I Took a 50+ Cruise at Age 25 and It Was Unlike Anything I’d Ever Done Before
Vložit
- čas přidán 25. 07. 2024
- A couple of years ago I took a cruise with a Saga, a 50+ cruise line. At the time of the cruise, I was 25 years old. I stood out like a sore thumb and definitely felt like an undercover spy!
* ad (press invite) * - I was invited on this cruise by Saga. Saga have never had any control over my content, I wasn't paid and all opinions are my own.
In this video, I talk about how I found the experience, what surprised me about the cruise, and what I loved about it.
To learn more about my cruise with Saga check out the daily diary I kept while on board: emmacruises.com/saga-river-cr...
▶ SUBSCRIBE for weekly cruise tips, tours and news: bit.ly/34ltwZi
▶ STAY UP TO DATE: emmacruises.com/news
▶ JOIN US ON PATREON: bit.ly/3kmSZan
▶ BOOKING A CRUISE? (UK only): bit.ly/3mf9FRZ
***
Background World Map: enjoythewood.com/?rfsn=543354... (Affiliate link)
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Never ever ever ever cruise without travel insurance! Compare quotes here:
emmacruises.com/travel-insura...
▶ Recommended Cruise Lines: bit.ly/31zjoL0
▶ Recommended Blog/CZcams Resources: bit.ly/2HnSjn1
LEARN MORE:
www.emmacruises.com/about
Let’s Connect!
/ emmacruises
/ emmacruises
emma@emmacruises.com
Facebook Group: bit.ly/2Hr3c7s - Zábava
** A little explainer about the 'paid promotion' popup box - CZcams defines paid promotion as 'accepting anything of value from a third party to make your video'. As mentioned in the video I was invited onboard by Saga which means that they paid my cruise fare, I'm never paid beyond this but the gifted cruise fair means I need to tick this box. All opinions are my own and no cruise line has control over my content. ** 🎉🎉
If you are curious about how I make money (selling cruises, website adverts, sales of my course, etc), check out this video >> czcams.com/video/clpjeAMjS0c/video.html
Thank you Emma - I am in the target demographic, and wouldn't have previously considered a river cruise until I watched your video. (My wife and I are booked for our first cruise of any sort for October, and your library of cruise videos has been helpful for quieting my anxieties. Thank you!)
Emma, you could make a row boat trip to nowhere seem like a once in a lifetime experience.
Your personality is sooo bubbly!
We all enjoy your travels!
…Joe in NJ, USA
As a teenager, I used to go on week long tours (on bus) where almost everyone else was 65+. So this sounds lovely. What appeals to me about river cruises (and cruises in general) is that I wouldn't need to sit in a bus for 8+ hours, with toilet breaks every 2 hours when the bus stopped at a gas station.
So true! My worst nightmare there 😂
Great video, a river cruise has been on by bucket list for a while, the idea of docking in the middle of town is awesome. I love to get out and walk, so exploring all these historic towns and villages is very appealing! Thanks Emma! Your approach and information is always so helpful.
I know we literally just had this convo about 5 mins ago but I totally panicked when I saw this comment and thought I set it to public too soon!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🥲🤣
That first day would have been really upsetting for me. You can't JUST drag me around on an exhausting forced tour. I would have been MUCH happier to be dropped off at a nice restaurant or beer garden while waiting to board ship.
Do you have any idea how many passengers would have got “lost” if they are not herded around. A couple of missing passengers cannot delay departure,of the vessel, so there would have been never ending complaints through no fault of the cruise organisers.
especially for a cruise marketed for older people! i know my parents would hate that type of spontaneity
But transportation to the ship was included so they were responsible to bring them to the ship they couldnt lost them and doubt all these people would agree on 1 place to stay so they would be spread but in the future a better solution should be found if the ship is delayed like have a alternative and more confortable option to the excursion already in the contract so the guests and staff are organized and prepared to be in one of the 2 options until the ship is ready
I thought, “huh, 13 liters, that’s a lot” but putting into soda perspective really made me realize just how huge that is!
Hi Emma, I am seeing this as a preview and really enjoyed it. I have done Viking River cruises and they were absolutely wonderful. As far as age is concerned, you don't know it yet, but, as we get older and older, our minds and emotions are still those of a 25 year old. Maybe not everybody feels this, but, I always feel 25 even though i am considerably older than that. 😂
Haha!! 25 is a good age I think. Maybe I’m stuck there now too. Thanks for watching Lou!! 😀❤️
Me too, Lou! Although, I now go to bed earlier than I did when I was 25 as I have learned to appreciate a good 8 hours of sleep. Ha!
You nailed it, Lou.
@@Angie-hr9lz I may KNOW the value of 8 hours of sleep now, but I am no smarter than when I was 25, so I stay up at least as late.
Yes, I used to cruise with my grannie when she was in her late 80s
She said she still felt like she was 16, still behaved like it too!
I refuse to admit the fact that I can now book a cruise with Saga without a special invitation -_-
Haha, I said the same thing when AARP sent me an invitation to join.
😂😂😂
I watched your other river cruise video too and it makes me want to do a river cruise just to see a lot of things in a short time.
Thank you for the critique. It’s good to know that going on a 50+ River cruise it isn’t boring because “we’re” still alive and kicking, no matter what the age. LOL
Excellent review! Love your perspective. I am an extremely active 50+ but I have a 28 year old that I love to travel with. This cruise sounds really good to me. Thank you.
After I found out about the "UK only" cruise's, as an American... I really want to get on one 🤣
For the food alone!
Your video ended up in my YT feed and I watched it despite never really having the urge to go on a cruise. After watching I now want to recommend a river cruise for my wife and me. Really enjoyed the video and you're such a great communicator. Thank you! Best wishes to you.
Yay!! Thanks so much Tom. Appreciate that 😀❤️
This cruise sounds fabulous. My husband and my children would love it. They’re 14 & 16 and prefer quiet over crazy. Playing games with their 70+ uncles over teen clubs. As a family we went on a NCL and didn’t enjoy it, spent most of the time in our cabin. Before kids went on Holland America cruise, preferred it over NCL.
I’m nearing 36 and Saga honestly sounds like my dream cruise line... I’d probably prefer ocean cruise though. I’m just mentally older than my biological age and tend to prefer the company of people older than myself. I don’t drink alcohol, I don’t have any interest in partying and other stuff that people my age may be interested in. I’d rather just have a civilized conversation with someone and maybe play a bit of bingo if not relaxing in a spa or in or by a pool. I’m just a very laid back and calm person, I don’t like noise and it would be a nightmare for me to have screaming mini howlers (children) around if going on a cruise. I just want to relax, try some afternoon tea, explore nice food that doesn’t remind me of McDonalds and have a relaxing holiday.
In your case, I’d recommend P&O Aurora. A smaller ship for over 18’s only. Plenty of calm entertainment like bingo, pub quizzes as well as singers, shows and afternoon tea.
My husband and I took a cruise to Norway on Aurora and she is still our favourite.
Same
I’ve always been that way too.
If I could give you 2 thumbs up I would. I'm in the target group, I don't like the ocean. I've always been interested in these types of cruises... now I'm MORE intrested. thank you very much.
Awh thank you so much! Appreciate that 😀❤️
Best thing you’ll ever do is a river cruise. You’ll never go back
FYI. Most cruises are way over booked and crowded as heck. Not nearly as enjoyable as they pretend. Instead try to charter a Pvt Capt and boat for your cruise. Much less crowded and way more peaceful.
Watching this reminded me of when I was Malta in 2004 and we walked in to a bar/restaurant within our hotel and wondered why everyone was staring at us. I was 30 at the time and my wife was 24. It wasn’t long and someone told us you’re not supposed to be here and explained it was a function for Saga. I didn’t know what Saga was at the time but I’ve never forgotten after that :)
I have watched several cruise video bloggers. I just discovered your video blogs recently. I have seen 8 of them now. I think I'm in love.
As always an extremely informative video Emma. I’ve only river cruised twice and on both occasions it was on the Nile with the first experiencing beginning our honeymoon 27yrs ago.. I’m really impressed with this Saga cruise, thank you.
Fantastic commentary. I thoroughly enjoy the way you tell it from a common-sense perspective - exactly what cruise customers need and like to hear.
You have such a rich history of sailing on ocean and river cruises! Thanks for sharing your experiences with us!
I travelled to Australia with CMV on the MV Astor. I suspected it would be like being on a floating old people’s home as most of the people with the time and money to take a 7 weeks cruise are retired. And in fact most people were retired and I was told the average age of passengers was 73. Probably most were around 70 with some older and a number like myself who were a lot younger. However it was brilliant. Everyone I met was enthusiastic and up for anything. Everyone was courteous and friendly and everyone was so interesting. Being older they had well informed ideas and opinions and some wonderful life experiences. If I had the chance to do it again I would pick the same demographic. Good luck to Ambassador Cruise Lines who look like continuing the CMV tradition. I hope the Australia trips become available as soon as the pandemic is over.
Got our first river cruise booked with saga down the Danube in September fingers and everything else crossed.
This is so interesting, thanks for the video! The whole "50+" phenomenon really intrigues and kind of baffles me, though, I have to say. I'm in my 40s and have plenty of 50+ friends, but I don't know a single person who wants to do this sort of age-restricted thing. This seems more like something my parents' generation would have done. I would personally love a child-free cruise, but I definitely prefer to be with adults of all ages; I enjoy socializing with 20-somethings, 80-somethings, and everyone in between!
Yeah! It is a bit strange to me too. But it works. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I’ve been on a few river cruises. On ours, there were quite a few people in their 30’s/ 40’s/50’s. It was a great mix of people.
Another excellent vlog from Emma! 👍
Enjoying Life One Port at a Time! ❤️
Thanks Emma I think you have inspired me to check out river cruises. I have never considered a river cruise before and I don’t know why not Thank you for some brilliant information, take care, regards, Chris.
Hi, I have a video idea. Could you make a video with tips for somewhat introverted travellers? As someone who is yet to take his first real cruise (I've only been on smaller ships so far), I am a bit worried about "forced socialisation" (e.g. table sharing you mentioned in this video) and watching your videos I get a feeling we might be on the same page here so it would be great to hear some advice from you as an experienced traveller on which (ocean) cruise line to choose, where to eat, etc., if one wants to have an option to be "left alone" :)
I’ve not been on any cruise where you couldn’t find a quiet area to read / listen to music/ snooze or just relax. And you can , at the time of booking, ask for a table for one or two. Not a problem
👍👍👍👍Very informative and VERY CONVINCING to go on a river cruise! Thanks to you I have many years of cruise plans!🤣🤣🤣
You're lucky you stood out like a sore thumb. When I was in my late 20s I travelled on a ferry on which there was a SAGA bus party. I was late disembarking and just as I was heading to the gangway the announcement was made for the SAGA passengers to disembark, so I walked off in the middle of them. At the foot of the gangway they all went left to their coach, but I went right like the normal foot passengers, only to hear the bus driver shout: "You're going the wrong way!"
Scarring 😆!!
Thank you this. I only learned of Saga recently. I'm not 50 yet but I think I would try it.
Good decision on their part, inviting you. I'm over 55 and am now considering this cruise.
Smart right? They know what they’re doing 😂😂
I was fortunate to stay a few days in the famous spa/hotel in Budapest just across the bridge in your video. A great relaxing experience that would be great to combine prior to getting onboard that river cruise. My very first cruise was in January out of Miami a few years ago. The average age of the passengers was higher due to the time of year and mostly everyone was from Europe. I didn't feel odd or out of place and enjoyed spending time with experienced cruisers. it still remains to be my favorite cruise experience.
The one on the island in the middle of the Danube?
@@happytraveller2122 I think that's a different place you are referring to. I stayed at the Hotel Gallert that has a thermal spa in the facility. It's on top of the hill with a view of the Danube.
Thanks as usual Emma top video and top information again thanks i see your Hudson is wandering again as he pleases but thats cats for you.
We took a European tour with older people us and another couple were under both under 30 years old.
Currently bingeing your vids and loving them! Have been thinking about a cruise for years, but man alive, solo travelling really seems to bump up the price! I'll be checking your site out for tips on grabbing a bargain. Cheers!
I have always wanted to go on a river cruise. And I’m not far off at all now from this age group. I cruise for food and travel and a nice relaxing ship. This sounds perfect
Your videos are a treat to watch, u have a great personality, nice on the eyes and the Britishisms and history lessons are great ! Keep up the good work , I’m not into cruising but u make it seem like a lot of fun !
Thanks so much Mark 💕
Lol, 50 isn't that far away Emma and it's not as old as you think. Love your videos!
You mentioned being on the top deck during a lock. On the US/Canada border, I've been through the Soo Locks. It's not a cruise, it's a little 90-minute tour boat that goes through the lock, a bit on the other side, then back.
On the US side, the small lock is 800' x 80'. The big lock is 1,200' x 110'. Needless to say, the little tour boat usually uses the smaller lock.
Great video. Thank you.
Cheers! Thanks for the scenes of Budapest.
i hated working the boats but this makes me want to try a cruise as a guest.
(i worked at the Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel, as well)
Oooo! Yes! Try it at least once 😀👏🏼
@8.14 ''Good or bad table mates can definately make or break a cruise''.
How true !
I have done a Nile cruise twice .. tables of 8 and you had to sit at the same table every time, and that was your excursion group every day as well.
The first time was brilliant, which is why I did it again four years later .. the second time there was a couple who moaned about absolutely everything (the taps in their en-suite, the heat, the food, the locals, the size of the pool, the time we had to get up to go out on a trip to see ''yet another'' temple) on and on it went, and loud enough for everyone to hear 🥴
I imagined a 50+ cruise as being full of grumpy senior citizens, so I am glad to hear that's not so! We are under 50 with a teenager who loves history, so we'd love to find a river cruise for active families. I didn't ever consider river cruising before watching your videos, Emma! My parents did a Mississippi River one back in the 90's and they ended up fleeing at the first port of call because it was so awful. I loved reading your daily dairy of the trip. It reminds me that I need to find my travel journal!
And I had to google Hula Hoops. I was thinking they might be Cheerio-like until I saw BBQ Beef flavor!!
Thanks for your comments Emma, well done.
Many thanks for this video, in my 60th year you have certainly given me food for thought.
Thanks for watching William! 😀❤️
Wow that would have been interesting and eye opening for you
Nice video, Emma! Now I'll get back into the DeLorean and return to July 1.
Haha 😂😎 You and your magic skills!
thats a gr8 story. nice one.
-jc
Emma I love your videos. That is party due to the fact that I think you are really cute and I love your accent. That being said I have a question and a comment on this video. You mentioned it was an old ship and I was wondering how was the sound insulation between cabins? I was on an older Viking ship once and you could hear everything going on in the cabins next to you. Glad I had ear plugs. Also the Russian cruise I took was on an old ship and I experienced the vibrating at times as well. This was in the dining room and the glasses and plates would shake and make quite a noise. Keep up the good work.
You always give such great info. I've always been a bit intimidated about cruises and you've completely changed my perspective. I fall into the category of "traveling companion" and I think this would make a great trip to take with my mum! Laid back, but still fun. Absolutely perfect for a relaxing getaway. Happy cruising!
A wonderful bird is the pelican,
His bill will hold more than his belican,
He can take in his beak
Enough food for a week
But I'm damned if I see how the helican!
I've always loved that - especially the play on spelling!! Thank you for this, takes me back a good few decades!!
Excellent review. Thanks
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I wish I was 25 again! Great video
4 years till I can get on SAGA. Can't wait!! lol
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
The last celebrity cruise I did I'd hazard a guess the average age was 65 + I was 49 when I went on board felt out of place haha
I felt the same but I was in my 30s. I enjoyed it despite the numerous motor scooters and canes.
I don't know. I only cruise Celebrity and I'm 57 now. There were a considerable number of people in their middle 40's on my last two cruises. And we're a young 57 (at least in my mind!). I always feel like younger people are taking the mega ships like the big RC ships or the MSC Grandiosa. Or even younger going on Carnival. But I don't know that for sure. It's just what I surmise. So maybe that does put me on the senior passenger list! Lol.
@@markreiter8778 we normally cruise Royal, but as we got diamond thought we'd give celebrity a go, royal does have a younger average age, but I would suggest you travel during school terms as far fewer children on board.
@@markreiter8778 p
I really enjoyed your video I’m now subscribed. Thanks
Thanks Lewis! 😀👍🏼
Good walking/hiking shoes and proper orthotics. Trust me on this, as a near senior who is kind of beefy. Your feet and joints will thank you.
Viking River cruises are basically 50+. They don't filter but it does seem to work out that way. On the ones I went on, my table mates were 100% nice.
I’ve had that driving around business- it’s obviously because they are trying to stagger embarkation times. And allow time for a ships clean.
Annoying but necessary
I was shopping at Goodwill (I enjoy thrifting) and after the cashier ran my items, she asked if I would like to apply the Senior Discount. I looked around but I was the only in line. "Me?" Huh...55 on up. I made the cut. Damn. Seems like I will qualify all over the place. Again, damn.
Haha! 🤣❤️
I was so excited when last in the UK to discover that I was eligible for seniors’ discounts - really made a difference for rail travel in Scotland
I haven't had any bad experiences with table mates but I'm the same, that's always my fear. We did have the 'earthquake sisters' we called them. They didn't use knives and just sawed their meat with their forks so while they were doing that, everything just shook. But they were very nice so it was more amusing than annoying. The table next to us, though, had a feuding couple one night. Well, he was just quiet and 'took it' but she was REALLY mad and just kept telling him off, she didn't care that she was sharing a table and the others were uncomfortable.
Oh my gosh 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
since watching this I think doing a river cruise is much more appealing than a full ocean cruise, hopefully, there are a few cruises where people in their twenties are allowed on.
Thank you!! I do want to do a river cruise. 2023!!!!
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
How about a review on the different types of stateroom in river cruiser. Any engine noise in rooms on the bottom deck or traffic noise from the upper deck? Engine smoke when it starts the boat?
I’d need to do a few more river cruises for that 😉❤️
You have such a pleasant personality
Thank you for introducing this wonderful place
Thank you! 😁❤️
I’m 60 and this kind of cruise appeals to me. 35 years ago not as much. It’s not the age, it’s the mileage.
This sounds ideal to me and as of this year I’m unfortunately old enough to go on one 😬. I’m in a wheelchair so I don’t think it would be possible, which is a real shame .
River cruises usually have a small lift inside. I’d do research to see if any are suitable for you
@@happytraveller2122 Oh thank you , I wasn’t aware of that !!! Good news 😊
I have friends that went on a European River cruise and had to bus to some sites due to low water levels in the river. Does that happen often?
When I was on a Danube river cruise the water levels were at their highest in decades so there were places underwater so we had to moor away from the regular stops and bus in.
It will be weather dependent
I associate locks with canals as in Panama. Was there a canal and if so, what was the name of it?
I reckon it's the Danube River.
Also called tennis shoes in the US, depending on the part of the US you're in.
Well, I think a lot of 50+ men love it when a nice good looking 25 year old woman joins the cruise....
They were lovely! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Gross
My husband is over 50 whereas I’m in my mid-forties we cruise Silverseas and I highly recommend it to all my friends/family! Have you ever been? If not, I’d take your father😂 that go round.
Nope! That sounds awesome though I’d give it a go 😀🥳
Sounds like you had a lot of fun.
nice video
Sounds like my kind of cruise.
And in Australia they're called runners, you can run in em
Running shoes in much of Canada!
Great video as always! Out of interest, did you feel unsafe in Serbia? I lived in Novi Sad for 3 years and visit very regularly and never felt under threat. But then I’m not a 50 year old woman. I am just interested.
Nope not at all, felt very safe. ❤️
The time wasting between landing and embarking is a requirement so that the ship can be cleaned between cruises.
Yeah, makes sense. 👍🏼🥳
Emma i am just wondering do u do different holidays then cruises 🛳? I love travelling i use to want to go on cruise that's why i started to watch cruise videos. But have to say the more i 👂 about all them restrictions regulations and rules along all that extra expenses on top what you already pay i change my mind and i never want to go on cruise. I rather go and pay ticket to Indonesia or Philippines and stay for month and still not going to spend what you pay for cruise .Just dont think is worth it 🤷♀️
I like cheap European city breaks and road trips around places like the US. You definitely could do that, I would much prefer a cruise though. No worrying about food or entertainment or transport, the cruise lines look after you and you’re never bored for a second. Each to their own though! 🥳👏🏼
@@EmmaCruises definitely i just can't see the beauty as u do Emma and i really try. 🥺
Watching thinking this is for old people, then remember I'm gonna be 50 my next...
Haha 😂❤️
11:11 was about to ask. well, what do you sneak in?
-jc
Haha I wish I could take a 50+ cruise as a 45 year old. I'd for right in with my bad knee.
Saga are ridiculously expensive. This 50+ likes Business Class flights and 5* hotels but Saga is terrifying LOL
I'm disappointed how much you lamented on the age group for the saga cruises. People completely underestimate how lively & fun most people in this age group are. This age group were partying in the 60's, 70's 80's and 90's. These were the foundation years of rock n roll, hippie's, disco, house music & raves! Their motto was work hard all week and party at the weekends. Some of them might not have the physical stamina to party all night but they definitely are interesting & fun people to be around. If I get the opportunity to go on a saga cruise I'm definitely going.
To be honest I thought that was the point I was making in the video, completely agree 😅❤️
A river cruise sounds like my speed. My wife is 40, and I'm 6 months shy of 40. It occurred to me that 55+ is just 15 years off. I think you mentioned you'd been on river cruises before. Are the non 55+ river cruises similar? We live in the US though. I'm not aware of river cruises here, but I'll have to look into it.
Yup! There are quite a few, especially on the Mississippi
^^ Yep! Quite different from Europe though 😀
50s over does sound almost more relaxful thank having little kids running and screaming around the ship🤔.... im still not 50 years young though😥
Delightful presentation!
Thank you! 😁❤️
Does Floppa have a cruise line too?
S.A.G.A 'Send a granny abroad'. It is the lack of kids which is a big plus.
🤣🤣🤣
Emma, did u cruise on the Luka Novi Sad? @5:25🤔
Nope was besides us 😀❤️
Have the river cruises started up yet or is the virus still got them closed down
A few have restarted 😀
@@EmmaCruises thanks Emma 😍😍👍👍
i wonder what your kareoke sounded like?
Another fun fact bout the Pelican, his beak can hold more than his belly can.
Fantastic insights, as always. One thing…pelicans prefer Pepsi Max!
Emma, river cruising is done by river boats, not ships, which are for ocean going voyages.
Hey George, the river cruise lines refer to these boats/ships as ships, so I do too 🥳
I'm new here. What does the background map indicate?
It doesn’t indicate anything, just a map of the world. You can see it here if you’d like to see more 😀🥳 The map is from here: enjoythewood.com/?rfsn=5433540.ccb51c 😄😍 (This is my affiliate link)
@@EmmaCruises Thanks. I'll have a look.
Cash speaks ⛵️
Are saga very strict about the lower age limit for guests? My Mum is desperate to go on one but doesn't want to go alone and I'm 2 years off 40 haha.
Yeeeeeep as far as I know, two years to wait. Haha. :)