Want to fly cheap? It might be time to break some bad habits. As the economic slump lingers and both business and leisure travel declines, fares are getting cheaper as airlines try to fill seats. What tricks of the trade can you use to get the very best prices?

“Short but Sweet” – These three words truly sum up the perfect weekend from which our group aboard our Amazing Journeys Reunion Cruise has just returned. From 44 fun-loving/fun-having passengers to the absolutely perfect weather, to the Clear Kayaking excursion, a delicious BBQ on the beach, our special”Reunion Union” event, the late night Phil Wang concert, Questing with our own “Tasty Treat” (Mark Milgrom), great meals, free drinks, pool time, and the scores of new (and old!) friendships…..what a weekend chock-full of memories! Majesty of the Seas, although Royal Caribbean’s oldest ship, was a spectacular setting amidst her newly refurbished interior and glorious decor. Majesty looked like a new ship, fresh from the shipyard…and she provided us with a perfect home for the perfect weekend.

To those of you who joined us, thanks and thanks again. To those who didn’t join us, its never too late to make some plans. With almost a trip a month, you too can get away for some “R & R”, great destinations and boatloads of fun.

To celebrate abundance–as in the glory of spring, the joys of the Bahamas, and the oodles of friendships and romance that have blessed Amazing Journeys for 17 years–we are headed to Miami in just a few days to embark on a reunion weekend cruise to Nassau and Coco Cay. Forty four excited travelers from 16 US states and Canada will embark upon Majesty of the Seas on Friday for what is going to be a truly amazing weekend filled with fun, warmth, adventure and did I say…fun? We have a weekend chock full of great activities for our group including kayaking, snorkeling, “banana boating”, parties on board and some very special events honoring our past and first time passengers.
If you didn’t make this one, its never too late to plan a future Amazing Journey. We’re headed to Peru, Japan, Alaska, the National Parks and Spain..all in the coming months. Don’t miss out–call us today and be part of an Amazing Journey that will be a vacation that could change your life!

 Won’t I Get Fat?
Okay, we know the rumor that the average person gains about five pounds on a one-week cruise. But for those watching calories, be assured there will be low-fat (and often low-carb) options on the menus and many healthy choices at the buffets; the newest trend is trans-fat free food. Meantime, you can burn calories by working out in the ship’s gym, walking fast or jogging around the various decks (we like ditching the elevators in favor of the stairs), and mountain biking, hiking and kayaking at the ports.

The Peru Export and Tourism Promotion Board has released their 2008 global tourism figures confirming North America as Peru’s fastest growing tourism market. Visitor arrivals from North America have increased an impressive 34% since 2004, with a 15.3% increase from the United States and 22.7% increase from Canada in 2008 alone. A favorable exchange rate, affordable value packages and increased accessibility with direct service from eight major US and Canadian gateway cities, coupled with a growing tourism infrastructure and experiential community programs have made Peru a top destination for North American travelers.

Will I Be Bored?
The greatest thing about cruising is that you can choose to do anything, everything….or nothing at all. There is always a plethora of scheduled and unscheduled activities planned round the clock and the only way to be bored would be to not know how much is actually going on and available.

For intellectual stimulation you can listen to guest speakers, participate in a Bridge tournament or attend a wine lecture. To get your heart pumping play some hoops, a round of miniature golf, take a swim, go rock climbing or visit the ship’s gym, and then reward yourself with a cool one at the sports bar. Speaking of pools, all cruise ships have multiple types of pools including jacuzzis for soaking and lap pools for exercise and kids pools for just plain fun. Some ships even have water slides!
For those itching to spend some money, cruise ships offer exquisite and competitively priced shopping options….or, for those who wish to use their dollars another way, the casinos are always hopping.

Want to be pampered? A full deluxe day spa will help you relax and primp to your heart’s desire. You can participate in a contest, learn a craft, watch a movie, listen to a band, dance in a disco or salsa bar, or take country western dance class. If just doing “nothing” is what you’re all about simply grab a book and get a tan. Remember too, that being out in the open seas under the stars can be one of the most romantic experiences imaginable. The Love Boat wasn’t just a television show; it was a concept that still thrives today.

Remember also, you’re not on the ship all the time — in addition to all the wonderful things to do on the ship, you’ll have days off the ship to go exploring and sightseeing.

Cruising CAN be for everyone. If you’ve ever heard someone say ‘cruising’s not for me’, its probably because they haven’t been on a cruise…or at least not in the past 7 or 8 years.
As the commercial says, “Its like no vacation on earth”.

Amazing Journeys heads off to Lake Tahoe this weekend for a weekend of beeeeautiful skiing, energetic nightlife and lots & lots of good friends with whom to hang. Our annual ski trip is a favorite; there’s just nothing bad about hanging at a resort in the mountains with a great group of friends, spectacular scenery, a hot toddy or two, the coziness of time in the jacuzzi after a day of skiing…and the freedom of the outdoors.

If the winter blues have you jones’n for a getaway, and if you missed this one, why not consider the next one? Maybe a cold weather desination isn’t up your alley? Well…for a warm weather getaway, and a very inexpensive one at that, check out our weekend Bahamas cruise coming up later this month.
We have but a few spaces left…but one of them could be yours!

On January 31, over 100 passengers were denied boarding on Carnival Cruise Lines’ Splendor heading for South America because they did not have required Brazilian visas. How did this happen?

 Is Cruising Safe?
Within the first 24 hours of sailing, everyone is required to participate in a safety drill that includes trying on a life jacket and locating your assigned lifeboat, on the odd chance that you need to use it. Ships must follow many rules and regulations that assure passengers’ (and crewmembers’) safety while on board.

The Coast Guard conducts rigorous inspections of all ships operating from U.S. ports, ensuring that they comply with its emergency-response requirements. Also, international regulations require most ships to have smoke detectors, sprinklers and low-level emergency lighting for escape routes.

Ship’s crews work 24 hour round the clock shifts to ensure safe passage through the waters of the Caribbean, Mediterranean, North Pacific, Panama Canal and all other bodies of water.

Security is often managed by Israeli personnel as well as other highly trained men and women from a variety of international backgrounds. To embark or disembark a ship, measures of tight security that rival if not exceed that which the airlines follow are exercised safely and efficiently.

In short, cruising is one of the safest means of travel available. Throw in a couple of Tequila Sunrises and Pina Coladas, and you’ll only be worried about where the heck the bar server is for the next round.

Staying in touch is easy…but so is staying away, if that’s what you ultimately choose to do. That’s the beauty of cruising!