Senior Travel Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trip Packages

Senior Travel Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trips

4,004 Senior Travel trips. Tours from 190 tour companies. 18,085 reviews. 4.5/5 avg rating.

502 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Ship Cruise
Active & Discovery on the Seine (Southbound)
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Giverny, Normandy, Paris, Rouen

Highlights

  • Welcome to France
  • Time at leisure in Paris; transfer to Le Havre; onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of Le Havre sightseeing, or visit to the Palais Bénédictine in Fécamp or guided bike tour
  • Choice of full day excursions to Normandy landing beaches, or “A Taste of Normandy” excursion
  • Choice of guided tour, see the Astronomical Clock and visit to the cathedral; time at leisure
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"A company's character is not determined by how it handles day to day operations, but how it handles a crisis. This company fails miserably when Acts of God happen! We are on what was supposed to be a Danube River Cruise from Prague to Budapest...we never sailed at all, even though Viking sailed for the last 3 days. Avalon chose to bus us everywhere. They didn't communicate well at all. Information was withheld and our cruise director, Helmut, would turn and walk away from guests if he didn't want to answer questions. This was my 3rd Globus/Avalon trip but it will be the last. They excel in bus trips but not river trips. They don't know how to handle weather issues."

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Active & Discovery on the Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Amsterdam, Basel, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lucerne, Strasbourg

Highlights

  • Welcome to Lucerne
  • Guided sightseeing
  • Wine Tasting in Lucerne; transfer to the ship; onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or e-bike tour in the Black Forest or visit to a local winery
  • Choice of guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or culi-nary walk, or active walk along the river
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"A company's character is not determined by how it handles day to day operations, but how it handles a crisis. This company fails miserably when Acts of God happen! We are on what was supposed to be a Danube River Cruise from Prague to Budapest...we never sailed at all, even though Viking sailed for the last 3 days. Avalon chose to bus us everywhere. They didn't communicate well at all. Information was withheld and our cruise director, Helmut, would turn and walk away from guests if he didn't want to answer questions. This was my 3rd Globus/Avalon trip but it will be the last. They excel in bus trips but not river trips. They don't know how to handle weather issues."

Trip dates & details
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A Taste of the Danube with 2 Nights in Budapest (Eastbound)
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Bratislava, Budapest, Vienna

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk or bike along the Wachau Valley with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; free time in Dürnstein
  • Choice of guided sightseeing, visit St. Martin's Cathedral or hike to Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host
  • Guided tour, see Heroes' Square
  • Day at leisure
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"A company's character is not determined by how it handles day to day operations, but how it handles a crisis. This company fails miserably when Acts of God happen! We are on what was supposed to be a Danube River Cruise from Prague to Budapest...we never sailed at all, even though Viking sailed for the last 3 days. Avalon chose to bus us everywhere. They didn't communicate well at all. Information was withheld and our cruise director, Helmut, would turn and walk away from guests if he didn't want to answer questions. This was my 3rd Globus/Avalon trip but it will be the last. They excel in bus trips but not river trips. They don't know how to handle weather issues."

Trip dates & details
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From Romania to the North Sea
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Bamberg, Belgrade, Belogradchik, Brasov, Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Linz, Nuremberg, Passau, Romania, Rudesheim, Vienna

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and to the Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, or guided sightseeing in Rousse, or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided sightseeing to Baba Vida fortress, see the rock formations in Belogradchik or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Scenic cruise through the Iron Gates gorge; choice of visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site or walk with your Adventure Host; visit to Golubač fortress
  • Choice of guided sightseeing or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"A company's character is not determined by how it handles day to day operations, but how it handles a crisis. This company fails miserably when Acts of God happen! We are on what was supposed to be a Danube River Cruise from Prague to Budapest...we never sailed at all, even though Viking sailed for the last 3 days. Avalon chose to bus us everywhere. They didn't communicate well at all. Information was withheld and our cruise director, Helmut, would turn and walk away from guests if he didn't want to answer questions. This was my 3rd Globus/Avalon trip but it will be the last. They excel in bus trips but not river trips. They don't know how to handle weather issues."

Trip dates & details
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Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in Paris (Northbound)
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Arles, Avignon, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Dijon, Lyon, Paris, Vienne

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheatre, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host
  • Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes
  • Guided walk, visit the Old Town and the cathedral or walk with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided walk in Tournon or hike with your Adventure Host
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"A company's character is not determined by how it handles day to day operations, but how it handles a crisis. This company fails miserably when Acts of God happen! We are on what was supposed to be a Danube River Cruise from Prague to Budapest...we never sailed at all, even though Viking sailed for the last 3 days. Avalon chose to bus us everywhere. They didn't communicate well at all. Information was withheld and our cruise director, Helmut, would turn and walk away from guests if he didn't want to answer questions. This was my 3rd Globus/Avalon trip but it will be the last. They excel in bus trips but not river trips. They don't know how to handle weather issues."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Danube Symphony with 2 Nights in Munich (Eastbound)
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Bratislava, Budapest, Linz, Munich, Passau, Vienna

Highlights

  • Welcome to Munich
  • Visit Neuschwanstein Castle
  • Guided tour in Munich, see the Marienplatz; travel by motorcoach to Vilshofen; onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of Linz sightseeing or visit to St. Florian Monastery or hike to Mount Postlingberg
  • Choice of guided tour in Ybbs with Artstetten Castle visit or bike with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; choice of guided tour in Krems or Wine World Experience with tasting or bike with your Adventure Host
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"A company's character is not determined by how it handles day to day operations, but how it handles a crisis. This company fails miserably when Acts of God happen! We are on what was supposed to be a Danube River Cruise from Prague to Budapest...we never sailed at all, even though Viking sailed for the last 3 days. Avalon chose to bus us everywhere. They didn't communicate well at all. Information was withheld and our cruise director, Helmut, would turn and walk away from guests if he didn't want to answer questions. This was my 3rd Globus/Avalon trip but it will be the last. They excel in bus trips but not river trips. They don't know how to handle weather issues."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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The Blue Danube Discovery with 2 Nights in Prague
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Budapest, Nuremberg, Passau, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Scenic sailing, pass through Bratislava, free time in Vienna in the evening
  • Choice of guided sightseeing, or Künsthistorisches Museum visit, or bike with your Adventure Host
  • In Dürnstein guided tour; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley or biking with your Adventure Host; choice of guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; onboard wine tasting
  • Guided walk
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"A company's character is not determined by how it handles day to day operations, but how it handles a crisis. This company fails miserably when Acts of God happen! We are on what was supposed to be a Danube River Cruise from Prague to Budapest...we never sailed at all, even though Viking sailed for the last 3 days. Avalon chose to bus us everywhere. They didn't communicate well at all. Information was withheld and our cruise director, Helmut, would turn and walk away from guests if he didn't want to answer questions. This was my 3rd Globus/Avalon trip but it will be the last. They excel in bus trips but not river trips. They don't know how to handle weather issues."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Active & Discovery on The Lower Danube with 2 Nights in Transylvania
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Belgrade, Belogradchik, Brasov, Bucharest, Croatia, Romania, Zagreb

Highlights

  • Welcome to Bucharest
  • Visit Peles Castle
  • Guided tour of Brasov; guided visit of Dracula’s Bran Castle
  • Choice of guided sightseeing in Bucharest or walk the Urban Delta or food tour; onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevet’s Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and to the Ethnographical Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi or hike the Kroushuna Waterfalls
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"A company's character is not determined by how it handles day to day operations, but how it handles a crisis. This company fails miserably when Acts of God happen! We are on what was supposed to be a Danube River Cruise from Prague to Budapest...we never sailed at all, even though Viking sailed for the last 3 days. Avalon chose to bus us everywhere. They didn't communicate well at all. Information was withheld and our cruise director, Helmut, would turn and walk away from guests if he didn't want to answer questions. This was my 3rd Globus/Avalon trip but it will be the last. They excel in bus trips but not river trips. They don't know how to handle weather issues."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
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502 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Ship Cruise

Senior Travel Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
18,085  Reviews
See all Senior Travel tour reviews
Excellent
4,884
Great
2,085
Average
440
Disappointing
117
Terrible
55
J

Julie

Sep 2019

Written on

This is an amazing trip.

This is an amazing trip. There is a lot of traveling but it is very much worth it, to get the opportunity to see the very best of Alaska. The scenery is spectacular,...

T

Tina

Sep 2018

Written on

Alaska was an amazing experience and was one of the loveliest places we have seen

Alaska was an amazing experience and was one of the loveliest places we have seen so far. It was made all the better by our fellow travellers and our guide. Travelli...

A

Allan

Oct 2023

Written on

Greek Island Cruise

Although the trip is not luxury by any means, it is most enjoyable, peaceful and relaxing. If you don't mind simple accomodations and like camping you will enjoy th...

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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.

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