10 best cruise lines for seniors

Holland America Line

These mid-sized ships exude the charm of a classic cruise experience.

Known for its classy onboard entertainment and immersive onshore excursion options — with guaranteed price-matching — Holland America is the picture of perfection for those wishing to watch world class-performers by night and engage with cultural experts by day.

• Onboard activities: Live chamber music performances, casino, blues performers, BBC Earth Natural History content and movies
• Accessibility features: Deaf, hard-of-hearing and visually-impaired facilities, and wheelchair-friendly and modified-accessibility staterooms for passengers with limited mobility are available
• Best for: Solo senior travelers — 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

Princess Cruises

A favorite with older cruisers worldwide, its high-quality service is fit for royalty.

With a plethora of activities geared towards an older crowd, Princess offers exclusive discovery at sea activities, art history lectures, a golf driving range and made-from-scratch meals.

• Onboard activities: Culinary demonstrations, bingo, wine tastings, educational talks, original production shows, golf driving range, shuffleboard and dance classes
• Accessibility features: Princess offers wheelchair-accessible staterooms, gangways on most ships and some accessible shore excursions. Visually impaired and hard-of-hearing facilities are also available. Wheelchairs are not provided by the cruise line.
• Best for: Senior couples — vow renewals available onboard, with a certified minister

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean offers discounts for guests who are 55 and over.

There’s something for everyone on a Royal Caribbean cruise, from the smallest member of the family to the most mature. While the grandchildren play in the deck’s activity playground, you can put your feet up and dive into a good book on a quiet deck.

• Onboard activities: Adults-only retreat, spa, library and card room, language classes, dance classes, scrapbooking and guest lectures
• Accessibility features: Accessible staterooms are available, as are facilities for passengers who are Deaf/hard-of-hearing and blind/visually impaired. Assistance dogs are also welcome. Given prior notice, Royal Caribbean can customize your journey to meet your needs.
• Best for: Seniors traveling on a budget and multigenerational family cruises

Celebrity Cruises

A luxury cruise that offers a truly all-inclusive experience — gratuities and drinks are covered by your fare.

Celebrity’s indulgent ships feature formal foyers, curated libraries and upscale bars and casinos. Book a movable feast cruise to take gourmet cooking classes and dine with pro chefs atop the waves.

• Onboard activities: Lawn games, live entertainment, food and wine pairing workshops, hands-on art classes, lectures and language classes
• Accessibility features: Accessible staterooms, social areas and shore excursions are available, as are facilities for passengers who are Deaf/hard-of-hearing or blind/visually impaired. Given prior notice, Celebrity Cruises can customize your journey to meet your needs.
• Best for: Solo seniors and multigenerational cruising

Cunard

Ensuring that your journey is stress-free, Cunard serves afternoon tea and hosts gala balls and international cabaret artists in the evening.

A cruise with Cunard is more than simply a relaxing trip. It’s an enriching journey that lets you explore and learn about the world. 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 activities: Educational lectures, Shakespearean performances, musicals, dance clubs, swimming pool and gym
• Accessibility features: Embarkation and disembarkation assistance, accessible staterooms and tailor-made accessible shore excursions. Guests who are Deaf/hard-of-hearing and blind/visually impaired can be fully supported with notice. Assistance dogs are also welcome.
• Best for: Seniors, especially seniors with disabilities

Azamara

Country-intensive itineraries allow time to soak in each destination, with golf and holiday cruises available, too.

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.

• Onboard activities: Cabaret lounge, casino, themed parties, wine tastings, seminars and lectures, culinary demonstrations and a library
• Accessibility features: Wheelchair-accessible staterooms, facilities for guests who are visually impaired and service animals are welcome
• Best for: Seniors interested in extra time at each port

Silversea

The ultimate all-inclusive experience, your Silversea fare covers gratuities, onshore excursions and personalized butler service.

Silversea’s ships might be small — ranging from only 50 to 304 suites each — but they’re as indulgent as anything a full-sized liner could offer. Plus, you’ll be able to sail through narrower waterways to dock at boutique ports.

• Onboard activities: Enrichment programs with guest speakers, expeditions, onshore activities, pool, bar, spa, beauty salon and fitness programs
• Accessibility features: Wheelchair-accessible staterooms are available, but guests must bring their own wheelchair, and it’s recommended they bring someone to assist them.
• Best for: Seniors looking for an all-inclusive experience

Carnival

Sail on ships infused with youthful energy, with entertainment options that never end. Plus, get seniors’ discounts year-round.

If you don’t mind sailing with lots of families, Carnival offers a fun, fully-accessible experience without the luxury price tag. When it comes to shore excursions, you’ll always find low-key options.

Relax at the adult-only retreat when you need a kid-free escape. It offers reduced fare for folks age 55+ all year round.

• Onboard activities: Comedy club, culinary demonstrations, spa, live entertainment like game shows, music and IMAX movies, piano bar, karaoke, sports bar, night club
• Accessibility features: Fully accessible cabins available, newsletters and menus with large print (upon request), elevators, airport transfer shuttles with hydraulic lift transfers
• Best for: Seniors traveling on a budget and multigenerational family cruises

Bonus: pool lifts are available on the following ships: Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Vista and Mardi Gras.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Book longer routes and behind-the-scenes tours of standout landmarks. Enjoy all-inclusive pampering, with a 1:1.5 staff-to-passenger ratio.

If your idea of vacation is letting someone else worry about the deals, opt for Regent Seven Seas, which includes everything from gratuities to unlimited shore excursions 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.

• Onboard activities: Cooking classes, casino, fitness center and spa, live music, karaoke, trivia, reading in the library
• Accessibility features: Suites can accommodate wheelchairs and motorized scooters. Public spaces are easily accessible. Staff will work to tailor experiences to your needs.
• Best for: Seniors looking for a personalized, luxury experience and seniors with mobility restrictions

Viking

The adults-only cruises target curious individuals who are interested in the history, art and culture of each destination. Most passengers are 50+.

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.

The gourmet food and drink served onboard is all inspired by local cuisine. Engage with the resident historian online, watch TED talk screenings or relax in the curated library.

• Onboard activities: Guest lecturers, port talks, resident historians, destination performances, craft and cooking demonstrations, curated library, TED talks and special filmed performances
• Accessibility features: Some of its ships are more accessible than others. Contact its customer service team to get details.
• Best for: Seniors with an interest in history and art