Even though the snow is still blowing in the north, the sun beckons us to the south! 

Fortunately we have the most economical vacation available—cruising during times of a scaled back economy!  The cruise lines want our business!  So take advantage!

Remember:  Any time you can cruise less than $100/day/person, you’ve got yourself a GREAT deal! 

Here are my top picks for real deals:  

During March, travel on the brand new Holland America Eurodam, traveling the Eastern Caribbean for seven days starting at $599!  

 In April, cruise on the Crown Princess for seven days for $499!    

You can still catch the $549 for seven days deal in the month of May, traveling the Eastern Caribbean.

Remember, do NOT purchase your cruise with air fare included.  Book your cruise, then book your air travel, giving yourself plenty of time prior to your cruise ship departure.  I suggest going a day or two, even three days prior if you want to tour the area.  The cost savings will more than take care of any expenses. 

In a previous blog, I talked about our planning a cruise to Alaska during the month of May.  We have a trip to travel for our son's college graduation, so we have moved our trip to June.  Peak season for cruising in Alaska-June15 to July 15.  We're sailing on Holland America's Westerdam.  Being the pansy Floridian that I am, I certainly plan on packing winter wear.  I'm  told to pack the insect repellent, as well!   Our land excursions have yet to be determined.  Please contact me with your recent (or not so recent) experiences on land in Alaska--I'd love to hear from you!  

Happy Travels,

Diana 

Happy New Year to all!  I'm back, ready to go again! 

I highly recommend a Florida Vacation—

Florida scored THREE out of the top ten rated beaches in the Country! 

Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman*, also affectionately known as Dr. Beach, has issued his annual list of America's Best Beaches. He visits over 100 beaches each year in an official quest for just the right combination of “sand-sational” sand, crystal-blue water and amenities. Here is his 2008 list:

Top 10 Beaches 2008

1.   Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin, FL

2.     Hanalei Beach, Hawaii

3.   Siesta Beach, Sarasota, FL

4.     Coopers Beach, Southampton, N.Y.

5.     Coronado Beach, San Diego, CA

6.     Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.

7.     Hamoa Beach, Hawaii

8.  Cape Hatteras, N.C. 

9.  Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, FL

10.Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.

The coming months will be a GREAT time of year to visit sunny Florida!  I’m highlighting two out of Dr. Leatherman’s three Florida picks:

Caladesi Island State Park

In the heart of the beautiful Florida Gulf Coast, Caladesi Island is accessed via ferry (departing hourly beginning at 10:00 a.m) from Honeymoon Island (opens at 8:00 a.m.-sundown 365 days/year).  It is located west of the city of Dunedin, just north of Clearwater.  It has something for everyone to enjoy!  It is one of the few completely natural islands along Florida's Gulf Coast.  Caladesi's white sand shores have been rated as the nation's #1 best beach! Sand dunes line the open beach with turtles and shore birds finding it the perfect location for nesting. Beach lovers can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. Saltwater anglers can fish from their boats or throw a line out into the surf. Nature enthusiasts watch wildlife while hiking the three mile nature trail through the island´s interior or paddling a three mile kayak trail through the mangroves and bay. Picnic tables, bath houses, shelters, and picnic pavilions are available.  The park has a marina with electric and water hookups for boaters (overnight docking permitted), as well as a snack bar and gift shop.

Directions:

Boat:From channel marker #14, just west of the Dunedin Causeway Bridge, take an approximate 212´degree heading on your compass for approximately 1 mile. Follow the channel markers into the Caladesi Island State Park Marina.

Driving:

From Orlando: I-4 west to I-275 south to SR-60 west. Cross Courtney Campbell Causeway, then turn right on US Hwy 19 north. Left on Curlew Rd. (SR-586). Follow SR-586, crossing Dunedin Causeway, to Honeymoon Island State Park for Caladesi ferry.

From north of Tampa: I-75 south to I-275 south to Hillsborough Ave. exit.
West to slight left at Curlew Rd. (SR 586). Pass fork at SR-580. Follow SR-586, crossing Dunedin Causeway, to Honeymoon Island State Park for Caladesi ferry.

From Bradenton and South: I-75 north to I-275 north to Roosevelt Ave. exit (Follow signs for St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, last exit before the Howard Franklin Bridge). Stay right on SR-686 west when SR-688 forks to left. Right (north) on McMullen Booth Rd. (CR-611) to cross over the Bayside Bridge. Left on Curlew Rd. (SR 586). Follow SR-586, crossing Dunedin Causeway, to Honeymoon Island State Park for Caladesi ferry. 

Siesta Beach

I know that you will enjoy your Florida vacation, wherever you choose, but I’m personally recommending these two nature areas for you to kick back and see some real Florida beauty!  Caladesi is more “natural”, and Siesta Beach is more populated, yet gorgeous!  

I wish you safe & happy travels,

Diana

*Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman is a coastal scientist with thirty years of international experience studying storm impacts, erosion, and ways to improve beach health. He is Florida International University's director of the International Hurricane Research Center and the Laboratory for Coastal Research. The Center is also home to the National Healthy Beaches Campaign founded by Leatherman.  

We hear on the news that there will be fewer trips “home” for Americans celebrating Thanksgiving this year.  That certainly is understandable, given our current economic downturn.  For those among us who are unable to celebrate Thanksgiving with our biological family, take heart.  Get outside of yourself and either adopt one person, several, or a family or two and share the holiday with them.  Remember your elderly acquaintances.  The multi-generational mix is wonderful for young and old, alike.  We all need each other!  Make it special.  Call your loved ones for the holiday and send your love, then get back to creating something special at your house!  It doesn’t have to cost that much.  Have everyone bring their own special dish!  Many wonderful relationships can be started or renewed in this wonderful way!

I remember back in 1985, when our family moved from Michigan to Florida and we had no family here at all, and hardly knew anyone.  We had some dear old family friends that invited us into their family gathering for a holiday.  I will never forget that!  It made a huge difference for us that season!  We all need to try to remember to extend a hand.  It will make everyone feel great!  

If you ARE flying during the Thanksgiving holiday, remember to arrive at the airport TWO HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE TIME on peak flying days:  November 26 & 30, and December 1. 

Going “Home” for the winter holidays? 

Yesterday, President Bush announced that he is opening airspace for the holidays that is typically dedicated to the military, to commercial airliners.  This will mean that the big, busy airports will be able to expand the number of runways to relieve congestion.  This will make flying, overall, go faster and smoother. 

Looking ahead to the winter holidays, there are still many economical flights available.  Please take a look and book right away to reserve at the best prices.  Remember, www.shipsandtripsonline.com shops the entire market in seconds, to get you the best possible price, saving you time and money.  

If you can be flexible with your travel times and dates, you can get an even better deal!  If you have someone who is unable to afford to visit you for the holidays, consider purchasing them a ticket as your holiday gift to them.  It will be much-appreciated, and you will undoubtedly enjoy their holiday visit! 

Good News:

Next fall, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) expects to let travelers take as much shampoo, makeup, and other liquids as they want on planes starting when more advanced x-ray machines arrive in U.S. airports.  Until then, REMEMBER, you are still limited to carrying on only as many 3.4 ounce bottles of liquids as you can fit into a quart-size plastic bag.  Here is the link for the TSA’s rules for general flying/carry-ons:  http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/311_intl_acceptance.shtm. 

           Please note that the airlines are getting fussier about their carry-on policies.  Be sure that you meet the guidelines to save yourself a headache.  The maximum size carry-on bag for most airlines is 45 LINEAR inches.  That’s the total of the height, width, and depth of the bag.  Anything any larger must be checked. 

Other security tidbits:

o   Avoid triggering metal detectors by avoiding wearing/carrying metal:  heavy belt buckles, oversized earrings, loose change, heavy chain necklaces/belts, spare keys, underwire bras.

o   Wear slip on shoes—the come off easily during the security check—taking and/or wearing socks for a longer flight is a good idea—they feel great while you snooze).

o   Electronic items such as digital camera, PDA’s, laptops, cell phones, etc., that  are too delicate & valuable to pack and need to go through security—keep them handy as you will likely be instructed to put them in a bin on the security conveyor belt to go through the scanner alone.

o   Be sure that when you place your items on the belt to be scanned, that you watch ALL of your items go into the closed area before you step through the metal detector.  Someone else could make off with your goods. 

I wish you safe and happy travels, 

Diana 

Many first time cruisers choose to travel on the Caribbean.  That’s a GREAT choice!  The question is always, “which is better, the Eastern Caribbean or the Western Caribbean?”  Either one!  They both have sunshine, blue skies, and heaven-sent beaches! 

The one thing that may influence your choice of Eastern versus a Western Caribbean cruise is the port of departure.  If you can find one closer to your home, perhaps you can save on air fare, in order to decrease your expenditures for the trip. If you need to fly, try out a couple of air fare searches.  This will give you an idea of the air fare prices which may guide you to your port of departure. 

Other than looking for ports that you want to explore for shopping and/or activities (shore excursions), consider the fact that the Western trip tend to give you more days at sea rather than ports because the ports are farther apart.  There are actually cruisers who never get off the ship at the ports of call!  There is plenty to do on board, and it is extremely relaxing! 

If none of these choices are important to you, see if one is cheaper than the other.  Try either one this year, and I guarantee you’ll want to schedule the other next year if you can!  

I recommend a seven day cruise if you can swing it.  It’s long enough to get on the ship and TOTALLY relax.  Anything less is still nice, but seven days onboard a ship is awesome –well worth the extra you’ll spend.  Once you experience a cruise, you’ll definitely understand why I recommend it!  You will KNOW you’ve been on vacation! 

Please let me know your thoughts before and/or after your cruise, and of course, if I can help in any way!  

Please book your cruise trip here with us!

I wish you happy travels,

Diana

Of the areas that we traveled on this trip, our favorite was the Cinque Terre—five picturesque villages on the French Riviera in the Liguria region of Italy. The area has small inlets that are “carved” out, leaving dry walls erupting from the Mediterranean Sea, topped with gorgeous vineyards, the product of which is said to be, “fit for kings”.  The hillsides are peppered with wonderful multi-colored houses, painted in pastels.  Laundry hangs from the windows like colorful banners waving in the wind. Little shops and restaurants dot the lower hills, the owner always nearby, at work.  The village cats and dogs run around, at will, all seemingly oblivious to the tourists.

The five villages are:  Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, & Riomaggiore.  This is not to be missed by the romantics among us!  The beauty is indescribable, the view—absolutely breathtaking!  There is an area called, “Lover’s Lane” (Via dell’Amore) which is two roads that tie Riomaggiore and Manarola together.  Historically that was not always the case…the road had to be constructed by the local railroad, so that the villages were not hours apart, which made the lovers happy.  The “Lane” has graffiti (lovingly done) with a nice added touch—sealed locks from lovers, left behind, to represent their “forever love”.  It’s something very special to see, and very romantic! 

While in the Cinque Terre, we experienced some truly wonderful food.  We dined in a local family owned restaurant and enjoyed their pasta with pesto and ravioli.  Both dishes had wonderful flavors and it was a treat to sit in the local community to experience their culture as well as their food and fine wine.  They are hard-working, happy people who love to share the fruits of their labor with us! 

On our way out of Vernazza, we stopped and by the local geleteria (Italy’s version of America’s ice cream parlor).  We picked up a chocolate gelato—to die for!  This stuff is much better than the old “custard” we used to be able to find in America! 

Overall, I would put this area at the very top of the “must see” vacation list in Italy. A cruise is a wonderful way of seeing Europe with great ease.  If there is a particular area that you would like to stay, you can also go to my website and click on “Worldwide Vacation Rentals” for great deals on renting villas, apartments, etc., anywhere, to accommodate two to twenty or more people!  This is great for family reunions, weddings, etc.

Please visit my website at:  http://www.shipsandtripsonline.com  for all of your travel needs.

 I wish you happy travels,

Diana 

“Travel is still great”!

 We returned this past month from ten days in Europe.  We had a wonderful time!  Fall is a grand time to plan a trip to Europe.  The rates go down because it’s not the most popular time to travel there, the weather is superb (a bit cooler than the hot summer), and the crowds are less.   

I have to say, we didn’t make any huge purchases, but our memories and our pictures do the trip great justice!  We certainly kept our digital camera busy—we took well over 500 shots!  Our picture  album turned out great—we cut it down to somewhere around 300 pictures. 

I still believe in the old “less is more” for the packing routine.  You just don’t want to have to deal with the extras—no need!  Be sure to get some REALLY unusual tags for your luggage—the old recorded message at the airport, “many bags look alike”, couldn’t be more true!  

Now we were very fortunate…our two bags followed us straight through. Florida/Barcelona –both ways.  Our travel companions from Canada weren’t quite as lucky, but they were prepared with the bare necessities in their carry-on.  The airline delivered their luggage to the hotel the first evening—not too bad!  Always remember to establish a VERY good relationship with the desk personnel—THEY are the ones to get the airline to deliver those bags!  Ask THEM to make the calls (their dime).  They are very accustomed to this problem and get the job done quickly!  

We really enjoyed the TSA Approved luggage locks this past trip.  They are well worth the purchase.  Those are the ones that you clip onto your suitcase zipper that the window shows green in color.  If anyone in the TSA has had to open your luggage to check it, the color changes to red.  We stayed green straight through and back again.  We certainly have nothing to hide, but it just felt good knowing for sure whether or not someone had opened our luggage.  I would suggest that those are another worthwhile travel pick for you. Please visit http://www.shipsandtripsonline.com for all of your travel needs, including these locks, at the best prices!  We make it very simple for you to book your travel online and get the BEST prices.  We have partnered with Amazon.com for your purchase of luggage, travel accessories, etc.  I used to shy away from some of those obnoxious colors of suitcases when they were on sale.  I think those are to be embraced now!  Pick up on the sales and be able to recognize your suitcase easier!  Be sure to look for the offers on free shipping!

If we can help in any way to assist you with your travel plans, please let us know.  Just click on the "Contact Us" tab and send an e-mail, and of course, you can always give us a call at:                727-420-5698       .

Happy Travels,

Diana 

We just returned from Europe…what a wonderful trip!

We had a wonderful travels in Spain, France, and Italy, by way of a cruise ship.  It was great, unpacking once, and then dining and sleeping as we were off to the next port.  What a fun, relaxing way to see so many beautiful places! 

My favorite “pick” of this trip was the Cinque Terre.  It is a group of five villages in Liguria on Italy’s rugged and terraced Mediterranean coastline (on the Italian Riviera).  The beauty comes from the view as you visit the villages.  They are (from the south): 

·         Riomaggiore

·         Manarola

·         Corniglia

·         Vernazza

·         Monterosso al Mare

From our cruise ship, we took a bus trip through the limited, narrow roads leading to the Cinque Terre area.  The view going up was breathtaking.  We then walked to the first of the villages and made our way through.  We walked as we wanted, and were able to take a boat between villages.  We stopped in Manarola for a wonderful local lunch of spaghetti with pesto and ravioli…m-m-m—certainly nothing like mom used to make.  Maybe it’s all part of being so far away from home and only having read about this particular area…the food was  WONDERFUL, and the wine, divine! 

 On our way out of Vermazza, we popped into a shop to pick up a gelato…chocolate, of course!  I say this is to die for!  No other flavor, my husband has learned! 

I highly recommend the cruise ship method as a way of travel to see key areas of Europe.  There is no easier way to do it!  Here is a link if you would like to schedule it sometime in the next year or so…claim your spot! 

I wish you happy travels,

Diana

We just returned from visiting family for a wedding celebration in Michigan, after which my husband went off to the wild wonders of Alaska!  That type of fishing trip is a bit robust for me.  I enjoyed lingering with family and the end of summer beauty of Michigan—warm, sunny days and refreshingly cool evenings.  It certainly is a welcome change from the Florida heat and humidity. 

Even though it was just a short flight from Tampa to the Detroit area, I decided to give my new travel neck pillow a try in preparation for our trip to the Mediterranean next week.  I really did enjoy the comfort of relaxing in my seat and dozing off without my head bobbing around.  I’m really recommending one of these for your next trip.  Here’s our link if you are interested in purchasing one.  

I think we all get pretty busy when we’re preparing to leave for a trip, just making sure that we get the refrigerator stock down so that we don’t starve before going, but waste nothing while we are gone!  I stick the gallon containers of remaining milk and orange juice in the freezer before I walk out the door so as not to waste it.  I pull the containers out of the freezer and stick them in the kitchen sink for a few hours when we return home.  No wasting the milk and juice, and no immediate trip to the store is necessary! 

We also need to remember the details of making sure that we arrange to have our pets taken care of, stop the paper, hold the mail, etc. Here’s the USPS link:             https://holdmail.usps.com/duns/HoldMail.jsp 

Place your “order” to hold your mail while you are gone (in most areas).  Very convenient!  You never even have to go to the Post Office—just resume with all of the accumulated mail to be left in your post box on your chosen date!

In the summertime, save energy—turn the AC thermostat up!  Even if you have pets in the house, 82 degrees is still fine.  There is no humidity, and pets are sleeping most of the time anyway!  Our pet sitter says it’s fine, they just turn on the fan while they are doing their job! 

As we get ready for summer’s final trip, I have the late fall/winter getaways in mind.  My Michigan family tells me they are already thinking about the mid to late winter warm weather getaway to escape the brutal winter doldrums.  I recommend Caribbean cruising.  Click HERE for the best prices of all cruises to anywhere you want to go! 

I thank you for your business.  It means a great deal to me.  Please let me hear about your travel and/or plans, and if there is any way I can assist you!

Happy travels,

Diana

Could the end of frequent flyer programs be close at hand? 

We know them as AAdvantage, Sky Miles, Dividend Miles and various other frequent flier programs where we USED to get free tickets for frequent flying with one particular carrier.

I understand that beginning August 15^th, Delta Sky Miles members will pay a $25 fuel surcharge for award tickets within the US and Canada, and $50 for trips anywhere else, including short trips such as the Caribbean and Latin America.  US Airways will charge from $25 to $50 starting August 6th.  American introduced a $5 fee in June to get award tickets online.  Booking by phone already cost $20.

We've all been talking a lot about trying to carry on EVERYTHING that we're taking on our trip--checking NOTHING!  That's a skill that we should be able to pull off!  Let's just make sure that we are totally in the know before we have to pay to have that small bag checked for a fee and/or witness the disposal of our only tube of toothpaste to the security personnel at the airport! 

Just click here for the absolute up-to-the-minute official source--our Homeland Security.  It's best to go right to the source and be sure that you do it JUST before we travel, as something might change! 

Be sure to follow the instructions to the letter!  These security people have really got their hands full, trying to follow their rules!  Remember, don't be angry at the person requesting certain things of you--they don't make up the rules, they only follow them, and so should we! 

Pack your snacks, and wear a smile!

Safe travels,

Diana

Many of us are still astounded when we pull up to the gas pump to fill up our vehicle.  The pain of it all!  If we have not parted with our gas guzzler by now, we're married to it, as nobody seems to be buying them at this point in time. 

The airlines are truly feeling the pinch at the pump!  They are forced to pass along the price increase to us or they won't be in business any longer. 

To that end, we must all suck it up--their cost cutting ways, that is! 

Beware:  Be in compliance with your carry-on.  Many airlines have now expanded their airside staff to better police the carry-on rule.  Many passengers are attempting to take on everything but the kitchen sink, and customers are getting upset because some airlines are charging to check their bag and pay the $15. fee, only to find that the airline is not yet up-to-snuff on their policy, and tells the passenger at the airside that they are not allowed to take a particular carry-on and accept it, at that point, with no fee.  Little wonder there are irate passengers with regard to this rule! 

In thinking about the cost for transporting our checked luggage, the obvious choice is to carry on what we can, and not check a bag.  That also saves us untold grief with such things as baggage claim.  That just may work for a trip where you are going for a few days, and if you are really organized,  good at traveling light and packing tight, you may even get by with a carry-on for a trip of a week or more!  Seasoned travelers do not take half the stuff that a novice tends to place in a suitcase. Check out some of our packing tips, specifically about taking less clothing by color coordinating so that you can mix and match everything that you take on your trip.  

Remember to check with your particular airline for specific carry-on specifications.  In general, carry-on bags should weigh less than 40 pounds (be sure you can lift it yourself!) and measure less than 45 linear inches (add length, width, and height).  Also, be sure that your liquids, etc. conform with the Federal Aviation Administration's rules for carry-on.  

Yes, our lives have changed a bit due to rising fuel costs, and this is just another adjustment for all of us! 

Happy & Safe Travels,

Diana 

What else can the airlines come up with a fee for?  In today’s newspaper I read an article that said that America’s largest airline, American Airlines,  has come up with a new fee of $15.00—$30.00 round trip—for the FIRST bag checked for discounted coach seats on domestic flights.  This takes effect June 15th.  Anyone who bought a ticket before that date for later travel is exempt.  I found that to be shocking!  I don’t know about you, but when I travel, I typically have the need to check a piece of luggage! 

Just as with other fees and changes in customer service, other carriers will undoubtedly adopt the same rules.

I think that this is going to cause people to bring more and bigger carry-on pieces than ever.  I hope that the airlines truly follow their carry-on rules.  But, if they do tell the customer when they are already at the gate or worse yet, inside the carrier, that they’ll have to check the bag, how is that going to be handled?  How do you pay for that, and when, and could there be additional delays for ALL of us?  And won’t more carry-on bags going through security bog down that already-challenging process? 

In general, the rule is one carry-on plus one other “personal item”—a purse, OR a laptop/bag or something similar.  How many times have you helped a struggling passenger with some ridiculous carry-on that should have been packed in the first place?  I certainly want to help anyone in distress, but c’mon, just pack it and check it!  Well, people didn’t do that when it was included in their ticket price.    What’s it going to be like now??? 

I don’t understand why the airlines didn’t just leave their service levels what they were a couple of years ago.  With jet fuel prices jumping what, 80%, yes, something has to give.  But wrap it all in the price of my ticket, whatever that may be.  This nickel-dime stuff just doesn’t set well with most people, I don’t believe.

Perhaps consumers would not be quite as grumpy while traveling, if the old customer service still existed.  I think most of our minds go to the food issue.  There were snacks on shorter flights, and the old box meal routine on longer ones.  It wasn’t much, but hey, the airline personnel would probably agree that their passengers were in a pretty good mood when they were passing out food, and remained that way once their bellies had some food in them.  Have you ever noticed that people seemed to feel pretty good, and settled back in their seat for a nice nap after eating?  Now people are finding their bag and pulling out a snack or a sandwich if they brought something with them, or IF they had time between connecting flights to stop & buy something.  I cannot count how many times I’ve walked right past a fast food place in the airport, and had to bypass in order to get to my connecting flight.  What about these nightmare newspaper stories we’ve all read where airplanes have waited on the runway for literally hours for their turn to take off with no food for the passengers!  Carry-on those snacks!

We may agree that we’re probably fortunate to NOT be employed in the airline industry.  It’s got to be a very tough job.  I think that we count on airlines to provide us with a very important service.  Ever tried driving from Florida to California lately?  Now that’s a road trip!  Think of the price of gasoline, food, lodging, either car rental or putting mileage on your car, not to mention your time!  It makes you think that the price of an airline ticket isn’t too bad after all! 

I guess we’ll all be watching how the consumer as well as the airlines, cope with these most recent changes.  I’m wondering how different people feel about this issue.  We would love to hear your opinion!

With a warmer feeling in the air and the anticipation of summer’s arrival in Florida, we're setting plans into place for a fall vacation.  A cruise to foreign lands sounds appealing.  Oh, the possibilities!  While going on our travel site, they are endless!  We first thought about the weather--what would be very nice without being oppressively hot, and somewhere that we've not traveled recently.   

We felt that the ease of touring by way of a cruise was the way to go.  The prices are an incredible deal when you consider the price of rental car and gasoline, hotels, meals, etc.  I like walking on a cruise ship and unpacking ONCE, then leave the "driving" to the Captain! 

There are SO many things to do on the ship, including planning your port activities. I prefer previewing the excursions online prior to departure so that we can sign up for them the first day.  That way you won’t miss out if it’s a popular activity.  You’ve probably made a better decision by thorough reading at home, as well, not to mention it will leave you more leisure time on the ship!    

When we’re out to sea, I enjoy the poolside afternoons...the relaxation and fun in the sun with the wonderful musical entertainment, in the background where you can read your book or not, sleep or not, or just bask in the sunshine OR be with friends and chat the afternoon away, while enjoying your favorite adult beverage! 

After enjoying the “shopping” on our travel site, we’ve just booked a seven day cruise out of Barcelona.  We did NOT book our airline tickets with the cruise ship company.  We saved HALF by figuring out our own transportation to and from Barcelona, simply by booking our own trip on our site!  We’ve opted to arrive a couple of days early to tour Barcelona with our Canadian friends, who will also be sailing with us!  This will give our internal clocks some catch-up time, so we’ll not only enjoy seeing Barcelona in detail, but we’ll feel fit as we step onto the ship, ready for a grand time!   This week I must again, go to our travel site to book our two nights at a hotel in Barcelona.  This saves money, as well, as it’s more favorable with the exchange rates and the “shopping” that our site does!