Cruise the World: Best Options for Retirees

According to AARP, almost 65% of adults over the age of 50 wanted to travel in 2024, getting out and exploring new locations. One of the best and most convenient ways of traveling involves an all-inclusive vacation, such as cruise ships.

Seniors can choose from a variety of destinations, each boat boasting its own recreational activities. From nightlife to fine dining, there's no shortage of activities for older adults to enjoy.

This list focuses on the best cruises for seniors and retirees looking to travel the world in style.

What to Look for in a Cruise Line

Senior travel tips include researching a cruise line before booking. This keeps older adults safe while traveling and aware of what to expect on vacation. Always book with reputable cruise lines and read reviews before booking a trip.

Additionally, older adults should look for specific cruise packages for seniors, with all-inclusive items such as meals, snacks, and drinks. Are there onboard amenities that sound appealing? What about activities -- does the cruise ship have entertainment that sounds fun?

A good senior's cruise deal includes something that fits a specific budget, as it's important for older adults to set reasonable price points. Consider location -- when traveling abroad, cruises might be more expensive than something domestic, so older adults should always figure out what they're looking to spend and where they'd like to travel to before booking.

Additionally, seniors always check availability when looking into cruise lines, as this may dictate what ship they book.

Cruise Lines for Seniors

With so many cruise lines to choose from, selecting the right one can be challenging. Here are some reputable cruise lines to consider.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean features 26 ships that comfortably accommodate close to 90,000 travelers. These cruise ships travel all over the world and offer everything from relaxation to fine dining. Additionally, cruise fares are mostly all-inclusive.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise is an affordable cruise line that offers plenty of fun activities, keeping seniors engaged. Anyone looking to try a cruise for the first time should consider Carnival Cruise Line, as it features plenty of short itineraries. However, this cruise line is ideal for people looking to have fun, so it's best for seniors traveling with friends or family.

Benefits of Cruises for Seniors

Cruise ships have plenty of accessibility features to make any excursion perfect for seniors looking to travel. For example, they boast:

Accessible cabins
Wheelchair accessibility
Handrails
Elevators
Medical centers

Seniors benefit from the relaxation that a cruise ship offers, enjoying their experience. To further reduce stress, cruise ships have security measures in place, working to keep all travelers feeling protected.

Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises are ideal for seniors looking to enjoy the finer things in life. While enjoying this cruise line, older adults can experience delectable cuisine, perfect for anyone looking to try new food. Oceania Cruises also offers a packed itinerary so passengers always have something new to try.

When they're not tasting some of the best food a cruise line has to offer, older adults can enjoy longer port times, getting out and exploring each destination to the fullest.

For those who love stimulating games, Oceania Cruises has plenty of options available on board. This includes casino games such as craps, poker, blackjack, roulette, and almost 100 exciting slot machines to choose from.

Viking Cruises

Viking Cruises are ideal for seniors looking to explore a variety of oceans and rivers, and they even offer sailing expeditions. Typically, Viking Cruises are for older adults who are seasoned travelers and want to learn more about:

Science
Art
History

These cruises are also ideal for anyone looking to try new cuisine and experience local fare when traveling. When traveling with Viking Cruises, seniors can expect inclusive pricing, so they know what to expect payment-wise ahead of time. There are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy lectures while embracing shore excursions.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises offers tons of interactive itineraries to keep older adults engaged and active while traveling. This cruise line offers trips to the Caribbean, where seniors can relax and enjoy the local scenery. There are even river cruises in Europe, allowing adventurous travelers to explore new countries and cultures.

Aside from wonderful travel opportunities. Princess Cruises is known for its exceptional service, delicious food, and fun activities that keep passengers entertained the entire time they're traveling.

AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways and its ships mainly travel on rivers in Europe. However, this cruise line also offers other cruises, with retirement cruise destinations in South America, Africa, and Vietnam. On board the ship, some rooms come with French balcony doors, ideal for anyone with mobility issues.

These cruises are perfect for seniors who want to bring their family on vacation and boast plenty of amenities, including:

Wi-Fi
Excursions with each port
Food and beverage tours

When cruising with AmaWaterways, seniors will have plenty of onboard entertainment, making their trip a memorable occasion. As long as children are over four years of age, they're welcome on board, turning this adventure into a family vacation.

American Cruise Lines

Not all seniors want international travel. For those looking to stay close to home, American Cruise Lines is a great option.

American Cruise Lines explore the United States and its rich history and vibrant heritage. This cruise line uses riverboats that are either traditional or modern. It also features coastal cruise ships.

Seniors will love American Cruise Lines because the ships are all American-made and feature an all-American crew. Ships can hold just under 200 travelers, making this river ship cruise line one of the largest.

The Best Cruises for Seniors and Retirees

Cruises for seniors and retirees should cater to their specific interests, whether it's educational lectures or leisurely activities. It's also important to look for all-inclusive cruise packages for seniors, working to keep these excursions within a reasonable budget.

Part of the allure of cruise ships is the available activities. While traveling, seniors will have plenty to do, with tons of amenities at their fingertips. At Addington Place of Des Moines, residents are offered daily activities and plenty of wonderful amenities to keep them busy and engaged, including a senior fitness program, in-room dining, and so much more.