OK, I know some people might be offended by this question, so I'm sorry in advance!
My husband and I don't have children and we prefer to vacation with other adults, or at least in an environment that is relatively peaceful. Having only two cruises under our belt, I'm curious from those more experienced -- what cruiseline or even better cruise ship, is more likely to attract adults only?
Kate
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RCI Sovereign of the Seas 2005
Caribbean Princess 2005
Carnival Paradise 2004
Kate,
There are really two parts to your answer. First, in order to have a better chance of traveling with mostly adults - avoid booking a cruise during any school breaks (ie - summer, spring and Christmas breaks). Secondly, the luxury cruise lines such as Radisson, Crystal,Silversea, etc. are more likely to draw a primarily adult passsenger load. However, if luxury cruising is not in your budget, Holland America and Celebrity are probably your next best bets.
Nancy
My wife and I feel the same as you do about kids on vacation. We have not really had any problems with kids on any cruise. Sometimes the kids are better behaved than some adults. One of the nice things about a ship is the size. There is always a place that you can find solitute if that is what you want.
You mentioned that you have been on 2 cruises. Did you encounter problems with kids?
I would recommend Oceania Cruises, as they have little to offer families or children and seem to cater to adult couples. They offer unique itineraries, excellent dining and reasonable prices for their market. Check them out.
Thanks for your replies everyone. This wasn't the first time I had heard about Celebrity or Oceania, so good to know.
On our two cruises, we have not had any problems (really) with kids thus far. We do try to book just after the Christmas holiday for any travel we take in the winter.
I had read some postings about some people who let their kids run wild and so on and so on. I have also heard horror stories from people travelling to land based resorts.
I'm travelling Princess this time and am expecting a mixed crowd. I'm shooting for Princess/Celebrity/Oceania or Holland America for cruise 3 which will likely be to Europe, assuming I can scrape together the pennies.
Kate
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RCI Sovereign of the Seas 2005
Caribbean Princess 2005
Carnival Paradise 2004
P&O cruises have ships completely dedicated to carrying adults only, and I agree that the ambience is completely different than when children are around.
OK we all love our kids but there are times we want a bit of space on our own, and at those times, do we really want someone else's kids running about and screaming??
Of P&O's adult-only ships:
Adonia (ex Sea Princess) returns to Princess this year. Where the childrens club used to be was converted to a Feng Shui lounge and a bar with massage chairs.....bliss, sheer bliss!
Regal Princess transfers to P&O as "Artemis"
And the highlight...... the new "Arcadia" launches this spring. Looks similar to HA's "vista" class ships, but this has been designed specifically to cater for adults only. So expect a different class of dining, shopping and entertainment.
In the UK we also have chains of hotels catering for adults only (weekend and midweek cabaret breaks, dinner-dances etc) and they are extremely popular.
Dont get me wrong: I am not anti-child, but just as they enjoy time with their friends without adult interference, so adults can enjoy time without children.
Trust me: whilst I enjoy both holidays, I am by far more relaxed after 3 nights mini-cruise with my wife on "Adonia" than after a fortnight on "Mariner of the Seas" with the whole family.
Meldrew of the seas,
I cruised with Mariner of the Seas 02-06-05.And I am not anti-kids either but I have to tell you that when kids are present it certainly makes a difference.
At the shows in the evening is when we had the most problems.I don't know where the parents of these kids were but they certainly weren't with thier kids.In one instance the parent was present but had been in the casino.She had brought her bucket of quarters with her and the kid played with them through out the performance. What an irritation! On another night children occupied almost the whole front row .An announcement is made each performance that unattended children are not allowed in the first three rows. They ruined the comedians act that night by asking him questions and saying things to him.Poor guy tryed to use it to his advantage by asking why parents bring thier kids on vacation with them.
I even had a young girl fall over my leg,which does not bend,as she ran to get a good seat on the front row.
We even had a problem with the small kids wanting to play in the hot tubs like they do in the pools.
I had a marvelous cruise but it would have been much better if not for the kiddies.Next time I will be a little more selective when making my cruise plans.
Linda
Well, you guys really have no respect for your kids(if you have any) or other people's kids. All of you were once kids, and if you had the chance to go on a cruise when you were little wouldn't you? You know it's not just about us all of the time. Don't be a grouchy person, you yourself and the kids can both enjoy the cruises.
It's a CRUISE, your suppose to relax and have fun, and that is what the kids are doing. So let them play, and you can play and relax...instead of being witches and griping about kids all the time. HAVE FUN...
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