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.
Best Cruises For Single Seniors
DISCOVER MORE SOLO DESTINATIONS
Cruises offer the opportunity for senior solo travelers to visit a multitude of destinations all during one trip! Unpack your bags just once as you make the cozy cruise ship your home base while exploring new cities.
From cooking workshops, to wine tastings, to fitness classes, and many more, the onboard group activities will keep single senior travelers entertained and provide a great social atmosphere to meet fellow guests.
When traveling by yourself, take advantage of the flexibility to eat at the restaurants of your choice, and spend time exploring all the amenities on your own schedule. Perhaps youre looking to unwind and do a bit of reading, or join a class where you can learn a new hobby in a fun group setting. Read on below for the best cruises for single seniors!
Rhine River: Germany Netherlands France Switzerland
The Rhine crosses six countries and boasts views of more castles than any other European river. With options for cruising in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, France, the Netherlands, and Austria, youll find the most popular route between the Netherlands and Switzerland.
- For a budget-friendly option, book this tour during the off-season winter months to enjoy the Christmas markets.
- Sail through the Rhine Gorge for the best castle views.
- Book extra time around your cruise dates to explore Basels Alps or Colognes cathedrals.
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Great Rivers Of Florida
Maybe Florida isn’t a top-ranked destination for travelers under a certain age. But this epic US river cruise brings travelers through a list of Florida’s most impressive inland waters.
The trip begins on the St. John’s River and travels through the Ocala National Forest , historic ruins, and more.
Opt For An Assigned Seating Time For Dinner
As a solo cruise traveler, you may benefit more from doing a traditional assigned seating time instead of dining at different times.
With an assigned seating time, youll be sat at the same table each night with other cruise passengers and the same crew waiting on you. It will give you some familiarity as your tablemates, server, and sommelier get to know you and your dining preferencesand sparkling personality!
If you dont feel totally compatible with the other folks at your table, talk to the maître d and ask for a different table.
If youre seated at a table on your own, have a book or journal on hand. A journal is a lovely way to pass the time at dinner, giving you the opportunity to reflect on the day and write about all the amazing things you saw in port or did on the ship.
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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!
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.
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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.
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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Envision Paradise Adventure And Relaxation With Usa River Cruises
Imagine exploring the ins and outs of the largest group of freshwater lakes on earth and then hop aboard our Great Lakes River Cruises.
Perhaps youve always wondered what it would be like to explore the Deep South in comfort and style. Our Mississippi River Cruises are the place to be.
Or maybe youve always wanted to experience Europe from a ships-eye view. Well USA River Cruises has those, too, with our sweet suite of European Cruises.
Theres so much for you to see and do. From the Great Lakes and the mighty Mississippi to the Columbia River and our Alaskan Cruises ports of call all the way to our cruises throughout Europe and the Caribbean.
USA River Cruises has been making travel dreams come true since 1999. Were experts at matching people with the experiences they seek. Theres something for everyone. Theres something for you.
This Columbia River Cruise experience was a total delight, very informative, educational, entertaining, and just a fantastic experience overall. Every port offered opportunities for exploration and learning. The on-board Riverlorian brought history to life, as did the local entertainment brought onboard. The cuisine selections and quality were top-shelf all the way.
Everything You Need To Know About River Cruises In The Usa
A complete guide to U.S. river cruises and cruise lines.
When you think of river cruises, youre probably imagining the enormously popular river cruises in Europe. But are there U.S. river cruises too? The answer is yes, and theyre just as spectacular as their overseas counterparts. From making your way down the mighty Mississippi River to gliding past the cute seaside villages of New England, there are river cruises in U.S. to meet every interest and budget.
On U.S. river cruises, the ships are smaller and more intimate than traditional ocean liners. These smaller ships are designed to better navigate the countrys narrow river, and they come in a variety of styles. Some American river cruise ships are the iconic southern paddlewheel boats outfitted with luxury in mind. Others are modern riverboats that look more like miniature ocean liners similar to what youll find in Europe.
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Cruises For Single Senior Citizens
Set sail on a cruise and make new friends while seeing the world.
When it comes to singles cruising, there are many options for senior citizens. Consider, for instance, that membership in AARP begins at 50, yet full retirement benefits in the United States do not begin until age 65 and many seniors are active well into their 80s. The most successful senior cruises for singles accommodate this vast demographic range with activities for all ages.
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Senior Travel Clubs And Cruises
A lot of seniors dream of visiting places theyve always wanted to see, and senior travel clubs and cruise ships are a great way to do so while meeting others with similar interests. These groups plan outings that run the gamut from day trips to longer vacations, and there are even travel clubs and cruise ship lines that cater to single seniors if theyre seeking a romantic interest. Cruises feature activities like exercise classes, dining, dancing, music and more that are designed to help passengers meet others and have fun.
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Things To Look Out For When Booking Cruises For Seniors
Importance of cruise travel insurance for seniors
Any holiday comes with its risks and when you consider the points above like onboard and port accessibility, shore excursions and the destinations visited combined with the possibility of limited mobility and other pre-existing health conditions that come with age, its important to make sure that youre covered should anything not go according to plan.
Once youve booked your cruise, make sure to consider seniors travel insurance policies for cruises to find a plan thats best suited for your needs and destination.
Which Cruise Lines Offer Discounts For Seniors
Some cruise lines offer discounts for seniors aged 55 and over on select sailings. These lines include Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises.
The discounts are not widely advertised, so if you will be 55 or over at the time of sailing, advise the line when booking to see what discount offers they can provide.
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The Best Ocean And River Cruises For Seniors
Cruises offer advantages for travelers of all ages, but for seniors, the conveniences may be especially important. Of course, for everyone, there are the benefits of being able to visit many destinations without packing and unpacking, arranging flights, transfers, checking in and out of hotels, finding restaurants, and booking tickets for sights. For seniors with limited mobility, those cruise features just might mean the difference between taking a wonderful trip or staying home.
We should point out here that generalizing about individuals of any age, especially seniors, just doesnt work. Physically, many are as active and capable as 25 year-olds, while others may have limitations that prevent long walks or managing heavy luggage. Some are curious and want to see every detail on an itinerary others are content to relax and watch the scenery go by. Many are entertained by learning new things or hearing from expert lecturers, while others enjoy music, dance, or theater. Limited budgets are not unusual among seniors with fixed incomes, while others can afford to choose more luxurious options.
That said, these are the 10 best cruises for seniors, according to our research.
Increasing in popularity with new ships added each year, river cruising is ideal for seniors.
Best Usa River Cruises For Retirees In America
As many American retirees are choosing to vacation close to home and bid adieu to overseas travel, USA River Cruises are soaring in popularity. With no shortage of choices, how do they decide?
At this point-in-time, traveling to and in Europe is quite a challenge. New rules and regulations governing air travel, multi-country entry and social distancing rules that vary from country to country can seem overwhelming to retirees. Being able to cruise close to home, river cruising North America is a wonderfully relaxing way to sail the Mighty Mississippi, Great Lakes, The Hudson Valley, New England, The Florida Coast, The Northwest, even Alaska.
Many retirees have enjoyed ocean cruising, but do they really want to be that close to 3000 of their new found friends? River cruising is much different and in some cases may be better suited to the new norm for cruising. Ships on average have fewer than 200 guests. There’s never a long wait for dining and, with an open-seating policy, social distancing can be done with little concern.
River cruises visit a number of local landmarks and sights in major US cities and towns along the way. You’ll never take a tender ashore. River boats dock close-by, great for retirees so they don’t have to struggle with lots of walking from the ship to town. You dock close to landmarks, marketplaces, museums and restaurants,
Discover the Mississippi River in Comfort with Enriching Excursions.
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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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Singles Cruise Lines Ships Booking Tips Information
Even singles cruise lines offer themed single travel deals rarely. When advertised as Cruises For Singles, these deals include various themed activities geared towards single/solo travelers only. In this case, singles means unmarried people who look to make friends, to have their singles party fun vacation, and sometimes with a love connection in mind. This type of cruising is quite different from a single person cruising where solo travelers simply embark on sea vacations.
Cruises for singles are operated with group booking deals this way prices are cheaper, and all is well organized and pre-planned. Onboard activities include games, social gatherings, parties, dance lessons, speed dating events, guided excursions. There are voyages with pre-planned events where singles are able to get to know each other. The typical age of travelers on singles voyages is between 30 and 60.
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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.
I Want To Travel With My Family
Most river cruises accommodate children from varying ages, however, Uniworld and Tauck both offer family-oriented cruises specifically to share memorable moments with the whole family, from grandchildren to grandparents and everyone in between.
These itineraries encourage intergenerational travel for families and itineraries are curated so that everyone gets the most out of their holiday. Family cruises allow you to take in the Castles along the Rhine, embrace the magic of the Christmas Markets, glide down the Blue Danube, create some Family Fun Along the Seine, and enjoy many other memorable experiences together.
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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.