Taking a trip on a cruise ship is fun for people of all ages. There are so many things to do on a cruise ship that it's almost impossible for a passenger to get bored. Eating, gambling, sunbathing, dancing, shopping, exercising, viewing movies and other performances are just some of the activities that cruise ships offer. Would-be passengers can select the type of cruise ship, the ports-of-call, and nowadays, they can even select a theme. Cruises geared towards senior singles are hot, affordable and fun. Traveling alone can be a scary thought, but those who have done it love it. If you find yourself on board the Love Boat and in search of the perfect over age 50 mate, here are some tips on enhancing your chances for a successful encounter.
Observing the crowd is one way to size up your opportunities. Others traveling alone or in groups are easy to spot. Look for the group of senior, same gender travelers and you've likely encountered your first target. Since most cruise ships are large, you may have to narrow down your observations. For example, it's common knowledge that those seniors traveling solo will tend to frequent piano lounges and other intimate places. If you spot someone with whom you'd like to begin conversing, send that person a drink. The recipient likely will accept the drink and will either nip the situation in the bud or will carry the situation on to the next step. What have you got to lose?
Meal time is another time to look for eligible senior singles. Mingle around and make a lot of trips to the bathroom. You're sure to locate more senior singles with whom you can meet later on for an after dinner drink.
No cruise ship passenger wants to spend the starry nights alone. If you're traveling alone on a senior themed cruise, don't spend the night alone in your room. You've got plenty of time to do that after the cruise is over! Get in line for one of the live performances, or visit the dance halls and spark up a conversation with someone who looks like they need someone to share the night with also. Remember, the goal of the cruise ship vacation, even when you're a single senior, is to have fun. If you're able to date while on board, then that's a bonus.
Shopping and other on-shore trips are yet another way to spark up a conversation with someone and possibly turn the conversation into something more. Ask the other person to join you for lunch, or to help you select an item to purchase. Suggest that you need the opinion of the opposite gender because the person you are purchasing the item for is your niece/nephew. Who knows, you may be on your way to finding companionship. There really is nothing to lose, so take a chance.
Dating is difficult no matter what your age, but it's not impossible. Those over 50 who are looking to begin dating again need to take chances. They've likely taken one chance or another during some point in their lives and sometimes the chance worked out and other times it did not. Senior dating works the same way. You must first take a chance and then you must see what happens.
Regardless of how you work up the nerve to get your first date, here are some first date ideas which will enable seniors to get the most out of this somewhat awkward and intimidating experience. Remember, the goal of the first date is to have fun with a companion and also, to a lesser degree, to see whether or not a second date or meeting will take place. The best way to find out whether or not a person is a likely candidate for additional dates is to do something that encourages both parties to converse. Going to the movies does not provide an opportunity for a lot of communication and therefore, is not a good choice. Likewise, dinner might be fun, but pressure to become intimate or to do something more after dinner, whether the pressure is real or not, often can put a damper on the experience.
Some better ideas for dating for those over 50 include going out together with a group of people. Much of the pressure of a "date" can be relieved by going out with more than one person. If things are not going well, you have more people with whom you can mingle. Go on a wine tasting tour or go to a local special event such as a food tasting show. Become an active member in a local senior center and go on the pre-arranged group tours. There's bound to be at least one other single senior on the trip.
If you're part of the over-50 crowd and the idea of going on a date does not scare you, then arrange an outing that is based on a common interest or hobby. Play a round of golf or a game of tennis or go for a relaxing walk on the beach. With so many years of life behind them, seniors should be able to come up with plenty of conversation starters.
Many seniors love to dance, but just are not comfortable with today's modern moves. Do some research and you'll likely find places to go for ballroom dancing or to listen to the sounds of big band music.
If you both like the water, and like to get a bit physical, rent a kayak, canoe, or sailboat. Bring along the fishing equipment and maybe catch something to eat later on. If you become lost for words somewhere along the way, then you can focus on navigation. If physical is not in either of your vocabularies, then buy a ticket for a chartered boat tour.
Other first date ideas for those over 50 include gallery walks where you can view works of art created by local artisans. An activity such as this is only a good idea if you both share an appreciation for art. If only one of you appreciates art, you'll find the day dragging on and the conversation light. And you'll likely not get that second date.
Just about every senior remembers the fun and excitement of going to the annual state fair. Many areas of the country continue to carry on the tradition of the state fair. Livestock presentations, blue ribbon judging, food sampling, 4-H projects, the midway and vendors touting their wares are sure to bring back fond memories of days gone by and may even be the beginning of new memories for you and your date.
Attending a book reading or waiting in line for an autographed copy of your favorite author's newest work is a good option for a first date provided that both persons over 50 enjoy reading. Grabbing a cup of coffee and some biscotti afterwards would be a nice way to round out the day.
Rummaging through a flea market will give seniors plenty to talk about and along the way one of you might even encounter a few treasures. An afternoon touring a local vineyard and sampling the latest batch of wine is a great activity for wine connoisseurs. Having a picnic on a beautiful day in a pleasant location seems a perfect way for seniors to spend the afternoon. Those seniors who are at a point in their lives where they can take some time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life should really be able to enjoy spreading out the blanket and feasting on a light midday meal of wine and cheese and other finger foods. Shopping for the food and packing up the picnic basket are two great things to do to extend the length of the date.
As you can see, just because you've become part of the over-50 crowd does not mean that you are no longer able to date. That's simply not true. Opportunities for seniors to date are plentiful. Selecting an activity that is mutually enjoyable will enhance the chances for a good time. Remember, when seniors date, a love connection is not the goal. Keeping this in mind empowers you to focus on the fun rather than the phobia that all those who are part of the dating scene often feel. Just remember to be safe. When any senior begins dating a new person, it's important to let a close friend or family member know your plans. Inform the person where you'll be, and what time you should be returning. You're never too old to have someone worry about you!