Senior Cruises: Alaska to Elvis

Cruise lines rush to offer seniors new adventures from Elvis tributes to Greenland fjords to Alaska dog sledding

I'm amazed at the inventiveness of cruise lines and cruise charter companies in designing theme cruises and adventures that appeal to today's active seniors. It's no longer good enough to set sail, eat, gamble ahd shop. Senior travel experts know their clients want great activities.

A while back I wrote about a new Norwegian Coastal Voyage adventure cruise to Greenland fjords and towns. . Today I'm posting details on the first-ever Elvis Tribute Cruise, which will depart from Jacksonville, Fla. over Labor Day this summer. How's that for a range of experiences? I can't recall if Elvis ever performed in Greenland, but maybe the next unique cruise will combine the two themes!

Meanwhile all kinds of cruises that head for Alaska are now featuring new events. On one Norwegian Cruise Line trip there is a dog sled ride scheduled near Skagway. Other Alaska cruises are including such exotic land adventures as hikes, motorcycle tours, sea kayaking and wilderness river fishing. Other cruises routinely offer side excursions for bicycles, horseback riding and scuba diving.

Meanwhile, cruise lines now are creating a host of one-of-a-kind theme cruises, from golf to the Civil War to chocolate. One place where you can learn about theme cruises is at Cruisemates, an online guide to all things cruising.

So what's your ideal activity, one that you have not yet seen as an offering on a small or large ship cruise? A combination of cruising and sky-diving? Murder mysteries plus lectures by detectives and appearances by "CSI: Miami" stars? Or have you found one that you think is remarkable? Let me and my readers know by using the discussion board here.