Q: We’re a couple in our late 50s, and have signed on for a seven-day cruise with our church group. Most of the others in the trip are retirees and older than we are. We’ve just been told everyone has to dress up formal with tux and gown for dinner each evening. We know cruises are much more relaxed these days, and don’t want to lug all those extra clothes with us. It also means extra costs for baggage checking on the airline, and the laundry bill on the ship will be sky high. We want to go on the cruise, but can we ignore the dress up order?

Q: I’m a divorced guy, age 57, but believe I look, act and feel much younger. I’m considering signing up for a two-week cruise from England through Scandinavia and St. Petersburg, Russia. It would cost about 40% less if I cruised with another person. I’d like to find a lady companion to share the expenses, cabin and just maybe, a bed. I’ve seen cruise companion ads on Frommers and other websites, but it seems all the women listed are in their 50s, 60s and 70s. That’s OK, but not for me. I’d prefer one who’s at least 20 years younger than I am.

Q: We travel frequently, but it seems it gets more difficult to go by air any more. I know we’re getting older and maybe have less patience, but the situation now seems more frustrating than ever. Do you have any advice for what we can do to make the check-in, security and time in airport waiting rooms any less stressful?

Q: We’re planning to drive round trip in April from Oakland CA to visit elderly relatives in Cleveland OH. If we flew, with the plane changes, it would take about 14 hours each way and cost about $2,000 round trip. If we drive straight through, our cost for gas and food will be about $500. We hope to make the drive in about 24 hours each way. When we were much younger, we did this kind of cross-country driving several times, but we’re now in our mid-60s. Is it a good idea at our age?