Senior Travel Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trips

3,074 Senior Travel trips. Tours from 35 tour companies. 15,583 reviews. 4.5/5 avg rating.

21 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Ship Cruise
Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Explore the Corsican citadel of Bonifacio, perched on soaring sea-cliffs, with its medieval fortress, maze of streets, churches, mausoleums, and unique history
  • Visit the prehistoric temple complex at Hagar Qim on Malta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site older than Stonehenge
  • Discover Ortigia, a small island-city within the city of Siracusa – a romantic enclave of ancient temples and baroque architecture
  • Explore the summit of Mount Etna, Europe’s largest volcano, with an experienced mountaineer-guide, and savor some of the most dramatic panoramic views of Sicily and the Mediterranean

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, Local Immersion & Homestays, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My husband and I booked the Yellowstone tour with Tauck expecting so much more with the accommodations, food, and tour director based on the price point. We were sadly disappointed but still tried to enjoy the experience. Rooms were dirty, food were often buffets and other group dinners with some food inedible. We noticed other tours staying in our hotels and paying much less for their tours. One positive was we never touched our luggage which was nice but my small suitcase was damaged during one transfer. Word to the wise… read their emails thoroughly as the email we received a few weeks before our trip reads like a disclaimer for poor service and accommodations."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Vietnam and Cambodia: Along the Mekong River, including Angkor and Saigon
4.7/5 Excellent
42 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Spend two days exploring the legendary religious sites of Angkor, in the company of our experts and local guides
  • Visit communities and learn the ways of life along the river, including subsistence fishing and small industries
  • Explore Phnom Penh and Saigon, touring sites important to the cities’ 20th-century histories
  • Travel in extraordinary comfort and see many of the countries’ cultural highpoints.

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"UnCruise is an amazing dream!! The crew, the sales team, the office team, all go out of their way to make sure your experience is unforgettable. We were on the August 1, 2020 cruise. Even tho things didn’t go quite the way we planned, UnCruise was unbelievable. We will be back. UnCruise was my first ever cruise. They will be the only company we ever cruise with."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
7-Night Mediterranean Magic Cruise
5/5 Excellent
1 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Visit Monaco, playground of the rich and famous, for a tour of the opulent palace where film star Grace Kelly once resided.
  • Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Grom Gelateria! You'll learn how this yummy treat is created and have the opportunity to sample some flavors.
  • Take a private tour of Rome's most famous landmarks, including the Colosseum, Forum, Trevi Fountain, as well as the Vatican City Museum and Sistine Chapel.
  • See how to press olive oil, make mozzarella cheese and harvest fruit at Agriturismo La Galatea Farm in Sorrento. Afterwards, enjoy a private pizza-making session with the chefs.
  • On a day trip to the Island of Capri, cruise around the isle on a private boat and swim in the Mediterranean waters. It's an afternoon in paradise.

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Family Friendly, 50 Plus, National Parks, Small Ship Cruise, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"I went on this trip with some misgivings, as my only other experience with this type of tour was a winter Tauck Family Bridges tour of Italy, that was not a good experience. Well, I am SO glad I went, as my daughter and I had a marvelous time. Disney did an amazing job of organizing this trip - I still can't believe how much they managed to fit into essentially 8 days. I also can't believe how much fun it all was! The guides were tremendous. First of all, unlike Tauck (where we traveled with one tour manager), here we had two guides with us the entire time - one a licensed guide in Greece (i.e., a native, very knowledgeable about the country and able to really take us through the historical and archaeological sites) and the other an American who has been guiding in Greece for years. The interaction between the guides was very warm, as was their way of relating to the guests. This was a complete contrast with Tauck. Here people really got to know each other, the young people had a great time with each other, and, of course, Greece itself is just magnificent. I will certainly travel with Disney again!"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
The Canadian Maritimes and Newfoundland
4.7/5 Excellent
42 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Venture into the ancient Viking settlement of L’Anse aux Meadows, the only widely accepted site of trans-Atlantic Viking establishment and very early Norse exploration
  • See WWII harbor defenses, and visit the only North American island that remains under French control, an outpost of its era as a colonial superpower
  • Discover sweeping dunes, wind- and wave-carved cliffs, and sandstone hills in a wild land
  • Explore the intriguing red cliffs and strange tabletop formations at Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, National Parks, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"UnCruise is an amazing dream!! The crew, the sales team, the office team, all go out of their way to make sure your experience is unforgettable. We were on the August 1, 2020 cruise. Even tho things didn’t go quite the way we planned, UnCruise was unbelievable. We will be back. UnCruise was my first ever cruise. They will be the only company we ever cruise with."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Rose Parade and Panama Canal Cruise
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Enjoy an exclusive private viewing of the Rose Parade floats and the parade from reserved grandstand seats
  • Travel along the Southern California coast through Santa Barbara to Solvang and Pismo Beach
  • Enjoy an included guided tour of Hearst Castle
  • While cruising, visit ports in five countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Colombia
  • Witness the Panama Canal transit in daylight

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, National Parks, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Tour is advertised as an "active" tour. However, YMT sold the tours to seniors and others who were unable to walk more than 1/8 mile, unable to navigate stairs or had to walk with the aid of walkers. As a result, 80 percent of the "explorations" were to visitor centers, look out points, stores or washrooms, that were within 100 feet or less of the bus. This tour should be categorized as "relaxed". A big disappointment! The bus driver was friendly and accommodating and drove us safely from one site to another. He sold water to the guests in small bottles for $1 each. I think YMT should be more conscientious of the environment and at least offer bottle refills, especially since the guide practically demanded that each person drink one gallon of water per day. The tour guide was marginally knowledgeable about the area and spent too much time telling us about her private life and friends. She led one hike, but talked mostly about how the rains had changed the landscape. One day she left two guests at the hotel and wanted the people on the bus to take responsibility for not letting her know that people were missing. We were encouraged to find hikes to take on our own, which I felt compromised safety, especially when we had an hour or so to "explore" - there was no safety or backup plan, especially if something untoward happened on a hike. She opted out of taking us to the sunset tour of the Grand Canyon telling us that it was raining and we wouldn't be able to see anything. So a couple of us went to the site on our own and it was possibly one of the best experiences I had on the entire tour (and not a drop of rain!). I often felt bullied into purchasing lunches or meals "offered" by the guide, who made it sound like there were no other options. It was difficult to listen to her brag about how well she was doing and how happy everyone was, when many people were complaining that the tour was not what they expected - mostly because it was too active!!! The accommodations were mostly good - a couple of anomalies (one with a plugged sink and no hot water for a shower, another with a pervasive bad odor). The excursions offered at the time of booking were mostly unavailable later (except for the over-priced meals). Another disappointment because I booked the tour partly because of one of the excursions offered at the time of booking. I would not recommend this tour, because I don't think it is advertised correctly."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Galapagos
3.5/5 Great
30 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Snorkel amid shimmering fish, sea turtles, penguins, and playful sea lions.
  • Cruise to pristine islands and walk among colonies of animals and birds unfazed by your presence.
  • Observe rare giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station.
  • Explore the waters of the Galápagos by kayak, glass-bottom boat (Endeavour only), or Zodiac.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Family Friendly, 50 Plus, National Parks, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We booked a National Geographic expedition Holland and Belgium by River. The promotional literature promised a 14-day deposit refund window. The “invoice” was marked “non-refundable” deposit. We completed the National Geographic Traveler Information. About 8 days later we received the “Travel Agreement” to be signed. We both approved and signed the National Geographic documents. A Cruise Line Travel agreement was enclosed but had no signature line. This document contained language which was unacceptable. We submitted the signed NatGeo documents. The following day we canceled the trip due to the unacceptable Cruise Line language. Cancellation was made 12 days after booking and no deposit was returned. We were told on the phone that the refund deadline was triggered by the 14 day window OR signatures on the Travel Agreement which ever came first. This was NEW information. To date, we have received NO refund of our $1000. We cancelled our trip within the advertised 14 day window."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

Unlock Community Benefits

Travel better together

  • Save favorite trips and itineraries
  • Get insider insights
  • Receive personalized recommendations
  • ... and much more
Join community
Under Sail: Greece to the Dalmatian Coast aboard the Sea Cloud
4.7/5 Excellent
42 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Ply the waters of the Aegean, Ionian and Adriatic seas under sail like the ancients
  • Step back in history at four UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the evocative ruins of Olympia, Greece and Albania’s historic city of Butrint
  • Skim across Montenegro’s Gulf of Kotor to our Lady of The Rocks, a tiny islet formed of sunken fishing boats
  • Spend a day among the marble-paved lanes and ramparts of Dubrovnik’s Old Town

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, Sailing, National Parks, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"UnCruise is an amazing dream!! The crew, the sales team, the office team, all go out of their way to make sure your experience is unforgettable. We were on the August 1, 2020 cruise. Even tho things didn’t go quite the way we planned, UnCruise was unbelievable. We will be back. UnCruise was my first ever cruise. They will be the only company we ever cruise with."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
The Romantic Danube
3.7/5 Great
39 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Explore Prague
  • Enjoy walking tour to Regensburg, Linz
  • Discover Vienna city tour
  • Visit Budapest

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, National Parks, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I’ve sailed with AmaWaterways 4 times. They are the best! You become family. I can’t wait to sail with them again!"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip
21 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Ship Cruise
...

1

2

...

Senior Travel Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
15,583  Reviews
See all Senior Travel tour reviews
Excellent
4,884
Great
2,085
Average
440
Disappointing
117
Terrible
55
C

Candida S.

Sep 2024

Written on

we had a fantastic five star trip!

Thanks so much to the team at Alma Italia - we had a fantastic five star trip! Alma Italia organized us so many experiences we could never have done on our own - the...

S

Sharon

Jun 2024

Written on

Incredible, awesome, amazing experience

Our Real New Zealand Tours travel agent listened to our goals for the trip, how we wanted to travel, and what activities we wanted to do. Based on that, they create...

T

Todd

Jun 2024

Written on

Perfect vacation!

Our trip to New Zealand exceeded all of our expectations thanks to Geoff's amazing service as our travel agent. He eagerly provided us with suggestions and tailored ...

M

Mike

Mar 2024

Written on

Self-designed 21 day trip to NZ

Geoff helped my wife and I to put together an itinerary that customized to our particular interests and preferences. At the outset he asked us where we'd like to go ...

H

Heather W

Feb 2024

Written on

Outstanding Services!

Exotic Voyages is first class all the way. Lacey our travel advisor helped plan a trip for my brother and I to Thailand. I gave Lacey a rough of idea of what I wante...

Write a Review

Senior Travel Tour Selection Trips

Physical Requirements For Senior Tours 
Understanding the physical requirements of your desired tour is crucial for preparing for the trip and managing expectations, especially for travelers with limited mobility.
On Travelstride, tours are categorized into five primary physical levels: Very Easy, Easy, Moderate, Strenuous, and Extreme, providing clarity on the level of activity involved. This knowledge not only ensures you can fully enjoy your vacation but also helps alleviate stress by informing your packing decisions.
For instance, for walking tours rated as "Easy," you may pack extra walking clothes. In contrast, river cruises ("Very Easy") allow for indulgent packing with the convenience of only unpacking once.
Senior travelers typically favor tours in the Very Easy to Easy range, which include river cruises, small ship cruises, and guided tours with minimal walking, often focusing on hobbies or cultural experiences.
For more active seniors, Moderate tours offer regular half-day walking or cycling activities. They may include adventurous pursuits like kayaking or camel riding.
Those with limited mobility may find senior tours rated Easy, such as river cruises and train journeys, most suitable. Remember to verify wheelchair accessibility with the tour company to ensure a welcoming experience.
Read tips for travelers with limited mobility 

Additional details

Senior Travel Bus Tours 

One popular option for senior travel is by coach. Coach-based tours are a convenient way of getting between the sights without having to wait in line, or worry about which route is the most efficient. Traveling by bus is also a great opportunity to see a lot more of wherever you are visiting -- not just the tourist sites -- and get a good feel for the place you’re in.

If you love the outdoors, bus tours are an extremely popular option for seniors in the U.S. They provide a great way to move between the national parks, and, as mentioned, see everything in between. Even if you don’t love nature, consider taking a cultural bus tour around a specific region or state. For example, travel by coach between ranches and bustling metropolises in Texas.

Senior Travel Deals & Discounts

Another advantage of traveling when you’re older is that you qualify for plenty of discounts! Regardless of where you are traveling, you should always ask to see whether or not there is some kind of senior discount. With that being said, some countries are notorious for the bargains they offer both senior citizens and visitors.

For seniors who intend to travel the USA, and are citizens, there are plenty of opportunities to save money. The National Parks System offers a lifetime entry ticket for seniors at a very low price, and an AARP membership can guarantee even more discounted rates on hotels, flights, and cruises. Other good senior vacation destinations known for their senior deals are the United Kingdom and Italy, which both lower the cost of train tickets and airfares for seniors.  

Traveling with Medication & Other Health Issues 

One common concern amongst older travelers is how they are going to travel with various medical conditions, and while on medication. It is possible to travel almost anywhere, as long as the traveler is prepared. Before leaving the country, make sure to pack enough of medicine for the entire duration of your trip, and then a few day extra, in case there are any delays. If the traveler is flying, they should also make sure to keep their medication in a carry on. 

If at all possible, keep your medication in its original prescription bottles -- this allows TSA inspectors to confirm that the medication belongs to you. On a similar note, TSA also allows for liquid medications above the usual liquid limits, so make sure to tell an agent at the security checkpoint about any liquids you might have. 

If you are concerned about other health issues, it is not a bad idea to visit a doctor up to 6 weeks before you travel. And regardless of their specific advice, seniors traveling internationally should plan for a recovery from any jet lag or motion sickness. If you suffer from mobility issues, make sure to double check the physical intensity of any tours you are looking at. 

Also consider the types of transportation on your trip -- if you your legs cramp up, inform your tour company that you may need extra leg room, and make sure to find out how long flights and bus rides might be.

Finally, some seniors choose to invest in a travel health insurance plan. Many health care plans, including Medicare, will not cover you once you’re outside the country.

Why Travel with a Senior Travel Group?

Group travel boasts a number of benefits. First and foremost, group tours are convenient. Whether you select a budget or all-inclusive senior travel package, your tour operator will likely manage at least some portion of your travel details. This means more less energy spent stressing, and more time enjoying your vacation.

Travel groups are also a great place for seniors to meet like-minded travelers. Reading about each tour will give you a better idea about who you will be traveling with, and there are many trips that have a minimum age, or focus on a particular activity. For those with a passion for lifelong learning, consider embarking on an educational adventure with a tour provider like Road Scholar (previously known as Elderhostel), which offers over 5,000 tours in 150 countries.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 3074 trips to Senior Travel and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >