Cruises are the ideal place for seniors to enjoy a hassle-free holiday. Everything you could ever need is at your disposal: comfortable accommodation, lots of activities for mature audiences, and round-the-clock dining with options for dietary requirements.
According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the average age of cruise passengers is 46.7 years old, but young families can skew these statistics. In fact, the median age is 60 to 69 years old, with 19% of cruisers falling into this age range.
For single cruisers over 60, this offers the perfect holiday option to meet new friends of a similar age and interest, while exploring multiple destinations in one trip.
Many cruise lines cater to solo travellers, offering dedicated events and gatherings, single-only staterooms and reduced rates for those who travel alone.
Read on to find out more about which cruise lines are best for those who are planning a solo cruise. This includes river cruises for singles over 60, and plenty of options for single seniors looking for ocean cruises.
Cruises For Singles Aged 60 And Over
There are lots of seniors’ singles cruises, both along rivers and across the oceans. There’s something to suit all solo cruisers over 60, whether you’re seeking romance, friendship or just some company during your trip.
There are organised group cruises for singles, which are ideal if you’re looking to meet new people without organising and researching your itinerary.
For those who are specifically looking to hook up with fellow singles, some singles cruises will be a better option for those seeking romance at sea.
In general, most cruises will look after you. Each will provide the convenience of onboard activities, shore excursions and service that will never make you feel out of place, especially if you’re single and cruising alone.
Here are the best cruises to choose from if you’re seeking a seniors’ singles cruise.
The 8 Best Cruise Lines For Singles Over 60
1. Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises attracts mostly over-50s, with experiences tailored to this demographic. The ships, of which there are six so far, are on a smaller scale with only 930 passenger capacity.
Each luxurious cruise ship is designed with sophisticated décor and inclusive value. From excursions and wine with dinner to speciality dining and tips, everything is included upfront in your cruise fare.
For solo passengers, there are plenty of opportunities to mix and mingle with your shipmates. Strike up a conversation while you take a dip in the infinity pool, share a bite to eat in the traditional Nordic deli, or enjoy an evening tipple while swapping stories in Torshavn, the intimate jazz club.
Just last year, the cruise line offered the return of no single supplements on selected ocean and river sailings for the brand. So it’s worth keeping your eye out for any of their offers coming up in the future.
2. Holland America Line
Holland America Line passengers have an average age of 64, so it’s ideal for those over 60 looking to set sail.
The cruise line is well-known for its solo cruise offering, with activities varying from things that are easy to enjoy alone to those which offer mingling opportunities. These include cocktail mixers, cooking classes, games and wine tasting.
Holland America’s biggest and newest ships – Koningsdam, Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam – each offer 12 solo cabins for guests. The Ocean View rooms are also another option with the same amenities.
Holland America Line offers a Single Partners Program to solo travellers, to create more socialising opportunities for those travelling alone.
3. Cunard
If you’re looking for something more traditional, Cunard is one of the specialists. Grand social spaces such as the Queen’s Room for ballroom dancing, daily afternoon teas, and cabaret influenced by Fred Astaire and other West End greats all make it a fantastic option for seniors.
The cruise line has an average age of just over 60 years. So you’ll meet plenty of fellow seniors to catch up with at the end of the day.
With a Cunard cruise, you can look forward to formal dress codes and themed nights such as 1920s or black tie. There are white-gloved waiters, string quartets playing throughout the ships’ social areas, and an incredible lecture programme featuring famed authors, industry experts and TV legends.
4. Riviera Travel
River cruising is another option that is well-suited to an older audience. There’s a wide range of cruise lines that sail European waterways, offering ever-changing views on a smaller scale ship.
A river cruise might be better if you’re looking for a more intimate group of fellow passengers. You may also prefer them if you’re not a fan of walking long distances, as the ships dock right in the heart of the cities you visit.
Riviera Travel is ideal for a senior singles cruise, and have been offering singles-only river cruises since 2018. These are exclusively for solo travellers across all cabin types, without any additional surcharges or single supplements!
The small river cruise ships make it easier to get to know guests on board. You can explore as much or as little as you like, with curated shore excursions geared towards a more mature audience for a slightly slower pace and gentler activities.
5. AmaWaterways
Another river line to consider for single cruises for seniors is AmaWaterways, one of the best river cruise lines for singles aged over 60. It is loved by many solo cruisers as its service, standards and competitive pricing make it a hard one to beat for those looking to river cruise alone. And there are some fantastic river cruises for singles over 60 to choose from, too – so many destinations!
With AmaWaterways, shore excursions, dining and select alcoholic beverages are included in your cruise fare. All you need to do is enjoy exploring the passing cities and their riverbanks.
You can borrow bikes from the cruise line for the day, or even choose a specially themed sailing including hiking cruises or wine-themed cruises.
Suggested read: AmaWaterways Vs Viking River Cruises
6. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
If an ultra-luxury experience is more your thing, Regent Seven Seas Cruises pride themselves on being the most inclusive cruise line at sea. Offering everything you can imagine and then more, these sailings are indulgent and luxurious. The cruise line strives to create a community for senior solo travellers, and their average passenger age is just over 62 years.
There are designated hosts to help you plan and attend activities for solo passengers, such as informal cocktail meet and greets, group dinners and excursions. You needn’t worry about your amenities either, as Wi-Fi, alcoholic beverages, all your dining, shore excursions and tips are included from the start.
Single cruisers can also benefit from further discounts of up to 75% off the solo supplements on selected voyages.
7. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Some British seniors looking to cruise may only want to sail from the UK. With Fred. Olsen, there are eight convenient ports of call to pick from, ranging from the ever-popular Southampton and neighbouring Tilbury to those further north such as Liverpool and Newcastle. This means there’s no need for the hassle of flights, and the airport queues or luggage hauling that comes with them.
Onboard a Fred. Olsen ship, mature cruisers can enjoy activities and entertainment that caters to them. Daily programmes include engaging experiences and insightful demonstrations such as painting, cooking, and dancing – all perfect for breaking the ice with fellow passengers.
Dancing even involves gentleman hosts in the evenings, so single ladies can always rely on having a dance partner. Accommodation on board all four of Fred. Olsen’s ships include options for solo cruises, which have no single supplement when booked.
8. Princess Cruises
More modern than traditional, Princess Cruises prides itself on offering one of the best cruise lines for senior cruisers. Relaxing décor and comfortable staterooms, as well as itineraries featuring incredible destinations, make exploring the world with Princess Cruises all the more memorable.
One of the key destinations on a Princess Cruises sailing is Alaska, a region they are regularly rated number one for. For seniors cruising here, you can look forward to meeting sled dog pups and handlers, learning from experts who visit the ship and discussing Alaskan wildlife. You can also enjoy spectacular views from the decks as you cruise along the coast. Perfect for those seeking a little adventure!
How to Book Your Over-60s Cruise
When it comes to choosing and booking a cruise, I recommend that you speak with a specialist. They will take the time to help you find a cruise that meets all of your requirements, and will get you a great deal!
If you prefer a river cruise or a luxury cruise with Regent Seven Seas or Viking Ocean, then I recommend that you speak to a cruise connoisseur at Panache Cruises. Nothing is too much trouble for them, and I promise that your experience will be in safe hands.
If you don’t have a huge budget and want to set sail with Holland America Line, Cunard, Fred. Olsen, Princess Cruises or other mainstream cruise lines, I recommend that you call Cruise118. I’ve booked over 20 cruises with Cruise118 myself and they always do a great job, as well as offering a best price guarantee!
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To Conclude
Solo cruising for those over 60 is a great way to holiday with so many benefits. No matter your preferences, there’s a cruise line out there for you, as most cater to solo travellers.
Suggested read: Here’s What Each Cruise Line Offers For Solos
If you’re looking for a traditional experience or seeking smaller ships catered to mature audiences, cruise lines such as Cunard, Viking Ocean and Fred. Olsen are your best options.
Princess Cruises is also good for destination-specific itineraries, especially Alaska. Or you could opt for a river cruise, which take you to the heart of the destinations and have much smaller guest capacities.
A little indulgence will have you looking at Regent Seven Seas Cruises for their solo supplement offers and all-inclusive experience. However, a good all-round cruise line for ocean sailings is Holland America, which is ranked top for solo cruisers and has the right average age for seniors.
Related Posts:
- P&O Cruises With No Single Supplement
- 13 Best Nude & Clothing-Optional Cruises
- The Best Themed Cruises
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Looking for a single cruise 🚢 only
Senior singles should look at Crystal Cruises. Single rooms, the same size as for doubles, are usually only 25% supplement. Gentleman hosts to dance with single ladies. Frequent Crystal Cruisers are welcoming to singles and frequently will invite singles to join them at meals or excursions.
I am looking for a single cruise 60 and over. I live in Maine
The biggest grumble of the majority of singles is having to pay double, of which Cruise Mummey makes no mention. There is no cruise line that is fair to single travellers. Your article is solely aimed at money no object cruisers and is just a disingenuous advertising promotion.
Hi Angela! I just finished reading an article from USNews citing several cruise lines that offere NO SOLO SUPPLEMENTS on several major ships. I encourage you to look it up online.
Hi Vicki
I am a widower and went back on a cruise with P&O this year after plucking up the courage to go. What annoyed me ( and still does) is that they charged me over £500 more than that of each passenger price when sharing a twin cabin. I was put in a single cabin that could only accomodate a single person so why should solo passengers in a single use cabin have to pay this much more. I think it should be the same price as that of each person sharing a twin cabin of similar standard
Hi I’m looking for an over 60 cruse. I’d like to book over the Christmas period 2023 if possible. I’m wanting to leave from Belfast.
looking for single seniors over 60 cruises anywhere from Canada
Are there senior single cruises around the world?
Hi Linda. There aren’t any world cruises that are only for singles currently, but you will find that world cruises are very popular with senior singles, so you can make lots of friends whichever you choose. Jenni
Looking for a European singles cruise for over 50
Yes over 60s single cruisers. Alaska, USA, Greece
i am interested in trips on a cruse ship for singles
Looking for a singles cruise, 30 days or more. I have cruised a lot and have seen most of the world. Liking to see Africa coast, Asian Coast, Antarctica and Norway. Canadian dollars are preferred with fights and transfers.
This looks very interesting, just got to sort out my dates then off I go
Looking for singles cruises
yes looking for a singles cruise