Overlooking a vineyard in Tuscany from Castellano di Verrazzano

Are you an oenophile who loves to cruise? Today we look at some options for shore excursions for wine lovers.

The world has so many wonderful winemaking regions – do you think will you ever manage to visit them all? If you’re a cruise enthusiast, perhaps you will. Cruise ships call on a number of ports in or near some of the world’s best-known and emerging wine regions. Additionally, many cruise lines offer shore excursions specifically designed for the appreciation and tasting of local wines.

Iceland Volcano Ash Cloud (Courtesy AP)

Our thoughts go out to the thousands, sorry, tens of thousands of people who has had their travel disrupted by a natural event. Many agents will have a question for these travelers; “Did you purchase travel insurance?” There are several thousand cruise passengers who will either be unable to get to their ships or be unable to get out of the countries effected. This of course is an unanticipated event and exactly why we stress the importance of travel insurance.

Being Cheap is Easy

There are many places you can choose to handle your vacation plans. Online agencies like Exp***a and Trav*****ty specialize in high-volume discounted travel.For cruises, these agencies sometimes have access to group amenities and can offer special perks with your booking. Other times, they are willing to make a lower commission by rebating some of their earnings in the form of an on-board credit for you and your party. There are also many cruise ship sailings we can offer the same types of perks. If you are flexible with your travel plans we can and often do find amazing values along with special perks.

After a few days rest, my wife wanted to wrap up her thoughts about her first ever mommy and daughter cruise.

Mommy and Daughter Cruise Day 7

Final Day at Sea

My daughter had a sleepover last night with her new friend so I had the cabin to myself.  I awoke early this morning just before the sun broke the horizon and snapped some shots as the sun came up to greet us all.  It was such a beautiful sight. 

My wife and daughter are sailing on Norwegian Star for the first time. It is their first cruise just the two of them and their first experience with Freestyle Cruising. Yesterday was a day at sea.

Mommy and Daughter Cruise Day 6

At Sea off the coast of Baja California

It was the first of two days at sea with my six year old as we head back to Los Angeles and things went fairly well.  We were able to wake up at a leisurely pace this morning.  I spent the first hour getting yesterday’s blog out and the pictures though I am noticing now as we are nearing the end that I am taking fewer and fewer pictures.