Best Cruise Lines For Empty Nesters & Adults 50+

Now that the kids are out of the house or you have reached a point where you have more flexibility with your career, you may be ready to take that trip that you have always wanted or check that box that you have always wanted to check.  For practically every traveling box on your bucket list, there is a cruise or trip or a resort available to make those dreams a reality.

Before you start your planning, some factors that you might want to consider are 1)budget- how much do you have set aside to spend, 2)location- areas of the world where you would like to visit, 3)desired activities- what would you like to do/ how do you prefer to spend your vacation and 4)deal breakers/must haves- what would you like to avoid and what would help to ensure a great vacation for you.  A good travel agent (hint, hint) can help you not only figure out how to flush out these considerations, but can also guide you in the right directions once these considerations are figured out.

When it comes to budget, you might find yourself in a situation where you want to be smart with your money and make some tradeoffs. Or, you might be ready to take that ultra-luxurious trip that you have always wanted to take. Regardless of where you are on the spectrum, there are options available.  Knowing where you stand is a very helpful way to guide your planning.  There are ways to find bits of luxury even on a tighter budget, and there are ways to ensure that your money is being utilized to its fullest potential when you plan that trip.

       If you are looking for the ultra-luxurious, you might want to consider Explora Cruise Line.  Explora had their first ship set sail in 2023 and they now have two ships with a third coming this year and two more on the way.  Because they are a newer cruise line, they have some great deals as compared to other ultra-luxury cruise lines. With Explora, every stateroom is a suite of varying sizes, and practically everything is included in the price of the cruise. We have found that Celebrity offers a higher end product at a reasonable price, so if you are looking for luxury but still would like to be smarter with your money, than perhaps Celebrity is for you.

Have you ever been to Alaska and traveled on a train up to Denali? Have you always wanted to see Japan, the Mediterranean, parts of Europe? What about Antarctica? What if you aren’t sure where you want to go but you know you would like to experience some great cuisine? What about treating your family to a couple of days at Disney World and then cruise with them on a ship to the Caribbean? There are numerous options for every item on your bucket list.  Let me know as your travel agent what you are thinking so you can get the conversation started on planning that next big adventure.

       When traveling through Alaska, for example, many cruise lines will have cruise tours, or land tours, that you can tack onto your cruise.  Or, your travel agent can help you piece together your own land tour by scheduling your train rides from Denali to your cruise port or by getting that once in a lifetime helicopter ride booked.

Are you typically an active traveler? Do you like to fish, ride bikes, hike, go ziplining, ski? Or, do you like to spend your time shopping from local vendors or have more intimate experiences? When you travel, is your focus on the cuisine of the place or perhaps you are interested in the music or the history of the location you are visiting? Maybe you are like me and you love to just relax.  Maybe your goals are to stretch out on those white sand beaches or sit back and enjoy the views.  There trips or excursions designed for every type but its helpful to know which direction you lean towards.

       Many of the cruise lines will have some great excursions that you can book through them or, as your travel agent, I can help you find some that fit your needs as well.  Cruise lines such as Viking or Silversea will include excursions in every port, so all you have to do is pick one that works for you.  If your main goal is to relax, Virgin knows what they are doing with the hammocks that they have on most balconies.

Finally, let’s talk about deal breakers or must have for your next trip.  How do you feel about traveling with kids? There are cruise lines or cruise tours where there will be lots of kids, some kids, few kids and even no kids.  Often simply picking a specific time of year, ship, or location will help to limit or curate the ages of people on a ship.  Do you have to have a balcony or view from your room? Many cruise lines like Explora exclusively have suites with balconies.  Many cruise lines have a wide variety of room types so the vacation can better fit your budget.  Some travelers prefer a much smaller and more intimate experience while cruising.  There are cruise ships with over 7,000 passengers and there are those that have as few as 300 passengers, or less even.  All of the ships have their pros and cons and some even provide a “ship within a ship” experience, so that you are able to have a more intimate experience even on the bigger ships.

      If looking for an adults-only cruise line, Virgin Voyages and Viking offer great experiences, so that you can truly getaway from the kiddos and responsibilities that you might have left at home.  For smaller cruise lines, Silversea, Explora and the Ritz Carlton Yacht Club have designed ships with a more intimate experience.  If looking for a fantastic way to wow the kids or grandkids, you can’t go wrong with Royal Caribbean’s newer ships or with the great experiences that Disney have to offer.         

      Whatever the goals might be for your next big vacation, let’s sit down and talk them through, so that I can help make it your next big adventure yet.