6 Top Cruise Tips for Over 50 Travellers

I was tired of seeing cruising tips that don't understand and reflect the reality of cruise passengers like me in magazines, newspapers and online. They seem to think that cruise passengers like me fall into a narrow stereotype of what they think we should or are. So, these are the tips that I think are for cruise passengers like me - and work as I have proven them to be right for me and others like me

ABOUT TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS: If you want to get cruising right, Tips For Travellers makes it easy to plan and have the incredible cruise experiences you dream of every time. All my Tips For Travellers advice, tips and tricks tips draw on everything that I have learnt on the 77 cruises I have done to date.

BUY MY CRUISE-THEMED T-SHIRTs
————————————————-

SUPPORT TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS
—————————————————————

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
———————————————
TikTok: @garybembridge

#CruiseTips #CruisingTips #SeniorCruiseTips

00:00 Start
00:37 Stop Kidding Around
05:16 Live A Little More
08:58 Not THAT Young

[cruiseforever]

As a single woman, I take a private car arranged by the ship. On a 52-day cruise from Athens to Hong Kong, I had some of the most amazing experiences. I would tell the guide to think of me as her/his auntie who is visiting for the first time and to show me what they love. I saw things that weren’t in any guidebook. Every minute a joy and a special insight into that city. Except for one guide, all were fabulous. I trust what my ship provided and feel grateful for their outstanding care of me.

[OmnivorousReader]

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

[ilenegallo]

As a solo female travel I tend to use the ship excursions for the security!

[patriciabetker]

I always carry a fully stocked first aid kit well stocked with more meds than I think I will need. I may be a minimalist packer by nature, but my medicine kit has bailed me out many times over and I won't leave home without one.

[SirenaSpades]

I'm over 50 and single. A few things that I want are: No rowdyness (people with manners and no crowds. a feeling of safety). Great activities. Single events would be great! Singles rooms with balconies and other good rooms. I like everything included, because the reason we take cruises is we don't want to think about this stuff (stop nickle and diming - get this arranged beforehand like it used to be). And lastly and most importantly, no kids!

[quicksilver]

I've done 2 cruises on Celebrity X, and although both weren't targeted at solely at adults only, because of the ships they use, (no slides, go-carts etc., ) there were very few children on board. I asked the captain at our meet and greet how many kids there were on board (because I had noticed the lack of them), he told me that there were 19. I think that makes a much more enjoyable cruise experience for us older folk.

[QuintusAntonious]

Trust me, us under 50 people without kids also want to escape families. I've really appreciated your adult-only line tips because I had no idea they existed prior to watching your videos.

[fionae]

For absolutely vital medications (my husband has one he would die in three days without) we always make sure to pack extras in different suitcases and carry-ons. If a bag goes missing, we always know we've got him covered

[penelopepitstop]

I’m not 55 yet, but getting close. It is comforting to me to see that adventures don’t stop after 55. Now that our kids are grown (and having more money than we did when they were younger), I’m ready to go! We have 3 vacations booked for next year and on only one are our “kids” tagging along.

[ginacota]

You are so right! I am in my mid-50s and I have to remind myself often that I’m not as young as I think I am. I’m like you and when on a cruise I want some adventure. Do not like the cruise excursions with so many people and all of the waiting around for everyone

[Sammiejomitchell]

You convinced me. A cruise sounds great. BUT…the idea of paying double because there is only one of me is such a scam! I can’t eat twice as much, drink twice as much, or occupy twice as much space. I’d be ok with the regular price of a cabin, but not extra just because I’m alone. What a rip off!

[pamelacrowell]

I've done several late January, February cruises on carnival and find parents still bring their kiddos. Lots of kiddos!! I personally love kids but love them more when parents actually parent them and don't let them run wild! And I enjoy active adult pursuits.

[bryanmathison]

I absolutely LOVE your Channel. You give a presentation dense with high quality information.

Thank you!

[barbaralynch]

I went on a Princess Alaska cruise a couple weeks ago. Due to the vaccine requirements, there were 0 kids on board. It was great! Even the comedian had fun with this!

[joethecomputerguy]

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.

[marlenelibby]

Your comments on travel insurance & bringing "just in case" emergency supplies are right on. Some of us still want to travel, but fall into a category somewhere between active seniors and those confined to a wheelchair. I would love to hear your thoughts on selecting shore excursions, since most seem to be categorized by level of physicality, and ignore length of time standing, stairs (both up & down) & whether there is a hand rail, uneven terrain, etc. Many of us are still young at heart & would even consider a bus trip better than staring at the 4 walls at home. Since the view at most cruise ports is pretty industrial, staying on board isn't all that appealing.

[EEusafan]

I live in the US and often cruise on Carnival. I am an older, solo traveler and typically cruise between September and May, outside peak vacation time and when children are in school. I like Carnival’s spa cabins because they tend to be in quieter areas of the ship. Planning to book a 2023 cruise on Celebrity as I noticed the newer ships have junior balconies which are perfect for solo travelers.

[bobskitchen]

I have booked an Oceania cruise in May. Every single excursion I purchased from the cruiseline was the most active. Walking, hiking, biking. I like that they emphasize tours for each interest group: low impact, higher impact. :) Oceania also emphasizes small groups on most of it's excursions.

I'll also post a shout out for CONTEXT TRAVEL tours. We've done them in Mexico City, Montreal, Boston and London. They are ALWAYS amazing - and always a local resident that knows their history and culture. <3

I really love your channel Gary! Thank you!

[plum_colored_dahlia]

I've liked having a travel guide book depending on the cruise type. A tip that I find nice is to break apart the book and carry just that port entry. A highlighter and mini stapler is nice You can assemble the info you want as you go or make them up beforehand. The pages often come out easily a few pages at a time once you get over any emotion of the taboo to desecrate the wholeness of a book.
The highlighter or pen is useful for making notes on the cruise day-to-day agenda too. Thanks Gary for providing us with such useful insights and content.

[elainebower]

I found roll call on cruise critic to be immensely helpful for our trip to Alaska. I booked everything independently, We did whale watching, canoeing, a flight to a glacier. Ate at wonderful restaurants while in port and had a wonderful time with the extra days we booked at a hotel in Alaska at the beginning of the trip.
When we went to Cuba, we booked an individual guide using Tours by Locals. We were able to completely customize our experience --- I am not interested in shopping so we avoided all of the cruise tourist shops that were part of the cruise sponsored excursions.
We have never booked a shore excursion through the cruise line -- but I do use their available shore excursions for inspiration,