cruising for little old ladies.

balmaiden

JOKE TITLE!! just trying to get your attention.

Although the old man and I enjoy our travel and have been to many wonderful destinations, we have never been on a cruise. Really cruising just does not appeal to us but that is beside the point. My mother and her friend both aged 84, life long friends, who were both widowed within 6 weeks of each other, have decided they would like a no fly cruise, ideally from Southampton.

Mum and friend are reasonably fit Mum deaf, friend poor sight but other than that are very well for their age. They worry about the ship being to formal as both have lost confidence since being widowed. So I would love to hear of anyones experience of a less formal cruise. Also I worry that they may get a bit "lost" if the ship is too big. They are two ladies who allowed their husbands to do everything for them so you can appreciate they are a little uncertain on choosing the holiday that will suit them. I am hoping that we can get this "maiden voyage" just right and that they can continue SKI-ing together for a long time to come.

margaretclare

Hello balmaiden

I have no knowledge at all about cruises of any kind and I don't think I would like one, but I was interested in your comment about 'they have lost confidence since being widowed'.

I go to adult swimming class and it seems to me, from the ladies who go there at the same time, that any woman who's in a long marriage may run the risk of losing self-confidence, not just after widowhood, but before!

Getting out and meeting people, starting to make your own choices and own decisions, that really is the only answer.

One favourite phrase that I hear quoted is: 'he's always saying "oh you'll never..."' This is the perfect put-down and when said over many years in a drip-drip fashion it can erode self-esteem and self-confidence.

Formal or not formal - well, in my (limited) experience women are better at these things than men anyway. 50 Plus are running TV advertisements for lovely outfits, any of which would pass muster for an 'evening do'. If you know you look as good as possible and are dressed for the occasion, that's one great boost to self-esteem and self-confidence. I believe that all cruise ships have beauty salons and that also does wonders for self-esteem!

Go for it - why ever not, and good luck to them both.

Be_Happy

We've been on several cruises with Fred Olsen. Their ships are smaller than the other lines and older people are very well catered for and looked after.

I'm sure they would be ideal for your mother, but remember cruises sailing from Southampton to the Med. have to go through the Bay of Biscay and can encounter bad weather. We've been lucky, but have heard of others not so fortunate. Despite this we would always choose to sail from a UK port rather than fly-cruise.

balmaiden

Thanks Be Happy, I have been looking at the Fred olsen website as the ships are smaller as you say. The reason they want a no fly cruise is because although I say they are in good health, they would have problems with their luggage at an airport. I visualise driving them to Southampton and managing their luggage for them. Any cruise tips that I could pass on?

Thank Margaretclare, I am hoping that by helping them with this initial cruise, they will have the confidence to go on to organise more things together. Mum and friend could easily hold their own in a formal setting but again it's a confidence thing. I myself find it difficult to understand. OH and myself certainly don't have the marriage that my parents had. We are an equal parnership. That makes my Dad sound bad, far from it he was the best Dad in the world And I miss him to bits.

Errata

Whichever cruise line looks like it might fit the bill, it might be wise to research any outbreaks of health problems it has had on its ships. Although older people may be in excellent health, their age makes them more vulnerable to nasty bugs and they may be hit harder by them than someone much younger. HTH

Savvy_Sue

when DH's parents went on a cruise, they booked a pickup from home to be chauffeured to Southampton (from SE London) and it was WELL worth whatever they paid for it!

As they drove off, the driver said "You've got your tickets and passports, haven't you?" "Yes," said parents. "And any medication you need?" Cue panicked return home to pick up FIL's copious supplies of prescription drugs ...

They were still in good time getting to Southampton, the luggage was taken off their hands and to their cabin, and it was all wonderful.

We were recently trying to book something, and were quite tempted by a fly cruise, once I saw that the ship had a sauna (for DH) and an internet lounge (for both of us!) But it looked like SUCH hard work, trips out nearly every day, I'd have come back EXHAUSTED! :rotfl: Maybe no-fly cruises would be better!

Errata

I'd recommend a Nile cruise. Sit on your bum and watch your holiday float past, half day trips which aren't mandatory, no sea sickness and make sure only cooked food is consumed to avoid the other kind of sickness

Savvy_Sue

Errata wrote: »

I'd recommend a Nile cruise. Sit on your bum and watch your holiday float past, half day trips which aren't mandatory, no sea sickness and make sure only cooked food is consumed to avoid the other kind of sickness

I don't know about the OP's little old ladies, but I once got 'sea' sick on the Sharpness canal! :eek: 2 hours round Gloucester docks, dead calm, and I had to be assisted from the boat, couldn't stand, couldn't walk straight, looked as if I was drunk ... And that was WITH my anti-nausea tablets. :rotfl:

That was when my ears were playing up big time, but it did put me off any kind of boat for quite a while!

beemuzed

Recently returned from our very first cruise (flew out to Barbados, then 2 weeks cruising the Carribean islands). I wasn't at all sure I'd like it, and in fact didn't look forward to going, but we both really loved it and are now seriously considering another for next year. Ours was very informal, which appealed. Ship large, but didn't take us long to find our way around. We found all the staff incredibly helpful and I think even without OH I'd have been OK on my own - and I'm not the most confident of travellers!
We were both struck by how many wheelchair users there were on board, also several folks who needed assistance - but these were admirably catered for.
There were excursions, but you don't have to do these if you'd rather just laze around. Plenty of activities (physical and sedentary) on board.
I think your two ladies could really enjoy themselves.

NAR

beemuzed, what was the ship called and what company please? Fancy this trip too.

pollypenny

I agree with Errata; a Nile cruise is bliss. You float along looking at scenes from your Sunday School books.

The boats are not too big either, so older people won't have trouble getting around.