Make Good Use of Travel Time

Do you love to read as much as I do? I absolutely adore books and the worlds they allow me to visit. I can read 2-3 books at a time (provided they aren't too similar in plot) and often do. But as life got busier and busier, I found that I was spending less and less time with one my favorite old companions - books.

But I found a solution, and since this blog is what it is, I will tell you that this solution is FREE.  Hooray for free, right?

I read on my daily commute.

Before you call the state patrol on me, let me clarify.  I "read" audiobooks every day on my drive to and from work. And thanks to our local library, I have thousands of titles available to borrow and pour through on my otherwise mind-numbing 35-minute commute (each way).

Photo source: ESwift

I have found a lot of great books this way. In fact, there is one particular series that I really enjoyed but didn't like the first 1/3 of the (LONG) first book in the series. Had I been reading it in a book, I don't know that I would have finished the book, as I really wasn't enjoying it. But since it was all I had to listen to in the car (other than a radio station sated with commercials and music I was tired of), I stuck with it and ended up LOVING the series. 

It doesn't matter what genre you enjoy: biographies, science, self-help, history, crime thrillers, trashy romances, or even a series about sparkly vampires - you can get a hold of any of these courtesy of most local libraries and get your reading done while you are in the car.

Here are a few ways to use audiobooks:

• Enduring a daily commute (like I do)
• Enduring a long road trip (we listen to family-friendly fiction like Chronicles of Narnia while we travel 6-1/2 hours to my mom's house to visit)
• Studying - some textbooks can be found on audio and you can soak in some extra study time while traveling
• Using a self-help/motivational book to pep yourself up for a day

And I'm sure there are others.

So don't just walk past those chunky cd boxes in your library (you can also get some on MP3 in some libraries). Stop and glance through them. You might catch up on your favorite author or find a new one you really like.  I know I have done plenty of both!

I would be remiss if I didn't include this warning though:  you might find when you arrive at your destination that you don't want to get out of the car because you're engrossed in what is going on in the book. It's like that book you can't put down at night and end up reading all night. I have been known to sit in my garage listening or drive around the block a few times to finish a particular intense scene. =)

Have you ever used audiobooks?  Does your library have a good selection?  What are your favorites to read/listen to?

How NOT to Cut People Off

This is a trick that I learned when I was 15 years old and sitting in a Driver's Education class. However, since this trick has never failed me, I will share it with you. Too often on my daily commute down I-95 I see a LOT of people driving like morons. I cannot claim to be a perfect driver, but I can tell that that in all three accidents I have been in, ZERO have been my fault (based on my own assessment as well as the police reports!). Why is this? It's because between my Driver's Ed teacher and my dad, I had some seriously good training.

The tip I am sharing today is via the teacher though, and it has never failed in allowing me to pass someone safely and pull in front of them without cutting them off.

Why am I offering this tip? I'm not saying that YOU readers are these morons that like to zip in and out of speeding traffic like you're invincible, but in case you know anyone who does, you can share this tip with them and keep me from having to hit my brakes on the interstate because someone cut me off and I'm not comfortable traveling 80 mph just a mere 5 feet from their bumper.

If you are sitting in your driver's seat and leaning back in the seat, your rearview mirror should allow you to see straight out of the back of your car (not pointing at the carseat in the back although I admittedly do this at times and use the second reflection for my traffic cues). When you actually pass someone, of course you should always check both your side mirrors as well as your rearview...AND look over the appropriate shoulder to check the blindspot in case someone has snuck in.

Anyway...here's the real tip...once you pass the car in question, wait until you can see BOTH of their headlights in your rearview mirror while still leaning against the back of the driver's seat. If you lean forward to try to get this into view, you're cheating and likely to still cut them off. If you wait until you can sit comfortably and still see both lights in your mirror, you can pull back in front of them without worrying about being too close for their comfort.

slowpoke

Now...let's see if my drive home today is any less stressful. =)

Now you know what Works for Me and keeps me out of accidents (that I can prevent at least). Go check out We Are THAT Family and see what works for everyone else!

Savannah Family Fun - Part 2 - Some Spending

See the intro for this series here.

Since we started with the big ticket items, we will continue now will the moderately priced fare. Although none of these are big expenses, they certainly can add up to be if you aren’t careful.

Activities:
Ghost Tours:
As America’s Most Haunted City (according to the American Institute of Parapsychology), there is no shortage of ghost tours to be had at night. There are walking tours, trolley tours, a tour that you take while riding in a hearse (I’m not kidding) and pub crawls that are only for those over 21. These are the cheaper of the tours (although mostly likely, not drastically less in quality):

*Ghost Talk Ghost Walk: Priding themselves as the original ghost tour, this one is highly recommended by travel sites. Adults-$10; Children (12 & under)-$5
*Candlelight Walking Tour: Adults-$10; Seniors (55+) -$8; Children (6-12)-$5; Under 6-Free; prices with coupon at website
*Pub Crawl: Adults-$10; Seniors (55+)-$8; under 21-$500.00 and a visit from Children’s Services (I swear that is what their website says); prices with coupon at website
*Hauntings Tour: Adults-$13.00; Seniors & Student-$11.00; children under 5-Free

Other Tours:
*Oglethorpe Tours: A trolley tour for half the price of the others. I finally tried this one out and this will be the one I recommend from now on. More history and less fluff/romanticism, no stops, so entire 90 minutes is actual tour and not stopping. On/off all day included in price of ticket--and they personally come get you with a trolley with enough room for pickups, so no waiting on a trolley with available space (super important when it is raining). Tickets-$10.00
* Juliette Gordon Low's Birthplace: Tour the birthplace and childhood home of the founder of the Girl Scouts. Adult-$8; Child-$7; Child (5 & under)-Free; I would think there would also be a discount for Girl Scouts, but I can’t find that info anywhere.
* Andrew Low House: House of the founder of the Girl Scouts after she married William Mackay "Willy" Low and an architectural treasure, as I have been told. Adult-$8; Child (6-12)-$4.50; Child (5 & under)-Free; Girl Scouts-$4.50; students-$4.50
*Mighty 8th Air Force Museum: We still really want to check this out, as I see it daily on my way to and from work! Adult-$10.00; Seniors-$9.00; Child (6-12)-$6.00; Child (5 & under)-Free
*Davenport House Museum: Adult-$8.00; Child (6-18)-$5.00; Child (5 & under)-Free
*Ships of the Sea Museum: Adult-$7.00; Child (8-12)-$5.00; Child (7 & under)-Free
* Telfair Museum/Jepson Center/ Owens-Thomas house: For each attraction: Adult-$10.00; Child (5-12)-$4.00; Child (4 & under)-Free; College Students-$5.00; Seniors-$8.00; AAA-$8.00; Combo Ticket--$10 individual or $30 family


Eats:
Yes, everyone wants to know where to eat. Frankly, it is hard to pick just one, as there are so many wonderful places to choose from—many of which I have yet to sample. I will give you the lowdown on places that are known for being wonderful as well of personal recommendations I have been given. I will comment on the fare that I have personally have been.

*The Lady & Sons: Gasp! Here it is…the holy grail of those coming to Savannah and have ever seen the Food Network. Paula Deen’s very own. I have not eaten there (did I hear an even bigger gasp at that comment?). Please visit the site and get the rules for how to get in, as you don’t just walk up and go in to eat—unless it is February and 30 degrees outside (yeah…it doesn’t get much colder than that here). I have been to the adjoining store and bought a cookbook from my mom. I did see Jamie (one of the sons) in there. Yes…they are there from time to time, but they are NOT in the kitchen cooking.
*Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room: From what I’ve heard, every bit as good as The Lady & Sons and not nearly as hard to get into, although there is a line. Round table eating with strangers at its finest. The menu is different daily. They DO NOT take credit cards.
*Garibaldi’s: I have never been there, but a good friend loves it.
*Toucan Café: Highly recommend by a friend who eats out a lot. Caribbean food and atmosphere.
*Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House: Brother of Paula Deen. My aunt loved it in case you have the same tastes as my aunt.
*Huey’s: A taste of New Orleans on the east coast.
*Il Pasticcio: It receives rave reviews and was called one of the country’s top ten Italian restaurants by USA Today.
*Johnny Harris: I’ve seen it, I’ve heard it is good, but we’ve just never gotten around to eating there!
*Tubby’s Tank House: On River Street and super yummy seafood. They have a balcony overlooking the street and live music most all of the time. We ate there for lunch while it was shady and not swelteringly hot to the tunes of a middle age acoustic guy. It was very relaxing, the prices are decent, the portions are huge and the food is wonderful and fresh. Their menu states that What you eat today was caught yesterday. (not a direct quote).
*Boar’s Head: A big hang out that supposedly has a lot of good food.
*Churchill’s: Doesn’t every pub have good food?
*Cobblestone Conch House: Really…there are just too many good eats on River Street!
*Kevin Barry’s Pub: Not so much a family environment, but supposed to be really good.
*Wild Wing Café: One of my hubby’s favorites. When we used to visit Charleston (where he’s from), he always insisted we eat at Wild Wings because we had the chance. Now we have one locally and he loves it! You can choose from any temperature of wings as well as other standard fare. Chip’s favorites are Habenero Hots and Chernobyl (if that’s any indication as to the heat). Live music is always fun and right in the middle of City Market.
*Firefly Café: I’ve heard good things…
*Moon River Brewing Company: I’ve heard good things about the food, but a friend of mine was not impressed. If nothing else, visit because it is haunted and was featured on Sci-Fi’s Ghost Hunters for a Halloween Special (they caught some interesting video footage there). They are, in fact, a brewery, so the suds are fresh. *Bonus: UPromise earnings of 4%
*Soho South Café: It’s supposed to be good. I cannot comment personally.
*Vic’s on the River: We went there after being told it was good for the family. We second-guessed that when we went in with friends (total of three kids) and saw a live piano bar, beautiful hardwood floors, linen tablecloths, and tuxed waiters. However, we were pleasantly surprised when they were incredibly great with the kids, had a very reasonably priced menu, and great food. Now Chip did go back later to order what he had the first time and was not impressed the second, but I was impressed enough on the first trip, I would definitely recommend with the thought that his second visit was only a fluke.
*Lulu’s Chocolate Bar: I have not been, but it’s my own fault. I have heard that this place is heavenly as an after-dinner stop. I have GOT to go sometime.


Other Activities to Do:
*Savannah Sandgnats Baseball: A single-A division of the NY Mets, this is some cheap family fun. All of the fun of minor league baseball in a historic stadium that is slowly being renovated. Strange mascot, you say? I thought so too until I encountered sand gnats while at the beach. They aren’t those swarming little black ones that hop around in the sand at the beaches I used to know. They are swarming and BITING creatures that I believe now to be the spawn of satan. Great mascot. Tickets are $10 for box seats, $8 for reserved, $7 general admission, $5 for ages 4-12, 3 and under are free, $5 seniors and $5 military discount.
*Golf—There is a lot here. Check various courses and fees.
*Skidaway Camping—Campground surrounded by trails and nature. Prices vary depending on type of accommodations reserved.
*Candy—On River Street there are two candy companies. They are both delicious. They will both lure you in with the offer of samples of pralines and treats. Although it would be easy to get carried away in there (both financially and calorically), the prices per item are great and the treats are delicious and super fresh. Fudge is to die for!


I hope you enjoyed and can take a few of these and put them into your schedule of things to do while you are next visiting Savannah.

Come back tomorrow to fill you itinerary up with inexpensive fun for you and the whole family. I’ll sum it all up on Tuesday (the 24th).

Photo credit: Bob Jagendorf, Lynn (Gracie's mom)

Savannah Family Fun - Part 1 - Fat Wallet

See the intro for this series here.

Savannah offers so many wonderful things, it is hard to leave and feel that you have done everything that you wanted to while here. I know that practically everyone I talk to who visits notes that they just did not have the time to do it all.

I have to agree that after living here an entire year now, I hardly feel like we have scratched the surface of those things that we want to do. With all of the variety, it makes the decision of what to do a difficult one. My intent in writing this series is to offer a range of family friendly activities for a range of budgets. Feel free to mix and match as you feel the need, as the lists are compiled based on (my opinion of) the cost of each activity. Hopefully this series of posts will help you out for your next trip here to the Hostess City of the South.

We begin with the big ticket items. These are suggestions for those of you who are rolling in money and just looking for somewhere to spend it or for those special occasions—you know, that one nice dinner out without the kids or that one big-spender item that you do on vacation.

Activities:
Ghost Tours:
As America’s Most Haunted City (according to the American Institute of Parapsychology), there is no shortage of ghost tours to be had at night. There are walking tours, trolley tours, a tour that you take while riding in a hearse (I’m not kidding) and pub crawls that are only for those over 21. These are the more costly of those tours:

*Ghosts and Gravestones Tour: Adult-$22.50; Child (4-12)-$9.00; Child (3 and under) Free (prices good from this link only)
*Tara Haunted Walking Tour: Adult-$20.00; Child (3-10)-$10.00; Child (2 and under) Free; Active Military (with ID)-Free
*Tara Haunted Pub Crawl: Adult-$20.00; Under 21 not allowed; Active Military (with ID)-Free

Other Tours:
*Old Town Trolley Historical Tour: Prices range from $9.00 (child) to $25.00 depending on your tour. See site for pricing. I’ve been on this one twice and enjoyed it both times. You learn something new every trip! On par with Old Savannah Tours in my opinion.
*Old Town’s Paula Deen Tour: begins June 21, 2008 includes buffet at Uncle Bubba’s (her brother’s) Oyster House; and a voucher for preferred seating, when available, at The Lady and Sons; $49.00
*Old Savannah Historical Tour: Adult-$20.00; Child-$9.00 (12 and under); Voted Savannah’s Best tour for multiple years running; I’ve been on this tour twice and loved it both times. On equal footing with Old Town in my opinion.
*Pirate's House Dinner Ghost Tour: Includes a ghost tour and dinner at the Pirate’s House. Adult-$44.00; Child (12 and under)-$29.00 Tickets must be purchased 24 hours in advance due to limited availability.
*Savannah Experience Tour: A much more in-depth look at the historical district; Adult-$25.00; Child (12 and under)-$14.00
*Original Paula Deen Tour: Must visit this site or call to grab tickets fast. Includes lunch at Uncle Bubba’s (her brother) Oyster House and a bag of goodies. Adult $56.00; Child (12 and under)-$34.00
*Legends and Lunch Cruise: Cruise the Savannah River for 2 hours while learning history and biology. Lunch aboard ship is catered by The Lady and Sons. Adults-$36.00; Child (12 and under)-$28.00
*Savannah River Boat Tours: A variety of selections to choose from. Prices vary dependent on cruise. Dinner cruises, sightseeing cruises, and entertainment cruises available.
*Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Book Tour: Adult: $39.95 (through link); Child (birth-11)-$29.95 (must provide your own car seat, as this is in a van). Includes pick up and drop off from any Savannah hotel. 3 hour tour (sorry, but I have to note that I now have the Gilligan’s Island theme in my head. Ha ha—so do you now).
*Foody Tour: Visit 7 location of fine cuisine in the city (yes…it includes The Lady and Sons) to sample the goods. Features Southern Goodness, Lowcountry Cuisine, and plenty of seafood. Goody bag included. Adult-$51.95 (through link); Child (6-12)-$39.95; Child under 6 (in lap)-Free
*African American History Tour: Adults-$20.95; Child (9 and under)-Free with paid adult. Did you know that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his “I have a dream…” speech from the pulpit in a Savannah church before going to Washington?
*Personalized Walking Tours: Range from 2 hours to all day. Prices vary from $35.95 each up to around $90.00
*Architectural Tours: $20.00 per person; reservations required.
*Savannah Movie Tour: Do you have any idea how many movies have been made in Savannah? Me neither…but it is a LOT. It’s stunning beauty and distinct architecture as well as it’s historical feel make it a favorite for movie producers. Find out all of the details on this tour. Adult-$24.95 (internet rate); Child (6-12)-$14.95; Child under 6 is free in a lap.


Eats:
Yes, everyone wants to know where to eat. Frankly, it is hard to pick just one, as there are so many wonderful places to choose from—many of which I have yet to sample. I will give you the lowdown on places that are known for being wonderful as well as personal recommendations I have been given. I will comment on the fare that I have personally tasted.

*700 Drayton: Part of the Mansion on Forsythe inn.
*Elizabeth on 37th: A friend of mine highly recommends as he gets to eat there free for drug rep dinners!
*The Pirates’ House: I still have yet to eat at this fascinatingly historical locale. In the fall they have a murder mystery dinner theater, so I’m waiting for that to roll back around!
*17Hundred90: This was my Mother’s Day dinner this year and the food was great. The atmosphere is awesome in the lowest-most level of a haunted inn (everything in Savannah is haunted—you know that, right?). You can’t help but feel a bit creepy in this eerily romantic atmosphere. The desserts were so-so, but everything else was wonderful. Also a bar for the nightlife.
*The Chart House: Father’s Day dinner was here. Wonderful view of the river. Steak was fabulous. The offer a huge range of seafood. Hubby didn’t love his sea bass, but it was something new and he noted that it had nothing to do with the preparation. Fabulous dessert that takes 30 minutes preparation—well worth the effort! Located in old cotton warehouse, it has an ambiance that is cozy, formal, and romantic amidst the stone walls and exposed beam ceilings.
*The Olde Pink House: I’ve heard rave reviews on this one that features low-country cuisine (that food that is popular here in coastal Georgia and Carolinas). Also haunted. Also with a bar for nightlife.
*Sapphire Grill: Another one with rave reviews and a hopping atmosphere.
*Belford’s: I heard this place was great too; haven’t tasted for myself.
*Jazz’d: We’ve talked about going to this awesome restaurant and jazz club, but have no found the occasion to spend the money yet (check the name of my site). And I’m weary of taking hubby there. As a jazz trumpeter, he would either love it or sulk all night because he’s just as good as the musicians featured. Is it worth the gamble?
*Avida: I have heard nothing about this one, but it is featured is various restaurant guides.
*Alligator Soul: Once again, I know nothing about this, but it is popular with the critics.
*Casbah: I haven’t been due to lack of interest in the fare, but talk about atmosphere!


Other Activities to Do:
*Parasailing, Jet Skis, Kayaking, Air Chairs and Dolphin Tours: All on Tybee Island. See site for pricing of various activities.
*Savannah Theatre: There’s always something going on!


So there is the skinny for the fat wallet (okay, that was bad—I admit it). Although these items are pricey, some of them are so very worth the cost for a special occasion. And I’ll admit quickly that there is no better way to tour the city and learn a huge collection of historical information than one of the historical trolley tours.

Saturday will be my usual Round Up, but come back Sunday for the mid-range priced activities and food. Monday will be for us Fru-GALS. I’ll sum it all up on Tuesday (the 24th).


Photo credit: CasaDeQueso and us

Batteries (and Others) Not Included - Cruisin' Part 6

So what is NOT included in the cost of most cruises? I wanted to make sure to highlight these for you during this series. This is a huge part of budgeting for your trip, so pay attention:

*Airfare: Unless your buying a package deal through a travel agent or travel site, you will have to plan on getting to the boat on your own. It is becoming more and more common to get deals as a package, but keep your eyes open for this so there are no surprises!

*Special/Upscale Dining: Yes, you can eat free already paid for food night and day for the entire duration of the cruise. However, there are typically some other dining options on the boat that are not included as part of your regular dining package. Some of them are fine dining and some are themed dining (like Mexican or Italian). Either way, be ready to get a check (comparable to landlocked prices) in these establishments. If there are prices on the menu, make sure you have your wallet!

*Excursions: You can certainly enjoy a cruise without paying a dime for any additional excursions (for instance, we paid to SCUBA and go horseback riding at our stops), if you want to take advantage of these for your family, be sure to shop for what is worth the cost in your book. They can offer some incredible additions to your trip, but don't feel obligated--you can always just window shop and admire the beauty of your stops on your own without paying for others to entertain you!

*Casinos: Duh! Yes, most ships have casinos and shock--you have to gamble with your own money! =) No big surprise here. If you're going to visit, make sure you budget to it and don't get so emotional about winning/losing that you break your plans!

*Drinks: Typically all of the water you want on board is free (at dinner...sometimes you have to pay for bottled), but almost all cruise lines require you to purchase all alcoholic and carbonated drinks while on board. We had a great option on our cruise that I'm sure is offered by others as well: At the beginning of our cruise, we paid $17.50 each to have a Coca-Cola sticker put on our cruise card, which acts as your debit/credit card on board. It was a lot up-front, but when you consider that Cokes were $2.50 each (these are 2001 prices, mind you), the card paid for itself after just 7 bottles, it was well worth it, as we don't consume alcohol.

*Gratuities: You will have to supply your own tips for any personnel. Cruise lines have different rules/standards for tips, but typically you have to tip the room steward, luggage transport (if you see them!), and some waiters. Keep in mind that on our ship, the standard tip was $10 per person per day for the room steward. Ours did allow its employees to accept gifts, so he also received a bottle of champagne that we won in a trivia competition (we don't drink and we didn't want to have to get it through US Customs when we got home!).

*Spa Access/Salons: There are typically spas and salons on board and this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of a relaxing atmosphere and available time to visit one. However, expect to pay, as this is not part of your initial cost.

*Shopping: Obviously you have to pay for any souvenirs at your stops, but there is also major shopping on board. You will fork out a pretty penny at these fabulous boutiques, so make sure you either plan it or hold onto your wallet tightly. Also, if there are special events you might have other rental charges--for instance, our trip spanned Halloween and you could rent costumes on board.

*Photographs: Let me warn you--these people know what they are doing! You will be constantly bombarded with photo ops and you will feel obligated to take them. Please do if you want...it costs nothing to have them taken. However, don't be shocked when you end up forking over a lot of money when you pass photo station in the hallway that is displaying some awesome photos of you and your fellow travelers. We didn't buy ALL of them, but we spent some money here. Especially be wary of formal nights, as photographers are everywhere and you will most likely want a professional shot of your looking snazzy! =)

The next (and last) post will address any FAQs about cruises and some tips from a one-time-cruiser. I welcome any tips you would like to offer for this next installment!

Photo credit: davipt, mysticgringo, Tracy O

Won't You Let Me Take You on a Sea Cruise? - What's Included

Part 5 of the Cruisin' Series:

So what does the cost of your cruise include?

Of course it varies from cruiseline to cruiseline, but there are some standard inclusions that should be noted:

*Cabin (room & board)--you can choose from a number of different options here when booking that range from small two-person cabins inside the ship to large suites with balconies. Your location on the ship also affects the price, as some decks are more "desirable" than others due to the height off the water and accessibility to amenities.
*Meals (almost all)--Typically your breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as snacks are included. Water is also usually included. There are a number of choices for all of these including snack bars, restaurants, diners, and those legendary 24-hour buffets (yes, you really can gain 10 lbs in a week).
*Entertainment--Including shows, music, trivia games, scavenger hunts, karaoke, ice skating (yep, on some cruises--seriously), access to game rooms, dance clubs, comedy shows, deck games, board game rooms, and others
*Transportation between ports of call--Obviously...this is why the boat moves.
*Use of pool and/or gym and all amenities (sauna, pool towels, pool chairs, hot tubs, etc)--Usually there are numerous pools and gyms. You can take spinning, yoga, Pilate's, or aerobics classes. There are walking trails, hot tubs, saunas, and all of the pool luxuries you can fathom.
*Crew-organized games and activities (parties, lectures, classes)--Typically there are launching parties at the onset of the cruise. There are also crafting classes, educational classes, pool parties, and various other activities.
*Movies--Both in room and in a cinema setting.
*TV Access--Sounds basic I know, but I was amazed at how "normal" TV was when we were sailing around the Caribbean!
*Services (turn down, housekeeping, etc)--It is amazing how pampered you will feel aboard these liners. You have a room steward whose job is to make you (and some other temporary residents) happy for the length of their stay. While the gratuity you will leave for their services at the end of the week is not included, they will readily turn down your covers, clean the room, fold your tossed-on-the-floor clothes, make towel animals (on several cruise lines although I think Carnival made it most popular--and seriously, some of these are incredibly good!), and generally pamper you and try to earn a serious tip.
*Children's programs/activities--Most large liners have a huge itinerary especially for kids of all ages (starting around 3 on average). These are games, activities, crafts, dances, and all-out fun. True baby-sitting will cost you extra, but it doesn't cost you anything to send them on an "activity" while mom and dad have some alone time.

Photo credit: Savannah Grandfather, Michael Cowan

Who Can It Be Now? - Cruisin' Part 3

Welcome readers from the The 14th Money Hacks Carnival - Weird Golf Facts Edition over at Prime Time Money. Please make yourself at home and if you like what you see, sign up for my feed (in the right margin). Otherwise, just kick back and enjoy your stay. All comments welcome.

As my series on Cruisin' continues, we need to consider who is actually going on the cruise. We're all different and not only will our personalities decide what type of cruise we'll enjoy, but so will the combination of people in your party and your age. If you are a high-school graduate wanting to party the night away, you don't want to find yourself on a Disney family cruise or a cruise sponsored by AARP. In turn, if you are a retired couple, you don't want to spend your days at sea with drunken college students during a 7-day toga party. Make sure you know what you're getting into. After a bit of research, I am offering my recommendations:

Party Life: If you are in to all night dancing, wild times and super social activities, you need to make sure you're aboard a boat where you can meet people like yourself. Here's what you look for: make sure you go during the spring or summer when it is less likely that families will be aboard (kids are in school), shorter cruises (like 3-4 days) are more likely to be filled with a party-going crowd, and it seems to be the consensus across the internet that Carnival is the best bet.

Honeymooners: All cruise lines want to cater to the lovestruck stars-in-their-eyes couples. We used Princess for ours and were treated to a special time as they continue to deem themselves the Love Boat. Carnival offers a whole website dedicated to these guests and so many sites offer their "Top Ten" lists. When researching, I found this site helpful, as it lists all of the honeymoon "extras" aboard each of the major cruise lines (at the bottom)

Families with Young Children: What immediately comes to mind for most people is Disney Cruises. They have spent years developing their expertise on how to enchant small children and all of us have a bit more magic inside us thanks to them. With amenities catered to children, Disney is a safe bet with features like a total lack of casinos. However, don't be discouraged if mom and dad don't want to be surrounded by mouse-ears for an entire week (been there, done that, right?)...you have other options. Also notable cruises for this category are Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Celebrity Cruises.

Families with Children of Various Ages: For a cruise that will entertain children of all ages, you can count on Princess Cruises (Emerald Princess, Crown Princess and Caribbean Princess), Crystal Cruises (Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity seem to be good bets), Royal Caribbean International, Carnival seems to rate highly, and Norwegian seems to offer some variety as well.

Empty Nesters/Senior Couples: So this is a hard demographic to pin down. Some people become couples-only again in their early 40s while others don't hit that mark until 60 or so. So I apologize to all for grouping these together, but I'll try to differentiate more below:

*American Canadian Caribbean Line Inc --smaller ships; typically 50+

*Celebrity Cruises--larger ships; typically 35+

*Crystal Cruises--refined and a bit more expensive than many; 35+

*Holland America Line--most ships cater to 50+ crowd

*Radisson Seven Seas Cruises--upscale, middle-age

*Regal Cruises--relaxing; typically 50+

*Royal Caribbean--35-50 on the larger ships and 50+ on smaller

*St. Lawrence Cruise Lines-- casual cruise; 50+

Maybe you'd rather cruise by personality rather than age. For you, there are also special interest cruises:

*Film Festival Cruise

*Food & Wine Cruise (there are multiple hits here--Google it)

*Murder Mystery Cruise

*Broadway/Theater Cruise (Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America, Seabourn Cruise)

*Health, Fitness & Yoga Cruise Golf Cruise

*Nascar Race Cruise

*Nudist Cruises

*Personal Finance Cruise (Costa, Crystal Cruises, Holland America, Radisson Seven Seas)

*Sports Cruise (Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise)

*Golf Cruise

*50's Sock Hop Cruise (Holland America)

*Country Western Cruise (Holland America)

*Spiritual/Gospel Cruise (Costa)

*Wheelchair Accessibility

*Christian Music

And so many, many more...and more.

There's really something for everyone! I mean EVERYONE!

So really look around out there...you might be surprised what you can spend your vacation doing!

Photo credit: marganz , jwask99, assiewin, LuisSolis

Oh the Places You Will Go… - Cruisin' Part 2

So to continue the Cruisin’ series, we’re going to take a look at all of the various location which you can choose from for your trip.

*Eastern Caribbean: Includes the Bahamas, the Turks, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Antilles, the Virgin Islands, and Dominica. This trip is all fun-in-the-sun. If you are not into beaches and the ocean, don’t bother with this one. From beautiful oceanic sunrises and sunsets to clear waters, fishing excursions, water sports, exotic marine life, and much more…you can truly feel like you are in paradise as you drift through this area of the world.

*Western Caribbean: Typically includes Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica, and the Caymans. However, if you leave from the Miami/St. Petersburg area, you might get a bit of the Eastern Caribbean locations on your cruise on your way to the west! Bonus! Very similar to the Eastern Caribbean, this display of awe-inspiring tropical sites can have you swept away in a moment’s notice. More beautiful sunrises and sunsets, great water for all types of activities like snorkeling, parasailing (no, not off of the big ship), SCUBA diving, and beach-bumming and great food highlight this passage. Visit the various cultures and peoples that make this a truly unique part of the world.

*Western Mediterranean: Spain, Gibraltar, France, Corsica, Italy, Malta and Tunisia are just some places you could seeing while floating through the western Mediterranean. Visit this picturesque “old country” to relax and get away from the high-paced lifestyle most of us are accustomed to. Soak in the history and the sites. It will be truly unforgettable.

*Eastern Mediterranean: Cruise could include Italy, Tunisia, Croatia, Libya, Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and even up into Romania, Ukraine and Russia. Where Europe, Asia, and Africa all meet, you can get exposure to many different cultures and histories. In this area, which is part of the oldest civilized area in existence, you can see sites that seem almost other-worldly because frankly, they are!

*Alaska: Seriously this is a HUGE expanse of countryside. The best way to see it, in many people’s opinions, is through a cruise through its waterways. See the snow-topped mountains, glaciers, do some whale-watching, see the famous Aurora Borealis, experience the best salmon fishing on earth, flightsee this almost uncharted land, and see wildlife that you’ll never experience in the lower 48.

*Hawaii: So you want to go to Hawaii but you’re confused about which island to stay on and where to visit. Well, the cruise industry has solved your problem—go to all of them and enjoy the best of this Pacific paradise. Enjoy volcanoes, some of the most spectacular beaches in the world, the fantastic atmosphere of Hawaiian surfing, and lush rainforests all in this tiny stretch of islands. Why “limit” yourself to just one of the islands?

*Australia/New Zealand: Visit the rugged land known as Down Under to see the Great Barrier Reef, wildlife parks housing creatures like no other on earth, glorious cities, and even follow Captain James Cook’s path to see a land and a people like no other.

Did you also know that you can go:

*Canada/US: Yep…you can cruise around North American experiencing some of the highlights such as New York, Boston, Quebec, Charlottetown, and even down to Fort Lauderdale. You can see some fantastic landscape in a country that you thought you were familiar with all while visiting some of the most frequently visited cities. You don’t just have to choose one big city for your trip…you can see several and never have to fill your car up with gas!

*South America: Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands can all be experienced aboard a ship (okay, so after you get off). Enjoy the party that can be found in some of the major cities, the fantastic mountainous and lush green landscape, and some of the oldest civilizations known to mankind.

*Norwegian Fjords: See Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Scotland, Germany, and the Netherlands. Throughout these areas you can find glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, geysers, fairytale castles, mountains, forests, clear waters, and all types of breathtaking views. A relatively secluded part of the planet, this area would see almost untouched in comparison as some locations close to your home.

*Baltic: Visit any number of famous places on your Batlic cruise, once again gaining in popularity. You can visit England, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia or Sweden. The possibilities of experiences here are endless. Basically, pick your dream and you could find it here.

*Atlantic: Visit the Azores, Canary Islands, Morocco, Cape Verde, Senegal, or a number of other places as you see this mysterious part of the world. So secluded from most of the world, this area is exotic, spotted with fishing villages and fantastical scenery. See great cities or fantastic reefs along this area of the world.

*Middle East: Visit Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, and Yemen. See a culture unlike your own and the beauty that surrounds them. See the mysteries of ancient kingdoms and civilizations and experience the part of the world where life began. You can even choose a cruise down the Nile River to see the sites that pharaohs once admired and ruled.

*Indian Ocean: Visit Kenya, the Comoro Islands, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, or Seychelles. See clear beaches, African wildlife, astounding surfing, craters, waterfalls, fauna found only on these islands, and even wild and glamorous cities.

*Far East: See South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and India. Wow…what a fascinating part of the world. If you want to step outside of what you know as a regular lifestyle, this is a part of the world for you. In an area that developed independently from any European influence, life here is so different that what you would be accustomed to that you simply could not come back unchanged. Fabulous cities, fantastic beaches, exotic perfumes, tranquility, forests, national parks too many to count, ancient temples, and breathtaking sites of all types.

*Antarctica: “It is not an easy place to get to, but increasing numbers of people visit Antarctica every year. Almost all go as a part of an organized expeditionary cruise, frequently guided by experts who are a mixture of seasoned seafarers, and ice or wildlife experts.” These are small and sometimes dangerous cruises that delight the adventurer inside. It would be an experience truly unlike any other.

So, now I have succeeded in further complicating the matter for you, but I wanted to let you know that there are more choices than you could have possibly imagined. Almost anywhere your heart desires can be reached aboard a luxurious ocean liner. What tickles your fancy? If you can dream it, you can cruise it.

Photo credit: coopgreg, lettieb, ericstorm