Senior Holiday Travel

There are many types of vacations and most seniors have probably traveled by car or air to many destinations in North America. Another popular holiday idea is go on a cruise. In the last two decades, senior cruises have become very popular among retirees for senior travel options. Most people seem to think that seniors go on a cruise just to rest and get a tan.  The facts are that seniors are just as active as the young crowd and like to be participate on the many activities that take place on a cruise ship. However, prior to booking a cruise, you should know what you want from your senior cruises vacation. Do you just want a lavish holiday, or do you want to tan and relax at a spa, or you just want to dine on superb cuisine and visit many ports. You also should know what part of the world you would like to take your cruise vacation in.  Could it be Alaska, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or how about a Panama cruise?  There are so many amazing ports of call when you decide you want to take a cruise for your next retirement trip. Whatever you eventually decide, there is a senior cruise that will suit to your taste.

Senior cruises come as an all-inclusive package. One does not have to make their own bed; food of every type is provided 24/7. You get a chance to visit many different countries, get to meet different people, and there is plenty to do. You will not be bored on this senior vacation.  The experience on a cruise ship  is unique and definitely enjoyable. However, there are times when a cruise turns out to be a big disappointment. To ensure that you have a great trip there are certain things that one should check ahead of time.

Prior to making any booking, always compare prices between cruise liners and shop around for specials. With the downturn in the economy, there are plenty of discounts and deal for senior vacations on almost all of the major cruise lines. If you are budget minded, there are many ways to reduce your costs on a liner. Whatever your budget, you can book a cruise.  One of the determining factors is the kind of cabin onboard that you reserve. Take enough clothes to avoid laundry charges. Take a digital camera so you can take as many pictures as you want and not have to pay for films and development.

Check out where the liner stops and for how long? What type of food service (and there’s usually plenty to choose from on the menu) and entertainment (every single night) is available and is the liner safe? Does it have medical facilities on board?  The answer for this is usually and almost always, there are medical facilities, doctors and nurses aboard.

If you are a senior and have any type of disability, ensure that the cruise ship you book follows the Americans with Disabilities Act. The last thing you want is to get on a ship and find out that it has no facilities for handicapped individuals. If you have any special needs or request, call the cruise liner ahead of time. If you have special dining needs, many cruises also offer healthy dining options.

All seniors should bring an ample supply of their own medications as the ship’s physician may either not have them. Delays in travel can occur and you never know when you will run out of your medications. Finding pharmacies in many resort areas is not difficult but finding the right type of medication can be a real hassle and even very expensive.

Seniors should try and spend less time in the room and take advantage of what the cruise offers. Most cruises have tons of free shows, gyms, spas, outdoor activities, bridge, bingo, dancing, cinemas, and even a mini golf. Many ships offer special lectures or enrichment programs. Set-asides your money for excursions at the port of call. Some of the islands offer fabulous deals on anything from jewelery to cameras.  The duration of cruise for seniors is strictly personal. In most cases, a 5-day cruise is too rushed and more than 14 days might be too long.

The best thing about cruises for seniors is that the there are no multiple connections to be made; traveling to ports of call is without the hassles of packing and unpacking. Most cruise liners take care of you. You just have to show up and have fun. There is a cruise to fit every budget, so take your time in selecting what you want and where you want to go on your senior vacation cruise.

For the senior who has never been on a cruise, below are listed a few excellent cruise lines which offer a variety of discounts and deals. Princess Cruises has always been a top option for seniors. The cruise line offer top-notch entertainment, superb food, and excellent service. Carnival cruise lines have more on board activities than other cruise line and often calls on exotic ports. Celebrity cruise liners generally go to central and South American destinations and offer delicious food and service. Most visitors rate it as a great choice. Finally, there is the Disney cruise line that caters to both singles and families. Just like every thing Disney, the cruise offers top-notch entertainment and thrills that will last a lifetime.

All a retiree has to do is a little homework prior to contacting a travel agent or booking a senior cruise online. The internet has numerous travel agencies that do provide a lot of information. However, sometimes it is important to speak to a travel agent who is experienced in dealing with senior cruises. Many times, travel agents know of special discounts and deals for retirees who want to take a cruise for on of their next senior vacations . The next point is to have some idea about your cruises and itinerary. One can also visit many of websites that deal with cruises and get an idea of what is being offered and the types of packages deals.

Lastly talk to your friends who have been on a senior cruise vacation and ask them about their experiences. Find out details to help you select the best cruise for yourself.

Related Posts

• Senior Cruises to the Caribbean
• Senior Cruises to Panama
• Back from My Panama Cruise

Tags: Alaska, all-inclusive package, Americans with Disabilities Act, Carnival cruise lines, Disney cruise line, Panama cruise, Princess Cruises, retirement trip, senior cruise, senior cruise vacation, senior cruises, senior vacation, Senior Vacations, The Caribbean, the Mediterranean