The Best Luxury Cruises from the US for Empty Nesters

Once you’ve retired and the kids are doing their own thing, you’ve finally got the time and freedom to follow your travel dreams. Whether this means ticking off a bucket list destination or exploring the whole world. 

If you’re looking for a dreamy combination of adventure and luxury, without the hassle of organizing a vacation yourself, it’s hard to beat luxury cruise vacations. 

Ultra-luxury cruises offer the five-star service, entertainment and amenities you’d expect at a world-class hotel. But instead of being stuck in one location, almost every day you get to immerse yourself in an exciting new destination. 

Many luxury cruise companies also offer long-term round-the-world trips, as well as thrilling expeditions for those with a taste for adventure. 

Read on for the nine best luxury cruises from the US for older adults.

Silversea delivers ultra-luxury, all-inclusive cruises that stop at over 900 destinations on all seven continents. If you want to experience adventures in some of the world’s most exciting destinations, while staying in the lap of luxury, Silversea is a top choice. 

This cruise company offers classic ocean cruises around a vast range of destinations. Sail from Mumbai to Athens, stopping in Oman, Saudi Arabia and Egypt along the way or cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Fuerte Amador (Panama City), stopping in Colombia. 

Alternatively, opt for one of Silversea’s dreamy Caribbean cruises or venture further afield with voyages around Australia and New Zealand. 

If you have a taste for adventure, go for an expedition cruise instead. These luxury expedition voyages offer deeper, more immersive experiences around destinations including Antarctica, the Arctic, Greenland, the Galapagos Islands, Northern Europe and the British Isles. 

All of Silversea’s cruises are relatively intimate, with its ships ranging from the 728-guest ocean liner Silver Nova, all the way down to the 100-guest Silver Origin expedition vessel. 

Onboard, you’ll find luxury oceanview suites, complete with butler service and a range of gastronomic experiences, from fine dining venues to informal venues and in-suite service. There are plenty of amenities on-board, including an outstanding spa and fitness service, while land programs offer an array of local experiences to enjoy while ashore. 

With Silversea’s air and hotel program, you’ll barely have to plan any of your trip yourself and private executive airport transfers are available too. 

Best for: Luxury expeditions and amenities

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection offers guests a chance to experience the luxury all-inclusive yachting lifestyle while exploring destinations across the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Asia, Northern Europe and the Baltic states. 

The intimate yachts of the Ritz-Carlton collection include the Luminara (452 guest capacity), the Ilma (448 guest capacity) and the Evrima (298 guest capacity). With almost as many staff members as guests on each vessel, the service is exceptional. 

On board, enjoy a culinary journey within the yacht’s upscale restaurants, with menus reflecting the gastronomical traditions of your current port. Meanwhile, you’ll sleep in luxurious, well-appointed suites, each with its own spacious terrace. Head to the onboard Ritz-Carlton Spa for indulgent treatments on the terrace. In terms of amenities, there’s a pool, fitness studio, boutique store, observation lounge and a wide variety of restaurants and bars. 

Voyages include Caribbean cruises that start and end in Fort Lauderdale, journeys around Scandinavia and two-week adventures taking in the sights and sounds of China, Japan, Singapore and more. When you dock, choose from group trips, pre-designed private tours and custom excursions. 

Best for: Outstanding service and intimate cruises

Viking’s luxury cruises are split into three enticing categories: river, ocean and expedition. It’s one of the best cruise lines for older adults.

For a cruise with a difference, opt for a Viking river cruise. If a grand European tour has been top of your bucket list for a while, glide along Europe’s most iconic rivers while taking in the sights of romantic European cities like Budapest, Paris, Lisbon, Amsterdam and Vienna. Keen to venture further? Viking also offers river cruises along Egypt’s mighty Nile and Magnificent Mekong Tours that take you down the length of breathtaking Vietnam, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. 

Want to stay closer to home? Viking offers a number of US river cruises too, including a 22-day Mississippi River Odyssey, which takes you from New Orleans, through Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee highlights, to land in St Louis, Missouri. 

Viking’s longships are perfect for river travel and are home to all the amenities you’d expect at a fine hotel. Spacious staterooms are complemented by full-size verandas and there are plenty of spots for al fresco dining. 

Perhaps you feel like sailing the seven seas? Viking also delivers superb ocean cruises across Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East, South America, Asia, the Caribbean and Central America, Australia and New Zealand. 

If you’re up for an adventure, consider opting for an expedition cruise instead. These thrilling routes take in North America, South America and the Polar Regions. 

Best for: River cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers spacious ocean view suites with balconies, personalized service, unlimited shore excursions, open bars, exquisite dining (including 24 hour in-suite dining) and unlimited spa access. For an extra touch of luxury, opt for a penthouse suite with a complementary butler. Your fare also covers one night in a pre-cruise hotel in concierge suites and higher.

Regent’s ships sail across the world, with exciting destinations including Bermuda, Canada, Northern Europe, Alaska, Asia, South Pacific and – of course – the Caribbean. This luxury travel company also offers luxury world cruises of up to 168 nights, all of which leave from Miami. 

These voyages, which make for perfect retirement cruises, stop in hundreds of ports along the way, from Bridgetown, Barbados and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Apia, Samoa and Auckland, New Zealand. To see the world, all you have to do is pick and choose which shore excursions you’d like to take part in. 

If you’re not quite ready to commit to such a long time at sea, consider a grand voyage instead. These cruises last between 60 and 84 nights, with exciting itineraries such as New York to Barcelona and Auckland to Tokyo.

Best for: All-inclusive ultra-luxurious cruises

Cunard cruises are ideal for travelers who are looking for a journey that incorporates a little glamor. The company’s fleet boasts four grand, stylish ships: the Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Anne.

Cruises depart from a range of ports in the US, including New York, Miami, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale. From here, you’ll get to explore destinations across the world. Sail to Norway to experience its breathtaking fjords and gaze up at the awe-inspiring Northern Lights, head south to the Caribbean to sun yourself on paradise beaches and sip local rum or journey to the Mediterranean to explore historic, culture-rich cities. 

If you want to spend more of your retirement on a cruise ship, consider a Cunard world cruise, which—in the US—departs from New York and tends to last just over 100 nights. 

Your ticket includes a spacious stateroom (you can upgrade to a suite with a butler) and breakfast, lunch and dinner at your stateroom restaurant. Ashore you’ll explore some of the world’s most iconic destinations, while on board, make the most of the ship’s library, open-air pools and gym. There’s plenty of onboard entertainment too, including live music, theatre performances, guest speaker events, deck games, board games, quizzes, children’s clubs and group dance classes. On Gala evenings, guests dress in their finest black tie for an evening of music and celebration.

Best for: Cruises with a little extra glamor 

One of the larger cruise companies on this list, Princess vessels may not have the intimate feel of some luxury liners, but they more than make up for that in amenities and activities. 

On board you’ll find award-winning restaurants, the Princess casino, an art gallery, shops, pools, hot tubs, a golf driving range, shuffleboard, basketball court and the Lotus Spa and fitness center. Meanwhile, you’re able to join a multitude of activities, from culinary demonstrations and wine tasting to theatrical performances and retro club nights. 

Furthermore, you’re able to unlock a higher tier of luxury by booking a suite, premium location mini-suite or balcony stateroom aboard Sun Princess or Star Princess. This gives you access to the Sanctuary Collection, which means premium service and exclusive perks like the Sanctuary Restaurant, the Sanctuary Club. 

In terms of destinations, you’ll be hard pressed to find anywhere Princess doesn’t travel to. Experience glaciers, national parks and wildlife in Alaska, discover sparkling lagoons and pristine beaches in French Polynesia or visit Tokyo, the iconic capital of Japan. And when you disembark, there’s a range of memorable local experiences arranged for you. Imagine hula dancing in Hawaii, watching Brazilian samba dancers, meeting Alaskan lumberjacks and seeing a traditional Māori performance in New Zealand.

Want to see it all? Opt for a world cruise. 

Best for: A wide range of on board amenities

Azamara, an award-winning small ship cruise line, offers luxury cruises to Northern and Western Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean. The company is known for its Alaskan and Canadian voyages in particular and it also offers longer grand voyages and world cruises for long term travelers. 

Love golf? Azamara runs a golf-themed cruise, which visits the world’s finest golf courses in 25 countries each year. Play on over 80 courses, including 20 of the world’s top 100.

Azamara’s intimate ships have a boutique hotel feel, with stylish suites and staterooms with ocean views and 24-hour room service. When it’s time to eat, choose from six dining options, from haute cuisine and room service to comfort food. 

Aqualina serves up Italian dishes made from scratch, while at Prime C you get to order steaks cooked to perfection. Discoveries restaurant is a particularly exciting option: here you’ll find menus inspired by the places you visit. 

On board, you’ll also find an extensive playbill of live performances to keep you entertained, as well as AzAmazing Evenings – private events designed to immerse you in the culture of your destination. 

Step off the ship for a broad range of onshore experiences, from world events like sports games and culinary festivals to private tours and overnight experiences. 

Best for: Golf and destination immersion 

Oceania Cruises delivers small ship luxury for adventurers who want to explore the world in luxury. Its smaller vessels house up to 670 guests, while its larger ships have a guest capacity of 1,250 – but all promise a warm and welcoming ambiance and personalized service. 

Sail to a wide range of enticing destinations, including Greenland and Iceland, the Panama Canal, the Northern Fjords, Asia, Africa and the South Pacific and Tahiti. If you want to see everything, Oceania does offer long-term world cruises too. 

Step off the ship to immerse yourself in the history, culture and culinary traditions of your destination. Take a ‘Beyond Blueprints’ tour to delve into iconic architectural landmarks, choose a ‘Wellness Discovery’ tour to nourish your mind, body and soul or ‘Go Local’ for one-of-a-kind experiences with local communities. There are also plenty of tour types for food and wine lovers. In addition, Oceania offers extensive land plans for travelers looking for immersive pre and post-cruise experiences, without the hassle of organizing it. 

Oceania is a top choice for food lovers. On board, a selection of gourmet restaurants serve dishes created à la minute and arrive with perfect wine pairings and the menus are wide ranging, from Italian to steakhouse. Open seating allows you to dine whenever and wherever you choose. 

While on board, read in the library, indulge at wine tastings, attend guest lectures and learn how to cook like a professional at cooking classes. Bridge and trivia tournaments are held frequently. At the Artist Loft, talented artists-in-residence offer inspiring workshops. 

Best for: Cruises for older adults, onshore experiences and food

Whether you’re looking for all-inclusive, ultra-luxurious voyages or thrilling expeditions on the high seas, Seabourn delivers some of the best luxury cruises for adults. 

It offers intimate ships with hand-selected itineraries that take you to off-the-beaten-track locations beyond the reach of larger ships across all seven continents. 

Most of Seabourn’s well-appointed oceanfront suites come with a veranda and all come with personalized service. Experience world-class dining and culinary experiences in its complimentary restaurants. And if you ever need a snack, simply dip into the complimentary caviar. 

There’s also a variety of entertainment on the itinerary, from theatrical shows to live music and a whole host of signature events including Marina Day, Caviar in the Surf, Shopping with the Chef, Polar Plunge and more. Meanwhile, optional shore excursions enhance your experience in port. 

While Seabourn’s all-inclusive cruises venture to almost every country imaginable, its expedition destinations are more select. Embark on thrilling adventures to the Amazon, Antarctica, South America, the Arctic, the South Pacific, the Northwest Passage and the Kimberley in Australia. 

On a Seabourn expedition, you’ll be sailing on an ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ship with an ice-strengthened hull. A dedicated expedition team delivers immersive experiences throughout the entire journey and there’s inclusive experiences at every stop. 

Think curated shore excursions, cultural tours, guided Zodiac cruises, hikes, nature walks and snorkeling. In some destinations you can even descend to the depths in a custom-built, six-guest submarine. If you’re fascinated by sailing, you’ll love the open bridge concept too. This provides first hand access to the ship’s command center and officers navigating your journey.

Best for: Ultra-luxury cruises and thrilling expeditions