We have just returned from an 8-day Ballroom Dance Cruise, which took us, and a group of 26 friends & fellow ballroom dancers down to the sunny Mexican Riviera, for a fun-filled, dance-filled, and, yes, relaxing vacation. A grand time was had by all. In addition to the usual shipboard amenities available to every cruise passenger, we also enjoyed special activities for our own group, including complimentary on-board dance lessons and a private cocktail party.*

The best antidote to the post-vacation blues, is to plan your next. Now is not too early to begin to look ahead to this coming summer, or even 2010. We have three ballroom dances cruises lined up to take place over the next year or two. We've scoured the internet to come up with what we think are fabulous itineraries, on terrific cruise lines, at great prices:

1) MEDITERRANEAN. You have already heard about the 10 or 20 day Mediterranean cruise scheduled for this July of 2009, with Holland America onboard the Noordam, a new ship from 2006. You have the option of cruising for 10 days from $1371 Canadian per person, or for 20 days from $2294 Canadian per person. These prices include cruise fare, port taxes, all government fees & fuel surcharges. These prices have recently been drastically reduced, and there is no guarantee how long these great fares will last. It is always recommended to book early for best price and stateroom selection, and your deposit is always fully refundable up to a certain date prior to sailing.

2) CARIBBEAN. This is a 10 day cruise, sailing round trip from Miami, January 4 - 14, 2010, onboard the Regatta, with Oceania Cruise Lines. Talk to anybody who has been on an Oceania Cruise, and they will tell you how fabulous it is and it is rapidly becoming many people's cruise line of choice. These prices have also been recently reduced and now start at $1624 US per person inclusive of your cruise fare, all taxes & fees AND RETURN AIRFARE FROM VANCOUVER. Plus, your gratuities will be pre-paid, which is a $280 value - and every stateroom gets a $500 shipboard credit. PLEASE NOTE - this is a limited time special. Book by February 27 to receive these rates and amenities. March 2009 rates will increase and the cabin credit and pre paid gratuities will not be offered. Additionally, as with all our ballroom dance cruises, that meet minimum participation levels, group dance lessons are provided on sea days at no extra charge, along with a private, hosted cocktail party.

3) HAWAII: Finally, a 15 day vacation, sailing roundtrip from Los Angeles, so short flights in both directions with no jet lag. The itinerary includes four sea days, followed by stops on four different Hawaiian islands, four more sea days, and a stop in Ensenada, Mexico. This time, we sail aboard Princess Cruise Lines "Golden Princess", from March 28 - April 11, 2010. Prices start at $2599 Canadian per person, inclusive of your cruise fare, all port and government taxes, transfers, a $50 stateroom credit, AND RETURN AIRFARE FROM VICTORIA.

For more information, you can click on the following links:

Mediterranean Cruise

Caribbean Cruise

Hawaiian Cruise

Also, don't hesitate to contact our travel agent, Shawn Kilner, of Cruise Holidays in Nanaimo. Her toll-free number is
1-800-465-7245, and her e-mail is: cruiseexperts@telus.net

*Group amenities, such as space allocation for dance lessons, are subject to a minimum participation.