A cruise holiday is your ticket to the open seas. It’s an opportunity to see lots of places in one trip, sailing into a new port each day with a chance to explore new cultures and cuisines. And after a long day, you have the comfort of a well-appointed cabin to return to. What could be better? In this blog post, we explore why a cruise holiday is the perfect getaway for over 50s.
If a cruise is something you’ve thought about but never actually committed to, allow us to outline the many advantages of this type of holiday.
Armed with the details below, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about your cruise holiday.
The benefits of cruises
A cruise can take you to truly amazing places. From romantic river cruises down the Danube to solo voyages across the Atlantic. The world really is your oyster and this sense of freedom can be hugely appealing for over 50s who are looking for a holiday that offers adventure alongside home comforts.
One of the biggest benefits of a cruise is having a chance to fully unwind. You can fully relax by the pool or read in your cabin. Some cruise lines even have spas and wellness centres on board where you can book a treatment or take part in a fitness class.
Different types of cruise options for over 50s
There’s a cruise line for every travel preference. If you’re looking for bucket-list itineraries to places like the Galapagos Islands or Antarctica, look to Silversea. Alongside traditional ocean cruises, Silversea specialises in expedition cruises, with a focus on taking guests to remote places rarely visited by others. If you’re looking for five-star luxury, Seabourn might be for you. Its fleet of five ships travel to all seven continents and onboard, you can look forward to all-inclusive gourmet dining in partnership with triple Michelin-star chef Thomas Keller.
There’s also Saga Cruises, which offers a varied collection of cruises for anyone over 50. It has two ocean vessels – Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery – that set sail from the UK. Every booking offers a chauffeur service so you can travel from your front door right to the ship with ease and without the hassle of flying. Another benefit of a Saga cruise is its all-inclusive offering, allowing guests to make the most of the onboard bars, cafés and restaurants.
Whichever cruise you choose, you’re likely to find plenty of excursions on offer. These port days are an opportunity for you to explore the local area, either at your own leisure or accompanied by a guide. With Saga, Silversea and other cruise lines such as Fred. Olsen Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises, expect to find plenty of onboard activities including evening entertainment and talks, theatre productions, recitals, craft classes, activities and outside deck games.
Understanding Why River Cruises are so Popular with the over 50s
The differences between ocean cruises and river cruises are slight, but make a sizable impact on the travel experience. River cruises are often smoother and the vessels tend to be smaller with only 100-200 passengers on board compared to the larger passenger numbers you often find on ocean liners.
The more intimate scale of river cruises makes them more suitable for solo travellers or couples over 50. With fewer people on board, you can enjoy your cruise in relative peace while also getting to know your fellow travellers.
There’s a wealth of river cruise itineraries in and around Europe giving travellers over 50 a chance to explore a new place without venturing too far from the UK. This is helpful if you suffer from jet lag or adapting to new time zones. However, if you want to venture further river cruise holidays are also available in the USA and Asia.
Popular destinations for senior cruises
Whether you want to explore the fabled Mississippi River or cruise through Portugal’s winemaking region, there are countless river cruise routes that will take you right to the heart of a place. Or, perhaps you want to take to the seas on a Trans-Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean? If it’s adventure you’re looking for, Antarctica awaits with its colossal icebergs and encounters with wildlife. There are many popular destinations for senior cruises, giving you plenty of choice when it comes to booking your perfect getaway. And if you need help making a decision, we’re more than happy to offer advice. Simply call our Silver Travel Advisors on 0800 412 5678.
Ways to save money on senior cruises
Booking well in advance often comes with early bird savings. Saga has already released its winter 2025 cruise season so you can register your interest and start to plan ahead. You will find most cruise lines also offer discounts if you book in advance so look out for these promotions.
Many cruise lines will also offer reduced or zero single supplements at certain times of the year making this a great time to book for solo travellers. Keep an eye on our Silver Travel Advisor newsletters and social media for news of when these promotions are released.
While some cruise lines offer a fully all-inclusive onboard package, others require you to purchase items such as drinks, excursions, WiFi and gratuities. We’d recommend purchasing these in advance of sailing as this will work out cheaper than buying onboard. Most cruise lines will offer a bundle which you can add at the time of booking which is good value for money.
Making the most of your cruise holiday
Whether you’re travelling alone, in a group or with a companion, one way to make the most of your cruise holiday is to mingle with your fellow travellers. Particularly for over 50s, a cruise is a chance to meet like-minded holidaymakers and embrace the social aspect of this type of holiday.
A cruise is designed to give you freedom while offering many other benefits you wouldn’t experience elsewhere. For travellers over 50, a cruise is a perfect getaway if you’re looking for seamless services, a dynamic range of destinations to explore as well as plenty of opportunities to fully relax.
If you have any further questions about booking a cruise holiday, we’re here to help.
Read our Guide to What’s Best in Cruising for information and tips on which cruise lines are best for dining, entertainment, solos, unique experiences and more.
For a quote or booking enquiries, simply call our Silver Travel Advisors on 0800 412 5678.
One Response
Excellent advice