| As we get older, we start to realize that we cannot | | | | literally stay afloat during these hard times. One |
| do all the same things we used to do. It begins | | | | option that many cruise lines are exploring is the idea |
| gradually, but there comes a point where the regular | | | | of marketing themselves as an alternative to assisted |
| maintenance and care of our independence has to be | | | | living residences for seniors. |
| questioned, and we - or those who care for us - | | | | The costs of placing someone in assisted living are |
| have to look into the idea of assisted living. While the | | | | comparable to that of taking an extended cruise or |
| very mention of the concept can send chills down | | | | series of cruises. In both situations, all meals are |
| the spines of independent people, there is an | | | | taken care of, and the medical facilities on a cruise |
| alternative that does not cost more, and not only | | | | liner are not only top-notch, but due to the popularity |
| offers seniors a greater sense of independence, but | | | | of cruising among seniors, they are well equipped to |
| allows them to see the world at the same time. | | | | handle geriatric medical concerns. |
| The cruise line industry was one of the hardest hit | | | | Of course, the benefits speak for themselves. Rather |
| sectors of the travel economy during the latest | | | | than being shuffled off to a static and possibly boring |
| recession. While people still utilized airplane, train, bus | | | | home, the elderly are given the opportunity to see |
| and car travel, a trip by sea was seen as the most | | | | the world, experience new cultures, and live it up in a |
| frivolous of all travel types - no one goes on a cruise | | | | more luxurious setting than they would likely find on |
| to get somewhere. And so, they have been trying to | | | | land. |
| find new niche markets that would allow them to | | | | |