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Best Europe River Cruises for Seniors

River cruising offers an incredible travel experience for people in all stages of life but is particularly popular among seniors. Part of this appeal lies in the ease with which you can have extraordinary experiences on a river cruise – unpack...
21 August, 2018Basel, Switzerland

River cruising offers an incredible travel experience for people in all stages of life but is particularly popular among seniors. Part of this appeal lies in the ease with which you can have extraordinary experiences on a river cruise – unpack once, let someone else take care of the details, and relax in your home-away-from-home as it glides past memorable sights and docks in beautiful destinations. Everyone appreciates these perks of taking a river cruise, but sometimes seniors have additional preferences and challenges that a river cruise can cater for. Here we address a few of these to help narrow down some of the best Europe river cruises for seniors.

I Want Suitable Onshore Excursions

Every operator offers shore excursions that you can choose to partake in, and you’ll find a variety to suit different interests and fitness levels. Most river cruise lines will offer ‘leisurely’ walking options for their day tours and will provide information on the expected activities beforehand, so you can decide if the excursion is suitable for you. You can also ask your Cruise Director if you are unsure.

If you prefer a faster pace, then along with their gentler options Uniworld also offers ‘Let’s Go’ hiking and biking shore excursions. Nordic walking poles and bicycles are available complimentary for guest use. Avalon Waterways have also added Active options to their Avalon Choice program for 2019, giving guests more ways to tailor their holiday.

Whichever excursion you decide to join you will generally be provided with a portable headset so that you have a bit more flexibility to go at your own speed. You don’t have to be next to your guide every step of the way to get the most out of their commentary and can, to a certain degree, choose your pace.

Cycling with Avalon Waterways

I Want to Participate in Onboard Activities

The beauty of river cruising is that your accommodation moves around with you, so you are always welcome to stay onboard rather than head ashore should you choose. With no inside cabins you will always get at least a window on a river cruise, however, on lower decks these can be high in the cabin to allow for natural light but not necessarily a view from where you sit. If you plan on spending a bit of time in your cabin, you can upgrade to a higher deck or a balcony stateroom to enjoy views while scenic sailing or just to get some sunshine while you are in port. Ships are designed with plenty of communal areas to relax should you wish to move around rather than stay in your cabin. You can play a round of cards in the lounge, soak in the pool, or read a book on the sundeck.

There are also onboard activities on offer and these vary between operators. You can choose to have a spa treatment, do some guided sunrise yoga, enjoy a guest lecture or take part in a class onboard. On the Scenic Sapphire and Scenic Diamond which cruise through Bordeaux and the south of France you’ll find a bespoke cooking area where guests can take part in cooking demonstrations as part of the Scenic Culinaire program. The popular Magnificent Europe cruise with APT also offers plenty of onboard activities, including a stroopwafel demonstration by a local baker, an onboard wine tasting, a glass-blowing presentation, a German language lesson, and much more.

Making Gnocchi

I’m Not Sure Which Itinerary to Choose

Choosing an itinerary comes down to your interests and what you are hoping to get out of your cruise holiday. If you are a wine connoisseur then perhaps a consider a cruise through Portugal’s Douro Valley or the iconic wine region of Bordeaux. If you want a mix of incredible scenery sprinkled with hilltop castles and charismatic towns, then consider the popular route cruising from Amsterdam to Budapest.

Aside from the pull of unique destinations, sailing time is also a consideration when choosing your itinerary. Many cruises sail overnight so you will wake up to a new destination, spend the day in port and set sail again in the evening. This usually means that the whole day can be filled with activities onshore if you choose.

However, if you feel that you may not get the most out of onshore excursions and prefer to spend a little more time onboard, then consider an itinerary that has daytime sailing. During daytime sailing you and your fellow river cruisers can mingle and take part in activities offered onboard. This often includes classes, expert lectures, or scenic sailing with accompanying commentary. Scenic have an array of river cruises with no overnight sailing, particularly in France. Perhaps journey through the South of France in complete luxury or savour the flavours and sights of Breathtaking Bordeaux.

Lavendar Fields, Provence

I Will be Travelling Solo

River cruising is perfect for solo travellers as it allows you to travel by yourself, but not alone. Many river cruise passengers travel solo and it is the perfect environment to make new friends and choose how social you would like to be. You can participate in onboard and onshore activities and mingle with likeminded people, and then retire to the privacy of your cabin when you choose.

Many operators discount or waive the single supplement costs for solo travellers as part of the deals they release. Tauck are particularly accommodating and feature special Solo Traveller Savings on all European river cruises. Check the solo pricing on your preferred cruise itinerary on Global Journeys’ website or sign up to our Global Rewards Newsletter to be notified of specials that may interest you.

Lady with street background

I Want an Adult Only Cruise

If you are after an adult only cruise, then consider a Viking River Cruise for your next holiday. Viking are now only accepting bookings for guests that will be 18 years or older at time of sailing. This policy changed from a minimum of 12 years on 1 August 2018, however, Viking will continue to accommodate guests previously booked so you can still expect some younger passengers until all have sailed in 2020. Our only other river cruise operator currently offering adult only cruises is U by Uniworld, however, these were originally launched for passengers from 21 to 45 years old. Although the age limit has since been removed, these ships and itineraries are still very much designed for the younger cruiser.

I Want to Travel with My Family

Most river cruises accommodate children from varying ages, however, Uniworld and Tauck both offer family-oriented cruises specifically to share memorable moments with the whole family, from grandchildren to grandparents and everyone in between.

These itineraries encourage intergenerational travel for families and itineraries are curated so that everyone gets the most out of their holiday. Family cruises allow you to take in the Castles along the Rhine, embrace the magic of the Christmas Markets, glide down the Blue Danube, create some Family Fun Along the Seine, and enjoy many other memorable experiences together.

Winter warmth in Europe

I Want to Travel with People My Age

Want to cruise with other travellers who are in the same stage of life as you? We’ve highlighted the average ages on our operators’ river cruises, so you can decide what is suitable for your holiday. This is a guide only, and your experience will depend on the passengers booked to sail on your particular itinerary and departure date. Children are accepted on almost all river cruises, and the minimum age requirements vary by operator.

Operator Average Passenger Age
APT 50 +
Avalon Waterways 55 +
Scenic 50 +
Tauck 60 +
Travelmarvel 55 +
Uniworld 50 +
Viking River Cruises 50 +
Avignon, France

I Have Mobility Concerns

While river cruising is one of the easiest ways to travel Europe, it can present some challenges if you have limited mobility. Not all river cruise ships have elevators, and those that do may not access every deck. It is almost always necessary to climb stairs to the sun deck, with the exception of some of the Uniworld fleet which offer a chair lift to serve the sun deck. Side by side docking is also often required at ports, meaning you may have to climb and descend stairs and cross another vessel to embark and disembark.

Doorways on river cruise ships may also not be wide enough to accommodate standard wheelchairs or mobility aids, so it is important to check the restrictions of the cruise ship you are travelling on. Some cruise lines, like Scenic, offer a limited number of accessible rooms which must be requested at the time of booking. Facilities may vary, so it is important to check that these are suitable for your requirements.

Once onshore, the cobblestone streets can be uneven, and some sights may be inaccessible for travellers with limited mobility. If you are participating in a shore excursion that requires the use of a shuttle or bus, you will need to be able to step up into the vehicle (or have someone to assist you). Cruise and tour staff do not provide special personal assistance, so if particular care is required, you must be accompanied by a travel companion who is able to provide this. Please note that due to safety reasons travellers cannot be carried on ramps in ports.

Rothenburg, Germany

It is important to read through your itinerary and ship details thoroughly and raise any health and mobility concerns with your consultant at time of booking. This allows them to confirm the finer details of your ship and itinerary to ensure your holiday is the right one for you. A river cruise through Europe can be truly incredible, and our consultants can help get you on your way.

Ready to see amazing scenery, immerse yourself in intriguing history, and dive into different cultures? Take a look at our collection of European river cruises to find the one for you.

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