{"data":{"id":"8c030a7e-0b63-440f-9cc1-0f2dc8baba62","updated_at":"2024-04-04T17:56:15Z","template_id":"73046548-86ec-431a-aca0-75b53bc936f3","localized":{"blocks":[{"id":"e473edfc-daa5-4fb6-9eb6-d46b880827e9","kind":"richtext","template_id":null,"content_html":"

I am just back from a 14-day Caribbean cruise aboard the beautiful but slightly showing-her-age (like me) Sky Princess!

It left Ft. Lauderdale's busy and chaotic dock with umpteen other mammoth-sized cities on the sea. I told my husband, "It's a floating Petrie dish!" I didn't want to do it. But he insisted that four years of not going anywhere since the pandemic was enough time to insulate ourselves. It was time to leave our safe harbour and sink or swim! (warning: corny nautical phrases ahead!)

I went along; truthfully, I've felt the effects of not travelling, and despite my reservations, I surreptitiously packed my bags weeks in advance. Naturally, I hid my swelling excitement from my husband; you could say I was playing it coy!

In our 31 years of marriage, this will be our 20th cruise. But I will let you know that compared to some of the seasoned passengers I met onboard, we are still neophytes, both in the number of cruises we have been on, and for the years we have been married.

We met many couples who have been together for over 60 years and were joyously commemorating their 80th cruise! You would think it would be the other way around; they would focus on celebrating their enduring love, but for these passionate and dedicated cruise enthusiasts, it's all about honouring her—the vessel!

And why shouldn't they?

Recently, there have been several references to world cruises or grand voyages offering lengthy journeys. They designed these cruises for passengers who enjoy immersive travel experiences and have the time to explore multiple destinations while offering them many amenities and conveniences, such as social connections and accessibility features that cater to their every need. You can now even play pickleball on their outdoor courts.

Cruising for prolonged stays is more financially favourable for some seniors than buying property or renting, offering a cost-effective alternative for long-term accommodation.

One case in point is an Australian retired couple who scheduled 51 back-to-back cruises with no plans to disembark soon. In an interview for Global News, the couple said,"It is ultimately cheaper to live on cruise ships than it is to pay for a retirement or nursing home." They continued, "They are at a stage where they just want to enjoy the rest of their lives and hope to do it while cruising.".

I was impressed with how easily some people immediately shared their boundless enthusiasm for travel with strangers they had just met, spilling details about which cruises they prefer and which destinations they still hope to visit. These passengers' insatiable wanderlust for sailing could only be matched by their robust appetites for shrimp cocktails and drinks.

Enter Madeline, or "Maddy" to her friends. A sprightly 87-year-young, on her 73rd cruise. She said she was from Brunswick, and I thought I heard New Brunswick and found a fellow Canadian, but in a smooth, slow Southern drawl, she declared herself from Brunswick, Georgia.

Maddy came into my view while my Hubby took part in the art auction, and I instead indulged in a latté and a deliciously warm buttered raisin scone at the International Café. There she was sitting, elegantly dressed for the afternoon, sipping her cup of tea, and I merely smiled in her direction. A few hours later, I knew her life story and why she loved cruising.

A widower for far too many years, Maddy also has three married children, is a proud "Meemaw," and enjoys a very active lifestyle back in Georgia. Maddy continued that her cruising solo forces her to engage with new people, take dancing lessons, sample exotic foods, and see new places. She embraces her solitude and sees it as freedom to do what she wants when she wants!

It inspired me.

I, who cannot go to a restaurant or a movie alone, could never imagine travelling alone. Maddy sprinted off to reach the other side of the ship where a high-stakes bingo event was about to begin, but not before telling me in that sweet, soothing voice, "Remember to love yourself first because that's who you'll be spending the rest of your life with.".

AARP explored this trend of solo cruising in a recently published article, citing, "Some cruise lines have reported that as many as 20 percent of their passengers are travelling solo. Julie Sayer, an independent cruise and vacation consultant in Tampa, Florida, says solo cruising was a trend before the pandemic, but it has really taken off after COVID. Just because [travellers] don't have a significant other or travel companion, they still want to see the world and go.".

Upon reuniting with my husband in our cabin, he maundered on about how much a Peter Max sold for and what other paintings were featured. I patiently waited for him to finish so I could recount the captivating chat I had with the fascinating woman at the international café. Unfortunately, he cut me off abruptly at the mention of the cafe, wanting to know if his cherished chocolate mousse cake was still available and how soon I could be ready for dinner.

Back on solid ground, heavier in weight but lighter in spirit, this trip has given me a new perspective and a boost of encouragement.

Firstly, I need to leave the house more and sometimes explore new activities independently.

Secondly, and most importantly, create your happiness if you find yourself solo or in a relationship. Then, whether ashore or afloat, never let age stop you from making waves and savouring every moment to its fullest.

Happy 2024! A toast to Maddy!

Read Wendy's Other Articles;

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About the Author:

Wendy Reichental, B.A.,Dip. in Human Relations and Family Life Education, McGill University. Certified in Foot Reflexology, RCRT® Registered Canadian Reflexology Therapist.

Wendy enjoys capturing life’s passages in short essays and opinion pieces. Her writings have appeared in The Montreal Gazette, Ottawa’s Globe and Mail, and various online magazines. Wendy's unique take on those first days of the Pandemic lockdown is now part of the anthology Chronicling the Days by Marianne Ackerman (Editor) and Linda M. Morra (Editor). Guernica Editions, Spring 2021

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Wendy Reichental delights in exploring life’s quirks and foibles through short essays and opinion pieces. Her work has been featured in notable publications such as The Montreal Gazette and Ottawa’s Globe and Mail. In the anthology Chronicling the Days: Dispatches from the Pandemic, published by Guernica Editions, Wendy offers a unique perspective on the early days of the pandemic lockdown. She holds a B.A. and a Diploma in Human Relations and Family Life Education from McGill University.

","description_text":"Wendy Reichental delights in exploring life’s quirks and foibles through short essays and opinion pieces. Her work has been featured in notable publications such as The Montreal Gazette and Ottawa’s Globe and Mail. In the anthology Chronicling the Days: Dispatches from the Pandemic, published by Guernica Editions, Wendy offers a unique perspective on the early days of the pandemic lockdown. She holds a B.A. and a Diploma in Human Relations and Family Life Education from McGill University.","summary_html":null,"summary_text":null},"profile_type_id":"9822821d-c96a-4ece-a318-c42ca4715c88","first_name":"Wendy","last_name":"Reichental","pronoun":null,"avatar_image_url":"https://assets.boomingencore.omerloclients.com/community/a4c9e54e-cbbc-49b4-8cdb-32cd26fcc9ce.jpg"}},"profile_types":{"9822821d-c96a-4ece-a318-c42ca4715c88":{"id":"9822821d-c96a-4ece-a318-c42ca4715c88","key":"contributors","kind":"person","updated_at":"2024-02-27T21:26:34Z","localized":{"name":"Contributors","locale":"en"}}}}}