There’s something particularly soothing about water-based travel, isn’t there? It’s not just about cruises, though, as more seniors have discovered different wonderful ways to enjoy the open sea, exploring vast coastal stretches, and setting up their own itineraries for shoreline-based towns and villages. Whatever appeals most to your senses and needs, be it the all-inclusive simplicity of cruises or the sense of opulent adventure with yachting, you have all kinds of options.
How you prepare for them matters greatly! When we take the pandemic into account, as well, all the more reason to be mindful of your changing needs and all the extra precautions to make your travels safer, smarter, and more enjoyable. Let’s go over some of the most helpful, practical ways to prepare for your water-based trips, which will hopefully be available soon enough.
Look into insurance options
For those who have done their fair share of traveling in their lifetime, you already know that some destinations have specific health-related prerequisites for anyone to visit. In addition to getting the right type of inoculation if you’re aiming for more exotic trips, you should also make sure that you find the best insurance policy to cover the right ailments and treatment you might require.
Travel insurance is your first must-have for any trip, and since you plan to go offshore, this is a great moment to look into potential health hazards you could encounter, so that you can better prepare for every eventuality and find a policy that covers it all.
Consider smaller river cruises
Due to the ongoing crisis, water-based travel has changed to a great extent, especially for seniors whose health needs a little extra care and attention during the pandemic. Even in the post-pandemic environment, water-based excursions will call for different policies for different age groups, meaning that you should aim for less crowded cruises.
Instead of large-scale sea-based cruises, you can research river cruises that have limited numbers of guests onboard, significantly fewer than in the case of ocean cruises. This might mean putting off some of the more exotic trips, but it will be worth your while to protect your health.
Treat yourself to a yachting trip
When you’re eager to explore the beautiful Mediterranean and its many coastal countries like Croatia in all of their glory, you can turn it into a more luxurious experience with a yacht. Yachting is a great pick for seniors, especially in the post-pandemic era, so that you can have a private, intimate experience that allows you to explore the coast at your own pace without the crowds of a cruise.
Seniors can look into available luxurious yacht charter options on different coasts, to find a good match for the destinations you’d like to explore and the amenities you’d like to have at your disposal. Mixing great destinations with the intimacy of yachting is a great way for anyone in their silver years to travel in style, all the while staying safe.
Research senior discounts
Every frugal senior wants to get the most bang for their buck, so when you’re looking for your next itinerary, you should definitely look for available discounts. Most seniors feel comfortable working with a travel agent, or an entire agency, when looking for their vacation spots and the best itineraries. When you have someone you trust, you know you can get a good deal and get the most value for your investment.
When you’re eager to set up your own plan, it’s smart to look for reviews from previous seniors who have traveled to those places and look for dedicated tips on saving up. It will also depend on the season and the type of cruise you opt for, so it’s good to look for different options before you choose.
Get the all-clear from your doctor
Your health comes first, so if an offshore adventure is in the cards, then you should be able to enjoy it without being concerned about your wellbeing the entire time. That is why you should book an appointment with your physician to have them check your fitness and health, if you are on track with your medication, and if you have any chronic conditions, to keep everything under control.
Perhaps you’ll need to work on your fitness a little bit in order to safely venture offshore, or perhaps it’s time to improve your swimming skills and endurance. Your goal is to go and take the trip safely and feel confident in your wellbeing so that you can enjoy your time without constantly worrying. Plus, your physician will help you determine your dietary boundaries, so that you know if and how much you can consume certain foods or alcohol safely.
Depending on the type of water-based trip you choose, you’ll also need to adapt your plans. River cruises might be less crowded, but you still need adequate insurance, especially if you plan to take a trip as soon as the pandemic is over. Then again, yachting is a great way to ensure some privacy and freedom in refining your itinerary, but only if you feel comfortable with the amenities and support system available. Listen to your body and your needs, and you’ll be able to craft the perfect trip for yourself soon enough.