Let's Cruise!

Win an Alaska Cruise for Two

  Holland America Cruise line is sponsoring this contest and there is no purchase required to enter or win.  The contest began August 1,2008 and ends April 30,2009.  The Grand Prize is one stateroom for 2 on a 7 day Holland America Line cruise to Alaska in 2010.  Click on the site below and fill in a short survey to enter.  The Grand Prize will be selected in a random drawing on or about May 1,2009.   www.halalaska.com     

Happy New Year

  The wonder of a new year beckons, and all our quiet hopes are born anew.

I wish all of you a world filled with love, peace, prosperity, health and happiness.

My thoughts and best wishes will be with you all through the New Year and always.

It's a New Year!  Capture the Magic!

Thoughts.......by Mark Twain

  Thoughts.....  Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do, than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.      Explore.  Dream.  Discover.             Mark Twain

Ten Helpful Cruise Tips

  1.  Join the frequent cruiser program.  This is usually free and your benefits increase with each cruise you take with that cruise line.

2.  After booking your cruise, make sure you pre-register on line early.  This will save you lots of time when you actually check on board.

3.  Book excursions early, they fill up quickly.

4.  Bring binoculars and a camera, those two are a must.

5.  Punch a hole in your key card and hang it around your neck.  This will leave your hands free and no need for pocketbooks or purses.

6.  When going ashore at each port, make sure you return to the ship at least one hour before it's scheduled to leave.  If you get left behind, your only option is to hire a small plane (at your expense) to get you to your next port.

7.  Don't eat or drink any of the local foods or beverages at any of the ports.  Most ships offer their passengers bottles of water as you get off the ship for a small fee.

8.  Have fun and party on your cruise, but also practice moderation when it comes to drinking all those "cute little umbrella drinks."

9.  Walkie-Talkies...... the latest craze is to have a couple of walkie-talkies on board to keep in touch with the people your with.  Most ships nowadays are quite large and almost impossible to find someone when you need to.

10.  On the last night of your cruise, you have to pack your bags and place them outside your cabin door to be picked up.  Don't forget to leave something unpacked to wear home!  It's quite embarrassing to have to dis-embark your ship in Mickey Mouse pajamas!

Passenger Missing From Cruise Ship

 On Friday December 26, 36 year old Jennifer Seitz was reported missing from the Norwegian Pearl cruise ship.  The Norwegian Pearl left on Sunday from Miami for a 7-day Western Caribbean Cruise.  The incident happened near Cancun, Mexico and the U.S. Coast Guard and Mexican naval ships and helicopters are searching for her.  The water temperature in that area is 70 degrees, so a healthy person could stay alive a long time in those waters.  She was reported missing by her husband and both are believed to be from the United States.

MSC - Kids Sail Free

  Mediteranean Shipping Company's, MSC Cruises, is relatively new in the cruising niche, but it is one of the world's biggest players in international shipping.  Subsidiary MSC Cruises, which is based in Naples began in 1990 to offer Europeans an affordable cruise vacation.  MSC Cruises is privately ownded and every ship is of Italian design.  The ships Godmother, is none other than the very famous screen legend, Sophia Loren.  The MSC fleet will consist of 12 ships by 2010.

Kids 17 and under sail free on every cruise!  Every ship has a spacious and safe playroom, manned by expert staff to watch over the children.  They offer children programs for all children between 3 and 17 years of age.  You'll also find many family activities such as:  tennis, basketball and miniature golf.  For more information on MSC Cruises check with your travel agent or visit:   www.msccruises.com    

Seniors - Retire and Live on a Cruise Ship

  There once was an old lady who lived in a shoe.    NO - she actually lived on a cruise ship!  She said living on a ship was cheaper than living at a retirement home.  The average cost for a nursing home is $200. per day.  The average cost on a cruise ship is $135. a day.  Think about this:  you get free shampoo, soap and toothpaste.  You also receive clean sheets and towels every day.  There's always a doctor on board and most likely a dentist also.  There are numerous amenities and don't forget, when you die, they just dump you overboard!   NO charge!

Cruise Ship Humor

  A magician on a cruise ship had a wonderful act making things disappear.  The problem was that the Captain's parrot began watching the act and soon learned how each trick was performed and the parrot would give the trick away.  The magician would make some smoke and fire and make something disappear, but then the parrot would yell, "It's in his other hand!" of "It's under the table!"  So, the magician began changing things that he made disappear, in an attempt to confuse the parrot but, the bird kept figuring out the tricks and giving it away.  Soon, the magician began to hate this parrot but, it belonged to the Captain and there was nothing he could do about it.  Then one day, just as the magician started his act, the ship struck a submerged object.  There was fire and smoke and then the ship sank!  The magician struggled up through the water to the surface, gasping for air and grabbed the end of a wooden plank that was floating in the debris.  He looked up and to his dismay, he saw the parrot, feathers all wet and bedraggled, standing on the other end of the plank.  For hours they drifted, staring at each other.  Then finally, the parrot spoke, "All right, I give up!  Where's the ship?"

Disney Cruise Line Has Cell Phone Service At Sea

 The good news is:  Passengers on Disney Cruise Lines are now offered cell phone service at sea.  Subscribers of Cingular Wireless, Verizon Wireless, A.T. & T. Mobile, Sprint, T-Mobile and Alltell are all supported on this network.

The bad news is:  Guests who use this service are billed by their cell phone provider and rates vary.  The ships network is enabled while the ship is at sea, however the network is disabled while in port.  Also, this is only available in guest staterooms.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

  May you have the gladness of Christmas, which is HOPE.

The sprite of Christmas, which is PEACE.

The heart of Christmas, which is LOVE.

And may all of you be warmed by the celebration of the season!