Another fun trip - but a sad close!

I just returned from a 4 day weekend cruise on the Celebrity Mercury, what a wonderful time we had. A nice group of 60 local seniors traveling in style with no air or long transfers to add to our vacation. Only problem is, this was the last of the shorter cruises by Celebrity. That is the only disappointment of the entire trip. The food was wonderful, some of my group members compared the experience tho their recent experience on another line (luxury line) - stating the food, service and staff either met the other lines level or actually exceeded levels recently experienced on the luxury line. WOW! That's the best compliment a premium line can get from a luxury line cruiser.

For me, well I was running around answering questions over and over, but that is part of the "group" culture. I didn't go ashore on this trip - I spent my time enjoying my cabin, the public areas of the ship and the wonderful staff. I remembered some of them from past sailings, many are new and all handled themselves in a wonderful, professional manner.

I was fortunate to have some of my personal friends travel with the group as well, so dinner was fun and more to my liking then eating alone -- the breakfast fresh egg station was my hot spot on this trip in regards to the buffet. I didn't eat dinner at the buffet, but heard the food was good for several other passengers. The Mercury doesn't offer specialty dining, so it seems they do so well with the main dining room that no one missed the option to dine in a specialty restaurant. The still have the best house made ice cream and sorbets on the high seas!

My cabin was in great condition, the Mercury is an older ship; but she is holding up well and the size is just about perfect -- mid size ship, 1800 passengers, but in most areas with the exception of the dining room; almost no one was around -- lots of private space, quiet time and relaxation.

I missed going to Michaels and the Pavilion this trip, I'm sure these venues are still wonderful and well maintained. My group all had early dining and enjoyed the nightly shows - as a matter of fact, seems the group fell in love with the shows on this journey and was a huge factor in the satisfaction rating of the cruise itself.

The seas where calm, no even a bump on the waves, had two opportunity to watch the dolphins swim with the ship, at one point there must of been close to 100 of them swimming on the port side of the ship.

It's a privilege to get to cruise and now that I'm becoming more comfortable cruising I can't imagine another type of vacation. I love the security of having my accommodations, restaurants, entertainment and happy hour all within the safety of being on a ship and spending the next day at a different port or city. No flights, trains, cars, taxis or potential issues that land travel trips might have.

See you on the next cruise! Cheers! Celebrity - we are going to miss our 3 and 4 night cruises out of Seattle -- but maybe you'll reconsider in the future!

Happy Travels are Here Again

I'm happy today thinking about my future trips coming up, a weekend cruise in the Pacific Northwest, later this year a possible European River Cruise and of course my annual winter cruise to the Caribbean. Not so much the Caribbean as it's the ship I so enjoy.

I might even take on a cruise to Mexico this winter, short flight from Seattle to San Diego, the cruise terminal is right down town and easy transfer. My suggestion is of course to stay at the best hotel in San Diego - the Grant. It's old world and in a great location, so it's a couple hundred a night, after all you get what you pay for. You can walk to Horton Plaza enjoy some of the great little restaurants in the gas lamp district (boy has that changed over the years) - I miss San Diego. I lived there for a few years around the Balboa Park area, had tons of fun in the Hillcrest Area - boy the good old days, of course I was 20 years younger too!

Well, now I want to take a cruise more then ever thinking about all the fun and good times in San Diego - maybe I'll see if some of my old bars are still open - I'm sure everyone is older now with the exception of me! I'm not aging just the world is spinning faster and I'm sagging a little. The grey hair and wrinkles are considered wisdom in some cultures, mine as well!

Think about the value of cruising before your next vacation - I can't think of a better way to take the family and even several generations on a trip that will satisfy everyone at all times - now dinner is even flexible!

Happy Sailing!

Book it today, you're missing the boat?

Dear Travelers;

I can't emphasis the opportunities that are out there right now, book a Christmas River Cruise and save over 65% with a Holiday river cruise in Europe - with current exchange rates, traveling on a river cruise this November and December has NEVER been a better bargain. You pay for your trip in U.S. and no currency issues, you meals, some offer all the wine you can drink at meal time, some are offering 2 for one air from major departure cities, everyone offers complimentary city tours. Imagine cruising the Rhine river 7 nights 8 days at a cost less then $1500 per person! Now you can't even do Vegas for that price all while packing and unpacking only once! Fabulous meals, entertainment and small groups of like minded people.

Are the river cruise passengers older, only if you think a young 54 as an average is old then yes - in my opinion with today's healthier life styles they may be biking you off the roads of the villages you will be visiting. Christmas Market Cruises are my favorite, from Thanksgiving till a few days before Christmas, bringing you home to enjoy Christmas with the family along with one of a kind hand made gifts from the Markets in Germany, Holland or other wonderful markets.

Are you dialing or e-mailing me yet? Why not? Now as for 2010, put that deposit on your dream cruise today, rates are not going to stay this low and you can always exercise your right to cancel should the economy turn worse or you have a sudden change in plans, most lines allow this up to 90 days prior to sailings, some 72 days prior with no penalties -- okay get that cabin on hold now, you'll be glad you did. Remember the best sells first, the lowest categories sell out second and all the rest are just waiting for someone to book! Ship board credits, free air, free land excursions and some lines have gratuities included, all one price - you write one check and your vacation is paid in full, no surprise add ons on the last day of your cruise. Call me and ask me how this is possible, learn about the value of luxury lines and luxury cruising, your money will go further.

Happy Labor Day!