For seniors wishing to travel, various discounts exist to help make your way around the world.

Members of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) enjoy special privileges that allow a 10 to25 percent discount on a number of services and adventures. These include some airlines, auto rentals, most of the major hotel and motel chains, five cruise lines, a number of sightseeing companies, such as Gray Line Tours, and entertainment venues, such as Disney on Ice. Several vacation packages, such as Sun Holidays and Virgin Atlantic Vacations, are also offered at a discount through the AARP.

For services such as hotels and auto rentals, discounts are usually offered to seniors regardless of AARP membership. These discounts may not be as great, however, as those you may obtain by bargain shopping on your own (for instance, using Priceline.com to "select your own price").

One of the most popular vacations among the senior set—cruises—offers many ways to save money. Beyond comparing prices between cruise lines, you can also:

• Go during the off-season. Tropical cruises are cheaper in the summer.
• Wait until the last moment and bargain with the cruise line.
• Deal with an organization that specializes in selling short-notice travel, such as Stand Buys, Spur of the Moment, and Grand Circle’s Last Minute cruise club.
• Decide in advance so you can get early-booking discounts and have the cheaper accommodations available to you.
• Check out large travel organizations, which obtain discounted fares because of huge buying power.
• Look for sea-air packages if you have to travel to the port by air.

By checking with different companies and using the Internet, you may discover that you can afford the vacation you want.

Senior Care Preferred also offers many travel opportunities and discounts on car rentals. Click here to learn more about the travel opportunities Senior Care Preferred offers in 2001 (Once you click to the calendar page, click on "areas of interest," and then "seniors" to see the listing). Click here to find out more about Senior Care Preferred member discounts.