Everyone always asks us where are the best places to go on a winter vacation.  So we polled our vacation travel consultants and asked them their favorite places to experience.

Cruising is a great way to vacation and Pat Wilcock, one of our Cruise Experts, shares with us her thoughts on this special way to travel. 

 

It is easy to have fun and relax once on board since you do not need to pack a suitcase, find a hotel or look for evening entertainment.  Cruising is a very cost effective and relaxing way to travel, especially when dealing with itineraries visiting many different countries, and where customs and immigration clearance is necessary.  

 

Generally you sail at night, allowing you a full day to sightsee.  There are no long airport security lines since you just cruise between these amazing cities or the ship handles the security for the guests making it hassle free, whereas the same type of multi country trip via air would require each passenger to handle the process themselves, making it time consuming and stressful.
 
With the falling value of the US dollar, cruising is also a value in many international markets since, with cruises so much is included - meals, accommodations, entertainment and with some cruise lines drinks, shore excursions, gratuities and more.  It is a safe and secure environment on board where both the novice and the experienced traveler can enjoy as much or as little as they like.  Options abound with dining and entertainment and access to spas and health clubs allow the health conscious traveler to continue their fitness regimen while traveling.    Special dietary requirements can also be handled on board cruise ships whereas it is questionable when on a tour.
 
Needless to say there is a cruising experience to meet virtually every lifestyle and taste.  Cruise ships range from very large vessels that accommodate several thousand passengers to small vessels that accommodate about 100 passengers and everything in between.
 
We found some great values for around $100.00 per person per day! Sound incredible! It is, but not too good to be true with Princess Cruises.  A 14-day round-trip Los Angeles to Hawaii trip in an ocean view cabin in January 2009 is just $101.72 per person per day.  A 7-day Southern Caribbean cruise in an ocean view cabin in February 2009 is just $94.57 per person per day. 

We have arranged a private sale with Princess Cruises from November 10 - 15, 2008.  For cruises to Europe you receive a $100 per stateroom shipboard credit.  For all other cruises, we're offering a coupon book and a reduced deposit requirement.  Some restrictions may apply.

 

Where would you like to go?  Princess Cruises sails to all seven continents, offering 115 itineraries encompassing 350 ports around the world. The company's destinations include Alaska, Africa, Asia, Antarctica, Australia/New Zealand, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii/Tahiti, Mexico, Panama Canal, South Pacific, South America, and world cruises. In 2009-10 the line will introduce 23 new ports of call.

Contact us today and we'll get you onboard!  Some restrictions may apply.

 

Babette Ladd O'Dwyer is our Special Consultant to Africa and Asia as well as a seasoned traveler. Here she shares her thoughts on more exotic and specialty cruises.

 

So many vacation possibilities are available by sea as you travel throughout the world. Expedition cruises to the Galapagos, Central America, or Antarctica are available. Small luxury cruises to the Caribbean or Alaska, river cruising in China and the Amazon are just some of the many possibilities. 
 
Peter Deilmann's award winning river cruises explore the historic and scenic byways of Europe - whether it's the storied Rhine River Valley or the romantic South of France, with its Idyllic Vineyards and that famed special light of Provence that lured painters for decades, Roman Temples and palaces - special savings of several hundred dollars are offered if booked this fall. 
 
Viking River cruises, with worldwide itineraries, including Europe, China and Russia, also offer incomparable voyages with fantastic savings on cruises and airfares. 

 

You choose your savings!  Up to $2,500 per couple off your cruise fare or fly from $199 per person.  Plus you'll receive our Virtuoso exclusive amenity of $100 shipboard credit per stateroom if booked and paid in full by November 21, 2008.  Some restrictions may apply.
 
My own favorites, after many years of adventure and cultural travel, would be a voyage on any of the smaller expedition ships that operate worldwide; perhaps the new National Geographic EXPLORER, the yacht CALLISTO, or exploring French Polynesia and the magical Marquesas, either by ship or by air (I have done both) and explore the far reaches of the vast Pacific Ocean.
 
We can recommend cruises for families, couples and single travelers with a variety of budgets and interests. Let us plan your next cruise vacation experience! If you prefer an escorted land tour, our top tour operators are responding quickly to the softening of the economy resulting in great savings if you act now. 

 

 

Please join us for a fun evening to learn about Sandals 12 magnificent Luxury Included Vacations in the Caribbean.

 

RSVP by Tues. Jan. 6, 2009 - 874-7400 or rsvp@travelexperts.com

 

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