What do you imagine when you hear about cruise holidays for older people? Hand rails and stair lifts everywhere, lots of grey haired people talking about the past, meals with no texture so the old people can manage it without their teeth?
We recently had these preconceptions challenged, being invited on board the Saga Sapphire cruise ship when it was visiting the island of Hvar in Croatia. Tim's grandfather and his partner Pat are regulars on these holidays, which are aimed at those aged over 50, and their latest adventure happened to intersect with our cycle trip around the world.
We turned up to the port, not really knowing what to expect, or even if we would be allowed on board. After some confusion, we realised our names were already on the list as official visitors, so were taken on the tender boat to the main ship, across the harbour.
On arrival, we were pleasantly surprised. Sure, there were some people with walking sticks and grey hair, but there were also plenty of younger people, in their fifties, joining in with the dancing lessons and darts tournaments. There was a gym, a spa, a swimming pool, a library, a help-yourself ice cream bar...in fact we could have happily stayed for a week. It was not at all what we expected.
The highlight was lunch, which Grandpa John and Pat kindly arranged for us to have in one of the ship's many restaurants. After weeks of pasta, we were treated to a very British lunch of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, followed by crumble and custard. It was proper food, in a venue which felt more like a London bar than a ship for older people.
As with everyone who has helped us on our journey, Grandpa John and Pat each received a spork, in appreciation of the arrangements they made to get us on board. Thanks to you both, and see you when we finally return to the UK sometime in 2014!
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