Advantages of cruising holidays for over 60’s


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Cruising is becoming more and more popular with the over sixties and it is not difficult to see why. It can provide a good mixture of adventure and relaxation as well as a chance to make new friends and try new activities.

My first taste of life on a boat was a PGL holiday on a Dutch barge over forty years ago.  We had bread and cheese for two meals a day and after the hot water heating failed we had to use the showers at the railway stations.  (This was a long  time ago and I am sure PGL holidays have improved since.) However, what I chiefly remember from that holiday was having the chance to watch ordinary people going about their business and the interesting small museums and quirky towns we were able to visit.

My experience of cruising after 60

 After I married I always resisted the suggestion of a cruise holiday. I felt I would get bored too easily and have cabin fever after a couple of days. I also wondered if I would have the right clothes and social skills to fit in.

Two chocolate Easter bunnies were on top of the cheeses
A Dutch cheese shop

Things changed a few years ago when we saw an advert in the Radio Times for a coach trip from Bristol to the Dutch bulb fields which included a few days on a Dutch barge. The fact that the boat was called the Lady Anne helped clinch the deal.  I found we enjoyed slow travel. We could get up when we wanted and go to bed when we felt tired. If we wanted to be sociable there was always someone to talk to, if we wanted a few hours to ourselves we could read a book in our cabin.

Cruising around Britain. Tobermory in Tobermory
Tobermory in Tobermory wombling free.

I was still not sure if we would enjoy an ocean cruise. Our next adventure was a cruise around the British Isles with CMV cruises aboard the Marco Polo sailing from Bristol. I had always wanted to visit the Scottish Isles and I figured that we were not far from land. Still cautious I booked walking tours at several ports. After a few days, I discovered why so many retired people love cruising. The Marco Polo was an adult-only ship and most of the passengers were over 60. The ship itself has an interesting history being a former Soviet luxury liner.  The food was excellent and you could have as much or as little as you wanted. I loved being able to attend lectures about the ports we would be visiting and it was good to know that tours would be well organised and at our pace.

When we became empty-nesters we decided we would like to see something of North America and for several years took coach tours up the East Coast of the U.S.A. and into Canada. We loved it but it often meant a long haul flight at each end and several very early starts while fighting jet lag.

Advantages of cruising

We still have a sense of adventure but lack the necessary stamina to enjoy long haul coach tours. I also find it difficult to live out of a suitcase and to carry it on and off a coach. On a cruise, you can set your own pace.  You can take an extra suitcase if you want one and leave all your luggage on board when you are sightseeing without any worry.  You can have an afternoon nap if you need one after an exhausting day. If you prefer to stay on board at a port there will always be entertainment. On the other hand, if you are feeling energetic you can try the gym or the swimming pool.

With CMV cruises we found a wide choice of food onboard ranging from the exotic to simple English dishes. You can have as much or as little as you like. If you have any special dietary requirements or allergies you can discuss these with one of the chefs.  On our last cruise, there was a special table in the buffet catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, diabetic and other special diets.

Nowadays there are cruises to suit all budgets and as you have already paid for accommodation, insurance, food, entertainment, leisure activities and often excursions and tips it is very easy to budget.

As my husband is almost 80, it is reassuring to know that there is an English speaking doctor on board should we need it. When we were at sea the coastguard did an exercise with the ship  which involved landing an emergency helicopter. On our second cruise, we were glad that they practice these drills as one of the passengers unfortunately suffered a stroke and had to be airlifted to safety.

Autumn trees outside the Hermitage. St. Petersburg
The exterior of the Hermitage St. Petersburg

 I am a convert to cruising and as followers of this blog know we recently went to St. Petersburg again with CMV cruises. This Baltic cruise included stops in Copenhagen and my favourite port Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. We have brought back memories and photos which we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

The beautiful Alexander Nevsky cathedral #visitestonia
Alexander Nevsky Orthodox cathedral Tallinn

Update

Unfortunately, all Cruise holidays were cancelled  in the Spring of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and like millions of other people around the world we spent months in lockdown. I think the cruise industry will re-emerge but look very different perhaps ships will spend longer at sea and visit fewer countries. Maybe cruise ships will become smaller. Whatever the future of cruising looks like I think it will be important to find good affordable and trusted travel insurance. 

Do you enjoy cruising? Do you think it has a future? I always love reading your comments.


18 responses to “Advantages of cruising holidays for over 60’s”

  1. Hi Anne, It sounds like your boat trip over forty years ago was truly an adventure. I like your term, “quirky towns.” I am always curious how people go about their day to day life.

    The last time we were on a cruise was for our 15th Wedding Anniversary, 26 years ago. I suspect things have changed.

    This is a great informative post, Anne. I am sharing this information with my husband. We have been on the fence about cruising, although I think we are curious to try it again. Also interesting about the doctor on board. I also think about these things.

    I have bookmarked your post, Anne. Thank you!

  2. I’ve never been on a cruise before but I’ve always like the idea of it! Some great points to consider in this post, will have to consider a cruise in future 🙂

  3. I have never been on a cruise before but would love to one day. My mum went on one 2 years ago and loved it

  4. I can see why cruises appeal to over 60s thanks to the adventure, relaxation and social life it offers. Have never been on a cruise myself but would love to one day.

  5. My mum loves cruising, as do we, It is a great way of visiting numerous places in a short space of time

  6. I have to say, I have never been on a cruise, but I would love to go on one. I think it would be an amazing holiday for us.

  7. I have never been on a cruise, but am looking into the possibilty of going on one to Finland for my 40th in a couple of years x

  8. I have never been on a cruise. Im not sure how much I would like it as I get car sick if im not looking out a window so always wonder if I would get sea sick.

  9. Crusing always seems like an amazing way to see more of the world. It is something I would like to try one day, I’m just worried about sea sickness I have to admit.

  10. We went on a short family cruise and loved it. There was an early meal time for the kids and a well run Kids Club to keep them busy all day.

  11. This is an interesting insight to cruising. I have wondered about it before and then not done anything about itas my husband isn’t keen. There is such a variety nowadays though, maybe one day I’ll talk him round. Mich x