Cruises are the most versatile of vacations no matter what your age. Not only that, it’s a great way to bring the whole family but still have time alone with your spouse while the kids-only activity coordinators take charge of your children’s fun.

The first step to putting together a great cruise vacation is to find yourself a travel agency that specializes in cruises, or to book directly through a cruise vacation Internet site.

Before you contact the travel agent though you need to determine when you’re going, where you’re going and from which port you’ll depart and to which you’ll return.

There are some seasonal rules of thumb about your destination. If you’re limited in the time of year you can get away then you’re also somewhat limited in your destination. You can’t, for instance, cruise the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska any time during the summer. Europe has about the same seasonal restriction as well. If you’re planning on heading out in the spring or fall you might want to consider an excursion up and down the Panama Canal. Just about any time of year, including the winter, you can cruise to Asia or the Caribbean.

Determine who is going to go with you. Knowing if children or seniors will be a part of your vacation group will effect which trip offers the best choices of entertainment for your party. In fact, it’s best to gather everyone together, or conduct a phone or e-mail discussion of what everyone wants to do. You need to know if crafts are important; how many are going to lounge by the pool; who wants to get off and explore at the first land stop; who prefers exotic locations and who’d rather just play shuffleboard.

The size of the ship can be important as well. Larger ships have a vast variety of entertainment options, such as dancing and stage shows, although smaller ships may provide a lower guest to staff ratio, and thus more personal attention to your needs.

Know how much you and the others can spend. If money is a critical factor look for discounts for booking early, or starting out on a different day or different week from your original request. Staying flexible can save you considerable money. Ask about port fees as well. These are not usually included in the quoted cruise cost and may cost you dearly. You’ll also be expected to tip room stewards and wait staff.

If you’re not going as a large group and you might be interested in getting to know your fellow passengers then be sure and inquire about the usual demographics of these travelers. If you’re 20 something and it’s a baby boomer cruise you’re apt to be bored. If you bring your grade schoolers and most of the other kids are in their teens they won’t have enough playmates and you’ll be their entertainment for the extent of the cruise.

One very important inquiry to make of your travel agent as well is the formality of the cruise that you’re considering. If you show up with a suitcase full of swimsuits, shorts and sunscreen only to find out formal dress is required at dinner you’re going to be embarrassed or hungry the entire excursion.

Sshhh! Don’t tell anyone but there are a lot of stories “floating” around about cruising. Many people are going to believe these stories until they take their first cruise. When these tall tales are put to the test, a lot of misconceptions will fall like a line of dominoes, one by one.

Tall tale #1 – Only senior citizens vacation on a cruise ship. This is so not true! Ok, perhaps years ago, but cruising has been gaining a following for years with the new yuppie generation as well as the seniors, those people ages 55 and up.  Because people are living longer and longer, age 55 is not longer perceived as old.  Rather, people in their early 50’s through early 60’s are now the new “middle” agers.

Tall tale #2 – I’ll spend all my time in the bathroom due to seasickness.  Being green around the gills is cause for concern and it does occasionally happen.  However, cruise ships these days are modern technological marvels.  Stabilizing technology helps prevent the side to side and up and down motions also known as rolling and pitching.

The best offense is often the best defense. By being prepared for the possibility of seasickness, you can fend it off with a few easy and cheap solutions.  Dramamine is probably the most widely known seasickness treatment.  It is a nonprescription medication that should be taken a few hours before your cruise.  However, some people seek alternatives because there are side effects such as tiredness, cotton mouth, and being wired to the point of not sleeping.

Other seasickness remedies are those Sea-bands.  These are bracelets you wear on your wrist and it uses an acupressure technique.  There is a little button on the inside of the bracelet that pushes against certain pressure points in your wrist.  This is another nonprescription option.  Your doctor can also prescribe a patch you wear behind your ear that will send out a timed-release of medications to help with your symptoms.

Tall tale #3 – The only activities are shuffleboard and bingo aboard a cruise ship.  Well, those activities are available, but there is so much more.  Exercise classes, dancing, lounge acts, skeet shooting, and wine classes are just a few of numerous things you can find on board the ship.  How about a crafting or art class? Perhaps a trip to the spa for a comforting massage and facial is more your speed.  Maybe you want to relax around the pool with a good book or participate in a card tournament. Of course, you also have the shore excursions to look forward to when the ship goes to port.

Tall tale #4 – Everyone just eats and eats and eats.  With all the activities on the cruise ship, who has time to eat?  Of course, the food is plentiful but so are the menus.  You can choose to dine on lighter fare and keep an eye on your calorie intake.  Or you can order up a pizza with the works.

After just one cruise, those tall tales will just dissipate and be replaced with wonderful memories. So go spread it around that cruising is the perfect vacation and start planning that next cruise!

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In many areas of the world, including the United States, we often view senior citizens as having limits. While health issues may plague some senior citizens, most individuals are healthy and happy. In fact, many consider their senior years to be the prime of their live. If you are one of those individuals, you could experience fun and excitement aboard a cruise ship.

One of the most common concerns aboard a cruise is safety. Many senior citizens and their family members are concerned with the health risks of taking a cruise. If you or your family has fears associated with extended cruises, you may want to seek guidance from your family physician. With a simple visit, your physician may easily be able to determine whether or not you are up for the voyage.

If and when you receive the okay from your doctor, you can begin to further examine vacationing aboard a cruise ship. When examining cruise ships, you are encouraged to examine a number of cruise lines and each of the ships that they have available. To get started on your search, it is advised that you examine Royal Caribbean Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Princess Cruises. The foresaid cruise lines are just a few of the many that service travelers; however, they are often considered the most popular.

When examining a particular cruise ship, you are encouraged to search for activities and services that you are attracted to. These services are important because they are often the only way for seniors to find the perfect cruise ship. At the current time, there is not a large, well-known cruise ship company that offers cruises specifically for senior citizens. That does not mean that you shouldn’t take a cruise. It does; however, mean that you may need to spend more time researching your available options.

You can and should search for cruise ship activities based on your own preferences. Many seniors prefer cruise ships that offer elegant dinning facilities and activities geared towards mature crowds. If safety is a concern, you may wish to vacation aboard a family fun cruise. These cruises are geared towards individuals and families of all ages. Many times, a family fun cruise has a more appropriate environment. Seniors, including yourself, may find this environment warm and welcoming.

Once you have made the decision to take a cruise ship vacation, you may be excited to book your reservations. Senior citizens are urged to refrain from purchasing tickets and making travel accommodations on a whim. This is because many seniors qualify for cruise ship and other travel discounts. Many of these discounts are offered by AARP, Triple A, and other membership clubs. Even if you may not qualify for travel deals and discounts, you should still see if they exist. Until you look, you never know if you can book a cruise at a discounted price.

Cruise ship travel is a fun, exciting, and rewarding experience, no matter what your age. All most all cruise ships are safe enough that you can even vacation alone. If you are concerned with your safety while traveling alone, you may want to invite along family or your senior friends. With a large number of discounts, it is quite possible that you can all enjoy a vacation aboard a cruise ship, without having to go broke.