Planning a Cruise After 70? Watch Out for These Hidden Risks

Cruising is a dream holiday for many seniors – but there are some hidden dangers can turn a relaxing trip into a nightmare.

Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or planning your first voyage after 70, here are the risks you should be mindful of before you set sail…

1. Travel Insurance That Doesn’t Actually Cover You

Think your regular health insurance or Medicare (if you’re from the US) will cover you at sea? Think again.

Shipboard medical centres are private and not included in most policies. There are so many horror stories of people who didn’t have the right travel insurance and were left with bills of thousands of dollars.

Always buy a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers:

Cruise travel specifically
Emergency evacuation from the ship
Medical treatment
Any pre-existing conditions

My Recommendation

My recommendation for cruise insurance depends on where you live.

If you live the UK: Compare Your Cruise Insurance
If you live the USA: InsureMyTrip

These are trusted price comparison sites that will quickly get you lots of quotes to match your exact needs.

2. Slipping on Wet Decks

Cruise ships are stable, but they still move, and that can make it harder to keep your balance. Add a bit of water on deck or slippery soles and you’ve got a recipe for a tumble.

I once saw an elderly gentleman slip on the steps when leaving a hot tub. He didn’t get up again until the medical team arrived with a wheelchair a few minutes later. Hopefully he’s made a recovery, but I’m sure the rest of his holiday would gave been ruined.

Tip: Pack proper non-slip shoes, always hold handrails, and watch your step – especially near the pool or on gangways.

3. Dehydration Creeping Up on You

Warm-weather cruises are lovely – but many seniors underestimate how fast dehydration can hit. Our thirst reflex fades with age, and alcohol in the sun doesn’t help.

Cruise ships are notorious for having salty food, which can make you more dehydrated and cause painful swelling in the limbs for some older cruisers.

I recommend always carrying a refillable water bottle. Most newer ships have water refilling stations where you can fill it up.

You’re not allowed fill your personal water bottle from the water machines that are designed to fill glasses. That’s because the rim may touch the machine, and that would be unsanitary. However, you can fill a glass and decant several of those into your water bottle. Or ask a crew member to help.

Suggested read: Can You Drink The Tap Water On A Cruise Ship?

4. Not Having Medication With You

Medication should always be packed in your carry on bag, not in your checked luggage. That’s because your bags could be delayed, or there’s a chance they may not arrive at all.

Cruise ship medical centres do carry a variety of medications, but there’s no guarantee that they’ll have what you need. And even if they do, it’ll probably cost you a small fortune.

If your medication needs to be refrigerated, then you must call the cruise line in advance to let them know of your needs. Most cabins do have a fridge, but there’s no guarantee that it will be cold enough to kepe your medicine at the correct temperature. You may need to store it in a special fridge elsewhere on the ship to be sure.

I recommend packing more medication than you need. There have been instances of itineraries being changed due to weather, and so there’s a chance your cruise could become longer than you anticipate.

5. Doing Too Much

Cruise schedules can be jam-packed with shows, excursions and activities. But trying to do it all can leave you shattered.

If you’re used to spending your days pottering around at a leisurely pace and relaxing in front of the TV, then early-morning alarms and days spent sightseeing around busy cities can quickly take its toll.

Be sure to schedule in some downtime to relax and recover. Sit on your balcony. Have a nap. Watch a movie in bed. Pacing yourself is important, even if you worry about missing out.

6. Getting Lost On A Big Ship

Most people get lost on cruise ships, it’s very normal. I once dropped my bags at my room and headed straight out to the bar. After several hours and several drinks, I realised that I had no idea what my room number was – and it wasn’t written on my cruise card!

Many cruisers opt to stick decorations on thier doors using magnets – it’s an easy way to find your room when they all look the same.

You might not remember that your room is numbered 10365, but if you know you’re on deck 10, midship, port side, then you’ll be able to spot it by your decoration!

Many ships give out a paper ship map at the start of your cruise – this is very handy to keep in your bag. Others have an app which you can use on your phone to find your way around.

Look out for the screens that are by the elevators too on modern ships – you may be able to use these to get directions to where you want to go.

7. Not Being Able To Board The Tender Boat

Some ports use tender boats to get you to shore – and they’re not always easy to board, especially if you have mobility issues.

If the sea is choppy, the boat will be moving up down, and you’ll likely have a gap of up to 12 inches to step across between the ship and the boat.

There will be crew members available to help, but if they think you’re not up to it, they simply won’t allow you to board the tender.

Each cruise line has different policies. On some ships I’ve seen people in wheelchairs be allowed to board the tender. But on others, they’ve placed lines on the floor that are one metre apart and asked people to prove that they can step over the line.

If you’re worried about being able to access a tender boat, then I recommend that you look at a list of tender ports to see if any of the ports on your upcoming cruise require using a tender boat.

8. Over-Indulging In Rich Food

Cruise food is amazing. But if you dive in headfirst, especially with rich or unfamiliar dishes, you might spend more time in your cabin than at the shows.

It’s important to pace yourself. Stick to familiar foods if your stomach is sensitive and don’t feel pressured to have three courses at every single meal if you don’t want to.

9. Falling for Scams in Port

Unfortunately, a lot of scams happen in tourist areas, and older people can be seen as easy targets.

On a recent cruise, I spoke to an elderly solo traveller from South Korea who’s trip had been ruined as he fell foul to a scam before he even reached the ship in Barcelona. A seeingly kind stranger had offered to help him with the ticket machine in the station, which enabled them to watch as he entered his PIN number.

This person took the same train and chatted to him during the journey. Just as the train reached a station, the person distracted him while an accomplice swiped the gentlemans wallet.

They headed to the nearest ATM and withdrew 6,000 Euros. The worst part? Because they had the PIN, the bank wouldn’t return any of the money.

Other common scams include overcharging in port taxis and a mobile phone scam known as SIM swapping.

Take a look at this list of Scams Cruise Passengers Keep Falling For so that you can make sure you’re aware of the ways that fraudsters might try to steal your money.

Final Thoughts

Cruising in your 70s (and beyond!) can be absolutely brilliant – as long as you’re prepared. With a few smart moves, you can avoid the most common pitfalls and make the most of your well-earned holiday.

Have you experienced any of these issues on a cruise? Drop your tips in the comments!

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