Cruising -- Senior Citizens at Sea

TWO VIEWS OF CRUISING
There are many approaches to cruising that vary according to need and desire. However, there are two basic approaches that may help you to think about what you might choose to do.

1. A cruise can be viewed as a large and luxurious resort with many amenities that happens to go to interesting and/or exotic places.

2. A ship can be seen as a floating hotel room that offers ports of call and the attendant adventure of those places.

At the other end of the scale, some small ships have been added to the array of choices. They often offer less plush accommodations but permit the option of special experiences such as sailing up a river or pulling up to the shoreline where you can explore, shop, or snorkel without elaborate and difficult debarking activities. Another more specialized sort of trip is offered by sailing ships that cruise. These can be as a pampered passenger or as one who takes a turn at hoisting sail or taking the helm.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT TYPE OF CRUISE FOR YOU
If you're interested in doing in-depth sightseeing, inquire whether your cruise offers pre- or post-cruise extensions. These packages usually include a few nights at a hotel in your port of embarkation or debarkation. It's a great way to make the most of your sight-seeing time, and your package often includes some touring, meals, or special event. For more in-depth land exploration, a cruise tour fits the bill. Part of your intinerary will be spent cruising (with several port stops), and then you'll disembark for a land tour (with overnight stays in hotels). Alaska is one kind of popular destination for this kind of cruise, which really offers the best of both worlds.

If your goal is to enjoy a relaxing getaway where you can simply pamper yourself, consider a transoceanic crossing or a cruise to nowhere. These let you take full advantage of the "resort at sea" your ship really is.

Expedition cruises focus less on luxury (though amenities are at your disposal), and more on adventure, education, and exploring. Your destinations may be more exotic, rugged, out-of-way places. Generally, your vessel will be smaller in order to navigate in narrow passages large cruise vessels cannot reach. Nature is a common focus, and your cruise line may feature naturalists on board who'll present slide shows, conduct lectures, and guide shore expeditions. Other themes may be archeology, marine wildlife, or astronomy.

Theme cruises are offered on vessels both large and small. Topics can range from health (with well-known physicians aboard to conduct lectures and workshops) to big band music (with well-known musicians and celebrities aboard to set the rhythm!) to bridge tournaments. There are even murder mystery cruises where you can play sleuth.

Yacht cruises offer the ultimate in luxury. Personal service, gourmet dining, elegant surroundings, and access to intimate ports are part of the allure. River cruises may be aboard barges, steamers, ferries, even one-time Mississippi paddleboats. Every day brings another port, and though the activities and amenities are not as luxurious as those offered on ocean liners, you'll still enjoy fine service.

SPECIAL CRUISES
Sometimes we can be enticed to get on a cruise ship for other reasons than the destination. Thus there are a number of different special categories that may beckon. Among the most popular:

• Alumni Cruises (most universities sponsor them)
  
• Celebrity Cruises (travel with your favorite entertainer or sports figure)
  
• Conference Cruises (financial seminars--write it off)
  
• Fitness or Calorie Cruises
  
• Freighter Travel
  
• Senior Cruises
  
• Singles Cruises (young or old)

1. intimate, up to 10,000 gross registered tonnage (grt, the weight of a ship in the water);
   
2. small (between 10,000 and 20,000 grt);
   
3. medium (between 20,000 and 30,000 grt);
   
4. and large (30,000 grt and over).

Remember that larger ships often cannot dock right in the port. In these cases, your ship will anchor at sea and you will be ferried to shore by tender. These small craft make frequent round trips, so you can get back aboard ship at various times. Just ask a crew member for the schedule. The inconvenience of tendering ashore may be offset by the other advantages of a large ship.

FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR CRUISE LINE
They vary in many ways besides price. Atmosphere is a critical distinguishing factor. Ask your travel agent or tour company about the general style of the ship: elegant? casual? oriented toward mature travelers, young singles, or families? These issues can have a big impact on your overall enjoyment of the cruise.

DESTINATIONS
The multiplication of cruise vessels has led to the concomitant growth in cruise destinations. Here are the most popular:

• Alaska
  
• Australia/New Zealand
  
• Black Sea/Turkey
  
• The Caribbean
  
• The Danube
  
• Eastern Canada
  
• Greek Islands
  
• Hawaiian Islands
  
• Mediterranean
  
• Mexican Riviera
  
• The Mississippi
  
• The Nile
  
• Panama Canal
  
• Scandinavian Fjords
  
• South America
  
• Southeast Asia

ADVENTURE DESTINATIONS
There are literally hundreds of special destinations that would be tempting for even the armchair traveler, but just to whet your appetite here are just five that should get your imagination working:

• Antarctica
  
• The Amazon
  
• Easter Island
  
• The Galapagos
  
• Tahiti

What else you pack depends somewhat on your destination and the program aboard ship. Sportswear, shorts, swimsuits, and good shoes for walking and play aboard ship will be needed. If you are going to Alaska or somewhere else where it can be rainy and cold, pack rain gear and a very warm jacket.

Sailing is also more possible for more people now from the standpoint of seasickness. There are two major reasons. Modern ships are now more stable, so that some of the most unpleasant motion is minimized. The other large change is the medication that is now available. Without going into great detail, Dramamine and other drugs have made a trip on a ship possible for millions who formerly would have found only misery at sea. Talk to your doctor about your best bet. One of the most convenient applications is dispensed from a stick-on bandage. Remember also that you will undoubtedly have the service of a doctor on board for this and any other medical problems that might arise. As with medical care at home, specific information about medical conditions and medications you take will help. Be sure to bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications you must take.

Can you take the kids or grandchildren? In general, yes. However, it is best to check on the nature of a given ship and its facilities for entertaining and care of children. Obviously some destinations will be more interesting to children than others.

Tipping is a subject we all feel concern about. Most cruise lines and travel books will suggest what is appropriate. You will feel much more at ease if you check this out before you leave and budget generously for it. Then, when you find that certain service is not up to expectations, you tip less or not at all and come home with money in your pocket.

GETTING INFORMATION ABOUT CRUISES
There are many sources and some of the best are friends and family who have taken particular cruises or ships. Remember that it should be recent because all kinds of things change very rapidly in the cruise industry these days. One only has to trace the history of an older vessel through different owners and staff to see that up-to-date information is a must. If you have a good travel agent you trust, ask him/her for advice. There are many books on the subject. Haunt your library to find the best for your purposes. Most travel publications have sections on cruises. Cruise Travel Magazine is devoted totally to cruising on the latest new or refurbished vessels and schedules of departures. Other annual publications such as Frommer's give you information about all destinations and ships available for the traveler.

SAVING MONEY ON YOUR CRUISE BOOKING
There are many ways to save money on the cruise you plan. The two things that help most are to plan early and to be flexible. Put some research into your planning and compare prices. Here are some suggestions:

• Select a cruise line that is less expensive than others.
  
• Go during the off-season. Tropical cruises are cheaper in the summer.
  
• Wait until the last moment and bargain with the cruise line. They may be willing to cut the price to avoid vacancies.
  
• Deal with an organization that specializes in selling short-notice travel. Three of them are: Stand Buys, Spur of the Moment, and Grand Circle's Last Minute cruise club.
  
• Decide early so you can get early booking discounts and will have the cheaper accommodations available to you.
  
• Some large travel organizations obtain discounted fares because of their huge buying power.
  
• If you live in Seattle and the ship sails from Miami, look for sea-air packages. This can cut the cost of your airfare because of the early booking of low cost space by the cruise companies.

Portions of this article was taken from the brochure "Going Abroad: 101 Tips for Mature Travelers" by Grand Circle Travel, 347 Congress St. Boston, MA 02210. call 1-800-221-2610 for free travel advice.