Winter Getaways

By Mary Jo Tarallo

Who doesn’t have an itch to get away from the Mid-Atlantic’s steel grey look and nippy feel of winter cold for warm temperatures, pleasant breezes, puffy white clouds in azure blue skies. And, if you haven’t already planned on something, the possibilities are endless.

Is a land tour your preference or perhaps a water voyage: a river boat, a modest sailing ship or a large cruise ship with several thousand passengers. Each has pros and cons. And what about insurance? Regardless of your travel choice, Charlie Leocha, president of the consumer advocacy group Travelers United, has some advice. “Always read the fine print of any contract you sign. It will let you know when different benefits kick in,” he says. “Better yet, if it is important, ask your lawyer to take a quick look. If friends of yours had to use the insurance, make sure to ask them about their experience.” The bottom line. Do your homework, says Leocha.

Let’s start with cruises! An obvious benefit of being on a cruise is that regardless of vessel size, there is no need to pack and unpack every couple of days. The ship is your hotel and your activity/entertainment center.

Cruise Critic does a good job of highlighting the pros and cons of small ships vs. large ones. Size matters.

For example, larger ships offer more restaurants for dining, if that is a priority, not to mention bars and lounges. Smaller ocean cruising ships house a modest array of eateries, but compact river boats use the same dining area for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Entertainment varies considerably between larger ships and smaller ones. Larger ships boast large scale Broadway reviews, theater productions, magic acts, and more. Smaller ships offer a more limited selection of entertainment. River cruises include evening entertainment, but they focus more on presenting a single musician who likely sings and plays the keyboard. Karaoke is a popular passenger participation pastime.

Regardless of ship size, most cruises provide opportunities for excursions at various ports. Smaller ships, including river boats, tend to place more emphasis on the history and culture of places visited simply because they don’t offer the plethora of amenities found on a larger ship. The excursions are more the key focus rather than the vessels themselves. A word of caution though, some excursions can be quite rigorous so it is best to read the descriptions carefully to make sure you can handle the level of activity.

Larger cruise ships can seem like a city on the sea. January 2024 marks the debut of the world‘s largest ship – Royal Caribbean’s “Icon of the Seas” which, in 2024, surpasses in size Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas. At full capacity, Icon of the Seas holds 7,200 guests, sports 20 decks and a cadre of “neighborhoods” called Aqua Dome, Thrill Island, Chill Island, Surfside, and The Hideaway. That might seem a bit overwhelming and more geared to younger families. Considering the cost, the basic daily toll for a vacation on a large ship is typically less than for a smaller one, and there are typically packages of different types available (all-inclusive beverage or “play it day by day” etc.).

Looking for an itinerary for seniors, whether it’s adventure seekers 55 and over who are quick to hop off the boat for land excursions and water play, or those facing disability/ mobility issues, there are a lot of great websites to search. Locally Accent on Travel is one of those gems to help with great planning.

We’ll be writing soon on “Land Packages” to scratch your Winter-Getaway itch. So SUBSCRIBE to be kept in the loop with our latest articles.