Ephesus has a history stretching back thousands of years, well into ancient times, and historians have traced its annals back over 3000 years.  At its peak, the population of this city reached between 400,000 and 500,000 in about 100 A.D., making it the second largest city in the Roman Empire.  In addition to its importance in Roman history, the city also figured prominently in the political affairs of the Greek and Ottoman Empires and was the site of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world: the Temple of Artemis (Diana).  Although the Temple of Artemis had been rebuilt several times, only one column remains to the present day. 

Ephesus survived being sacked by Goths in 263 A.D. and being partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614.  The silting over of the Cayster River removed Ephesus from access via the Mediterranean and its importance gradually faded to obscurity.  It was abandoned completely in the 15^th century.

Ephesus today contains the largest collection of Roman ruins in the Eastern Mediterranean, even though only about 20% of the city has currently been excavated.  Kelly was awestruck by the marble and limestone remains of this ancient city.  The Theater has an approximate capacity of 44,000, making it the largest outdoor theater in the modern world, the Library of Celsus once held 12,000 scrolls, there is a large gladiator graveyard, the Temples of Hadrian and Domitian, aqueducts and public Roman baths.  Kelly’s tour guide explained the function and usage of a puzzling series of holes cut into the marble.  This was a public toilet where the men of the city came to meet and do their business.  The seats were first warmed by their slaves and then these wealthy men would come and sit while they were entertained by harp players.  How times have changed!

All the major cruiselines feature port stops to the city of Kusadasi in Turkey’s Izmir province and access to Ephesus.  If you are considering a cruise to the Mediterranean, be sure to look for an itinerary featuring the awe-inspiring time capsule of ancient history in Ephesus.

Check out our 13 Night Mediterranean or 23 Night Mediterranean Packages that visit the port of Kusadasi!

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(This is an excerpt from our Marketing Assistant Chantal’s blog from her vacation in Rome, Italy)

Vita Bella!

Rome has been the busiest city so far. It's a bit of a tourist Mecca. And with reason! So many sights to see - dating back a couple thousands of years!

Our Euro-trip finally had its first hiccup. It was bound to happen. Unfortunately it happened at 11 pm in a large city we didn't know. We had alerted the B&B we were staying at that we would need a late check-in, which they told us was fine. We got dropped off by our cab in front of some pretty oversized doors that essentially kept us out of the hotel. There we rang the buzzer multiple times, trying to understand the recording that kept playing in Italian! We got the gist of it..."we're not here right now"... great! There we were late at night in a neighborhood that we aren't familiar with, we don't speak the language, we don't have a working cell phone, and the monster doors keep us from even standing in a safer location like the lobby!

We paced up and down the street, tried calling the number we had from a pay phone but couldn't figure out how to properly use it. A guy at the Chinese restaurant next to the hotel yelled at us...we think...we don't know. Sheldon decided to see if the hotel down the road would take pity on us and make the call for us. They did. No answer! A few minutes later that hotel had received a phone call telling us that someone was on their way. Not sure how they knew to call that hotel...we think the Chinese man may have known how to contact someone and that's why he was yelling at us...we'll never know. We were finally let in at midnight. Oy! Next time we'll stay at a place with 24 hour reception...lesson learnt.

Our first day of touring took us to Termini, Rome's main train terminal station. There, we just happened to see a double-decker, open-top tour bus called Red Bus Tours. For €18 per person, it would be a hop on hop off bus that ran through all the main sights. It was cheaper than taking a taxi, we didn't need to learn the city bus lines and schedules, and it saved our feet from giant blisters that we already had. It worked out very well since the fare was good for 2 days.

First stop, the Coliseum! Very cool to see! Thanks to my friend Kristin’s advice, we took up an offer from someone who approached us asking if we wanted a guided tour. The tour was in English and was €8 per person more than the standard entry fee but was also good for a guided tour of the Palatine Hill/ Roman Forum. It was worth the few extra euros considering the guides were very knowledgeable and helped paint a vivid picture of what life was like during Rome's best years. Did I mention the best part? You skipped the queues!

The next day, we went to the Vatican. Got in line at St. Peter's Basilica, went through security then got to another check point...only to be turned away. Apparently my shorts, which exposed my knees, were too provocative! Why couldn't they post a sign at the beginning of the line?! Definitely frustrating! So, we went into one of the shops, almost bought paper pants (I kid you not, they exist for reasons like this!) but then saw a pashmina large enough to wear as a skirt. We thought we had to go through the basilica to get to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel so we queued back up with my new "skirt", made it into St Peter's, only to find out we actually had to walk a kilometer around the outside of the Vatican to get to what we wanted. For the Vatican, we chose not to take a tour and skip the queues, so we waited about an hour and a half in the hot mid-day sun. We got in, saw the sights, lots of gold, murals, statues. Really just such an impressive collection of religious history. We saw the Sistine Chapel and as we walked out, Sheldon said "I thought that picture with the fingers touching was in there?"… It was. The ceiling mural he's talking about is one of Michelangelo’s most well-known works. The whole reason Sheldon wanted to see the chapel...and he missed it! Poor guy! I admit it could have been easy to miss since it was incredibly busy in there and hard to take a moment to take it all in.

Later that day we got off the bus near the Trevi Fountain, which truly is, in my opinion, Rome's most beautiful fountain. Again, crazy busy but worth seeing! We then made our way to the Spanish Steps and through the shopping district. All in all, a good day but very exhausting!

For our final day in Italy, we took a train from Rome’s Termini station down to Naples. It took about 2 hours to get there. From there, we jumped onto the local metro for another 40 minute ride to Pompeii. We had a quick lunch and then went into the park where the ruins have been preserved. Since Sheldon and I are a little twisted, we went to see the bodies that were supposed to have been preserved after being covered by the eruption of Mt Vesuvius back in 79 A.D.

So it turns out there are none there, they moved them to a museum in Naples. Sigh. Lesson #2, do your homework so that you aren't disappointed when you get there. It's okay though, it was still really cool to see. We rented audio-tour handsets and listened to the descriptions from one building to another. So neat to think these people lived 2000 years before us and really weren't so different in their everyday lives because they could buy a bowl of soup for lunch from a shop and go to the laundromat to clean their clothes…minus the hydro power and machines of course.

Anyways, Sheldon says I'm probably boring you all with a too-long blog post so I'll you with just that. There's so much more to say because it was a jam-packed few days!

Day 1 – January 30, 2011

Thank you for joining us on our excellent European adventure.  My name is Kelly Finnegan and I have been with the CruisePlus team  7 years this April.  I understand this blogging thing is a great way to share and stay in touch with family & friends old and new so I promise to give it a good try for a first timer.

 I am travelling with my brother-in-law Harry (aka Guy) and our trusty mascot “Winston” who those in the office have adopted as a loyal companion on their travels.  This is not Winston’s first trip to some of these ports but definitely a first for Guy & I!  Guy and Winston are becoming fast friends.

This is Guy and Winston departing Vancouver Island on BC Ferries for the Mainland to the Sandman Inn Vancouver Airport.  We’ll be staying here for one night and flying out after dinner tomorrow on British Airways.

Day 2 – January 31, 2011

It was sooo nice to sleep in today!  We had time for a dip in the pool and the hotel allowed us to have late check out at 3 pm (a great tip from one on my wonderful clients).  We had a great brunch at Moxies which is right in the Sandman Hotel and add the courtesy shuttle to the airport and we’ve started out just right!

Day 2-3 or???  Hey we’ve lost some time here – Guy has decided to wear two watches, one for Vancouver time and one for Europe – our flight on British Airways couldn’t have been better.   I must fly international again as the extras were unbelievable – not only did we have one free checked bag, there was a little package with warm socks (yes lovely grey colored socks for all), an eye mask, headsets with free movies, a blanket, a pillow, then a full dinner with unlimited wine & beer and finally a toothbrush – forget domestic – let’s do international!  After a 9 hour flight to London and another 2 hours to Barcelona we had finally arrived at our destination.  The airport is modern and easy to navigate and thank the good Lord, our bags have arrived too!

We took a taxi from the airport which cost only 25 Euros including a tip.  It was 8:30 pm so a quick snack from the local Chinese place across the street  from our Hotel (Gran Barcelo in the Gothic Quarter) .  You’re probably going to hear this a lot from me but - awesome it’s all I can say.  I have only seen 1 short block of the city and am already wowed beyond words.  Guy and Winston are out like lights but I took 20 minutes just to find out what is going on up the street.  Apparently we are one half block from the City Government square and I learned that there is about 4 peaceful protests per week.  (I saw two while I was there).  Off to bed finally – up 24 hours straight no so much too good.

February 2-3 – this morning hasn’t disappointed.  We walked the streets of the old Gothic Quarter and down to the waterfront and we can’t believe our eyes.  This amazing city is filled with sites we couldn’t have imagined.  Every home, shop or restaurant has a unique story and the shear age of this city mixed with the everyday business and life going by just keeps smiles constantly on our faces.   We’ve even stopped to appreciate the doors and windows on the narrow streets just because we can.  Unfortunately we have a little camera incident and I wasn’t able to get the pictures I wanted but we’ll be back here in 9 days and I’ll try to show you want I mean then - awesome.  The food, the sites, the people (whom Guy notices to be very fit and all the women very beautiful).  We also got a chance to try the” hop on hop off bus” which tours this diverse city and you can come and go as you please until 7 pm at night.  We bargained for t-shirts and strolled the market on Las Rambla and just took it all in.   Here is a few pictures because I just can’t tell you it all … Guy thinks that Gaudi fellow builds wobbly houses … here is what I mean:

Can it get any better?  Our love to all – I am sure we’ll be missing you all real soon!

February  4, 2011                             

Hello NCL Jade!  Well she is a beauty – originally the Pride of Hawaii, a little oddly dressed for Europe, with the Hawaii theme,  she’ll be our home for the next 21 nights.  Our cabin is a good size with a little window and our first meal (first of too many) was fabulous.  They have exceeded my expectations already and the fact there will be no cooking and cleaning (by me) for the next 3 weeks, is keeping that smile firmly on my face.  My travelling partners are also doing super good.  Guy has already found the shops and is happily decked out in the NCL logo hat and shirt and rarin’ to go.  For the next 24 hours we’ll be finding our way around and enjoying the ship and a wonderful, relaxing day at sea tomorrow. 

February 5:  Weather is fine, seas are calm and all is right in our world – hope yours too – sorry  but we’re off to the show (last night’s performance was spectacular) and I will be coming home with a new thought or two on Free style cruising I am sure.  One interesting thing though is that there is no pressure about anything, no dress code just might be better than I imagined.  We are looking forward to exciting day in our first port tomorrow of Casablanca … bye for now … 

February 6 – Casablanca, Morocco:

All I knew of Casablanca was the famous movie of the same name where Humphrey Bogart brought the intrigue and mystery of this city to the big screen.  An American couple run the famous “Sam’s Restaurant” which I am saddened to say is just a remake.   Thankfully that was my only disappointment.  We started our trek by heading off the ship to enjoy the free bus transfer to the central market.  However, a very nice taxi driver changed our minds and we were whisked away (truly) in a tiny little cab, myself cowering in the back seat (afraid for my life) and Guy riding shotgun with white knuckles and the biggest grin you’d ever want to see.  I have driven in taxis in a lot for foreign ports but this was amazing.  I finally began to appreciate that this might be the politest crazy driver situation ever and went with the flow.  Casablanca is very cosmopolitan with modern high rises towering over the oldest city buildings but I could still capture some of that mystery I was hoping for.  So many people – so many differences.  Our first stop was Hassan II Mosque in Old Medina.  I was told that it took more than 30,000 workers just 6 years to complete:

Here is Guy and our driver “Mohammed” (you guessed it!), whatever place you found to take a picture, the Mosque was looming.  We actually found a Roman Catholic Church “Sacre Coeur Cathedral` built in 1930 but it was now a picture gallery for local artists - our driver insisted it was a big tourist attraction and so …

The many tribes of this region of North Africa all live in what seem to be amazing harmony.  Mohammed says they have a very good King and the people love him.  We’ve learned a little history and find it so interesting that three religions actually thrive here.  Muslum, Christian and Jewish.  We also notice the difference between the “have’s” and the “have nots”.  There is a middle class here but mostly you’ve got really, really rich and dirt poor.  The Mercedes’ abound in the streets but also simple motorized bikes, all fighting us for position on these busy streets.

One thing of a surprise is that the language most spoken here is French  - thank goodness for that Grade 8 French class.  We have had such an amazing time, and just can’t wait for our second Morrocan stop tomorrow – Love to ALL!

7 – Agadir, Morocco

Guy is still getting a kick out of the time change but at least he is keeping his “Vancouver time” in his pocket.  We are totally acclamated now so all is good.  We have awoken to another gorgeous day!  Agadir is a modern city reconstructed after a devastating 15 minute earthquake in February 1960 which destroyed the city and half the population also perished.  We decided on a bus tour from the ship today which included a stop so we could see and soak in some of the culture and customs – and yes, we rode a camel!

The view from the ruins of the Kasbah to the rebuilt city of Agadir below.

Snake  Charmer anyone?  Nicholas, cover grandma`s eyes!

We’re leaving this country wanting more but on to the next adventure – have a good night!

February 8:

We’ve arrived at the beautiful island of Las Palmas which is owned by Spain and is part of the Canary Islands.  We again took the tour from the ship and had a full day of seeing the sights of this amazing island.  It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1990.  400,000 people call this home and with the tourists from Europe coming here to soak up the sun, wow what a busy place.  This country has a long history and have documented the last 500 years in various museums.  The one we visited didn’t allow pictures but is was tres interesting and was called the Christopher Columbus (yep, ol’ Chris did get around).  Guy did get a picture with his parrots though (it’s so nice travelling with willing models):

And of course Winston did not want to be left out – everywhere we seem to go in Europe there is amazing courtyards, with plants, water fountains and space just to sit and enjoy

Here’s a great view of the north side of the island.  What’s with this dog/deer?  Oh well, Guy and Winston aren’t afraid of heights but the drive up here was giving me flashbacks of the road to Hana (OMG) but that’s another story.

This is St. Ann’s Cathedral  (okay now I am homesick), my youngest child is Anny and I’m thinking about all my kids and grandkids today. SOOO … hello Anny, Kyle, Cheryl, Amanda and my biggest kisses and hugs to my grandkids, Jesse, Aiden, Abby and Emma!  My love to all my family. 

This itinerary is amazing and the sites are incredible.  Keep well all – back at ya tomorrow.

February 9 – Funchal, Portugal

Oh well the good weather couldn’t last forever.  It is a rainy, rainy day.  We spent our time wandering the streets of this beautiful city.  All in all I don’t understand why there aren’t more tourist s because every place we have been to so far has been fabulous.  No crowds and decent enough weather   - I can totally recommend this to be the best time go.

We tried out the infamous (or is the just plain famous) Sangria!  I am hooked.  We shared a glass (or two) at a lovely café on the narrow streets of Funchal with a lovely retired couple from Kent, England.  Its just all so civilized!  You don’t have to be a local to enjoy the comfortable feeling you get from this little oasis in the Sea.  Rain or not – awesome!

We were thinking of hopping this ship instead but there was no buffet – I mean really?  We’re going back on board to be spoiled yet again by the fabulous staff of our floating resort, our home away from home – the Jade.

Departing this beautiful island, I just can’t believe we have so many ports ahead of us while we are still soaking in all that we have witnessed so far.  We have learned that the civil unrest in Cairo is still too uncertain so we will be going to Instanbul for two nights instead.  I have heard though that we won’t be disappointed.  So goodbye Funchal and thank you.

February 10 – Sea Day

We are well at home now on the NCL Jade and have enjoyed the live shows more than anything.  Some really talented people! The food has also been excellent.   Nothing really to report today but our room steward was feeling bad that Guy got to ride the camel (without Winston) so he left a little friend for him tonight - I thought my buddies at the office might get a chuckle:

 “the elephant ride”

Hoping all is well with friends & family and anyone else that might happen upon our little adventure!  Adios amigos.

Feb 11, 2011:

We have arrived in wonderful Malaga, Spain.  This city is rich with history and though you cannot possibly see it all in a day (for any of these stops),  we have chosen a tour of a little different nature. 

Our tour started through the main city of Malaga where our  guide pointed out stops of interest and importance of the city but we were set on our goal – the caves of Nerja.  Even the birthplace of Mr. Pablo Picasso was passed by in order to take the one hour drive up the coast to our destination.  The hillsides were filled with olive & avocado trees and greenhouses and fields where every kind of vegetable abound.  The farmers have two harvests per year and it only rains about 25 days a year.  We passed a 300 year old aquaduct feeding a small hillside and couldn’t believe it is still in use today.     We arrived at the caves and were simply overwhelmed.  Guy just couldn’t believe his eyes – I know my camera won’t do it justice but here are a few shots:

The experience was unforgettable and the fact they found cave drawings and bones and such dating back thousands of years was an incredible feeling (unfortunately those items were moved to the museum in Madrid).  This cave was actually only discovered 50 years ago by two young boys chasing bats in the hills.

We then motored down to the coast below to the town of Nerja which is one of the many resort villages along the Mediterranean coast that foreigners and Spanish  alike flock to for the summer break.  It is their winter here but I’d take it any day.  No crowds and beautiful beaches ….

What more can I say?

The end of another incredible day.  Anybody thinking Europe in the winter?  I never had before but I am sure glad that I did!  Keep well all – back to you tomorrow – Kelly, Guy & Winston.

February 12: At Sea

Wow, this 9 day cruise for most of us cruisers is ending tomorrow so there are a few somber faces and a lot of “let’s get everything in today or else” people rushing from onboard shopping to napkin folding!  Actually quite a few of the people we met had already done the 12 day itinerary previous to this and of course many will be staying on to make the 21 night itinerary like we are doing.  We have met people from Belgium, tons of fun Brits & Aussies and it seems the state of Texas sent their fair share this way along with New York, North & South Carolina (yep we were busy y’all).  Surprisingly even the Canadian friends we made came from Victoria (just an hour and a half from my home), Montreal, the small towns of Saskatchewan and of course Ontario.  We spoke to several people with kids ranging from 6 to 16 and found that everyone had had a blast (much to the astonishment of the parents – they never saw their kids).  This was a wonderful experience for all and the farewell show by the cruise staff was the best I’ve seen.  We’re so happy that this is not the end for us though – we’re on to the next adventure

February 13:  Barcelona!

We’re so glad to be back in the fabulous city of Barcelona (camera now a’clickin’).  We have definitely seen a different side of Barcelona today.  There is an international conference in town and the streets were filled with not only thousands of foreigners, but it is Sunday and the families have come out for the parade on the Las Ramblas.  What an incredible surprise for us, we were simply walking along and heard some music from behind us and were able to have a front row at the curb for a wonderful time of costumes, music and these amazing puppet people:

Yep, too cute and I miss you Nicholas, Aiden, Jesse, Abby & Emma!  Alright, the rest of you too!

We carried on back to the Gothic Quarter again because I just had to get some good pictures of the amazing sights we had already seen. 

This doesn`t do it justice but here is the McDonald`s on Las Ramblas (entrance is to the right but I like this door better):

We ended the day with a stop at the Barcelona Aquarium and a quick trip to the huge mall they have on the waterfront.  Guy is now sporting a new vest which he is most proud of but the best was yet to come.

We arrived back to the ship to a telephone message from the front office who advised me they had noted I wanted to waitlist for a better cabin .  The porthole window we had was fine but Guy had noticed down the hall that the cabins with the picture window were so much bigger than ours. Actually they weren’t any larger just looked that way.   I have always advised my clients to at least ask at the front desk because you never know what could come available, even on a sold out sailing.  My own advice paid off as for a little extra we could have a balcony.  It turns out to be the best money I spent on this trip!  I told Guy that I had a surprise for him as I lead in up to the 10^th floor, suspicion in his mind (he had never seen the cabins with a walk out balcony as our other cruises before were just the windows).  Can you imagine his surprise?  Well the smile he has worn on his face every since… (I am writing this 24 hours later) – well they say a picture is worth a thousand words:

For those of you who know Guy, yes, he has been using the words “BIG SHOT”.  Too much  fun!  For those of you who don`t know Guy, he has cerebral palsy and understands this world as a young  teenager – it is so wonderful for me to show him just a small part of Europe and watch the wonder in his eyes with each new adventure.   Wishing you all pleasant journeys in your future – I have to go now and cut-off Winston - hopping into the Bud Lite may be dangerous!

February 14:  At Sea – Happy Valentine’s Day – just another wonderful day with calm seas, sunshine and being spoiled rotten – hope you are too!

February 15:  And then … there was Rome

We have woken to another sunny day (have we been lucky or what?).  The excitement is everywhere on the ship as we sail into the port of Civitavecchia at 7:30 am.  Many have already visited this area and newbies like myself are awestruck already.  This port city is known as the “Eternal City” of Rome.  The anniversary of Rome’s foundation is April 21, 753BC, (not a misprint).  Ruins dating from Rome’s glory days lie with an area known as Roma Antica (Ancient Rome) and include the sites we are seeing today such as the monumental Coliseum and Roman Forum – a crumbling legacy of pagan temples, broken marble and triumphal arches.  We have opted for the smaller bus tour with free time to wander as pretty much everything we have on our list is within walking distance.  For those that weren’t looking for the security of the ship’s tour, other brave travelers  took the free shuttle to the end of the pier and about 200 yards after caught the train into the city centre about 1 hour away.  For 9 Euros you can get a return ticket which also includes the metro and public bus system in  Rome while your exploring.    Here are a few sights along the way from our bus:

My pictures simply could not touch the magnificence of this city.  After about a half hour of driving the streets we had free time where we visited Trevi Fountain and the Spanish steps (and yes, we threw our coins and made our wishes!):

Awesome!

Looking up the steps, then down:

This is a city you could return to again and again and discover new sights every time.  The small piazza’s that are dotted throughout the city and connect the neighbourhoods are filled with history.  They usually mark a special fountain or monument and make it easy to navigate the narrow streets.  I can’t imagine what this place is like in the summer with all the travelers – it seemed almost too crowded now.  But alas, our day is done – back to our ship for a meal and another glorious sea day - we feel blessed to have witnessed the past in our present. 

February 16:  Sea day – sunshine, food, gym, food, hotub, food, show, food – what a day!

February 17:  Dare I say it …. Athens

Pulling into the port of Piraeus, Greece and being able to watch the action from our balcony is just too much!  Piraeus is the third largest port in Europe and one of the busiest in the world.  21 million passengers, 26,000 ships, 6 million tons of general cargo and 1.4 million containers pass through each year.  With its magnificent architecture, legendary cultural attractions and unparalleled place in history, this capital city known as “the cradle of Western civilization” is a must-see destination.  We are taking a drive around the city and ending at the Acropolis Museum which is located on an active excavation site.  They have built the museum on pillars so that when the excavation is finished (possibly by next year) they can open up so travelers can experience it firsthand – you can see through the floors and openings right now:

The museum itself houses all the artifacts found at the acropolis and the third floor is a demonstration of the Parthenon with many original pieces.  Unfortunately you cannot take pictures inside but you can imagine what it was like to view vases, cooking and eating utensils, sculptures, etc. etc. etc. from thousands of years ago.  From the museum window we took pictures of the ruins above:

We had an opportunity to watch the “changing of the guards” while passing by on our bus which happens every hour – it drew a small crowd.  (Not quite England)

We purchased postcards with magnificent pictures because no matter what,  you see you just can’t appreciate this city’s ancient heritage. 

I think cruising was the perfect way to get a taste of Rome and Athens and I’ll definitely be back when I can spend more time – a day just can’t do it justice but it did give me a feeling I can’t describe and will never forget.

We will be spending the next three days in Turkey so I’ll be back to you with our continued European adventure tomorrow …  happy trails – Kelly & Guy & Winston

February 18:  Izmir, Turkey

We have arrived to the wonderful city of Izmir which is the 3^rd largest city in Turkey.  The view is breath-taking with ancient sea walls being right on the pier and just steps from our ship.  The weather was beautiful today so our luck hasn’t given out yet.  From the ship this morning we took the hour long trip to the most amazing ancient city we’ve visited, Ephesus.  This historical site was an Ionian Greek city in ancient Anatolia, founded by colonists from Athens in the 10^th century B.C.  Tons of people lined up to physically walk through the streets of this crumbled city which is so awesome that you can wander down any street imagining the life once lived there.  They have unearthed the Library, the public baths, the forum, homes of the rich and poor.  We were told the recovery of Ephesus is only 20% complete and there are many years of excavation left.  It is also the site of a large Gladiator graveyard.   Just take a look at these pictures (unfortunately not mine but ….):

Celcus Library

Theatre

Fountain

Public Toilets

This truly is a place on this earth to be seen.  We leave here humbled once again with the wonderment of such history – put this place on your bucket list!

February 19:  Istanbul

We sailed into Istanbul this morning along a spectacular coastline, again cementing my new-found balcony appreciation.  I am still wounded from the letdown of not being in Egypt but I think the cruiseline made a good alternative choice.  It is cold and clear today and our excursion for the day is going over to the famous Blue Mosque in this region and then on to the Grand Bazaar with over 5,000 vendors.  

Founded by Constantine the Great on the site of ancient Byzantium, Istanbul (then Constantinople) was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.  This almost unrivalled heritage, as well as its dynamic modern existence, makes Istanbul a fantastic destination for all travellers. Interestingly, it is centered between the continents  of both Europe and Africa and maintains its own currency of Turkish lira (YTL).

Here is the Blue Mosque we visited inside and out:

We are staying overnight in this beautiful city for 2 nights so everyone can make the most of their stay.  Unfortunately, my two roommates have come down with the sniffles so we’ll be staying close by.  I hope everything is well on your side of the world – just 6 more sleeps and we’ll be home too!

February 20:  Istanbul

It happened – the coldest, drizzliest day on our vacation.  But after eating a good breakfast, (surprise) we trudged out the door and up the main road to the bridge and over to the Asia side for a look see on foot.  Turned out my travelling companion’s not thrilled with the true grit needed to be a true adventurer and so we decided to hop on the nearest tour boat to cruise down the Bosporus River for a one and a half hour sail.  For just $7 USD it turned out to be the bargain of the trip.  The scenic coastline was totally amazing and we viewed such sights - castles, palaces, ancient, modern and turn of the century houses,  mosques and mosques and mosques – I just can’t get over how many astounding domed buildings can fit into such a small space.

Unfortunately you’ll have to take my word for it as alas my camera is sleeping back at the ship with Winston.  Wishing you all the best day you can have today at where you are!

February 21: Up at the crack of 9 am and at sea today 

Started with eating, then  shopping, back to sleeping, eating, sleeping and some eating, then sleeping – looking forward to our next stop tomorrow at the island of Malta!

February 23:  Valetta, Malta

Our day in Malta was the icing on the cake!   I had never imagined the sites we would see and again my expectations were  exceeded.  There are three main islands that make up the Republic of Malta.  Historically it has long held the attention of the world, from the details of crusading knights to World War II action, which of course is all due to Malta’s strategic location.  Malta’s islands are positioned in the Mediterranean, just south of Sicily, a point that commands access not only to Europe but to Northern Africa and the Middle East as well.

This harbor first greeted Phoenician traders 3000 years ago.  Later, the Knights of Malta journeyed here to protect pilgrims on the way to the Holy Land during the Crusades.  The city of Valetta itself dates back to 1566 and as we sailed along the coastline the limestone wall still outlines this bustling city.  Here is a few shots from our balcony as we sail in (hehehe):

We took a tour around the island to view many more amazing sites:

The island is mostly Roman Catholic and boasts a whopping 365 churches on this small island:

You can note the great access to heaven located above this one (sorry, I couldn’t resist).  The bus trip was great with lots of interesting stops along the way.

We have now completed our last stop on our extraordinary European Adventure.  Thanks for following along … back to our ship for one more sea day and then back to Canada  - we had a blast but as Dorothy says … THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!  Wishing you all fantastic journeys such as this in your near future … Bon Voyage!

(This is an excerpt from our Marketing Assistant Chantal’s blog from her vacation in Nice, France)

I tried to resist saying it but many friends and family couldn't when we told them our next vacation stop was Nice, France… it’s so nice in Nice! Before I even dive into my days spent in this Mediterranean seaside paradise, I just want you all (and be this a heads up to my dear hubby) that I will retire here!

As soon as we got off the airport shuttle bus, our lungs filled with sea-air for the first time in weeks since we left our west-coast home.Oh did I ever miss that familiar smell!

Between trying to catch all the sightseeing in London and Rome as well as catching up with an old friend in Austria, Nice was a welcomed break on our European vacation. We spent every day walking the Promenade des Anglais, a lovely palm tree lined pedestrian walk that runs along the ocean for miles (there’s also a bicycle and roller blade lane for you fast movers. It's a great way to start the day. From there you could spend the day on the beach, soaking up the sun, playing in the waves or you could hit up some shops and plenty of restaurants along the street, including a fancy ice cream/sundae shop where you can get some pretty intricate creations, however, the cost of this ice cream masterpiece does come at a hefty premium.

During our morning walks, my husband quickly learnt another French word. His repertoire consists of all the French words for various baked goods so not to deviate from the theme…here it is: Patisserie. It may be his new favourite French word actually. With one on every corner, it's pretty hard to avoid one so...when in France! It truly is hard to resist all those fresh little chocolate croissants and pains au raisins… So much for the diet! I just want to put it out there that it’s not unusual around here to walk around with a half eaten baguette. I feel like I have finally found my people! I hardly ever so much as make it out of the grocery store without tearing off a big chunk of my own baguette back home. I think Sheldon understands me better now that he's witnessed the deep love for baguette that has been on display.

While taking a walk in the Vieux Nice area, we came up to the port of Nice where I spotted the Ocean Princess in port. I expected to feel an influx of camera-toting tourists but was quite happy not to notice a real difference because the city although small and intimate, has many sights and attractions to draw groups into different areas. During that same walk, we discovered the Confiserie Florian off the Quai de la Douane road. It was neat little building that allowed you to walk through where they made their candy on the first floor and to make your way upstairs to the retail shop to purchase a few goodies. Some of the candies came in neat little tins, we found them to be a great souvenir for family and the tin makes a lovely keepsake.

If you wander down to Place Masséna, you’ll find one of Nice’s premier pedestrian squares that offers lots of shops and restaurants. You’ll know you’ve found the place by the checkerboard black and white pathway and historical red buildings that surround it. Another great, lively pedestrian zone we loved to frequent was the area around Rue de France. We would often just wander down before dinner and soak up the atmosphere before dining at one of the restaurants in the area.

Our last day in nice, we discovered the Cours Saleya Flower Market. The market was a cornucopia of flowers, fresh produce, fresh seafood, souvenirs and spices! I loved just going through the market, taking in the whole experience. I recommend you go early to find the best hidden gems! We found the last of our keepsakes at the market, which included the cutest little fresh herb grinder that now sits on my kitchen counter, filled with Herbes de Provence, of course! Every time I cook I use the grinder and smell the lavender and herbs, I am transported back to one of my favourite cities.

The time we spent in Nice is now just a memory but most definitely holds a special place in my heart. I enjoyed the slower pace and the easy-going attitudes of the people who are lucky enough to call it home.  My one regret is not paying a visit to the Musée Matisse, which is considered a must-see by many. It follows the artist’s work from the beginning of his career through to the very end.

As one last note, Nice is mere 20 kms to Monaco and 35 kms to Cannes so if you have the time, take advantage of the trains and pay a visit to these two other outstanding Mediterranean must-visits!

There has never been a better time to cruise Alaska than now! No matter what your cruising style, there is a cruise line heading to the great northern state this Spring/Summer season. In fact, both Disney Cruises and Oceania Cruises are making their debut in Alaska in 2011.

The Disney Wonder will be sailing 7 day itineraries out of Vancouver, with stops in popular ports like Juneau and Ketchikan, whereas, Oceania’s ms Regatta will offer longer 10-14 day itineraries out of Vancouver and San Francisco with stops in more intimate ports like Wrangell, Sitka and Kodiak.

When it comes to exciting cruisetours, Princess cruises has created a new Just for Fishing Fans cruisetour option for the avid fisherman/woman as part of their 2011 season. This 14 day vacation allows participants to try their hand at salmon fishing in the Inside Passage from Ketchikan, bottom fishing for halibut near Juneau, and river fishing on two Alaskan rivers -- the Kenai and Talkeetna.

To read more about Alaska, may we suggest:

Natural Beauty of Ketchikan

Spotlight on Denali National Park

Currency: Netherlands Antillean Guilder – USD is widely accepted

Language: Dutch, Spanish, English & Papiamento (a creole of Portuguese, Spanish, English, Dutch, Arawak & African languages).

After the snow storms that have been rampaging across the continent this winter, it would make sense if you are having Caribbean dreams like I do! A great place to soak up the sun and escape the winter blues is beautiful Willemstad on the southern Caribbean Dutch island of Curaçao. This island is less travelled by your flocks of sun-seekers than some of your more popular destinations like Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, however, it easily scores its own merit points for being a great vacation destination.

Accessible by cruise or by packaged vacation, Willemstad offers some of the best diving in the Caribbean. You can either arrange a shore excursion with your cruise line or visit one of the many dive shops in the area. You won’t want to miss the many locations and colourful scenes that lie beneath the blue sea.

There are two main districts in the city of Willemstad; Punda, the oldest area and main shopping district located on the east bank of the Sint Anna bay, and; Otrobanda which was built to cope with the ever-growing population and name translates to “other side” as it is located on the west bank of Sint Anna.

When walking through the streets of Willemstad, you’ll notice the Dutch influence in the architectural style of the buildings, stemming back to its colonial days. If the island’s history is of interest to you, you’ll find lots of museums and historic military forts like Fort Amsterdam in the Punda District of Willemstad.

If you want to shop like the locals shop or just experience something different, visit the floating market in the Punda district where Venezuelan fisherman tie their boats and sell fresh seafood and produce at a great price. Looking for souvenirs? Head to the Old Market (De Ruyterkade in Punda) where you’ll find lots of nearby shops to find unique gifts and great memorabilia.

To take in beautiful panoramic views, head over to the Queen Juliana Bridge that span high above the city. Perfect for some great pictures of your trip!

Take in a tour of the Senior Co. distillery to see how the famous Blue Caraçao liqueur is made and maybe indulge in a few exotic libations for *ahem* quality testing purposes.

If you’re feeling a little adventurous, take a tour of the Hato Caves where you’ll discover 1500 year old petroglyphs (cave drawings) created by the native Arawaks. These caves were later used as a hiding place for slaves. Maybe do this tour before the distillery tour!

You may have noticed I didn’t mention beaches yet… don’t read into that at all! There are lots of beaches for you to enjoy and relax throughout the area and Curacao island. To swim and lunge where the locals do, go to Knip beach and little Knip beach. If you aren’t into the beach scene, enjoy spending time playing or watching Curaçao’s national sports pastime: baseball!

There’s no way you’ll be bored with your vacation to Willemstad but even if you were…isn’t a bored day in a Caribbean paradise better than a cold day at home? I’ll take that getaway to the Caribbean, hands down!

As the weather changes during the fall and spring, cruise lines must reposition their ships to various parts of the world to provide itineraries that take advantage of the best of the season’s weather.  The most common repositioning cruises are transatlantic sailings in the spring that move ships from the Caribbean over to Europe and the Mediterranean for the summer months and the North American Pacific coast in the fall after the Alaskan ships are done for the season and heading down to California for Mexico and Panama Canal cruises.

Repositioning cruises are usually less port intensive, which is great for those looking for some relaxation instead of discovery. Because the cruise lines need to move these ships, they often offer the cruises for discounted prices. The good news about the discounted pricing means you can finally treat yourself to that balcony stateroom or suite that you’ve always wanted to try!

Although transatlantic and Panama repositioning cruises tend to have longer itineraries, the shorter North American coastal cruises are the perfect way for new cruisers to introduce themselves to sailing, without having to commit to weeks at sea. One word of warning though, it is addictive and you will be planning your next trip before you’re even off the ship…take it from an office full of cruise specialists who tend to have their own next two cruise vacations booked before they even set sail on their current cruise!

When it comes to the repositioning of ships on the pacific coast, you’ll often find great combination deals. What do I mean by this? Let me break this down a bit. Your typical repositioning cruise from Vancouver to San Diego is roughly 4 days so why not package that up with a great flight and hotel deal for 3 nights in San Diego, Las Vegas or sometimes even Disneyland?

If you are looking for a very cost effective way to discover Europe and have lots of vacation time to boot, the transatlantic cruise presents great savings, gives lots of relaxing sea days during your traverse and often stops in a few Mediterranean ports such as Barcelona, Monte Carlo, and Rome. You can often easily do a back-to-back sailing and stay on the cruise as it sails the Mediterranean or Baltic or disembark at the end of your cruise and spend a few days discovering that city before flying home.

The news about these cruise+hotel+air deals travels far and quick so if you are interested in taking advantage of one of these deals, don’t wait too long as they may sell out.

You can view some of the fantastic spring CruisePlus repositioning bundles right on our website or contact a CruisePlus Cruise Specialist for details on planning your repositioning trip.

This port town is an outdoors lover’s paradise. You could spend days taking in everything the are has to offer, from pristine hiking trails, the largest collection of standing totem poles, to whale watching and some really fantastic fishing!

Take the time to learn about the Tlingit and Haida native history of the area and visit the large collection of totem poles in the area, located at Totem Bight, the City of Saxman and the Totem Heritage Center.

A visit to the Misty Fjords National Monument, a large protected area to which the landscape was carved by glaciers in large u-shaped troughs created many glacial valleys filled with sea water. Continuing with the native history, you will find pictographs (native rock art) painted along cliff walls. Within the monument area, you’ll have the opportunity to spot various wildlife like killer whales, sea lions, black and brown bears and mountain goats! The area is quite remote so most people either take a cruise/ferry service or charter a floatplane, which is a marvellous experience on its own.

For those looking to stick closer to town, there are unique shops and dining opportunities downtown Ketchikan. Make your way down to Creek Street to find unique gifts and souvenirs made from local artists from Ketchikan. Seafood lovers, rejoice! You’re in Alaska, home of some of the best salmon, crab, halibut clams and oysters in the world! Tantalize your taste buds with local dishes at one of the many restaurants in the downtown area – conveniently just steps away from the cruise ship terminal. Not into seafood? Not a problem! Ketchikan still has your regular favourites, from fast food to pizza and pastas; you’ll find a meal that excites you.

Ketchikan’s claim to fame is that they are the “Salmon Capital of the World”. I think this can be disputed because this proud British Columbian (Vancouver Islander to be specific) has heard the same claim made by not one, but two local towns: Campbell River and Port Alberni, BC. Either way, the fishing is good so arrange a day of fishing and enjoy that fresh catch! Coming back to prestigious title of “Salmon Capital of the World”, I say let the fishing enthusiasts decide for themselves! …Or we could propose an amendment to the title from “Salmon Capital of the World” to, respectively, “Salmon Capital of the USA” and “Salmon Capital of Canada” – Let Port Alberni and Campbell River duke out who gets the honour for the Canuck title!

Australia’s largest and most populated city (roughly 4.5 million) draws numerous visitors to its stunning shores every year. Loaded with natural beauty, an interesting history, and some of the country’s most famous beaches, it’s no wonder Sydney is known as Australia’s cultural and financial hub. In fact, the city ranks among the Top 10 Most Liveable Cities in the World according to The Economist.

If you are planning a cruise that ports in Sydney, you won’t find yourself disappointed. From your very arrival In to Circular Quay you’ll find it a breeze to get around to some of the best tourist destinations. You will find numerous water taxis and ferries to take you to various parts of the Victoria Harbour as well as trains, taxis and buses that depart quite regularly directly across the street when you disembark.

The famous Sydney Opera House is a mere 5 minute walk along a walkway from the cruise ship terminal. Those looking to admire gardens are in luck as the Royal Botanical Gardens are also just a short walk away. Footsteps from Circular Quay is The Rocks, located on the outskirts of Sydney’s Central Business District downtown. The Rocks is the historical area of Sydney and was home to its very first settlers. It offers great views of the Harbour Bridge and features many souvenir shops, The Rocks Market and themed historic pubs.

Nearby Victoria Harbour also offers great dining and shopping that could keep you busy for hours. You will also find the Sydney Aquarium, Australian national Maritime Museum, Paddy’s Markets and the Sydney Wildlife World, which exhibits some of Australia’s most exotic creatures and plants!

There are numerous beaches along the coast near Sydney, however, the most famously known is Bondi Beach. Along the beach you will find lots of restaurants and shops. Being that it is the most widely known, it is also the most crowded beach. However, it is essential to visit if you want the authentic Aussie feel. From Circular Quay you can also hop aboard a ferry that will take you to Manly, which is a great beach, definitely quieter, and is great for water sports.

The convenience of Sydney’s attractions makes it the perfect port destination for cruisers just in for the day and a great city to base your Australian explorations if you have a longer vacation planned for the area. 

As part of the world’s smallest island shared by two countries (France & the Netherlands), St Maarten boasts a special Caribbean charm.  Although it is a small island, there is much to see and do during your visit. Just walking through Phillipsburg, you’ll see the colonial Dutch influence in the architecture and the pretty pastel coloured buildings that transform this Caribbean nation into a small blast of Europe. 

Rivalling some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, St Maarten offers blue waters and miles of white sand beaches. If you are arriving by cruise, you will likely find yourself in Phillipsburg, the capital city. As you come into port you will find Great Bay Beach, which is located parallel to downtown Phillipsburg’s Front Street. This beach is great for sunning and swimming all day long. Should you choose to move on from the beach, you’ll find great shopping and restaurants directly on Front Street.

If you head west, you’ll find Little Bay Beach just around the bend from Great Bay Beach. There, you’ll find people using jet skis and parasailing. Due to its calm waters the let you see through the water, this area is optimal for snorkelling. If you head off the beach, you’ll find Fort Amsterdam which is a great look-out area that allows you to easily spot cruise ships as they sail past.

Okay, let’s talk shopping! As I mentioned above, Front Street is where you will find most of the shops. You will also find some colourful local markets along Back Street. Fun fact: St Maarten offers duty free – tax free shopping! The official currency in St Maarten is the Antillean Guilder or Florin, however, US Dollars are so commonly used an accepted that you won’t need to convert your money.  In fact, you’ll even find USD ATM’s at banks and local supermarkets. Go ahead; take advantage of the ease of shopping in Phillipsburg!

Also on Front Street, you’ll find the Simartin Museum, which is great starting point if you would like to get to the island’s history. It houses everything from artefacts from the Arawacks, the first residents of the island – to treasures from a sunken British ship. It is easily an interesting way to spend your afternoon.

There are even smaller islands nearby that you can visit on day trips should you feel the desire to explore. The island of Statia (population 2000), 30 miles south of St Maarten is a great place to take in some diving and hiking. Another great place for scuba and hiking is Saba (population 1,650), which boasts a lush tropical rainforest and a tall steep mountain that on most days can be seen from St Maarten. It is also currently home to my friend Tim so if you do go there, you must say hello! 

Whether you are in port for just a day or are planning a longer vacation on the island, you’ll find lots of activities to keep you and your family entertained!

Check Out Our 22 Night Caribbean Package! It Stops in Phillipsburg, St Maarten! Click here for details

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When you talk to someone who has taken a world cruise, a smile always lights up their face as they recall the special feeling they got being aboard such a unique sailing. In our office, Ann is our source we seek out whenever we want to talk world or grand voyages. One of her fondest memories was the feeling of family that bonds you and the staff. After spending 60 or more days on a ship together, your dining room server already knows that you always start off your evening with an apple martini and there are so many other little extras that make your experience.

The biggest fear that stops most people from embarking on such a unique voyage is the fear of repetition and consequently, boredom (the same meals, the same activities, the same thing many days in a row). The good news is that this is hardly the case. The cruise lines want to make every aspect memorable,  which means you’ll find superior, themed menus with local ingredients that tantalize the taste buds and unique opportunities to learn and enjoy. For entertainment, you’ll enjoy folklore dancers, foreign movies and special guest lecturers that reflect the regional and cultural influences of the area.  In short, it’s a “learning cruise”; a trip where you can’t help but absorb and observe some of the subtle variances in the human experience highlighted by the different cultures you are exposed to.  What a gift!

Some of the additional benefits you can expect on a world or grand voyage include:

• Prominent Speakers, Guest Lecturers and Entertainment
• Themed Balls and Dinners
• Commemorative gifts of your voyage
• Welcoming entertainment at ports
• Extraordinary service
• Upscale ambience

You may want to consider the value of a luxury experience for your world cruise (yes, I said value of!)  -  Regent Seven Seas is a six star cruise line that offers a comprehensive all-inclusive world voyage. When I say all-inclusive, that means that your flight, beverages (alcohol, special coffees, water, soft drinks, etc.), and shore excursions are included. Crystal Cruises also offers many extra amenities and an elevated experience.  Choose carefully what “home” you want to have on this life altering experience…all of the players in this aspect of cruising do a great job – but make sure it fits you.

World Voyages typically run over 100 days.  Some cruise lines allow you to book segments of the world voyage – so you get the same experience on a shorter duration cruise.  Even if your lifestyle does not allow you to cruise for 100+ days you can still experience the benefits of a World Cruise by booking one of the individual segments. 

So where do these cruises stand as of now for availability?   You have to book quite early to ensure there is still room – some of the longer duration voyage experiences are still available for fall of 2011, and bookings for many lines on the world cruise for 2012 already have it sold to 50%.

Call us to book your cruise of a lifetime – our specialists will be happy to assist you!  

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The area around Puerto Chiapas and Tapachula is interestingly cosmopolitan, with a German and Asian influence in the area. You’ll notice this influence in the architecture, cuisine, art and textiles as you visit the shops and stop for lunch.

Although not many cruise lines stop in the area, Holland America Line and Regent Seven Seas are quite known for stopping at this port. Although the city of Tapachula is not itself a large tourist draw, however, the local area is rich in culture, history, and discovery. For example, there are quite a few shore excursions that will interest people with a penchant for ancient tribes.  It is very possible to visit the Mayan Ruins of Palenque, an important archaeological complex dating back to 100 BC or the Izapa ruins.

With lush tropical forests, you can spend the day exploring mangroves and bird watching. Feel like learning a bit? Visit a coffee of banana plantation to see the effort that goes into that delicious cup of java you crave every morning or that banana you love to cut up over your cereal in the morning.

Other points of interest in the area include the Sonocnusco Archaeological Museum and the Temple of San Agustìn. If you’re looking for a lazy beach day, head to the beaches of San Benito and Playa Linda where you can listen to waves of the Pacific crash into the shores while catching some sun. You’ll also find a few shops and restaurants along the beach should you feel the need to nibble or spend some peso.

For a touch of the unexpected, visit the German houses and hacienda villages installed by German settlers who came to the area back when the coffee boom first hit.

If you are unable to partake in the many shore excursions, don’t worry, there is still some activity at the pier. There, you will find a market where you can shop for souvenirs. You’ll also find musical performers, restaurants and bars, all just steps away from the ship.

I this port city has got you feeling the wanderlust of traveling central and southern America, Holland America Line’s ms Rotterdam Feb 2 & April 17, 2011, 30 Night sailing will be stopping in Puerto Chiapas as well as other fabulous ports like Fuerte Amador (Panama Canal), Lima, Peru and Puerto Caldera…to name a few.

Language: Portuguese

When you think about Rio de Janeiro, you’re probably thinking of some sort of festival. Rightly so, it is known as the Carnival capital of the world! The city is set to be the host of the 2016 Summer Olympics is most definitely ready for the influx of tourists. Why? Rio is used to tourists sunning on their beaches and joining in on the festivities as it is already the most visited city in the southern hemisphere. So let’s talk about what draws people to this fun –loving city…

Carnival! This two century old festival takes place every year on the 4 days previous to the beginning of Lent. You’ll find millions taking to the Rio streets enjoy the endless parade of masked people and samba dancers. It is, without a doubt, the largest festival in the city. The second largest event is the Reveillon party held on New Year’s Eve. Over 2 million people flock to the sands of Copacabana beach to enjoy fireworks and champagne. Definitely an event on my personal bucket list!

Speaking of Copacabana beach, you’ll find that in the Zona Sul (South Zone) of the city along with other famous beach districts like Ipanema São Conrado & exclusive Lebion (the most expensive real estate in South America).

Want to get up to more than just sun soaking and Speedo watching on the beach? The Surf at Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra & Prainha offers you a chance to hit the waves. If you’re into scuba, the Cagarras Islands is main place that enthusiasts like to gather.

If you are a history buff, you’ll want to find yourself in the Centro area of the city, which known to be the historic centre of the city. There, you’ll find almost 6 centuries worth of historical sights, from cathedrals to monuments to squares,

Football anyone? And of course, when I say football I mean soccer to us North Americans. In the Zona Norte (North Zone) you’ll find the Estádo Maracanä, which will be hosting the final game of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. This stadium is one of the world’s largest soccer stadiums, seating 199,000 people! The CBF Basil national team plays the occasional game at this stadium so find out early if you want to try to score some tickets.

The Zona Norte is also home to many samba schools and the State University of Rio de Janeiro if you’re trying to figure out what else to do while you’re there!

The scenery – Brazil offers breathtaking views of the city and Atlantic beaches from its many mountain tops. Corcovado and Päo de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) are two of Rio’s most popular mountains.  At the peak of Corcovado, you’ll find the iconic Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue that was named one the “New Seven Wonders of the World” in July 2007. The statue itself is the second largest Art deco statue in the world, standing at 39.6 meters (130 ft) high. The mountain is located in the Tijuca Forest National Park just west of city centre. Sugarloaf Mountain can be found at the mouth of the Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean. To get up to the summit, you’ll have to take two cable cars…or you can climb it if you’re into extreme sports! On that thought, if you’re into extreme sports, why not hang glide from São Conrado?

With all the things to do during your stay, I’m thinking Rio de Janeiro could be one of those vacations you never forget!

To help you get one step closer to your sun-getaway (or wherever you may prefer), I want you to know about our great 2 Week Sale on Holland America Line. Starting November 9^, 2011, the cruise sale lets you take advantage of reduced deposits and when you book, you’ll receive an onboard value booklet that offers you hundreds of dollars worth of savings for some of your favourite activities onboard the ship! You can just get your holiday shopping out of the way and surprise your family with an unforgettable cruise!

Now we don’t want to toot our own horn but…toot toot! We’re just so excited about our recent achievements that we would love to share them with you. In late October, CruisePlus has been recognized as a Top Producer award for Ensemble Travel – AND – we have also received a nod of approval from Holland America Line as one of their Centurion award winners. What is the Centurion award and what does it mean for you? The Centurion award is presented to the top 100 producing agencies in North America, which is quite the big deal! By being a top producing and award winning agency, we can get you better deals on your next cruise. We’d like to thank you all for being loyal friends of CruisePlus because you are the reason we love what do!

On a different note, I’d like to talk a bit about the weather. More specifically, the Caribbean and it’s particularly bad hurricane and tropical storm season. As St Lucia cleans up after last week’s devastation brought on by hurricane Tomas, it may have you doubting your Caribbean holiday. Although staying at a resort hotel may not be the best option, cruising can and does still work. The beauty of a cruise is that the ship can navigate around the storm, keeping you under sunny skies. Some flexibility from your part may be required since, from time to time, if a certain port of call is seeing particularly bad weather, the ship will modify its itinerary. Take hold of your sense of adventure as the ship takes you to an equally exciting port that will promise you better weather. To get back to St Lucia, the island is recovering quickly and welcomed its first cruise ships back into the port of Castries on Sunday. The first ships to return were P&O’s Oceana and Holland America’s ms Noordam. Oceana’s captain was met by the Prime Minister and Tourism Minister as he presented donations to the local Red Cross that included pallets of water, mattresses, and many other items to help rebuild the nation. Let’s all hope that the all the Caribbean islands affected by the storms get the relief they need.

This week we’ve got some great packaged holidays in our newsletter for you to enjoy including San Diego & Mexico as well as the oh so popular Las Vegas and coastal cruise vacations. Don’t forget to take a look because they are most definitely combinable with our 2 Week Sale!

On November 1, 2010, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security implemented the Secure Flight Program. Below is an excerpt from the TSA website:

Secure Flight, the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) behind-the-scenes watch list matching program, fulfills a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission by assuming responsibility of watch list matching from individual airlines. By establishing a consistent watch list matching system, Secure Flight enhances aviation security and more effectively facilitates air travel for passengers.

Secure Flight requires airlines to collect a passenger’s full name (as it appears on government-issued ID), date of birth, gender and Redress Number (if applicable). By providing complete information, passengers can significantly decrease the likelihood of watch list misidentification.

Essentially, what they are saying is the name on your airline tickets must match EXACTLY as they appear on your passport. If a middle name is not on the passport or only an initial appears, then the TSA regulation makes it clear that the ticket should be booked as it appears on the passport or government issued ID.

If you have air travels booked to the United States and are not sure whether the names you submitted comply with the new regulations, contact your airline or booking source prior to arriving at the airport to ensure a smooth check-in process at the airport.

Now that we’ve said the important stuff you can get back to “candy checking”.

This week, it is our pleasure to announce a special trip, Hosted by CruisePlus’ Fiona & Gary Butchart. The couple will take you on a 24 day adventure through Greece, Turkey, Egypt and the Nile! In previous years, Fiona and Gary have had tremendous fun leading groups through Australia, New Zealand, South America & Antarctica. The general consensus from our past travellers is that these two are buckets of fun, in fact, a few of them have already signed on to follow these two yet again. If you would like to learn more about the joining Fiona and Gary in discovering the ancient civilizations of Greece, Turkey and Egypt, you can join the Facebook group or give Fiona a call here at the office (1-800-854-9664).

Speaking of Facebook! CruisePlus has just launched a CruiseLottery fan page for Facebook. Come to the page to keep updated on CruiseLottery’s latest activities, ask questions about Cruise Lottery, receive suggestions on how to help sell your fundraising tickets, and so much more!

CruiseLottery is an original fundraising idea that helps non-profit and charitable organizations achieve success in their community by providing an exciting, fun and effective way to fundraise. The fun prize? A 7 day cruise for two on 5 Star Holland America Line. Your winner may choose eligible dates for the Caribbean, Alaska or Mexico or take a $2000 credit towards a Canada/New England or any cruise booked with CruisePlus. Pass this information along or share this with your charity because there’s no easier way to gain funds for goodwill than by providing an excellent quality prize that will become the talk of your town!

One final thing to remind you about…it’s not too late to enjoy some last minute Caribbean sailings for some great deals! If you’re thinking of the Caribbean for early 2011, book by October 31^st and take advantage of the Holland America Line Caribbean Verandah Sale. Essentially, book an ocean-view stateroom and receive a Free verandah upgrade! These deals are good on sailings happening in the middle of our long, cold winter. Take advantage of this opportunity and go enjoy some warm Caribbean sunshine from your very own verandah stateroom…and still have money left over for some fun shore excursions or a relaxing day at the spa!

Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth made quite the headlines last week when Her Majesty The Queen stopped by for the official naming of the ship in Southampton, England. The ceremony opened with the Bournemouth Symphony and ended when the champagne bottle was smashed against the hull and The Queen proclaimed "I name this ship Queen Elizabeth, may God bless her and all who sail in her".

Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas will be making her maiden voyage on December 1, 2010. The much anticipated twin-sister ship to the Oasis of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, will be sailing the Caribbean for her maiden season.

Oceania Cruises’ Marina has had her maiden voyage sold out for months upon months! This lovely new ship will embark on a transatlantic voyage on January 22, 2011 from Barcelona to Miami to start her debut season traversing the Panama Canal and touring the Caribbean.

Carnival Magic floated out of the Fincantiery shipyard in Manfalcone, Italy late week. She is set to begin sea trials in the Adriatic Sea in preparation for her debut on May 1, 2011. Carnival’s newest ship will be spreading its Magic all over Europe for her maiden season.

Disney Cruises’ Fantasy, a sister ship to the Disney Dream, will feature an AquaDuck water coaster, magical children's areas and world-class entertainment. The ship sets sail in Caribbean April 7, 2012.

Princess Cruises made a splash when Carnival Corporation & PLC finalized contracts for two new ships. The new ships will be entering service in 2013 and 2014. The ships will carry 3,600 passengers and are proposed to have 80% balconies. Essentially, all outside staterooms will be outfitted with a balcony!

As you can see there will be many of new ships for you experience in the upcoming years. No matter what your interest or taste, there is a ship out there for every traveller. Call us to be one of the first people to sail on these ships and earn the bragging rights to have “been there, done that” before any of your friends!

World’s Largest Cruise Night

 Oct 13-31, 2010

•  Book with one of the 25 participating cruise lines to get great deals, onboard credits, reduced deposits and so much more!

• Visit our World's Largest Cruise Night webpage and don't forget to click "Like!" on the right hand side to share it with your friends on facebook. You'll find all the ways cruisePlus can help you take advantage of some fabulous deals!

Holland America Line 3 day Sale

Until October 15^th, 2010

• Expect to find some reduced prices on some of your favourite sailings!

CruisePlus/Holland America Line Cruise Week Sale

October 13-27, 2010

• Take advantage of Reduced Deposits and Onboard Value Booklets!

World’s Largest Cruise Night

Oct 13-31, 2010

• Book with one of the 25 participating cruise lines to get great deals, onboard credits, reduced deposits and so much more! Check out our website http://travelandcruisedeals.com/ to find the details on what each of your favourite cruise line is offering you!

Now is the time to book last minute 2010 cruises and resort all-inclusive vacations! There are some fabulous deals out there, especially for Caribbean sailings. Make sure to check out our great Sandals Resort offer at the bottom of the newsletter. If you are looking for all-inclusive and want a taste of luxury, you can enjoy it now for 4 star pricing!

I know the rain and wind of this past weekend has got me wondering if I can sneak away for a week of sunshine…even though I’ve just returned from a trip to Europe and the Mediterranean!

Give our cruise specialists a call to find your perfect itinerary or if you have any questions about the massive sales starting this week.