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The Joy of Group Cruising & the Benefits of Booking Early

You know all the fun and laughter that happens when you go to dinner with your 3 best friends, right?! Can you imagine what it’s like to spend 4 to 7 to 10 days with a group of 20 or more people? In addition, your children will have friends their age as well. OK, so maybe you don’t have “20 best friends,” but your friends & relatives invite their friends & relatives and look….you have a FUN group!

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Cougar Cruising

Cougar Cruise – what’s that? 

The “International Cougar Cruise” were older women (cougars) in seek of younger men (cubs).  

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Rockefeller Center in December

The time was 5:30 pm, the shops were opened; festive holiday lights illuminated the streets; trees decorated with lights; kiosks selling their crafts; building facades ornamented with colorful snowflakes, stars and ribbons; vendors  playing Christmas songs, selling fresh-cut Christmas trees; crowds of people milling around the streets and stores.  What an amazing sight!! 

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Cunard Transatlantic Crossings

Cunard’s three Queens (Queen Victoria, Queen Mary2 and Queen Elizabeth) are the most famous cruise ships for making the transatlantic crossing.

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River Cruising

River Cruising is the best way to travel through many of the world’s most fascinating places. Comfortable and convenient, it offers a greater variety of destinations than you could encounter any other way—and allows you an in-depth exposure to the culture and history of each region. Both experienced and first-time travelers have discovered the joys of river cruising, making it the fastest, growing segment of the travel industry.

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Vacationing with the Teens

A family vacation with teens doesn’t have to be a trying experience......

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Pina Colada Recipe

1 1/2 oz light rum
2 oz Coco Lopez® cream of coconut
2 oz pineapple juice
1 cup crushed ice

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Carnival Dream

I just got off the Carnival Dream, which is Carnival’s newest ship in their fleet.  She’s 130,000 tons and accommodates 3,652 passengers (based on double occupancy).  She is the biggest the line has ever built; her sister ship, the Carnival Magic is expected to enter service in June 2011. For a Carnival ship, this was quite upscale and tastefully designed.

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Crystal Cruises

Crystal Cruises (luxury ship) - Sail on your birthday in 2010 and receive a gift of 50% savings on a future cruise before your next birthday! Birthday cruise must be booked by December 31, 2009.

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Oasis of the Seas

The Oasis of the Seas is quite an amazing ship.  This will be the biggest cruise ship ever, at 220,000 tons, accommodating 5400 guests.

There are 7 “neighborhoods” on the ship. 

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New Disney Water Coaster

It is a water coaster which boasts a thrilling 4-deck drop, and because of the clear acrylic tube, it offers breathtaking views of the ocean and ship below. 

 

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Fall Foliage Potamac River

We were in Washington DC this weekend and on this beautiful sunny Sunday, Oct 25, 2009, we started our drive home at 10 am.  The temperature was low 60’s, it was a very clear day and the fall foliage was stunning, particularly driving along side the Potamac River.   Not only that, but it was the 34th Annual Marine Corps Marathon, which started at 8 am on the National Mall.  There were about 22,000 runners for this year’s 26.2 mile race.  What a lovely scene.                  Read More...

Passport Letter

Dear Sir:   I'm in the process of renewing my passport, and still cannot believe this.  How is it that Radio Shack has my address and telephone number and knows that I bought a cable TV from them back in 1987, and yet, the Federal Government is still asking me where I was born and on what date.For Christ sakes, do you guys do this by hand?  My birth date you have on my social security card, and it is on all the income tax forms I've filed for the past 30 years. It is on my health insurance card, my driver's license, on the last eight damn passports I've had, on all th...Read More...

Visiting Bermuda

After the Explorer of the Seas left Bayonne, NJ, we spent a full day at sea and docked at King’s Wharf, Bermuda.  King’s Wharf is also called Royal Naval Dockyard, which is on the western section of Bermuda.  The Royal Naval Dockyard was an active navy base during the War of 1812, and is now a center for tourism. Bermuda is approx 21 miles of land area.  Visitors are not allowed to rent automobiles or operate any other kind of four or more wheeled vehicle on Bermuda's roads.  The reason is the unfamiliar, often narrow, winding, sharply twisting roads.  ...Read More...

Explorer of the Seas Family & Friends Cruise

I just returned from a 9 night Royal Caribbean, Explorer of the Seas cruise leaving from Bayonne, NJ.  We were a group of 38 people.  Our trip started off with a chartered party bus which shuttled us from Queens, NY to Bayonne, NJ.  What a sight that was to see this HUGE white bus come rolling down the street.  That alone set everyone into a CRUISITUDE party mode!!!! Our group consisted of 13 kids ranging in age from 12-15; 5 kids between 17-20 and 20 adults.  We had 4 large tables for early dining; kids sat together & adults sat together.  Every night was...Read More...

Norwegian Epic

Have you heard about the Norwegian Epic yet?  It’s NCL’s newest ship that will debut in May 2010.            It is 150,000-ton, 4,200-passenger, the largest and most innovative ship ever built by Norwegian Cruise Line.   Get ready to be soaked….. Included are some fabulous activities for the kids and the “kids young at heart”. There will be a sprawling Aqua Park consisting of three waterslides, including one that utilizes an inner tube; a twisty slide, and one just for kids that actually goe...Read More...

Tall Ships in Bermuda

From June 11 - 15, 2009, the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 will be in Hamilton, the capital of Bermuda to help celebrate Bermuda's 400 years of permanent settlement. The Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge, otherwise known as TSAC, is a major tall ships race involving seven ports on both sides of the Atlantic.  It is organized by Sail Training International and the American Sail Training Association. The fleet will cross the Atlantic twice and at least half of the crew on board the ships will be trainees between the ages of 15 and 30.  The TSAC starts in Vigo, Spai...Read More...

Bermuda

Yes…..the sand is really pink!    Summer is prime time for Bermuda cruises. There are ships that depart for Bermuda from a number of East Coast ports. They include Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, as well as from Florida. For such a small island, Bermuda has two cruise ship ports - one at Hamilton, the island's capital, and the other at Kings Wharf. Motor scooters and bicycles are available for rental to the visitors. Tourists are not allowed to drive cars in Bermuda. Upscale shops with fine products from around the world and e...Read More...

Meetings at Sea

There is no better value than a Meeting at Sea….whether it’s corporate meetings, incentive meetings or seminars at sea.       Cruise lines have come to recognize the necessity to accommodate the needs of group meetings on cruise ships. Newer ships have been designed with expanded, easily accessible, dedicated meeting space. Whether your group consists of 25 or 500 participants, there are ample options on board to facilitate your group's meeting requirements. From conference rooms to boardrooms, from large lounges and theaters for awards presentations t...Read More...

James Taylor on Queen Mary 2

  For those James Taylor fans, listen up…..the Grammy® Award-winning singer-songwriter James Taylor and his band will perform during Queen Mary 2's June 19 eastbound Transatlantic Crossing.  Sailing from New York to Southampton, England, Taylor will headline two Cunard Command Performances in the ship's RoyalCourtTheatre during the six-day journey. (Space is still available to book this very special voyage!)Cunard is honoured to welcome James Taylor aboard their flagship Queen Mary 2 and into a lineage of luminaries who have sailed with Cunard during their 170-year h...Read More...

Cunard Ocean Liner Queen Mary 2

  Queen Mary 2 is definitely a “huge” ship of 150,000 tons with passenger capacity of 2,620. There are over 200 activities available onboard. There are many enrichment programs onboard: Book Club, Academy at Sea conducted by leading professors in topics from opera to oceanography. There are numerous workshops which include literature, food, wine, interior design. There are art & dance workshops, discussion groups and computer center. There are master classes by performers and directors from the renowned Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in Lon...Read More...

Wedding Cruises…….Marriage Renewals……

                                      A cruise ship is a fun and exciting location for your memorable  wedding ceremony & marriage renewals.   Five years ago, there were practically no weddings performed on cruise ships; now there are thousands.   According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruise weddings have grown at a phenomenal rate the last few ye...Read More...

Repositioning Cruises:

Good deals can be found with repositioning cruises. Although some ships spend 365 days a year sailing the same itinerary, or in the same region, many relocate a few times a year. For example, depending on the season, they may move from Canada/New England to the Caribbean, or Alaska to Hawaii.  Instead of sailing the ships empty, the cruise lines will usually sell these one-way routes at a discount. These voyages, known as repositioning cruises will often feature themes on subjects ranging from theater to wine, or are enhanced with enrichment options such as guest lect...Read More...

New Disney Ships: Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy

Walt Disney Imagineers and the shipbuilders have been working full steam ahead since the fleet expansion was first announced in 2007.  The new ships will more than double the passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line and create even more family cruise options. The Disney Dream is scheduled to launch in 2011, with the Disney Fantasy following soon after in 2012. They are 122,000-ton ships, each with room for 4,000 guests (Disney's current ships are each 83,000-ton/2,400 guests). The ships will each have 1,250 staterooms, an increase of 40% from 877.  They will be two decks t...Read More...