At sea, en route to New Caledonia: The sea is calm, our speed is half that it was, and much of the time you’d have no idea you’re on a moving vehicle. Sailing under these circumstances is good duty.
I am surrounded by old people, except for the crew and entertainers. Out of the perhaps 1900 pax all but a handful are somewhere in the young-old to old-old range.
You very nearly have to be retired to take a 23 day cruise. And that is just the part we’re doing. Some fraction of our fellow pax will continue for a circumnavigation of Australia and some few will stick around for a continuation that sails around New Zealand - those doing the whole enchilada will be aboard for 73 days.
I’ve been doing this sort of thing - serious cruising - for 21 years. That tells you I’ve aged into the old-old end of the age spectrum. Getting up out of low chairs is darned difficult without an assist. No cane or walker yet, but I foresee the day when they become necessary. I’m doing fewer shore excursions than formerly as walking longish distances is hard.
I’ve sailed all the major oceans and more than a few of its seas and rivers. It has been a hoot, I’ve no regrets. We have another couple scheduled for next year.
