The Best Romantic Cruise Lines For Couples
Onboard any given cruise, the majority of the passengers are usually couples. Why is cruising so popular for couples? First of all, its a stress-free vacation every detail from accommodations, meals and entertainment, to activities and sightseeing are looked after and prepaid. Once onboard, theres no need to lift a finger or make a decision, except to order a beverage or choose which dinner entrée to have.
Cruising also brings couples to their destinations safely and conveniently. No unpacking and packing, changing hotels or deciding on where to eat and how to get there. The ship is a floating resort that whisks them to interesting places, and after a day of sightseeing, it welcomes them home with a delightful dinner, fantastic entertainment, and a comfortable bed guaranteed. All the details being taken care of means more time for couples to spend with each other.
Last but not least, cruises for couples offer so many activities to do together from romantic dinners, spa treatments to ballroom dancing, and star-gazing. And at every port, couples can discover exciting destinations and build lifetime memories.
River Ship Line #: Crystal River Cruises
Crystal River Cruises launched in 2016 with custom-built river ships. The company is dead-set on matching the top-of-the-line service of its ocean ships in this offeringand it’s certainly got readers convinced. The fleet has five river shipsfour of which, Crystal Bach, Mahler, Debussy, and Ravel, are Europes only all-suite, all-balcony river shipssailing the Moselle, Rhine, Danube, and Main rivers. Guests enjoy an all-inclusive experience, with free butler service, unlimited drinks , WiFi, and fitness classes.
Small Ship Line #: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Sailing with only 490 guests, the Seven Seas Navigator takes its all-inclusive promise seriously, offering unlimited shore excursions, open bars with premium wines , unlimited Wi-Fi, and dining in specialty restaurants. The ship sails all over the world, spending time in Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe on week-long to three-month-long sailings.
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Large Ship Line #: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Lines is all about good family fun at a pretty affordable price point. The largest cruise line in the world in terms of number of annual passengers as well as fleet count, it has 24 ships that sail North America and Europe, with about half of them having a capacity between 2,500 and 3,900 guests. Carnival is known for its fun upper decks that are akin to an amusement park at sea, between water slides, ropes courses, mini-golf, and attractions like SkyRide, where guests pedal a hanging vehicle around a suspended track.
Small Ship Line #1: Silversea Cruises
Silversea’s five expedition ships stop in the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Europe, Africa, the Galápagos, and Antarctica on shorter duration sailings, but they also offer around-the-world itineraries for an international clientele. Off-the-beaten-path excursions make for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like penguin spotting in Antarctica or private catamaran tours in tropical locales. In September 2019, Silversea completed its first journey through the Northwest Passagea monumental featwith the Silver Explorer, a 144-passenger expedition vessel. The fleet was joined by the new Silver Origin, a Galapagos-specific ship, in 2020.
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Large Ship Line #: Disney Cruise Line
If theres one thing Disney Cruise Line does well, its hospitality. The company has taken every lesson its learned from its parks and resort operations and implemented that into its four cruise ships, the 2,400-passenger Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, and the 4,000-passenger Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. The ships are designed for families through and throughthere are numerous themed activities every day, from meet-and-greets to full-blown parties with Disney charactersbut there are plenty of adults-only areas that provide a respite from little ones. That said, the ships are not over-the-top when it comes to Disney decor. In fact, theyre quite elegant, taking design inspiration from early-20th-century ocean liners and sporting Art Deco and Art Nouveau aesthetics. The four ships currently sail the Caribbean Alaska Europe the Pacific Coast and the Panama Canal. Three more ships are scheduled to be added to the fleet between 2022 and 2023.
Medium Ship Line #1: Marella Cruises
U.K.based cruise line Marella, which is operated by TUI UK, has a fleet of six ships that hold between 1,100 and 2,000 passengers, sailing itineraries around Europe, the Middle East, North America, and the Caribbean, with some special journeys to Asia. The sailings are billed as all-inclusive, and they do include alcoholic beverages and tips, but some of the specialty restaurants cost an extra fee.
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Small Ship Line #: Ecoventura
As Ecoventura operates a fleet of three expedition yachts with a capacity of only 20 passengers, you know youre getting a personalized experience on board. The ships sail two week-long itineraries in the Galápagosyou can combine them both if you want more time with the islands incredible wildlife. The luxurious ships each have 10 well-appointed cabins, a lounge where naturalists provide lectures and briefings before excursions, a dining room and bar, a library filled with scholarly tomes on the Galápagos, and a sundeck for relaxation.
What To Expect On A Seniors’ Cruise
Seniors are very active and cruise lines recognize that. Want to learn the tango or make pottery? In most cases, you’ll find so many onboard activity options that you might feel overwhelmed at first. Seniors make up such a large portion of people who enjoy cruises that companies cater to their needs and wants. In fact, you can also notify the cruise line in advance of special dietary restrictions you follow, so meals can be made to fit your particular lifestyle.
If you go on a cruise line geared towards senior citizens, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself free from families with small children. You can expect a quieter trip than you might otherwise find on traditional cruises, with more activities tailored to a mature set.
What’s more, since cruise lines don’t have to put skating rinks and other kid-friendly activities on-board, cruises for people over 50 years of age will quite often be on smaller boats. You’ll also have less deck space to travel across and less clutter from activities that aren’t designed with seniors in mind.
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Best Cruise Lines For Senior Citizens
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Which cruise line is best for seniors? That really depends on what kind of senior you are. Some retirees are ready for adventure, looking to conquer the world with extensive travels and new experiences.
Others want to use their non-working years to pursue their hobbies or expand their minds. Still other older adults want to simply relax and enjoy not having a schedule to follow.
No matter what your vacation goals are, theres a cruise line for you. And heres a secret: The most popular cruises for seniors are often beloved by younger cruisers as well.
You wont be stuck with a ship full of only old people and you can travel with your family .
While any cruise line could be a great choice for seniors, here are our picks for the five best cruise lines for senior citizens.
Best Cruise Lines For Seniors Over 60
- Princess Cruises. With its fleet of accessible ships, Princess Cruises is well-versed in catering to an over 60s crowd. Rooms are fully equipped and you can enjoy plenty of senior-friendly activities on board.
- Holland America Line. This cruise line offers accessible rooms for guests with mobility issues and is very popular with seniors over 60, so you’re bound to meet like-minded passengers on board.
- Celebrity Cruises. Celebrity Cruises offers wheelchair-accessible accommodation as well as special services for seniors with limited mobility. You can also take part in plenty of low-intensity pursuits on board like lawn games, art classes, destination lectures and photo editing courses.
- Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean offers accessible rooms for seniors with mobility issues along with wheelchair-friendly excursions. It also offers a variety of tours and classes perfect for passengers with mobility constraints.
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River Ship Line #: Amawaterways
AmaWaterways cruises the waters of Europe, Africa, Vietnam, and Cambodia, with a handful of new ships debuting in the past few years. In 2019, the line launched AmaMagna, a double-wide river cruise on the Danube that features massive 710-square-foot suitesa size unheard of on a river-going vessel. Despite the ship being so much larger than its sisters, the passenger count only increased by 20 percent to 196 guests, ensuring an intimate experience.
Australia & New Zealand Cruises
Another option is Norwegian’s lineup of Australia and New Zealand cruises. These once-in-a-lifetime itineraries are ideal for seniors. Many Australia cruise voyages depart from Sydney or Auckland and may include stops in Southeast Asia or other exotic South Pacific islands such as Vanuatu, Fiji, French Polynesia, and New Caledonia.
Possible ports of call include Napier, New Zealand, the Art Deco capital of the world. Napier adopted its art deco style after being destroyed by an earthquake in 1931. In Wellington, you can explore renowned filming locations and beautiful harbor views. Lyttelton is only 20 minutes away from Christchurch City, but it feels like thousands of miles away. This tiny port town is home to slightly more than 3,000 people. Look for fun restaurants and cafes, along with bohemian cafes and art studios. You may also stop in Dunedin on the South Island. Dunedin is home to the rare yellow-eyed penguins, Royal Albatross, and fur seals. Did you know that Dunedin was once a gold rush town?
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Special Needs And Mobility
Concerned about mobility and special needs? Sites like Special Needs Group/Special Needs at Sea have done extensive research on which cruise lines are the best for disabled passengers with a wheelchair or mobility scooter. If you want to know if your preferred cruise line is handicap accessible, look at their list of entries.
Book At The Right Time
There are certain cycles through the year when cruise lines have trouble filling all their cabins, and thats when you steal the great deals, Clark says.
After Thanksgiving but before Christmas kicks off is a bargain time for any kind of travel and cruises are right in the midst of that, he says. Europe? Early in the season and late in the season, you get cheaper rates. Alaska, early in the season and late in the season.
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Mega Ship Line #: Norwegian Cruise Line
Known for its colorful ships, Norwegian Cruise Line first broke into the mega-ship category in 2010 with the launch of Norwegian Epic, which can carry just over 5,000 passengers at full occupancy, and have since introduced five others in the Breakaway and Breakaway-Plus classes. The crowd aboard these vessels, which primarily sail in North America, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean, often consists of families who take advantage of amenities like waterparks, virtual-reality gaming, and go-kart racing, though the cruise lines newest ship, Norwegian Bliss, has a decidedly more mature atmosphere. In November 2019, Norwegian launched the newest member of its fleet, Norwegian Encore, which is the most luxurious of its mega-ships.
Canada & New England Cruises
If you are looking for a cruise that stays relatively close to home, consider a Canada & New England cruise. A Canada cruise typically departs from either New York or Boston and takes place only during the fall, the best time to go leaf-peeping. Norwegian’s New England and Canada cruises offer the ideal mix of historical sights and natural beauty.
Experience the natural beauty of the rugged coastline in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the gorgeous Victorian architecture of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. In Rhode Island, you can witness the millionaires’ mansions on Bellevue Avenue. Some itineraries include an overnight in Quebec City, which is full of endless old French charm. Other possible ports include Bar Harbor and Portland, both in Maine. Bar Harbor is where you’ll find Acadia National Park and some of the best views of autumn leaves.
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Large Ship #: Msc Cruises
Nearly half of MSCs fleetnamely those ships in the Musica and Fantasia classesfalls into the large cruise category, with its newer builds firmly taking a bigger is better stance. The eight large vessels primarily sail in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, though they do offer itineraries in North and South America, Asia, and Northern Europe, too. The family-friendly ships skew on the upscale side, and theyre known for their incredibly international crowds.
River Ship Line #: American Queen Steamboat Company
If nostalgias the name of your game, book a trip with the American Queen Steamboat Company, whose four paddlewheelers sail the Mississippi, Columbia, Snake, Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers. These are leisurely sailings: most are nine days long, with some outliers like the 15- or 16-day journey from Minneapolis to New Orleans.
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Things To Consider For Adult & Couple Cruises
Having Adults-Only Space: Yes, there are adult-focused cruise lines. But before you simply book one of those, know that they tend to be more expensive than mass market lines. As well, they dont have near the number of ships or departure ports as larger lines that also welcome families.
In other words, unless you have no problem flying to a port and have a flexible schedule, adult-focused lines might be out of the question.
Thats why its smart to instead focus on ships that have appealing adults-only areas. These days most ships have them, but they can vary widely. For instance, on many Royal Caribbean ships there is a Solarium area that is a covered pool designed only for adults. Thats appealing to some, but if you want something thats more open air, then you might like Carnivals Serenity Adult-Only Retreat. This is open-air with hot tubs and private seating. However, there is no pool.
In other words, before you book your trip, youll want to weigh the pros and cons of any adults-only area the ship may have.
Ship Atmosphere: Just like any hotel, every cruise line has a different atmosphere. Some are fun and outgoing while others are more reserved and stately. It goes without saying that matching up the atmosphere of the cruise line with what youre looking for in a vacation can make a major impact on your enjoyment.
Things You Need To Consider:
Before you even start scouting for the best cruise packages, here are a few questions you need to ask yourself first to help you narrow down your choices:
How many days do you intend travel? Are you traveling solo, with a partner, family, or with a group? What are you looking forward to achieve from this trip? Do you have any mobility issues? Any health conditions that need to special assistance? How much is your budget?
You see, different ships offer different amenities, different services, and different facilities. Some cruise lines dont offer the utmost convenience to passengers with disabilities, even though they have complied with ADA . Yet, some cruise lines go as far as featuring hydraulic pool chairs in their pools as well as providing wheelchair accessibility. Some ships cater to multi-generation families while others are designed to exclusively accommodate adults.
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Are There Cruises For Seniors
While we dont offer specific senior citizen cruises, older guests can be assured theyll have an unforgettable cruise experience on any Celebrity ship wherever they choose to cruise around the world.
Cruising is an easy way to experience multiple destinations in one vacation while enjoying the amenities and activities offered on a luxury cruise ship.
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Its also an excellent opportunity to spend time with multiple family members, reconnecting and enjoying a shared experience. Celebrity makes it easy to plan family reunion cruises, as well as anniversaries and vow renewals, for small groups or large.
Celebrity Cruise ships offer a variety of staterooms, including accessible options for those who may have mobility, sight, or hearing needs, and on some ships, single occupancy staterooms for those cruising solo.
Onboard dining includes 24-hour room service, flexible reservation times for dinner, options for a variety of diets, and lighter fare at venues throughout the ship.
Whether you want to sit back and relax on a pool deck lounger or be on the go from early morning until late night, senior citizen cruises accommodate every level of interest and activity.
Take a leisurely or brisk walk or jog on deck, check out the variety of classes offered at the fitness center, or pamper yourself with spa appointments for everything from massages to facials and body wraps.
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Our Top 5 Picks For Best Senior Cruises:
1. Azamara Club Cruises
Azamara Club Cruises is a subsidiary of the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Whats interesting is that although this cruise line offers luxury service, they try to keep it low profile and avoid the designation of such. Nevertheless, many of their guests commend the cruise line for its upscale service and amenities they provide. These services are inclusive in the fare. Among its many accolades, Azamara has been ranked #4 by Condé Nast Traveller in the Top 10 midsize ship lines which was featured in Readers Choice Awards 2014. It was also nominated #2 in Worlds Best Awards by Travel + Leisure.
The Fleet
Azamara Club Cruises takes pride in two ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, are large enough to offer high-end amenities and services while small enough to be able to enter places larger ships would have to avoid. Azamara cruises are known for spending extra time in port along with a handsome number of overnight stays for guests to explore the area.
Each ship can accommodate around 686 guests, most which are an older crowd.
The Experience
The Destinations
- Enrichment programs and classes
- Accommodates special dietary needs
- Complimentary onshore events to experience local culture
Other Unique Offerings
The Cost
- Senior citizen discounts on select sailings
Upcoming cruises:
- Explorers Lounge
Other Unique Offerings
Awards
Best Dining Experience, Master Chefs Table2014 Porthole Cruise Magazine Editor-in-Chief Award
In one wordWorldclass.
The Fleet
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