Cruising is back and many of you may be anxious to get your next cruise vacation scheduled! Cruises are fun for all ages, but for adults looking for relaxation and convenience, some cruise lines are better than others. Here are the top cruise lines I recommend for seniors and mature adults.
American Cruise Lines sails the rivers of the United States- including the Mississippi, the Ohio, the Hudson, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, and waterways in Alaska, Florida, and the South. There’s plenty to see, and no overseas flights are required to explore the U.S.A. Their itineraries through the U.S. combine educational activities with entertainment, gracious service, and a complimentary cocktail hour each day. Each cruise includes complimentary hotel stays for before and after your trip, along with transfers to and from the port. It's interesting to note that all of American Cruise Line’s ships were made right here in the USA. It has themed cruises for the American Revolution, Music Cities, and more. If you love history, American culture, and educational excursions, this is the line for you!
Princess Cruises, considered by many to be one of the best cruise lines for adults, offers many options, such as various departure cities, one-way or round-trip cruises, and cruise tours that include extended land excursions. Its ships are large (but not too large) and have cabin, activity, and dining options for a variety of budgets and interests. Passengers can enjoy a cooking class or casino spree, escape to the adults-only Sanctuary sun deck, and even renew their vows. You won’t find rock-climbing walls or waterslides on Princess ships, but evening movies with popcorn on the pool deck are a popular after-dinner event. By day, you’ll find plenty of activities-from themed parties to live performances-taking place in its piazza-style atrium. Princess Cruise Line is well established in Alaska, Japan, and Europe. It also offers plenty of North American options to Mexico, the Pacific Coast, Hawaii, and Canada/New England, and the Caribbean.
Silversea’s small luxury ships range in size from 50 to 304 suites for travelers who prefer more intimate surroundings and atmosphere. Every cabin has an ocean view, and there are specialty restaurants for when you want to splurge on a particular meal. Their smaller ships can anchor closer to port cities, so disembarking is more convenient, and views are more interesting for those who stay on the ship. With butler service, gourmet meals, beverages including premium spirits, gratuities, and activities all covered in the price, Silversea’s cruises are not likely to attract children, which may be a plus for some adults.
Holland America's ships tend to sail itineraries that are a little longer, although it depends on the destination. The line’s midsize cruise ships prioritize leisure, with activities like live music, shuffleboard, and fine dining. Holland America offers luxury service, such as ringing a bell to announce the beginning of dinner and serving pea soup to chilly cruisers who are glacier watching in Alaska. For adults who are more comfortable remaining on the ship instead of taking excursions, there are many opportunities to keep busy. Holland America Line cruises the world from Alaska to South America, Antarctica, Canada, New England, the Caribbean, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
Viking Ocean Cruises are one of the newer lines out there, but they have quickly become a favorite of mature travelers. Viking is all about the destination, rather than lots of leisurely sea days. You get to explore a new port nearly every day, with one or more included shore excursions in every port. Itineraries also feature at least one overnight in port, so passengers can dine at a local restaurant or take in a cultural performance in the evening. Every ship in the fleet was custom-built for the line and they’re all nearly identical, so loyal passengers won’t find too many surprises cruise to cruise. All cabins are spacious, with thoughtful touches such as king-size beds, spacious showers, heated bathroom floors, complimentary movies on demand, and balconies in every room.
AmaWaterways focuses on sailing the rivers of Europe. The Rhine and Danube are the most traveled, but other rivers are the Douro, Seine, and Rhone, as well as the Mekong in Vietnam, the Nile in Egypt, and the Volga in Russia. Cruises range from a week to as long as three weeks when several rivers are combined. Specialty river cruises might focus on food, wine, or Christmas markets. There are many good reasons to look at AMA Waterways, including gentle walking tours, free bicycles on board, a relaxed sophisticated atmosphere, and excellent service. AMA offers a one hour open bar each night before dinner and a range of shore excursions that are included in the price. This is a top river cruise lines for adults and seniors.
Avalon Waterways offers river cruises as short as 4-5 days for those who want to “test the waters” before a longer commitment. Their Panorama Suites with floor to ceiling windows make your cabin one of the most comfortable places to watch the view as you sail by. Avalon Waterways include shore excursions, Wi-Fi, onboard activities, and locally-sourced wine with most meals. The library comes well-stocked, the beds are customizable (choose how firm or soft the mattress and pillows are) and it offers breakfasts for early and late risers, so you can start the day at your leisure. Avalon provides a great overall value.
Each cruise line has a different "flavor," so we are always happy to help you discover the one that is perfect for you. No matter what your vacation preferences are, there's a cruise line for you!