Best cruise deals for seniors in 2026: How to save big on your next voyage
- Lirette Louw Bezuidenhout
- Apr 14
- 4 min read
Set sail for less! We have identified cruise ships offering senior discounts and by talking to some seasoned cruise guests compiled a list of top tips to further cut down costs when booking a cruise.
In this article
Booking a holiday on a cruise ship is a great way to see the world! With more than 300 cruise liners operating world wide, the options for onboard entertainment and exotic shore excursions are plentiful.
Cruise liners offering seniors discounts
The cruise liners we feature here operate not only from South Africa, but depending on the cruise itinerary may depart from ports requiring you to fly to a particular country.
We have confirmed that these cruise liners offer senior discounts, but the amounts vary depending on the particular cruise destination and length of the cruise and thus only become visible once you make your booking.
It must also be noted that although these cruise liners offer senior discounts, it is limited to a specific number of cabins and may not be available once those cabins have been fully booked.
In writing up these deals we have tried to unpack the booking process in a clear and straightforward manner to allow you to unlock these discounts.
MSC Cruises (departs from Cape Town and Durban): offers a senior club discount to guests over 65.
Celebrity Cruises (sometimes call to port in South Africa, but usually depart from international ports): Senior rates available to guests aged 55 and older.
Royal Caribbean Cruises (offers particular sailings from Cape Town, but mostly operate from international ports): Discounted senior rates for those aged 55 and older.
Carnival Cruise Line (only operates from international ports): Offers seniors aged 55 and older discounts on cruise bookings.
Top tips to secure additional discounts in booking a cruise
Once the cruise bug has bitten it seems that booking your next cruise and next cruise after that becomes a way of holidaying that brings the joys of the ocean, comfy cabin living, varied online entertainment, all inclusive dining and drinks packages and exclusive onshore excursions together in one package!
We have spoken to some seasoned cruise line guests to get additional insider tips on securing discounts when booking a cruise:
1 - Book via Vacations to Go
This website brings together specials and deals on offer across all cruise liners. In searching for a bargain use their drop down box entitled "age 55 + discounts".
This website is very useful to find cruises heavily discounted when you are not tied to a specific holiday period and can book a cruise on short notice. Cruise liners drop prices on cabins closer to the departure date in order to ensure full on board capacity.
👍 Best deals can be found 90 days and closer to the departure date.
2 - Look for off-peak cruises
Booking a cruise outside of school holiday or major holiday periods makes travel cheaper as cruise liners are eager to fill cabins during these periods and thus offer additional discounts.
3 - Join a loyalty programme
Once you have chosen a specific cruise liner to book your dream destination with it is useful to unlock additional discounts by registering on their website for their loyalty programme.
4 - Take your friends!
Some cruise liners offer additional discounts for group bookings.
5 - Longer cruises are often more affordable
On many long voyages cruise liners are also willing to waive the "single supplement" charge (whereby they charge you double as a single occupying a cabin). These longer cruises vary from 20 to 90 days or even longer.
There are also some unique offers out there for seniors looking to set sail. Virgin Voyages offer exclusive 50 plus cruises with no one under 50 allowed on board. Read more about these offerings from the Virgin team here.
Fancy living on a boat?
In 2025, the Villa Vie Odyssey took to the seas to offer a first in cruise experiences, namely, full time residency on board a cruise ship that circumvents the world every three and a half years!
There are various residency options on offer from full ownership to 5 year ownership or rent-to-own options. You can also just hop on board for an extended period of time to see a particular section of the world cruise at prices well below that on offer by other cruise liners.
There is a medical facility on board and family and friends visit at greatly reduced prices. And even your cat may join on board in special pet friendly suits!
I hope this article assists in making your dream ocean cruise a reality!
All the best
Lirette
Co-founder, PensionersPayLess!
Lirette is a co-founder of PensionersPayLess! and the heart behind its mission to help South Africa's over-55s enjoy life to the fullest. Backed by a Doctorate of Law and two master’s degrees, she combines legal know-how with a passion for practical advice. Lirette writes about topics that she believes will appeal to a wide audience and which mostly relate back to her personal experiences, be it making plans for retirement with her parents, balancing a household budget or enjoying a good meal or holiday.
