From onboard musicals and expert lectures to immersive excursions that are guaranteed to get you back to the ship on time, these cruises for seniors offer the perfect blend of adventure and comfort. Our team of travel experts has spent hundreds of hours researching dozens of senior cruises to find lines that offer itineraries, activities and excursions geared specifically toward older folks, with strong reputations for stellar customer service.
Do I need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to go on a cruise?
Maybe. Some cruise lines, like Norwegian and American Cruise Line, are requiring all passengers and staff to be fully vaccinated before stepping aboard. But not all cruise lines are requiring COVID-19 vaccinations, and most cruise lines are only requiring passengers to be vaccinated during a specific window of time. After the pandemic is over, these requirements may be waived. Be sure to read through coronavirus precautions and safety policies before booking your cruise.
There are amazing river cruises for seniors in the US and abroad, on almost every continent. To help narrow down your options, first decide where you want to go (or which river you want to sail). Are the picturesque villages of Europe calling your name, with castles perched on cliff sides and vineyards on rolling hills? Or are you in the mood to see pyramids in Egypt with your own eyes? Do you want to sail by rice paddies and pagodas in South Asia or see exotic tropical flowers in the Amazon rainforest?
To get your imagination whirring, here are four of our favorite river cruise itineraries for seniors.
Sail away amid minimalist Scandinavian design with plenty of natural light. Viking’s elevated selection of shore excursions include trips to opera houses, world-renowned galleries and dazzling churches. You’ll be in good company, as most passengers are 50 or older.
The gourmet food and drink served onboard is all inspired by local cuisine. Engage with the resident historian, watch TED talk screenings or relax in the curated library.
Best for: Seniors with a special interest in history and art.
Known for bringing guest lecturers, historians and cultural performers aboard to enhance your experience.
This cruise line has a reputation for perfectly pleasant voyages down some of the world’s most majestic rivers, including the Amazon, Ganges, Mekong, Nile, Rhine, Danube and more. Pay extra for a Panorama Suite and you’ll get a floor-to-ceiling window to watch the world go by from the comfort of your cabin.
Avalon Waterways include shore excursions, Wi-Fi, onboard activities and locally-sourced wine with most meals. The library comes well-stocked, the beds are customizable (choose how firm or soft the mattress and pillows are) and it offers breakfasts for early and late risers, so you can start the day at your leisure.
Best for: Seniors that want good overall value and complimentary shore excursions.
Known for its curated selection of themed cruises, like photography, culinary, history, Jewish heritage, garden and even a cruise themed for the Outlander series.
Deal — It waives the single supplement on select cruises. Couples can get up to $1,500 off select cruises.
TThese classic cruises through the US combine educational activities with enriching entertainment, gracious service and a complimentary cocktail hour for a laidback, inspiring experience. You’ll feel like a VIP with complimentary hotel stays for before and after your trip, along with transfers to and from the port.
Every cabin has its own private balcony, so you can unwind in peace and quiet when you need a break from the bustle of public areas. Its 35 itineraries visit 28 states, and all of American Cruise Line’s ships were made right here in the USA. It has themed cruises for the American Revolution, Music Cities and more.
Best for: History buffs, anthropology nuts and cruisers with a keen interest in American culture.
Known for educational voyages through the heartland, New England, Puget Sound, Alaska and more.
All ships are wheelchair-accessible.
Tauck
Tauck aims to surprise and delight its passengers with special shore excursions that you won’t find anywhere else, like prepaying for pastries as a hole-in-the-wall patisserie in Paris and arranging private operatic performances in Austria. Soak in the hot tub on deck, enjoy regionally-inspired meals and relax into complimentary transfers to and from the port.
Choose Tauck if you’re looking to check exotic destinations off your bucket list, like the Galapagos Islands, Iceland, the Norwegian Fjords, the Panama Canal, Antarctica and more. Not only does Tauck emphasize authenticity and adventure, it’s also all-included and luxurious.
Best for: Seniors that want an immersive experience in foreign cities, in the company of expert guides.
Known for unique shore excursions that get to the heart of every destination.
Deal — No single supplement on all European river cruises. Discounted supplements on other other river cruises and tours.
Best ocean cruises for seniors
Just like river cruises, you can book ocean cruises that depart from ports near and far, whether you want to see the Hubbard Glacier in Alaska, dolphins in the Caribbean sea, or rich coral reefs around Australia. Our favorite ocean cruise itineraries for seniors dock at less touristy ports and take their time meandering from place to place, so you have time to really experience the essence of the region you choose.
Cruise line
Cruise
Itinerary
Price
Holland America Line
Southern Caribbean Wayfarer — 11 days
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Philipsburg, Saint Maarten
Castries, Saint Lucia
Soufriere Bay (cruising)
Bridgetown, Barbados
Fort-De-France, Matrinique
Mount Pelee (cruising)
Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
From $1,349 per person
Celebrity Cruises
Pacific Coastal Cruise — 8 nights
Vancouver, British Columbia
Astoria, Oregon
San Francisco, California
Santa Barbara, California
Catalina Island, California
Los Angeles, California
From $1,451 per person
Azamara
Israel Intensive — 10 nights
Piraeus (Athens), Greece
Limassol, Cyprus
Haifa (Nazareth), Israel
Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel
Heraklion (Iraklion), Greece
Piraeus (Athens), Greece
From $2,694 per person
Regent Seven Seas
New York to Montreal— 10 nights
New York, New York
Newport, Rhode Island
Boston, Massachusetts
Bar Harbor, Maine
Saint John, New Brunswick
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Gulf of St. Lawrence (cruising)
Quebec City, Quebec
Montreal, Quebec
From $7,699 per person
Best ocean cruise lines for seniors
Holland America Line
These mid-sized ships exude the charm of a classic cruise experience, at a budget-friendly rate. Known for its classy onboard entertainment, like chamber music performers, blues musicians, BBC Earth Natural History presentations and destination-themed movies, Holland America Line offers a mellow ride to popular, tourist-friendly cities around the world.
Best for: Single seniors looking to make friends. Holland America Line offers a Single Partners Program where solo travelers can meet and be matched by gender to share double occupancy rooms to avoid single supplements.
Known for low prices and routes that visit picturesque cities in the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii and beyond. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to pay extra for shore excursions.
Celebrity’s indulgent ships feature formal foyers, curated libraries and upscale bars and casinos. It offers entertainment and activities inspired by your itinerary, from food and wine pairing workshops to hands-on art classes, lectures and language classes. Book a movable feast cruise to take gourmet cooking classes and dine with pro chefs atop the waves.
Book a suite if you want to be pampered by a European-style butler. Gratuities, drinks and Wi-Fi are always included in your fare.
Best for: Seniors that are cruising with multigenerational families. It has adults-only lounge areas and STEM clubs for the kids.
Known for family-friendly cruises with elevated dining options and a certified sommelier in every restaurant.
Cunard’s cruises evoke visions of a bygone era — genteel, sophisticated and refined, complete with afternoon tea. Cunard hosts gala balls and international cabaret artists in the evening. Its ships feature guest speakers who are experts in the fields of filmmaking, politics, science, history and more — perfectly themed for the regions you’ll travel to.
Onboard, attend educational lectures, Shakespearean plays and musicals. Join a dance club to learn new moves, loosen your joints in the summing pool or simply enjoy relative peace and quiet on the deck.
Best for: Seniors cruisers in search of old world charm and elegance.
Known for white glove service at evening meals and a sparkling bottle of wine in your stateroom upon arrival.
Azamara offers slower itineraries designed to help you access the authentic culture of each destination, with golf and holiday cruises available, too. Expand your horizons onboard at wine tastings, themed seminars, culinary destinations and a cozy, curated library.
With Azamara, you’ll enjoy longer stays at each destination than with most cruise lines, so you can truly immerse yourself in your new surroundings. To top that, Azamara’s fleet of award-winning ships welcomes a maximum of only 690 guests per ship — so you don’t need to worry about being lost in a crowd of thousands, like with Carnival or Royal Caribbean.
Best for: Seniors that want more time at each port.
Known for itineraries that include overnight stays on land, in addition to your time at sea.
Deal — 50% off single supplements on select voyages.
Silversea
Silversea’s ships are intimate, with 50 to 304 suites depending on the ship, and offer personalized indulgence to match, with butler service included in your fare. Because of its small vessels, Silversea can dock at niche ports in remote villages and lesser-known towns that large cruise lines simply can’t access. It’s like traveling the world on a friend’s yacht, with free-flowing champagne and caviar.
Every cabin has an ocean view, and there are specialty restaurants for when you want to splurge on a particular feast. Most of your fellow passengers will be over the age of 60.
Best for: Seniors looking to indulge in true luxury.
Known for white-glove sophistication and excursion specialists who help you plan your perfect day at every port.
Regent Seven Seas includes roundtrip flights to and from your home base in the price of all its cruises. It’s a wonderful choice if your idea of vacation is letting someone else worry about the details, as everything from shore excursions to gratuities are included in the fare. Its grand voyages and world cruises last from one to three months or even longer if you’ve got ample time to retire and relax above the waves.
For entertainment, there’s a casino, fitness center and spa, karaoke, trivia and a curated library. There’s afternoon tea and even a put-put green for cruisers that want to practice their swing.
Best for: Seniors who are willing to pay extra for a tailor-made experience and superior customer service.
Known for a 1:1.5 staff-to-passenger ratio, for personalized service whenever you need it.
When choosing cruises for this list, we looked at cruise lines that offer activities and services especially for senior travelers, prioritizing companies that take special care to customize the experience based on the individual needs and potential limitations of each passenger. We favored cruise lines that supply stimulating educational resources and entertainment, both onboard and ashore.
Additionally, we weighed the quality of onboard dining and cabin amenities against each price point, looking for cruise lines that are known to deliver the highest value. Finally, we sought out customer reviews written by senior travelers, considering first-person experiences and each company’s overall reputation.
Best cruises for single seniors
Most cruise lines charge a “single supplement” if you’re traveling alone and don’t want to share a cabin with a friend or roommate. These cruise lines either waive the single supplement or offer a steep discount:
Tauck. You won’t pay a single’s supplement on any of Tauck’s European river cruises in category one cabins. On river cruises in North America, it offers steep discounts for singles that don’t want to share a cabin. Head to Tauck’s website and click Tours & Cruises then Ways To Travel then Solo to learn more.
Avalon Waterways. It waives the single supplement on select cruises.
Azamara. It offers 50% off single supplements on select voyages.
Cunard. Each of its ships has at least nine cabins for solo occupants, plus onboard activities like speakers, musicals and Shakespearean plays to entertain.
Silversea. The single supplement is only 10%, and you’ll be assigned a personal butler in an ocean-view suite. It also has a Gentlemen Hosts program for single women that would like to dine and dance in polite, friendly company. Shore excursions all feature small groups.
Which cruise lines offer discounts for seniors?
These cruise lines offer discounts for seniors aged 55 and over on select sailings:
Carnival
Celebrity Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
AARP cruise discounts
While AARP doesn’t offer cruise discounts, you can get up to $300 in onboard credit on select routes to the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska and more with Celebrity Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Royal Caribbean and more. You’ll need to book the trip through Expedia’s AARP Travel Center or over the phone by calling 1-800-675-4318 to get the onboard credit.
Which cruises are best for seniors with disabilities?
These cruise lines stand out for ships that can easily be navigated in a wheelchair or scooter, and staff that works to make folks with disabilities feel right at home. You can book wheelchair-accessible cabins and wheelchair-friendly shore excursions:
Carnival
Celebrity
Cunard
Holland America Cruise Line
Princess
Safety tips for seniors booking a cruise
To make sure your experience on board is just as comfortable as on land, be sure to consider:
Onboard accessibility. Many lines offer wheelchair-accessible rooms and gangways. But keep in mind that if you need assistance for personal tasks such as eating, bathing and grooming, you’ll need to bring along someone who can help. If you’ll need a wheelchair to move around once aboard, consider bringing your own or renting through a third-party vendor, as most cruise lines don’t have wheelchairs available for rent after you board.
Port accessibility. Not all port excursions have facilities for those with mobility difficulties. If this is a factor for you, consider talking to a customer service representative before booking your cruise to make sure you’ll have a smooth experience moving from ship to shore.
Port excursions. Choose a cruise line that offers port excursions that meet your interests and mobility level. For instance, if you prefer lower levels of physical activity, look for itineraries that include shore excursions via shuttle or tour bus.
Do I need travel insurance for my cruise?
It depends on the level of risk you’re willing to assume. Weigh the cost of travel insurance against your personal risk factors, like potential illness and schedule conflicts, to decide whether or not you should invest in the plan. We suggest getting a quote on travel insurance policies for cruises to decide whether it’s worth making room for in your budget.
Bottom line
The best cruises for seniors offer accessible cabins and personalized service with an eye towards empathy to ensure you have a spectacular experience, regardless of age. We recommend booking with American Cruise Line for Mississippi river cruises, Viking for educational cruises with excellent value and Holland America Line if you want to cruise the seven seas on a budget.
Traveling during COVID-19
The CDC continues to advise caution when traveling within or outside the US, However, it no longer requires self-quarantine or a COVID-19 test for fully vaccinated domestic travelers as of April 2021. International travelers need to get tested three days prior to flying out of the US and within three days after returning, even if you are fully vaccinated. It recommends that you delay travel if you’re not fully vaccinated to protect yourself and your family from getting or spreading the virus.
If you’re planning a trip outside the US, bear in mind that many countries have placed restrictions on US tourists. Check the US embassy website for updates before booking international travel.
Deals on senior cruises
Deal
Disney cruises from $705 per person to the Caribbean
Up to $1,000 to spend on board with Norwegian Cruise Line
Just book your next cruise vacation with Priceline Cruises and get up to $1,000 to use as a liquor, dining, and spa credit, along with other purchases made on the ship! T&Cs apply.
Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for a range of travel publications including Thomas Cook Magazine and Showpo. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and has visited over 50 countries (and counting). She has a passion for sharing her experiences and knowledge of travel and helping consumers stretch their travel cash while on holiday.
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