How has becoming a senior changed the way you travel?

I agree! Met a lady who said she and her DH were planning a trip after he retired, but he had a stroke at 60, and that put an end to it. Really a shame.

I have heard similar stories. In addition, my last two bosses passed away unexpectedly; one at the early age of 58 before he could retire and another at age 66, one year after he retired. Life is too short to not experience some of the better things in life (like cruising).

Another thing that has changed for us is that we to not plan our days too far in advance. When we vacationed prior to retirement we planned our days here and there and booked accommodation, travel in advance.

Now, we are more inclined to get there, reserve some accommodation, but do much of it on the fly. We recently did one way tickets for a trip overseas and are doing it again next month. If we like somewhere we can stay for extra days, or leave leave early as the case may be.

If you Google Lynn Martin, she and her new husband sold their home and stay for long periods in apartments wherever they want.

Her concept is "home free"

Their website is http://homefreeadventures.com

If you Google Lynn Martin, she and her new husband sold their home and stay for long periods in apartments wherever they want. Her concept is "home free" Their website is http://homefreeadventures.com

Interesting. Thank you for sharing.

We are part way there. Sold our home, downsized, and moved everything to email.

I would happily give up the rental and travel for a few years as per Lynn Martin however DW says NO!

We find that by having a cruise at the end of a longer period of independent land travel really helps. You get some pampering. Just did this in the fall, doing it again in the winter. We did one seven month trip but our max now seems to be 2-3 months. We have been home for three weeks and we are looking forward leaving again at the end of the year.

We travel longer and longer ..

We are sitting with one way air to Thailand on Dec. 31. We have a Feb. 20-March 6 cruise from Australia. We have not made any travel arrangements after that date.

Our goal is to grab a second last minute cruise since we do not want to return home to winter so early. And hopefully pick up an attractive cruise air fare for the trip home. No plan B yet but it will all fall into place. Retirement allows us to travel like this. Could not do this when I was working so we are taking advantage of it now.

We are sitting with one way air to Thailand on Dec. 31. We have a Feb. 20-March 6 cruise from Australia. We have not made any travel arrangements after that date.

 

Our goal is to grab a second last minute cruise since we do not want to return home to winter so early. And hopefully pick up an attractive cruise air fare for the trip home. No plan B yet but it will all fall into place. Retirement allows us to travel like this. Could not do this when I was working so we are taking advantage of it now.

Great if you have the nerves to travel this way. I did this while in college but the idea of no fixed reservations now in retirement would certainly lead to a coronary.:eek:

We were apprehensive at first. But the web has made the world a smaller place and travel opportunities and special offers are abundant. These have made this type of travel possible and enjoyable for us. We have firm reservations until Jan 17, flexible until Jan 24, because it is high season. The rest will become clear as time passes.

We were planners in the past. Just came off an eight week trip and did this for the last six weeks. We very much enjoyed the flexibility. Not nearly as nerve wracking as one would expect...even on those nights where we had to decide where we were going the next day, how we were getting there, and where we were going to stay. For us, this has been one of the benefits of retirement.

We are keeping tabs on six or seven different cruise/ships during our travel timeframe. All great itineraries for us. If our target price hits we will book-hopefully by the end of December or mid January. If not....we will have more land based days.

We don't take many road trips anymore. Way too exhausting. Cruising is the way to go. :D

We cruised some before we retired on 7 day cruises where we could drive to the port in a matter of half day or so. Since retiring though we have gone on longer cruises more often and fly into FLL, SEA, SFO and LAX. We try to arrive at a minimum of one day before but usually two days before. We have started staying in a hotel after getting off the ship and flying out the next day. It makes for a very leisurely return home without all the crowds at the airport etc. When time is not all that important (job to get back to) being uncrowded and putting up with transportation delays is the most important thing to do. When you retire you are on permanent vacation so enjoy every day.

I can remember my dad saying (as he got older), that he they started to plan trips around toilets... So they wouldn't be caught out.... i used to giggle at that... And now hubby asks me (when booking tours).... Will there be a toilet on the coach... Is there toilet stops along the way! Lol funny bloke he is. Lol just remembered even on the plane he likes to sit not too far from toilet!!

I agree with others, travel to those places that interest you - don't hold off for one day, as that day may never come, do it now.

Once my dad passed away, we started to do all the things we said we'd do one day when we retired.

To everyone who has retired, enjoy your freedom from having to go into work each day (or part time), you've paid your dues - so enjoy yourself in whatever manner you so please.

We had hoped to get an attractive offer on a Baltic cruise in late August. This was based on some of the offers we saw for May sailings earlier this year.

Our price did not hit by July 1. Not only that, our Canadian dollar is low and the cruises that were shopping are priced in USD.

So we simply changed our plans and will do a land trip, actually a land trip based on ferry transportation. And the CAD is strong compared to the Euro. Booked our air for next month and ready to go.

We will tentatively plan for Baltic cruise next May. If our price does not hit, we will fly to St. Petersburg as part of a land trip.

This is the best thing about retirement travel for us. Flexibility gives us choice.

Both of us were given the opportunity to retire early at age 55. We looked at the penalty that would be subtracted from our retirement checks and thought about it this long [ ] and then signed our papers.

We started out taking one long distance trip with our travel trailer and then one long cruise each year.

Lately we have shortened the travel trailer trips and added a second cruise each year.

Now we are considering selling the trailer since we have visited every state except two, West of the Mississippi River and go on more cruises.

Our children express their concern about us running around so much "at our age".

We tell them, as long as we can go up the gang plank to board a ship on own power, we will continue to go,

Bob

So far it hasn't changed much for me, save that with the kids gone (in terms of an expense anyway) we are managing more holidays.

This thread was started a few years ago, but I still think the topic is interesting.

As seniors we have the time and money to travel a lot more than when the kids were home and were drains on the economy. We travel for longer periods to minimize the transportation outlay and just the sheer annoyance of travel. Yesterday was over an hour on line to clear immigration and customs in Charlotte. Wouldn't do that for less than a 10 day trip. I am also starting to wonder how much longer I can carry my carry-on up and down flights of stairs to get on regional jets and to get to inter terminal busses. I also wonder how much longer I can lift my carry-on into the overhead compartment on airplanes. Answer: check my luggage more frequently rather than doing just Carry on. DH and I are also going to apply for Global Entry to help speed things up.

We have two, possibly three big trips that we know we should do in the next few years before our energy flags. 1) drive cross country 2) go to Australia and New Zealand and maybe ) drive the TransCanada and then the Alaskan highway to Denali.

We are still trying to figure out the right balance of time away and time at home.

We may or may not go to bed earlier, depending on how we feel and what our other options are.

We are age 66 and 69 and we don't zip line any more, but we do still parasail and I go horseback riding while DH plays golf in Jamaica. We go to quite beaches instead of beaches with blaring music. Also don't care so much for getting dressed up and going to MDR every night, rather be comfortable, eat quickly and go to shows or the casino. Still love love our late night ice cream and walk around the ship.

I don't know where i fit in to the conversation but here goes we are both 65 retired and doing things we would never do at younger ages, example zip lining, parasailing( coming up,) Sea Trek where you walk on the OCEAN FLOOR, Horseback riding in the ocean, and underwater scooter. Younger people look at our videos say they would never do the things we do. I guess thats y we cannot find anyone to join us when we go on vacation. No books on the beach for us enjoy life and all it has to offer while we can.

Since She Who Must be Obeyed and I are well past the 55+ standard for posting here, well into our Social Security years, I thought I'd offer a few thoughts.

Being blessed with good health, always living below our means, and saving for retirement, getting older hasn't changed our way of travel as much as retirement did. We looked at retirement as the gift of time. We no longer set a deadline to head home when we take a road trip - last summer we drove over 7,000 miles on one trip out west from the east coast and finally headed home when we felt like it, not to punch in at work on Monday.

I have more time to ride my Harley, and two years ago did what's called a Four Corners Ride - all four corners of the lower 48 states in one trip - 48 days and 11,700 miles.

With more time on our hands, we tend to search for cruise bargains that fit our wallet and points of interest rather than being dictated by a vacation window of time from work.

On our next trip to Australia for a cruise, we are taking four flights to get there, stopping overnight in S.F, three nights in Hawaii, and one night in Sydney on the way to Perth to board the ship. Then we spend three nights in Perth before the cruise. We arrive tanned, rested, and ready instead of like the walking dead after a 25 hour flight.

We tend to buy more experiences than things - what else do we need anyway?

We are spending our kid's inheritance, and if we do a good job of it, we'll be 15 minutes late for our own funerals and the last check will bounce.

We now cruise at least 3 times a year for 20 days or more each cruise and usually book suites if available. We own 13 rental properties which are free a couple clear so we can afford it and intend to enjoy every dime and so should you!

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We travel for longer periods-anywhere from six to fifteen weeks. We often book hotels two days in advance, sometimes less. We keep our schedules flexible and do a lot of one way air travel.

The biggest change is that we have become confirmed carry on only travellers. This was a physical necessity based on where and how we sometimes travel. It has made travel much easier and more enjoyable for us.

Plan to keep on travelling this way as long as we possibly can then switch to cruises only or escorted seniors tours. Who wants to be the richest person in the old folks home? Not us! Nor do we want to be sitting there wishing we had done all those things we talked about prior to retirement. Time is too precious and too scarce for that.

We travel for longer periods-anywhere from six to fifteen weeks. We often book hotels two days in advance, sometimes less. We keep our schedules flexible and do a lot of one way air travel. We do a fair amount of shoulder season travel and we are always willing to grab an attractive last minute travel offer.

The biggest change is that we have become confirmed carry on only travellers. This was a physical necessity based on where and how we sometimes travel. It has made travel much easier and more enjoyable for us.

Plan to keep on travelling this way as long as we possibly can then switch to cruises only or escorted smiles tours. Who wants to be the richest person in the old folks home? Not us! Nor do we want to be sitting there wishing we had done all those things we talked about prior to retirement. Time is too precious and too scarce for that.

I started cruising and OS travel in my 50s. Each trip I usually do some intensive touring of a country- usually solo- and then the cruise is my little relax time after many weeks of travel and walking. I am usually mentally and physically exhausted. I always pay extra for the spa and go there to relax and sit in the bubbles.

I live with a chronic pain condition now but it wont stop me from traveling. Luggage is a killer. I find it hard to pull a bag. Even a heavy handbag hurts me. When I was in China last year I saw a beaut new smaller bag on those spinner wheels. I asked the lady if I could take it to try it in my hotel to see if all my clothes would fit in it. So one of the attendants came down the road with me to my room. We bundled all my gear in it and it all worked out so I went back to the shop and paid for it. So I take less and less each trip. Once in India I had my bag stolen and after the shock and tears, it was actually quite liberating to hop on a train or cramped bus with a small back pack on my back. I bought a T shirt and a zip up jacket at a market and some bathroom supplies and thats all I needed.

I balance things now- a busy day such as shore excursion and the next a relax day and then wont even go to any activities- I have to force my self to rest on a cruise as there is so much to do. I love being on ship when thousands get off and I have the spa all to myself- I feel like a queen!:p

PS-:rolleyes: this is my first post and I am a bit of a story teller- sorry if it was too long!

I started cruising and OS travel in my 50s. Each trip I usually do some intensive touring of a country- usually solo- and then the cruise is my little relax time after many weeks of travel and walking. I am usually mentally and physically exhausted. I always pay extra for the spa and go there to relax and sit in the bubbles.

 

I live with a chronic pain condition now but it wont stop me from traveling. Luggage is a killer. I find it hard to pull a bag. Even a heavy handbag hurts me. When I was in China last year I saw a beaut new smaller bag on those spinner wheels. I asked the lady if I could take it to try it in my hotel to see if all my clothes would fit in it. So one of the attendants came down the road with me to my room. We bundled all my gear in it and it all worked out so I went back to the shop and paid for it. So I take less and less each trip. Once in India I had my bag stolen and after the shock and tears, it was actually quite liberating to hop on a train or cramped bus with a small back pack on my back. I bought a T shirt and a zip up jacket at a market and some bathroom supplies and thats all I needed.

 

 

 

I balance things now- a busy day such as shore excursion and the next a relax day and then wont even go to any activities- I have to force my self to rest on a cruise as there is so much to do. I love being on ship when thousands get off and I have the spa all to myself- I feel like a queen!:p

 

PS-:rolleyes: this is my first post and I am a bit of a story teller- sorry if it was too long!

Perfect!!