How do I find a cruise targeted for the younger crowd?

September 23, 2005 9:05 AM

A friend is taking a honeymoon cruise in the western Mediterranean. How can he avoid getting on a boat full of old people?

Are there specific cruise lines that cater to the younger crowd? Maybe some cruise type designations that hint towards the activity level? Or are all cruises just going to be overwhelmingly the retired? (Nothing at all against the elderly, but it seems like the activities and goings-on on a younger average-age ship would be more exciting for, well, a younger couple.)

posted by davebug to travel & transportation (5 comments total)

As a twenty-something who's been on a few cruises, I'd recommend your honeymooning friend stick with the older crowd -- the service, food quality, people, and atmosphere are considerably better. All the gym, jet-skiing, etc. activities are available, just like any other cruise. Check with your agent.

The thing with 'activities' is that they're all the same thing that you'd do at home or any other trip, but much more expensive. Usually you'll try to take advantage of things that are unique to the cruise experience, whatever that may be. Mostly looking out at the ocean.

Carnival Cruises is the only one I'm familiar with for the younger set, and it's basically a floating daycare for the spoiled frat set -- noisy, boozy, and jackassed. Which is fine if that's what your friends are looking for.
posted by Extopalopaketle at 10:38 AM on September 23, 2005

Some of the very small boat cruises offered through Mountain Travel Sobek and Geographic Expeditions in that part of the world - eastern and western Med - seem to attract a predominantly younger crowd. These are small boats, though, and much more romantic (IMHO) than big cruiseboats - some are sailboats for only 10 or 15 passengers max. The food will be infinitely better - all local ingredients, all fresh, all the time - than anything on a big boat.
posted by luriete at 11:02 AM on September 23, 2005

What about EasyCruise? It offers far fewer frills, but also spends more time in each port and is definitely pitched to a younger crowd.

From their website: "The ship will stay in port in the afternoon and the evening to encourage people to have fun ashore and sail late at night for the next destination. The flexible one week itineraries allow you to embark and depart at any port on the route provided you stay on board at least two nights."
posted by mogget at 11:12 AM on September 23, 2005

The Windjammer Barefoot Cruises are a much younger set overall and they go to different ports; the floating malls need deeper harbors and have a more limited number of places they can go.
posted by phearlez at 11:26 AM on September 23, 2005

Ooooh! After reading the Windjammer site I am excited about a cruise for the first time! Thx!
posted by kahboom at 2:10 PM on September 23, 2005