Solo travel can be liberating—one can go wherever they want, eat whatever they want, and even spend time in silent introspection. But this seemingly fun vacation becomes difficult to manage with age. Luckily, there are several cruises for single seniors over 60, offering them a wonderful getaway while taking care of their needs. Single seniors can have an enriching experience aboard, make memories, and even connect with others their age.
Benefits of single senior cruise packages
Cruise holidays present a rather exciting premise. One can access a ton of amenities and activities aboard, enjoy different cuisines, and soak in the beauty of the sea. Planning a solo cruise trip provides all of these benefits and many more.
Cost savings
While cruise tickets are always sold per person, most companies offer a cheaper rate for double occupancies. If someone plans to travel solo, they may need to pay a “single supplement” fee, which could be up to 50% of the trip cost. This policy has been designed to encourage travelers to bring someone along.
Since this extra fee can be problematic for single seniors, many cruise liners have come up with a “guaranteed share” program. This program pairs single travelers with a roommate, often exclusively of the same gender and lifestyle preferences. This helps seniors travel at a discounted rate and meet new people at the same time!
Less planning
Cruise vacations are typically all-inclusive. From itineraries to hotel accommodations, seniors do not need to worry about anything, as these are already built into the vacation plan. This completely takes away the hassle of planning activities or making last-minute changes to one’s travel. Seniors can just relax and enjoy their solo holiday.
Socializing
Solo cruises are specially designed to encourage new friendships for those looking to meet new people. From speed dating programs to dance workshops, these cruises present plenty of opportunities for single seniors to interact with others and perhaps even form lasting relationships.
Activities and engagements
Seniors traveling alone can enjoy all the activities they would if they were vacationing with someone else. Examples include beverage tastings, salsa workshops, pool parties, concerts, and even specially curated menus from top chefs.
Top cruises for single seniors
With so many options, picking a singles cruise for seniors over 60 can feel daunting. To help streamline their search, individuals can begin by talking to popular companies and reviewing their offerings.
Singles Travel International
As the name suggests, this tour agency specifically caters to solo travelers. The company has been in the business for over 28 years. It offers trips to the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Greece, Turkey, Morocco, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Siberia, and several other countries.
Prices for these trips can range between $2,400 and $15,000, depending on the destination, duration of the vacation, activities, and other factors. Seniors can save big on single supplement costs and enjoy free memberships, meet and greets, cocktail hours, and other benefits.
Silversea
Silversea’s senior cruise packages offer delightful onshore expeditions and all-inclusive services for a starting price of around $3,600 per person, depending on the itinerary. The company offers cruise services to over 900 locations, along with discounts on airfares and transfers.
This cruise line is ideal for single seniors looking to travel to remote locations and indulge in gourmet dining, shore excursions, educational lectures, luxurious spas, and other activities. Silversea also offers personalized services via a butler for all the suites, which is helpful for seniors.
Solos Holidays
Seniors looking for a more affordable cruise holiday may want to check out Solos Holidays’ packages. This British company offers single holidays to destinations across the globe. They have plenty of single rooms, completely doing away with the need for the single supplement surcharge. Prices start as low as $261 per person. That being said, the ships always depart from London and must be paid for in British pounds.
Tauck World Discovery
For adventure-minded seniors, Tauck World Discovery’s cruise plans may be ideal. Although on the more expensive side (starting at around $4,400 per person), these cruises are sure to offer single seniors a thrilling experience. The company has guided land tours, allowing seniors to explore more on their vacation. Other features seniors will enjoy on Tauck’s cruise vacation include complimentary beverages, fine dining, fitness centers, spas, and a gorgeous sun deck!
Riviera River Cruises
If long vacations sound too hectic, one can consider a river cruise with Riviera. The company offers several trips in and around Europe and other parts of the world, with costs starting at around $899 per person. On-board amenities include daily morning and afternoon tea and coffee, full daily meals, complimentary Wi-Fi, expert cruise directors, concierge services, and more.
What’s even more exciting about Riviera is that the company has several single cabins to accommodate solo travelers. They are also extremely transparent about their pricing policy, with no hidden costs or single supplement charges.