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I retired at age 65.5 on a snowy December day, and 24 hours later we were on our way from cold, damp Pennsylvania on a 2,000 mile drive to the hot, dry desert of Arizona. After several months of relaxing and sending up-yours sun and swim photos to former fellow workers still freezing in Pennsylvania, we decided to do some traveling.

Another retired Arizona couple suggested we accompany them on a cruise off the Pacific coast of Mexico. My reaction: A cruise! Who the hell wants to go on a cruise? When I cruised the Pacific with the Navy in World War II and Korea, a lot of angry guys tried to kill me! I'll never, never go on a cruise.

A week later we were at the pier in Long Beach, California, to board our cruise ship. Griping and moaning, I went up the gangway and to our cabin. I had to admit it was a bit more grand than my Navy compartments, and even agreed that the chow line on the cruise ship offered somewhat better food. Seriously, I enjoyed the cruise and visits to Baja ports, and since then, we've sailed on about a dozen other cruises throughout the world. And nobody took any shots at me.

On all of our cruises, virtually all of the other passengers were seniors. Age ages 57 and 67 on our second cruise, we boasted that were were the youngest people aboard, except, of course, the crew. Obviously, retired people have the most time and money to pay for the $2,000 to $5,000 it costs for the average one-week sea journey.

We've enjoyed all the activities, which start at 6 am (voluntarily) of exercise classes, swim, spa, walk/jog around the upper deck track and various choices for breakfast. We preferred the buffet to sit-down served meal. Throughout the day, there were organized sports, shuffleboard, card games, quiz shows, bingo and, of course, just plain lazing in the sun and watching the ocean go by. I must also say that the cruise lines are very aware of physically-challenged passengers, and virtually all activities are designed to accept their participation.

For lunch and dinner, throughout most of our cruises, we sat at assigned tables with the same dining companions. Sometimes this was an advantage, sometimes it was being stuck with a group of yoyos. Now, cruise ships offer more open seating arrangements, special upscale dining rooms, flexible hours and other amenities for those who don't want to be tied down by hours and/or table companions. The cruises always featured a midnight buffet, which often followed dancing in the luxury ballroom and under the stars. Ya just couldn't beat that on the USS Oriskany.

Once ships clear US waters, the glitzy casino opens, and passengers can experience Las Vegas at sea with slot machines and table games. There's always a deck full of upscale shops that feature duty-free goods at no-so-low prices. While there's plenty to do aboard ship, shore excursions are always attractive, although they can be costly. On our cruises, we visited many ports in Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, Central and South America and Hawaii.

In my post-retirement cruises, I've never sailed beyond Hawaii to Far Pacific places I not-so-fondly remember in China, Korea or Japan. Well, maybe if a good deal comes up, and if they don't hold any grudges against this old Navy guy, I may just try one some day.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
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