Panama Cruisin'

I haven’t seen cruise prices like this in … forever! Maybe since I was a travel agent in the 70’s. An email arrived in my inbox from Princess Cruises offering – and I quote - a "10-day Panama Canal cruises from $599*". Brochure rates start at over $1,000.

Of course, that’s plus tips, taxes, surcharges and airfare to Ft. Lauderdale/ Acapulco. (air add-ons are available from $399.) And it’s an inside cabin. But bargain hunter/cruisers should check this out quick! Departures are Mar. 23 and April 2.

Cruise 51 miles from Atlantic to Pacific through the jungles of Central America. The Canal celebrates it’s 95th birthday this August. Ports of call include Puntarenas, Costa Rica (visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve); Fuerte Amador (Panama City’s port) on the Pacific side of the canal; Ocho Rios, Jamaica (and famous Dunn’s River Falls); and Puerto Quetzal, Guatamala (tour the capital or Lake Azitlan’s volcanoes).

Bon voyage!

Family Vacations

The only way to live is to accept each minute as an unrepeatable miracle, which is exactly what it is - a miracle and unrepeatable. ~ Margaret Storm Jameson

Well, we're off again on the family vacation circuit: 15 relatives, 2700 miles, eight states, 14 days. South from PA to friends in WV, a recently widowed uncle in Charlotte, Ed's parents in GA; back through VA. Scattered along the route are various siblings, nieces & nephews. Maryland is just a blip on the route, but I still count it! It's quite a trip, but a wonderful way to hug everyone and tell them how much we love them.

The elders are in their mid-80s so we travel this route more often than we used to. Now it's three times a year or more. Sad to say, when they are gone, this trip won't be such a priority. Somehow, once parents are gone, traditions change and many families lose touch. It's part of our scattered lifestyle.

Sometimes, though, the loss of a parent brings siblings closer. That's true for my brother and me. Now we make an effort to get together on a regular basis (he lives in NY), something we never did while mom was still alive. Our sister is on the 'relative vacation' route, so we don't see her as often.

It's interesting to compare stories of our childhood. They are younger than I so the memories are different. I remember vividly our Christmas trips to Florida; he recalls only snippets. My sister remembers almost nothing. I was in college when the 'family' toured New England – no memories for me there. But we love to share stories.

I hope that 2009 is your year for family ties. With cell phones, email and gas prices lower, there's no reason not to keep in touch. No matter what has happened in your past, it's the only family you've got. We lost a much loved younger brother last May – to cancer at 52. There will be no more reunions with him. Forgive, forget, remember the good. And stay in touch. God bless you and your family. ~ Ruth & Ed