Guest Senior Wanderer PGL, Cambridge MA: When I retired ten years ago, my spouse and I fulfilled our plans to do a lot of travel. By air, sea and road, over the past decade, we’ve visited scores of world destinations.

However, at first, it wasn’t all that successful. We wasted money, ignored safety rules, ate in the wrong places, slept in overpriced hotels and made other not-so-smart decisions. Eventually, we learned by trial and error. If you’re newly- or soon-to-be-retired and plan to travel extensively, these tips may help make your trips safer, cheaper and more and enjoyable.

It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes a sudden fire, collision or unexpected storm can happen on a cruise. Passengers are given safety preparations when they come aboard, usually just a few moments of learning how to tie life vests and to get to lifeboat stations.

Seniors, whether veteran cruisers or landlubbers on their first sea adventure, should take more time to prepare for a possible emergency. Here are some ideas from your travel4seniors.com editor, a veteran of many post-retirement cruises, as well as World War II and Korean War Navy service.

Explore The Ship: When first boarding and throughout your cruise, become as familiar as possible with all exits, stairways, as well as locations of fire and emergency equipment. There are signs throughout the ship with safety instructions, such as to avoid using the elevators when there’s a power shortage. 

A recent news item told of the arrest of a group of employees at a major U.S. airport for thefts from baggage. Unfortunately, this kind of crime can happens at airports anywhere in the world. How does a senior traveler avoid it?

Of course, the best way is never check your luggage, and travel with carry-ons. Once out of your control, suitcases are vulnerable to being stolen or pilfered. Cutting back on clothing and other items may be difficult for some senior travelers, but worth trying. Consider wearing coats with roomy inner and outer pockets and/or backpacks.

Keep your eyes on your carry-ons. When approaching security with a companion, one person goes ahead through the electronic doorway to meet the bags as they roll along to the end of the chute. That way, except for when the bags are actually within the x-ray machine, they’re in eyesight.

The basic way to avoid these possible problems when in a strange country is to be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. Travel industry experts cite these five as the most likely travel-related crimes you may experience, usually when least expected.

Mugging: Stay away from late-night city sidewalks and alleys. Travel with at least one other person, preferably with a group headed by a local guide.

Pickpockets: They appear in all shapes, ages and genders, and fit in with their surroundings. Tourists, especially seniors, who roam in flashy clothing, are prime targets of pickpockets. Loose hanging purses are favorites.