One of the perks of living as a retiree is the luxury of traveling. Even if you’ve yet to retire, wouldn’t it be nice to plan a cruise?

However, with the wide selection of cruises available, picking the right one can seem overwhelming and a bit taxing. You don’t want to book a trip that falls below your expectations.

Cruises come in so many types — different destinations, durations, and activities aboard the ship as well as on land. You want to pick a cruise that best fits you, especially if you’re opposed to cruises geared towards a younger generation or if you have medical or physical limitations.

Things you need to consider:

Before you even start scouting for the best cruise packages, here are a few questions you need to ask yourself first to help you narrow down your choices:

– How many days do you intend travel?
– Are you traveling solo, with a partner, family, or with a group?
– What are you looking forward to achieve from this trip?
– Do you have any mobility issues? Any health conditions that need to special assistance?
– How much is your budget?

You see, different ships offer different amenities, different services, and different facilities. Some cruise lines don’t offer the utmost convenience to passengers with disabilities, even though they have complied with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Yet, some cruise lines go as far as featuring hydraulic pool chairs in their pools as well as providing wheelchair accessibility. Some ships cater to multi-generation families while others are designed to exclusively accommodate adults.

Our Top 5 Picks for Best Senior Cruises:

1. Viking Cruises

Viking Cruise Lines is a privately held company. What’s interesting is that although this cruise line offers luxury service, they are listed in the class of small ships. As such they can travel to the same locales as larger ships but can also go places where larger ocean lines cannot go. Nevertheless, many of their guests commend the cruise line for its upscale service and amenities they provide. These services are inclusive in the fare. Among its many accolades, Viking Cruise ship Venus has been ranked #4 by Condé Nast Traveller in “The Best New Cruises in the World: 2022 Hot List”. It was also nominated #1 for “The Top 10 Large-ship Ocean Cruise Lines in 2020” by Travel + Leisure.

The Fleet

Viking Cruises takes pride in its nine ships for ocean travel. All of their ships offer high-end amenities and services while small enough to be able to enter places larger ships would have to avoid. Viking Cruises are known for their complimentary onshore excursions as well as their fantastic food experience. Known for large ship amenities on a small ship, most ships can accommodate 686 guests.

cruise ship atrium — Stairs and large video screen inside the Atrium on-board the Viking Sea

From the Viking Venus (built in 2021) grand amenities and exceptional food service to its unique itineraries and personal service on board, Viking certainly knows how to treat guests. The ships choose certain ports so guests have the opportunity to explore and immerse themselves in the local culture. Guests describe their Viking experience as intimate and breathtaking. Their Infinity pool is perfect for any senior who seeks a moment of detoxification and relaxation.

The Destinations

Almost anywhere you would want to visit.

The itineraries are spectacular. Decide what port you wish to visit and chances are Viking Cruise Lines goes there.

Why You’ll Love It

Accommodates guests with special needs and medical conditions

Medical facility with onboard physicians
Wheelchair accessible staterooms for guests
with special needs and limited mobility

Fantastic rates for singles
Onboard cooking school program
Spa services in the Nordic tradition

Guest lecturers
Resident historian for lectures and discussions
Accommodates special dietary needs (to be arranged a minimum of 30 days prior to sailing)

Complimentary onshore excursions

Other Unique Offerings

Amazing Evenings – experience local culture up close and personal
Land Discoveries – exciting shore excursions led by the world’s top tour guides

Nights and Cool Places – after dinner tours that include after-hours museum visits and live performances and visits to arts, architecture, and scenery experienced best at night
Guest Experiences – immersion into local culture including excursions to private ancestral homes, farms, historic estates, and villas that allow you to mingle with the locals

The Cost

Gratuities are prepaid upon reservation

Cruise rates are all inclusive, they include shore excursions and specialty restaurants

Upcoming cruises:

What: 13- Night Atlantic Ocean Passage
When: March 21, 2023, on board the Viking Star
Where: Embark: Fort Lauderdale-St. Marten-Madeira- Mediterranean Sea- Debark: Barcelona
Price: Starting at $3.499.00

What: 10-Night Classic Panama Canal Passage
When: February 1, 2023, on board Viking Star
Where:
Price: Starting at $3,349.00

What: 10-Night Temples, Jungles & Beaches Voyage
When: March 26 – April 05, 2016
Where: Embark: Fuerte Amador (Balboa – Panama) – Colon (Cristoba – Panama) – Cruise through Panama Canal – San Jose (Costa Rica) – Roatan – Belize City – Cozumel – Key West – Debark: Fort Lauderdale
Price: Starting at $3,799.00

In one word… Elegant.

2. Celebrity Cruise Line

With over 34 years of cruise experience, Celebrity Cruise Line certainly understands travel in its truest sense. In particular, the Celebrity Apex, built in 2020, exemplifies their attention to detail.

Every nook and cranny of the ship showcases the luxury ship. The lounges are opulent, and the dining is superb. They have specialty dining, main dining, complimentary dining. There should be no complaints concerning the dining.

They have an adult only solarium pool if you prefer some romantic time with just you and your partner. The rooftop garden is a few steps away. In addition, the pool is surrounded by a deck whose focal point is the ocean views.

The lounges are available to everyone on the ship. It is exciting to spend a few hours in the casino. Workouts are available in the gym and the machines are always beckoning you to work out. After a busy day there is nothing like lounging in the spa to work up an appetite for the coming dinner.