Cruise Travel for Seniors

Why Cruises Can Be Great for Senior Travelers

Cruises offer something many older travelers appreciate: you unpack once and your hotel travels with you.

Meals, entertainment and activities are usually close at hand. There is no need to change hotels every few days, repeatedly pack luggage or constantly arrange transportation between destinations.

But modern cruise ships can also be enormous. Walking from one end of a ship to the other several times a day can add up quickly. Ports and shore excursions can create additional challenges.

That's why smart cruise travel begins before you board.

Ask About Assistance Before You Book

If walking long distances, standing for extended periods or navigating stairs is difficult, tell the cruise line or your travel professional before you book.

Don't simply say, “I'm a senior.”

Explain what you actually need.

That gives the person helping you useful information and opens the conversation about the ship, cabin locations, embarkation, disembarkation and other available services.

Choose Your Cabin Location Carefully

Cabin location can make a surprisingly large difference.

A cabin that looks perfect on a deck plan may require a considerable walk every time you go to dinner, attend a show or return from shore.

Before selecting a cabin, look at where it sits in relation to elevators and the places you expect to visit most often.

Saving a little money on a cabin may not feel like much of a bargain if its location makes every day unnecessarily exhausting.

Accessible Cabins Are Different

Travelers who require disability-related accommodations should ask specifically about accessible cabins and the features they need.

Don't assume that every cabin—or every ship—has identical accessibility features.

Ask questions about the features important to you before making the reservation.

Embarkation Day: Ask Before You Struggle

Boarding day can involve terminals, security, luggage, ramps, gangways and periods of standing.

If you have a disability or mobility limitation and need assistance boarding the vessel, ask the cruise line about its procedures before your sailing date.

U.S. Department of Transportation rules address nondiscrimination and assistance for passengers with disabilities on covered passenger vessels. The exact assistance available can depend on the vessel, circumstances and legitimate safety requirements.

Mobility Devices: Check Before You Sail

If you use a wheelchair, scooter, walker or other mobility device, contact the cruise line before booking.

Ask about the ship's policies, cabin requirements, dimensions, storage and any restrictions that could affect the device you use.

DOT rules applicable to covered passenger vessels address the use of wheelchairs and other mobility aids, but individual circumstances and legitimate safety requirements can still matter.

Getting the answers before paying for the cruise is much better than discovering a problem at the terminal.

Ports Can Be More Challenging Than the Ship

A cruise ship may be relatively easy to navigate while a destination is much more demanding.

Shore excursions can involve buses, stairs, uneven pavement, long walks, heat and extended periods of standing.

Some ports may also require tender boats rather than allowing the ship to dock directly at a pier.

Before buying an excursion, ask what the activity actually requires.

“Easy” means different things to different people. Specific questions are more useful than labels.

Ask About Tender Ports

A tender is a smaller boat used to carry passengers between the cruise ship and shore when the ship cannot dock directly at the port.

If mobility is a concern, find out whether your itinerary includes tender ports and ask the cruise line how those transfers are handled.

Weather, sea conditions and legitimate safety requirements can affect whether passengers can safely transfer between vessels.

Senior Cruise Discounts: Ask Before You Pay

Here's one place where asking a question may actually save money.

Some cruise offers provide special rates for older travelers. These discounts are not available on every sailing and eligibility requirements can vary.

For example, Vacations To Go currently has a search category for selected cruise discounts available to travelers age 55 and older.

Don't assume the first advertised fare is automatically the best fare available to you.

Compare Cruise Deals

The Smart Senior Travel Guide mentions Vacations To Go , which provides tools for comparing cruises and searching last-minute cruise offers.

Its current search options also include selected discounts for travelers age 55 and older.

Offers change, so always compare the current fare, cabin, restrictions and total cost before booking.

Veterans: Ask About Military Cruise Offers Too

Some cruise promotions may also provide military discounts or onboard credits to qualifying travelers.

Eligibility and documentation requirements vary, so veterans and military families should ask what current offers are available before booking.

If you could qualify for more than one promotion, ask which available offer gives you the better overall value.

Don't Try to Do Everything

A cruise schedule can tempt you to fill every hour.

Breakfast. Excursion. Lunch. Activities. Dinner. Show. Another event.

Remember that the purpose of a vacation is not to complete every item in the daily schedule.

Give yourself permission to rest.

Enjoy the view. Sit on deck. Skip an activity. Take a nap.

Protecting your energy can make the entire trip more enjoyable.

Five Questions to Ask Before Booking a Cruise

1. What assistance is available if I have difficulty walking long distances?

2. Which cabin locations minimize unnecessary walking?

3. Does the itinerary include tender ports?

4. How physically demanding are the excursions I'm considering?

5. Are senior, military, past-guest or other discounts available for this sailing?

Frequently Asked Questions About Cruises for Seniors

Are cruises good for senior travelers?

Cruises can be attractive to older travelers because accommodations, dining, entertainment and transportation between destinations are combined into one trip. Large ships and shore excursions can still require substantial walking, so planning ahead matters.

Do cruise lines offer senior discounts?

Some cruise fares and promotions may include age-based discounts, but they aren't available on every sailing. Ask about current offers and compare them with other promotions before booking.

Can I request mobility assistance on a cruise?

Travelers with disabilities or mobility limitations should contact the cruise line before sailing to discuss their specific needs and available services. Don't assume every ship or port provides the same assistance.

What should seniors ask about shore excursions?

Ask about walking distance, stairs, uneven surfaces, transportation, standing time and other physical requirements before purchasing an excursion.

The Right Question Can Change the Trip

That's the central idea behind The Smart Senior Travel Guide.

You don't have to demand special treatment.

You don't have to struggle silently either.

Learn what to ask. Explain what you need. Ask about available assistance and discounts before you pay.

Sometimes a simple question can make the entire trip easier.

More Smart Senior Travel Help

Continue with Airport Assistance for Seniors , read our TSA Tips for Seniors , or return to The Smart Senior Travel Guide .