The Independent Traveler Comes Through!

Knowledge is the key to having a fun and stress free vacation. My goal is to pass along cruise tips even if it means telling everyone about the excellent information on other websites. Let's share the information for the greater good of traveling families and give great writers their just due! Caroline Costello has a great article that shows that simplicity can save a traveler money and eliminate inconveniences: 

Top 10 Travel Essentials You Can Find in the Trash

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The Radiance Of Jewels and Cruise Ships

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Jewel of the Seas

There's a countdown to the arrival of the Radiance of the Seas here in Tampa and excitement is building. The excitement, however, was mixed with mixed emotions last month when Royal Caribbean announced that the Radiance was here for only one Winter season before sailing down under to Australia. I wondered why just one season? What are we chopped liver?

Well, I'm happy again because while the Radiance is beautiful - she's not a Jewel. The even more beautiful Jewel of the Seas will be sailing from Tampa beginning in 2011. What a perfect place for the Jewel of the Seas because after all, Tampa has always been every pirate's treasure chest! 

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Special Cruise For $99 !!!

$ 99 Dollar Cruise Special

A blonde walks by a travel agency and notices a sign in the window, "Cruise Special -- $99!"

So she goes inside, lays her money on the counter and says, "I'd like the $99 cruise special, please."

The agent ties her to a large inner tube, then drags her out the back door and downhill to the river, where he pushes her in and sends her floating.

A second blonde comes by a few minutes later, sees the sign, goes inside, lays her money on the counter, and asks for the $99 special. She too is tied to an inner tube and sent floating down the river.

Somehow drifting into stronger current, she eventually catches up with the first blonde. They float side by side for a while before the first blonde asks,
"Do they serve refreshments on this cruise?"

The second blonde replies,"They didn't last year...."

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The Opposite Approach Works

I've often tried to advise cruise vacationers on the right way to do things. Like the right way, the right thing, the right attitude or the right timing. Sometimes that works but Chris Owen has written an article that will never become outdated using the opposite approach and it works!

Check out his article here:

11 Great Ways To Ruin Your Cruise

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Royal Caribbean Plans To Increase Tourism To Haiti

The Citadel

Royal Caribbean, one of my favorite cruise lines, has always recognized the need and opportunity to support tourism in the country of Haiti. Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, has tentative plans to turn it up a notch by expressing his desire to do more. First of all he would like to see a school for Haitian children built and supported in part by Royal Caribbean.

Just as exciting and of special interest to all adventure seekers is a plan that would allow guests of Royal Caribbean to make an all day adventure tour to the mountaintop fortress in Haiti known as The Citadel! The Citadel (also known as Citadelle Laferrière) is on top of a 3000 ft. mountain and known to be the largest fortress in the Americas and has withstood several earthquakes. 

Sounds like this could be the highlight of an already wonderful Royal Caribbean cruise!

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