LAST UPDATED: February 18, 2026

For many snowbirds, escaping to popular snowbird destinations over the winter isn’t the only travelling they do. 

In fact, many snowbirds are enjoying the freedom that goes along with a retired or semi-retired lifestyle to travel multiple times during the year, taking trips that include cruises, bucket list destinations and more.

If you’re a snowbird who likes to travel beyond your usual annual winter migration, here are some options, insights and tips to help you plan your “non-snowbird” travel.

What are the hottest types of travel for snowbirds?

Snowbirds love to travel year-round, often enjoying new adventures and exploring new places.

Most snowbirds are also at the stage of their lives where they are taking bucket list trips and exotic river and ocean cruises - or taking their extended families on special vacations together. Some prefer to travel as part of a group, while others like to do their own thing. 

Here’s a list of the top types of travel and vacations snowbirds are currently interested in: 

• River Cruises - In many ways, river cruises have become the favourite way of touring Europe - as well as some other areas of the world. Travelling by river takes you right through the heart of the countryside, as well as historic towns and cities along the way. The Rhone, Rhine, Seine and Danube are favourite rivers in Europe. It’s also an ideal way to travel because you don’t have to pack and unpack, and it allows you to explore each day and travel by night while you are sleeping – or enjoying a meal and a drink.
• Ocean Cruises – Ocean cruises are also hugely popular with snowbirds. A wonderful way to explore the world, today’s cruise ships are also a destination unto themselves with so many things to do onboard. The experiences range from budget to luxury, and you can take advantage of as many activities as you like – or none!   
  
  You can choose many different durations from 3 & 4-night cruises, to one or two weeks, to several months. Like river cruises, you have the benefit of not having to pack and unpack each time you move to a new destination.   
  
  Some of the more popular cruise destinations for snowbirds include the Caribbean, Hawaii, the Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal, the Mediterranean, Asia, the Arctic and the Pacific. 
• Bucket List Trips - Many snowbirds are in the process of ticking off special trips that are on their bucket list. Often these are trips they would not have had time for when they were younger - or trips they could not afford back then.
  
  Bucket list trips don’t necessarily have to be hugely expensive or grand – as long as they are personal and important to YOU. Sometimes it’s a trip to the land of your ancestors, or just somewhere you never had a chance to go. For others, it is the trip of a lifetime to see the ancient ruins of Egypt, the Great Wall of China, or cities like Athens and Rome. Or perhaps an African Safari, or trekking in Machu Picchu, or an expedition cruise in the Galapagos Islands

• Luxury Travel – More and more snowbirds are splurging on travel at this later stage of their lives, and the luxury travel category is one of the fastest-growing market segments.  

  Many travellers are now upgrading their vacation experiences and splurging on business-class flights or luxury hotels. And with a little planning and expert advice, luxury travel doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank.

• Group Travel - While some snowbirds like to do their own thing and avoid joining a group to travel, others prefer being in a group, meeting new people and enjoying having everything pre-arranged for them. In fact, there are some places you just aren’t able to travel to on your own. 

  There are many benefits to taking escorted tours and travelling with a small - or large - group, including having an experienced guide who knows the places you would never find on your own and not having to figure out where you are going or how to get there. 

• Single Travellers - Travelling solo can be a challenge unless you are an experienced traveller - and you enjoy the solitude. Most single travellers can benefit greatly by getting some expert advice when planning a trip.  Fortunately, there are travel companies and travel advisors out there who specialize in providing services and advice to single travellers. 
  
  Some companies offer special pricing for singles, while others specialize in organizing small groups for singles. These trips can be a great way to meet new people and, if you’re lucky, make lifelong friends. 

Travel tips and trends for non-snowbird travel

If you are looking to travel during the Spring, Summer and Fall, you’re not alone – many other travellers have the same idea! There’s a huge demand for travel year-round these days. Here’s what you’ll need to think about when planning your trips in the coming months – and beyond:

• Prices have gone up – In many cases, the cost of travel has increased dramatically – in part because of high demand but also because fuel, labour and other costs have gone up. This trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, so the sooner you book, the sooner you can lock in your price in most instances.
• Plan well ahead - All types of travel are getting booked up quickly, even for trips several months or more than a year down the road, so it’s very important to book well ahead or you may be out of luck. Besides, once you book, you'll have something on the calendar to look forward to! 
  
  You’ll also need to find out how long your passport needs to be valid for the countries you’re travelling to, and whether there are any visa requirements, as these can take time to procure.
• Use an expert travel advisor - There is so much to navigate today when it comes to travelling, including choice of destination, airline, cruise line, hotel, tour operator, etc., not to mention visa requirements, travel insurance options, cancellation policies, flight time changes and limited availability. 
  
  More than ever before, we cannot stress enough the importance and value of having an expert travel advisor involved in the planning and booking of your trips. They can save you hours of comparison shopping and advise on the best travel providers, and if you run into delays, cancellations or emergencies, they will be there to assist you rather than having to navigate these issues on your own.