Does not leave a good impression on first-timers!

You all have been so very helpful! My husband and I like activities but definitely do not mind being around an older crowd as we love listening to their experiences. We've lived pretty rough lives so we don't mind a quieter cruise lol. Again I didn't receive any notifications on receiving comments so I do apologize for the late response. I will be double checking my spam inbox to make sure they are not being diverted. 

JustMe we were actually given that same advice by another so thank you for reinforcing the info. 

Ken I will definitely be checking out those cruise lines. Though New Orleans does not have as many cruise lines that leave out as one would expect. Probably need to try a longer cruise as recommended! 

CruisingCM WE'RE NOT GIVING UP YET! ;) lol 

Already booked our next one on a different ship. Same line but a day longer than the last so optimistic :)

I'll echo other's sentiments... don't give up on cruising but instead try another cruise line. Princess, Celebrity both carry a more mature demographic. I'd also look at voyages of longer than 7 days and avoid school vacation weeks. 

I'm sorry that your first cruise wasn't a great experience, sure wish it had been the other way around for you.

Yea, you definitely have to be careful which cabin you select, as a general rule watch out for the deck below where all the deck chairs and tables are, although, as you acknowledge, some ships do have a lot sound protection between those levels, we have experienced that before when we were unable to select a more choice deck and cabin and noise was a non-problem. Also, try and not be under the fitness center or a deck where they jog, as the pounding resonates down, and even though they try to place time restrictions on such activities there are those who ignore the rules.

Actually, I prefer to be more forward than midship, we always go the balcony route, I like to be just behind where the bow wave begins, you get the best flying fish viewing there, so I pick balconies that look straight down onto the sea and not into someone's balcony. We don't have problems with motion sickness so the location forward or aft or high or low makes no difference to us.

Don't know much about Carnival as we only cruise on HAL, Princess and Regent. I notice from your remarks you aren't enamored by cigarette or cigar smoke. We have been staying away from HAL as of late since they are the only one of the majors now that still allow cigar and cigarette smoking on the balconies.

The cruises of short duration usually attract the younger element who like to stay up late and party more. Particularly around the "Spring break" times. They call these "Booze Cruises" Haw, and for good reason. These are simply not relaxing, despite what the lines like to claim. The large resort ships stuff lots of guests into tiny cabins at a low initial cost in order to get one out and active in their nonstop nichol and diming activities and entertainment.  But don't get me wrong, 50 years ago I would have been there with them.

The opposite is true as well, a lady I got to know at our fitness center once was really looking forward to her first cruise that her husband had surprised her with. When she returned I asked what she thought, "Yikes, nobody told me the ship would be full of old people, that is all I do every day is wait on old people." Turned out she was a hair dresser at a retirement home here.

You appear to be pretty congenial, so I bet you can find something that suites you, study the ship and cruise reviews but discount those that appear exaggerated, overly harsh or too romanticized. For us a cruise is an escape from the stresses and strains of life on land. It is, we hope, hassle free. It gives us a chance to sleep in the same bed every night and during the day a chance to explore new places and view some of the world's most beautiful horizons.

I like to say this to folks who are asking me questions and looking at cruising for the first time. "There is no such thing as a best cruise line or best cruise ship, only the ship and cruise that is best for you."

If your not party people and do not want a ship full of screaming drunks or children I may suggest that you up grade from the Fun ship.   Don"t get me wrong,  I love Carnival but I know what I'm getting into when I book on Carnival.  If I want a nice quit relaxing cruise with good food and service I'd go with Celebrity.  Each cruise line has its demographic,  Celebrity is upscale and fewer kids on board (but I have read of the 3 and 4 nights on Celebrity during spring break of being a party ship)  If you really want quiet and upscale HAL caters to the senior set.  

Best of luck with your next cruise,  as you said nothing like being on the water.  Please feel free to post in the form any questions you may have before booking another cruise.   Most of us here and friendly and helpful and happy to answer questions and give our opinion.

Enjoy cruising,

Once you are hooked you can't wait until the next cruise.

Thank you as well JonhG. Arfaid this blame is mine. I read many reviews on choosing a cruise and learned to get a room mid ship but the rest were about eating, shopping, and off ship suggestions. 

But these comments have been helpful :)

Mr chocoholic and John I apologize, I only received an email about the last comment and it took me directly to that comment. 

Mr. C We actually didn't realize that's pretty much all that was going to be the option on that ship. We hear people talk about cruises all the time but we never hear them talk about just drinking and gambling the whole time.

The water is so beautiful to be on; We're hoping maybe a longer trip as suggested below might have less screaming. Many of the visitors aboard were very nice; we just happened to get stuck by the few who like to scream in the hallway in the middle of the night. Also hoping our second try will have more shows and whatnot. 

Lol yes "location" is definitely right. We did learn that. We were mid ship but I didn't know until after to pay attention to what was above; I guess we thought those rooms would have had extra sound protection as in many hotels. We are not the partying type but we do love the water. 

Thanks for the tips! Hopefully we can find a quieter one on the next trip ;)

Cruising is a learning curve.  When booking a cabin it is like real estate,  LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.   When on the phone with your TA or the cruise line have your computer on and a copy of the deck plans open.  Do not take a room that is over or under public areas like the Kitchen,  bars, clubs Casino or open decks (yes they drag the lounge chairs around the pool at 5 am to set up for the day).  Do not take a cabin that is near a crew area entry door,  they will be coming in and out of it all day and all night.  Try for mid ship unless you like the rocking of the ship that you feel more at the front of the ship.  3 and 4 night cruises tend to be more party cruises with younger, louder and drunker guest.

The more you cruise and the more research you do on line about cruise lines and ships the more you can fine tune the cruise line, ship and itinerary that is a good fit for you. 

I would pay a return visit to the Travel Agent. Discuss your observations with the agent. If your agent did not know the layout of the ship or the demographics of the passengers, then this would be a great opportunity for the agent to learn from your experience.

Please cruise again, maybe try a different line, more lines will be sailing out of New Orleans. And have your agent research the cruise as well.

Wow. That's pretty strong. "If you don't gamble, smoke or drink..." That pretty much sums up 90 per cent of people who cruise. Reviews exist for people like you to read in advance what to expect aboard every ship afloat. Sorry that you had a bad time aboard a ship that I happened to like. Perhaps you should stick to those all-inclusive resorts ashore.