There are many factors and choices. When you’re signing up for a cruise, first check out some of the more important considerations:

1. Timing: Prices vary widely throughout the year. The most popular and costly are from mid-June to late-August, plus  Christmas and Spring Break. If you can book a cruise for during less active times, such as mid-September to early-November, you’ll save from 20 to 50 percent.

2. Be chart smart: Look at a diagram of the ship from the cruise company’s online website. Study the chart for cabin locations and sizes. Understand various choices, as well as locations of dining, entertainment, shopping and other ship facilities.

Let’s get real. It 's almost impossible not to add blubber while at sea. After all, don’t most seniors book cruise vacations primarily because never-ending food service is part of the all-inclusive price?

Who can resist the sumptuous breakfast, the mid-morning snack, the enormous lunchtime buffet, the afternoon pizza break, the big sit-down dinner and the midnight chocoholic celebration? Statistics report that passengers each add an average of ten pounds per one-week cruise.

Of course, it is possible to avoid gaining weight. Ben Hur did it when he was sentenced to pull oars on a Roman cruise. He ate just one small bowl of grain a day, although not by choice.

Palling around with other passengers at sea depends on what type of people connection you seek. Will it just be casual mixing or something more personal? The easiest way is to take the initiative and start up conversations at the pool, spa, bingo game, exercises class, buffet line, sit-down dinner and other events that bring passengers together.

The results of striking up spontaneous connections can be very enjoyable. The happy mood of a cruise makes even the most solitary seniors want to gather and talk. It’s the warm feeling of sharing a unique sailing adventure.

There are many ways to connect. If you’re a man, are you looking for a new pal, to talk of golf, politics, Texas hold ‘em poker and/or major league baseball? Seek out those fellow shipboard travelers who have similar interests, educations, careers, military and other backgrounds.

No, no! Not those fancy high heels. For air travel, shoes that are quick and easy to take off and put on are best. It’s important in the security line that you’re able to slip them off promptly for screening. When through the checking area, easy-on shoes make it simpler to get to your flight.

They’re also very convenient when settled into your airline seat. It can be much more comfortable if you can relax and stretch shoeless feet. If lucky enough to get extra space, pull your feet up on the seat for quality rest time in the air.