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Cruising as a senior isn’t that different than cruising at other ages. All cruisers are looking for a memorable experience, adventure, visiting new destinations and excellent dining. That said, there are certain issues that are applicable to older travelers, so if you’re new to cruising, read on to learn how to plan and prepare for your cruise vacation.
Small and midsize ships offer a much more intimate experience and have a relaxed, comfortable ambiance that mature travelers enjoy. Since they are smaller, they are much easier to get around than a big ocean liner. Viking Cruises targets adults 50 and over who are interested in culture, art, history and cuisine and sail on rivers, oceans and have expedition sailings. Regent Seven Seas ships are all suites and offers all inclusive pricing, including airfare, meals, all beverages (alcoholic & non-alcoholic), gratuities and most shore excursions. AmaWaterways sails both the Danube and Rhine Rivers but also offers voyages in France and Portugal. Their ships are elegantly appointed and have expansive public areas for viewing the river and shoreline. There are several other small ship cruise lines that we would be happy to answer questions about as well.
Shore excursions are offered at every port, and as mentioned above, some small ship and river cruises include shore excursions in their price. There will be a wide variety of options, so be sure to choose an excursion you are up for. Brochures will often list the level of difficulty or amount of walking involved in a tour, so pay attention to this. If you have mobility issues, check in with the special needs, excursions or accessibility department to find what is available to you. Having said this, we know that all seniors do not have mobility issues and many are very physical active. Some cruises will offer exciting iceberg trekking (like Seabourn) and Crystal offers excursions like hot-air ballooning, cage diving with sharks and many other exciting adventures. Excursions are a wonderful way to experience local history and culture and can be one of the most appealing parts of the itinerary you choose.
If you need assistance and/or have special needs, be sure to let your Travel Advisor know at the time of booking. Accessible staterooms are available on most cruise ships. Cruise lines also have Accessibility or Special Needs departments that can assist with embarkation/disembarkation, mobility aids on board, dietary needs, and a variety of other things. It’s important to plan ahead though, as items like wheelchairs are limited on board most ships and to accommodate dietary needs, the ship needs to be notified as soon as possible.
Never travel without travel insurance, is our mantra. Sudden illness, a missed connection, or lost luggage can and do happen. Having proper coverage can mitigate costs and provide peace of mind. Many policies offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance in addition to emergency medical. Having insurance means if you get stranded somewhere, due to illness, or other unforeseen circumstance, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost of hotels, meals, phone calls and taxis (depending on the policy, of course). Even if you have health insurance already, it’s best to look into what is covered and what is not to determine if you need additional coverage. Not all policies will cover you abroad. Manulife offers policies that have a “Cancel for Any Reason” benefit, but the policy must be purchased within 72 hours of making an initial payment on your trip, so don’t forget to ask us for a quote at the time of booking.
If you have other questions, want to explore itineraries or cruse lines, please contact us. There are so many wonderful options to make your vacation a truly memorable one.
Check out our recent posts: Three Kid-Friendly All-Inclusive Resorts We Recommend, Choosing a Stateroom on a Cruise Ship, LGBTQ+ Friendly Travel
Vacations for Canadians
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