BEST CRUISES FOR THE ELDERLY

After years of putting in long hours at work, you have finally reached
a point in life where you can kick back and relax.  To celebrate, you have
decided to take a cruise designed specifically for seniors.  Many of the
top cruise lines have special package deals for seniors, offering
great prices and wonderful activities for this age group.  Although the
younger generation would prefer a cruise ship with rock climbing and
rollerblading, the older generation wants something fun and exciting
without the worry of broken bones.

The great thing about the cruise lines today is that they have found
unique ways of taking traditional cruises and modifying them to fit any
number of age group or needs.  Keep in mind that some cruise lines are more
successful at this than others but overall, you have quite a selection.
In this article, we will provide you with specific cruise lines to
consider when you get ready to set sail.

Typically, you would find several activities onboard a seniorís
cruise ship to include ballroom dancing, gambling, bingo,
shuffleboard and exquisite dining.  As you begin your search for the
perfect cruise line and destination, remember a good rule of thumb is
that the longer the itinerary, the colder the destination and the more
seniors on the cruise.  Now, that does not mean seniors do not take warm
destination cruises or those long, cooler destinations cruises are not
enjoyed by younger generations but in general, seniors tend to go for
destinations where they can see beautiful scenery and learn about
different cultures.

If you want a senior's cruise, you should avoid a few things.  For
instance, the flashy cruise lines generally cater to the younger
generation.  Take Disney for example - while ideal for families and
young couples, seniors are generally not as interested in what this
cruise line has to offer.  If you want to venture to the Caribbean,
usually a favorite hot spot for younger people, check out both
Celebrity Cruise Lines and Holland America since they usually cater to
seniors more than the younger people.

As mentioned, destination makes a big different.  Seniors will often
take destinations to places like Northern Europe and Alaska while the
younger generation goes with the Bahamas or Caribbean.  Finally, many
seniors will choose more affluent cruise lines to include Seven Seas
and Radisson.  After all, you have worked for this privilege so you
should enjoy it!

Another important aspect of choosing a seniorís cruise would be any
offered discounts.  It is common to find cruise lines offering people 55
years of age and older some type of reduction in price.  Two of the top
choices include Holland America and Carnival, both that have AARP
member discounts.  Just remember, to take advantage of this type of
discount, you would need to book the cruise through a travel agent who is
affiliated with the AARP.  Another excellent cruise line for providing
significant senior discounts is Caribbean Cruise Line.

While the discounts for a senior's cruise apply to the cruise itself and
in some cases, the airline, most do not affect the excursions.
Therefore, you will need to plan for the various ports of call as far as
food, overnight stays, and shopping.  Another common concern relating
to senior cruises is associated with the meals.  Since many elderly
people are on special diets and cruise ships are known for their
incredible meals, this should play an important factor in the decision
making process.

The good news is that most of the top cruise lines are very conscientious
of this need and therefore, have created health conscious dining
programs.  These would include meals for people with food allergies,
diabetics, kosher meals, gluten-free and lactose intolerance meals,
meals designed for low calorie, fat, sodium and carbohydrates, and
even vegan and vegetarian meals.  Just remember that some of these
meals are a normal part of the menu while many are available on special
request.  Therefore, when you book the cruise through your travel
agent, be sure to mention any specific issues for meals so he or she can
direct you to the best accommodating cruise line.