Age Question - 27&29 too young for HAL?

[JC Cruiser]

My wife (27) and I (29) are interested in taking a Holland America cruise on the Zuiderdam in December and we are a bit concerend that we may find the cruise too laid back for us. We have sailed Carnival and Royal Carribean before, and are interested in HAL because we really like the Western Carribean itinerary of the Zuiderdam. Can you please inform me on what the main differences are between the cruise lines and whether or not we will stick out at the ages of 27 & 29? We are not big time partiers, but we like to have a good time. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

[LHC]

My dear daughter who is 28 and I went last Christmas and had the most marvelous Christmas that either one of us has experienced.

We have a longer cruises planned for the upcoming Holidays.

Linda

P.S. She enjoyed planning the excursions and next trip we plan on doing the culinary arts experience together, getting some therapeutic massages and other spa services in one of the ports, and returning to see an orphanage she will be doing a mission trip to this summer.

[jhannah]

I believe you'll have a great time. The Northern Lights disco rocks well into the night. There are other lounges with various forms of music as well. We've been on cruises with twenty-somethings (one couple even had a toddler) and from all appearances they had a good time.

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

I am 32 and DH, 33. On our 3/25/06 HAL cruise, we were by far the youngest couple onboard (we saw maybe 3 other couples a little older in their 40s, 5 kids under 10, and maybe 10 teens, everyone else seemed to be 60-90). I knew ahead of time this would probably be the case, but everyone we met was just wonderful. Everyone was friendly, happy to be onboard, and kind to us. Most of the crowd was more active than we were-dancing til late hours, belting out songs at the piano bar, visiting the late night buffets, speed walking the Lower Promenade.

We loved our cruise and will probably stay exclusively with HAL since we don't drink and don't care for crowds or screaming children. HAL had great food, classy museum-like decor, fresh flowers, and a more formal dress code.

[kkelle17]

I think it depends on who you ask. My husband and I (25 & 28) were on the Volendam this March. We were aware that we would likely be the minority in our age group. We were not aware that we would be the only people in that age group. We knew it was going to be a different expereince when one of the young crew members stopped my husband and said "Someone of the same age!" He acted like he couldn't beleive it.

 

A vacation is what you make it, we still had a good time, but we prefer the atmosphere on RCCL. The Volendam was pretty much sleeping by 11pm every night.

 

However, I will say this, when we were in Half Moon Cay the Zuiderdam was also there. The Zuiderdam was full of younger people and children. I think there tends to be a younger crowd on the 7 day cruises. We were on a 10 day cruise, and I beleive that had a lot to do with the age differences.

[kryos]

My wife (27) and I (29) are interested in taking a Holland America cruise on the Zuiderdam in December and we are a bit concerend that we may find the cruise too laid back for us. We have sailed Carnival and Royal Carribean before, and are interested in HAL because we really like the Western Carribean itinerary of the Zuiderdam. Can you please inform me on what the main differences are between the cruise lines and whether or not we will stick out at the ages of 27 & 29? We are not big time partiers, but we like to have a good time. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

You don't say what time in December you are planning to sail, but if it is around the holidays, you will find a lot of folks your own age onboard. The Zuiderdam is a "young" ship and thus the environment is a bit different. You'll have activities more geared to the younger set and to families. You'll have the Northern Lights Disco for nighttime dancing as well as shows that are more appealing to younger people. While you won't find hairy chest contests at the pool, you will find a lot of people sunning there, as well as families whose children will be splashing in there. Remember, that a seven-day cruise draws a younger set because seven days is often the maximum time they can take off from work at a clip. It's only the longer cruises that draw a much higher age demographic. I think my 30-day Amsterdam cruise this past January had an average passenger age of something like 83.

 

I don't think 27 and 29 is too young at all for a HAL cruise, and especially on the Vista Class ships, like the Zuiderdam, I think you'll find that you will fit right in.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Atomica]

You will have a great time on the Zuiderdam! I doubt you'll feel out of place.

[CaliforniaAC]

When we were on the Zuiderdam last October, we were about the median age (40's). I did notice a lot of people who were younger than us- I think you'll be comfortable. The ship was beautiful, the food was great, and the SOE bed, TV, DVD Player upgrades etc that we had on the Volendam trip are now on the Zuiderdam too. If you can get a balcony, go for it. We loved having coffee in the mornings out there, and watching the sunset in the evenings- well worth it!

 

Join the CC roll call too. Even if everyones not your age, it's still nice to know people while you're on the ship-

[RustaRoo]

... and the SOE bed, TV, DVD Player upgrades etc that we had on the Volendam trip are now on the Zuiderdam too.

 

Unfortunately, this is NOT the case. Was on the Zuiderdam in March this year and none of these SOE have been completed (deluxe verandah, uppder promenade).

 

To OP, you will definitely have a great holiday cruise on the Zuiderdam.

[flashdog_1]

She went with me on Veendam 3/11 to Western Carib. She liked the laid back atmosphere. It was a port intensive cruise and we spent most days on land, but she definitely liked the atmosphere on the ship & variety of activities. There were a couple in their early 30s that she hung out with. She also enjoyed sitting with us older folks 65 and up.

[JC Cruiser]

Thanks for all the information everyone. It was great to receive that may responses in just one day. We are definitely leaning toward HAL. Thanks!

[longtimecruiser]

The Vista ships, like the Zuiderdam attract a younger crowd. My daughter, 24 sailed with me on the Noordam in March. She found there to be a much younger crowd than she had thought might be aboard. She enjoys people of all ages and doesn't care how old they are if they are interesting and fun. She met a lovely older couple who she spent a lot of time with. Needless to say, she would sail Hal again anytime.:eek:

[JC Cruiser]

We just booked the Westerdam. Thanks again for all the insight! We are really looking forward to our first Holland America Cruise!

[doone]

GREAT choice, you will enjoy the ship.

[SarahQ]

Hey there JC,

 

Congrats on booking your first cruise - just wondering when you're cruising?

 

DH and I (both 28), as well as some friends are on the Westerdam, Eastern Caribbean, December 10-17th.

 

Whichever dates you've decided on, check out the roll-call board - great way to meet people you're cruising with, and I believe at this point there are threads for all of the Westerdam's December sailings.

 

:D

[herb]

we are a bit concerend that we may find the cruise too laid back for us.

 

I had to chuckle a bit when I read that. We too have sailed with Carnival and Royal Caribbean and are praying that Holland America IS too laid back (I work in a very loud "party atmosphere" all week long and when I'm on vacation I look forward to as little noise as possible) :D

[JC Cruiser]

SarahQ,

We are sailing on the December 17th sailing of the Westerdam. It looks like you will be getting off the ship as we look to board.

[caviargal]

I believe you'll have a great time. The Northern Lights disco rocks well into the night. There are other lounges with various forms of music as well. We've been on cruises with twenty-somethings (one couple even had a toddler) and from all appearances they had a good time.

 

On our recent ZUI cruise, the Northern Lights disco was sparsely populated most nights. There were no other venues with current music being played for dancing. Our after dinner activities were mostly walks on deck and enjoying the night sky from our balcony. (We do not attend shows nor go to the Casino).

 

If you are looking for the activity rich atmosphere of RCI and Carnival, HAL is not it IME. There is no music by the pool, the fitness activities are pretty limited and the ship is pretty quiet overall.

 

What I found on ZUI was a great crew and staff, wonderfully comfy beds, good size staterooms, chairs by the pool, a lovely specialty restaurant and a nice mix of passengers.

[sonocruiser]

We just booked the Westerdam. Thanks again for all the insight! We are really looking forward to our first Holland America Cruise!

 

my husband and two friends just got back from alaska and loved it. our ages are 30-29-26-25yrs. we spent time in the northern lights and the dj played all our requests-we were there somtimes till 2am. lots of the staff knew us by name and we had a great time. we are thinking about booking again after the 1st f the year. you will have fun:D .

[Wilcoam]

My wife and are a very youngish 36 n 43 and find HAL's clientale

a little on the old, and conservative side for us. (no offense to

those individuals, it's subjective)

 

Honestly, in my opinion, if you're looking to meet people, you're

better off with NCL or Carnival, or RCI. On the other hand, again

in my opinion, the food is much better on HAL, the ships are

smaller, and service is better. Where's there's a yin, there's a

yang...HAL is a great product, age aside...

 

X is my preference, period, but often they have less ships than

all the other lines, so in the end, less chance of finding a great

itin on the days one has available. X also attracts more European

travellers.

 

After saying all this, I'm on a MOM's cruise, on the same ship

you're going on, but in January. Why HAL. I got an aft suite

at a great price, on the right floor, the right day, the right Itin.

So maybe I'll be the youngest one playing bingo, in a Bad Religion

t-shirt, ah, who cares. So, I'll dress a little more casually than

everyone, so they can write nasty letters to cruise critic about outdated dress codes, who cares. Older people like enagaging

younger people, ya get more attention.

 

In the end, you can't go wrong choosing HAL.....Enjoy....

[karfest]

My husband and I (ages 52 & 43) have been trying to decide between HAL and X for our next cruise. We were discussing that HAL has a reputation for having older passengers and we didn't want to be stuck with a bunch of old people.

 

Our 22 year old daughter said "Have you looked in a mirror lately?? You guys ARE old!!!!!" Kids have such a way of putting things in perspective, don't they?

 

She is also saving us alot of money because she will not be going with us after that remark:D

[airlink diva]

I'm in my mid 30's and often travel solo. Out of all the cruiselines that I sailed with, I enjoyed HAL ships the most.

On my recent cruise on Carnival, I mentioned to my tablemates that my last two cruises were on HAL ships and how much fun I had, especially on the Westerdam (which rank as my best cruise yet). Her exact words were, "You went on a Holland America cruise!!?? I heard that all you see is wheelchairs and walkers on board!". I assured her that yes, you see the wheelchairs and walkers, but you also have a younger set on board that enjoy a classy yet fun ship. In fact, I saw just as many wheelchairs and walkers on board the Carnival ship as I did on the Westerdam. Not to mention that one of our tablemates was over 80.

I danced the night away in the Northern Lights and enjoyed tea everyday.

On the longer trips, the age range goes up, but some of those older folks party harder than me.

If you want a fun, classy ship, I suggest one of the Vista class ships. On the Westerdam and the Oosterdam, there was always fun on board.

[madelinerose]

Hi, caviargal...

 

We've only cruised once, on the Miracle, and really disliked the diningroom hoopla. Our next is on the Crown Princess in September. I've been looking at the Noordam as our next choice. There's an 11-night Southern Caribbean from NY that caught my eye.

 

What you've described sounds wonderful to me and the cabins on the Noordam look fantastic! I prefer newer ships, so the Noordam may be the perfect choice. Of course, I have no idea how much we'll enjoy the new Princess ship, but since we'll be cruise shopping for some years to come, the Noordam is in the running.

 

My inlaws are currently on a HAL 25-day Baltic cruise and love the line, but their tastes are very different from ours, so it's nice to hear what you have to say. Thanks. ;)

 

What I found on ZUI was a great crew and staff, wonderfully comfy beds, good size staterooms, chairs by the pool, a lovely specialty restaurant and a nice mix of passengers.

[cruznon]

JC,

Congrats on booking your HAL cruise. You can never be too young to enjoy the beauty, elegance and service of Holland America.