December will see the first International Cougar Cruise set sail from San Diego aboard the appropriately titled vessel Elation. The Singles Travel Company, the world’s largest non-profit group for romance seeking singles, has launched the idea following a surge in Cougar-orientated business. Several hotels in the US have recently launched highly successful Cougar nights, where rich middle aged women can meet pizza-delivery boys and the ubiquitous pool-cleaner.

For those not in the know, a Cougar is an older woman who makes themselves sexually available to younger men, most famously epitomised by Anne Bancroft in The Graduate and Ellen Barkin in Ocean’s Thirteen. According to the Urban Dictionary, such a woman frequents establishments in order to score with young men.

Now The Singles Travel Company has declared that it’s Cougar season on the open ocean, with the first cruise of its type departing on December 4th bound for Mexico for three days of nautical naughtiness. Aside from one stop at the Mexican port of Ensanada, the hunters and prey will have beach time, visit shops and even a vineyard. The event, which is co-sponsored by the Society of Single Professionals, is being marketed as three days of pre-holiday fun with dancing, dinner and fun.

The cruise ship Elation features numerous swimming pools for ogling along with a variety of bars, restaurant, Casino and stage shows. Also onboard will be Miss Cougar America 2009 – Gloria Navarro, who claimed on winning her title that it was a victory for single, strong, confident women everywhere. Newsweek also declared 2009 to be the year of the Cougar.

Rates start from $230 upwards, excluding port taxes and the organisers will even pair roommates should they wish to save on costs.