A traveller who’s been on 80 cruises has revealed the best destination she’s visited – and it’s a well-known spot you might well be familiar with.
Ann Leadley, 79, from Whitby, swapped jetting around the world for cruising.
She has taken more than 80 cruises in the past 20 years, with another solo cruise planned to celebrate her 80th birthday.
After the passing of her husband, Jim, she chose to continue her love of travel by embarking on solo cruising holidays, embracing the opportunity to explore the world in later life.
Her favourite destination? Hawaii.
Ann told American Holidays: ‘Of all the places I have been to via cruising, Hawaii has to be my favourite.
‘The sheer beauty of the islands took my breath away, everyone I met was so welcoming, and the food was absolutely spot on.
‘I’ve also got a soft spot for the Caribbean, where I first travelled solo and felt completely at ease. Cruising there gave me such a sense of joy and freedom, with sunshine, music, and the sea all around me.’
She explained what got her into cruising: ‘In my earlier years, my husband Jim and I would happily jump on planes and travel to far-flung countries all over the world. We never thought twice about the distance or the fuss of getting from one place to another.
‘But as the years went by, we began to look for something a little easier, and that’s when we turned to cruising.
‘Cruising took away all the stress of airports and constant travelling, and it gave us something more in return, the chance to see the world from a completely different point of view.
‘There’s nothing quite like standing on deck as the ship drifts quietly through the water, watching icebergs in the distance or the outline of a new shoreline appear on the horizon. I’ll never forget the feeling of waking up, pulling back the curtains, and seeing a brand-new port waiting for us to explore.’
After her husband’s death, she went travelling with friends – before switching to solo travel.
Ann revealed: ‘Last year, in my eighties, I decided to try something I never thought I’d do, go on a cruise by myself. It was a big step, but it turned out to be the best decision I could have made.’
‘Travelling solo gave me a sense of freedom I hadn’t felt in years. I could do as I pleased, whether that meant joining an excursion, lingering on deck to watch the sea, or simply taking things at my own pace.
‘And the truth is, you’re never really alone on a cruise. People are so friendly – over meals, on tours, or just chatting while watching the waves. I’ve met so many wonderful people this way, and many of them I now count as friends.’
She’s not the only older traveller embracing the trend.
Bladhana Richardson, head of marketing and acquisitions at American Holidays, said: ‘As older travellers seek comfort and luxury, we’re also seeing a renewed appetite for adventure, particularly among those who want to keep exploring later in life, but without the hassle of multiple transfers and long-haul flights.
‘Cruisepacking is the latest trend sailing forward into 2026, offering both the ease of having everything in one place and the excitement of waking up in a new destination each morning.
‘One of the big shifts we’ve seen is the rise in solo cruise travel, especially among older customers who want independence while still enjoying the sociable nature of life at sea.’
