The Practical Tourist

My French friend, Francine, sent me a text message from Cuba today. She’s gone there for a vacation. People from all over the world vacation in Cuba — everyone but Americans.

The picture above was “borrowed” from a blog at beanstew.wordpress.com/ since I haven’t been there to take pictures of my own. I’d really like to go to Cuba before it’s invaded again by the people who will build hotels and casinos and bring it into the 21st century. I’d like to see it the way it has been for the last 50 years — to see people driving cars like my dad’s ’55 Chevy. To visit life as it looked in my childhood. To see what life is really like there.

There are many people hoping that President Obama will soon end the embargo on Cuba and the prohibition on Americans traveling there. I’d like to go on the first plane.

Libbie

Oasis of the Seas arriving in Florida

In October I had the opportunity to enjoy two cruises.  They were very different experiences and I learned from them.  Perhaps the most important thing I learned is this: some people cruise for the destinations the ship will visit, using the cruise as transportation and as an affordable hotel with great meals.  Other people cruise for the experience of the ship itself.

Having always been interested in what’s around the next corner, I fall firmly into the former category.  I loved the Azamara cruise most of all for taking me to places I hadn’t visited before: Croatia, Montenegro, Greece and the Amalfi Coast of Italy.  The ship, the Azamara Quest, is small, carrying fewer than 700 passengers. I enjoyed being on the ship, but I was glad there was only one sea day in the 10-day cruise.

Carnival Triumph's lobby elevators

A week later I accompanied a group on a Bahamas cruise on a Carnival “Fun Ship,” the Triumph.  The ship was enormous, with a rated capacity of about 2700 passengers.  The lobby of the ship sets the tone as soon as a passenger walks on for the first time: a multi-level lobby with glass elevators shimmers and shines with every shiny surface outlined by glowing purple and small, sparkling lights.  The top deck features several swimming pools (one with waterslide) and a large screen for the movies shown “under the stars” every evening.  The experience in this floating entertainment palace is all about eating, drinking, dancing, gambling, and relaxing in the sun.  It’s a fun ship indeed!

Yesterday the Oasis of the Seas arrived at its new home port.  Royal Caribbean’s newest ship is the largest passenger ship ever built. It’s interesting to me that both the Azamara Quest and the Oasis of the Seas are recent additions to the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. fleet. 

The Oasis is almost 1200 feet long and 16 decks high.  It carries 5400 passengers who will enjoy  several “neighborhoods” as well as a “central park.”  You can discover much more about it and see films of its exciting voyage from its birthplace in Finland to its new home port at Port Everglades in Florida by clicking this link.  The picture at the top of this post shows the giant ship arriving yesterday.  A twin sister of this ship, to be named Allure of the Seas, is scheduled for delivery next year. 

Beginning December 1, week-long cruises on the Oasis will travel to Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Martin in the Netherland Antilles.  The lowest winter fares are on the March 6 sailing and begin at $1249 per person for an interior stateroom and $1679 for an ocean-view stateroom with a veranda (plus taxes).  If you would like to know more about sailing on this incredible new floating palace, please contact me.

The Touring Club can arrange this or any other cruise for you.  Recently TTC has become a full-service travel agency and now can book resorts, tours, air, hotel and cars as well as cruises.  I hope you’ll think of The Touring Club and contact me when you want to plan your next vacation.

Libbie

A picture having nothing to do with today's entry, but one I like.

Microsoft is trying to out-google Google, and they may have succeeded! 

This morning I got a notice from Farecast, a website owned by Microsoft which I use and have recommended here for finding low airfares. The email announced that Farecast is no more, having been replaced by Bing.  Here’s the message:

“Live Search Farecast has joined forces with MSN Travel to become Bing Travel, one of the largest travel destinations on the Web. Preview us today.

This evening I used Bing as a search engine.  It is very quick and quite elegant.  It’s too soon to form an opinion, but I must say my first impression is very positive.  Try it yourself at bing.com.

Will it break me from my googling habit?  Too soon to tell, but it offers some features Google doesn’t (yet).

Libbie

Isn't this picture fun? See more of Mary Delaney's pictures below her article posted below on May 26

Mary Delaney’s essay posted here about her exciting cruise around South America makes me want to sign up now! (If you missed Mary’s article entitled “From the Equator to the South Pole”, page down to the entry of May 26.)

Mary’s 68 day cruise from Florida to Antarctica circled South America.  As a passenger on this fascinating journey, Mary experienced a wide variety of lifestyles, ranging from native people living much as they have for centuries to young scientists living and working in labs on the polar ice cap.  Mary is to be congratulated for her interest in life and learning, as well as for having the spirit to travel a journey of this size on her own.  Now she’s ready to embark on another great adventure, and considering a third. 

For people who want to see the world but to do it in safety and comfort, there is no better way than the extended cruises offered by companies such as Holland America and Cunard.  Each winter cruise companies offer round-the-world cruises lasting for several months.  Holland-America’s Grand World Voyage will depart Ft. Lauderdale on Jan. 6, 2010 and said easterly for 110 days, until it returns to the United States at Los Angeles.  The company offers four other Grand Voyages: the South America cruise Mary enjoyed this year; the Grand Mediterranean & Black Sea Voyage departing Ft. Lauderdale on March 24; two South Pacific cruises to Australian departing in September.  Of these, one will make port at several South Pacific islands and spend three weeks exploring Australia and New Zealand (with a stop in Tasmania).  The other will take a more northerly route, visiting Japan, China, Singapore, Thailand (among other nations) as well a Australia. 

If this is something you’ve always had on your life-time list, consider making 2010 the year you do it.  Holland America has two excellent discounts on offer right now: a substantial discount off the published fares and no tips!  The company will pay all the gratuities — not an insignificant sum on a cruise lasting two months or more.

If you would like a brochure detailing these cruises, call me at 252-633-9771 and I’ll get it right over to you.  Click here to go to HAL’s website about their Voyages of Discovery.

Libbie
P.S.  Mary’s still looking for a roommate/traveling companion.

Important Reminder: From now on you cannot leave the 50 states without a passport!  Not to the islands, not even to Canada.  If you don’t have a passport, inquire about getting one at post office.  (In New Bern, the main post office on South Glenburnie Road will take your photograph and help you order your passport.)

Enjoy the Beaches of Bermuda?  Today and tomorrow only, a resort called 9 Beaches is offering 50 percent off its standard cabana rates, for a two night minimum stay. Learn more here.