Senior Travel Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trip Packages

Senior Travel Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trips

3,865 Senior Travel trips. Tours from 190 tour companies. 15,770 reviews. 4.5/5 avg rating.

87 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Ship Cruise
Society Islands, Cook Islands, Tonga & Fiji
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Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • View manta rays gliding effortlessly through the underwater world when you take a diving excursion during your cruise—it’s the best time of year to see them.
  • Explore Tonga, the last remaining Polynesian monarchy and only South Pacific nation never colonized by Europeans.
  • Call upon two beautiful Fijian ports—the bustling capital city of Suva, which effortlessly combines Polynesian flair with European sophistication, and Savusavu, called the “Hidden Paradise of Fiji.”

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

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Bali to Fiji
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Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bali, Komodo National Park, Port Moresby, Solomon Islands

Highlights

  • Right now is the best time to discover Lombok Island. Lying just 40 miles east of Bali, this tropical wonderland has the advantage of being as yet undiscovered by the tourist crowds
  • Visit the capital of Timor-Leste, one of the youngest countries in the world. In Dili, you can climb to the Cristo Rei (Christ the King) statue, stroll the waterfront, and enjoy excellent diving and snorkeling
  • History buffs will thrill to the many landmarks of World War II that dot this itinerary, including Merauke, Indonesia; Samarai Island, Papua New Guinea; Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu; and, most famously, Guadalcanal, the Solomon Island where combat marked a turning point in the Pacific theater

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Transformative

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10 Night Accessible Western Mediterranean Escorted Group Cruise
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4/5 Great
2 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cartagena, Colosseum, Florence, Naples, Rome

Highlights

  • Explore Cartagena
  • Enjoy a memorable stroll through Dalt Vila
  • Experience a private Ibizan Herb workshop with a master alchemist.
  • Visit and explore the city of Palma, the largest city of Mallorca and the capital of the Balearic Islands.
  • Visit other Provence highlights including the 17th century Town Hall
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"We booked a family trip. I worked with two agents at Sage. They wanted to make sure the trip was without any issues due to two people in our group needing additional services. The trip was one of a life time."

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Absoluut2 - Classic Cruise in Burgundy
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5/5 Excellent
8 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Burgundy, Dijon

Highlights

  • Walking tour of old Dijon
  • Enjoy Wine tasting at Château de Meursault
  • Visit to Château de Commarin

Themes

50 plus, Culinary & Wine, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We had a wonderful time on the Panache with an awesome crew who anticipates every wish you may ever have. Thank you so much, Paul, Andy, Holly (your food was delicious!), André, Perrine and Agata. We will never forget the trip with you!"

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Isles and Inlets of Argyll
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Opportunity to cruise and explores some of the fabulous long, sheltered sea lochs in Argyll
  • Experience the stars as you never have before, with no light pollution at our anchorages at night
  • Climb to see the mysterious "Maids of Bute" painted stones

Themes

50 plus, Birding, Cultural, Family Friendly, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats, Singles Travel, Small Ship Cruise, Transformative, Sailing

What travelers are saying

"I had a simply marvellous and memorable experience aboard St Hilda with the Mull Odyssey cruise. Christophe and Kerry were fantastic, helpful , lovely people. Everybody was great company! The land and seascapes were quite amazing, the light and shade effects wonderful. I know and love the West Coast of Scotland, and this is a wonderful way of seeing it. Highlights were the peace of Iona, the puffins within a couple of feet on Lunga, the fantastic mountains of Mull reflected in the water.... I could go on for ever! Quite the best holiday of my life!"

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Rose Parade and Panama Canal Cruise
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4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cartagena, Los Angeles, Miami, Santa Barbara

Highlights

  • Enjoy an exclusive private viewing of the Rose Parade floats and the parade from reserved grandstand seats
  • Travel along the Southern California coast through Santa Barbara to Solvang and Pismo Beach
  • Enjoy an included guided tour of Hearst Castle
  • While cruising, visit ports in five countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Colombia
  • Witness the Panama Canal transit in daylight

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Tour is advertised as an "active" tour. However, YMT sold the tours to seniors and others who were unable to walk more than 1/8 mile, unable to navigate stairs or had to walk with the aid of walkers. As a result, 80 percent of the "explorations" were to visitor centers, look out points, stores or washrooms, that were within 100 feet or less of the bus. This tour should be categorized as "relaxed". A big disappointment! The bus driver was friendly and accommodating and drove us safely from one site to another. He sold water to the guests in small bottles for $1 each. I think YMT should be more conscientious of the environment and at least offer bottle refills, especially since the guide practically demanded that each person drink one gallon of water per day. The tour guide was marginally knowledgeable about the area and spent too much time telling us about her private life and friends. She led one hike, but talked mostly about how the rains had changed the landscape. One day she left two guests at the hotel and wanted the people on the bus to take responsibility for not letting her know that people were missing. We were encouraged to find hikes to take on our own, which I felt compromised safety, especially when we had an hour or so to "explore" - there was no safety or backup plan, especially if something untoward happened on a hike. She opted out of taking us to the sunset tour of the Grand Canyon telling us that it was raining and we wouldn't be able to see anything. So a couple of us went to the site on our own and it was possibly one of the best experiences I had on the entire tour (and not a drop of rain!). I often felt bullied into purchasing lunches or meals "offered" by the guide, who made it sound like there were no other options. It was difficult to listen to her brag about how well she was doing and how happy everyone was, when many people were complaining that the tour was not what they expected - mostly because it was too active!!! The accommodations were mostly good - a couple of anomalies (one with a plugged sink and no hot water for a shower, another with a pervasive bad odor). The excursions offered at the time of booking were mostly unavailable later (except for the over-priced meals). Another disappointment because I booked the tour partly because of one of the excursions offered at the time of booking. I would not recommend this tour, because I don't think it is advertised correctly."

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Spectacular Ross Sea (incl. helicopters)
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Tierra del Fuego National Park, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Enjoy sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel
  • Discover Flora and fauna in the Ross Sea
  • Visit Terra Nova Bay
  • Visit Borchgrevink's Hut
  • Visit the sub-Antarctic New Zealand Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Campbell Island

Themes

50 plus, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I booked an Antarctic Peninsula trip two years ago through Oceanwide Expeditions that I have been looking forward to for a long time. My goal is to scuba dive on every continent, so I added on the dive package and started training. I shelled out a few grand for a drysuit and other cold water diving gear (freeze resistant regulators, etc). I booked trips to bump up my number of drysuit dives so I’d be ready for Antarctica. Probably more important than the training was the financial outlay. I spent nearly $8500 USD on an 11 day Antarctic cruise that was supposed to depart in February. I spent another few thousand dollars on flights to, from and within Argentina and hotels throughout my trip. Mind you, I’m not exactly rolling in money; I’m an Army officer and I had to save up to afford this trip of a lifetime. I had to jump through a lot of hoops to get my international leave approved, but I got that done and was ready to fly to Buenos Aires on February 4th, and then on to Ushuaia to meet my ship my dives were logged, my gear was ready, my arrangements were made and my money was spent. On January 10th, Oceanwide sent an email informing all passengers that they were cancelling all of their itineraries for the season due to Omicron. I’ll admit, I was furious. I don’t want to get into a COVID debate here, but this trip has given me something to look forward to throughout the pandemic. I booked in March of 2020 while I was locked down during my last deployment as the world shut down for COVID. I was concerned about the trip, but Argentina eventually opened their borders as their vaccination numbers skyrocketed. It looked like the last impediment was out of my way, only to have the company pull the rug out from under me because of the mildest strain of this virus we’ve yet seen. The initial email offered to rebook passengers on next year’s cruises, but I had no interest in this for a few reasons- 1. As a service member, I don’t have the luxury of taking a month of leave whenever I want. I don’t know what obligations I will have a year from now. 2. I don’t trust that the world will be any better off in terms of government and corporate reactions to COVID a year from now. This isn’t going away, new variants will continue to emerge, so if the company is cancelling for the season over something as mild as Omicron, I have little confidence that whatever variant we see in February 2023 will be any better. 3. The company cancelled all itineraries in the 2020-2021 season and I’d imagine they did the same in the 2019-2020 season. They ran a couple in November-December 2021, but have cancelled for the rest of the 21-22 season. They have had no significant cash flow for nearly two years. I don’t want this company to hold on to my money for another year because I’m not confident this company will still exist in a year’s time. Here comes the really frustrating part- I replied to the initial email from their home office on January 10th explaining my position and requesting a refund. I received no reply. On 12 January I emailed the American office of the same company explaining the situation and again requesting a refund. I again received no reply. Between 14-16 January, I called both the American and home (Dutch) offices of the company. In both cases, the employees politely apologized and told me they’d look into it and get back to me. I never received any further communication. On 19 January, I emailed both offices reiterating my request for a refund and expressing my concerns at their lack of communication and requesting a response by the end of the week, or else I would pursue other means of recourse. I received no response. Last night, I again emailed both companies with a final good faith attempt to allow them to resolve the situation. I figured I’d give them the morning to respond, but they have not responded. It looks like I will have to dispute this through my credit card and bank and fight to get back my own money. TL;DR Oceanwide Expeditions accepted payment of $8500 for an Antarctica Cruise then cancelled the cruise and will not respond to any requests for refunds. This shady conduct is more than enough reason to avoid this company."

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Ross Sea With Helicopters - West
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula

Highlights

  • Explore Antarctic Peninsula sail through spectacular Lemaire Channel
  • Experience Sailing south through the Penola Strait
  • See the awesome Bellingshausen Sea
  • Enjoy the fabulous sail through the Amundsen Sea along
  • Visit Ross Island, guarded by Mount Erebus
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Themes

50 plus, Local Immersion & Homestays, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Andrew stole our money ($22,000) that we paid for a luxury Ecuador / Peru vacation. He also stole $8,000 from our friend that was meeting us in South America. He first took our calls in 2020-2021, then disconnected all numbers. We went to the credit card company, and were unable to get a refund. He is a scammer. Beware! The trip was in April 2020, but I finished with the credit card company in May 2022."

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87 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Ship Cruise

Senior Travel Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
15,770  Reviews
See all Senior Travel tour reviews
Excellent
4,884
Great
2,085
Average
440
Disappointing
117
Terrible
55
J

Julie

Sep 2019

Written on

This is an amazing trip.

This is an amazing trip. There is a lot of traveling but it is very much worth it, to get the opportunity to see the very best of Alaska. The scenery is spectacular,...

T

Tina

Sep 2018

Written on

Alaska was an amazing experience and was one of the loveliest places we have seen

Alaska was an amazing experience and was one of the loveliest places we have seen so far. It was made all the better by our fellow travellers and our guide. Travelli...

A

Allan

Oct 2023

Written on

Greek Island Cruise

Although the trip is not luxury by any means, it is most enjoyable, peaceful and relaxing. If you don't mind simple accomodations and like camping you will enjoy th...

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Senior Travel Tour Selection Trips

Physical Requirements For Senior Tours 
Understanding the physical requirements of your desired tour is crucial for preparing for the trip and managing expectations, especially for travelers with limited mobility.
On Travelstride, tours are categorized into five primary physical levels: Very Easy, Easy, Moderate, Strenuous, and Extreme, providing clarity on the level of activity involved. This knowledge not only ensures you can fully enjoy your vacation but also helps alleviate stress by informing your packing decisions.
For instance, for walking tours rated as "Easy," you may pack extra walking clothes. In contrast, river cruises ("Very Easy") allow for indulgent packing with the convenience of only unpacking once.
Senior travelers typically favor tours in the Very Easy to Easy range, which include river cruises, small ship cruises, and guided tours with minimal walking, often focusing on hobbies or cultural experiences.
For more active seniors, Moderate tours offer regular half-day walking or cycling activities. They may include adventurous pursuits like kayaking or camel riding.
Those with limited mobility may find senior tours rated Easy, such as river cruises and train journeys, most suitable. Remember to verify wheelchair accessibility with the tour company to ensure a welcoming experience.
Read tips for travelers with limited mobility 

Additional details

Senior Travel Bus Tours 

One popular option for senior travel is by coach. Coach-based tours are a convenient way of getting between the sights without having to wait in line, or worry about which route is the most efficient. Traveling by bus is also a great opportunity to see a lot more of wherever you are visiting -- not just the tourist sites -- and get a good feel for the place you’re in.

If you love the outdoors, bus tours are an extremely popular option for seniors in the U.S. They provide a great way to move between the national parks, and, as mentioned, see everything in between. Even if you don’t love nature, consider taking a cultural bus tour around a specific region or state. For example, travel by coach between ranches and bustling metropolises in Texas.

Senior Travel Deals & Discounts

Another advantage of traveling when you’re older is that you qualify for plenty of discounts! Regardless of where you are traveling, you should always ask to see whether or not there is some kind of senior discount. With that being said, some countries are notorious for the bargains they offer both senior citizens and visitors.

For seniors who intend to travel the USA, and are citizens, there are plenty of opportunities to save money. The National Parks System offers a lifetime entry ticket for seniors at a very low price, and an AARP membership can guarantee even more discounted rates on hotels, flights, and cruises. Other good senior vacation destinations known for their senior deals are the United Kingdom and Italy, which both lower the cost of train tickets and airfares for seniors.  

Traveling with Medication & Other Health Issues 

One common concern amongst older travelers is how they are going to travel with various medical conditions, and while on medication. It is possible to travel almost anywhere, as long as the traveler is prepared. Before leaving the country, make sure to pack enough of medicine for the entire duration of your trip, and then a few day extra, in case there are any delays. If the traveler is flying, they should also make sure to keep their medication in a carry on. 

If at all possible, keep your medication in its original prescription bottles -- this allows TSA inspectors to confirm that the medication belongs to you. On a similar note, TSA also allows for liquid medications above the usual liquid limits, so make sure to tell an agent at the security checkpoint about any liquids you might have. 

If you are concerned about other health issues, it is not a bad idea to visit a doctor up to 6 weeks before you travel. And regardless of their specific advice, seniors traveling internationally should plan for a recovery from any jet lag or motion sickness. If you suffer from mobility issues, make sure to double check the physical intensity of any tours you are looking at. 

Also consider the types of transportation on your trip -- if you your legs cramp up, inform your tour company that you may need extra leg room, and make sure to find out how long flights and bus rides might be.

Finally, some seniors choose to invest in a travel health insurance plan. Many health care plans, including Medicare, will not cover you once you’re outside the country.

Why Travel with a Senior Travel Group?

Group travel boasts a number of benefits. First and foremost, group tours are convenient. Whether you select a budget or all-inclusive senior travel package, your tour operator will likely manage at least some portion of your travel details. This means more less energy spent stressing, and more time enjoying your vacation.

Travel groups are also a great place for seniors to meet like-minded travelers. Reading about each tour will give you a better idea about who you will be traveling with, and there are many trips that have a minimum age, or focus on a particular activity. For those with a passion for lifelong learning, consider embarking on an educational adventure with a tour provider like Road Scholar (previously known as Elderhostel), which offers over 5,000 tours in 150 countries.

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On Travelstride you can find 3865 trips to Senior Travel and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

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