When you get that unsolicited phone call that declares you’ve just won a free cruise or tropical vacation, hang up pronto. Scammers, who are phony talkers holed up in phone centers in Europe, Asia or Africa, deliberately target seniors as easiest to scam.

If you respond to the cheery greeting, the next step is to get you to give personal info. A red flag should go up when the voice asks for your credit card and/or bank number information. The explanation is that they’re necessary to process your ticketing. If you respond to that, expect your bank accounts to be raided electronically within minutes.

As internet and instant electronic processing get more sophisticated, so do online thieves. Therefore, never respond to unsolicited phone calls that offer free trips or other phony come-ons. The safest way to plan your travel is to do all reservations and money transactions with a trusted hometown travel agency.

Guest Writer JSW, Scranton PA: I love cruise ships and always recommend cruising as a great option, whether you're 25 and looking for a non-stop party, or 85 and seeking a peaceful journey. Today's giant ships can accommodate both on the same cruise.

On a large cruise ship, you have all the amenities of a five-star resort, one that travels to different exotic locations around the world. You enjoy the ocean, port cities, landscapes and other exciting sights. Typically, senior cruisers have attained the age where comfort and luxury are more important than excitement.

Did your most memorable cruise involve sailing in less-than-luxurious quarters in a  military ship’s four-bunk-high troop compartment? Was the exciting all-expense-paid vacation destination Normandy, Iwo Jima, Inchon, Danang or Baghdad?

If you yearn to cruise again, this time in more peaceful waters and with roomier accommodations, you can do it at bargain prices. Most major cruise lines offer generous discounts, averaging from 10 to 30 percent, to active U.S. military and veterans.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of being retired or ready to start your golden years is the freedom to travel just about anywhere at any time. Consider your options:

Cruise Pricing: Always seek out the best deals. Prices can vary greatly according to season, destination, location, itinerary, vacation time and many other factors. As with resort hotels, cruise prices are based on what are called high, shoulder and low seasons. It’s all a matter of supply and demand.