St. Patrick's Day Greetings from County Cork

Blarney Castle                 Charles Fort

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years.



On St. Patrick's Day, which falls in the middle of the Christian Lenten season, Irish families would go to church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. The Irish would dance, drink and feast on the traditional Irish Bacon and Cabbage. Lenten regulations about not eating meat were waived if necessary so that the traditional meal could be eaten.

Pictured above are two well-known attractions that can be visited in a day trip while docked in Cobh (Cork), Ireland.   Blarney Castle, which was constructed over 600 years ago, is most widely known for the Blarney Stone.  Legend has it that if you kiss the stone, you'll never be lost for words.  Each year visitors climb to the top to reach the stone and hang by their feet to kiss it.  The picture on the right is of Charles Fort in Kinsale, Ireland.  This 17th Century fort, which protected Kinsale, is one of the last remaining examples of a star-shaped fortress.   

More pictures and information ...  British Isles - Cork, Ireland

The Irish countryside is beautiful, the towns are quaint, and the people are very friendly. It is a great place to visit. Cruises to the British Isles stop at one or more Irish ports. June is a great time to visit Ireland. The weather is usually mild and you'll be comfortable in a light jacket on the cooler days.   Plan your Summer British Isles cruise and be sure it stops in Ireland.
 

A special offer just crossed my desk ...   here's some Saving O' the Green...

3 days of special savings on 2010  

Canada & New England - Summer Caribbean vacations 
 Special St. Patrick's Day savings event starts March 17th.

Cunard Announces 2011-2012 Program

Photos courtesy Cunard Line

Cunard Line Announces 2011-2012 

Voyage Programme

 On Sale 26 April for Cunard 
World Club Members

Three Queens Offer More 
Itinerary Options 

on World's Youngest Luxury Fleet
 

Combining 170 years of experience with the youngest, luxury fleet at sea - flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and the soon-to-be-launched Queen Elizabeth - Cunard is pleased to announce its most extensive range of voyages to date, with a greater choice of itineraries, departure dates and overnight stays. Guests will have more opportunities to experience the new golden age of ocean travel with the classic traditions and legendary White Star Service for which Cunard is renowned.

The line's flagship, Queen Mary 2, will continue to offer extended Transatlantic Crossings between New York and Southampton, as well as to Hamburg; Queen Victoria will journey across the Atlantic for a second Americas season in early 2012; and new to the voyage schedule will be visits to the Holy Land aboard both Queen Victoria and the new Queen Elizabeth.

Legendary QUEEN MARY 2 Sailings

•  21 Transatlantic Crossings, plus extended voyages to and from Hamburg and five Grand Voyages roundtrip from New York.

•  Seven explorations of Northern Europe and an Around the British Isles voyage - all sailing roundtrip from Southampton. 

•  Two voyages to the Atlantic Isles and Iberia.

•  Enhanced 10-day Canada and New England sailing in the fall now featuring an overnight in Quebec, and a Fourth of July Getaway.

•  Caribbean Celebration holiday voyage.

Regal QUEEN VICTORIA Voyages

•  Five spectacular voyages based in the Mediterranean and visiting the best of the region including the Black Sea, Greek Isles, Egypt, and - new for 2011 - the Holy Land.  

• Enhanced Northern Europe itineraries including overnight stays in St. Petersburg and a new Gallic Overture voyage. 

• The celebrated QUEEN returns for her second Americas season in winter 2011/2012 including Panama Canal and Hawaii itineraries.   

• Med, Canary Islands and Atlantic Isles roundtrip from Southampton are also available.

Adventures aboard the New QUEEN ELIZABETH

• New for 2011, a Voyage to the Holy Land, plus four Mediterranean voyages roundtrip from Southampton.

• Northern Europe itineraries include the Norwegian Fjords, the North Cape and two enhanced Baltic sailings that feature a full day and an overnight call in St Petersburg.

• Maiden Around the British Isles voyage.

• Two Iberian journeys and a Canary Islands voyage sailing roundtrip from Southampton.

 Full Text of Press Release - 15 March, 2010      Cunard Itineraries

Other news:  Cunard's Queen Mary 2 to Circumnavigate Australia (March 9, 2010)

Hurricane Hunter Preparedness Events

C-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft (Credit: NOAA)

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

Hurricane Preparedness

Atlantic, Mexico and Caribbean

Public invited to tour Air Force Reserve “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft

NOAA and the U.S. Air Force Reserve are hosting a series of Hurricane Preparedness events in the Atlantic, Mexico, and Caribbean between March 18 and 27, 2010.  This is an early start to efforts to educate the public about hurricanes.

 A Hurricane Preparedness Web site has been launched by NOAA. The goal of this Web site is to inform the public about the hurricane hazards and provide knowledge which can be used to take ACTION. This information can be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water.

Hurricane Preparedness Week: May 23rd through May 29th 2010

Tours of the Air Force Reserve Command’s WC-130J "hurricane hunter" aircraft will be available to residents, who will also have the opportunity to meet directors and staff including personnel from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the 403rd Wing.


“The squadron is the only remaining military unit in the world which routinely flies into tropical cyclones to aid in the United States Hurricane Warning Program,“ said Lt. Col. Jonathan Talbot, Chief Weather Officer for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron.

Locations and times for public tours are listed below (all times are local):

• Friday, March 19: Bermuda; 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  
• Monday, March 22: Mazatlan, Mexico; 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  
• Tuesday, March 23: Merida, Mexico; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  
• Wednesday, March 24: San Salvadore, El Salvadore, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  
• Friday, March 26: Antigua; 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  
• Saturday, March 27: Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  

Hurricane season goes from June 1st through November. For additional information about hurricanes, including useful links, see the "Weather" tab above.  Last season we monitored several tropical storms which fortunately weren't as devastating as in some past years.

Passport Day March 27th

Planning travel outside the United States?

First, plan to get your passport. 

U.S. Department of State will  be open on a Saturday to get you started. 

On Saturday, March 27 only, you will not need an appointment to apply for a U.S. passport at a regional passport agency. You will be able to apply for either routine processing or pay an additional $60 for expedited processing.  All passport agencies will be open and accepting passport book and passport card applications from 10 am to 3 pm .   Press Release

Passport-themed events for adults and children will take place at regional passport agencies and thousands of passport acceptance facilities around the country. If you’ve been waiting to apply for your U.S. passport, this is the time. Apply on Passport Day in the USA 2010!    Passport Day Locations

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Canada, Bermuda, Mexico and the Caribbean (17 nations) fall under the WHTI.

WHTI-compliant documents described are acceptable for entry or re-entry into the United States. You may be required to present additional or different travel documents when entering foreign countries, including countries in the Western Hemisphere.   Before you travel, make sure you know the entry requirements of the country you plan to visit. See Country Specific Information for more information on the country you are traveling to.

Related Blog Posts

New Passport Rules Starting June 1st - Are You Ready (March 2009)

Reminder New Passport Rules Effective June 1st (May 2009)

Important Information - Land and Sea Travel (January 2008)


My Advice - Travel with Valid Passport

If you read all the rules and regulations, you may find that for your particular travel plans, you can "get away" without a passport.  For example, a closed-loop cruise does not require a passport for sea transportation.   However, should you find yourself needing to return home by air,  you could now be faced with a problem since air travel has a different set of rules.

Also note that passports must be valid for 6 Months after the end of your trip (in most cases).

Enchanting the Port of Baltimore

Enchantment of the Seas® 

Sailing Year-round from Baltimore Maryland

Baltimore just got more enchanting. Enchantment of the Seas® is now sailing year-round from this beautiful city, offering more onboard activities and amenities than any other ship in the area.  

Royal Caribbean's Vision Class of ships include exciting new features like Bungee trampolines, suspension bridges, an expanded Pool Deck, and the interactive Splash Deck, a great spot for kids to get soaked. Enjoy Boleros, the new Latin-themed lounge; work up a sweat in the fitness facilities; and then cool down with a cone from Ben & Jerry's.  Learn More about Enchantment of the Seas®

5-Night Bermuda 

Baltimore, Maryland • Kings Wharf, Bermuda (Overnight) • Baltimore, Maryland

8/9-Night New England & Canada 

Baltimore, Maryland • Portland, Maine • Saint John, New Brunswick • Halifax, Nova Scotia • Bar Harbor, Maine • Boston, Massachusetts • Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland • Portland, Maine • Bar Harbor, Maine • Saint John, New Brunswick • Halifax, Nova Scotia • Boston, Massachusetts • Baltimore, Maryland

9-Night Bahamas 

Baltimore, Maryland • Port Canaveral, Florida • Key West, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Cococay®, Bahamas • Baltimore, Maryland

9-Night Eastern Caribbean 

Baltimore, Maryland • San Juan, Puerto, Rico • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas • Samana, Dominican Republic • Labadee®, Haiti • Baltimore, Maryland

12-Night Southern Caribbean 

Baltimore, Maryland • Labadee®, Haiti • Samana, Dominican Republic • San Juan, Puerto Rico • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas • Philipsburg, St. Maarten • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • Baltimore, Maryland

Princess Announces 2011 Europe Deployment

Emerald and Royal Princess in Santorini Greece courtesy of Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises 2011 Europe 
Largest and Most Extensive Season


7 ships, 42 itineraries and over 135 ports of call — more than ever before! 

Princess Cruises leads the resurgence in European Cruising with an expanded program including their newest ships Crown Princess, Emerald Princess, and Ruby Princess in addition to small ship experiences on Ocean Princess and Pacific Princess.    Seven ships in all will be in Europe for the 2011 season.

Emerald Princess returns to the Baltic

Enjoy your trip to the Baltic region on an enhanced 11-day sailing round-trip out of Copenhagen.  Each voyage features a  2-Day Experience in St. Petersburg, Russia, and includes Oslo, Berlin, Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn, as well as the new port of Aarhus, Denmark.  Extend your cruise in Copenhagen before or after your voyage.  Overnight calls in these cities allow you to enjoy their highlights by day and enjoy the nightlife too.

More overnight calls throughout Europe 

All 12-day sailings throughout the Mediterranean feature an overnight stay in grand cities like Venice or Istanbul, and Holy Land and Egypt & Aegean itineraries include two full days in 

different ports in the countries of Israel and Egypt to explore fascinating cities such as Jerusalem and Giza.  Ocean Princess offers overnight calls in Edinburgh or Dublin on select Northern Europe itineraries.

New 7-Day Interlude voyages on Ocean Princess

Ocean Princess, one the Small Ships of Princess,  sails week-long itineraries visiting a variety of the Mediterranean’s boutique ports.  Combine sailings to create a 14- or 21-day Interlude combination voyage to see even more.

New Ports 

Europe 2011 features maiden calls in Aarhus, Denmark; Motril (for Granada), Spain; Crete (Aghios Nikolaos), Greece; Antwerp, Belgium; and Séte, France.

Unique Itineraries

Princess Cruises features some unique itineraries including Spitsbergen & North Cape, Land of the Midnight Sun, Iceland, Ireland & Scotland, Iceland & Greenland Explorer & British Isles Explorer, Top of the World Explorer, and Fire & Ice Explorer.

Princess will be accepting reservations for 2011 sailings beginning March 25th.  Additional information about Princess Cruises Itineraries can be found here.

Cruise Lines Return to Europe in 2011

Cruise To Europe in 2011

In 2009 the cruise lines were over-deployed in Europe, and as the economy took a turn for the worse, they were forced to re-deploy ships to other destinations.  Cruise lines have begun announcing their deployments for Summer 2011, and once again they are including Europe in their schedules.

Passengers wishing to visit Europe in 2011 will find a wide selection of itineraries and ships traveling to the most popular destinations including Northern Europe, Scandinavia and Russia, the Mediterranean, and the Norwegian Fjords.  Another popular choice is Transatlantic cruises for passengers wishing to only have one long flight between the states and Europe.  Learn more about European destinations.

Since the demand for cruising in Europe is now at an all time high, many of the cruise lines will be offering the most ships and itinerary choices than any time in the past.  Disney Cruise Line is even entering the market with 10 and 11-night Mediterranean cruises.   We will take a closer look at the Europe choices in other columns.   Search past columns for information about our visits to European destinations.

Despite the additional capacity in Europe, it is still wise to plan well in advance for your European escape.  The best cabins and popular destinations will sell out fast.   The most popular cruises will be those that feature overnight stays in various ports of call, such as Copenhagen and St. Petersburg, Russia.

Europe is a family destination and planning for the trip can be a family project.  You will want to plan your daily itinerary in  advance so that you will be able to take full advantage of your time in port.   A cruise specialist can assist you in the planning;  take advantage of their expertise.

Traveling to Europe is a great way to take the classroom learning experience to a much higher level.   Instead of reading about the great battlefields of the past, imagine walking on the same hollowed ground where battles raged.   Let the pages of the history books come to life for you and your family as you explore the historical locations using your comfortable cabin accommodations as your base of operations.