Us River Cruises For Seniors

What Are Singles Cruises For Seniors

If youre a senior who enjoys solo travel and meeting new people, you might want to book a singles cruise. These adventures can be a great way for older adults to enjoy traveling alone at surprisingly affordable prices. Beyond singles cruises, you can also look into general cruise lines that cater to the older set.

Pro Tip: To learn more about our favorite cruises, read our guide to the best cruises for seniors.

The Best River Cruises For People With Limited Mobility

People with limited mobility should plan carefully when choosing both the ship and the destination to ensure that their needs can be accommodated.

Solo travel is generally not an option, as passengers with limited mobility will need an able-bodied companion to help them. Passengers who can walk a little generally fare much better than those who are wheelchair bound, as getting on and off the ship isnt always possible in a wheelchair and staff may not always be able to assist.

Lower Mississippi From New Orleans To New Orleans

Seeand eatthe highlights of New Orleansfrom beignets to po boysbefore setting sail on American Cruise Lines America Song. Youll head to Natchez and Vicksburg in Missouri for Civil War sites and St. Francisville and Houmas House, Louisiana for historic plantations with a stop in the middle in Baton Rouge to see the Louisiana State Museum and the capital buildings. Occasionally, the line also offers a food-themed cruise out of New Orleans, too.

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How To Book A River Cruise

When booking a river cruise, consider your budget, desired itinerary, passenger demographics, and cruise line. Its best to book your river cruise as early as a year in advance to reserve the best stateroom and avoid a sold-out ship.

Themed itineraries are popular with many routes, so write down the most important aspects of your trip, and do some comparison shopping. Most cruise lines will sail on popular rivers like Rhone, Danube, Rhine, and Seine, but many companies will specialize in specific routes.

Seniors Guide To Exploring Europe By River Cruise

With a smaller ship size, seniors can enjoy smooth sailing on a river cruise while enjoying all the bells and whistles of first-class travel. River cruises are perfect for empty nesters and retirees looking for a relaxing holiday to explore European cities.

Basically a luxury hotel on water, river cruises have exploded in popularity in recent years. Statista reports the increase of European river cruises between 2013 and 2018 grew 192%, with an estimated additional 6% by 2022.

These leisurely all-inclusive vacations boast easy planning and seamless execution, especially for seniors looking for convenient travel. Attractions, activities, accommodation, and amenities are all provided with easy access to these vessels.

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Cruises For Single Senior Over 60 Types Of Cruises

Are you over 50 and single, or perhaps now in your 60s like me?

If youre like me and when youre planning your holidays, unless youre traveling with family, you probably would prefer not having screaming little munchkins running around on your cruise right?

Not to worry, there are plenty of singles themed cruises to choose from that are designed specifically for us mature adults!

Us & Canada Pacific Cruise Highlights

Small Ship Cruise ExperienceRiver ships accommodate a maximum of 140 guests. The small size of these ships allows the crew to provide exemplary, personalized service in an intimate, relaxed and casual atmosphere. Onboard many friendships are formed as guests and crew mingle and share their adventures.

American History and CultureRivers were once the highways of historic America. A journey on one of America’s great rivers allows guests to experience all of the cities and towns that were built as the country expanded and to learn about the history and culture that makes the United States what it is today.

Wildlife and Local BeautyA river cruise brings nature and wildlife up close and is as diverse as the rivers that you cruise on. Cruises on the Chesapeake Bay, the inland waterways of the south, the Mississippi River delta, the Hudson River and New England, the Columbia River and Alaska all boast a different variety of landscapes and wildlife that are sure to amaze adventurers young and old.

Special Cruise Offers

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Top Cruise Lines For Seniors

Blog River Cruises Ocean Cruises Travel Tips Planning a Cruise

Cruising is one of the very best ways to see the world – especially for more mature travelers.

From easygoing river voyages to elegant ocean sailings to enrichment heavy expedition journeys or exciting globe-spanning World Cruises, a cruise vacation is the perfect way for seniors to visit multiple destinations while maximizing your travel dollar.

Comfortable, convenient and extremely cost-effective, cruises are a safe and stylish way for seniors to see the world with like-minded travelers and be pampered along the way. Whatever your mobility level, a cruise provides the perfect balance of full independence and accessible support while venturing out on your own.

Of course, the list of reasons to go on a cruise is long, making that part of the decision an easy one. With so many choices to choose from though, the hard part might be deciding which cruise line is right for you.

To help narrow down the choices, our experts have selected some of the top cruises for seniors wanting to travel in style.

Get Out And Mingle The First Night

You might be tempted to unwind in your stateroom the first night, especially if you had to travel a long way to get to your solo cruise and are still feeling tired from the journey. However, spending time in public spaces on the ship is a great way to meet new people and one of the best things to do on a cruise.

Celebrity roofdeck

Strike up a conversation and make some new friends on the very first night of the cruise. Nothing is better than a familiar face when youre traveling solo.

Check the program in your stateroom before you head out to the next activity. You may find events that are solo cruiser friendly.

Casino

Exchanging stateroom numbers is helpful, too, so you can call new friends later on in the cruise to arrange times to meet up for dinner, a drink, or games.

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I Want Suitable Onshore Excursions

Every operator offers shore excursions that you can choose to partake in, and youll find a variety to suit different interests and fitness levels. Most river cruise lines will offer leisurely walking options for their day tours and will provide information on the expected activities beforehand, so you can decide if the excursion is suitable for you. You can also ask your Cruise Director if you are unsure.

If you prefer a faster pace, then along with their gentler options Uniworld also offers Lets Go hiking and biking shore excursions. Nordic walking poles and bicycles are available complimentary for guest use. Avalon Waterways have also added Active options to their Avalon Choice program for 2019, giving guests more ways to tailor their holiday.

Whichever excursion you decide to join you will generally be provided with a portable headset so that you have a bit more flexibility to go at your own speed. You dont have to be next to your guide every step of the way to get the most out of their commentary and can, to a certain degree, choose your pace.

It Doesnt Get Any Suiter

Enjoy the perfect blend of elegance and ease where little touches are bold, gestures are grand and the views even grander. Theres a reason our ships are the critics darlings and favorites among our most discerning guests. Our boutique-hotel-inspired Panorama Suites feature the industrys only Open-Air Balconies with the widest-opening windows in cruising and decadent Comfort Collection beds that face the ever-changing scenery.

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Chartered Group Theme Cruises

Some of the best cruises for singles over 50 arent marketed as singles cruises at all. Whether your passion involves music, fitness or food and wine, theres a chartered group theme cruise devoted to it. These sailings tend to attract fun-loving groups of singles and solo travelers looking to enjoy a week devoted to yoga, quilting or science and nature.

Singles who crave live concert experiences and the chance to hang out all week with their musical idols will enjoy the variety of music cruise offerings, including Sixthmans Broadway Cruise, the Outlaw Country Cruise, the 80s Cruise and the Soul Train Cruise.

And, yes, single cruisers who want to combine vacation and dating can look at group travel targeted to solo travelers in their age range. These singles theme cruises offer group dining, cocktail parties and other events, so single travelers can meet and mingle onboard and onshore.

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How Much Are River Cruises

European river cruises run between $200 and $500 per night for an all-inclusive trip, according to Cruise Critic. Typically more expensive than ocean cruising, you can expect to average a total of about $2,500 for a 7-day cruise. Expect cruises during peak season between mid-May and late-September, to have a higher price tag.

*Cruise lines were selected based on the volume of interest for luxury and budget European river cruises.

Cruises around the Rhine or Danube rivers tend to be the most affordable routes. Holiday cruises in November or December are off-peak and preferred by price-sensitive travelers. During booking, inquire about extra costs for gratuities, port charges, and alcoholic beverages onboard.

Note that river cruises wont cover things like visas, airfare, or medical insurance. Build-in these additional costs and visa processing time in your initial river cruise plans.

Check entry requirements for each city you plan to port frequently. In January 2021, travelers in 57 countries who currently travel around the EU without a visa requirement will need to acquire an ETIAS visa waiver. Find out if you will need an ETIAS.

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Columbia And Snake Rivers

These nine-day American river cruises on the American Queen Steamboat Companys American Empress sail from Vancouver, Washinton to Portland, Oregon and show you a glimpse at some of the most gorgeous scenery in the Pacific Northwest. From the paddle wheeler, youll get to see the dramatic waterfalls at the Columbia River Gorge, the pioneer town The Dalles, and sea lions and filming sites from the hit 1980s film, The Goonies in Astoria. For more lesser-known options at sea, check out these off-the-beaten-path cruises.

You Won’t Have To Cross An Ocean To Reach The Port Of Embarkation For United States River Cruises

When you go on a river cruise in Europe, you have to first fly to Europe. You likely don’t even have to cross an ocean to arrive at a port of embarkation for a river cruise in America.

In fact, if you’re someone who would rather not fly you can probably drive to the port city you need to be in to board the ship.

Another perk to take advantage of is shorter flight times. This is great if you don’t have a lot of time to take a vacation. If you’re flying to Europe you spend two days traveling in airports and on flights, alone. Then you need to deal with getting over the hump of jet lag upon return to the US.

With a river cruise in the United States in 2022 and beyond, you can simply focus on the cruise, alone, instead of factoring in lengthy flights or jet lag.

There are tons of ports in the United States that you probably don’t know about. Sure, there are obvious ones with huge ocean liners, like the ports of San Diego, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale. But then there are ports in places like the Great Lakes in New York and Toronto, or even Chicago and Portland.

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Upper Mississippi American Heartland Theme Cruise

This river cruise from Chicago to St. Louis is on American Queen Steamboat Companys newest ship, the American Duchess, a paddle wheeler as majestic as her older sisters, with the same iconic red paddlewheel. Youll see the towering skyscrapers of Chicago and get the perfect photo op of St. Louiss famed arch. The focus of this cruise is American history, and you can see towns that were settled as trading posts by French explorers, visit the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate in Ottowa, Illinois, and check out places from Mark Twains writings in his hometown of Hannibal, Missouri. Want to learn even more of Americas backstory? Start with these 16 best cities for American history buffs.

I Will Be Travelling Solo

River cruising is perfect for solo travellers as it allows you to travel by yourself, but not alone. Many river cruise passengers travel solo and it is the perfect environment to make new friends and choose how social you would like to be. You can participate in onboard and onshore activities and mingle with likeminded people, and then retire to the privacy of your cabin when you choose.

Many operators discount or waive the single supplement costs for solo travellers as part of the deals they release. Tauck are particularly accommodating and feature special Solo Traveller Savings on all European river cruises. Check the solo pricing on your preferred cruise itinerary on Global Journeys website or sign up to our Global Rewards Newsletter to be notified of specials that may interest you.

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Complete Mississippi River Cruise

A post shared by USA River Cruises

Edging a bit further out of strictly river territory, USA River Cruises’NY to Cape Cod trip is a city-side adventure that passes through a marine sanctuary. Historic forts, lighthouses, and also conservation are all part of the itinerary.

For anyone who didn’t know there were archipelagos along the northern shore of Long Island Sound, this trip will be an exciting one!

River And Small Ship Cruises In The United Statescruising Close To Home Has Never Been Better

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Unless otherwise noted, prices and offers are in USD, cruise only per person, based on double occupancy and do not include airfare, taxes or fees. The displayed prices are based on minimum category riverview window stateroom and applicable only to the sailing date shown. Prices for other dates may vary based on the date and stateroom selected. Other than Hot Deal offers, price does not reflect any cruise line or Premier savings. Where Premier includes prepaid tips in an offer, it applies only to the cruise portion of the trip and not any land portion or shore excursions. To obtain the best price, please use the “Get Quote” button or call one of our river cruise and small ship cruise specialists. Certain discounts or prices may require full payment at the time of booking in order to be eligible. We urge you to book early as river and small ship cruises sell out almost a year in advance. Prices and availability may change without notice and are not guaranteed until a deposit is received and applied to your reservation. Call 1-855-255-1200, for complete details. We reserve the right to correct any informational or typographical errors. ©2010-2020 Premier River Cruises, LLC, a Travel of America Company. All rights reserved worldwide. CST #1015320-40.

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Us River Cruises Remain Close To Home

A river cruise in the United States has a significant advantage of location if you need to stay close to home for any reason. Let’s say you care for an elderly parent and don’t want to leave his or her side for too long, at too far of a distance. You may not be able to consider a cruise in Europe during this time, but a river cruise in the United States could be the perfect solution for you to travel while still being a quick flight or drive from your parent.

Hudson River Valley Fall Foliage Theme Cruise

This eight-day American river cruise on American Cruise Lines American Constitution sails round-trip out of New York City before taking you to Hyde Park, the Catskills, and West Point as well as Sleepy Hollow, all in upstate New York. But in addition to the history in the region, the highlight of the cruise is easily the changing colors of the autumnal leaves.

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What Is The Target Audience For Us River Cruises

While the primary audience for river cruises in the U.S. is older travelers who are retired or semi-retired, American river cruises are becoming increasingly popular with younger couples, families, and multigenerational groups.

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Younger couples often find that the activities available away from ship are exciting and not typically something that can be booked except through the river cruise line. Families traveling on a multigenerational vacation are drawn into river cruising because theres something for every age group, from family bike rides to lounging on the sun deck.

American Queen Steamboat Company

Ready for some paddlewheel nostalgia? The four riverboats in the American Queen Steamboat Company fleet ooze charm, with Victorian touches and history-heavy itineraries. Cruise fares include a pre-cruise night at a hotel, transfer to the ship, dining , soft drinks, coffees and bottled water and complimentary wines and beers at dinner, as well as use of the lines hop on, hop off bus in ports.

Why seniors will love it: While some cruises can be go go go, river cruises in the U.S. are generally more leisurely affairs, with a focus on relaxing and soft sightseeing. The hop on, hop off buses that AQSC uses in port continue that vibe, allowing passengers to go at their own pace. Shore excursions focus on historical sites, battlefields and museums, as well as natural wonders.

Onboard, the ships have a riverlorian who gives lectures about historical topics, such as the Mississippi River or Lewis and Clark. Meals are multi-coursed, with menus that reflect the destinations. Nightly entertainment is lively, and often reflects American classics. The crew is all-American and friendly.

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