Why Older Adults Cruise -Ancestral Connections

Many of us contemplate those who have come before us, making it possible for us to exist. Connecting to one's roots is a great reason to cruise and learn about the various places their ancestors may have traveled.

Karyn Clay

4/18/20262 min read

Through the years, a common reflection that I've witnessed by the individuals I've cared for was the wish that they had been able to make that ever-important trip. Whether it was to their ancestral country or a place they've always been fascinated by, their regret fueled my mission to help people act on their dreams.

When it comes to our ancestors, I often think about all of the small decisions that they made which led to me being here today. I've been fortunate enough to have a Grandma and Great Aunt who prioritized researching their genealogy, and they would share stories of near misses in which we wouldn't exist if things had gone a little bit differently.

Ancestry websites and testing programs have now brought us closer to finding a connection with our ancestors than ever before. Knowing the country that the majority of your predecessors lived makes visiting those locations all the more special. Deep fulfillment can come from those moments when you simply know, in your soul, that those who came before you once experienced a similar place.

I'd like to highlight my Grandma for a moment to demonstrate a visual example of why I do the work I do. As you can see in these pictures, my Grandma was spunky and had a love of cruising that brought her endless amounts of joy. She also found deep fulfillment when she was in a country where she could comb through their historical books, researching her family lineage.

Like Grandma, I also love cruising and visiting places that my ancestors lived. In a recent trip to Amsterdam, after digging through Grandma's notes ahead of time, I found a church where an ancestor had been married. Standing there with my daughter, imagining the happy couple who played a part in our existence, gave me a profound sense of connection to my roots.

If this is something that feels important to you and you want to take a journey to an ancestral location, I'll happily assist you with the planning. I can even come along as a concierge companion, and promise to share in the excitement of connecting with your ancestors right along with you!