6 Top Cruise Tips for Over 50 Travellers

Travel critic says “We recommend the Haven for families and groups who want higher-end accommodations and amenities, in a mainstream cruise ship setting where you have access to shows, the casino and a variety of dining options. Norwegian is also a fantastic line for families with teens.

Perhaps in addition to the 18+ there should be a 80- rule. I am weary of semi-invalids who are always at the front of tour buses insisting everyone wait 10 minutes while they struggle off the bus. Or watching ship's crew slugging those motorized scooters on/off tenders. Perhaps the 'stodgy' excursions are needed for folks who just won't accept that they have limitations. Cruise lines pretty much always rate the excursions in terms of walking, stairs, length of time.

My name is dianna Hanson an a elderly person from sydney Australia do you give,info for cruises from country

Been watching all your videos they are great. But for some reason this video has you talking so fast I had to keep backing up to get the information. Just a suggestion, no coffee before videos😊

I booked majestic for this September 26, I booked a guaranteed balcony stateroom with basic included, 24 hour room service and some restaurants. I booked and fully paid on July 7 of this year. I just received a message from Princess saying they’ve changed policies and I’ll now be charged 14.99 per room service and I now have to pay for some foods previously included…..this isn’t even legal…what is my recourse

I went on a 10 day cruise once when we were in our early 40's. I dropped my wife off at the terminal and turned in a rental car then took their shuttle to the port. I checked in (alone) and the young man checking me in looked horrified and asked if I was alone. I said no, my wife already checked in. He said oh, that's good. This cruise is filled with nothing but 70 year old women and their mothers.

I cannot believe how difficult it is trying to find a luxury cruise with NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT!!!! I refuse to pay a single supplement!

A really wonderful video with valuable suggestions!

Thanks!

Have you tried Silver?

I bet the article about over-50s was written by a 20-something. 😂

You lost me. I would never go on a line that bans or segregates kids and families. How rude and distasteful.

I’ve been on 1 cruise back in Dec 2022. I follow Sharon at Sea,Tony by La Lido Loco,Sherry Cruise Tip,Don on Vacation and of course you Gary Bembridge. I was nice I followed all of you guys tips on what to do and not to do but at the end of my cruise I was very very disappointed. Why do none of you talk about the Photo Packages? I signed up on the 1st day and when I went to the Photo Store to view all the pictures that were taken of my cruise very upset. There was only 28 pictures of my entire cruise. Ordered what ones I could and when I got home called Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to see what they could do. Well had 30 days to get it straightened out and of course time an time again they just keep repeating the same thing over and over to no avail. They kept telling me it was on my app to reorder and never was. So how do I get this not to ever happen again? 1st cruise I would of loved to have some memories of it but nope. So what do I do on the next cruise so this doesn’t happen again. Can any of you tippers give advice on this? Thanks for your advice. Keep us the awesome job.

So agree, PLUS cruise ship tour leaders are able to communicate with the cruise, and insure that the ship stays for the tour group if there were delays. Local land excursion tour groups do not have that priviliege.

No Suez Canal criose?

Thank you, Gary. I find your segments to be very helpful.

Some of the best “excursions” we have had were when we joined with another couple from our cruise to hire a taxi for the day. We went to the places that interested us, which often included the places that the cruise excursions went to. But we didn’t have to wait in line in the shops or at the restrooms with a bus load of people, or wait for the last person to come back to the bus. We have had great taxi drivers; one had been a dancer on cruise ships for 17 years, another had become famous on the Internet. A driver whose English was nearly as bad as my Spanish gave both of us a chance to practice our speaking. Don’t try to just get into any taxi. Negotiate with the driver to get a sense of his personality and knowledge of the area. A good driver will know as much about the local area as a tour guide. Often hiring a driver for four people will cost about as much as taking a cruise excursion for one person, so it is like getting 75% off for a better experience.

I am solo too. I just pay the stupid double fee. But I usually only book when I get an awesome deal like $50 for a 7 day cruise. Works for me.

2..

And then, there is me. 51 (almost 52) with a 12 year old. 😂
Honestly, I only like him though. I would love to be able to go on a cruise with no other kids. Guess that wouldn't be fair though. 😬
Seriously though, I don't feel my age, and maybe having a child at an older age helps with that, but either way, over 50 isn't what it used to be!

I think I prefer a variety of people. I don’t want to be only with over 65s who are not necessarily out of shape but let’s face it there’s a segment of cruisers who cruise just because that’s all they can do.

This was a good video but you should notate where you are as you show glimpses of the cruises you were on.

Curious about the travel insurance. Can you share any companies or policies and an idea of the prices for the coverage? We are planning a Northern Europe 22 day cruise and the travel insurance from our travel agent will be around $2400. Is that typical with what you find?

On a recent Royal Caribbean cruise, my mother an active healthy 72 year old. My mother tried to book several excursions with her grandchildren and she was refused due to her age. Even going to the excursion service desk was not helpful. Pretty sad that in this day and age a 72 year old is basically being told you should be put out to pasture…

It is a very wise move to put together a good first aid kit of stuff to treat small wounds and blisters, strains and sprains. A triangular bandage is the most versatile thing ever. I also carry over the counter remedies such as paracetamol (best thing ever for lowering a temperature by the way), ibuprofen, anti-histamine tablets, hydrocortisone cream (brilliant for itchy bites), some cough/sore throat stuff, antacids, rehydration salts/electrolytes for upset tummy, and enough prescription drugs to last the length of the cruise PLUS 28 days. Due to pre-existing conditions I buy my insurance through a medical specialist company. Not cheap but my husband and I can relax knowing that when we are cruising everything is covered.

My husband Tony and I have cruised 22 times with Norwegian. We sail in April/early May or September/Oct. It is important to be aware that the US school year is different to the UK. We have tried Haven but to be honest we didn't like it at all. Too many people who just think in an entitled sort of a way. I got a bit fed up of this behaviour. I enjoy Norwegian and it suits us very well. I have very much enjoyed NCL as an over 55 couple.

Great videos and information always. When you say ‘click to watch the video here’ I never see a video or place to click. Am I the only one not seeing it? If you could give the title of the video or link it in your description that would be very helpful. Thank you!

Gary

Great information for the over 50 crowd. I’m 73 and enjoy cruising and hope to do Alaska again with a visit to Vancouver and Victoria. My dream cruise would be the eastern Mediterranean
Thank you for all the great advice and tips.

Great useful video! Been bing watching your videos and find them very useful, thank you. (We are first time cruisers and doing a Mediterranean trip in the coming months - cannot wait!!!!) I am over 50 and extremely active. When “they” say age is just a number… certainly in my head, but physically actually it does matter. Really need to manage expectations.

Love watching your videos full of great information and advice. Any chance you could look at Marella Cruises and the new Arvia ship from P & O . Thanks

Alaska cruise in May was fantastic. Snow still at the sea level, making the area even more scenic.

Thank you for sharing
I see what you mean but the cruise lines you mentioned are more pricey for us who are on fixed income

An interesting inexpensive activity; when far from light pollution have everyone grab a seat outside and turn off the lights for 15 minutes, many have never seen a REALLY dark sky. I was pretty amazed the first time had no idea what we were missing. There's a ship with a planetarium, that then 15 min in the dark would be a great combo. Then beer bongs for everyone, lol.

Thanks for over 50 focus. Here’s a challenge for you - I realize you’re not gay, but there are cruises for gay over 40 folks. I like 200-800 cruises. If you have a gay friend, how about taking him/her & trying one of those for some of us among your followers. I find our cruises are quite different experiences on smaller boats, and quite a different cruise when many folks are LGBT. But, your narration could be enlightening, as it usually is.

Our adult-only group loves to cruise Disney! Since we spend most of our time in adult-only areas and book late dining, we aren’t bothered by other people’s children.

Good information. However, I need to point out, that school calendars differ between regions. For example, in Panama, schools are out for Dry Season, from mid December to mid March. So cruises originating from Panama City, may be full of children during their break time.

I time my cruises for when there will be minimal children. I took a cruise in October up the Atlantic seaboard up to Canada. There were like two kids on board

I know this video is old, but I think the reason the cruise ships are trying to attract families is there will be a demographic shift toward younger people as baby boomers age.

Thank you for mentioning solo travellers! We are so often unseen and ignored.

What about over 50 and in a wheelchair

Careful with Viator. Bad experiences here with that company as they tend to nickel and dime you to dearh and dont stand by what they sell you,

Where is the link to the list of solo cabins? Great video Gary!

I'd love to see a list of what you think are useful items for your cruise first aid kit.

I am 70 and retired so would be looking for a cruise on a smaller ship with other seniors. What are my options?

These videos are so boring with his monotone voice. He is so not interesting. I couldn't take any advice from him.

One of my most memorable cruises was a National Geographic Excursion to Baja. If I could make it happen again, I would be a happy camper.

My wife and I and 3 daughters travelled on cruises for many years. We did it in January and many times my 3 daughters were often the only children on the ship. Yet the crew and most guests were very friendly. My daughters were trained from very young to eat out and knew how to behave. that was many years ago as my daughters are now 36 38 and 41. Eventually I will go on a cruise with my older grandchildren are in their mid-teens.

Any tips for us over 70? Been told many times I don't look it, but at times the body says different.😉

I just LOVE your channel!! I wish I had found it prior to my last cruise for your tips and suggestions. My mother and I took what we knew would be our last cruise together. We’ve had beautiful, amazing and memorable years prior and this one was straight out of a horror show!! So incredibly disappointing! I will not let this one awful experience deter me on cruising on my own from here on out.