Top Cruise Tips for Comfortable Senior Travel

Did you know that 52% of seniors or those aged 65+ rank travel and vacation as their number one priority for discretionary income? This season of life is the perfect time to set out on a new adventure — and what better way to make it happen than by taking a cruise and reconnecting with family and friends while checking off top destinations on your bucket list.

Whether it’s an active itinerary or a chance to unwind, a cruise vacation is the perfect option for retirees and those in the 65+ age category. You also get the benefit of unpacking once and making your stateroom a comfortable home away from home.

• Removes planning stress: Book once and let Holland America transport you to remarkable destinations like towering glaciers in Alaska, clear-blue water in the Caribbean, or an immersive journey through Europe.
• Activities for all: Traveling with a group? We provide shore excursions and on board activities for those who either want to unwind or learn a new skill.
• Refreshingly free of amusement parks: Our ships provide a space to relax, soak in the views, catch up on your reading, and so much more.

Your adventure starts the moment you step aboard! Dive into enriching programs, experience world-class entertainment, and discover endless ways to keep the excitement going.

1. Go dancing with endless nightlife & entertainment
   Energy on the ship is electric all evening long with live performances every night. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll have experiences too good to hurry through — check out classic favorites like the Rolling Stone Lounge or lose yourself in the soulful sounds of B.B. King’s Blues Club.
2. Enjoy senior-friendly cruise activities
   Discover programs tailored just for you and your interests. From mahjong to tai chi, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
   • Wellness & fitness classes
   • Hydrotherapy
   • Adults-Only Sea View Pool
   • Pickleball
   • Party Bridge (ACBL Bridge Directors provide lessons on ocean crossings, Legendary and Grand voyages.)
   • Origami
   • Adult coloring

   Discover all there is to experience on board.

3. Book travel with Flightease®
   Holland America offers a worry-free way to book flights for your cruise featuring flight inventories from most airlines at our specially negotiated low prices. By booking with us, you’ll also receive 24-hour assistance in case you need to change your flight or experience a delay en route to your cruise.
4. Discover on board services tailored to you
   From medical assistance to tailored dining for specific diets, our award-winning service goes well beyond the norm.
5. Bring the whole family
   Holland America makes it easy to book and travel with a large group or multi-generational family! Get more information on booking multiple staterooms.
6. Try a solo cruise
   With single staterooms on our Pinnacle Class ships and solo and single traveler meetups on board, cruising solo offers blissful solitude when you need it and plenty of socializing too.

Would you like an accessible stateroom or special accommodation? Visit our Accessibility page to plan a smooth and comfortable journey.

It is recommended that guests reach out to our Guest Accessibility Department and submit a Special Requirements Form well in advance of their cruise or cruisetour departure — we recommend a minimum of 45 days prior to departure.

What types of accessible staterooms do you have?
Discover three types of accessible staterooms on our ships: Fully Accessible, Fully Accessible — Single Side Approach, and Ambulatory Accessible. You will need to book one of these instead of a standard stateroom, if needed.

Are service animals allowed on board?
Holland America Line permits service animals on board, only those defined as service animals and are individually trained to aid an individual with disability. Your itinerary may include ports of call that have specific requirements — please be sure you understand all requirements for a service animal to disembark in each port of call.

What do I need to know about personal mobility equipment?

We recommend that personal electric mobility equipment meet the criteria:

• Width: 23′ maximum in order to be accommodated in a standard stateroom, unless collapsible to a width of 23′ or less
• Weight: 100 lbs. maximum without battery
• Batteries: Must be Gel or Dry Cell or AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) only

Our staff no longer provides complimentary wheelchair assistance for any purpose other than embarkation, disembarkation, and emergency situations.

Review our accessibility FAQs for more.

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