Upcoming Elite Supported Cruises & Caregiver Retre


Upcoming Elite Supported Cruises & Caregiver Retreats

Each of these dementia-friendly, fully accessible, RN supported cruises features special amenities dedicated to creating safe travel experiences for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, or other cognitive impairments, plus offering respite and resources for the family and friends that care for them.

Caribbean Explorer November 2025

Caregivers Caribbean November 2025

Eastern Caribbean January 2025

Mexican Riviera March 2025

East Coast May 2025

Alaskan Adventure September 2025

Panama Canal October 2025

Southern Caribbean November 2025

Alexander “Sandy” Halperin from CNN’s docuseries Sandy’s Story: Fighting Alzheimers and wife Gail with Elite Cruises founder Kathy Speer Shoaf on the 2024 dementia-friendly Alaskan Adventure.

Halperin Family with Kathy Shoaf

Each of these voyages feature amenities and services unique to Elite Cruises and Vacations. These can include:

  • Daily caregiver break time where Elite Cruises staff watches over loved ones so all caregivers get the break they deserve.
  • 24/7 RN assistance
  • 1:3 staff to traveler ratio
  • Elite Cruises travel agents to book cruise and hotel stays and can assist with reserving flights, transport from house to local airport, and more.
  • Assistance reserving mobility devices and accessories such as wheelchairs, beach wheelchairs, shower chairs, elevated toilet seats, etc.
  • All-inclusive onboard package with meals, beverages, Wi-Fi, and more.
  • Elite Cruises packing suggestions list which includes dementia-specific items such as door alarms
  • Option for flights accompanied by Elite Cruises staff member.
  • Airport meet & greet by Elite Cruises staff member.
  • Option for pre-cruise hotel stay which we always encourage for individuals with dementia.
  • Transportation to/from cruise port from airport or group hotel.
  • Option for private-duty caregiver to assist your family throughout the trip.
  • Luggage handling by Elite Cruises and Holland America.
  • Escort through cruise port and to ship cabin so travelers do not have to find their own way.
  • Group dinner seatings
  • Programs exclusively for caregivers can include guest speakers sharing resources for caregivers. and caregiver support circles where travelers can share their experiences with each other.
  • Shore excursion recommendations and booking assistance.
  • Option for excursions accompanied by an Elite Cruises staff member for additional support.
  • Option for extended caregiver respite so caregivers can enjoy a shore excursion of their choosing while Elite cruises staff member escorts loved ones on an excursion appropriate for them or remains onboard the ship with them.
  • Special family rates for additional travelers. Our service fees are attached to the cabin requiring our support but additional friends and family that wish to travel on the same voyage in other cabins will receive our travel agent contract rates with the cruise line.

For personalized recommendations or more information on how we make travel safe and stress-free for you and your family please call

888-826-6836

To view memories from past cruise events, click below.


Previous Cruise Events


For families that desire a supported travel experience but do not require a dementia-friendly vacation click below for a list of our accessible, supported senior, or former caregivers cruises.


Additional Cruise Events


For travelers looking to book a standard cruise or all-inclusive vacation and do not need an Elite supported group experience click below.


Cruise Planners Main Page