Happy 18th Birthday Millennium Bugs!

Firstly, Happy New Year to all my friends, family, colleagues and readers!

They say the years get quicker the older you get, and 2017 has been no exception. It has by far been the fastest year of my life!

Despite being born in 1985, I remember the New Years celebrations strongest from the year 2000, the Millennium. So when I sit here and think, wow, that was 18 years ago! I actually feel ridiculously old!

Kids born that year can now legally drink, and the myth of the Millennium Bug turns 18! Yikes!

Millennium kids can also legally travel in their own cabin on British cruise ships, and it’s that topic which has interested me this week…

You see, the average age of the cruiser is coming down lower each year on many brands. And with prices coming up and then going down, cruising has become somewhat more affordable to the masses.

But is 18 too young to be cruising?

Well let me tell you, I started in this glorious industry when I was 19, and went on my first ship, Freedom of the Seas, soon after starting with my old firm, and it was that experience that has kept me in the industry all these years. Always had a soft spot for Royal Caribbean as a result – although they aren’t my favourite these days.

So the answer is no.

Although at 18 your not too worldly wise, you can still be shown what a bit of luxury looks like.

Cruising is the ultimate in aspirational travelling in my opinion, and frankly I think the industry has actually pushed me to want to do and have better. It makes you settle for nothing less than the quality of person you see yourself as. I think we all need something to aim for. Cruising and it’s high standards of holidaying experience did it for me all those years ago, and since then I have travelled on many ships, to many places, all because I saw something extraordinary so young.

What’s more is that cruise ships, particularly the newer and larger ones, have a plethora of entertainment aboard, literally something for everyone and every age group. Let’s be honest, at 18 we all enjoyed a big knees up and a good drink, and cruise ships now almost market themselves as floating eateries and drinkeries (not a word but it should be)! So it’s surely the ideal holiday for the young adults.

But………do we want them on the ships? More to the point, do the cruise lines?

But money is money right?

I remember going to Ibiza on the ultimate ‘Lads Holiday’ when I was about 20 – a proper 18-30’s fortnight to the party capital of the world – and the two weeks break cost me about £700 to go, but I spent over a whopping £1800 on club tickets, food, but mostly alcohol! Giving an overall spend of about £2500. Easily enough to fund a Med or even a Caribbean cruise with drinks on a basic cabin.

Would I have appreciated it then? of course, I was already working within the industry at that age. Would others in other jobs? Who knows.

Point I’m making is that if we saw it first, would the 18-30s culture be so much of a draw for younger adults. Would cruising change the drinking culture we are gripped by in the UK?

Perhaps a ship that is geared towards younger adults would be the answer?

I’d love to know what people think about this so I invite your opinions!

Thanks for reading and as always, until next time….