A relaxing, luxurious cruise vacation is a great way to spend some free time. Seniors planning a cruise trip for the first time or just prefer smaller ships can benefit from choosing river cruises over ocean voyages, which typically consist of lengthier itineraries and large vessels. River cruises also allow seniors to explore the heartlands of the country. With many such options available today, seniors can begin by considering popular river cruises and their packages.
1. Viking river cruises
Often considered among the best river cruises for older adults, Viking has many trips to choose from, including Rhine River and Danube River packages. The cruise line offers exclusive dining experiences alongside excursions that seasoned travelers generally appreciate. With Viking’s river voyages, seniors can enjoy spending more time at each port. For instance, when booking a Viking Mississippi River cruise, seniors would get to explore a new city or town along the river bank each day, take walking tours, and learn about the history of the place.
2. Emerald Cruises river trips
This cruise line specializes in small ship river voyages, ensuring a limited number of passengers enjoy an intimate yet luxurious adventure. Senior travelers looking to book last-minute river cruises may also benefit from Emerald’s packages, which allow them to set sail in the next 90 days. The river voyages offered here range from 5 to 15 days. The cruise line also has a range of festive voyages, like Christmas time on the Danube, Christmas markets of Europe, Splendours of Europe, and Christmas markets on the Rhine. All of these cruises are worth considering for seniors looking to sail across European rivers.
3. Holland America river cruises
This cruise line offers various options for seniors, with its ships designed to accommodate varying levels of mobility. It also offers short river cruises with long enough pit stops to explore local culture, stores, and other attractions in the city. Holland America also offers cruise packages that cover relaxing strolls along the riverside. Seniors can choose from river cruises within the country or even overseas and review activity levels (easy to strenuous), itineraries, and amenities on the Holland America official website to find an option that works for them.
4. Cunard Line cruises
Seniors who want to have a more refined experience on their cruises can choose Cunard Line river cruises. With the British cruise line known for its luxurious onboard experiences, travelers are unlikely to find vibrant nightlife and casinos—common features on cruise ships. Instead, Cunard’s fleet is known for its tearooms, libraries, and planetariums, making the cruise company ideal for senior cruisers. In addition, evenings aboard Cunard ships are dedicated to elegant events, requiring passengers to don their best formal attires. The pleasant river cruises and simple itineraries here also allow seniors to get some time to themselves, which they can spend reading on deck or attending workshops and lectures.
5. AmaWaterways river cruises
This cruise line’s sleek ship designs make it easier for guests to enjoy scenic views as the vessels glide along rivers. AmaWaterways also caters their cruise experiences specifically to senior travelers, offering them restful and immersive journeys full of opportunities to learn about the history and culture of places. The company is known for its European river cruises, which offer multiple kinds of tours—walking, biking, hikes, and more to accommodate various needs and expose travelers to the history, art, culture, and cuisine at each stop.
6. Avalon Waterways river packages
This cruise line is known for its small ships and scenic river tours. Its key onboard attractions include an open-air balcony and floor-to-ceiling windows that provide occupants with stunning views throughout trips. The cruise line keeps adding more voyages to its offerings. One of the worthwhile river cruises for those over 60 is the 22-day European Masterpiece cruise, which sails across the Rhone, Rhine, and Seine rivers. The cruise line offers 70 packages covering 10 rivers.
7. Scenic river cruises
This cruise line does it all—river expeditions, ocean voyages, and polar adventures, taking passengers to over 60 countries. Seniors looking for the best river cruises can consider Scenic’s Rhine river cruises, with the Christmas markets as the main attraction of the voyage. Guests can board this cruise in Amsterdam. Additionally, the cruise line also offers river trips that revolve around tasting and experiencing different foods and beverages onboard and at ports. The ship’s holiday-themed itinerary includes halts at Baden-Baden, Mannheim, Strasbourg, and Koblenz. With Scenic packages, guests can experience luxury aboard smaller vessels and cruise through different rivers, including the Danube and Douro. Scenic ships sail to Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Africa. This cruise company also has last-minute packages seniors can book.
While rivers in Europe are considered some of the best cruise destinations, seniors can also choose beautiful river voyages within the country. For instance, many cruise lines offer trips along the Mississippi River, Missouri River, Columbia and Snake Rivers, and Hudson River cruise in the country. To choose the best river cruises for seniors, it is important to assess the activity level mentioned in the itinerary, the availability of mobility and accessibility aids, and the extent of onboard assistance offered to older adults. Thoroughly reviewing such details can help seniors find the most comfortable cruise package.