Best Cruises for Seniors 

As people get older and start thinking about retirement, the idea of going on a fancy cruise becomes more and more appealing. Many experienced travelers dream of exploring new and exciting places or relaxing on calm waters. Instead of just doing regular activities on the ship, older adults are now looking for big trips that offer unforgettable experiences both on the water and on land.  

Here are the best cruises for seniors who want to create lasting memories on rivers and seas. 

Best Cruises for Seniors 

Here are the 7 best cruises for seniors: 

Windstar Cruises 

Windstar Cruises is a top choice and offers the best cruises for older people with unique and intimate yacht-style cruise experience. Their ships are smaller, accommodating between 148 and 342 guests. Windstar Cruises are not exclusively for adults, guests must be at least 8 years old to sail, creating a sophisticated atmosphere. 

Windstar has two types of ships. Couples celebrating anniversaries may like sailing ships with open decks and romantic sails. Seniors who want more space can choose the 312-passenger yachts with suite rooms.  

Recently, Windstar’s Star Breeze, Star Pride, and Star Legend ships were renovated to include new suites, amenities, and dining options. The ships are equipped with elevators for accessibility, except for the Wind Star and Wind Spirit ships. Elevators and wheelchair-accessible suites make it easy for seniors with limited mobility to move around comfortably during the journey. 

Guests can listen to live music in the Lounge, learn how to read charts in the Open Bridge, and access the water directly using the Watersports Platform. Senior Guests can also enjoy dining at a restaurant by chef Anthony Sasso and take cooking classes with local ingredients. 

Windstar Cruises stands out by visiting ports that big ships can’t reach, allowing travelers to explore less-visited destinations. Windstar Cruises now offers exciting itineraries, including a Persian Gulf journey in 2024. Other destinations include Asia, Canada, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the South Pacific.  

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking’s ocean ships offer the best cruise for seniors because they are made for adults. Only people 18 and older can go on board. The activities are made for people 50 and older. These cruises are good for seniors who like to learn about science, history, culture, art and food.  

Each Viking cruise fare includes at least one shore trip in each port, meals (at an Italian restaurant and the Chef’s Table), drinks, Wi-Fi port charges, and government taxes.  

Viking’s ships have amenities like laundry, spa access, and 24-hour room service. The cabins have sunrooms and windows that open for fresh air, so seniors can stay comfortable even in cold weather. 

There are no casinos, and the entertainment is more about culture and relaxation. But there are also fun things to do, like an ABBA tribute show. Each ship has a library curated by respected bookstores and research institutions. Viking also partners with scientific organizations, bringing experts like scientists and guides on their trips.  

The ships have Scandinavian decor and are smaller, allowing them to get closer to destinations and spend more time in port. Viking is a luxury cruise line that travels to all seven continents. The trips focus on taking seniors to important places around the world, like UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  

The Viking Saturn is a new ship that travels around Europe, with popular routes like the Empires of the Mediterranean and the Danube Christmas Delights.  

Oceania Cruises offers affordable and best cruises for seniors on a budget. The cruise line has small luxury ships, with seven ships currently carrying between 670 and 1,250 passengers each. An eighth ship, Allura, will start in 2025. Newer ships like the Vista, the first of the Allura class ships, have rooms for wheelchairs and many places to eat. Oceania is adding solo cabins for solo travelers.  

Onboard entertainment includes music and dance shows led by Dancing with the Stars choreographer Britt Stewart. The Culinary Center is popular with seniors, offering cooking classes and teaching about different regional flavors. The ships have a country club-like atmosphere that is upscale but not overly fancy. Senior Guests can visit the spa for massages, steam rooms, and comfy lounge beds. 

Oceania sails to many places around the world, including Africa, Asia, South America, the Middle East, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, and Antarctica with most trips lasting 10 nights or longer, including world cruises up to 180 days.   

The cruise line offers excursions for adults, ranging from easy to strenuous activities like wine tastings and ATV rides. Onboard, guests can enjoy music lounges, bingo, and trivia. Holland America Line has pickleball courts and a spa for relaxation. The dining options include cuisines from around the world, with specialty restaurants developed by master chefs.  

HAL offer trips to places like Antarctica, South America, Canada, Alaska, New England, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Australia, Asia, and New Zealand, as well as a World Cruise that is affordable. 

Azamara Cruises

Azamara is a senior-friendly cruise brand that offers many perks included in the base fare. Base fare covers meals, drinks like standard spirits and beers, and some wine. Guests can pay extra for a better drink package with premium brands. The cruise fare also includes things like laundry, tips, and special cultural evenings with performances by locals onboard or onshore. Children are allowed, the cruise line prefers passengers over 18. 

Azamara has four ships that can hold up to 702 passengers each. Azamara helps passengers get on and off the ship and can arrange transportation from the airport to the pier with prior notice. 

The ships have rooms for people with mobility issues, and there are tours for guests with disabilities. Onboard, you can enjoy entertainment like music, dance performances, and special events like the White Night dinner. There are also activities like darts, arts and crafts, and dance lessons. Guests can also attend lectures through the enrichment program.  

Cunard Cruise Line 

The Cunard cruise line offers the best cruises for senior citizens who enjoy traditional cruising and offers a modern and fun experience. Cunard Line’s ships have been sailing between the U.K. and New York since 1840 and has a long history. Each ship is named after a British queen, like the newest one, Queen Anne, coming in 2024.  It has a formal atmosphere with dress codes every night. 

There are four stateroom grades, each with its own fine dining restaurant, as well as casual and specialty dining options for an extra cost. For solo senior travelers, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria have single-occupancy cabins, some with ocean views. Queen Mary 2 has ocean-view single-occupancy cabins as well. Accessible staterooms with modifications are offered on Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Mary 2. 

Activities on board include a library, pools, fitness facilities, live music, theater performances, and more. On gala evenings, guests dress up in tuxedos and ballgowns for themed celebrations like Masquerade or Roaring 20s. Accessible shore tours are available in many ports, with options for different activity levels and wheelchair users. 

The Queen Mary 2 offers regular transatlantic service between Southampton and New York. The Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria ships travel to Europe and other places, and all three ships offer world cruises.  

Regent Seven Seas Cruises 

Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line offers the best cruises for seniors seeking luxury cruises. Most travelers are over 55 years old, but sometimes younger children travel with their grandparents. Children are rare on board, except during summer and holidays. Regent cruises have 5 ships that go to over 45 ports worldwide, providing seniors with opportunities to explore many destinations. 

The cruise line operates very luxurious ships, like the Seven Seas Grandeur, which can accommodate 746 passengers. The ship has marble floors, an impressive art collection, and a very expensive suite called the Regent Suite, priced at $11,000 per day for a couple. 

Regent Seven Seas Cruises offer a very inclusive cruise experience, including airfare, accommodations, meals, drinks, tips, and most shore trips in the price. The other Regent ships are older but well-maintained and offer the option of having meals served in your suite if you prefer not to go to the restaurants.  

Regent Seven Seas Cruises even have fancy Sunday brunches with Champagne and caviar. They have accessible suites for passengers with disabilities on all ships, as well as easy-to-navigate public spaces, dining areas, bars, and casinos.