Things a 71 year old mother might like?

[joannelj]

I am planning a family reunion cruise on Carnival Liberty in May (Freeport, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya.) My mother refused to go. She has no interest in a cruise. My brother convinced her to go (he can talk us into anything) but now she's making me feel guilty about it, moaning that there will be nothing for an older (not terribly active) woman to do. I've never been on a cruise, so I don't know what sort of stuff is available that she might be interested in. I mention things I want to do (snorkel, Mayan ruins, dolphins, etc.) but she has no interest in any of this active stuff. Can someone tell me what there is for an older woman to do? Are the shows loud and glitzy, or are there any with "older" music?

 

Any ideas would be appreciated. We want her to enjoy our family reunion, too.

 

:)

joanne

[AWED23]

:D Consider using Holland America....Demographics are much more in tune with your Mothers'[Mine too!] generation.....

[GeekyMom]

1. Enjoy the view from the ship of the ocean.

2. Get a massage

3. Get a facial

4. See places she's never seen before

5. Spend time with the family

6. Enjoy a lot of food

7. Dress up for Formal night.

8. Have room service

9. Become hooked on cruises

10. Do something she expects she will not like to maybe be surprised! :)

[cusyl]

Some cruiselines offer arts and crafts to do. There is a library, check out a book to read, board games to play, card games. Art Auctions, fun to learn about the artists.

 

Piano bars have good music, they play requests. Big band music, sit and watch the sea roll by.

Movies in theatre and cabin.

Meet other people, take a bus tour of an island, take a tour of the kitchen.

Too many things to mention.

[lv2crooz2]

Gosh! Your Mom is still young! I just returned from a cruise last week with my Mom for her 85th birthday! She loves sitting on the promenade deck,( that's the covered deck), playing the slots:D , trying different dining venues, enjoying the shows, people watching on the pool deck, visiting the library, touring the galley, etc.......We don't do shore excursions as she uses a wheelchair in port but we do go shopping or you can do Island tours by bus or van. Go and enjoy, I'm sure that everyone will appreciate just being together. Have a blast!!

[CRUISERTN]

She will find plenty to do such as arts and crafts, dance lessons, trivia contests, bingo, art auctions, board games from the library, reading, afternoon high tea (don't know if they do that on Carnival, though). I agree with someone who previously posted that Holland America would be more suited for someone her age....or Princess or Celebrity.....just go and have fun and I am certain she will have a wonderful time!! On any cruise line there are usually activities and music for all ages; some lines are just geared more toward seniors (such as HAL) than others!!;)

[Twice_a_year]

I few years ago we took a family reunion cruise with my then 82-year-old mother-in-law.

 

We booked a junior suite for her. Cost a few bucks more but this was her first, and probably the last, cruise experience. It was difficult for us to convince her to venture out into a new experience. Although she has not taken another cruise, till today, she expresses very fond memories of that trip.

 

I must say that we were dealing with a woman who is so very hard to please (especially by her daughter) and the weather was not very accommodating yet it remains a very pleasant memory for her. You can lead a horse to water to water but you can’t make them drink. With so many choices on board a ship she should be able to satisfy her thirst for enjoyment. Just do your part and get her there!

[Nancyquilts]

What does your mom like to do at home? She can probably do the same on the cruise. We like to read, and raid the library for a book each on boarding. Sometimes I bring quilting, sometimes I go to activities and art classes, and I'm hooked on trivia (I'm also older than your mom). Cruising is good - no cooking, no cleaning, no shopping. If I've been to the ports before, I sometimes stay on the ship for a sea day and go swimming while everyone else is off shopping, etc. What's not to like? Nancy

[jp2001]

Here is a link for a sample of Carnival Liberty daily program.

http://community.webshots.com/album/548177373Vcpxmf

From the program, here is what I think could interest her (but she may also surprise you and do activities she won't usually do):

- Art Auctions

- Watching Karaoke

- Listening music: Big Band, Jazz, piano, tropical, etc.

- Trivia

- Bingo

- Spa treatment (facial, manicure, massage, etc.)

- Hair Stylist

- Casino

- Port shopping talks

- Port shopping

- Ice carving demo

- Hairy Chest contest (why not, she may enjoy that too :D )

- Comedian

- Wine tasting

- Tea time & Classical music

- Reading (on deck, in the lobby, in a quiet lounge, in her cabin, on her balcony or in the library)

- Internet

- Browsing the gift shops

- Horseracing

- Game shows

- Main shows

- Art seminars

- Debarkation talk

- Scavenger hunt

- movie in her cabin

- taking as many naps as she wants, when she wants (one of my favourite activity when on a ship... and I'm 27 year old!!!)

- sitting by the pool, talking with one of her child or other people she met on the cruise.

- taking a walk on the promenade deck, enjoying the sea, sunrise, sunset or port approach

- enjoying good meals

- getting ready/dressing up for dinner (from casual to formal).

- SPENDING TIME WITH HER FAMILY

[motherchic]

When i first read your question my immediate answer was a 72 year old man!!!!!

But as expressed by another poster " she is young"

I am cruising with my aunt this February and she is 77. I can hardly keep up with her.

a typical day---- coffee and juice room service while we dress for breakfast. sitting at the aft of the ship and enjoying the breeze/view while having breakfast.

Going on a port excursion. perhaps a boat tour, or some shopping etc....

Poolside, in the shade reading a book/ chatting with fellow cruisers.

Day activities offered- music, crafts, bingo etc. People watch.

an hour or so in the thallo pool. Afternoon tea, small nap. Getting ready for dinner. Martini and sushi in the lounge. Dinner in the dining room. Evening show, an hour in the casino. night stroll aroungd the ship-----bedtime. We usually wouldnt get to bed until after 1a.m. every night.

I hope she enjoys the cruise. My aunt is the type of woman who just enjoys life, chatting with new people etc... now on the other hand....my mom.... i would gladly jump overboard then spend a week or longer in a cabin with her. She would dislike everything. Allot of it will depend on her state of mind. Best of luck

[firefly333]

We had a guy on my cruise with Carnival who turned 95 in Oct. This last cruise a lady was cruising solo who was 88 and talked our ear off.

 

I play bridge, does your mom play cards?

 

I loved the shows, my favorite part. I am barely a senior I admit, but I think a lot of it is in your head, some folks feel guilty being pampered and relaxing.

[traveler/]

great advice. we are taking mom, 75 years young on mos in jan. she will have a great time with lots to do.

[Joy2]

Hey there Traveler - how about a followup on how your mother enjoyed her cruise?

 

And nobody mentioned movies - most (all?) lines have in-room movies plus a theatre showing current films - some not available to the public as yet -

 

I always take a book - and never get around to reading it! We're older than your mother - have done most of what we'd like to do in port so sometimes we stay onboard - it's another opportunity to meet people who are compatible - we usually eat breakfast and lunch in the dining room and ask to be seated with other people --

 

Do hope you will report back -

[mutual]

My wife and I are retired. We are certainly not part of the go-go set. I think your mom would enjoy the things we enjoy. Relaxing. Slowly walking around the deck and smelling the fresh sea air. The great food. Not having to cook or do the dishes. Being with people you love and having time to enjoy conversations. etc. etc.

[sandy toes]

I have cruised with my Mom 2 times and will again in May. The first was for her 75th birthday gift. An 11 night Celebrity. She surprised me. She wanted to do EVERYTHING and go everywhere. I was dead at the end of the day (even dozed in the shows!) She told me later that she was so excited she just could not slow down. The 2nd was for BD#80 and this one is just because I love her. She did slow down a bit but she can still do most anything. She walked all over San Juan at 80 and shopped St Maarten completely, we made ship only 20 min till sail time (I never risk that!). This time she wants to do some more on ship activities. She is a wonderful cabin mate. I hope to take her again at 85! HAve a wonderful cruise. ENJOY each monent and make lots of memories.

[Tarheelbelle]

I have taken my mother on 4 cruises. She was 72 the first time and 77 last year for the most recent. She participated in many of the things I did: going to Chichen Itza and walking around the ruins, taking the Conch Train tour in Key West, a Folkloric show in Cozumel, whale watching boat trip and a glacier helicopter flight in Alaska, the zoo in Nassau, sightseeing in Nova Scotia, etc, etc. Not to mention, she greatly enjoyed the dining options, shopping, a massage, sitting on our balcony or on deck, etc. [When I cruise alone or with a friend, I do more active excursions.]

I am sure your mother will find something to enjoy--unless it is in her nature to just complain and make people feel guilty! In that case, maybe she will enjoy that?? Just kidding. In all seriousness, in Costa Maya, you may want to take her to Chachoben Ruins--not too strenuous and is interesting. Grand Cayman offers shopping, beaches, and short bus tours to see the island.

[mamaofami]

I am not yet 71, but am getting up there. I agree that Holland America would be a much better fit for your mom. There are more cruisers who are closer to her age and shows that will appeal more to her. The service on the line is fabulous and she won't be disappointed. There is so much to do on board, or nothing if that is what you prefer. I love going to the beach, sitting on the deck and reading, doing some knitting, a bit of shopping, playing the slots, watching a movie, going to the shows, watching the ocean go by, walking around the ports, taking excursions...the list goes on and on.

[ILoveScotland]

Joannie, you're probably all set by now, but to anyone else with her question I would say that you know your mom or dad and their likes and dislikes more than any of us could.

 

I'm 66 and still like to party and have a good time as well as enjoy exploring ports and breathing in the salt sea air. I also like quiet time to read or people watch.

 

Some people are old at 40 and like a sedate and quiet cruise. Others are still going strong into their older years and living it up on the dance floor.