Cruise Ships Have A Bad Image Among Young People

Perhaps it comes from watching a few Love Boat reruns, but for many people cruise ships have a bad image. So let's talk about that image, but let you know up front that the image is not always the reality.

Does your image of a cruise ship look something like this? All the passengers are retired, have white hair and walk with a cane. It's a common misconception. Let's face it, if you're among the younger generation such an image would definitely put you off on the idea of taking a cruise vacation. You can just picture everyone getting dressed in a coat and tie and sitting around a formal dinner. This is hardly what some would call fun. The good news is that cruise lines are aware of this image and making a strong effort to attract a younger crowd. You'll find cruise ships now have what you might call more up to date entertainment and are generally less formal. OK, so you still won't find the "Heavy Metal" cruise, but progress is being made.

Many younger people like the idea of visiting a tropical paradise, but it's how you get there that turns them off. The idea of playing shuffleboard with the blue haired sect and listening to some Dean Martin wannabe just isn't very appealing. Nor is the idea of nightly bridge games. Obviously this isn't the reality, but we're talking image. And as the camera commercials state, image is everything.

That's why many cruise ships will now feature jazz bands and cater to the younger crowd. Ballroom dancing is out. And some cruise lines are now actually setting up trips specifically to cater to a younger crowd. Although I no longer fit into that group, I think it's a great idea, assuming it proves profitable.

One other thing that keeps many in the younger generation away is you simply can't choose who your fellow passengers are. You're taking a chance. And if the group isn't to your liking, well there's not way to escape. Young couples may think that the other passengers will consist mainly of lonely divorcees on the prowl. Of course one way to help with this is to go with a group of friends or other couples. That way there's always someone you are friendly with and can spend the bulk of your time with.

Perhaps you should concentrate more on what you'll be seeing as opposed to worrying about who you'll be with. Think of the fabulous sights. How cool would it be to see a humpback whale or dolphin right near the ship? And wouldn't it be awesome to view some paradise island you've only dreamed about seeing. And the food is generally out of this world. These are the things that make a cruise ship vacation so special. Plus just getting away for a week or two is a great way to unwind.

No before you get the idea that I'm some young kid who is anti-aging, I should tell you that I'm a lot closer to retirement age then to college aged. The few cruise ships I've been on have all been great. But it's good to see the cruise industry doing things to attract a younger crowd as well. Why shouldn't everyone get to enjoy them?