6 Cruise Destinations You Don't Want to Miss

If the economy has you rethinking that road tripSan Diego, California, can start as low as $499
across the United States, then turn your thoughtsper person. From Southern California, you will
to the high seas. With food and lodging included incruise to the following ports of call: Mazatlan,
the ticket price, cruising the high seas has neverPuerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. In Mazatlan
been a better bargain.you can tour the Sierra Madre Mountains where
Western Caribbeanthey begin on a peninsula extending into the
Consider a five-night cruise to the WesternPacific Ocean. You might also walk its miles of
Caribbean. Starting at $379 a person, you leavebeaches or break out your fishing rod and join
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and head out to Georgefishermen from around the world. In Puerto
Town in the Cayman Islands and then toVallarta, called the "soul of Mexico," you can visit
Cozumel, Mexico. This trip offers the best of thesome prestigious art galleries or dine in fabulous
Caribbean world. Residents of the Cayman Islandsrestaurants. In Cabo San Lucas, "the jewel of the
enjoy the highest standard of living in theBaja Peninsula," you will find fabulous sporting
Caribbean. With lenient tax laws, it has moreopportunities like world-class golf courses designed
registered businesses than residents. As forby Tom Weiskopf and Robert Trent Jones II.
Cozumel, they say that this area has a MexicanEurope
heart and a Caribbean soul - the best of all worlds.Even Europe is within reach these days. Consider
Eastern Caribbeana seven-day cruise with stops in Venice,
Start off with a visit to the Big Apple - New YorkDubrovnik, Athens/Piraeus, Izmir, Nafplion and
City, New York. After taking in a Broadway showVenice. Prices are as low as $699 for an inside
and staying up all night in the city that nevercabin or as high as $1,349 for a suite. Venice is
sleeps, you can choose to leave for the Easternone of those world-class cities that you should
Caribbean from two cruise terminals: Brooklyn orsee before the high tides destroy it. Before you
Manhattan. Ships leaving from both terminals arestart your cruise, spend a day on its canals and
bound for the Eastern Caribbean, one of thetake in the sites you have read about. Four days
most popular spots for North Americanin, you will find yourself in Athens and Piraeus,
vacationers. Typically, cruise ships make stops inGreece. Take in the sights of the largest shipping
Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, the Bahamas and Turksport in the world against the backdrop of the
and Caicos during the summer. There you will findAegean Sea. The final day will find you checking
some of the best beaches in the world, eachout Izmir, Turkey, home of the famous
location with its own special flavor.International Fair.
AlaskaAustralia
For sights you have never seen, consider aIf Europe is not exotic enough, consider a cruise
seven-night cruise to Alaska. Starting at $529 perto Australia - the land down under. For as little as
person, you will board in Seattle, Washington, and$485 a person, you can leave Sydney, Australia,
then head out to Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan andand spend three days on the seas, visiting Burnie
Victoria. Remember that all prices are based onand Melbourne. Burnie is a large port with some
double occupancy and airfare is not included. Oncespectacular scenery including beautiful waterfalls,
in Alaska, take in all you can. Try to do Juneau innature areas, art galleries and even the Lactos
a day, seeing the glaciers, wildlife, having outdoorCheese Factory, offering a fascinating facility tour.
adventures and shopping.In Melbourne, you will find more than you can
In Ketchikan, you have a choice of hiking thetake in. It has everything you would expect from
Deer Mountain Trail or taking an interisland ferrya world-class city, including beautiful buildings, art
to Prince of Wales. In Victoria, the capital ofgalleries, wonderful shopping districts and special
British Columbia, you will find something you mayevents - like the country's richest horse race,
not expect in Alaska: lush green shrubbery,rugby and cricket. Because the city is home to
beautiful flower gardens and trees of every kind.people from more than 100 countries, you will find
This garden city is surrounded by the ocean andrestaurants from Italy, Greece, Middle East, Africa
mountains. The city itself is full of historical sitesand, of course, Australia.
as well as entertainment and seafood restaurants.Whether you've been on cruises before or this is
Mexicoyour first jaunt, you're bound to enjoy one of the
There is probably no place quite as exotic as themost relaxing ways to see the world.
Mexican Riviera. A seven-day cruise, starting in