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The explosion of cruise ship companies has coincided with the golden years of baby boomers, once the largest demographic cohort ever. Seniors and retirees who have saved and prepared for retirement are among the biggest patrons of cruises, enjoying the relaxation, ocean views, pampering, and entertainment associated with the experience. Wherever you’re planning to travel, discover which cruise lines offer the best options for seniors and retirees looking to sail the high seas.
The storied British cruise line, owned by Carnival Corp., holds special appeal among the traditional sailing class. The Queen Mary 2 specializes in crossings between New York and Southampton. Other ships in the fleet make ports all over the world. The oh-so-English Queen Mary 2 is built for leisure and offers lectures, films, and boasts one of the largest libraries on a ship. The vessel’s planetarium has three daily star shows. There is traditional tea and fish and chips. And passengers dress to the nines for dinner.
Regent Seven Seas, whose parent is Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, offered top-of-the-line service. It is known for its all-inclusive deals for seniors, and its high staff member to passenger ratio. One recent trip along the Adriatic coast started in Trieste and stopped at Croatia, Montenegro, and Athens. Passengers had a living room with a balcony, a large bathroom with shower and bathtub, a butler, top-drawer liquor, and breakfast in their suite. Each destination offered its local food specialties. Regent ships are known for their high-end artwork. Most passengers are 55 years old and above.
Princess Cruises, owned by Carnival, is known for its Alaskan cruises, which have become quite popular among seniors. Passengers can view glaciers and small Alaskan towns, interact with dog-sled operators and fishermen, and see wildlife such as polar bears, whales, otters, bald eagles, caribou, sea lions, and puffins.
Viking heavily advertises its river cruises, which are well-received by passengers, many of whom are over age 60. Among the waterways, Viking plies are the Rhine and the Danube in Europe, and the Nile in Egypt. These cruises are aimed at more erudite travelers, with excursions featuring historic and cultural programs. The Nile cruise can even include Egyptologists. All Viking ships are adults-only.
AmaWaters offers 33 sailings along Europe's rivers in 2026 in partnership with Smithsonian Journeys experts. Passengers can tap the knowledge of experts in art, archeology, and science, and avail themselves of farm-to-table cuisine and various onboard amenities. Passengers select regular-paced walking tours or slow walking tours. Full transportation is provided. AmaWaterways sails from Europe, South America, Africa, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Silversea is all about luxury and all-inclusive cruises beckoning for seniors -- all-suite luxury ships in ocean and expedition categories. Silversea, owned by Royal Caribbean Group, is targeting the affluent, discerning traveler seeking an upscale experience with highly personalized service. Its ships travel to about 900 destinations on seven continents.
Silversea's small luxury ships range in size from 50 to 304 suites for those seeking more intimate surroundings. Smaller ships generally anchor closer to port cities, making disembarking more convenient. Silversea's suites include a butler who handles everything from unpacking luggage to making dinner reservations. All of Silversea's ships accommodate wheelchairs and scooters.
Holland America, whose parent is Carnival, is well-known in the industry for accommodating those with mobility issues. Wheelchair-friendly staterooms are available on all Holland America ships. Passengers can arrange to get wheelchairs and scooters. Rooms and suites include roll-in showers, grab bars, and lift systems for wheelchairs. As for excursions, Holland America’s destinations include the Panama Canal, South Pacific, Australia and Africa, as well as a World Cruise.
American Cruise Lines specializes in cruises in the United States on ships that explore this nation’s rivers and coastlines. Enrichment in the history and heritage of America figures prominently on these cruises, which have a lecturer on every excursion. There are wheelchair-accessible cabins and elevators to all decks. The line boasts local culinary experiences such as a lobster bake on the coastal New England cruise, or a Cajun cooking demonstration on a Mississippi River journey.
One-hundred-year-old Tauck is a family-owned venture that travels to 100 destinations on seven continents. It caters to those who have not traveled abroad often or are unfamiliar with cruising. Tauck prides itself on taking care of its guests. Its guides speak 52 languages, perform multiple duties onboard, give daily briefings, and go on shore excursions. According to Cruise Critic, guides have given passengers roses to place at the graves of American servicemen in a Luxembourg cemetery.
Another cruise line for unfamiliar cruisers is Avalon Waterways. The line has river cruises as short as four or five days. Routes go to Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Travel and Leisure says special-interest excursions like the Storyteller Series, include authors such as Candace Bushnell and Gillian Flynn onboard. The ships have larger suites and fewer passengers. Avalon claims its hotel-influenced Panorama Suites are the industry’s only open-air balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows. Travelers get to choose off-boat activities such as picnics, kayaking, or painting) based on their abilities.
Seabourn Cruise Line makes port in Oceania, Asia, India, Africa, Antarctica, Alaska, and the Caribbean, the Arctic, and Northern Europe, among other destinations. It touts itself as “all-inclusive, ultra-luxury cruising refined to its purest form. Where hand-selected itineraries take you to places beyond the reach of larger ships.” Seabourn, whose parent is Carnival, boasts complimentary spirits and caviar. The cruise service has staterooms specially designed for guests requiring mobility assistance.
Azamara's focus is on mid-sized ships that ply the waters of the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the South Pacific. The trips tend to be longer with more time spent in port, and the cruise line has onboard programming tailored to a specific destination to help immerse passengers in their travel experience. Azamara, owned by Royal Caribbean Group, offers assistance getting on and off the ship for boarding and shore excursions before the trip begins.
