Jump to content

Why 55 and older


Wayfairers
 Share

Recommended Posts

We retired at 40 in 2006, took our first cruise a few months later and fell in love with cruising. I've noticed over the last 9 years our style of travel has become more relaxed but I attribute that to learning we no longer have to fit everything into the 3-4 weeks of allotted vacation time instead of growing older. I saw this forum a few years ago and ever since I have wondered why does it exist? Does something magically change at age 55 that will change the way I think and travel? I have cruised with people in their 90s that acted and thought younger than people in their 30s so that doesn't make sense. So, what will I get out of this forum in 5 years that doesn't apply to me now??

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We retired at 40 in 2006, took our first cruise a few months later and fell in love with cruising. I've noticed over the last 9 years our style of travel has become more relaxed but I attribute that to learning we no longer have to fit everything into the 3-4 weeks of allotted vacation time instead of growing older. I saw this forum a few years ago and ever since I have wondered why does it exist? Does something magically change at age 55 that will change the way I think and travel? I have cruised with people in their 90s that acted and thought younger than people in their 30s so that doesn't make sense. So, what will I get out of this forum in 5 years that doesn't apply to me now??

 

Very few people can retire at 40 or under 55. The 55+ group is the usually retirement age . Many people can't afford to retire especially , if they are raising kids. We couldn't afford to cruise until our kids completed university and had steady jobs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We couldn't have children, both had good careers, saved at least 50% of our total income for 18 years and made good (lucky) investment choices. We realize we are in a fairly unique situation. Helps that we are both frugal and careful money managers. Many have asked how we did it but we have yet to find another couple willing to make the financial sacrifices we did to make this happen.

 

Maybe this forum would be more appropriately named "retirees". Wonder if I would be welcomed on this board because I am retired or shunned because I am 49 years old?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We couldn't have children, both had good careers, saved at least 50% of our total income for 18 years and made good (lucky) investment choices. We realize we are in a fairly unique situation. Helps that we are both frugal and careful money managers. Many have asked how we did it but we have yet to find another couple willing to make the financial sacrifices we did to make this happen.

 

Maybe this forum would be more appropriately named "retirees". Wonder if I would be welcomed on this board because I am retired or shunned because I am 49 years old?

 

Most people won't care where your 40 or 65 . This a forum asking and exchanging information and experiences about cruising etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awesome. We have run into age discrimination so many places...RV parks, neighborhoods, even AARP needs to change their name...they are not for retired people, but for those above a certain age! I will start looking at this board. Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
We couldn't have children, both had good careers, saved at least 50% of our total income for 18 years and made good (lucky) investment choices. We realize we are in a fairly unique situation. Helps that we are both frugal and careful money managers. Many have asked how we did it but we have yet to find another couple willing to make the financial sacrifices we did to make this happen.

 

Maybe this forum would be more appropriately named "retirees". Wonder if I would be welcomed on this board because I am retired or shunned because I am 49 years old?

 

Good for you!!! We are in a similar situation. Glad we made the sacrifices because we are now in our 80s and still enjoying our lives and our cruises.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As I have gotten older, my interests have changed. I'm not interested in water slides, climbing walls etc. Due to a health issue, I can't stand in long lines. So, I'm more interested in cruise lines that cater to people with similar interests. That's what I expect to find in this forum.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As I have gotten older, my interests have changed. I'm not interested in water slides, climbing walls etc. Due to a health issue, I can't stand in long lines. So, I'm more interested in cruise lines that cater to people with similar interests. That's what I expect to find in this forum.

 

It looks like NCL is not a good fit anymore. Have you tried Oceania?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

we too didn't start at a young age, due to financial issues..kids, college, etc..but we have been cruising for 15 yrs now..and each year we find a change in things we like to do, things that are not important to us , etc..

 

we cruise for the satisfaction of being on a ship, meeting new and wonderful life long friends, enjoying ports, just walking around, we don't do many excursions, but still love to get off and casually walk around the ports, just enjoying life...Life is precious..enjoy each and every day...

when i get up in the morning and plant my feet on the ground ..I KNOW IT WILL BE A GREAT DAY..the food, the casino, the shows...amazing...

(even though cruising has changed over the years, it is still an exciting, amazing vacation)..

we are both in our 60's and are will always be on a ship, till we cannot anymore..

 

you ask the question": what can I expect when we are 55+....you will expect only what you want time changes with age, and you really don't notice it...HAPPY CRUISING ...

life-is-short.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

montana200024

 

Like your thought. My husband retired @ 56, 11 years ago. We are blessed to be able to cruise. I still work, but not a 40 hr week. We go about every 6 or 7 months. We like to miss it a little. 51 days until the next one & I'm already packed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Maybe the fact that most "older" people start getting aches and pains in their 50's. Thats about when it hit me. Possibly whoever developed this site thought that was a good jumping off place for people in a slightly older category. I am 68. In my head I'm still in my 40's.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...

The 55+ title of this folder puzzles me too but for a different reason. I have suggested here before that the folder be 70+ or 80+ because there is so much difference between a 55+ cruiser and the older 70 or 80+ cruisers.

 

If the title really means retirees, that is actually a different category being as folks retire at a large range of ages. Retirement topics might include the extra time one has to cruise once retired or possibly financial considerations. An age category has different connotations. It has more to do with preferences, interests, capabilities and physical challenges of older passengers whether or not they are retired.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Interesting discussion! I retired at 55, I'm 68, was fortunate to work for one company for 33 years. I had 5 weeks vacation so I was always able to take trips, cruise, do what I wanted whereas many friends were locked in with 2 or 3 weeks vacation.

 

I took my 1st cruise in 1982 at the age of 35 by myself and loved it. I soon realized the short 7 day cruises didn't interest me and started taking longer cruises. I leave soon for a transatlantic plus Baltic cruise, 25 days, can't wait! :D

 

Cruising certainly has changed, I still enjoy it and personally I love the passenger mix, meeting and talking to people from everywhere. I don't get into the age as a number thing, because I have a friend in her 90s, who can run circles around me and another one early 60s, you would think is 80+ because she has no pep or enthusiasm. It is all about the individual, not the age.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To the OP...

As you know, there is no requirement to divulge your age here, nor when you retired.

 

This means that you have no idea of my age or whether I am retired. Like the Borg said to Picard....."it is irrelevant".

 

Clues to age are obvious....references to grandchildren or "I remember when" comments are giveaways, but again are irrelevant.

 

The thing that is relevant is that the discussions deal with cruising and the board on which you comment. (in this case 55+)

 

 

So, welcome to CC and any forum that you choose to read or comment on. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

I like the way you are all open, rather than closed minded. Personally, I think that defines someone's age more than anything. I've now been 50 since September and recently celebrated my first senior discount. The poor bar tender was amazed that I was excited and said you are the first person who has ever celebrated a senior discount. I say why not celebrate your age (and the associated perks) instead of being ashamed of it?! I worked hard to become the person I am today and I choose to celebrate those 50 years instead of try to pretend some didn't happen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 7 months later...
I like the way you are all open, rather than closed minded. Personally, I think that defines someone's age more than anything. I've now been 50 since September and recently celebrated my first senior discount. The poor bar tender was amazed that I was excited and said you are the first person who has ever celebrated a senior discount. I say why not celebrate your age (and the associated perks) instead of being ashamed of it?! I worked hard to become the person I am today and I choose to celebrate those 50 years instead of try to pretend some didn't happen.

True story......

We live about two blocks from where I went to high school. They are having a play in the auditorium so my wife and I walk down to the school to watch the play. There is a probably 15 year old in the booth selling tickets, I walk up and ask for two tickets. The young gal replies "would you like the senior discount?" I looked at her and said "Thanks, but Its been 35 years since I was a senior in high school!"........then it dawned on me :rolleyes: Guess that was my first senior moment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • 2 weeks later...
Just saw this forum. Are there cheaper rates for 55+? We're in 60's, cruised 5 times, so far, I've never had any info on better rates for 55+

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

This Cajun has never seen any better cruise rates for over 55 either.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 months later...

I retired at 62 and am now 72 and we are fortunate that we can afford to cruise in suites and fly first and business class, my wife and I are in good health and intend to keep cruising till we can't. Life is to short to not enjoy the days you have. Even before I retired we cruised twice a year as I owned my own business.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited by goldenrod
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
As I have gotten older, my interests have changed. I'm not interested in water slides, climbing walls etc. Due to a health issue, I can't stand in long lines. So, I'm more interested in cruise lines that cater to people with similar interests. That's what I expect to find in this forum.

 

I am a believer that I may grow old, but I refuse to grow up.

 

I am not a climbing wall type of person, but I still do vacations to water parks. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...