Happy New Year 2016

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 Happy New Year 2016!!

A warm greeting to all my faithful readers and to those of you joining for the first time. I wish you many happy, healthy and prosperous days in this brand new year. May the year be filled with many sunny days, warm ocean breezes, relaxing days at sea, and travel memories from travel destinations.

One of the highlights of the upcoming year is the year-long celebration of the National Park Service Centennial Anniversary.  Globus Family of Brands is a long-standing partner with NPS. A portion of each tour vacation is given back to the NPS.

Globus offers GoParks tours including a special 103-day tour called Centennial Celebration: 100 Days of GoParks!. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime vacation that takes travelers, quite literally, from Sea to Shining Sea.


 New Ships in 2016

February 2016 Holland America ms Koningsdam Summer 2016 Regent Seven Seas Explorer mid-2016 Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas Harmony of the Seas Fall 2016 Seabourn Encore Spring 2016 Viking Ocean Cruises Sea December 2016 Carnival Vista

New Ship Guide

In the upcoming months, several cruise lines will be introducing new ships. The first cruise ship of 2016 will be Holland America Line's ms Koningsdam, which will launch in February.  Viking Ocean's, second entry into ocean cruising, Viking Sea, will debut in Spring.  Royal Caribbean will launch two new ships, Ovation of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas mid-year.  Carnival Vista will debut in December and we will be onboard for our 2016 National Conference.  All of these ships will introduce new dining and entertainment options for cruise passengers.

Selecting the Right Ship

These new ships add capacity to these cruise lines and give you additional options.  Besides new ships, existing ships are getting face-lifts with new features being added, primarily based on passenger feedback and acceptance of the features on recent ship builds on the same or other cruise lines.  Holland America is just one example of lines investing in fleet upgrades.  They have launched a $300M upgrade program.

Just like picking a hotel room for a land-based trip, you can also apply your preferences to the cruise ship, which will serve as your floating hotel.   Some people prefer small ships, while others only sail on the newest and largest vessels.  With the increasing number of ship modifications and additions, we are confident that your want list can be satisfied.  We can help you narrow the field to those ships that meet your needs.  On the Allure, Oasis, and soon Harmony of the Seas, there are over 37 different cabin categories to chose from - we will help simplify your selection.

Where Do YOU Want to Go

What is on your bucket list of destinations or cruise ships?  

Is 2016 the year you plan to complete a trip from that list?  Whether it's a far away exotic destination like Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific or something close-by like Bahamas and the Caribbean, you'll find a cruise ship sailing to your ports of call of choice.

Choose Your Destination
 

Land or Sea ...Choice is Yours

We still feel strongly that cruising is the best vacation value, but we realize there are times when you want  more time in the destination or some other reason compels you to select land-based travel.  We can provide assistance planning both land and sea vacations.  Resorts & Tours Overview


New Year Resolutions

  It's that time of year to make New Year resolutions. Some of you will decide to make changes in your lifestyle which will improve your health - such as healthy eating or exercising.  For those that haven't been on a cruise before, that doesn't mean you have to forgo your trip.

There are full-service spas and fitness centers on most cruise ships and healthy menu choices available throughout the day.  Cruise lines will be happy to accommodate any special dietary requirements - just be sure to tell your cruise specialist at the time of booking so that notes can be put on your reservation.

We hope that you add a resolution to take some time for yourself to regenerate.   Plan some vacation time on a cruise ship or at one of the many resort destinations.   Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of special offers in the upcoming months. 

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Twitter: @ChrisPappinMCC  Pinterest: CruiseWithChris Pappin and Facebook: CruiseWithChris Pappin Cruises Inc

Wishing You a Wonderful New Year
 

Gong Xi Fa Ca! - Year of the Sheep

Wishing You a Prosperous Chinese New Year

On our calendar, 2015 began just over a month ago but to the Chinese 4713, the year of the sheep, is about to begin.  According to China's ancient lunar calendar, the New Year always falls between January 20 and February 20.  This year it begins today, February 19.  To close the celebration, the great Feast of Lanterns is held on the first full moon of the New Year.

People carry lanterns and join in a huge parade headed by the enormous Golden Dragon, symbol of strength, goodness, and luck.   The Dragon has been hibernating since the last festival and will go to sleep for another year when the parade ends.

Year of the Sheep

If you were born in1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, or 2003 you were born under the sign of the sheep.

Sheep personality traits are some of the most popular in the zodiac as sheep are generally kindhearted and make the most loyal of friends.
Also one of the most creative signs, sheep are never happier than dreaming about their next project or innovative idea. In 2015, watch as your efforts pay off as you enter into a prosperous period in which you can really shine, either personally or professionally.

Around the Web, learn more about Chinese New Year celebrations in the U.S. and worldwide, browse festive clip art and e-mail greetings, or read up on holiday customs and folklore.

Happy New Year 2015

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 Happy New Year 2015!!

A warm greeting to all my faithful readers and to those of you joining for the first time. I wish you many happy, healthy and prosperous days in this brand new year. May the year be filled with many sunny days, warm ocean breezes, visits to cruise ports, and relaxing days aboard a cruise ship or at your favorite resort.

One of the highlights of the upcoming year is the year-long celebration of Princess Cruises' 50th Anniversary.  The celebration already began on Regal Princess when it's Caribbean debut cruise in November.  The celebration will take place on all Princess ships starting today.


 New Ships in 2015

March, 2015 SS Maria Theresa May, 2015 Viking Star Spring, 2015 Anthem of the Seas October, 2015 Norwegian Escape

New Ship Guide

In the upcoming months, several cruise lines will be introducing new ships. SS Maria Theresa, Uniworld's newest river boat, will launch in March.  Viking Ocean's, first entry into ocean cruising, Viking Star, will debut in Spring.  Anthem of the Seas, sister ship of Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas, will also launch in Spring.  Norwegian Cruise Line will introduce a new ship class when Norwegian Escape launches in October.  All of these ships will introduce new dining and entertainment options for cruise passengers.

Selecting the Right Ship

These new ships add capacity to these cruise lines and give you additional options.  Besides new ships, existing ships are getting face-lifts with new features being added, primarily based on passenger feedback and acceptance of the features on recent ship builds on the same or other cruise lines. Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas is just one example of the changes being made to enhance passenger experiences with the addition of Oasis-class enhancements.

Just like picking a hotel room for a land-based trip, you can also apply your preferences to the cruise ship, which will serve as your floating hotel.   Some people prefer small ships, while others only sail on the newest and largest vessels.  With the increasing number of ship modifications and additions, we are confident that your want list can be satisfied.  We can help you narrow the field to those ships that meet your needs.  On the Allure and Oasis of the Seas, there are over 37 different cabin categories to chose from - we will help simplify your selection.

Where Do YOU Want to Go

What is on your bucket list of destinations or cruise ships?  

Is 2015 the year you plan to complete a trip from that list?  Whether it's a far away exotic destination like Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific or something close-by like Bahamas and the Caribbean, you'll find a cruise ship sailing to your ports of call of choice.

Choose Your Destination
 

Land or Sea ...Choice is Yours

We still feel strongly that cruising is the best vacation value, but we realize there are times when you want  more time in the destination or some other reason compels you to select land-based travel.   Resorts & Tours Overview


New Year Resolutions

  It's that time of year to make New Year resolutions. Some of you will decide to make changes in your lifestyle which will improve your health - such as healthy eating or exercising.  For those that haven't been on a cruise before, that doesn't mean you have to forgo your trip.

There are full-service spas and fitness centers on most cruise ships and healthy menu choices available throughout the day.  Cruise lines will be happy to accommodate any special dietary requirements - just be sure to tell your cruise specialist at the time of booking so that notes can be put on your reservation.

We hope that you add a resolution to take some time for yourself to regenerate.   Plan some vacation time on a cruise ship or at one of the many resort destinations.   Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of special offers in the upcoming months.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Wishing You a Prosperous Chinese New Year

January 31st marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year celebration which actually runs for 15 days.  This is the year of the Horse.  The horse is part of a 12-year-cycle of animals that make up the Chinese zodiac.

 Chinese New Year 2014 Gallery

People born in the year of the horse have ingenious communicating techniques, are clever, kind to others, and like to join in a venture career. Although they sometimes talk too much, they are cheerful, perceptive, talented, earthy but stubborn.

The Year of the Wood Horse

 

In Chinese culture, the Horse is a symbol of nobility, class, speed and perseverance. The Year of Wooden Horse, which deals with fire, wood and energy follows the Year of the Water Snake.  Wood is related to tree or green. Therefore, 2014 is also called Year of Green Horse.

In looking through our images, we found this wooden horse which you can pose with on the Allure of the Seas.

2014 Chinese Astrology of Year of the Green Horse

Happy New Year 2014

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 Happy New Year 2014!!

A warm greeting to all my faithful readers and to those of you joining for the first time. I wish you many happy, healthy and prosperous days in this brand new year. May the year be filled with many sunny days, warm ocean breezes, visits to cruise ports, and relaxing days aboard a cruise ship or at your favorite resort.


 New Ships in 2014

January, 2014 Norwegian Getaway May, 2014 Regal Princess November, 2014 Quantum of the Seas

New Ship Guide

In the upcoming months, several cruise lines will be introducing new ships. Norwegian Getaway, sister ship of Norwegian Breakaway, will launch this month and sail out of Miami.  Regal Princess, sister ship of Royal Princess, will debut in May.  Royal Caribbean's first in a new class, Quantum of the Seas will launch in November.  All of these ships will introduce new dining and entertainment options for cruise passengers.

Selecting the Right Ship

These new ships add capacity to these cruise lines and give you additional options.  Besides new ships, existing ships are getting face-lifts with new features being added, primarily based on passenger feedback and acceptance of the features on recent ship builds on the same or other cruise lines.The Carnival Sunshine is just one example of the changes being made to enhance passenger experiences.

Just like picking a hotel room for a land-based trip, you can also apply your preferences to the cruise ship, which will serve as your floating hotel.   Some people prefer small ships, while others only sail on the newest and largest vessels.  With the increasing number of ship modifications and additions, we are confident that your want list can be satisfied.  We can help you narrow the field to those ships that meet your needs.  On the Allure and Oasis of the Seas, there are over 37 different cabin categories to chose from - we will help simplify your selection.

Where Do YOU Want to Go

What is on your bucket list of destinations or cruise ships?  

Is 2014 the year you plan to complete a trip from that list?  Whether it's a far away exotic destination like Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific or something close-by like Bahamas and the Caribbean, you'll find a cruise ship sailing to your ports of call of choice.

Choose Your Destination
 

Land or Sea ...Choice is Yours

We still feel strongly that cruising is the best vacation value, but we realize there are times when you want  more time in the destination or some other reason compels you to select land-based travel.   Resorts & Tours Overview


New Year Resolutions

  It's that time of year to make New Year resolutions. Some of you will decide to make changes in your lifestyle which will improve your health - such as healthy eating or exercising.  For those that haven't been on a cruise before, that doesn't mean you have to forgo your trip.

There are full-service spas and fitness centers on most cruise ships and healthy menu choices available throughout the day.  Cruise lines will be happy to accommodate any special dietary requirements - just be sure to tell your cruise specialist at the time of booking so that notes can be put on your reservation.

We hope that you add a resolution to take some time for yourself to regenerate.   Plan some vacation time on a cruise ship or at one of the many resort destinations.   Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of special offers in the upcoming months.

Happy New Year 2013

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 Happy New Year 2013!!

A warm greeting to all my faithful readers and to those of you joining for the first time. I wish you many happy, healthy and prosperous days in this brand new year. May the year be filled with many sunny days, warm ocean breezes, visits to cruise ports, and relaxing sea days aboard a cruise ship.


 New Ships in 2013

March, 2013 MSC Preziosa April, 2013 Norwegian Breakaway June, 2013 Royal Princess

In the upcoming months, several cruise lines will be introducing new ships. MSC Preziosa will be the fourth and final Fantasia-class ship from Europe-based MSC Cruises. Norwegian Breakaway will launch in April 2013 as the first of two 4,000-passenger sister ships. Royal Princess will be about 20 percent larger than Princess' largest ships now afloat. All of these ships will introduce new dining and entertainment options for cruise passengers.

Selecting the Right Ship

These new ships add capacity to these cruise lines and give you additional options.  Besides new ships, existing ships are getting face-lifts with new features being added, primarily based on passenger feedback and acceptance of the features on recent ship builds on the same or other cruise lines.The Grandeur of the Seas revitalization is just one example of the changes being made to enhance passenger experiences.

Just like picking a hotel room for a land-based trip, you can also apply your preferences to the cruise ship, which will serve as your floating hotel.   Some people prefer small ships, while others only sail on the newest and largest vessels.  With the increasing number of ship modifications and additions, we are confident that your want list can be satisfied.  We can help you narrow the field to those ships that meet your needs.  On the Allure and Oasis of the Seas, there are over 37 different cabin categories to chose from - we will help simplify your selection.

Where Do YOU Want to Go

What is on your bucket list of destinations or cruise ships?  

Is 2013 the year you plan to complete a trip from that list?  Whether it's a far away exotic destination like Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific or something close-by like Bahamas and the Caribbean, you'll find a cruise ship sailing to your ports of call of choice.

Choose Your Destination
 

Land or Sea ...Choice is Yours

We still feel strongly that cruising is the best vacation value, but we realize there are times when you want  more time in the destination or some other reason compels you to select land-based travel.   Resorts & Tours Overview


New Year Resolutions
 
It's that time of year to make New Year resolutions.  Some of you will decide to make changes in your lifestyle which will improve your health - such as healthy eating or exercising.  For those that haven't been on a cruise before, that doesn't mean you have to forgo your trip.   There are full-service spas and fitness centers on most cruise ships and healthy menu choices available throughout the day.  Cruise lines will be happy to accommodate any special dietary requirements - just be sure to tell your cruise specialist at the time of booking so that notes can be put on your reservation.

We hope that you add a resolution to take some time for yourself to regenerate.   Plan some vacation time on a cruise ship or at one of the many resort destinations.   Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of special offers in the upcoming months.

Gong Xi Fa Ca! 2012 - Year of the Dragon

Images credit:   Wikimedia Commons.

Gong Xi Fa Ca!

Happy New Year

2012 Year of the Dragon

At midnight on January 23, 2012, Chinese people around the world will welcome the new year, ushering in the Year of the Dragon.  (Click for Images)

Gong Xi Fa Ca! That’s the traditional Chinese New Year greeting that means “wishing you prosperity” in Mandarin. 

The first day of the Chinese New Year – which begins at midnight on January 23, 2012 – is the most important of Chinese holidays, celebrated by billions in China, and by millions of ethnic Chinese around the world. It’s a celebration that lasts for 15 days, culminating with the Lantern Festival. 

Each year is associated with one of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac. For 2012, it’s the Year of the Dragon.

Year of the Dragon

The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. A symbol of good fortune and sign of intense power, the Oriental Dragon is regarded as a divine beast - the reverse of the malicious monster that Westerners felt necessary to find and slay. In Eastern philosophy, the Dragon is said to be a deliverer of good fortune and a master of authority. Therefore, those people born in Dragon years are to be honored and respected. 

Years of the Dragon:   1904 * 1916 * 1928 * 1940 * 1952 * 1964 * 1976 * 1988 * 2000

The Chinese New Year does not fall on a specific date, so it is essential to check the calendar to find the exact date on which each Dragon Year actually begins.

 

Wishing all my Chinese readers a prosperous New Year

Vitality at Sea Spa

Spa & Fitness Center

New Years is a time when resolutions are made.   Common resolutions include taking better care of ourselves, eating well, and getting more exercise.    Making resolutions is perhaps easy to do but we often find that keeping them, as time passes, is often much harder. For those that are still keeping their resolutions, congratulations.

Why do I bring up fitness resolutions in a cruise blog?

Going on a cruise vacation doesn't imply that you'll have to break your resolutions.   While it is true that you can eat 24 hours a day if you like, that doesn't mean you have to do so or eat foods that go against your new healthy lifestyle.   Quite the contrary is actually the case.  Cruise lines offer a wide variety of food for all lifestyles.   Many ships have recently expanded dining options to include spa menus served in either a spa restaurant setting or in the main dining room.

Perhaps one of the best Spa and Fitness Centers at sea is the Vitality at Sea  Spa and Fitness Center on the largest ship afloat, the Allure of the Seas.

Vitality at Sea Spa

The spa features 29 treatment rooms with a full menu of indulgent treatments: signature treatments, facial treatments, massage therapies, body therapies, acupuncture services, Medi-Spa cosmetic treatments, tooth whitening and men's services.

Vitality at Sea Fitness Center 

Become a master of movement and stretch your body beyond its normal boundaries.  Enjoy state-of-the-art cardio and strength fitness equipment and new programs, including Gravity, heart-rate-based spinning and Kinesis.

Following a good workout in the fitness center, continue with a well balanced three course meal from the Vitality menu.   If you have special dietary needs, Allure of the Seas, as well as other cruise ships, are able to provide meals that satisfy those requirements.   Advance notice is suggested to assure that the cruise ship has necessary ingredients in stock.

So I hate to break the news to you that going on a cruise isn't an excuse for breaking those New Years' resolutions.   In some cases, it might even make it easier to keep your resolutions, since you have the healthy foods available as well as more fitness equipment and options than many stateside fitness centers.   

Vitality Spa and Fitness (click for more images on our FB fan page - make sure to Like us)

Video: Royal Rejuvenation: Vitality and Wellness at Sea
 Rev-up, relax, or refuel at the Vitality Spa & Fitness center onboard Royal Caribbean's ships. Guests can enjoy state-of-the-art cardio equipment, enjoyable fitness classes or choose from an array of services from the spa as well fuel up with healthy fare.

Holiday Christmas & New Years Sailings – Caribbean, Mexico & Europe

When it comes to the holidays, we give another meaning to “decked” out!

What is the reason for the season? Togetherness. Start a new holiday tradition this year – a tradition of traveling with your loved ones onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise. You can expect the highest quality vacation at a great value – personalized Gold Anchor Service®, experience, innovative amenities, plus Royal Caribbean ships sail around the globe, so you can host your holidays in a new destination each year.

Caribbean, Mexico, & Europe Sailings

CARIBBEAN Sailings
Adventure of the Seas® 7-Night Southern Caribbean
December 20 & 27, 2009
San Juan, Puerto Rico • Philipsburg, St. Maarten • Oranjestad, Aruba • Willemstad, Curacao • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas • San Juan, Puerto Rico
....................................................................
San Juan, Puerto Rico • Bridgetown, Barbados • Castries, St. Lucia • St. John's, Antigua • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas • San Juan, Puerto Rico

Grandeur of the Seas® 9-Night Eastern Caribbean
December 21, 2009
Tampa, Florida • San Juan, Puerto Rico • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas • Philipsburg, St. Maarten • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • Tampa, Florida

Independence of the Seas® 6/8-NightWestern/Eastern Caribbean
December 20 & 26, 2009
Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Belize City, Belize • Costa Maya, Mexico • Cozumel, Mexico • Fort Lauderdale, Florida
....................................................................
Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Labadee®, Haiti • San Juan, Puerto Rico • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas • Philipsburg, St. Maarten • Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Liberty of the Seas® 7-NightWestern Caribbean
December 20, 2009
Miami, Florida • Labadee®, Haiti • Ocho Rios, Jamaica • George Town, Grand Cayman • Cozumel, Mexico • Miami, Florida

Serenade of the Seas® 7-Night Southern Caribbean
December 19 & 26, 2009
San Juan, Puerto Rico • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • Philipsburg, St. Maarten • St. John's, Antigua • Castries, St. Lucia • St. George's, Grenada • San Juan, Puerto Rico
....................................................................
San Juan, Puerto Rico • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas • St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands • Basseterre, St. Kitts • Roseau, Dominica • Bridgetown, Barbados • San Juan, Puerto Rico

Voyager of the Seas® 7-NightWestern Caribbean
December 20 & 27, 2009
Galveston, Texas • Cozumel, Mexico • George Town, Grand Cayman • Montego Bay, Jamaica • Galveston, Texas
....................................................................
Galveston, Texas • Roatan, Honduras • Costa Maya, Mexico • Cozumel, Mexico • Galveston, Texas

MEXICO Sailings
Mariner of the Seas® 7-Night Mexican Riviera
December 20, 2009
Los Angeles, California • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • Mazatlan, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico • Los Angeles, California

Radiance of the Seas® 12-Night Mexican Riviera
December 21, 2009
San Diego, California • Manzanillo, Mexico • Acapulco, Mexico • Ixtapa (Zihuatanejo), Mexico • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico • Mazatlan, Mexico • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • San Diego, California

EUROPE Sailings
Brilliance of the Seas® 12-Night Egypt & Eastern Med
December 23, 2009
Barcelona, Spain • Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey • Rhodes, Greece • Limassol, Cyprus • Alexandria, Egypt • Cagliari (Sardinia), Italy • Palma De Mallorca, Spain • Barcelona, Spain

SAVE UP TO 25% OFF ORIGINAL PRICES ON SELECT HOLIDAY SAILINGS AS OUR GIFT TO YOU. THERE’S NO PRESENT LIKE THE PRESENT – SO RESERVE TODAY.

Additional Holiday Cruises on Royal Caribbean:

Holiday Thanksgiving Sailings - Short Caribbean

Holiday Thanksgiving Sailings - Caribbean & Mexico

Holiday Thanksgiving Sailings - Europe

Holiday Christmas & New Years Sailings – Short Caribbean

Based on my past experience, holiday sailings book up fast. Don't be disappointed by waiting too long to book. Visit my website to request a quote, call me, or send me an email NOW !

Holiday Christmas & New Years Sailings – Short Caribbean

When it comes to the holidays, we give another meaning to “decked” out!

What is the reason for the season? Togetherness. Start a new holiday tradition this year – a tradition of traveling with your loved ones onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise. You can expect the highest quality vacation at a great value – personalized Gold Anchor Service®, experience, innovative amenities, plus Royal Caribbean ships sail around the globe, so you can host your holidays in a new destination each year.

Short Caribbean Sailings

Majesty of the Seas® 5-Night Bahamas
December 21, 2009
Miami, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • CocoCay®, Bahamas • Key West, Florida • Miami, Florida

Monarch of the Seas® 5-Night Bahamas
December 21, 2009
Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • CocoCay®, Bahamas • Port Canaveral, Florida

Navigator of the Seas® 4-NightWestern Caribbean
December 24, 2009
Miami, Florida • Cozumel, Mexico • Miami, Florida


SAVE UP TO 30% OFF ORIGINAL PRICES ON SELECT HOLIDAY SAILINGS AS OUR GIFT TO YOU. THERE’S NO PRESENT LIKE THE PRESENT – SO RESERVE TODAY.

Additional Holiday Cruises on Royal Caribbean:

Holiday Thanksgiving Sailings - Short Caribbean

Holiday Thanksgiving Sailings - Caribbean & Mexico

Holiday Thanksgiving Sailings - Europe

Holiday Christmas & New Years Sailings – Caribbean, Mexico & Europe

Based on my past experience, holiday sailings book up fast. Don't be disappointed by waiting too long to book. Visit my website to request a quote, call me, or send me an email NOW !

The Sunset of 2008

Close your eyes and picture yourself on the balcony of your favorite cruise ship. It is almost dusk. Memories of the day's activities are running through your mind. You open your eyes just in time to witness the sun slowly sinking from the sky and settling into it's nightly resting place deep in the ocean.

Darkness surrounds you as the sun's light is completely extinguished. This doesn't bother you since you have hope that tomorrow the sun will once again rise high into the sky above and shine brightly as you explore yet another destination along life's journey.



As 2008 draws to a close, I would be remiss if this column didn't take a look at the year in review. Somewhere out there, someone stood on a balcony looking at the final sunset of the year and just as you, hoped for a bright tomorrow.

Perhaps this year, more than others in recent time, many people are hoping for a brighter tomorrow. The last quarter of the year has been the most challenging as we learned that we were indeed in a recession.

Close your eyes one more time and think about the good and the bad times of 2008. On the bad side, I suspect your list will include the rising cost of fuel, the credit crunch, the housing problems, bank bailouts (and more bailouts)... On the good side there are the new leaders that were elected that bring the promise of change to the new year. The task of digging out of the recession is in their hands.

The cruise industry was not exempt from the credit crunch and rising fuel costs. All the major cruise lines imposed fuel surcharges which added to the cost of your vacations. The good news is that the end of the year brought declining fuel costs and the cruise lines have rolled back those surcharges. Already the sun is starting to peak out from it's nightly resting place.

Amidst all of this, Celebrity Cruises new ship Solstice set sail for it's inaugural season. I was fortunate to be one of the first passengers to set sail on this new ship which has set a higher standard for all the cruise lines to meet. We'll take a closer look at this ship in future columns.

What are your happy memories from 2008? I hope that you were on a cruise vacation. I also hope that the economic woes of 2008 haven't prevented you from planning future cruise vacations.

For those of you thar are regular readers of my blog, you know that we visisted Bermuda, Alaska, and the Galapagos this year. Due to the holidays I've gotten behind on my blogging, but promise to continue the Galapagos trip column in January.

In bad times, investors seek out value. Cruise vacations continue to be the best travel value, so this is the time to take advantage of the bargains that are available.

Let us close the book on this historic year together. Tomorrow, when you awake, open the book on what I hope will be a brighter tomorrow. Happy, Healthy, Propserous New Year to all!!

New Year Resolutions

Happy New Year !! Tis the time that many people make New Year's resolutions. There are the obvious choices - losing weight, eating healthy, being kind to people, saving money, spending less money, spending more time with family, etc.

I'm going to give you some additional choices - appreciate nature, explore a new location, learn a new skill, meet new people, learn about different cultures, visit a historical location. These are just a few resolutions that can be accomplished while on a cruise vacation.

My husband and I have always been nature lovers. I still recall when I suggested an Alaska cruise to my husband. He looked at me as if I'd lost my marbles. Then I showed him some photos of the beautiful scenery and he couldn't wait to get on the ship.

This picture was taken during a past Alaska cruise as we cruised the Inside Passage. Here we are sailing past Hubbard Glacier. Alaska is a great place to appreciate nature, learn about different cultures, meet new people, and assuming you haven't been there before, you can explore a new location. I'd be happy to help you plan an Alaska cruise vacation. By the way, I'd suggest adding a pre or post-cruise tour so that you can visit Denali and other locations.

I've spoken about some destinations in Europe in some of my past posts. Europe is another destination where you can explore new locations, meet new people, find out about different cultures, and definitely explore historic locations. For those coming from the USA, make sure you add one or two nights pre-cruise so that you can adjust to the time difference and also maximize the long flight.

You might think that a European vacation is out of the question due to the value of the USD. This is where a cruise comes in very nicely, since your lodging, meals, and entertainment are a fixed cost. The ship is your floating hotel with all the ammenities you'd expect at a fancy hotel. When in port, you can explore on your own or via a cruise or private excursion. There are many possibilities in Europe that I could suggest.

Are you looking for a new destination that offers water sports, scenery, different cultures, and even the possibility of learning a new dance? Then Tahiti might be the place for you. It can still be a long flight if you start your cruise in Tahiti, but it's really not that bad if you spend the night before in Los Angeles, CA.

If you've been to the Caribbean before, and love the blue water, then you'll really love Tahiti. Here you'll really be able to appreciate nature in all it's glory. In this land you'll find magnificent waterfalls, beautiful flowers, exotic fish, and black pearls. You'll meet the French Polynesian's who love to welcome you to their homeland. Don't forget to pickup a bouquet of fresh flowers for your cabin before you sail from Papeete.

Perhaps you are looking for something similar, but a little closer to home. How about taking a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. You could visit Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta for example. I think Lands End in Cabo is one of my favorite destinations. Here you can take a boat ride and go snorkeling or simply enjoy the beautiful rock formations. It's possible to explore this city on your own very easily. That is probably the best anyway since it gives you an opportunity to meet the people and learn more about their culture. A short water taxi can take you to Lovers Beach where you can unwind and enjoy nature at it's best.

These are just a few destinations where you can complete your New Year's resolutions. If you picked some of the traditional resolutions, such as healthy eating, a cruise still fills the bill. Cruise lines have menu choices for the health conscious as well as full fitness facilities to stay in shape during your vacation.

As far as my New Year's Resolutions ... I'll continue to write about our past cruise vacations, continue to answer cruise-related questions, visit new destinations (Galapgos is on our list this year), and go back to old favorites (back to Alaska). For those that know me, OK, I'll get back in the gym, eat healthy, save some money (to spend on cruises), and continue to be kind to people.

Whatever your resolutions are - may you have a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Chris