Just recently returned from a 9 day cruise on the Holland America Ship, Noodam.  As a review I must say the cruise was a great pleasure.  This medium size ship is perfect for those wishing a quiet, upscale vacation.  To begin with the ship is very clean and the staff most professional.  We had an inside cabin that was on deck six and it was well attended by our steward and located close to all activities.  One of the best features of this cruise was the exceptional food.  Breakfast, lunch and dinners were top notch every evening.  We twice dined in the speciaity resturant, Pinacle Grill and had delightful meals both times. 

Entertainment on the ship was also very good.  The variety shows were well acted with singers and dancers that were above the normal cruise line talent level.  Also featured were other acts such as a great magician and comedian.  There were also musicians at the piano bar and classical lounge for your after meal pleasure for a drink and a dance. 

The shore excursions were of usual fare with stops at St. Maartin, St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Dominica and the HAL private island, Half Moon Cay.  My favorite was the private island.  Plenty of white sand and blue water on a beautiful beach.  Lots of cool drinks and great food was available to all. 

This was about our 35th cruise (kinda lost count) and second on Holland.  I would not hesitate to recommend this line and itenery to any first time or experienced cruiser.  If you seek a great cruise without the neon lights and water slides this is the ship to sail on.  If you would like further info please call me.

 According to the latest Trip Advisor, here are the top 10 Beach Destinations in the United States.

1.  Saint Pete Beach, Florida.  Sugar white sand situated on a peninsula off of Florida’s west coast.

2.  Miami Beach, Florida.  Work on your tan and watch the beautiful people.

3.  Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  Great for family fun.  Super golf destination too.

4.  Virginia Beach, Virgina.  Plenty of restaurants and nightspots in this classic East Coast hot spot.

5.  Honolulu, Hawaii.  Legendary surfing destination with much to do when the sun sets.

6.  Daytona Beach, Florida.  Hot spot for auto racing fans.  Much improved in the past few years.

7.  Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  Great fun in the sun.  A good choice for families.

8.  Lahaina, Hawaii.  Watch the whales and get a tan at the same time.  I love this beach!

9.  San Diego, California.  Coronado is set among turn of the century mansions.  Take it all off at Black Beach.

10.  Key West, Florida.  Not the best beach for sure, but what a super place to enjoy life.

What in the Wide World Of Sports was the Captain of the Concordia thinking?  Was it really necessary for him to move a hundred million dollar ship closer to shore so he could see and wave to friends and family?  To me anyway, this is clearly on operator, not mechanical failure.  So you ask, is cruising really safe or not?  Listen, millions of people every year have top drawer vacations without any incident.  In reality, its one of, it not the, safest ways to travel anywhere, anytime.  Please don’t let this one bonehead captain influence your decision to take that dream sea cruise.  The ships are beautiful, fun and very, very safe.  My travel agency is busier than ever booking cruise vacations.  If you have any doubts either call me or any other Cruise One Agency nationwide.  We will set the record straight.  It’s all good!

According to “Trip Advisor”  here are 10 great warm weather escapes:

1.  San Pedro, Belize.  Great dive and snorkel location with lots of green space to explore.  Always a fun stop for a week or more of sun.

2.  Tamarindo, Costa Rica.  One of my all time favorites.  It’s like Hawaii was 50 years ago.

3.  Isla Mujeres, Mexico.  Across the bay from Cancun.  Same weather with less wild night life.  Another good dive spot.

4.  Tulum, Mexico.  If you like history visit Tulum.  Explore the Mayan ruins and swim in crystal clear water.

5.  St. John’s Antigua.  I love this place.  Charter a sailboat from St. Thomas and watch the sunset.  Paradise…..

6.  Provo, Turks and Caicos.  The whitest sand I have ever seen.  Enjoy great food and beautiful beaches.Look out for JoJo the dolphin. 

7.  Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  A Pacific treasure.  Visit Sammy Hagar’s night club and dance till dawn.

8.  Christ Church, Barbados.  A long flight but worth it.  Enjoy the “flying fish” and a cold brew.  Breath taking…..

9.  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  Top notch hotels and warm sun.  Take the golf clubs.

10.  Castries, St. Lucia.  Tour the Piton mountains and live large.  Great rain forest to see the flowers and birds.  One of the best in the tropics. 

According to Conde’ Nast magazine, if you want to be alone, here are the best places to go:

1.  Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  258 miles from the nearest major city.

2.  Moremi Game Reserve.  93 miles.

3.  Selous, Tanzania,  155 miles.

4.  Samboja, Borneo.  24 miles

5.  Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sri Lanka.  40 miles

6.  Grasslands National Park, Canada.  227 miles.

7.  Muir Woods National Monument, California.  11 miles from San Francisco

8.  Great Basin National Park, Nevada.  258 miles from Salt Lake.

9.  Pyrenees National Park, France.  20 miles.

10,  Olympic National Park, Washington.  84 miles from Seattle.