When an individual, including seniors, considers going on a cruise, the size of the ship rarely matters. One could easily book packages aboard a smaller cruise and still get to explore most of the destinations offered by bigger sailings. Moreover, a small ship cruise often provides access to various coastlines and ports that a bigger one cannot reach. Learning about the various cruise deals for small ships will help one make more accurate travel decisions.
Top small ship cruises for seniors
1. The Best of the Galápagos and Peru: From Enchanted Islands to Machu Picchu
The 18-day itinerary of this cruise is ideal for seniors who like to explore a small-group setting. The cruise adventure offers small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants. During the journey, one can enjoy swimming and snorkeling and look for sea turtles, sea lions, and rays. Travelers also get the opportunity to learn about the biology of the Galápagos Giant Tortoise with the help of a dedicated tour guide. The cruise package starts at about $8,400, and seniors can book the cruise by visiting Road Scholar’s website.
2. Legend Galapagos Cruises
Seniors can enjoy the beauty of the Galapagos Islands on a 100-guest cruise — the M/V Legend. The cruise offers premium, quality service and a family-friendly small ship that sails in the volcanic archipelago. The cruise offers comfortable outdoor space for one to relax and a range of fun onboard activities. It also has smartly planned daily excursions for all travelers, including seniors. Over the 4-5 day long voyage, the Legend Galapagos Cruises may cover destinations including North Seymour, South Plaza, Bartolome, and San Cristobal islands. The Legend Eastern Islands could be combined with the longer Southern or Western cruises. As for the price, the packages start as low as $1940 on the website of AdventureSmith Explorations, making it an affordable small-ship cruise for seniors.
3. Classical Greece: Islands of the Aegean
Seniors who are interested in ancient civilizations and scenic landscapes can opt for this cruise for an enriching experience. One can book this cruise from Road Scholar’s website for $5,500. The small ship cruise lets one take in the limestone cliffs of the Mediterranean and the monuments along the coastline. The cruise also stops at various islands for seniors to explore the remnants of the Ancient Greek society and seaside villages. Seniors will also get to explore medieval towns with Byzantine architecture. The cruise will include on-shore activities that require walking up to 2-3 miles per day on varied terrains.
4. Iceland Cruise
Aboard Ponant Cruises’ Le Champlain, seniors can witness and explore the surreal natural beauty of Iceland. For about $10,000 per person, the cruise traverses various destinations, including Grímsey Island, Grundarfjordur, Isafjordur, Westman Islands, Reykjavik, and Akureyri over eight days. The itinerary will also include a visit to Vigur Island to tour a multi-generation family farm that will allow cruisers to experience island life. The tour will also cover the history of Iceland during an in-depth visit to Thingvellir National Park. The cruise might also include an onboard naturalist who will share expert insights on local flora and fauna. Seniors can visit Tauck’s website to book the cruise.
5. Antarctic Explorer
The cruise package costs around $8,500 and takes between 11 and 12 days to complete. The itinerary begins in Buenos Aires and is perfect for first-time polar travelers. The expedition allows one to discover the key highlights of Antarctica, including sighting cute seals, penguins, and whales. The departure also includes up-close exploration on guided hikes, like shore walks and small craft excursions. One could also sign up for optional activities for an added cost, including kayaking and camping. Based on one’s ship selection, one can also opt for the 10- to 15-minute flightseeing adventure, which depends on the weather and comes at an added fee. One can book this cruise by visiting the website of AdventureSmith Explorations.
6. Impressions Of The Seine & Paris
The 7-night itinerary is set aboard a river cruise covering popular sites in Paris and locations memorialized by esteemed impressionist painters along France’s Seine River. The tour begins in Paris and comes to a close in Le Havre. Through the journey, one can view colorful scenery and explore the gardens of Claude Monet at his former home in Giverny. Seniors can also spend time at Rouen, which offers various excursions. For instance, one can join a walking tour past the imposing Notre Dame Cathedrals and witness the square where Joan of Arc was martyred. On the cruise, one can enjoy the comfort of spacious staterooms, wellness activities, spending time on the Sun Deck, or walking on the dedicated track. There are even multiple dining options for passengers to enjoy a different cuisine each day. Prices for this cruise start from $3,800, and one can book this by visiting AmaWaterways’ website.
7. Columbia & Snake Rivers Cruise
The small ship cruise starts at $6,400 and covers the Columbia and Snake Rivers, allowing passengers to absorb the history embedded in each heritage site. The ship sails from Portland and ends in Clarkston. Senior travelers can enjoy shifting landscapes ranging from lush green mountains to encompassing waterfalls and rock shores. The small ship also passes through the intricate lock and dam system, allowing one to witness the beauty of human engineering up close. Other highlights of the nine-day itinerary include a tour and tasting at Maryhill Winery — one of Washington State’s largest wineries. Seniors can also discover interesting stories behind iconic landmarks like Mount St. Helens, known for its explosive 1980 eruption. Seniors should visit the American Cruise Lines website to book this small ship cruise.