[tsenator]

"Any opinions on which is best for a "senior" neophyte who wants to learn all there is to know about cruising? "

a) Volunteer when other people are going out for a cruise to tag along as a deck hand

b) Volunteer as a deck hand for people that need crew to move a boat

These two instances, if done often enough, will give years of experience in knowing what it takes to cruise......but more importantly.....it will show you even more about what NOT to do.....

Sometimes lessons learned are always better on other peoples boats..:-)