Senior Secrets: Bon Voyage

Well, I just realized I forgot to blog about something significant! I finally feel a real part of the senior set having gone on a Caribbean cruise for the first (and likely the last) time earlier this year. Overall it was an experience that I'm glad to cross off my bucket list. I loved getting away from home and all the usual daily routines. The scenery was beautiful. The company of family was also great. Possibly the most impressive part was the food! The quality, quantity, variety and easy access were amazing. I was told that most cruisers gain an average of 7 pounds in a week. So that brings me to the tough part which was the walking! I actually lost 5 pounds. I also was reminded that I am no longer the party animal that I was in my 20's. The loud music, dancing and noisy crowded pool area weren't "my thing". except for the people watching, (some of which made me want my eye wash along with my ear plugs). But my aunt and I managed to get in a lot of gin rummy at poolside anyway. Most of the evening entertainment was also good. Must say I hated going anywhere near the casino with the lousy smoke smell.

Well, that's my personal critique of my Caribbean cruise. I'm not sure what age group it's especially best for. My guess is that it's better suited for someone with more physical stamina than I have. And I would say it would be more enjoyable for a married couple or younger singles. Don't think I would take children on this cruise, maybe Disney, but then that's just me.

I did leave the ship in two of the three ports. There were a lot of commercial tourist shops with many diamond and jewelry merchants and some local vendors. The one activity that I liked the most was a buggy ride through parts of Belize City. It was interesting to see the churches and the schools with children in uniforms. The housing that we saw looked very poor, but all the children and other residents appeared happy and healthy as far as we could see. There were paid excursions available, but I didn't do any of those.