Tips for Seniors Planning a Cruise

It's no secret that cruises appeal to retirees.  In fact, some travelers still subscribe to the notion that vacations at sea are exclusively for the "newlywed and nearly dead."  While that characterization may have been true several decades ago, today's cruise lines attract just about every type of traveler and appeal to various interests.  Whether you want to sail solo, with several generations of family members or even with Kid Rock fans, there's a cruise for you.  So what does this diversification mean for the 50 plus crowd, the industry's largest demographic?  It means retirees have more options than ever before, with onboard activities that range from wine tastings, to tango lessons, to doing a rope course high above the ship.  But while sedentary games of bingo may be anything of the past, there is one aspect that hasn't changed: the extra steps retirees have to take when planning a cruise.  From selecting the right itinerary to staying healthy at sea, here are some ideas every senior traveler should know before setting sail.


Find a Ship Size that Fits You
A ship's size can be a key indicator of what the onboard vibe will be like.  For instance, megaships for lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line carry between 2000 and 6000 passengers and boast a bevy of amenities like water parks, rock climbing walls and Broadway-style entertainment.  Thanks to their activities, these ships attract families.  But that doesn't mean these cruises neglect the needs of their 50+ passengers: because some of the ships in this category are so large, they're able to offer designated adults-only areas on board.  If you're planning a big family vacation, this may sound like the perfect balance.  But if the sheer size of the ship, or the number of kids have you concerned, a mid sized ship may be  a better fit for you.  Midsize ships, which typically carry 1000 to 2500 passengers,don't wow with copious amenities and instead focus on providing a more intimate environment.  And then there are the small ships.  These ships generally carry fewer than 1200 passengers and dazzle not with their over-the-top amenities, but with their low passenger to crew ratios, fine dining and more diverse port offerings.  Look into sailings by Oceania, Azamara Club Cruises, or Regent Seven Seas Cruises if you prefer the amenities and personalized service provided by smaller ships.


Choose Your Itinerary Wisely
This rule doesn't just apply to seniors, but it's especially important for retires since the itinerary can set the tone for the entire cruise.  For instance, Caribbean itineraries tend to be shorter and less expensive, and are known to attract a large percentage of young families and couples.  Some Caribbean itineraries are also known to host lively and rowdy deck parties.  If that is not for you, then steer clear of these sailings.  Aside from ship atmosphere and your fellow travelers, Caribbean cruises rend to offer more active shore excursions.  That is not to say that Caribbean cruises do not offer cultural enrichment or more relaxed excursions, but they may be fewer depending on the itinerary.  Different itineraries may offer what you want.  Want to relax on your balcony and enjoy spectacular scenery, you may want to consider a cruise to Alaska, or even a river cruise.  Loner cruises tend to focus more on enrichment (both on board and off) and may allow for more exploration in port.

Purchase Insurance
Cruise vacations can have complicated itineraries and sometimes just one misstep can derail the entire trip.  This is why many experts recommend opting for travel insurance, and not the kind provided by your cruise line, which can be limited in its coverage.  Though coverage can vary widely, most travel insurance policies will help you get reimbursed for canceled trips, or even assist you in rebooking your flights or lodging.  The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention recommends travelers consider purchasing three types of insurance: travel insurance, travel health insurance, and medical evacuation insurance.  These last two options are particularly important for seniors as they can provide coverage for unseen illness or injury during your trip.  And remember: you shouldn't assume your regular health insurance covers you while traveling.


Listen to Your Body
Its easy to overindulge at the buffet, imbibe in one too many cocktails at the martini bar or exhaust yourself while sightseeing.  When selecting your excursions, read the descriptions carefully - most cruise lines categorize excursions based on activity level, making it easy to choose one that suits you and your current health condition.  To avoid feeling ill or experiencing a trip-ending health setback, remember to take it easy - you're on a cruise, after all.

Top Cruise Ship Trends For 2016

The cruise industry is chugging ahead this year with an estimated 24 million passengers setting sail.  That's a significant jump from the 15 million passengers a decade ago, according to the Cruise Lines International Assn.

Twenty-seven new ocean, river and small ships will hit the water this year.  And it's no surprise that while the Caribbean is by far the top destination for cruisers, Australia and Asia are heating up.  Here are five of the top trends CruiseComplete says to look for in 2016.


1. U.S, River Cruises:  River cruising has exploded in Europe over the last few years, and now American rivers get their turn.  Viking River Cruises will be launching two ships in the Mississippi River starting in 2017, which means you will be able to buy tickets this year.  The ships will homeport in the French Quarter of New Orleans.  In all, Viking will roll out six new riverboats on the Mississippi over three years.

The line joins the Queen of the Mississippi operated by American Cruise Lines and two ships run by American Queen Steamboat Co. in offering cruises on the river.


2. Cuba By Ship:  With the thawing of US-Cuba relations and reopening of embassies, Americans have been flocking to the island nation.  But remember: Economic sanctions are still in place, so Americans still need to have an acceptable reason (people-to-people tours are the most common) to go.

You can take a seven-night cruise on on Crystal Cruises which travels along the West Coast of Cuba but doesn't land.  And this year Carnival Corp's Fathom brand will dip into the Cuba market with sailings from Miami aboard the small ship Adonia, which carries 710 passengers.


3. All-Inclusive Please: Regent  Seven Seas Cruises has led the way for years with all-inclusive sailings, and more lines are following suit.  Expect to see fewer out-of-pocket expenses and more included extras, such as premium beverages and shore excursions.


4. Make Room For Families: CruiseCompete reports that family cabins, such as Royal Caribbean's family junior suite, are always in high demand.  That particular one has three bedrooms and three bathrooms and sleeps eight.

Disney Cruise Line, which caters to kid fun and families, offers staterooms with bunk beds and foldout couches.  Also launching this summer, Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship, the Carnival Vista will offer the Family Harbor State room which will sleep up to 5 and can also be partitioned off.


5. Better Wi-Fi: Cruise lines will be upgrading and perfecting their Wi-Fi, but it won't necessarily be free(it is on Regent Seven Seas).  Royal Caribbean and Carnival in particular are stepping up their Wi-Fi connections.