Thursday, August 19, 2010

Cruisin'

We’re mostly talking about travel on Killer Hobbies this week. I’m not going to focus on one destination. Instead, I’m going to rave about the best way of all to travel: cruising!

Imagine days, or even weeks, of being pampered. Fed. Amused. Instructed. Entertained. All of that, on top of visiting some of the most exciting destinations in the world--during one trip. Without having to repack for each change in location.

That’s cruising!

I admit I’m a cruise addict. I’ve cruised Alaska’s Inside Passage three times. I’ve cruised along Mexico and through the Caribbean to different destinations, as well as to Bermuda. I’ve cruised the Hawaiian Islands, including a jaunt to Fanning Island in the Kiribati Republic to ensure that the ship visited a foreign land (necessary for ships not registered in the U.S.). I’ve also cruised the Panama Canal, Australia/New Zealand, the British Isles, the Mediterranean, a separate cruise of the Greek Islands, the Baltic, and the Danube River.

One fun thing for a writer is that the cruise lines often have enrichment programs for the passengers for days spent onboard ship and not ashore. I’ve often been able to give talks on writing while cruising, and contact the lines in advance to set it up once I’ve got my cruise booked. They’re usually quite amenable to the idea as long as there is sufficient time on board that isn’t already filled with activities. There are also writers who get their trips paid for by doing speaking engagements, but I haven’t been that fortunate... yet.

So... am I planning another cruise? I’m definitely thinking about it?

How about you? Have you ever been on a cruise? Did you enjoy it?

11 comments:

Janie Emaus said...

I've been on one cruise and loved it. And would really like to take another one. Any recommendations?

Linda O. Johnston said...

Love 'em all, Janie, but I most often suggest Alaskan cruises. There's always scenery along the Inside Passage and the water's pretty calm so people who get seasick easily are usually okay.

Camille Minichino said...

Never done it, but you make it sound appealing, Linda.

I vote for your getting a proposal together so you can be a professional cruise speaker! The idea is to get paid for what we like to do, right?

Betty Hechtman said...

The closest I've come to going cruising is drooling over all the brochures I get. I definitely want to take a cruise in the future.

Linda O. Johnston said...

Love the idea, Camille. I'll see what I can do about it!

Linda O. Johnston said...

As you can tell, I highly recommend it, Betty.

Camille Minichino said...

I have 2 friends who get bookings on cruises to teach a film class. All expenses paid, of course. They just send a proposal to the "Program Director.

No harm in trying!

Linda O. Johnston said...

I always contact the program or enrichment directors in advance, Camille, but so far they've made it clear that I still have to pay for the cruise. There are companies that place lecturers, though. That's on my agenda to check out.

Terri Thayer said...

I'm going on my first cruise in March 2012, as the featured author on a Girls Just Want to Have Fun cruise with Quilt Camps at Sea. Can't wait!

We're going to the Mexican Rivera. I want to do the Alaskan quilt someday soon.

How about a Killer Hobbies cruise to Alaska?

Monica Ferris said...

I love the idea of a Killer Hobbies Cruise, but I'd rather go to the Caribbean. (I can hear the Beach Boys now . . .)

Linda O. Johnston said...

Would love a Killer Hobbies cruise, Terri and Monica! Alaska or the Caribbean, or how about Mexico?