The Avid Cruiser - Fall 2007 - (Page 2)

from the editor Europe On $2,072 A Day With the Euro reigning king, Europe is no bargain for travelers — well, at least for those who are not on a cruise. Long gone are the days of budget travel, when anyone could tour “Europe On $5 A Day,” the title of Arthur Frommer’s 1957 best-selling guide book. The cost of traveling in Europe has skyrocketed in recent years. The Wall Street Journal ran an article in March, “Summer In Europe: Easy, Not Cheap,” about the high cost of traveling across the Big Pond. “Travelers planning a European vacation will face another summer of $5 cappuccinos and $500-a-night hotel rooms,” the article read. “But,” the article continued, “the best deals are often on cruise ships, where trips are usually priced in dollars.” Holland America Line recently compared the cost of a 10-day cruise with the cost of a 10-day land vacation. Of course, Holland America Line brings bias to the table, but the Seattle-based cruise company found that a family of four could save up to 45 percent by booking a 10-day Mediterranean cruise instead of a 10-day deluxe escorted land vacation. When accommodations, transportation between cities in Europe, food, entertainment and tours are factored in, estimated costs for a family of four totaled $11,359 for the 10-day cruise and $20,728 (or $2,072 a day) for the deluxe escorted Europe land vacation. Moreover, planning a cruise not only is a proven money-saver but also a stress-reducer. There’s no easier way to avoid the common travel headaches than by taking a cruise. For example, you visit several European cities, but only unpack once. You get to sleep in, arriving at a new port each morning, instead of rushing to get on a bus early in the morning to get to the next destination. The Wall Street Journal article cited a Dekalb, Illinois lady who cruised with her mother and sister on a 12-night Mediterranean cruise. Miss Balli reasoned not only that her 74-year-old mother would have an easier time seeing the sights from a cruise ship but also that the cruise would save her money. The Journal did the math: A room at Rome’s Hotel Eden started at $852 a night, during the time period when Miss Balli’s family was traveling. That’s $10,224 for 12 nights, without meals or transportation between other destinations, all included in the price of a cruise. For those who book early, cruises offer some exceptional values for traveling Europe in 2008. I encourage you to contact your cruise seller to begin making plans to see Europe at prices that are always a bargain. Bon Voyage! Avid Cruiser The Editor/Publisher | Ralph Grizzle contributors Geoff Edwards Michael Louagie art Director | Marjorie Frost Published by | Kenilworth Media Inc. Editorial Offices 97 Delaware Avenue Asheville, NC 28806 Write to us | feedback@avidcruiser.com Visit us online | www.avidcruisertv.com Copyright © 2007 Kenilworth Media Inc. All rights reserved. Ralph Grizzle, Editor Pictured with Ralph Grizzle: Susan Olsen, left, and Florence Henderson, third from left, of “The Brady Bunch.” Marion Ross, second from left, and Erin Moran, right, of “Happy Days.” The four leading ladies served as godmothers of Emerald Princess during inaugural ceremonies in Piraeus, Greece. about our cover Editor Ralph Grizzle spent five weeks on four ships cruising in Europe this past spring. The best aspect of back-to-back cruising in Europe: feeling as though you’ve gotten the most from your trans-Atlantic journey while avoiding the tedium of air travel. The worst aspect: eventually having to disembark and return home — to reality. 2 Avid Cruiser FALL 2007 http://www.avidcruisertv.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Avid Cruiser - Fall 2007

The Avid Cruiser - Fall 2007 Contents The Poop Deck Cruising, Back to Back At The Piazza SeaDream Yacht Club Regent’s Seven Seas Voyager The ‘New’ Crystal Symphony Bay of FUNdy Long Weekend Getaway Silversea Cruises: Silver Whisper Cruising Southeast Asia ‘Awesome’ Alaska Sacred Moments In South Georgia Two Years With A Princess Of Days Gone By

The Avid Cruiser - Fall 2007

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