Most of us in our vintage years don’t need instructions in respect. We realize other peoples throughout the world have customs and religious beliefs that, although often strange to us, are serious parts of their lives. When visiting, we just don’t do nor say anything foolish to offend them. A friend who should have known better was with a tour of an Indian temple. Although in his 70s, he jumped up on an ancient stone statue while a friend shot video of the guy comically hugging and mugging in the arms of the goddess figure.

Springtime brings even more of a rush of heavy air travel. With such pressure on airlines to get millions of people to the right destinations, sometimes their baggage flies off in different directions. Statistics today show that one out of every 20 checked bags fails to arrive at the designated airport at the right time. Most are merely misdirected, and eventually get home to their owners. But while they’re missing, they cause much distress.

What personal medical supplies you take on long trips depends on if you really need them on your travels. And that could include the adult-sized diapers of the same name. Not a joke to some of us who’ve had to wear them. Several years ago, I had heart surgery, and for two weeks afterward wore those fluffy big boy diapers.

I took them when I needed to be away from home for a scheduled flight soon after the surgery. You should’ve seen the look on the security guy’s face at the airport when he inspected my luggage. I tried to lighten the moment with humor. I said the diapers were for our son, Junior, who was only 18 months old, but was already six feet tall. I don’t think the security guy got it, but he passed me through the gate.

Traditionally cruise lines have always reached out specifically for seniors, primarily because they’ve been the major source for customers in the cruise industry. That hasn’t changed, even now that the world’s in an economic downturn which seriously affects the entire tourist industry. If there’s any positive aspect to this uncertain era it is that, more than ever, seniors living on pensions and steady investments may still have the money and desire to buy cruise vacations. In this Spring and Summer season, seniors considering cruises may see the best bargains in decades.