Undecided between a cruise and a resort vacation? A cruise that stops at Costa Maya may be just what you're looking for. Costa Maya was purpose built for cruise ships, offering guests a safe harbor to relax and enjoy the sun. The port, which is about 100 miles south of Playa del Carmen, offers swimming pools, bars, restaurants, safe drinking water and shopping. The beach is rocky and not good for swimming. Three ships can dock at once with just a short walk to the facilities.

For those looking for a cultural experience, there are options. The fishing village of Majahual, with 200 residents, is nearby, offering restaurants serving fresh seafood, a long stretch of white sand beach and shallow surf. Majahual was nearly destroyed in 2007 when category 5 Hurricane Dean roared through, but they have used the opportunity to rebuild the small town to a higher standard and cater to the tourists who venture away from port. Walk along 1.5 mile promenade that parallels the beach and the shopping and restaurants. The swimming is good and you can rent a beach chair for a few dollars. There are plenty of places to pick up souvenirs here.

If you want to see the beauty under the sea, snorkel and dive shore excursions are offered. For snorkelers, you can use fins or a Sea Doo Aqua Scooter. Skim the surface or power down see the abundant sea life.

For divers and those wanting an introduction to diving, the Meso-American Barrier Reef offers pristine coral, swim-throughs, and ledges, with the opportunity to view sea turtles, tropical fish, sting rays and lobsters. For those not certified, an introduction to scuba is offered with a short course on shore.

Visit the ancient Mayan ruins of Chacchoben, about an hour away by motor coach. This largely unexcavated former city dates back to 350 AD. You can climb the steep steps of the Gran Basamento to a plaza with numerous pyramids. This area is set in the lush jungle of the interior.

In a secluded jungle near the border with Belize, you'll enjoy the Mayan ruins of Kohunlich. See the ball courts, high temples and the Plaza of the Acropolis

Other options are deep sea trolling fishing for Marlin, Sailfish, Barracuda, Kingfish, Snapper and other deep sea fish. Enjoy kayaking, biking, or driving a dune buggy. Or spend the day like most people, doing absolutely nothing at all.

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Just 4 days after Royal Caribbean announced it was pulling out of the West Coast, Mexican Riviera market, Carnival announced plans to change its San Diego sailings from 8 night sailings, to alternating 5 night and 9 night sailings.

Passengers already booked on one of the 8 night sailings can move to a 9 night sailing at no additional cost, can rebook for another cruise with a $50 onboard credit, or cancel with no penalty.

Although the Spirit was built in 2001, she was refurbished in 2009, and with 80% ocean view or balcony staterooms, the ship does not feel dated. The Steakhouse receives rave reviews, even with the $30 per person extra fee. When you make your reservations, plan on that being your entertainment, as the luxurious dinner will take hours. Carnival has the standard early and late seating for dining, as well as "Any Time" seating, which can come with a wait. 

5 Night

9 Night, Option 1

9 Night, Option 2

The new itineraries will be offered from December 10, 2010 to April 1, 2011, when the Spirit will move to Hawaii for 2 twelve night sailings, then move to Alaska for the 2011 summer season.

This is the first itinerary to offer La Paz as a regular port of call. In La Paz, you can do an Artisan Tour of the City, learn to SCUBA dive, kayak, snorkel, or visit the nearby town of Todos Santos and enjoy the colonial architecture.

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Whether you are on a cruise or at a resort, a spa treatment can add a new dimension to your trip. Here are the most common treatments. Usually, your therapist will ask you to undress to your level of comfort, and you will be covered by a sheet the entire time during a massage, with only the part of the body that the therapist is working on will be exposed. Therapists take care to respect modesty.

Swedish Massage- using gliding, stroking, kneading, friction, and sometimes tapping, this is an all purpose massage that is good for your first time. Let your massage therapist know your preference for light to firm pressure before the massage, and give them feedback during the massage. You should never experience pain. The purpose of this massage is total relaxation.

Deep Tissue Massage- for those with problem areas, especially in the neck and back, this massage is similar to the Swedish Massage, but goes deeper. The focus is to loosen problem areas, not relaxation, although that can be a benefit. It shouldn’t hurt, but could be uncomfortable. You should feel the effects for days.

Hot Stone Massage- also based on the Swedish Massage, this full body massage incorporates perfectly smooth, hot stones into the strokes on oiled skin. Up to 25 stones are used, and the therapist chooses the shape based on the area of the body- elongated ones on the neck, small ones on the feet, large ones on the back.

Facial- this is the second most popular spa treatment, after massage. After cleansing the face and examining the skin under a magnifying glass, steam or hot towels are used to open the pores, then the esthetician will exfoliate the skin. The facial massage, which comes next, is often the favorite part of the facial, then a mask is applied. Toner and moisturizer finish the treatment.

Salt Scrub or Glow is the most common body treatment. The purpose is to exfoliate and hydrate the skin. The salt is mixed with oil and aromatics. After you’ve had the treatment, you’ll shower to rinse the salt off but will leave the oil on, then a lotion will be applied.

Body Wrap- sometimes done in conjunction with a Salt Scrub or massage, the Body Wrap uses a mask of seaweed, algae or clay and moisturizer, before wrapping the body in mylar, plastic, or towels. After 20 minutes, during which you may be alone or you may have a scalp massage, the mask is rinsed away and lotion applied.

A spa treatment is a wonderful way to start or end your vacation. Reserve yours as soon as you arrive for best availability.

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NCL is offering 128 studio cabins on the rebuild of the Norwegian EPIC. These studio cabins will be slightly smaller and sold only to solo travelers. NCL says they are the first to offer anything to the solo traveler and believe their studio cabins will be very popular starting at $799.

The studios are all inside accommodations, slightly smaller than standard inside cabins, and feature windows looking onto the corridors. They also feature the Living Room, a shared, common space with a lounge, private bar and two large screen TVs, accessible only to studio passengers.

Source: Travel Weekly

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Along with Celebrity's new marketing campaign, "Designed for You," will be 4 freshly upgraded ships. Beginning with the Constellation, each ship will be dry docked to receive new cafe's, restaurants, and upgraded rooms among other things.

Celebrity said the "Designed for You" platform, including the line's Celebrity Life onboard programs and changes to its Captain's Club loyalty program, represented a nearly $200 million investment.

Source: Travel Weekly

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Seabourn is introducing a new ship. Called the Quest, it is destined to arrive in 2011. It will carry up to 450 passengers and is planned to launch in london. 

The Quest will be Seabourn's sixth vessel, with the three Odyssey-class ships representing a 200% capacity increase for Seabourn over a three-year period.

Source: Travel Weekly

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Closed-circuit cameras aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise ship, sailing from Nassau to CocoCay, captured a woman jumping off the port side around 4 a.m. 

Taking place on Dec. 31, the Coast Guard called off the search for the overboard woman on Saturday, Jan 2, 2010.

The Monarch was on a five-day Bahamas cruise that departed Port Canaveral on Dec. 28 and returned to port Jan. 2.

Source: Travel Weekly

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The Regent Seven Sea's Navigator is back in action. After completing a complete rennovation during a 50 day drydock period, the well known upscale ship is ready to set sails once again.

The line also has revamped the ship's lounges including the Stars Lounge and the Navigator Lounge. And the health club, now called the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, has been completed overhauled into a wellness center with skin-care, massage and thalassotherapy treatment rooms, including a couples' suite (also added was an aerobics studio and new gymnasium).

Source: USA Today

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Silversea introduced its first new ship since 2001. The silver spirit has the capacity to take 540 passengers along its voyage and is the largest in Silversea's fleet of ships.

Amerigo Perasso, Silversea's president and CEO, said in a statement that building the Spirit "represents our commitment to the development of the Silversea brand."

Source: Travel Weekly 

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Crystal Cruises' is celebrating our 20th year of award-winning luxury travel! Explore the world with us and take advantage of our celebratory collection of 20th Anniversary Gifts carefully designed to appeal to your travel needs now. Enjoy never-before-offered value-rich savings including: NEW 2-For-1 Fares on EVERY sailing Up to $2,000 “All-Inclusive. As You Wish.” Spending Credits on ALL cruises FREE Business or Economy Class Air on most 2010 voyages Price Guarantee on all voyages And More... In 2010, the two highest-awarded ships in the world, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, will offer 62 extraordinary journeys to the far reaches of the globe, from the best-loved cities on earth, to spectacular hidden places you absolutely must see. Discover the ancient histories and exotic treasures of the Middle East and Africa, relish the art, architecture and infinite charms of Europe – from the regal shores of the Baltic to the sun-kissed beaches of the Mediterranean, marvel at the vast natural beauty and charming cultures of Australia and New Zealand. There is something for everyone aboard the cruise line voted World’s Best more than any other in history. Come celebrate with Crystal Cruises!   Wilcox Travel/American Express Asheville, NC  28801 www.wilcoxtravel.com

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