The Top Destinations for Older Adults on a Cruise

Cruising offers a unique and exciting way for older adults to explore the world. Not only is it a wonderful way to see a number of beautiful, exotic destinations, but it gives seniors the chance to have an exciting, adventurous vacation in comfort and style, without excessive effort or inconvenience.

However, with a plethora of cruise destinations to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide where to set sail. Fortunately, many destinations cater specifically to the interests and needs of older adults, providing enriching experiences and unforgettable memories.

In this article, we'll explore some of the top cruise destinations that are perfect for older adults, offering a combination of relaxation, cultural immersion, and breath taking sights.

Alaska



Cruising to Alaska is an excellent choice for older adults seeking natural beauty and tranquillity. The region's majestic glaciers, rugged mountains, and abundant wildlife create a picturesque backdrop for a memorable cruise experience. The breath taking views of Glacier Bay National Park and the grandeur of the Inside Passage are ideal to view from the deck of a cruise ship, and there are plenty of charming coastal towns which can be explored on shore excursions.

The Mediterranean



The Mediterranean region offers a treasure trove of historical sites, cultural diversity, and scenic landscapes, and as such it is a glorious cruise destination for seniors. Cruising through the Mediterranean allows older adults to visit iconic destinations such as Rome, Athens, Barcelona, and Istanbul, each filled with rich history, architectural wonders, and world-renowned museums. The Mediterranean is one of the calmer expanses of water in the world, so there’s no need to worry about storms or rough weather, and you can explore ancient ruins, stroll through charming old towns, savour delicious cuisine, and immerse yourself in the vibrant Mediterranean lifestyle.

The Scandinavian Fjords



A cruise to the Scandinavian fjords offers the chance to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Norway's landscapes. The fjords offer a serene and peaceful environment, with towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and picturesque villages. Cruise along the fjords, stopping at charming ports like Bergen and Geiranger, and enjoy the region's unique blend of natural splendour and Scandinavian charm.

South Pacific Islands

For seniors seeking a tropical paradise, a cruise to the South Pacific islands is an ideal choice. Destinations such as Bora Bora, Tahiti, and Fiji, provide crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and lush green landscapes, as well as incredible luxury and first-class treatment. The laid-back island lifestyle and warm hospitality make it a perfect destination for older adults looking for a serene and rejuvenating getaway.

Caribbean



Board a cruise in Galveston and set sail to the enchanting Caribbean, a perennial favourite among cruise enthusiasts of all ages, including older adults. With its warm climate, pristine beaches, and vibrant culture, the Caribbean offers a multitude of experiences. Cruise through the turquoise waters, visit colourful ports like St. Thomas, Cozumel, and Barbados, and indulge in tropical delights. Whether you prefer relaxing on the beach, exploring historic sites, or engaging in water sports, the Caribbean has something for everyone.

New Zealand



Cruising to New Zealand offers a diverse range of experiences, from stunning landscapes to Maori culture. Sail through the fjords of Milford Sound, visit cities like Auckland and Wellington, and explore the breath taking national parks. Immerse yourself in Maori traditions, sample local wines, and enjoy the hospitality of this beautiful country known for its adventure and natural wonders.

Cruising provides older adults with an incredible opportunity to explore the world in comfort and style. So, set sail on a remarkable journey, embrace new adventures, and create lasting memories as you explore these remarkable destinations tailored for older adults on a cruise.

Note: The pictures in this article have been borrowed from wikipedia.org under the creative commons license. Each photograph has been linked to its host page on wikipedia.org.

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7 Norway Holiday Experiences that you should not miss

It is the land of the midnight sun. It is the land of the polar night. And it is the land of the northern lights (Aurora Borealis). This place is home to some of mother nature’s best spectacles. This land is the Viking kingdom of Norway and possibly one of the most scenic countries that I have stepped foot into.

 
From fjords to glaciers, from snow capped mountains to scenic roads and from one picture perfect town after another, Norway is full of spectacular sights and experiences. If you are the outdoor kind and love to dibble in a little bit of walking, hiking, cycling or driving, this country is tailor made for you, especially in the summer months.

 
These are 7 special holiday experiences from Norway that should be in every Norwegian holiday itinerary. While most of them are experiences to be had throughout the year, some of them are season specific, like the midnight sun in the summer months and the Northern lights in the winter months.

Midnight Sun at Lofoten Archipelago
 
Located well above the arctic circle, the Lofoten archipelago with its picture-perfect fishing towns, high mountains, gorgeous fjords and pristine white sandy beaches is possibly one of the most scenic zones of Norway and definitely one of my favorites. In the summer months, you can enjoy the midnight sun from the western beaches. In the winter, one can experience polar night and see the Northern lights.

While you are here, do book yourself a night or more in a rorbu, the traditional fisherman cabins for a true local experience.

Hiking in Jotunheimen


Jotunheimen is hands down the best Scandinavian mountain area! The hikes here are simple and offer breathtaking views of glaciers with lakes, crystal blue rivers, steep climbs and amazing mountain scenery. The hike across Besseggen is the most popular as it offers the best sights in the shortest hike.

Your local guide to Norway could potentially help you find some lesser known trails and routes for a more offbeat mountain experience.

Northern Lights at Tromso
 
Located in the northern most edge of Norway, Tromso is definitely one of the most sought after winter destinations in Norway. From late September to late March, chasing the Northern Lights is possibly the most popular tourist activity here. In addition to northern lights chases, winter holidays here offer opportunities to indulge in some reindeer sledding, cross country skiing and whale watching.

If you are visiting during the summer months, you will definitely get to experience the midnight sun, you can go on long glacier walks or you can simply go on a quiet fishing trip.

Glacier view at Fjaerland
I love this town because it gives me the opportunity to see a close-up view of a glacier without having to go on an arduous climb. The quiet fishing town experience is just an added bonus.

If you are visiting during the summer months, do opt for the ferry cruise from Balestrand to see stunning glacier views and to keep the photographer in you heavily engaged.

Flamsbana Train Ride
 
If you a big fan of train journeys across the world, you will definitely dig this one. One of the steepest train rides in the world, the Flamsbana or the Flam railway offers a great perspective of the Norwegian fjord landscape. Named by National Geographic as one of the top 10 train journeys in Europe, the Flam railway, in a matter of 60 minutes or so, gives you a whirlwind tour of amazing waterfalls, long tunnels, steep mountains, beautiful valleys and so many gorgeous fjord views that the hangover will last for quite a long time.

Atlantic Ocean Road
This 8.3 kilometre ocean road is possibly one of Norway’s top road trip circuits and definitely one of the most scenic road trips in Europe. With ocean tunnels, mind blowing bridges and a heady concoction of the ocean, fjords, snow laden mountains and lush green vegetation, this road stretch is a must-do, must-see and must-experience whether you are on a bicycle, motorcycle or in the cozy confines of an automobile.

Hiking and Camping at Nordkapp
 
If you are the hiking and camping type, Nordkapp is the place for you. Towering high above the arctic ocean, this steep cliff in the northernmost reaches of the European shelf is an ideal getaway to enjoy the midnight sun in the wild. Mountain climbing, hiking and fishing are popular activities to do here.

Note: The photographs in this post have been borrowed from wikipedia.org under the creative commons license. Each photograph has been linked to its original host page on wikipedia.

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The Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland

There may be no better sight in the world than the Northern Lights. Those dancing colors in the sky are one of the few things in life that can really take your breath away. It’s a sight that you’ll tell your children about and one that you’ll remember every little detail of even years later. As for where to experience the lights, there may be no better place to see them in Finnish Lapland. For those looking to experience the Aurora Borealis for themselves, here’s how to make the most of it.

 

Northern Finland
Few things can generate a warm glow of childlike wonder like holidays to Lapland, not least for the ability to see the Northern Lights from almost anywhere in the country. Of course, there are ways to get the most out of the view as the further north you go, the better. In northern Lapland, this natural spectacle can be seen on up to 4 clear nights out of 5 from September to March.

Southern Finland
On the other hand, southern Finland is only treated to a show on 10-20 nights a year. So if you do happen to find yourself in northern Lapland on a starry night, there’s a good chance that you’ll witness one of nature’s wonders. To enhance the experience, try to stay away from buildings and other sources of light as they will degrade the viewing quality.

 

How to photograph them
Of course, you’ll want to take pictures of this magical wonder. Just remember, anyone can take great pictures as long as you’re prepared! As far as equipment goes, a tripod is a must, along with a wide, fast lens to capture pictures in the low light. Keep in mind that it’s going to be cold, so weather-sealing is preferable. The last thing you want is the camera being damaged due to moving from an exceptionally cold environment to a warm one. Also, it may seem like a full moon would be beneficial, but even that light can overwhelm the Northern Lights. A quarter moon is most preferable.

The Northern Lights are truly a wonder and anyone who is able to see them in person should count themselves lucky. Just remember, bundle up, it’s going to be cold.

Images by Timo Newton-Syms, used under creative commons license.

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Guest Post: Skiing in Lapland – more to northern Scandinavia than Santa

If you’ve ever considered going on a skiing vacation, a small number of locations will have immediately entered your thoughts. In Europe, the Alps, which span south-west France, Switzerland, south Germany, Austria and northern Italy tends to be the most popular mountain range, while the Pyrenees and even the Scottish Highlands feature on many skiers’ radars. While the snow that lies there remains for a few months, it doesn’t last, so perhaps it would make sense to head further north where the weather’s colder to go skiing, right? Lapland, a part of Scandinavia which spans Norway, Sweden and Finland is on the edge of the Arctic Circle, which means that they enjoy a winter which lasts from early December right through till April.

A winter wonderland?
Sokuru Slopes Photo Credit

Even before it became known as an emergent skiing destination, Lapland was already popular with tourists for other reasons, the main one being its strong connections with Christmas. Every year, thousands of families make their way to Finnish Lapland to go and meet Santa Claus in his grotto, get up close to the native reindeer and play in the snow. Another major attraction of Lapland is being able to see the Northern Lights. Astronomers and people who like to take great photos love to head up north once in a while to see the Aurora Borealis in all its glory, and are helped during the summer when the sun stays up until midnight. The long summer days are also great for partying and walking when there’s no snow to trudge through!

Sloping off When it comes to skiing, a few resorts stand out, especially in the more mountainous areas of Lapland. A couple of years ago, the charming and authentic resort of Pyha was voted the best in whole of Finland. To celebrate its growing reputation, a competition has been announced which sees the winner will get the chance to go there this winter.

As Ian Brittain, Senior Product Manager from Inghams explained: “To celebrate the introduction of the award winning resort of Pyhä (voted Finnish ski resort of the year 2011) to our 2013/14 programme, we’ve decided to launch a Facebook Ski Photo competition to offer a lucky winner and their guest the opportunity to experience the qualities of Lapland for themselves! “There are also more second prizes up for grabs, so submit your skiing photos to win some great ski gear! For more information please visit us on Facebook”, he said.

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Cruising Scandinavia and the Baltic region

Cruise holidays have become about much more than sun-decks and cocktails in recent times and nowhere is this demonstrated more potently than in Scandinavia and the Baltic Region. Visiting cultural meccas like Helsinki, pushing the boundaries of the Arctic Circle in Greenland, travelling all the way east to St Petersburg and embarking on Norwegian fjord cruises, these cold climes offer fantastically varied voyages on the waves.

Typical North European itineraries set sail from ports like Copenhagen or Hamburg and either hop from capital to capital, or concentrate on specific Baltic regions such as Stockholm's islands. But it's along the extensive coastline of Norway where the Scandinavian cruise trip really comes into its own.

The sparkling fjords and snow-covered ports of the Norwegian coast have been attracting attention from holiday-makers all over the world, and deservedly so. A country perfectly suited to sea exploration, World Heritage sites like Geirangerfjord, the chill beauty of the North Cape and modern cities like Bergen make Norway an essential segment of a northern sea trip.

To get the full Norwegian experience, make time for an eight or 11-night cruise of the west coast, beginning in Bergen and cruising through no less than 34 ports, plenty of those famous fjords and, if you travel in summer, the magic of the Northern Lights. Night-time dockings are made even more special with the midnight sun out in full force during the warmer months.

Journeys turn heel at Kirkenes, near the Russian boundary, but not before taking in the verdant mountains and magnificent waterfalls around Geiranger and remote islands like Mageroya, home to the most northerly fishing village on earth. In addition, there are also mini-cruises to explore Oslo's breathtaking estuary in depth or discover the Arctic delights around Lofoten and the Trollfjord in the far north.

In fact, there are few places in the world that resemble the splendor of the Norwegian countryside, and with tour operators specializing in fjord cruises as well as multi-country options, there are many opportunities to see it first-hand. With ships departing from various UK ports including Southampton and Dover, you won't even need to fork out for an airfare to make a start on the Scandinavian adventure of a lifetime.

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