The renewal of an alliance between two prominent cruise industry over-see-ers illustrates a strong affirmation to that question. The collaberation of these two organizations are set to address, among other key considerations, the priority issues of wastewater managment, ramifications of climate change and destination stewardship. This alliance will work together to:

• increase awareness and provide information and advice regarding ways to minimize the cruise lines’ greenhouse gas footprint.
• implement good practice standards and training tools for shore excursions
• support conservation projects in key cruise destinations
• raise awareness and support for conservation issues
• develop a rapid assessment tool for measuring changes in destinations over time

Creating an environmentally friendly cruise experience is complicated, but this premise has come a long way since the industry’s inception into the luxury travel market. The cruise experience, after all, involves lodging as well as transportation in a self-contained system. All forms of waste–and there a number of different forms ranging from sewage to solids (cans, bottles, etc) and hazardous (i.e. cleaning chemicals)–must be handled differently and follow regulations by the EPA and US Coast Guard.

While most of the major cruise lines comply to far above the minimum requirements, Celebrity cruises is a top notch leader on the seas. In 2002 Celebrity was awarded the top national honor for marine environmental protection given by the US Coast Guard. The cruise line actually hired a position on each of its ships to manage compliance with the international and US environmental regulations. This person is a senior manager with the responsibility to assist, teach and audit all shipboard personnel.

From recycling programs, to data-gathering devices, to awareness of reducing energy and fuel consumption, to a project that is currently under a feasibility evaluation to determine if a “sea water scrubber system” could reduce engine emissions while then being recycled back into the ocean….the cruise industry is laboriously dedicated to sailing the deep blue sea in the green.

Typically, though, in a given year, about 60% of our trips will be cruises and 40% land-based. Both types of trips have many positives and the choice of how to go is a personal decision….but because of the truly diversified experiences one can enjoy while cruising, cruising can be for everyone.

From lapping in luxury, to having many choices what one can do with their time, to having the ability to see so many destinations in one fell swoop that most people only dream of….to being serviced in such a first class way that we hate to return to our ‘normal’ lives where such pampering doesn’t exist the same way.

Back to the person who says “I’m not a cruise person”…my next question is “have you ever been on a cruise?” Most of the time I get something like “I was about 20 years ago” or “I’ve been on a riverboat”….or flat out “no”. Which tells me that the only reason someone may not be cruise person is because, well, they haven’t been on the kind of cruise Amazing Journeys provides.

The benefits of cruising are so vast that to list them all here would fault me with spacial awareness issues. Suffice it to say that with state-of-the art spa, fitness & recreational facilities, abundant food, top line entertainment, luxury accommodations there is something for everyone. Add to that, visits to destinations to almost anywhere in the world, and you have a most special vacation with unbelievable memories in the waiting…without having to unpack and re-pack at every stop. Also add to that all the great extras and unique brand of customer service that Amazing Journeys provides and you have a vacation even better than the best…and certainly better than all the rest.

The great thing about choosing to cruise is that you can do everything..or nothing at all. Its your vacation and you can do what you please. Want to read a book by the pool by yourself?…or want to take a dance class with 30 people?….or dine with 100 of your new friends? How about an outstanding broadway show with an audience of 1000? There are so many choices that you just cannot not have a great time.
As the commercial says, its “like no vacation on earth”.

Its the end of summer and that means we’ve entered peak hurricane season, (August thru November). According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there’s a 67 percent chance that 7 to 10 hurricanes will be named this season and that doesn’t bode well for the leisure travelers pining to chill on a beach in the Caribbean sometime while the rates are good. The lure of these warm-weather destinations, especially during the off-season, can be hard to resist. Crowds are thin, prices are excellent, perks—like free meals and spa treatments—are numerous, and more often than not, the weather winds up being perfectly fine. So, the question is: are there ways to “hurricane-proof” a vacation—to minimize the chances that a storm will ruin a low-season trip to the tropics?

Indeed there are—although most of the tricks for lessening hurricane risks require some research on the traveler’s part. The Internet can be an indispensable tool for scoping out predicted weather patterns, for example, or for comparing the hurricane policies of different hotels, tour groups, and airlines. Booking accommodations and flights with companies that offer hurricane guarantees (most often in the form of penalty-free rebooking) is a good way to safeguard a vacation; so is shopping around for and purchasing traveler’s insurance (the further in advance, the better).

Other “hurricane-proofing” methods are less obvious, but can be just as helpful for ensuring a tropical holiday. Many travelers don’t know that booking a cruise, for instance—or vacationing at one of a handful of Caribbean resort areas and islands that fall outside common storm paths can make a big difference in hurricane risk.

While these strategies may not be foolproof, they can go a long way toward protecting travelers’ tropical vacation plans (and, worst-case scenario, the travelers themselves). There may not be any way to control the weather, but there are plenty of ways to maximize security—and the likelihood that a dream vacation won’t become a nightmare.

Oh, what a WEEKEND really. Over 130 Amazing Journeys passengers have just returned from an awesome Labor Day Weekend cruise that saw many new friendships and wonderful new memories being made. This on the heels of our Amazing Journeys Reunion Party in the City on August 27 where nearly 300 folks showed up to say hello to Bill, Malori and Michele…as well as to each other.
About half the group on the cruise make the “long” journey from various residents and businesses around New York down to the pier to board our vessel….while the other half navigated many miles from other cities across North American and other countries across the world (England, Russia, Italy and Germany) to play a role in the fun.
Thanks to all who attended both the party and our cruise. What a way to end the summer!
Oh, what a weekend…

Along with 130 of our friends, Amazing Journeys departs on August 28 for a four night cruise from New York for an “End of Summer” party cruise aboard the funship, Carnival Victory. The night before, August 27th, we’re expecting over 250 people to join us for our pre-cruise party at Latitude in the City. Its an open party, so c’mon down too. We’re taking over the top and its gonna be fun night of “reunionizations” and new “acquaintancizations”.

If you’re part of the 130 coming on the cruise, we can’t wait to see you. If you didn’t make it on this trip, we hope you’ll consider one of our others. There are so many to choose from; just check out our website for all the details.

Been dreaming about a destination; somewhere where you’ve always wanted to go? Did you realize…I mean, ever really just stop, think and truly realize that as easy as it is to get on a plane and fly to Miami, New York or Los Angeles, you can fly to aneeee where you want in the the world? All it takes is a little bit bigger credit line and a little more time…but the preparation, planning and process is exactly the same, whether you’re flying to Disney World, or across the world. Imagine…you can get on that same plane and fly off to Israel, Africa, Australia, Japan, Alaska, or Spain. You can do it!

Are you alone in your thoughts? Probably not.
Among the findings in the recently released Virtuoso Life’s “Travel Dreams” survey, some of the top 10 trips-of-a-lifetime include

• *photographing “the big five” on an African Safari,
• sailing on a private yacht in the Mediterranean,
• *seeing the Pyramids in Egypt,
• *cruising in Antarctica,
• touring the Taj Mahal
• blasting off in a galactic flight
• *tracing the ancient routes of Asia

And from the same survey, the top 10 dream destinations are (in order)

• *Italy
• *Australia
• *New Zealand
• *French Polynesia
• *South Africa
• *Antarctica
• *Egypt
• Dubai
• India

*Guess which destinations have been recently–or are in the very near future–on Amazing Journeys’ list of places to take people like you. Maybe its time to get on that plane, and visit the dream destination you’ve always, well, dreamed of.

Over the past 16 years, Amazing Journeys has taken over 5000 passengers across six continents to places once only dreamed of by each and every person. Together we’ve gone jetboating in New Zealand, hot-air ballooning in Australia, white water rafting in Alaska, snorkeling in the Caribbean, zip wiring in Costa Rica, parading at Carnaval in Rio, biking in Amsterdam and off-roading in Iceland.

We’ve seen the Statue of David, the Sydney Opera House, the massive Alaskan glaciers, the Great Wall of China, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, The Grand Canal in Venice… and The Grand Canyon itself.

We’ve been kissed by dolphins, cuddled by koalas, snorkeled with sea lions, swam with the stingrays, observed the birth of a buffalo and waddled with penguins. And….we’ve been the venue for the introduction of over 100 “happily ever after” individuals who, for obvious reasons, won’t be seen on an upcoming Jewish singles Amazing Journey.

Along the path down the alley of our planet, we have embarked upon many (oh, so many!) strange and wonderful experiences, and met many (oh, so many!) strange and wonderful people.
This is what we do.
5000 people have done it with us before. Why don’t you join us too?

Are you in held in the grasp of Olympic fever? Thinking you ought to hurry and make some plans to see the Games…or maybe you’d rather wait to see this awesome country after the billions of tourists, athletes and media personnel leave the billions of residents alone to their ancient history?
In light of this buzz, here are a few simple cultural guidelines that will help you win points with the locals and make the most of your time in China.

THE MEET & GREET
Like the world over, first impressions are key. Yet in contrast to neighboring Asian countries, the Chinese usually don’t bow as a form of greeting. When meeting someone for the first time a gentle handshake accompanied by a slight nod should suffice. If you happen to exchange business cards with a Chinese counterpart, proceed with care. The business card is a revered object in China, and when receiving someone’s, accept it with both hands and read it in their presence. Whatever you do, don’t pick your teeth with it.

THAT’S MR. YAO TO YOU
Say you’re in Beijing and you happen to run into basketball superstar Yao Ming. Whatever you do, do not refer to him as Mr. Ming. In China, one’s family name comes first, then followed by the given name. So Ming is the first name and Yao, the last.

THANKS, BUT NO THANKS. OK, THANKS!
If you feel so compelled to offer someone a gift while in China, know that it’s polite to refuse the present two or three times before accepting. Be persistent with the offering. Waiting for the gift reflects modesty and humility while grabbing something in haste is a sure sign of aggression and greed. As for wrapping, stick with red, which represents luck; avoid white and black as they are most often associated with funerals.

“HEY, HE CUT THE LINE!”
Waiting in line for anything in Beijing can be a very Darwinian experience of sink or swim. If you follow what your mother taught you, you’ll never see the front of the counter. Diminutive sweet old ladies will barge through you like you’re not even there. So when the occasion calls, don’t be hesitant to put those fabled American haunches to good use.

HOW DO THEY CUT THEIR STEAKS?
For those less chopstick-savvy, practice, as they say, makes perfect. To make things easy on the fork-happy cultures of the world, chopstick etiquette in China permits raising a bowl of rice closer to your mouth and discreetly shoveling it in. Amid all the hawking and spitting you’ll still have the best table manners in town. And however you wield your chopsticks, make sure to not point them at a person – akin to flipping the one-finger salute.

WHEN IN ROME
Nothing quite says wealthy foreigner like taking a taxi to hop around the city. Instead, try renting a bicycle; a one-speed, basket-sporting, brakes-not-working, local Chinese bike. It will offer the instant street credibility you covet. The sight of you on a bike should even encourage friendly smiles and brief exchanges.

DEAL?…OR NO DEAL? OPEN THE CASE!
Bargaining is the essence of China’s many markets. Perhaps frustrating at first, it quickly becomes a game for the shrewd. When you first ask how much an item is, the proprietor will likely pull out a calculator and type in an exorbitant number. You should act appalled, throw up your hands, and counter with an equally ridiculous low price. They, in turn, will often respond with a dramatic show of their own. From there, settle on a happy medium. All that work for a lousy T-shirt.

New airline regulations have caused the already-challenged vacationer to become downright burdened by the task of packing. What to do? The answer is short but sweet: Pack “short and sweet”; You’ll all be the better for it.

Believe it or not the airlines are doing us all a favor. Fewer and lighter pieces of luggage makes everyone’s job easier, and every tourists travel experience more enjoyable. As a tour leader who has hoisted such monstrosities as 80 and 90lb pieces of baggage, I have been participant and witness to not only the backache that comes along with such a haul, but the time lost to all other folks waiting to get moving due to the slower pace of moving such hardware.

My rule of thumb: if you’re taking a trip longer than one week…pack for one week, then, recycle your digs. If you’re taking a one week trip. Pack for four days. Get my drift? No one (and I mean NO ONE) will remember or care that you wore that shirt or blouse almost a week ago. Its oooookaaaay. You can wear things twice. You BETTER wear things twice! And, mix & match what you brought so that you can diversfy your look and rotate your clothes. Laundry services are widely available in most hotels and cruise ships and for what you would spend on overweight luggage, you could do your laundry. And my laundry.

A few other helpful hints:
*Layer for flexibility! Instead of heavy sweaters and bulky jackets, opt for thin layers that you can easily add or subtract. One t-shirt, one dress shirt, a light sweater and sport coat–4 items–can allow for SEVEN different combinations. You’ve accomplised three goals here: you’ve lightened your load, you’ve saved a lot of room and you’ve provided yourself with a diversified wardrobe.
*Pick neutral color clothing and more solids than prints. They can be paired in multiple numbers of ways and can camouflage repeated uses.
*Maximize your space! Most everything can fit inside something that fits inside something else. In other words, store your socks, ties and underwear in your shoes..then wrap your shoes in your durable clothing like jeans or a lightweight windbreaker. Creativity counts!
*Purchase Packing Cubes (available at LL Bean or most stores that sell luggage)! These little nylon “compartments” help you to stack & pack similiar pieces of clothing in protective segregated packs. Keeps your things orderly and neat while condensing the much needed space. The downfall of these neat little gadgets is that the added space gives you the illusion that you can pack more and thus risk adding more…weighing more…and paying more.

I said before that the airlines are doing us a favor by limiting our load and you’ll see…before too long the less you take, the better you’ll feel about the task of packing (and the less the airlines can lose too :-)