Retirement is a beautiful thing and an event to which we spend much of our professional lives working. Ringing in your newfound retirement can only be done with a good, proper holiday – and cruises are a more popular option than ever before. If you’re thinking of heading on a cruise holiday, what should you be looking at before you book your retirement travel?
What is a cruise holiday?
A cruise holiday or cruise tourism is basically a full holiday experience such as accommodation, transportation, hospitality and attractions, but it is primarily on a ship or cruise ship. This has become the fastest-growing segment in the travel industry across the world and there are so many options for travellers to choose from.
Cruise tourism is hugely popular around the world, not only for retirement travel but for everyone who loves different experiences or wants to explore the world. Not all cruise lines are for retirees, and there are some great ones like Cordelia Cruises for example that focus on a wider range of travellers primarily based in India.
Let’s jump into our list of how to plan your holiday.
READ MORE: Braydon Holland from the Norwegian Cruise Line shares why cruises are making a comeback
What is your budget?
While it might not be the most exciting aspect of planning your retirement holiday, your budget is nonetheless a crucial aspect; without properly reckoning with the funds and financing options available to you, you may not be able to get the most out of your cruise experience.
Firstly, have you ringfenced any savings for a retirement holiday? You will have amassed savings and investments as well as your pension, but you may also be relying on said savings to maintain a quality of life after retirement.
Not having the requisite funds for a holiday cruise up-front shouldn’t kibosh your plans, though. If you’re over 55 and own property, you could use an equity release mortgage to access the value of your property in advance – allowing you to fund a bigger and better holiday without burdening yourself financially.
Who are you travelling with on your cruise holiday?
With your funds set out and your budget decided upon, you can get straight to the exciting stuff – starting with the make-up of your holiday party. Will it be a solo cruise, or will you be seeking a romantic time with your spouse? Maybe you’d like to treat your grandchildren and make it a family cruise? There are so many options, each of which might also impact your next consideration: where you’d like to go.
What type of cruise would you prefer?
There are myriad cruise routes and holiday packages on offer, that take in port cities and idyllic resorts around the world. Some routes keep to the wonders of a specific coast or region, with Mediterranean cruise routes, particularly popular for those seeking cultural stimulation. There are also beach cruises that sniff out the best sun-and-sea spots on the land, and world cruises that explore continents over a period of weeks.
The cruise ships themselves can also differ widely in offerings, from engaging ‘party cruises’ to more laid-back affairs, and even luxury options if you’d like to feel especially pampered. With these options, you can cater your cruise holiday to your exact wishes – and tick off some bucket list destinations in the process.
Also, figuring out the cruise destinations is key to making sure your trip fulfils everything you are looking for.
Planning & logistics
Your last considerations are somewhat logistical in nature. First, you’ll need to choose your cruise carefully, based on trip length and when you would like to go. There will be optimum windows for weather in particular locations, but they may align with an increase in cruise cost – where travelling in the off-season could bring costs down.
You’ll also want to choose your cabins carefully! Each cruise will come with different options for your cabin, with different price points and benefits. To make the most of your cruise, you might want to upgrade yourself to a portside stateroom with an ocean view.
