Senior Cruises
If you believe your senior vacation should be more about the journey than the destination, senior cruises are perfect for you. Senior cruises are great for group travel or for single seniors; each cruise provides different fun and exciting experiences at sea.
Senior cruises can last between 3 to 17 days, with closer destinations being the shorter and trips across oceans taking more time. Full of casinos, bowling alleys, skating rings and all other sorts of fun, you may forget you’re on a cruise ship!
Departures
No matter where you live, except if you are land-locked, you should be within driving distance to your departure city. As cruises continue to gain popularity, they have expanded to more ports, making your senior cruise closer than you may think. Whether you are on the east, west or south coasts, you can find a departing port to take you on a senior cruise to the destination of your choice. From Miami to Lisbon or New York to London, seniors’ cruises can fit you itinerary.
Popular departing cities include:
- East Coast
- Baltimore
- Boston
- Charleston
- Ft. Lauderdale
- Miami
- New York City
- Port Canaveral
- Tampa
- West Coast
- Los Angeles
- Long Beach
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Seattle
- Gulf Coast
- Galveston
- Houston
- New Orleans
- Canada
- Montreal
- Vancouver
Destinations
Quite possibly the hardest decision you will have to make for your senior cruise is your destination. Luckily, depending on the type of vacation you enjoy, there are many options available. If you like lounging on the beach, you have your pick of many tropical islands or if you want more of a city feel, the Mediterranean might be a better choice. Alaskan senior cruises are only available between May and September.
Popular Destinations
- Bahamas
- Mexico
- Caribbean
- Bahamas
- Bermuda
- Alaska
- Northern Europe
- Southern Europe/Mediterranean
- Hawaii
- Panama Canal
- South Pacific
- Orient & Far East
- South East Asia
- Africa
Cruise Lines
Just like using senior air travel airplanes, the boat you choose for your senior cruise may offer different options than another company. Many cruises have all-inclusive packages where you can participate in scheduled excursions off the ship, while others have a more laidback feel and allow you to attend dinner and entertainment on and off the ship at your leisure.
The all-inclusive cruises vary the items included with their price, but more and more are throwing in pre-paid gratuity, top-shelf alcohol and open bars throughout the cruise. If you are not much of a drinker, you can save money by going with an a la carte cruise while still enjoying the benefits of being out in the open sea.
Also, if you are more of an adventure seeker, senior cruises on a small ship might bring you the challenges you desire in a vacation.
Mainstream Cruise Lines
- Carnival Cruise Lines
- Celebrity Cruises
- Disney Cruise Line
- Princess Cruises
- Royal Caribbean International
Luxury Cruise Lines
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- SeaDream Yacht Club
- Crystal Cruises
Senior Travel Deals on Cruises
Consider booking an inside cabin on your senior cruise if you want to save money and avoid motion sickness. You won’t have a view of the miles and miles of water around you, and keep in mind there is so much to do on a cruise that most of the time in the room will just be spend sleeping! No matter what you are quoted for your senior cruise, a good rule of thumb to figure how much you will spend after tipping, drinks and food is to take the number and double it.
To read more about senior cruise travel deals read Travel Deals on Cruises for AARP Members Online!
Safety
Cruise ships are not equipped as hospitals and can only sustain you while at sea. If you have health issues, a cruise may be out of the question. Also, be sure to inquire about age restrictions as some cruises may have a minimum and maximum age limit. It would be terrible if you wanted to bring the newborn grandchild, only to find out they have an age minimum of 12 months.
Set Sail!
Senior cruises can be unlike any vacation you have ever taken before. Not only can the destination be relaxing, beautiful and exciting, but the journey can be just as much fun and rewarding. Set sail on your senior cruise today.
