As the price of fuel rises these days along with travelers’ concern for personal safety and frustration over air travel, no place on earth seems more desirable a vacation spot than one of the seven seas. With seniors opting increasingly for this fantasy mode of travel, cruise lines are seeking attractive new ways to cater to them.

Depending on whether you choose a summer or winter cruise you will find a variety of exciting places to visit that you might not otherwise have considered, including: Mexico, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Alaska, the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, South Africa, Scandinavia, South Pacific, and more. There are also river cruises to be found on virtually any continent, if that strikes your particular fancy. Have you every fantasized about crossing the Nile River and exploring its ancient Valley of the Kings? Or maybe you would prefer to discover the inner waterways of Alaska’s natural beauty. Or how about a Rhine River cruise where you get a once-in-a-lifetime view of the historical castles once inhabited by princes, barons, and earls.

If any of these ideas titillate your inner wanderer, do some vigorous comparison shopping before you leap into a booking that you might later regret. Itineraries, accommodations, perks, and prices are all so variable that it takes a savvy and persistent traveler to stumble across the perfect package. Ultimately, nothing makes a trip more enjoyable than knowing you opted for the best possible choice. 

Why Cruise?

Let’s face it. Many of us prefer to travel by ground. These are the tourists who get up early, put on their walking shoes, consult with their travel guides, and spend the rest of the day covering as many museums, cathedrals, and historical landmarks as time will allow. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are those tourists who feel the “getting there” is as much fun as the “there.” And that is the kind of tourist for which cruise lines were created. So, if five or six square meals a day are what you are seeking, along with ocean breezes, sunshine, swimming pools, seminars, dancing under the stars, and Las Vegas-style entertainment—and you are happier getting your exercise on a treadmill than on the sidewalks of some exotic city, look no further. A cruise is for you.      

Cruise Lines Catering to Seniors

Below is a partial list of cruise lines to check out for itineraries and price comparisons. But don’t stop here if you don’t find what you want. The list of cruises with you in mind is long and accommodating. You can either go online to make a selection by typing in key words like: “senior travel” or “senior cruises,” etc. or you can call your favorite travel agent and leave the initial research to a professional. Remember, as a “senior,” you are likely to be eligible for discounted rates.

Princess Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Carnival Cruises
Royal Caribbean
Cunard
Celebrity Cruises

Cruise News You Can Use

There are ways to cruise for free. One option is to offer yourself as a guest speaker at one of the seminars given on board, and another—if you are a single male—is to offer your services as a dance partner for mature female passengers traveling alone who know it takes two to tango.