Cunard cruises

[Anonymous]

My 80 year old mother and law recently lost her husband and we are thinking of doing some trip that she will be excited about. Has anyone tried Cunard? Looks like something she'd like but I don't know anyone who has done one.

[Anonymous]

I’d look on cruisecritic for reviews. My recollection is that if you can pay for the nice cabins it’s pretty nice but there’s a big droppff in the experience in the cheapest cabins

[Anonymous]

I think Viking would be better and more interesting for her and you.

[Anonymous]

Cunard is lovely but I’d caution taking an 80 year old on an overnight flight to Europe unless she is in very good health. I think JFK might have daytime flights to London and Paris.

Re: Viking - river cruising is very different from big ship cruising like Cunard.

I think big ship cruising is more fun because of the evening entertainment.

What about doing a cruise out of Florida? Avoid Disney, Carnival, NCL, and Royal Caribbean (more kids, more crowds, more rowdy) and opt for Celebrity, Holland, etc.

I’m not sure if Cunard cruises out of the US. I’ve only seen their ships in Europe/Mediterranean. We basically followed a Cunard ship in the Mediterranean last summer; their passengers skew older and appear more affluent/preppy (based on seeing their passengers in lines and on tours).

[Anonymous]

Cunard does transatlantic crossings from NYC. Agree with PP about booking into a Grills Suite for the optimal experience. The newest ship is Queen Anne, although I don't think that one does the Atlantic crossing. From what I've read, the entertainment is of good quality.

https://www.cunard.com/en-us/cruise-destinations/transatlantic-cruises

Viking bills itself as the "thinking person's" cruise with lectures by experts that they pick up along their itinerary. River cruising is a bit more active with more passengers taking advantage of the shore excursions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cunard is lovely but I’d caution taking an 80 year old on an overnight flight to Europe unless she is in very good health. I think JFK might have daytime flights to London and Paris.

Re: Viking - river cruising is very different from big ship cruising like Cunard.

I think big ship cruising is more fun because of the evening entertainment.

What about doing a cruise out of Florida? Avoid Disney, Carnival, NCL, and Royal Caribbean (more kids, more crowds, more rowdy) and opt for Celebrity, Holland, etc.

I’m not sure if Cunard cruises out of the US. I’ve only seen their ships in Europe/Mediterranean. We basically followed a Cunard ship in the Mediterranean last summer; their passengers skew older and appear more affluent/preppy (based on seeing their passengers in lines and on tours).

Yes Cunard cruises out of the US, and Viking has many ocean ships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cunard is lovely but I’d caution taking an 80 year old on an overnight flight to Europe unless she is in very good health. I think JFK might have daytime flights to London and Paris.

Re: Viking - river cruising is very different from big ship cruising like Cunard.

I think big ship cruising is more fun because of the evening entertainment.

What about doing a cruise out of Florida? Avoid Disney, Carnival, NCL, and Royal Caribbean (more kids, more crowds, more rowdy) and opt for Celebrity, Holland, etc.

I’m not sure if Cunard cruises out of the US. I’ve only seen their ships in Europe/Mediterranean. We basically followed a Cunard ship in the Mediterranean last summer; their passengers skew older and appear more affluent/preppy (based on seeing their passengers in lines and on tours).

Yes Cunard cruises out of the US, and Viking has many ocean ships.

Correct re: Viking—but most people associate Viking with River cruising in Europe. They don’t have many ocean ships and they aren’t known for entertainment. Viking is good for older people who are very social and like group tours and group dinners socializing with other older people. There are a lot of older couples on Viking. I’m not sure it’s the right fit for the op and her MIL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cunard is lovely but I’d caution taking an 80 year old on an overnight flight to Europe unless she is in very good health. I think JFK might have daytime flights to London and Paris.

Re: Viking - river cruising is very different from big ship cruising like Cunard.

I think big ship cruising is more fun because of the evening entertainment.

What about doing a cruise out of Florida? Avoid Disney, Carnival, NCL, and Royal Caribbean (more kids, more crowds, more rowdy) and opt for Celebrity, Holland, etc.

I’m not sure if Cunard cruises out of the US. I’ve only seen their ships in Europe/Mediterranean. We basically followed a Cunard ship in the Mediterranean last summer; their passengers skew older and appear more affluent/preppy (based on seeing their passengers in lines and on tours).

Yes Cunard cruises out of the US, and Viking has many ocean ships.

Correct re: Viking—but most people associate Viking with River cruising in Europe. They don’t have many ocean ships and they aren’t known for entertainment. Viking is good for older people who are very social and like group tours and group dinners socializing with other older people. There are a lot of older couples on Viking. I’m not sure it’s the right fit for the op and her MIL.

The discussion was about ocean going, it is logical to assume PP meant Viking Ocean.

What did OP say that makes you think Viking is not a good choice - river or ocean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cunard is lovely but I’d caution taking an 80 year old on an overnight flight to Europe unless she is in very good health. I think JFK might have daytime flights to London and Paris.

Re: Viking - river cruising is very different from big ship cruising like Cunard.

I think big ship cruising is more fun because of the evening entertainment.

What about doing a cruise out of Florida? Avoid Disney, Carnival, NCL, and Royal Caribbean (more kids, more crowds, more rowdy) and opt for Celebrity, Holland, etc.

I’m not sure if Cunard cruises out of the US. I’ve only seen their ships in Europe/Mediterranean. We basically followed a Cunard ship in the Mediterranean last summer; their passengers skew older and appear more affluent/preppy (based on seeing their passengers in lines and on tours).

Yes Cunard cruises out of the US, and Viking has many ocean ships.

Correct re: Viking—but most people associate Viking with River cruising in Europe. They don’t have many ocean ships and they aren’t known for entertainment. Viking is good for older people who are very social and like group tours and group dinners socializing with other older people. There are a lot of older couples on Viking. I’m not sure it’s the right fit for the op and her MIL.

The discussion was about ocean going, it is logical to assume PP meant Viking Ocean.

What did OP say that makes you think Viking is not a good choice - river or ocean?

Not trying to get into a big debate, pp.

Fwiw, when most people hear Viking, they think river cruising. That requires a long (probably overnight) flight to get to the destination. Viking caters heavily to older couples. If I just lost my spouse, I wouldn’t want to cruise surrounded by older couples…it would make me sad as a widow. Yes, there are also some groups of older women traveling as friends. Still.

Plus, Viking isn’t known for entertainment. It’s a totally different vibe.

Ocean cruising on Viking would largely be the same in terms of older couples.

Cunard is actually a good option since it includes some multigenerational travelers (particularly in the summer and over holidays).

But if the op plans to bring kids/grandkids, i’d opt for Celebrity. It isn’t overrun with kids at all, but it isn’t as formal/stuffy as Cunard. Men wear tuxedos on Cunard for dinner.

Anyway, i hope the op has a fantastic trip!

I’d suggest watching some YouTube videos on the specific ship and itinerary and join the Facebook group to ask veteran cruisers what they think. Cruise Critic isn’t nearly as good as the FB groups (where you can get a sense of who is weighing in).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cunard is lovely but I’d caution taking an 80 year old on an overnight flight to Europe unless she is in very good health. I think JFK might have daytime flights to London and Paris.

Re: Viking - river cruising is very different from big ship cruising like Cunard.

I think big ship cruising is more fun because of the evening entertainment.

What about doing a cruise out of Florida? Avoid Disney, Carnival, NCL, and Royal Caribbean (more kids, more crowds, more rowdy) and opt for Celebrity, Holland, etc.

I’m not sure if Cunard cruises out of the US. I’ve only seen their ships in Europe/Mediterranean. We basically followed a Cunard ship in the Mediterranean last summer; their passengers skew older and appear more affluent/preppy (based on seeing their passengers in lines and on tours).

Yes Cunard cruises out of the US, and Viking has many ocean ships.

Correct re: Viking—but most people associate Viking with River cruising in Europe. They don’t have many ocean ships and they aren’t known for entertainment. Viking is good for older people who are very social and like group tours and group dinners socializing with other older people. There are a lot of older couples on Viking. I’m not sure it’s the right fit for the op and her MIL.

The discussion was about ocean going, it is logical to assume PP meant Viking Ocean.

What did OP say that makes you think Viking is not a good choice - river or ocean?

Not trying to get into a big debate, pp.

Fwiw, when most people hear Viking, they think river cruising. That requires a long (probably overnight) flight to get to the destination. Viking caters heavily to older couples. If I just lost my spouse, I wouldn’t want to cruise surrounded by older couples…it would make me sad as a widow. Yes, there are also some groups of older women traveling as friends. Still.

Plus, Viking isn’t known for entertainment. It’s a totally different vibe.

Ocean cruising on Viking would largely be the same in terms of older couples.

Cunard is actually a good option since it includes some multigenerational travelers (particularly in the summer and over holidays).

But if the op plans to bring kids/grandkids, i’d opt for Celebrity. It isn’t overrun with kids at all, but it isn’t as formal/stuffy as Cunard. Men wear tuxedos on Cunard for dinner.

Anyway, i hope the op has a fantastic trip!

I’d suggest watching some YouTube videos on the specific ship and itinerary and join the Facebook group to ask veteran cruisers what they think. Cruise Critic isn’t nearly as good as the FB groups (where you can get a sense of who is weighing in).

I love replies that say "not trying to get into an argument" and then do exactly that. If you don't want to argue, then just don't. But since you did:

Fwiw, when most people hear Viking, they think river cruising.

I don't. But even if true, why would that mean you would ignore their ocean cruising? It would appear your point illustrates the opposite, that then it should be mentioned, and you did not mention it. I did, politely and matter of fact-ly. Was it really necessary to start inserting your unsupported by evidence opinion of "what most people think"?

[Anonymous]

Where did the op say she’s focused on ocean cruising?

A DP suggested Viking, which is known primarily for its river cruises. Their ocean voyages are rather new. Regardless, Viking caters to older couples. Anyone who has cruised Viking (or has parents or in-laws) knows this.

Cunard is fancier than Viking, but they do a nice job with multigenerational families.

Cunard is known for upscale ocean cruising. Heck, their ships have a Titanic-esque stairway.

They also have a themed dress up night where women dress up like it’s the 1920s.

Fwiw, I think most 80 year olds who love the sea will enjoy almost any cruise. Some lines are better than others with entertainment. An 80 year old’s music from their youth is 1950s/60s. I’d ask FB group cruisers from specific ships what the entertainment was like.

[Anonymous]

You might also want to look into Regent Seven Seas cruises. My sister-in-law's family did one of the Alaska cruises, and she raves about it. I think it tends to attract an older crowd, and most excursions are included. I think they look like a great option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where did the op say she’s focused on ocean cruising?

When they asked about Cunard, which is the oldest ocean cruise line operating. No one mentioned river cruising except you.

A DP suggested Viking, which is known primarily for its river cruises. Their ocean voyages are rather new. Regardless, Viking caters to older couples. Anyone who has cruised Viking (or has parents or in-laws) knows this.

Viking has been ocean cruising for a decade. And even if we assume your claim to be true (that they are known primarily for river) that would illustrate the value of mentioning their ocean cruising. I don't know why you don't get this or why it has to be mentioned again.

For someone who didn't want an argument, you seem desperate for one. And you're not doing well at it. Let it go.

[Anonymous]

I used to represent Cunard (years ago) and got to do there NYC cruise to nowhere for free. Just a bit of international water gambling. QEII was the vessel. It was fun.

My parents went on a QMII NYC to Southhampton cruise in their late 70s or early 80s. They had a suite and had a great time. Especially since my dad was in poorer health at the time. It was pricey. Like 15-20k per person (including BA business back to NYC).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Viking would be better and more interesting for her and you.

A DP suggested Viking.

And I bet they were referring to a river cruise…but I could be wrong.

Switching gears: someone else suggested an Alaskan cruise. Fwiw, Alaskan cruises attract older folks, but you need to be pretty active and outdoorsy to enjoy it. Princess is known to be the best for Alaska because they have access to certain ports that others don’t.

If you prefer laying out and warm weather, Alaskan cruises are disappointing. They are about the land excursions. And if you tend to dislike feeling a chill (like most older women), it could be unpleasant. People either loved or hated their Alaska cruise.

A Caribbean cruise timed to avoid hurricane season and the cold winter months is reliably pleasant.

If the older traveler is up for a long flight, a Mediterranean cruise on Cunard would be fabulous (and there are some other lines with similar sized ships that great as well).