Senior correspondent PLL, Buffalo NY: I retired at age 65.5 on a snowy January day, and 24 hours later we were escaping from icy cold and damp Buffalo. We drove 2,000 miles to the hot, dry desert of Arizona. After relaxing and sending up-yours sun and swim photos to former fellow workers still freezing in Upper New York State, we traveled.

Another retired Arizona couple suggested we accompany them on a cruise along the Pacific coast of Baja, Mexico. My immediate reaction: A cruise! Who the hell wants to go on a cruise? When I cruised along Vietnam with the Navy, a lot of angry guys out there tried to kill me! No, no! I'll never, 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 crowded Navy crew compartments. Later, I reluctantly realized that the dining room on the cruise ship offered somewhat better food than Navy mess halls. Actually, I enjoyed the cruise and shore visits to Baja ports, including beautiful Cabo San Lucas. Since then, we've sailed on dozens of cruises throughout the world. And nobody took any shots at me. Aboard, almost all other passengers were seniors. Obviously, retirees have the most time and money to pay for the $2,500 to $5,000 it costs per couple for the average one-week sea journey.

At sea, we participate in activities, which start at 6 am (voluntarily) exercise classes, swim, spa and walk/jog around the upper deck track. Throughout the day and evening, there are organized sports, shuffleboard, card games, quiz shows, casino and bingo.

Of course, there’s also just plain lazing in the sun and watching the ocean go by. Cruise ship staffs are very aware of physically-challenged passengers, and all activities are designed to allow their participation.

For lunch and dinner, during that first cruise, we sat at assigned tables with the same (too often boring) dining companions. Now, cruise ships offer more open seating, special up$cale dining rooms, flexible hours and other amenities for those who don't want to be tied down to routine.

Cruises feature midnight buffets, which often follow dancing in the luxury ballroom and under the stars. I recalled decades back when I had the starlit midnight to 0400 watch on deck, but there was no dancing on Navy cruises.

Once ships clear US waters, the glitzy casinos open, and passengers can experience Las Vegas at sea with slot machines and table games. There are also decks full of upscale shops that feature duty-free goods.

While there's plenty to do aboard ship, shore excursions are always attractive, although they can be costly. In many ports, shopping is within walking or cab distance from the ship. And it’s much cheaper than paying for excursions that cover the same areas.

On our many cruises, we visited ports in Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, Central and South America and Hawaii.
So far, we haven’t sailed to any of the Far East destinations I not-so-fondly remember: the Philippines, China, Korea and Japan.

When a good cruise to Asia deal comes up, and if the people there don't hold any grudges against this old Navy guy, I may just sail one some day.