Can you ever be too old to go on a cruise vacation?
As the peak of the Caribbean cruise season begins, many vacationers are headed to warmer temperatures in the tropics to enjoy a cruise.
According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), 17% of all cruise passengers from North America were between the age of 60-69, and 14% were 70 years old or older.
The U.S. Census Bureau says over the past 10 years, the population 65 and over increased 34% to 50.9 million. The government projects there will be 94.7 million senior citizens by 2060.
Seniors make up a large contingent of cruisers because they have the time to get away because so many are retired. However, seniors can face increased health risks while traveling.
While an estimated 200 people die on cruise ships each year, the risks are far greater of a medical issue occurring at sea than passing away.
While a major calamity is unlikely, being prepared is a smart plan for any cruiser of any age.
How old is too old to cruise?
Cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, do not have a maximum age limit of any kind. So the choice to vacation is one a person should be making with their health professional.
Given the popularity of cruise ships with retirees and the elderly, the next question is are there risk factors that should be taken into consideration before booking a cruise?
Stan Sandberg is co-founder of TravelInsurance.com, and shared his advice what anyone over 60 years old should be doing before they go on a cruise ship.
"While travel insurance is a smart purchase for travelers of any age, for Baby Boomers and Seniors (together, the over 60 crowd) travel insurance is essential for traveling the world."
According to Sandberg, seniors may not be aware of what might be covered if a medical problem occurred while outside the country, "It's critical for retirees who are on Medicare to check whether their coverage extends to international travel. Standard Medicare plans typically won't provide coverage when the recipient travels outside of the United States. A travel insurance plan with travel medical coverage and emergency medical evacuation coverage is a necessity for those travelers."
To that point, he believes the most important consideration for a Baby Boomer or Senior Citizen is to find a travel insurance plan with a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver.
"By default, most travel insurance plans will exclude losses resulting from a pre-existing medical condition unless the plan offers a waiver. One of the requirements to qualify for a waiver is that the traveler must purchase their travel insurance within a timeframe ranging from 7 days to 21 days from the date they made the first payment or deposit on the trip."
"Other requirements can include purchasing insurance to cover the entire trip costs. Since the definition of a pre-existing condition and the terms to qualify for a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver can vary between plans and providers, we always recommend reading a plan's detailed terms and conditions before purchasing."
Think about mobility
Something else affecting one's enjoyment on a cruise is your mobility.
Getting around a cruise ship is quite easy, as there are elevators to get between decks, and even special cabins designed for guests who have mobility disabilities and other disabilities that require the features of an accessible stateroom.
These special cabins include ramps at bathroom entries; roll-in showers with fold-down benches; handheld showerheads; and raised toilets.
You can actually call Royal Caribbean's Accessibility Department at 866-592-7225.
Royal Caribbean won't provide wheelchairs, but you can bring your own and be able to use it during your cruise. Wheelchairs and scooters must be stored and charged in your room.
Tips for cruising safely as a senior
Travel insurance is a must-buy for all cruisers, especially seniors, and there are other good tips to consider if you're going on a cruise ship.
You'll want to not just pack all of your medications, but bring plenty of extra too.
Travel delays can occur, and having more medication than you think you need is a good idea. In addition, be sure pack all the medical supplies you might need, including band-aids, Ace bandages, and over-the-counter medications.
If you require refrigerated medications, fill out the Royal Caribbean Special Needs Form before your cruise begins.
Be sure to pack proper footwear to use around the ship. Decks can be slippery, especially on the pool decks. You'll want non-slip shoes of some kind.
Make sure you select shore excursions that realistically align with your physical abilities.
Read the the physical requirements for any tour before booking it, paying close attention to how much walking is required, if there's uneven terrain, and how strenuous the activity is.
Age shouldn’t stop you from cruising
The saying "age is just a number" applies to cruises as well, but you should be prepared.
Ken Klingenberg is a 72-year-old retired paramedic and loves to cruise. He uses a scooter and thinks taking a cruise vacation is a "godsend" for people with mobility or other issues.
"You get to this beautiful hotel on the water, and let the crew take you to different places while they feed and entertain you the entire time."
One piece of advice for seniors is to work with a travel agent that specializes in senior travel and/or accessible travel.
Brad Whitaker is over 60 years old, and he thinks cruising is a great way to get out of the same old routine for seniors, "Even if you never leave the ship (which is crazy to think you wouldn’t), there are tons of things to do and none of them are the same. Cruising helps you break your mold and enlarge your variety of life."
Plus, Brad uses cruising as a way to make new friends. The over 60 crowd can appreciate the social atmosphere you'll find around a Royal Caribbean cruise, "My wife and I have always met and made new friends on cruises," Brad said.
"I love asking people if I can take their picture with their camera so I can strike up a conversation! I know it’s an over-60 thing, but I do love doing it! Where else can I meet so many people?"
