Oceania good for young adults?

[johnlat]

Hello,

Long time cruiser on other lines.  Looking at a 2024 Spain, Canary, Morocco cruise on Oceania.  Our two adult daughters would like to join us (23 and 24) is there things that will keep them entertained while on ship?  They aren't party types, but like to go to live music and meet people. We have cruised RCCI, NCL, Princess  for years.  Some friends of ours, recently got back from a Caribbean cruise on the line and felt that our girls might be bored as the ship's demo, is a bit older.    I really love the itinerary but don't want my kids not having a good time  Any insights would be appreciated.

Edited February 27, 2023 by johnlat

[Flatbush Flyer]

Others may disagree but…

I think Oceania is perfect for young adults. 
Just think about meal times and the conversations those in their twenties can have with the many successful/seasoned professionals they will encounter - possible lessons for a life time?

In addition, I’ve been seeing more young folks on even longer O cruises. They’re looking for excellent food and ambiance too.

[osandomir]

9 minutes ago, johnlat said:

Hello,

Long time cruiser on other lines.  Looking at a 2024 Spain, Canary, Morocco cruise on Oceania.  Our two adult daughters would like to join us (23 and 24) is there things that will keep them entertained while on ship?  They aren't party types, but like to go to live music and meet people. We have cruised RCCI, NCL, Princess  for years.  Some friends of ours, recently got back from a Caribbean cruise on the line and felt that our girls might be bored as the ship's demo, is a bit older.    I really love the itinerary but don't want my kids not having a good time  Any insights would be appreciated.

If your daughters need a company to entertain themselves, then you are probably looking at the wrong line. There will be none or very few even close to their age. Oceania passengers would love to start conversation with your daughters but I’m not sure this will be something they would be looking for.  The small scale shows and very little music attractive to their age they will probably not enjoy either. I’m sorry if it’s not what you wanted to hear.

 

On the other hand, the parents will probably love Oceania after sailing on the other lines that you experienced before.

[Flatbush Flyer]

3 minutes ago, osandomir said:

If your daughters need a company to entertain themselves, then you are probably looking at the wrong line. There will be none or very few even close to their age. Oceania passengers would love to start conversation with your daughters but I’m not sure this will be something they would be looking for.  The small scale shows and very little music attractive to their age they will probably not enjoy either. I’m sorry if it’s not what you wanted to hear.

 

On the other hand, the parents will probably love Oceania after sailing on the other lines that you experienced before.

I still disagree about young 20’s not getting a lot on an O ship. There are plenty of “kids” in that age group who are quite sophisticated and cosmopolitan who would relish seeing their college education come alive in 3D. 
On those admittedly infrequent occasions when we’ve found ourselves in conversations with passengers far younger than ourselves, their rapid fire questions fueled great exchanges.

But, yes, not all in that age group are always keeping an eye on their future.

[osandomir]

4 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

I still disagree about young 20’s not getting a lot on an O ship. There are plenty of “kids” in that age group who are quite sophisticated and cosmopolitan who would relish seeing their college education come alive in 3D. 
On those admittedly infrequent occasions when we’ve found ourselves in conversations with passengers far younger than ourselves, their rapid fire questions fueled great exchanges.

But, yes, not all in that age group are always keeping an eye on their future.

And this isn’t exactly what I would describe as “having a good time” based on what the OP was asking in their post

[jackdeb]

I certainly agree with the Flyer, if the young women are the least bit outgoing they should not have a problem fitting in.It wasn’t stated what ship they will be on, the larger ships have more to offer like the artist loft and culinary centre. The girls would be a great addition to any trivia team. The music at night in Horizons runs to a younger bent, or possibly Karaoke. Give it a try! 

[LHT28]

Many younger people  enjoy the ship  & maybe  will make friends with others  but they have you to spend time with  & that is important to some

If port intensive  they may want to chill in the evenings

We have seen  20 somethings on the cruises  but  they have to make their own fun at times 

You know them better  than anyone here  if they do not mind seeing a bunch or old folks   then they should be fine 🙂

 

[pinotlover]

I don’t think the cost of the experiment justifies the probability of outcome. Brenda Lee shows in the Lounge. Perry Como, Anne Murray, and when they go mod some 70s music around the pool! 
 

Let the young ladies be young and enjoy the company of their peers on cruise lines that cater to their age group. 

[Jancruz]

They have been cruising on the right lines for their ages..dont change..

Jancruz1

[Mura]

When we started cruising on Renaissance back around 1999 we were among the younger passengers.  Now, of course .... time does pass!

 

But I remember having a dinner with a young couple on that first cruise on Ren.  They were in their late 30s.  We were late 40s/early 50s at the time. Howard had looked around the room during the boat drill and thought that the average age was 70,

 

I asked them about the age difference since they were much younger than the average passenger and they were very open.  When they boarded they saw a lot of wheelchairs being uploaded to the ship which DID give them pause!  But they were quite happy with the cruise. (Or perhaps they were just being polite!)  It was during one of the earlier dinners on the ship!

 

This may depend on the youngsters you are asking about.  Are they generally happy being around older folks?  I remember celebrating New Years Eve when I was 20 or 21 WITH my parents and their friends.  I was always happy with them.  But if these younger people really want to be with passengers more their own age, then I think that Jan's comment is the right one as well.

 

It can really come down to what the young people want or are used to.  There ARE activities on the ship.  But are their musical interests more R&R or hiphop?  Are they classical? Show tunes?

 

If bored they can always work out in the gym or go to the spa ...

 

It's hard for US to answer the question, it seems.

 

Then again, if you are considering a port intensive cruise, they can do their thing on shore and just come back for dinner and other entertainment!

 

Mura

[shepherd really]

The answer is no, unless they really enjoy hanging out in assisted living and 55+ communities, they will be bored out of their minds.

[Nachosdelux]

10 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Others may disagree but…

I think Oceania is perfect for young adults. 
Just think about meal times and the conversations those in their twenties can have with the many successful/seasoned professionals they will encounter - possible lessons for a life time?

In addition, I’ve been seeing more young folks on even longer O cruises. They’re looking for excellent food and ambiance too.

 

I'm going to disagree with your opinion.  This does not sound like something a 20 something would consider a fun time.  This sounds like something their grandparents would think they would enjoy.  I love Oceania, but it is not the line for 20's who want to listen to music and socialize.  

[MEFIowa]

12 hours ago, johnlat said:

... Looking at a 2024 Spain, Canary, Morocco cruise on Oceania.  Our two adult daughters would like to join us (23 and 24) is there things that will keep them entertained while on ship?  They aren't party types, but like to go to live music and meet people....

What ship? I'd only possibly recommend the larger ships (e.g., Marina & Riviera) but not the smaller R-class ships.

 

Cruised Sirena 11/18-28/2022. IIRC about 630 passengers. There was ONE family that had 3 kids ages 17, 20 & 22. Interacted a lot with the mom & 22 year old. He, the eldest, got pretty drunk (seriously hammered) early on the cruise one night. And he got a bad sunburn during the cruise. They spent a lot of time at the pool. Thinking he won a nice chunk of money at the casino one night. Forget if he lost it on another. And their excursions were pretty much all the energetic ones (e.g., tubing). The 22 yr old was quite outgoing. We also had a pair of sisters in the early 30s that I spoke with many times. Sunburn for one. They were a bit more reserved. All 3 said they enjoyed the cruise, though it was pretty laid back for them.

 

On Riviera 12/2021 we had about 719 passengers and a few more college-20-somethings. They were finishing up classes for the semester in grad school. They, too, spent a lot of time around the pool and did the more energetic excursions.

 

IF your kids are highly outgoing and willing to engage with people mainly 60 and up, they might enjoy the boat time. BUT I think more of it will be the excursions. If there are cool places with fun things to do, they should be OK.

[njhorseman]

We're in our 70"s and sometimes we think we're too young for Oceania.  We've only taken longer cruises on O and I think the demographic might be at least somewhat younger on shorter itineraries.

 

I wouldn't even recommend Oceania to our son and DIL who are in their 40's...and who are well-travelled and highly educated, much less to someone in their 20's.

[jonthomas]

totally agree with above....

 

cant imagine when I was in my 20s that I would have enjoyed being on O....but these parents know their daughters and maybe they dont party and maybe they dont want to meet other 20 somethings.....

 

just because I cant imagine it, doesnt mean that other 20 somethings wouldnt  be like me at that age....

 

the question is probably, if they are the type that would enjoy an O cruise, maybe they need something else to help them come out of their shells....

 

a lot of assumptions made by me here ...sure to have raised some dandruff....lol....

 

our son, stopped cruising with us when he was 15.....on RCL.....and started cruising with buddies when he was 18 on Carnival....I see the flames coming my way...better duck....

[tampadee]

8 hours ago, shepherd really said:

The answer is no, unless they really enjoy hanging out in assisted living and 55+ communities, they will be bored out of their minds.

Good answer!

[Flatbush Flyer]

My opinion on this issue of what might interest/engage “twenty-somethings” on an Oceania (or any other cruise line’s) ship comes from half a century of working across pretty much all aspects of higher education coast-to-coast in the US on comprehensive campuses ranging from 1000 to 30,000 students. And for many of the hundreds of college students with whom I have had direct advising or supervisory experience, I can assure you that the opportunity to engage in stimulating conversations with experts in their field of interest (often easy to come across on an O ship full of professional retirees) holds as much interest for many of them as does their fraternity/sorority social events on the weekend of the “big game” with their campus’ arch sports rival.

Bottom line is that some of these “kids” will love what their parents choose for a vacation and others will hate it. Yet others will be unpredictable when it comes to a new experience. And let’s not forget those who would equally enjoy “spring break” and/or seeing their college major come alive in some seemingly once-in-a-lifetime visit to the Vatican Museum or Easter Island. 

 

Anyone who would make a blanket statement that being “twenty-something” automatically  precludes a young adult from enjoying the company of geezers certainly doesn’t know or understand the broad spectrum of interests of that younger generation.

[jonthomas]

I am sure there are some, but definitely NOT the majority.

[shepherd really]

I should have noted that my opinion comes from being in my twenties for an entire decade as well as an additional half century of experience interacting with people of all ages including some in their twenties.  

 

I have had both direct and indirect contact (all appropriate, mind you) with twenty year olds in both academic and social situations including multiple dinners where food was consumed and conversations took place on a variety of topics.

 

In addition I once almost met Lady Gaga.  

[jakes47]

The fact the OP is asking the question, even though he knows his daughters well - tells me he has reservations.   

Johnlat - Do you really want to sacrifice your own pleasure worrying, throughout the cruise, if your daughters are enjoying themselves?  Surely this would be enough for you to consider another line that would definately cater for both generations.  

[Iamthesea]

My husband and I sailed on two Oceania ships (the larger class ships) in the Caribbean about 5 years ago.  We were 60 and 65 at the time.  We felt young compared to most on the ship. 

 

I can tell that our adult children, ages 50, 43, 42, and 38 would not enjoy being on an Oceania ship.  Celebrity Cruises is more their speed.  I cannot imagine them being on Oceania in their 20's.

[Cliff-FLL]

On 2/26/2023 at 8:14 PM, johnlat said:

  Any insights would be appreciated.

Don't do it. Period.

[orchestrapal]

Currently on the Riviera and I assure you my daughter in her 50s is one of the youngest people on the ship. Walkers and scooters are the thing of the day. It is sad we began this journey with Oceana 20 years ago when they began. Looking around the ship, we have all grown older together.

There must be better lines out there for their 20s 30s and 40s crowd.

 

 

 

[MEFIowa]

15 hours ago, Iamthesea said:

We were 60 and 65 at the time.  We felt young compared to most on the ship. ...

I can tell that our adult children, ages 50, 43, 42, and 38 would not enjoy being on an Oceania ship. ...

 

8 minutes ago, orchestrapal said:

Currently on the Riviera and I assure you my daughter in her 50s is one of the youngest people on the ship. ...

Wife and I did our very first cruise ever on Riviera 12/2021. She was 56 and I was 58.

 

WE both LOVED it. Sure, we felt young but we loved the ports & excursions we put together. So much so that we booked another cruise on Sirena for 11/2022. Again, we had an amazing time with our excursions we put together. And we met many amazing people with whom we had great interactions.

 

On both cruises the people in their 40s and 50s that I talked to enjoyed the cruise thoroughly. I think much of that is because it is laid back. No children running around. Adults enjoying themselves. Their way. You can actually read and think while sitting around the pool. And the food is fantastic.

 

We cruise for ports & excursions, so about the only thing besides the pool we do are the comics (both) and lectures (me). We're too busy doing excursions to stay up late or sleep in. When the ship docks, we're out till she leaves.

[DCGuy64]

21 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Anyone who would make a blanket statement that being “twenty-something” automatically  precludes a young adult from enjoying the company of geezers certainly doesn’t know or understand the broad spectrum of interests of that younger generation.

Right on the money! It's really sad how many people take their prejudices about younger people and then automatically assume, with ZERO knowledge of the people in question (the OP's daughters) what kind of time they will have. WE DON'T KNOW. You'd think the well traveled would have broader minds. At any rate, I can only say that from an early age, I ALWAYS preferred the company of older people to my peers. I just found adults much more interesting, wiser, and more intellectual. Maybe the same will be true here.