Patsy, I get terribly seasick, and a cruise would be the last thing I'd consider! But loads of my old friends adore them and, as you say, find having a base on board the ship and evening entertainment to be just what they want. I applaud Little Hawk's censure of the term 'old hags'. But I'm robust enough never to mind what ageist twits think of women of my age. Solo or as a couple, people are there on holiday and are free to enjoy their chosen trip without abuse like that!
Like tragic aircrashes, a disaster like this might put folk off a cruise, but I'm sure there are hundreds of successful voyages by dozens of different companies, there will always be customers to enjoy them.