In many regions of the world senior citizens are viewed as persons with great limitations. While it is true that health issues may plague some senior citizens, most individuals are healthy, happy and very mobile. In fact, many seniors consider these golden years to be the prime of their lives. Cruise vacations have been so widely marketed toward families that one of the first images one may picture is a deck party with loud DJ music. There certainly is that element on most cruise lines but there is plenty of entertainment and excitement on board that seniors may find appealing.
Arguably one of the greatest concerns older persons may have aboard a cruise is safety. Many senior citizens and their family members are worried about the health risks of taking a cruise, particularly an extended cruise. If health safety is a concern, you should seek guidance from your primary physician. Just simple visit and your doctor may easily be able to determine whether or not you are healthy enough for the voyage.
Now that your physician has eased your health concerns you can begin to research the fun and excitement that awaits you on a cruise vacation. If you are unsure where to begin, the first step may be to consult with a travel agent who specializes in cruises. It is best to visit a travel agent that family or friends have recommended rather than picking one from an advertisement. The internet contains an infinite volume of information about cruising if you feel comfortable surfing the web. When beginning your research, examine as many cruise lines as you may find and read about their ships, ports of calls and all the amenities that they offer on board. The mass marketed lines such as Carnival Cruises, Norwegian Cruise and Royal Caribbean Cruise are likely the ones you are most familiar with from their advertisments. They certainly target family cruisers but they also have plenty of activities which seniors may find interesting. Some cruise lines such as Celebrity, Holland America and Princess are known to attract moe of an older demographic. That does not mean that there will not be families on board, just fewer typically then the mass marketed lines. There are other smaller lines which cruise the Baltics, Mediteranean and the South Pacific which you will be able to find if interested.
Once you identify a cruise line and an itinerary that looks interesting to you, begin researching the ports of calls and the particular ships the cruise line operates on the itinerary. When examining a particular cruise ship, you are encouraged to search for activities and services that you are attracted to. Is the elegant dining or the variety of activities most important to you? At the current time, there is not a large, well-known cruise ship company that offers cruises specifically for senior citizens. That does not mean that you shouldn’t take a cruise. It does however mean that you may need to spend more time researching your available options.
That is not to say that a senior must book a vacation only with similarly mature groups. There are many cruise lines which are geared towards both individuals and families of all ages. Many times, a family fun cruise has a more lively environment. Seniors, including yourself, may find this environment warm and welcoming. Better yet, plan the cruise to include children and grand children.
Once you have made the decision to take a cruise ship vacation, you may be excited to book your reservations. Refrain from purchasing tickets and making travel accommodations on a whim. Many seniors qualify for cruise ship and other travel discounts offered by organizations such as AARP, the automobile club, and other membership clubs. Even if you may not qualify for travel deals and discounts, you should still see if they exist. It is free to look. You never know if you can book a cruise at a discounted price.
Cruise ship vacations are a fun, exciting, and rewarding experience, no matter what your age. The ships are safe enough that you can even vacation alone. If you are concerned with your safety while traveling alone, you may want to invite family or friends to join you on this adventure. Enjoy your cruise and, BON VOYAGE.
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