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?