Cruise holidays are a great way to see several destinations in one holiday. Ocean cruises, in particular, offer so many options. The Atlantic Ocean, The Indian Ocean, or perhaps a world cruise? Are you happy to take a flight to join your cruise holiday, or would you rather sail from a UK port? And what kind of ocean liner appeals to you – small and boutique or big and bustling?
At Silver Travel Advisor, we are here to make cruise holidays easy and show the over 50s, 60s and 70s why ocean cruises are a fantastic holiday choice.
2024-2025 Ocean Cruise Holidays
Below is one of our favourite ocean cruise holidays. But there are hundreds to choose from.
For more options, search for your perfect ocean cruise holiday using our cruise finder or call our advisors on 0800 412 5678.
In search of the Northern lights with Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines
10 nights full board onboard Balmoral
Itinerary: Newcastle, UK | Alta | Tromso | Narvik| Alesund | Newcastle, UK
Ocean view cabin from £1,599pp
Includes:
- À la carte breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Lectures and talks
- Use of onboard leisure facilities
Valid for departure 09 November 2025
Alternative dates available
To book or for more information,
call Silver Travel Advisor on 0800 412 5678.
What our silver travellers say about ocean cruises
“My husband Clive and I chose to explore with Saga and to sample their new boutique ship, Spirit of Discovery. The Saga model of all-inclusive makes the experience very easy; transfers from door to door and travel insurance are included. Food is always exceptional on any Saga cruise, and ours was no exception.”
Sally Dowling discovers Iceland on a Saga Cruise. Read the full article here.
Ocean cruise destinations
Mediterranean Cruises
Sail the Med with popular hotspots, including the Canary Islands, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Croatia.
Northern Europe Cruises
Discover Northern Europe and the fascinating sights of Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Iceland.
Caribbean Cruises
Paradise is calling in the Caribbean with cruise ports on all major islands, including Barbados, Saint Lucia, Jamaica, and more.
Alaska Cruises
Witness unforgettable scenes of icy fjords, National Parks and the iconic Inside Passage in Alaska.
Transatlantic Cruises
Embark on an adventure across the Atlantic Ocean, sailing either from the UK to New York or vice versa.
British Isle Cruises
The waters surrounding the UK is brimming with possibilities, from the Scottish Highlands to the Southern Isles.
Australia & New Zealand - Pacific Ocean Cruises
Head down under to discover the sites including Sydney, Perth, Auckland, Christchurch and the tropical South Pacific Islands.
South America Cruises
Explore the vibrant and captivating lands of South America on an ocean cruise, including Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Galapagos.
Indian Ocean Cruises
Clear blue waters and endless sunshine await in the Indian Ocean. Sail Seychelles, Maldives, and the African coastline.
Far East Cruises
East meets west in the Far East, discover the delights of Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore and China.
World Cruises
See it all in one trip! Take a cruise around the world, stopping in a multitude of destinations across the globe.
Silver Travel Advisor Ocean Cruise Partners
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Ocean Cruise FAQs
Are cruise holidays good for single passengers?
Cruise holidays are a superb choice for single travellers. Many cruise lines have single traveller offers, including reduced or no single supplements.
Regarding what to expect onboard, whilst there’s no obligation, many ocean cruise lines offer ‘meet and greet events early on in the cruise to meet other like-minded single travellers.
For more on solo travellers, read our handy guide here.
Isn’t cruising just for older people?
One of the biggest myths about ocean cruising is that cruise ships are only for the elderly. According to the cruise line trade association CLIA in their 2020 report, the average age of a cruise passenger was 47 years.
Traditionally an over 60s holiday, some cruise lines have introduced new products to attract family and multi-generational groups.
The CLIA report stated that 18% of cruise guests were between 50 and 59 years of age, and 19% were between 60 and 69. 13% of guests were over 70 years of age.
Whilst world cruises tend to attract an older clientele. Expedition cruising tends to attract the over-45 audience. For more information on expedition cruising, read our guide here.
Do cruises still have formal nights?
As a rule of thumb, a voyage of fewer than seven days may have one formal evening. A journey of seven nights or more tends to have two or more formal evenings. Many cruise lines will have dedicated restaurants for those who wish to join formal night, and dining venues will likely be recommended for those who would rather not dress up.
If you’re on an Indian Ocean cruise or sailing in crystal clear waters on a South Pacific cruise, you might feel out of sorts in an evening gown and tuxedo – as would we! You’ll find cocktail dresses and jackets for men are perfectly acceptable. Check your cruise line’s gala evening dress code if you have any doubts.
What is a cruise and stay holiday?
Simply put, a cruise and stay holiday offers you the chance to add a hotel or tour before or after your cruise. If you’re still unsure whether cruising is for you, then a cruise and stay holiday is the perfect option to offer a tailor-made combination of a holiday on land before venturing out to sea for a few days.
Some overseas ports, particularly in the Caribbean and USA are especially popular as cruise and stay holiday destinations. Who wouldn’t want to continue their trip for a week in Barbados and on a cruise!
Will I get seasick?
It’s impossible to say you won’t get seasick, but the reality is very few people suffer from it onboard. A cruise holiday has one of the highest repeat bookings, so if it was a significant problem, it’s unlikely that cruising would be so popular.
If you’re still concerned, there are both over-the-counter options, such as sea bands, and natural remedies for you to consider (we’re told green apples and ginger help!).
Our tips for anyone worried about motion sickness include:
- booking a mid-ship stateroom, as the middle of the ship has less movement
- Choosing a voyage in calmer seas or a voyage with fewer sea days – you might want to avoid the Atlantic Ocean crossing as a first timer!
- A balcony allowing fresh air will certainly help
- Look out for one of the newer ships as they will have the latest technology designed to improve stability
What’s the food and drink like onboard?
There’s a saying there’s a cruise for everyone, which goes too with the food options on many cruise lines – there’s something for everyone. It’s important to understand what is included in your cruise fare as some cruise lines charge extra for their ‘speciality restaurants’ or ‘speciality drink packages. In contrast, the ultra-luxury cruise lines offer all-inclusive ocean cruises.
The variety of food and restaurants on offer range from international all-inclusive buffets to fine dining restaurants and celebrity chefs. Dining is considered an experience with cruise lines attempting to outdo each other with their offering.
Each cruise line will publish its dining options daily, advising guests which restaurants are open at what times. It’s likely that breakfast and lunch will be a buffet or waiter service choice, depending on what venues are open. Dinner could be at a set time for those who opt to make reservations with several tables left for walk-up guests.
Popular speciality dining restaurants tend to get booked up quickly so if there’s a particular venue you want to try, we’d recommend booking well in advance. However, free dining is now widely accepted as people want to choose who they dine with rather than be pre-allocated tables. Cruise lines do vary, and there’s so much choice available onboard, our team are happy to offer further guidance.
How easy is it to explore when in port?
There’s no easy answer, as it depends on what ports are included in your journey. As an example, the stunning Italian port of Portofino is only accessible via a tender from a cruise ship, whereas the cute town of Skagway Alaska is an easy stroll from where the cruise liners dock. Inevitably some ports have a more industrial feel; in this instance, many cruise lines arrange complimentary coach transfers to the town centre.
Certain ports are extremely popular, with taxis lining up, ready to take guests further afield. We would also recommend pre-booking any ‘must visit’ excursions as waiting to book whilst onboard your voyage may result in disappointment if the tour is full.
Ocean Cruise Articles
Featured articles
For more ideas, inspiration and advice on ocean cruising, you might also like to take a look at articles from our travel writers on their adventures:
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