Such Thing As Too Old To Cruise?

[VampyBuff]

So I'm 23 and going with my 76 yo godmother on RCCL's Liberty of the Seas end of August.

 

I'm a little worried though...I mean, she can walk and everything like that but does anyone think she'd feel out of place or anything? It's kinda strange how I really can't recall what the age demographic has been on my more recent cruises. I guess I'm just more oblivious than I thought!

[cusyl]

OMG :eek: people in their 70s are still young enough to cruise..LOL

People in their 90s will :eek: be on the ship with you .

[fllady]

No problems, there is so much to do or not she can really enjoy herself. I think it is great that you are going with her. Enjoy!!! and Bon Voyage!!!:)

[ctsally]

I've met a man 99yr. old on a cruise ship and he had more energy than people half his age! Age is determined by attitude, not years.

 

Enjoy that cruise and treasure every moment you and she have on it.

[Roz]

I've met tons of people in their 80s and 90s on cruises, and I hope to still be cruising when I'm their age.

 

You and your godmother will have a blast. One of the beauties of cruising is there's something for people of all ages, and lots of things you'll be able to enjoy together.

 

Roz

[Georgiagolfer]

I see no reason not to cruise at that age. Some people in their 70's and 80's seem to have more energy than those in their 50's. Enjoy the cruise.:D

[satxdiver]

Only dead people are too old to cruise :eek:

[cb at sea]

My grandmother lived to 96--and until the last few months was physically active!

No--your godmother is NOT too old, and will NOT feel "out of place"!!!!

[bjbear]

For my retirement at age 60, we went on a family cruise, DS & DBIL, DB & DSIL, and our 90 year old father. We did have to use a wheelchair to get him on and off the ship because he had a cane but once on board, look out! ;) He had a blast. He didn't do a lot of shore excursions but we all had balcony cabins in a row and he loved trotting around the ship, dressing for dinner and chilling out on his veranda. I agree with a previous poster -you're not too old to cruise until you're dead! :D :D Have a great cruise!

 

Sue

[rubrrick]

My DW's mother and father are headed out on a Hawaiian cruise in a month..........and they are 88 and 85! This will be their 62nd cruise, and my guess is that they will do a few more.

 

Rick

[julieb59]

I will be traveling with my 74 yr old mother. She is able to get around and when I can't find her I head right to the casino and can usually find her propped in a chair spending some money. The only thing I worry about is all the stairs but we just take our time.

 

Since my husband does not like to travel I go with my mom and kids and we always have a good time.

 

Are you on the Liberty that is sailing on Aug. 30? That is the ship that we are sailing on.

[VampyBuff]

 

Are you on the Liberty that is sailing on Aug. 30? That is the ship that we are sailing on.

 

Nope, actually the 23rd. I'd offer to update yah on how it goes, but you'll be standing in line to get on the ship while we're getting off =)

[lambs2]

I don't believe there is any such thing as being too old to cruise. A year ago April it was my in-laws 60th anniversary. DFIL had been diagnosed with liver cancer six years before and he was definitely near the end. BUT he kept insisting that he wanted to go on a 3 day cruise to celebrate their BIG event! We tried to just ignore his pleas, but he kept insisting, so DH and I plus DH's sis and her hubby planned the trip. We waited until just a month out and there were no handi-cap cabins available, and he was wheel-chair-bound, but he insisted we book him a regular oceanview cabin anyway. We all took turns pushing him everywhere. His folding wheel chair would not get through the cabin door so we would fold it up right at his door and he would use his cane to negotiate the cabin, with some help from mom and us.

 

The three day cruise had two ports, Nassau and Coco Cay and my FIL & MIL never left the ship at either port. But he was able to enjoy all the meals in the main dining room or buffet. He especially loved the attention he got at our nightly family dinners and even attended the nightly entertainment, although at home he usually went to bed before 7 pm. Our parents really enjoyed the ship while we younger folks went ashore, too. The ship's officers were wonderful and several spent time chatting with our 85 year old WWII veteran dad and even would help push his chair! We thought they might win the oldest anniversary couple on the cruise, but there was another couple celebrating their 65th anniversary!

 

He only lived a little over a month more, but we were all so happy that we could give him this last cruise that he so wanted to take and be able to accompany him, as well. It was blessing for all of us.

[WCAB]

I think that is really neat. My Mom is 83 and my Dad is 88. It is a bit harder for Mom then it is for Dad but they love cruising so for the last eight years, we have tried to take a cruise. My Husband and twin sister go too. I love the memories we have created.

 

Carol

 

 

 

 

 

I don't believe there is any such thing as being too old to cruise. A year ago April it was my in-laws 60th anniversary. DFIL had been diagnosed with liver cancer six years before and he was definitely near the end. BUT he kept insisting that he wanted to go on a 3 day cruise to celebrate their BIG event! We tried to just ignore his pleas, but he kept insisting, so DH and I plus DH's sis and her hubby planned the trip. We waited until just a month out and there were no handi-cap cabins available, and he was wheel-chair-bound, but he insisted we book him a regular oceanview cabin anyway. We all took turns pushing him everywhere. His folding wheel chair would not get through the cabin door so we would fold it up right at his door and he would use his cane to negotiate the cabin, with some help from mom and us.

 

The three day cruise had two ports, Nassau and Coco Cay and my FIL & MIL never left the ship at either port. But he was able to enjoy all the meals in the main dining room or buffet. He especially loved the attention he got at our nightly family dinners and even attended the nightly entertainment, although at home he usually went to bed before 7 pm. Our parents really enjoyed the ship while we younger folks went ashore, too. The ship's officers were wonderful and several spent time chatting with our 85 year old WWII veteran dad and even would help push his chair! We thought they might win the oldest anniversary couple on the cruise, but there was another couple celebrating their 65th anniversary!

 

He only lived a little over a month more, but we were all so happy that we could give him this last cruise that he so wanted to take and be able to accompany him, as well. It was blessing for all of us.

[Pilot70D]

There is no such thing as being "too old" to cruise. All you have to do is look at a HAL sailing.

[kryos]

I don't believe there is any such thing as being too old to cruise.

Actually, I think it is only the freighter and river barge cruises that have age limits ... and that is simply because the medical facilities on those ships are not very sophisticated. But regular cruise lines place no age limits on who may cruise.

 

It's wonderful to hear stories about people enjoying the remainder of their lives ... regardless of their condition ... and it is wonderful that your family made this cruise happen for him. I'm sure it became one of his fondest memories of his time here on Earth.

 

This story reminds me of an elderly man who was onboard my last Hawaii/South Pacific cruise in January of 2006. This guy was older and clearly he was in declining health. But the story I heard is that this guy told his family that he wanted to see the islands one more time before he died ... even if all he could do was sit on deck in his wheelchair and view them from a distance. So his wife and adult son decided to make it happen for him.

 

They were all in an outside cabin together, and they made sure that dad got to do a lot more than just sit on deck too. They made sure that whenever possible, he got off the ship and around in port. I doubt they did many formal shore excursions, but they still made sure dad got to see and do as much as his declining health would allow.

 

At the end of the cruise ... as we were on our six sea days heading back to San Diego for disembarkation ... the old man died. I heard the "Bright Star" announcement go out at around 11:00 p.m. as I was reading in my cabin. The medical staff was being directed to his cabin, which was right across the hall from mine.

 

It was wonderful that this guy got to see the islands one last time ... not just Hawaii, but the South Pacific too. I'm sure he died happy and his timing couldn't have been better.

 

It's a tribute to his wife and son that they made this happen for him ... just as it is to you and your family for making dreams come true for your loved ones.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[VampyBuff]

By the way, she had a great time =) Johnny Rockets on the last night of the cruise was one of the highlights of the vacation for her. They played a bunch of Elvis songs for her and she even got up and danced with the waiters. It was def. an experience she wont soon forget. I'm so glad we decided to go :)

[NancyChgo]

I travel solo and some of the best times I have are with the senior generation :D . They're a blast; and believe me there are plenty of activities and others their age to 'hang' with :p

[Duck Duck Cruise]

Hello Rita,

 

I loved your story and have a question.....You heard the "Bright Star" announcement. Could you explain a bit further and does every ship use the same announcement?

 

Thank you,

Lin

[kjwinston]

IMHO the "Bright Star" is called for emergency attention is needed in a certain room on board. Instead of a 911 siren they call a Bright Star announcment. Usually a medical officer as all info that you sent in and they know who are over the age of 55, and any medical history a passenger has sent in. This way if the bright star announcment is called then the medical staff knows it could be one last bright star shining.

[gerif]

To the OP - I'm so glad you and your aunt had a great time. When I was 23, I used to think that anything over 50 was ancient. I'll be 62 in a couple of weeks, run three miles several times a week and am probably in better physical condition (except for a little arthritis here and there) than I was at 23. My mom's younger sister is 83 and still works full time, often walking the half mile to and from work each day if the weather permits.

[meaclasact2]

Only dead people are too old to cruise :eek:

 

I'm brand new to this part of the CC boards and your response put a huge smile on my face - I loved it! Last year we were on a Panama Canal cruise from LA to Miami on the NCL Pearl. No surprise that the crowd was older. I remember this one woman in particular - she had to be in her mid-80's at a minimum. I should live to be as spry as this woman! A little slower (hey - that happens to all of us God willing!) but what I remember the most was her zest for life - she wanted to know about everything - she remained curious about all things. I learned a valuable lesson - never give up wanting to learn and experience new things.

 

We had a marvelous time with her and always looked forward to being on the same shore excursions.

[NAMVET]

I don't think you are ever too old to cruise as long as you feel up to it. I know that we have only cruised on Carnival, but we love seeing some of the oldsters as well as the youngsters on the ships. We will be sailing again on Carnival November 8 2009 for a SALUTE TO VETERANS cruise on the Valor out of Miami:D

[ottmar]

>>>So I'm 23 and going with my 76 yo godmother on RCCL's Liberty of the Seas end of August.

 

I'm a little worried though...I mean, she can walk and everything like that<<<

 

OMG! I am 76 and my wife is 75 and for the last ten years we cruised end of November or Early December because it gets us back for skiing season and until April we spend three or four days a week on the slopes.

 

Too old to cruise, what a rediculous notion.

 

...Ott

[meaclasact2]

>>>So I'm 23 and going with my 76 yo godmother on RCCL's Liberty of the Seas end of August.

 

I'm a little worried though...I mean, she can walk and everything like that<<<

 

OMG! I am 76 and my wife is 75 and for the last ten years we cruised end of November or Early December because it gets us back for skiing season and until April we spend three or four days a week on the slopes.

 

Too old to cruise, what a rediculous notion.

 

...Ott

 

Love it! :D :D :D :D :D