What I Learned On My Summer Vacation

Last month, my husband and I went on a cruise to Alaska.

As you might imagine—at least based on stereotypes—the vast majority of our shipmates were older adults. In fact, at 70 and 66 years of age, respectively, my husband and I brought down the average age of the passengers just a bit.

Turns out, you can learn a lot about older adulthood on a ship full of older adults (or should I say, “much older adults”?).

First, this being my very first cruise, I learned that cruising is a smart, efficient, and RELAXING way to travel.

No schlepping suitcases. No spending inordinate amounts of time planning your days (or nights) around where to eat and when. No rushing from one sight to another to another.

Perhaps that’s why it attracts so many older adults—and especially some of the most experienced travelers.

Second, while there were most definitely plenty of passengers who relied on the spectrum of assistive devices to get around—canes, hiking poles, walkers, rollators, oxygen tanks, wheelchairs, to name a few—they still GOT AROUND.

They didn’t let their disabilities keep them from LIVING THEIR LIVES.

From exploring a glacier. Or holding a sled dog puppy in their arms. Or seeing a mama bear and her three cubs at play in the wild. Or panning for gold.

Third, contrary to popular belief, they were avid users of technology: smart phones, ear buds, tablets, e-readers, laptops, you name it.

And, understanding that their clientele was desirous and capable of learning, the ship offered daily classes on ways to optimize people’s usage of all these tech resources (including, for instance, how to take better photographs of the gorgeous Alaskan landscapes with a smart phone).

Fourth, romance was in the air virtually everywhere, regardless of age. Older couples holding hands while strolling the deck, or walking into the dining room, or relaxing on chaise lounges by the pool.

Though many of our fellow passengers were in their 70’s, 80’s and beyond, they most certainly were NOT “dead” (if you know what I mean).

So often, people fall into the trap of judging others based on pre-conceived notions, prejudiced (in this case, ageist) stereotypes, and ill-considered beliefs.

But perhaps the most important lesson I learned from my first voyage at sea was that it’s important to allow yourself to be surprised by what other people can do.

Which is why we must reframe the narrative around assistive devices AWAY from them emblemizing a more restricted lifestyle, and instead view them as vital resources that enable greater independence.

We must view a crutch (both literally AND figuratively) not as the symbol of a hindrance, but rather as what it actually is: a HELP.

Long story short, by taking the focus off what older adults CAN’T do, we instead shift it to what they CAN do.

Vacations present wonderful opportunities to relax, recharge, unplug, explore, try new things, and find ourselves.

And, if we keep our eyes and hearts and minds open, we can learn important lessons about both the people and the world around us while we’re at it.