My husband and I have made one trip out of the country together (Italy) seven years ago. It truly was life changing and I reminisce about it frequently. Since then, I had cancer and he developed Parkinson’s. I so wish we would have explored more of the United States and beyond while it was easier.

He, like you, does not want to use walking poles or other aids so here we are. If you really have interest in traveling while you still can, I suggest finding methods to do so even if you may appear elderly.

Best wishes,
Cindy

Hi @cekkk,
How fortunate you are to have such good health.
Seems that your main concern is maintaining your house??? Hmmm, one day that ‘building’ will be sold to a stranger. Right now you have the wonderful opportunity for some creative living. All 3 of your daughters want you to live with them, what a blessing .
Why not sell the house and move into your daughters’ homes. You could live 4 months a year in each home; becoming a deeper part of your grandchildren and children’s lives. Then with the financial benefit of selling your house, you could continue cruising !
If you”had any sense” you would use a scooter.. wow, I love to use scooters. I enjoy shopping at Costco… not a statement many can make!… but I use the scooters! They are great!!! And a good place to try them out. Takes about an hour to get used to them, and they are big! Shopping is no longer a trial; I can get things quickly, and they help you check out . .. it’s great.
A scooter on a cruise would be brilliant. I had a dear friend who wanted me to go with them on a cruise, with a scooter - I got sick so couldn’t go, and then she suddenly died- yes, the ‘if onlys’ are sad.
While you are blessed with good health, please think of your advantages in grabbing hold of life in new and exciting ways . And get cruising’!
Let us know of your decisions and of your new adventures!
All the best!

I stared using a cane before I was 40--having been disabled by illness and surgery at age 21. I started a bit before I absolutely "needed" the cane so as to force myself to not be vain, as in--I'm too young a woman for this, it doesn't look good, etc. Let me say I love that cane and the mobility it gives me at 70. It is now my old dear friend (and I have many cute ones). I can imagine why you'd really enjoy some cruises. So, a question--have you ever tried the scooter? Would it be good--fun even--to use one in some low key situations to see if you like it? And/or maybe go on a short local cruise to see if that works before embarking on something more ambitious? However, I also understand the feeling that travel might be too much. There are ambitions I just don't have. I'm guessing you do have "sense." Consider what kind of compromises or strategies you'd feel ok about. Tell us how your thinking develops, if you feel like it.

Not trying to be confrontational, just hoping to orient you to what is to come: what will you do when the time comes when even a scooter is no longer sufficient for you to 'cruise 3 or 4 times a year?' The answer, of course, is to STILL not travel. Sssooo......................................................................

The missus and I just got off an HAL Mediterranean 18 day 'romantic' cruise that took us from Civitavecchia/Rome south to Malta, east to Turkiye (Kusadasi/Ephesus), Athens, Katakolon/Olympia, Sarande Albania, back top Malta, Sardinia, Naples/Pompeii, Civitavecchia again, Corsica, Villefranche/Monaco, and we disembarked in Barcelona. It was crowded, busy, blazing hot (for we denizens of the PNW), and hectic......but we got 'er done. Unforgettable. 😉