Best Vacations for Seniors Over 60
One of the most anticipated benefits of retirement is travel. Whether you’re fully retired or simply working fewer hours, having the time to finally take the vacations you’ve always dreamed about is a joyful opportunity for many seniors.
And though your desire to get away may be the same, what you’re looking for in a vacation may have changed. For many, safety, accessibility, and flexibility become more important criteria in their search for fun and memorable destinations.
In this article, we’ll cover some of the top senior-friendly trips as well as how to plan ahead to make the most of your vacations.
Key takeaways:
Travelling as a senior can benefit your mental and physical health.
Popular trips for seniors include adult-only cruises, visiting U.S. national parks, and group tours.
Be sure to plan ahead by purchasing travel insurance and obtaining a pre-existing condition waiver, alerting your bank and credit card companies, and consulting with your healthcare provider about any necessary medical precautions.
Top vacation destinations and experiences for seniors
Adventuring somewhere new offers a myriad of benefits, including enabling opportunities for social connection, a lower risk of heart disease, and improved psychological well-being.
The results of one study also suggests that the more time spent travelling to new places may actually increase one’s lifespan.
Travel may be a mentally and physically healthy pursuit, but as a senior, it’s important to ensure that your trips are both safe and fun.
Choosing your vacation destination is a highly personalized endeavor that will vary based on your preferences, including whether you enjoy the beach or the mountains or traveling domestically or internationally.
Still, there are some favorites among older Americans. Below are some of our recommendations for the best vacation ideas for seniors over 60.
Senior-tailored cruises
Cruises are an excellent option for senior travelers who enjoy the convenience of having their accommodations, entertainment, and meals provided for onboard.
Travelling on a cruise ship also ensures that most of the itinerary planning is taken care of: cruise routes are designed to give you the best exposure to an area’s history, art, and local culture.
Below are some of the top cruise offerings that cater to adults and seniors:
Viking: Viking cruises are known for their culturally enriching and destination-focused experiences. Their cruises are adult-only and tour a variety of locations, including Alaska, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean.
Holland America: Though most Holland America cruises are open to adults and families with children alike, they are known for having one of most accessible cruise ships in the industry, including wheelchair-friendly staterooms.
Saga Cruises: Saga Cruises is a British operated cruise line designed specifically for adults over 50. The Saga brand is known for creating affordable and tailored vacations for older people.
National parks
America’s National parks are another favorite among many senior travelers. These destinations offer awe-inspiring nature, majestic wildlife, and hiking trails with beautiful vistas for more active seniors.
These destinations include:
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yosemite National Park, California
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Zion National Park, Utah
Acadia National Park, Maine
Glacier National Park, Montana
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Group tours
For senior travelers interested in immersing themselves in local culture and history without having to research and plan every activity on the itinerary, consider booking a group tour.
Group tours are also an excellent way to spark conversations and make social connections with like-minded people.
Many tour companies offer trips around the world that cater to seniors, including:
Intrepid, known for its small group tours that highlight local secrets with tours led by locals.
Road Scholar, a not-for-profit organization focused on active, immersive learning adventures.
Go Ahead Tours, which offers a variety of senior trips based on activity level so that you can choose the right destination for your physical needs.
Tips for planning vacations for seniors
Before hopping in the car or boarding your ship or plane, consider the following travel tips for older adults to help ensure your vacation goes smoothly.
Consider purchasing travel insurance
Purchasing travel insurance can help cover any medical treatment you may need while traveling. Many companies sell policies that cover emergency services, like medical evacuations. The State Department highly recommends buying travel insurance that covers emergency medical, dental, and evacuation services.
However, many of these policies won’t cover pre-existing conditions without a pre-existing condition waiver. Obtaining a waiver is essential to ensuring your travel insurance covers all possible health care scenarios while traveling.
If you have a waiver, your travel insurance should cover any medical emergencies you may experience, including those related to a pre-existing condition, like high-blood pressure or diabetes.
Protect your finances
If you’re traveling internationally, be sure to share your trip details with your bank and credit card companies so they don’t freeze your account while you're away. You can also look up the safety and security of your destination with the US State Department to know if there are any known financial scams to avoid.
Take your medical needs into account
Talk with your healthcare provider before your trip to make sure that you’re up to date with vaccinations (if required) and have an adequate supply of any medications you’re currently taking. Be sure to keep your medications in their original, labeled containers when traveling.
Consider carrying a copy of your medical alert information, emergency contacts, as well as a letter from your provider summarizing your health, allergies, and medications.
Bottom line
Planning a senior-friendly trip that caters to your interests and needs ensures that the vacation will be both enjoyable and safe.
Trying an adults-only cruise, visiting a national park, or taking a group tour with other seniors are three popular ways to explore, socialize, and discover a new area and culture as a senior.
But before you leave, consider purchasing travel insurance that covers all possible emergency scenarios, contacting your banks with all of your travel details, and consulting with your healthcare provider to make sure your medical needs are met.
Taking these precautions can set you up for an adventure that will support positive and active aging in the long-run.
Frequently asked questions
What travel insurance do seniors need for vacations?
There are several types of travel insurance that seniors can purchase ahead of a trip. However, if you have a pre-existing condition like high-blood pressure or diabetes, it’s important to obtain a pre-existing condition waiver to ensure that your insurance covers any emergencies that relate to your pre-existing condition/s.
How can seniors travel safely with medical conditions?
Purchasing travel insurance with a pre-existing condition waiver can ensure that your medical needs are covered while you’re traveling. It’s also a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider about traveling with your medications and any other precautions you may want to consider.
Sources
Chen, C., & Petrick, J. F. (2013). Health and wellness benefits of travel experiences. Journal of Travel Research, 52(6), 709–719. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287513496477
Qiao, G., Ding, L., Xiang, K., Prideaux, B., & Xu, J. (2022). Understanding the value of tourism to seniors’ health and positive aging. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1476. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031476
Age 65+ travelers. (n.d.). U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/info-older-travelers.html
Learn about your destination. (n.d.). U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html
Qiao, G., Ding, L., Xiang, K., Prideaux, B., & Xu, J. (2022b). Understanding the value of tourism to seniors’ health and positive aging. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1476. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031476