Finalizing Some 2014 Travel Plans

[Still-One]

I have been a bit behind in finalizing some of our 2014 travel. We had been debating on trying a two week European River Cruise but it turns out they are over double the cost of the larger cruise ships with a little less to do in the evening. We also wanted to add some new destinations so I decided we will take one leaving out of Venice next June that stops twice in Croatia, once in Montenegro, Malta and Sicily. Those will be new places for us besides the usual suspects of Rome and Naples. We will fly in early and spend a few days in and around Florence, Siena and Montecatini Terme.

We are going to skip Hawaii this winter and do a two week Caribbean Cruise to thaw out. We have already been to all of these islands multiple times so it is really just to get away for a bit.

Now I need to fit in a New York Theater trip, a California trip for a wedding and somewhere to take our Granddaughter next summer.

[jdandy]

Jim.......You and your wife are quite the travelers. Sounds like next year will be active for you two.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Jim.......You and your wife are quite the travelers. Sounds like next year will be active for you two.

Dan
When we were planning for early retirement and meeting with our financial people one of the items was allocating funds. Someone said your retirement years are broken down into:
-The go-go years
-The slow-go years
-The No-go years.

We want to travel when hills, steps and uneven pavement are not hazards.

Besides our travel together next year Linda is looking at another trip back to the Holy Land for her and a couple of friends.

[Ritmo]

Jim,

Looks like your plans are coming together nicely. I've heard great things about cruises stopping in Croatia. Which cruise line are you considering - Seabourn?

Thx!

[Jack in Wilmington]

Yeah what cruise line are you taking out of Venice? I knew the river cruises were not cheap, but aren't they all inclusive? Tell us a little more about the Carib. cruise.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Someone said your retirement years are broken down into:

-The go-go years
-The slow-go years
-The No-go years.

Jim.......I like that analogy. So true. The golden years become the rusty years pretty quick.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Jim,

Looks like your plans are coming together nicely. I've heard great things about cruises stopping in Croatia. Which cruise line are you considering - Seabourn?

Thx!

Mike
For both the Caribbean and the Adratic Cruises we will be using Celebrity. Linda and I prefer to cruise on either Celebrity or Royal Caribbean.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Jack in Wilmington

Yeah what cruise line are you taking out of Venice? I knew the river cruises were not cheap, but aren't they all inclusive? Tell us a little more about the Carib. cruise.

Jack as I just responded to Mike we will be using Celebrity and sailing in Aqua Class which has its own dining room with a slightly different menu and go anytime between about 6-9:30. Yes some River Cruises include wine and bear with meals while some also include spirits. River Cruises also include some of the tours in the base price.

I like to do a bit of gambling while cruising and I really enjoy the entertainment on both RCCL and Celebrity. It is always nice to have something to do every night after dinner.

The Caribbean cruise itinerary is as follows:
Day 1 Depart Fort Lauderdale
Day 2 At Sea
Day 3 At Sea
Day 4 Oranjestad, Aruba
Day 5 Willemstad, Curacao
Day 6 At Sea
Day 7 St. George's, Grenada
Day 8 Bridgetown, Barbados
Day 9 Castries, St. Lucia
Day 10 St. Johns, Antigua
Day 11 Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Day 12 Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
Day 13 At Sea
Day 14 At Sea
Day 15 Disembark (am) Fort Lauderdale, Florida

[Still-One]

Dan
You are so correct. I see too many people who wait too long to take these trips and are unable to enjoy the fruits of their hard work.

I still have a ways to go to join the 100 country club but I am working hard towards it.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Jack as I just responded to Mike we will be using Celebrity and sailing in Aqua Class which has its own dining room with a slightly different menu and go anytime between about 6-9:30. Yes some River Cruises include wine and bear with meals while some also include spirits. River Cruises also include some of the tours in the base price.

I like to do a bit of gambling while cruising and I really enjoy the entertainment on both RCCL and Celebrity. It is always nice to have something to do every night after dinner.

The Caribbean cruise itinerary is as follows:
Day 1 Depart Fort Lauderdale
Day 2 At Sea
Day 3 At Sea
Day 4 Oranjestad, Aruba
Day 5 Willemstad, Curacao
Day 6 At Sea
Day 7 St. George's, Grenada
Day 8 Bridgetown, Barbados
Day 9 Castries, St. Lucia
Day 10 St. Johns, Antigua
Day 11 Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Day 12 Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
Day 13 At Sea
Day 14 At Sea
Day 15 Disembark (am) Fort Lauderdale, Florida

That sounds like a great cruise. We've only hit St John's, Antigua and St. Thomas out of those ports.