I admit it – I’m a travel-romance junkie. When I plan a trip I actually look up things like moon charts to see if there will be a full moon smiling down on my destination and what flowers will be in bloom. Then I check for waterfronts –rivers, lakes, bays, vast expanses of ocean – doesn’t really matter becausethey all present an opportunity for romantic strolling (preferably withafore-mentioned full moon as backdrop). Smart waterfront communities capitalize on their good fortune by creating andencouraging development of paved walkways, charming lamppos...

If you book alone you're on your own -- internet booking engines just take your money then leave it all up to you. Sure, it looks easy, but there are good reasons to book with someone you can trust to be on your side. Direct bookings aren't much better -- here are some common problems that I see people run into all the time: #1. Even if you are lucky enough to get a real person on the phone, they can only tell you what is beneficial for their company.      * They can only sell you their (inferior) insurance coverage.      * They...

This year will present some excellent opportunities for travel bargains and enhanced experiences, but you will have to plan in advance in order to take advantage of them. Here are my top recommendations: #1.  Christmas falls on a Tuesday this year, so the cruise lines are sticking totheir regular routes, making pricing and scheduling a lot easier for you. Iespecially like the 5-night Carnival Triumph cruise out of Galveston onDecember 22. Falling neatly on the weekend ahead of the holiday, it’s perfectfor that very special family vacation and surprisingly affordable if you booke...

There is no snow in the Caribbean, and ice is an ingredient, not a weather condition.

 An Alaska cruise is one of the best vacations you’ll ever have!  It’s not an inexpensive proposition, however, so you’ll want to make the most of the time and the budget that you have forit.  Basically, there are 2 ways to “do”an Alaska cruise: Sail round-trip from Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, Canada.  Airfares to/from Seattle are typically cheaper and the flights are easier, so this is what I usually recommend if you can only get away for a weekend-to-weekend 7-night vacation.  You don’t need a passport to take thisoptio...

 With Christmas and New Year's falling on Sundays this year, some of the cruise lines with regular 7-night Sunday-to Sunday cruise routes have changed up their normal itineraries to encompass both holidays.  That means they have to work in a shorter cruise somewhere along the way to get back on the regular rotation. Luckily for you, these altered routes give you the perfect opportunity to enjoy a winter cruise get-away at a bargain fare! For example: a lot of people have been interested in trying out one of Royal Caribbean's new "world's largest cruise ships"...

Somehow, fudge-making became a tradition on Mackinac Island...

We’re so fortunate in the Dallas area to have 2 nearby cruise ports – Galveston and NewOrleans.  They’re just a drive or inexpensive flight away, so we can enjoy a fun and relaxing cruise vacation whenever we want.  The ports are home to Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and starting September 2012 – Disney, and Christmas week 2012 – Princess. Let’s meet the fleet: Carnival Cruise Line’s current Galveston ships are the Conquest and the Ecstasy.  The Conquest sails a 7-night cruise every Sunday, usually on a Western Caribbean r...

Now and then someone will ask me if I “price match” and the answer 99% of the time is YES!  Because 99% of the time the cruise lines and the favored suppliers of Cruise Planners and American Express have the exact same prices/packages that are advertised out in the market (be it internet or print material). In the case of cruises, many times we have an even better deal because of our block-space (group) rates, and special incentive offers that we get. In the case of packages, though, sometimes we’re a few dollars off and I can match those WHEN: * We are talking abo...

You don’t have to fly to an exotic foreign port in order toenjoy a beautiful, interesting cruise. There are several easy-to-do cruises that set sail from America’s ownshores and take you to some of her most iconic cities and seascapes. #1: Alaska      Sailconveniently from Seattle! Enjoy a day or two exploring this charming citynestled against the scenic backdrop of mighty Mount Ranier, then board yourship bound for wild Alaska.  You’ll seewhales, dolphins, bald eagles, and sea lions; face stunning glaciers andmountain landscapes; and disc...