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Cruises for retirees
Cruises for retirees
As baby boomers reach retirement age, they find their disposable income and spare time is the highest it’s been since before children and mortgages. The beauty of this is that it opens up opportunities to seek out new experiences and places to explore. And with all the cruise options available, there’s never been a better time to get out on the open ocean.
This article details some of the different options and operators available to help you plan your next cruise.
- World Cruises
Cruising the world for three months or more has been a tradition for seniors since the first world cruise sailed on Cunard’s RMS Laconia in 1922[1]. Since then however, more money, creativity and energy has been injected into this form of cruising making it more appealing and available than ever.
World cruises don’t in fact sail exactly around the world. What they do offer is an opportunity to view a layered assortment of diverse cultures and countries. And even if you cannot commit to the full length of the trip, a popular option is to buy segments which range from a week to over a month.
For example, Cunard offer world cruises with their Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria liners. And in 2015, Cunard is celebrating its 175th anniversary, which involves celebrations in Sydney harbour and sailing past Gallipoli on the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.
- Expedition Cruises
As the name suggests, expedition cruising offers those with a penchant for exploration the opportunity to visit obscure and often inaccessible places. The ships are small, with shallow hulls allowing them to visit and dock in the less visited places. This also means that a lot of time is spent onshore and therefore the use of Zodiac inflatable crafts is commonplace and the destination is often a beach or rocky shoreline, requiring people to wade to shore from the shallows.
Obviously this isn’t a style of cruising for everybody however with the opportunity to see places such as Alaska, The Arctic, The Amazon or The Galapagos Islands, getting a bit wet and missing out on bingo and karaoke can be worth it.
Lindblad-National Geographic is arguably the most experienced and esteemed operators of expedition cruising. They pride themselves in their extensive knowledge and experience with world-renowned scientists, naturalists and researches accompanying passengers on board.
- Food and Wine Cruises
If you’re the type of traveller whose destinations are often chosen based on the variety, abundance and distinctiveness of food then you should consider a food and wine themed cruise.
There is growing demand for cruises offering foodie experiences such as cooking classes, wine tastings, celebrity chef dinners and onshore food or wine excursions and this has resulted in an increase in the variety of operators.
Celebrity Cruises offer Savor your Destination culinary cruises that include competition cook-offs, cooking classes and food and wine pairing dinners. And if Paella, Jamon Imberico and Gazpacho sends your tastebuds wild then have a look into Windstar Cruises’ Wind Surf: an eight-night Spain cruise stopping off at ports such as Seville, Malaga and Granada.
- Luxury Cruises
Sometimes all we want to do on a cruise is enjoy the quieter pleasures of life. And as seniors enter their ‘golden years’ where time and money is no longer the issue it once was, luxury cruise lines offer the opportunity to entertain these pleasures in an environment that’s both personalised and exclusive. You can expect the stewards to know your name and remember your favourite drink and for the chef to personally recommend menu items based on your previous likes and dislikes.
Obviously these services, and the overall holiday style, are determined by the cruise ship you choose and its size. For example, the luxury cruise operator SeaDream differentiates itself from the larger ships stating: “It’s yachting, not cruising.” They limit the guest number to 112, with 95 staff (that’s almost a 1:1 ratio) to boast a 5-Star service. However, even the larger ships do luxury well. For example, Crystal Cruises offer the standard luxury cruise pampering like personalised service and speciality dining but on some cruises passengers can also partake in enrichment programs such as speaker sessions or photography.
- River Cruises
If you’ve seen enough of Europe’s coastal cities including Barcelona, Stockholm or Athens why not explore the rest of Europe via its extensive river ways. Inland cities such as Paris, Vienna or Bratislava have waterways that aren’t large enough to accommodate big cruise ships, so river cruising is as much about the places you will see as it is about the experiencing of smaller, niche ships. Of course, river cruising isn’t limited to Europe with operations in Asia, Africa and South and North America leaving much to be explored.
One well known player in Europe is Viking River Cruises, whose ships accommodate between 120 and 260 guests for a more intimate experience. This operator also offers guided walks at destinations, including food shopping trips to local markets with the ship’s chef.
Just remember that when you book your cruise, unexpected situations can arise such as personal illness, cancellation of plans by a travel companion, airline delays, lost baggage or even a cruise line going out of business. For ease of mind, protect yourself and purchase a travel insurance policy that best covers you.
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Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar
Find out why Sand boarding, Diving and Safaris through the desert are included in the Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar.
Qatar is a country of reinvention. Shimmering towerblocks rise against a desert horizon, and maze-like souks thrive next to 21st-century shopping palaces. It’s also one of the more accessible countries of the Arab Gulf, with a welcoming reputation towards visitors and plenty of attractions to keep them coming. Some of the best holiday activities you’ll find in Qatar are the adventurous kind. And these are the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar.
Sunset in Qatar – Photo by wj2012
Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar
Diving expeditions
The Gulf Sea is famed for its crystal waters and the exuberant marine life which lurks just beneath the surface. Messaid is a good jumping-off point where you’ll find angelfish and barracuda, while those intrigued by underwater wrecks will love the Hall Island dive site at Al-Sharqi, where bright clownfish circle the abandoned boat.
Sand Adventures
Many of the sports here have been adapted from colder climates, so instead of skiing down a mountain piste, try Khor Al Adaid beach to glide down the impressive dunes on a sand-board. Alternatively, race your blo-kart along the sands of Al Wakrah, south of capital Doha, to experience the thrill of wind-sailing on dry land.
Sand Boarding – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by ground zero
Al Jassasiya
The ancient carvings of Al Jassasiya lie to the north near Al Shamal, amid a truly remote landscape of village ruins and limestone. Hire a 4×4 of your own and make the journey to see the 900 petroglyphs which riddle the rocks here. The carvings denote flowers, animals, fleets of shows, or traditional Arab boats, and to this day, their origins remain a mystery.
Sunset Cruise
When the time comes for a more relaxed excursion, you can do no better than a sunset cruise onboard a wooden dhow as you drift past the super-modern Doha seafront of Al-Corniche and the old harbor at Al Khor. If you’re still hankering after some adventure, rent a smaller vessel and go for a fishing trip the following day.
Desert Safaris
Much of the inland desert in Qatar remains inaccessible on foot, but fortunately, that’s where a 4×4 comes in very handy for a safari trip you won’t easily forget. There are numerous options available from Doha, including day-long excursions, bumping, and rolling to the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid. Or make the trip at dusk for a spot of star-gazing before you settle in Bedouin-style tents for the night.
Desert Safari – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by robertpaulyoung
Most activities can be arranged via a tour company. Although cash has been the predominant payment method in Qatar, this is beginning to change, which is good news for tourists since HSBC offers protection against loss or theft. If you’re planning on taking part in several activities, it can be handy to have some plastic on you to avoid expensive traveler’s cheques, plus credit cards from HSBC and other familiar providers also enable easy access to money at the ATMs. However, it’s wise to exercise caution, using only official bank machines here and sticking with local currency at the market and in smaller shops.
There’s no doubt that Qatar offers some world-class cultural attractions beyond the more energetic highlights, and while you’re in the country, set aside some time for the historic Al Zubarah fort or browse the recreated 19th-century Souk-Waqif, in Doha.
This country has been undervalued in the past but is now coming to the world’s attention. With its desert adventures, ancient sites, and thriving culture, this attention is thoroughly deserved.
This is a travel feature by world traveler, Jose Capelo. He loves exploring the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar and has spent many trips exploring the wild deserts of Qatar.
Bondi is well known for sun, surf, and fun, but what can you do if you find yourself there in the colder months from June to August? Here are a few suggestions for things to do in Sydney’s most popular suburb when the temperature drops.
8 Things to do in Bondi in Winter
1. Go on an art tour
If the weather doesn’t allow for the typical outdoorsy activities Bondi is known for, a tour of some of its first-rate art galleries can be a great way to spend an afternoon. Don’t miss the Cooee Aboriginal Art Gallery, dedicated to promoting Indigenous art, and the Bondi Art Lounge, where you can view works from local artists or even take a beginner class and create a masterpiece of your own.
2. Take a hike
In crisp cool temperatures, a hike along the coastal cliffs with a view of the gorgeous Pacific Ocean below can’t be beaten. One of the most popular hikes is the Bondi to Coogee Walk, which is 6 km and takes you through Sydney’s eastern suburbs and past plenty of cafes, restaurants, and kiosks where you can stop to rest and take in the sights.
3. Head to Bondi Icebergs for some winter swimming
Even during winter, swimming is not entirely out of the question in Bondi. The Oceanside pool at Bondi Icebergs Club is open year-round, and the winter swims every Sunday from May to September have become a time-honored tradition. Although club members must complete at least three winter swims a year to retain their lofty membership title, non-members who are up for the challenge can pay a one-time fee to use the pool and sauna.
4. Strap on your skates and visit the only beachside skating rink in Australia
If winter swimming is a step too far for you, why not skate instead? Bondi has Australia’s only beachside ice rink, and the ocean view in the background makes for a striking contrast. The ice rink is open from June 27 to July 13, and aside from hosting skating sessions that are open to the public, it also features spectacular ice shows from Stars On Ice.
5. Settle in for brunch at one of Bondi’s decadent cafes
Winter wouldn’t be the same without a few indulgences, and after all your skating and hiking, you’ve probably earned a hearty brunch anyway. Fortunately, Bondi is full of great brunch options, from Trio Café with delicacies like poached eggs with truffle oil and char-grilled halloumi; to the rustic Brown Sugar, where you can indulge in classic comfort food like buttermilk pancakes and English muffins with bacon.
6. Join a cooking class, dodge ball game, or salsa lesson
During the winter, it may seem like most people have gone off to hibernate, but if you know where to look, you can still find plenty of social things to do. Start by checking out the Bondi community page on Gumtree. You can find like-minded individuals to explore the area with or even join a group for fun activities like hiking, biking, or cooking.
7. Score some vintage fashion at Bondi Markets
The Bondi Markets, held every Sunday on Bondi Beach, are known in Sydney for being the best place to shop for vintage clothing and accessories and hip new fashions from emerging designers. Aside from style, you can also shop for art, furniture, flowers, books, local produce, and delicious street eats. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a great place to do some people-watching and see the Bondi locals in their element.
8. Stop by the Bondi Pavilion
The Bondi Pavilion is one of the suburb’s oldest landmarks dating back to 1928 when it first opened, featuring grand dining rooms, a lounge, a ballroom, and the Turkish and Hot Sea Water Baths. Today, it’s used as an art and cultural center and is home to a theatre group, recording studio, and art gallery. There’s always something going on here, from pottery classes to festivals to open-air cinemas, so check it out if you have a chance.
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...
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