What is the best cruise line for seniors? It really depends on what kind of senior you are. Some retirees are ready for adventure, wanting to conquer the world (or tick off the list of places to visit) with extensive travel and new experiences. Others want to use their work-free years to pursue their hobbies or broaden their horizons. Other seniors just want to relax and enjoy not having a schedule.
Whatever your vacation goals are, there’s a cruise line for you. And here’s the secret: The most popular senior cruises are often equally popular with younger cruise passengers. You’re not stuck with a boat full of elderly people – and you can travel with your family (when they have holidays!).
While any cruise line can be a good choice for seniors, here is our selection of the top five cruise lines for seniors.
List of What You Read
1. Holland America
Large dining room on Nieuw Statendam
Holland America has long been a popular cruise line for seniors looking for classic and elegant cruises. Middle-class cruisers prefer simpler activities – live music, shuffleboard, good food – at the expense of lavish blinging and crazy rides on the upper deck. Here you will find traditions such as ringing the bell to announce the start of dinner and serving pea soup on Alaska’s freshly baked glaciers.
Seniors who want to explore the world while remaining loyal to their favorite cruise line choose Holland America for their international itineraries, which include annual world cruises and longer voyages. Its central research department creates onboard events to educate travelers about the culture, food and attractions of their cruise region.
If Alaska is on your to-do list, Holland America has a long history in the area and offers multiple boat cruises each season. Land tours before and after the cruise include stations and train sets specific to Alaska, as well as routes in Canada’s Yukon that no one else offers.
The rhythm on board may be quiet, but that is not synonymous with boredom. Holland America’s commitment to live music has earned its trio of musical hotspots high praise: Billboard Onboard with its rock pianists, the B.B. Blues Club. King’s Blues Club, which offers Memphis-style R&B, and Lincoln Center Stage for the classics. His passengers accept the fact that you’re never too old to boogie.
Westerdam (Photo courtesy of Holland America)
Gourmets and foodies can mix their own wines, attend cooking demonstrations and make reservations at various specialty and pop-up restaurants for a romantic evening of fine wines and gourmet food. And older people who are tired of depending on their grandchildren for help can learn a few computer tricks at the entry-level workshops in the Microsoft studios.
For those who travel alone, Dutch America does its utmost. On the airline’s newer ships, there are several individual cabins for the price of one, and the event staff make sure solo travelers can meet, mingle and chat with the group.
2. Viking (Ocean)
As a new cruise line, Viking Ocean Ships quickly became a favorite among older customers. Older travelers appreciate the airline’s commitment to immersion in the destination, the variety of dining options, the well-designed cabins and the fact that there are no additional fees.
For older people who travel a lot, Viking is more of a destination than a series of quiet sea days. You can explore a new port almost every day, with one or more shore excursions included in each port. Cruise passengers can pay extra for special experiences, but they’re not obligated to spend a penny if they don’t want to. The itineraries also include at least one night in port so passengers can dine at a local restaurant or attend a cultural show in the evening.
Each ship in the fleet is individually built and they are almost all identical, so dedicated passengers won’t have too many surprises during a cruise. All cabins are spacious and feature thoughtful details such as king size beds, spacious showers, heated bathrooms, free movies on demand and balconies in every room.
Deluxe Verandah Cabin on Viking Sky
Viking is also aiming for a lower cruise fare. In addition to a free excursion to each port, the line includes Wi-Fi, all onboard restaurants and room service, spa suites, self-service laundry, and a variety of beverages (specialty tea and coffee, bottled water and wine, beer and soft drinks for lunch and dinner) at their rates. Thrifty people will appreciate the incredible value they get for their money.
Entertainment on board is discreet, but organized according to Viking’s target audience. To learn more about your cruising route, consult a local historian or watch a TED Talk. Enjoy live music in the common areas, an intimate musical show in Torshavn Hall or a Beatles rock show on the pool deck. Some ships even have planetariums.
If you are planning a multi-generational cruise with your grandchildren, think again. Viking has no policy for children and all passengers must be over the age of 18.
5 things I like about Viking Sky
3. Crystal
Some luxury lines impress with the quality of the food, the attentive service, the well-appointed rooms on board and the comfortable itineraries…. but the variety of entertainment is lacking because the ships are just too small. Crystal is one of the best luxury cruise lines for seniors, finding the right tone between total pampering and a wide variety of entertainment.
Crystal’s ships are slightly larger than those of their high-end competitors, which means more room for meals and entertainment. Every night you can choose between a great Broadway show in a theatre, an actor or cabaret in a small venue, a live duo throwing a party in an Irish pub in a bar, or even a movie in a theatre. Entertainment is the center of the line, not an afterthought, and Crystal makes the most of the space she has available.
The routes take you to many exotic ports, but don’t forget to spend many days at sea attending bridge master classes, mahjong games, ballroom dancing lessons (with male hosts for single women), conferences, golf courses…. Or days of relaxation and entertainment. Spend an afternoon at the spa and you’ll feel like you’ve found the fountain of youth.
There is also a wide choice of dining options. Transform yourself into a sushi smoker at Nobu on board, stuff your head with meat at a Brazilian churrascaria or try it all at a family dinner in the Silk Kitchen. Oenophiles can book intimate gourmet dinners in the wine room. Trident Grill’s snacks and burgers are also very popular.
Silk Kitchen in Crystal Serenite (Photo courtesy of Crystal).
Crystal has diversified into river cruises, yacht cruises and expedition cruises. So seniors who like variety can try out different boat types and routes without sacrificing the Crystal quality they have come to know and love. Riverboats sail the Rhine and Danube, intimate yachts enjoy relaxation in Greece and the Seychelles, and expedition ships undertake adventures to the Poles. Add annual cruises around the world and Crystal offers several ways to help you tick off this list of destinations.
