Seniors Cruising – Golden Oldies

There’s a breed of cruise lines geared specifically to the older British cruiser. There’s no talk of kids’ clubs or plans to put climbing walls on the ships, but instead an emphasis on providing a hassle-free holiday on a small, friendly ship with like-minded people…

A number of cruise lines are targeted specifically at the over-50’s British cruise market. So there are no kids’ clubs, sky high climbing walls or surfing simulators on board. Nor is there any need for glitzy shows or nightclubs.

After all, the scenery and fascinating destinations offer all the entertainment you could possibly need. It’s a more mature style of cruising – with an amazing adventure thrown in for good measure. An enriching experience from start to finish, there are a large number of interesting lectures offered on board, so you not only get to see a destination – you get to really learn about it too. It’s great if you want a cruise with an educational twist.

And, with many sailing direct from the UK, it’s so easy to getaway. So find out which cruise line’s for you by checking out my top picks:

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred.Olsen is a favourite with British cruisers aged 65-plus renowned for its traditional style. With four ships sailing direct from Britain, you can cruise almost anywhere from the UK with Fred. Olsen – whether it’s the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean or even South America and even around the world.

Holding between 804 and 1,350 guests, Fred. Olsen’s smaller ships have a real intimate and personal feel. There are jigsaws in the library, afternoon tea in the observatory lounge, song-and-dance shows in the evening, and dinner is served in two sittings, on tables allocated for the entire cruise. And lectures can be attended on board too – courtesy
of a team of dedicated professionals. Sharing their knowledge and experience, they will help to enhance your cruise holiday.

Swan Hellenic

Defining the art of discovery cruising for more than 50 years, Swan Hellenic offers a truly unique and cultural travel experience geared towards well-travelled erudite Brits, aged 65-plus, who want to visit unusual places and listen to in-depth lectures about them as they go. A combination of world-class destinations and off the beaten track ports of call, a cruise aboard Swan Hellenic’s one 350-guest ship, Minerva, offers something for every avid explorer.

Once you’re on your quest for discovery, you can look forward to a programme packed with tailor-made shore excursions – which are included in the cruise fare. And, with a renowned guest speaker programme, your days at sea will be enriched even further – you’ll really get to know each destination you visit. An inspiring experience from start to finish, Swan Hellenic offers the perfect way to see – and learn about – the world.

Voyages of Discovery

A more adventurous cruise line that appeals to Britons aged 60-plus, Voyages of Discovery is known for its traditional style and unusual itineraries. With a real focus on adventure and discovery, by embarking on one of their cruises you will get to take in some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes, including the North Circle, the Far East and North Africa – as well as some of the more sought after regions like the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea.

An intimate size, Voyages of Discovery’s two ships – the 650-guest Discovery and the 550-guest Voyager – are able to slip into those secluded and mysterious ports – ports where the larger liners are unable to go.

These exciting adventures are complemented by knowledgeable guest speakers on board. It’s the perfect opportunity to unlock the secrets of each destination you visit. That’s not all, to make sure you squeeze as much out of your adventure as possible, Voyages of Discovery’s programme features historians, explorers, naturalists and diplomats, who share their expertise, anecdotes and interests with you.

And, as a Voyages of Discovery cruise stays in a destination longer, you get to see more and have lots more time to explore…

Cruise and Maritime Voyages

Providing a traditional cruise experience, Cruise and Maritime offer a tremendous variety of itineraries. Sailing to thrilling destinations like the Norwegian Fjords and the Amazon, Cruise and Maritime’s adventures are available direct from the UK aboard their two 800-guest ships – the Marco Polo and Ocean Countess.

There’s a whole host of entertainment and enrichment programmes on board too. Geared towards the more mature British cruise passenger, destination experts and maritime historians all come on board to ensure you get as much out of your voyage as possible. Recognising that exploring new places and discovering different cultures are the highlights of any cruise holiday, Cruise and Maritime have created a wide selection of optional shore excursions to maximise your time at each port of call. When it comes to adventure cruises, Cruise and Maritime really do have it covered.