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My husband and I have recently returned from a 28-day Alaskan cruise. We saw many wonderful sights and were really cold while you were sweltering at home with extreme heat. Thank heavens for long underwear and multiple layers.

Even though we are in our mid-eighties and certainly qualify as senior citizens, it was interesting to us that so many of the cruisers were older than we. All but two that we met were retired and essentially go from one cruise to another and have traveled all over the world.  Many were traveling with walkers, wheel chairs (some motorized), electric scooters, canes, and other assistive devices. Some we met and spoke with said that cruising is cheaper than assisted living or a nursing home. 

They seemed very experienced! The staff is well-trained in helping these individuals transfer to regular seats and store their devices while they enjoy what’s at hand.

It was really amazing to see all the help that they gave while helping these folks get into the ship’s tenders to go ashore. There would be helpers at the other end of the tender ride to help them get on their way to do some sightseeing in exotic places.

Also with the entertainment, the lectures, talks, culinary demonstrations, the seats were filled and unless you went early, you might not get a seat. There are all kinds of things you can purchase on board like jewelry, works of art, spa services, and you can even spend time in the casino for hours on end. There were craft classes, bridge lessons, organized bridge tournaments and Mah Jong. Trivia competitions thrived in the bars as well as bingo. And you could also learn to play Pickleball and participate in a tournament.

In talking with other guests, it was always interesting to learn where they called home. Many of the guests we met were from Australia, New Zealand, and one couple from Tasmania. He had actually been to Chattanooga to purchase equipment for his physical therapy business! We met one woman who had actually lived in Tullahoma when her husband was stationed there and a gentleman who had been sent to Arnold several times TAD.

Since the cruise left from Seattle, many of the guests were from the West Coast and some from Canada. We have been surprised at how many were from Idaho, Michigan and Montana. It is like getting a geography lesson every time you meet someone new. They had many work experiences with a large number having been teachers and nurses. Some of the men had computer careers. We also met many folks from Colorado and Nevada where they retired to live in retirement communities. Some were so interesting talking about all their travels, their work lives, and why they settled where they did.

The cruise director was named Stone, and she is from Morristown, TN, and she is a graduate of MTSU. She’s the Director of entertainment on board. We enjoyed a quick chat. Some guests on board were folks we had met on previous cruises and had stayed in contact, so we enjoyed having dinner together one evening. This cruiser is a back to back cruiser and we always enjoy reading the blogs she posts about her travels.

Cruisers on board are well taken care of as there are two emergency room doctors on board plus an emergency trained registered nurse. With 1,900 passengers plus the staff and crew, you might well imagine that these medical personnel are in high demand. Also, the culinary department is in full swing every day making sure these numbers are well fed. The food has been quite good, especially all the salmon. Many dishes I would never prepare, but it is fun to try new things with the idea that I might add it to the menu someday.

For those of us who are senior citizens, cruising is a wonderful mode of travel for all the reasons I have mentioned previously.

Plus, you don’t have to drive where you want to go, or find a place to park, or pay a parking fee. Find a country on your bucket list and see if there is a cruise that will take you there!

We still have a few on our list that we want to visit! Maybe next year!!!