often to b-to-b, and the mix can really vary from one week to the n

 

You won't know until you are aboard and 'look around'. :D ;)

 

Judy is absolutely correct. Last winter, we did 21 days on the Ryndam out of Tampa. The first 14, we felt like "kids"....and we're 69 and 72. The remaining 7 day cruise, was definitely a younger group...very much so. Absolutely it varies from cruise to cruise.

[foodgirl]

DH and I love HAL. I have been cruising with them since my early30's. Our trip to Alaska a few years ago had a nice mix of ages but we were so busy with excursions and other activities that it really wouldn't have mattered that much. We went to bed early most nights as we had early departures for excursions the next morning. We loved our trip and plan to back again next year. Enjoy your cruise.

 

 

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[dadroy]

We took my SIL (30) with us to Alaska. 3 people in a room. My wife and I were in bed by 10pm, asleep by 11:30. We were younger, more energetic, and newlyweds at the time (our honeymoon cruise by the way). SIL met others his own age on the first night and only came back to the room once before 4am!!!!1

 

Any cruise is what you make of it. Is every bar packed and fun at 1 am? Of course not! But can you find a fun bar open at 11pm? Of course. Just look around, you will find whatever interests you. Dancing, drinking, gambling, fun, takes place somewhere on the ship, you just have to look for it.

 

Even on Carnival's 3 day booze cruises, not all venues are packed. You will find the fun places if you look around for them. SIL still brings up the great time he had.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

You are as old as you feel ,Some 70 year old can go and go ...We are 60 years young .

[ScottC4746]

Maybe I act older than I am (48) but just over loud pool parties and one can fold a napkin just so many time and the night scene I just want to sip an after dinner cocktail and soak up the surroundings not go back to the cabin with busted ear drums.

[Freckles83]

Me and the BF enjoy HAL because of the older crowd. We are 29 & 30 and sailed on the Zuiderdam last Nov for our first time with HAL. I like that there's little to no children/ babies. We are also not big partiers either so the fact that the nights end early are no problem for us. We love it and will be sailing this november again on the Eurodam this time. Can't wait!! :D