CRUISING RUSSIA'S WATERWAYS

By Carol Milbrath, Owner

Our first river cruise in May 2003 was a wonderful experience, sailing on the Viking Kirov from St. Petersburg to Moscow. The ship was English speaking, holding 300 passengers from North America and Britain. The Russian staff was friendly and efficient and worked very hard to understand our various versions of the English language! Our cabin was compact but very functional and, like all the others, had a river view. The meals on the ship were good quality with a reasonable number of choices, and complimentary Russian wine was included. The salad choices were exceptional.

Everything sparkled in St. Petersburg. There had been a lot of renovation in preparation for their 300th anniversary, which was celebrated by dignitaries from around the world two weeks after we left. We visited a number of Russian Orthodox churches, all with many absolutely fantastic old frescos and icons inside, many of them restored. We toured the Hermitage Museum and attended a ballet in its beautiful, small theater. When we entered Peter and Paul Fortress, we saw the tombs of Russian rulers, including Czar Nicholas Romanov and his family. We also saw pictures of current Romanov family members who live outside of Russia in other European countries and in the United States. That was quite interesting. We drove to Peterhof, the palace of Peter the Great, about an hour outside of St. Petersburg. It was in a gorgeous country setting with a beautiful walkway out to the Gulf of Finland, reminiscent of Versailles outside of Paris.

We left St. Petersburg after three days and began our river cruising along the Neva, Svir and Volga Rivers. We stopped in three villages along the way and had an outdoor barbeque and Russian folk music in one of them, which had various styles of northern Russian architecture and looked very Scandinavian. Another stop in a larger city included an outdoor vegetable and fruit market which was very extensive. The vendors were proud to show us what they had. Much of the food was imported, and available to the Russian people just over the last 10 years. We sailed through 16 locks as we moved southeast to Moscow.

One of the highlights of our cruise was the five lectures on the changes taking place in Russia over the past decade. Our lecturer was Ludmilla Selezneva, Professor of History at Rostov State University. She had grown up in the Communist system and been an active party member, but is now a strong advocate of the change to a democratic and capitalistic system. Most people we saw also seemed to be adapting quite well, except for the elderly who are receiving very meager government pensions.

Our cruise tour ended with three nights in Moscow. A highlight was a night at the famed Moscow Circus, with very talented performers including bears, lions and tigers. The famous Gum department store on Red Square was three floors, very large and comparable to the Mall of America with goods from all over the world. Red Square looked a bit different than expected, because it was being set up for a Paul McCartney concert the following night. This is indicative of the new Moscow, which is bustling with shopping, cars, cell phones and restaurants like most European capitals.

As with ocean cruises from port to port, we found the river cruise to be a very comfortable and enjoyable way to visit various cities and villages without having to move from hotel to hotel and with much of the traveling done while we were sleeping. We are looking forward to future river cruises in Europe and on the famous waterways of the United States.
June 2003

EXPERIENCE CHINA

By Carol Milbrath, Owner

In November we went on a three week escorted tour of China with 26 other people, all superb travel companions. We thought this was the best way to travel through an unfamiliar country with unfamiliar language. Our first stop was Beijing, an old, classic city in the north: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the absolutely romantic covered walkway along Lake Kunming at the ancient Summer Palace, the trishaw ride through the Hutong area, and climbing the Great Wall were all just the beginning of this fantastic experience. We went on to Xian to see the Terra Cotta Warriors (3000 of them buried with the emperor to protect him in the hereafter)-fascinating history, much based on superstitions.

Our Yangtzee River cruise started in Chongquin. Before boarding our ship, we visited the zoo to see the Panda Bears eating bamboo shoots. The Yangtzee River is on the rise. We were able to stop in Feng Du, one of the many areas where people are being moved because of the flooding from the Three Gorges Dam construction. The Chinese government is paying for their moves. During this process , many younger people are excited to be getting western toilets in their new homes rather than eastern toilets. This means a stool instead of a hole in the floor. We found a few of those in our travels through the country. It's always challenging to have new experiences.

After our cruise, we flew on to Shanghai, a very cosmopolitan city, expertly blending the old and the new China. Our side trip to Suzhou was ethereal. It is a quaint city with canals, known as the Venice of Asia. We flew from Shanghai to Guilin, where we cruised the Li River and were enchanted by the karstan topography of the surrounding mountains. Then on to Guangzhou, where Sun Yat-Sen's Memorial Hall is located. There we also visited a tea room and were treated to a variety of Chinese teas plus a view of their bonsai garden. We took the train to our last stop, which was Hong Kong. What a beautiful view from Victoria Peak!

We flew 5 times within China on various China airways, all very pleasant, with impeccable service. We rode buses in the various cities, mostly comfortable with one exception: seats on that bus were obviously meant for much smaller bottoms, as we were all hung over(or overhung).

Our guide was fantastic. She was from San Francisco, of Chinese descent, and spoke most Chinese dialects fluently. Renee has had 17 years experience as a guide. She was our mother hen and first sergeant, who taught us a lot. What a thrill to visit a country very different from our own, yet the same in many ways. The grass is green, sometimes brown, trees sprouting leaves, flowers blooming , lots of traffic-although we did see many more bicycles being ridden in a wide, separate lane of their own--beautiful mountains, spacious skies. People were wonderful, from the beaming faces of the children in the Shanghai History Museum who asked, with enthusiasm, "You take picture with me? You take picture with me?" to the 80-year old farmer in Xian who sat with dignity, smiled, and signed autographs for everyone, and the 70-year old man in Beijing, who invited us into his home and sat proudly, while answering our questions, through an interpreter, on how he, his wife and his whole family lived.

We highly recommend visiting China with an experienced tour guide. We felt very safe and received a superb education.

Fall, 2002


The Wonder of My First Cruise

By Linda Ruffcorn, Maple Grove Office

I took my first cruise this past summer with my husband Steve and my 7 year old son Brandon. We sailed aboard the Disney Wonder for three days to the Bahamas. I am a huge Disney fanatic so I was in heaven.

The magic began from the moment we stepped on board. Captain Mickey and other cast members were waiting to welcome us, and we saw them many times throughout the cruise as they were available for photos and autographs. The Disney shows on board are great; my favorite is their signature show "Disney Dreams".

The ship is beautiful, lots of wood and brass with a classic charm and mixed with intricate Disney details. And our ocean view cabin was very comfortable, even with all our luggage.

One of the nice features of the ship is that there are separate areas for families, children, teens and adults. The kids programs were very good. Brandon had so many choices and he wanted to do them all, all at one time. Now that's tough! I did peek in on him when he was learning to be a pirate - - it was priceless to look at their faces when Captain Hook showed up to inspect their art work and see if they were pirate worthy. I also peeked in on the teens a couple of times; they seemed to be enjoying themselves as well.

Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, was a favorite for the whole family. It has the most beautiful beach I have ever seen and separate areas for families and adults. And Steve and I had an hour to ourselves as Brandon went on a Dinosaur Dig!

We all enjoyed rotating dining in a different themed restaurant each night, with our waiters following us. And we especially enjoyed dining with the same people each night as Disney did a wonderful job of matching us with the right people. My husband is an engineer and we sat with a family from Mexico with three children whose father was also an engineer. Three days with them was too short. On the last night the kids were starting to really talk and asking each other questions, like how do you say this in Spanish.

The hardest working cast members on the cruise are the room stewards, and ours was amazing. Brandon could not wait to get back to the room to see what kind of animal our steward had shaped from a bath towel, and I sure enjoyed coming back to a clean room with the bed turned down and chocolates on my pillow.

Even if you are not a Disney fanatic like I am, I can not imagine anyone not enjoying a Disney Cruise. You can do a three or four day Bahamas cruise on Disney Wonder or a seven day Eastern or Western Caribbean cruise on Disney Magic, and visit Castaway Cay on all of them. I want to go back to Port Canaveral and sail on the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic again and again.
Summer, 2002


A Great Vacation For An Aunt and Her Nephew

By Pamala Stachel, Roseville Office


My 12 year old nephew James and I recently spent a week at Beaches Boscobel in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. It is a new property in the Sandals/Beaches family of deluxe all inclusive resorts. My friends and family love Beaches Resorts because they have everything for everybody.

The rooms are very large, great for families, couples or friends and with an ocean view from every room and easy access to amenities. The pools are also very large and the beach is great!

We enjoyed all of the restaurants and the variety of food, and I took advantage of the Spa and all of the other activities available at the resort. We participated in the Fashion Show and Talent Show. Beaches Boscobel also offer a fantastic variety of tours, which are reasonably priced. We did Dunn's River Falls, and climbing up the falls was so much fun for all.

James tried nearly every type of food and activity and spent much time in the Sega Game Center. He loved all of the attention from staff members, never got bored, and he can't stop talking about the experience. And I enjoyed spending some time in the adults only areas of the resort. We both had a wonderful week.

Fall, 2002


Hawaii - An Outstanding Family Destination

By Rhonda Robinson, Maple Grove office

When we asked our two teenagers where they would like to go for a family vacation this summer they both responded without a moments hesitation - HAWAII!!! We decided to visit three islands over a eleven day period.

The first three nights were spent in Kauai - "The Garden Island". The smell of fresh flowers greeted us from the time we arrived at the airport until we left for Oahu. We spent our time on Kauai exploring the east and west coasts, both leisurely one day trips that offered wonderful scenery and gorgeous beaches.

Then it was off to Oahu. We stayed on Waikiki Beach in the heart of all the action. It was quite a change of pace from the tranquil island of Kauai. We visited the Arizona Memorial, a moving experience for all of us. We also spent an afternoon at the Polynesian Cultural Center where you can explore the entire South Pacific in one location. My kids were overwhelmed by the shopping opportunities in downtown Honolulu and certainly added to the Hawaiian economy!

Our final destination was a condo on Maui for five nights. We had a gorgeous ocean view from our two bedroom condominium. We spent a couple days just enjoying the beaches and snorkeling in South Maui. We also drove the famed Hana Highway one day and spent an
afternoon at the Haleakala Crater. We found the island of Maui to be the most diverse of the three islands with both an active city atmosphere as well as tons of scenic beauty.

The trip was a huge success and a wonderful way to spend a family vacation. Traveling to Hawaii takes a
little more planning but the rewards are well worth it!
Summer, 2002

A Delectable, Indulgent Week at Sea

By Mary Peremsky, Chanhassen Office

This spring I embarked on the Celebrity Summit for a seven-night Western Caribbean sailing. As this was my first experience on a "big ship" I didn't quite know what to expect. Upon boarding the vessel it became apparent to me my options were limitless.

Taking in the gorgeous décor of the ship was an excursion that lasted seven days. I ended up finding favorite places. In the morning, deck ten enjoying a peaceful environment with a good book. Noon, poolside listening to the Prodigy Band and playing Name That Tune. Late afternoon, Waterfall Grill sampling tasty goodies in the shade watching the wake as we set sea. After dinner, Cova Café sipping an iced latte and enjoying the company of our waitress Rose. Late night, Celebrity Theater. I particularly liked the Broadway Revue. Lastly, winding down the day on my private veranda watching the stars go by.

It's hard to imagine wanting to leave the ship but the excursions were too tempting. I participated in a kayak snorkel adventure in Grand Caymen, an underground river float in Xcaret, and a home and garden tour in Key West. They were all great fun.

Back on board the ship yet another excursion was left to tackle - dining. I tried it all. My favorites, coffee delivered to my cabin in the morning, the cheese soufflé at the Normandy restaurant, and the tropical drink served in a hollowed pineapple at the Caribbean late night buffet.

Did I mention the Aqua Spa, Champagne Bar and Casino on board? I took those in as well.

My fitness tip for your next cruise, NEVER TAKE THE ELEVATOR!
Spring, 2002

A Cruise Through History

By Jamie Bachrach, Chanhassen office.

Last June, I took my first European cruise, on the aptly named Marco Polo of Orient Cruise Lines. Orient Lines are known as the "destination cruise line" and their focus is on the out of the ordinary ports that they visit throughout the world.

The itinerary that I took was called Scandinavia and Russia, and what intrigued me most was the opportunity to see Saint Petersburg. We were there for two days, and had a chance to see the Hermitage, a Russian Ballet, and Peter and Paul Fortress among other amazing monuments of Russian history. The city has had a glorious history which is just now being opened up to the world as it gets ready for its 300th anniversary. We also were in Tallinn, the walled Medieval city of Estonia, Stockholm, Helsinki and Copenhagen. At each port of call, throughout the Baltic Sea, there were opportunities to take shore excursions or explore on our own. I had been to Stockholm and Helsinki before, and took the opportunity to see other areas of Sweden and Finland on the shore excursion offerings.

When one takes an Orient Lines cruise, they are treated to excellent food and service. The atmosphere is relaxed without a formal night although people may dress up for dinner if they wish. The staff was friendly and attentive to the needs of the guests, and they remembered many of the repeat cruisers onboard. The ship has the classic lines of the older ships and is small enough to get into smaller ports of call. The itinerary also reverses itself and allows for pre-night and post night hotel stays in both Stockholm and Copenhagen. They also do back to back cruises that allow the cruiser to also see the Norwegian Fjords.

The ship does have shows on board, a casino, and even a small pool, but the emphasis is on the ports visited with a wealth of information presented by the onboard destination specialists. I have visited Europe many times before, and have enjoyed traveling throughout the continent. My first European cruise was a very positive experience, enabling me to see and learn about a number of places in a short amount of time without ever having to unpack and pack more than once. If you are not into the big ship experience with all the glitz, the rock climbing, and the pools, but someone who wants to see the world, consider an Orient Lines cruise and become an explorer on the Marco Polo or one of its sister ships.
Summer, 2001



Setting Sail On Our First Cruise

By Susan Marshall, Maple Grove Office

I've always wanted to go on a cruise, and I decided this fall would be the perfect time to set sail. My husband and I have been to Disney World and several Mexico destinations in the past, and I felt like breaking away from our typical vacation pattern. I've always heard how fabulous cruising was, and I wanted to experience it first hand. I knew I could count on my cousin-in-law to be excited about a new adventure, so when we figured out when we wanted to cruise and the ports we wanted to see we presented it to our husbands. They were both skeptical at first, but they agreed to the journey.

We set sail early this October on Carnival's Jubilee sailing to Cozumel and Key West. The first thing my husband said when he walked into our cabin was "this is great". The guys quickly found out there was more to do than just play shuffleboard. There were so many activities to choose from each day or we could just relax by the pool with a good book. My husband thought it was great that I could keep busy and active, while he relaxed the day away. The evening entertainment was outstanding. We always looked forward to the evening shows with the comedians and dancers anticipating how good the shows would be.

Everything you hear about cruise dining is absolutely correct. The food was fantastic, and the waiters were spectacular. At dinner we sat in amazement at the menu before us trying to decide what to order for our starter, salad, main entree, and dessert courses. We also participated in the Galley Tour to see how this part of the cruise comes together.

We felt very safe on the cruise ship during this time of heightened security. The Coast Guard escorted us out of Tampa and into and out of Key West, as well as the Mexican authorities escorting our ship in Cozumel.

When I look back on this vacation I realize it was one of the best vacations we have been on. It was a relief walking onto the ship knowing all of our meals, entertainment, and activities were planned and paid for. We all enjoyed the cruise, and will be returning to the sea for another vacation adventure. So if you have been thinking about a cruise I suggest you jump aboard. It truly is a great vacation experience!

Fall, 2001


CRUISING THE ALASKAN INSIDE PASSAGE

By Cheryl Malotky, Chanhassen Office

Going to Alaska was not my first choice of vacation destinations for our wedding anniversary, but since it was our 30th anniversary and knowing how much my husband wanted to go to Alaska, I agreed. Was I in for a surprise!

We decided on the Inside Passage because of time limitations and because we knew that both Juneau and Ketchikan can only be reached by water! We chose to sail on Celebrity Cruises new ship the Infinity and splurged on a veranda cabin (the only way to see Alaska). As we were sailing out of Vancouver with all of its beauty, my husband said he knew this was going to be something very special and that by the end of the week we would be thoroughly spoiled. Little did either of us realize how true those statements were.

Saturday we spent sitting on our veranda watching some of the most spectacular scenery we had ever seen and listening to narration by a local naturalist. Sunday we enjoyed an interesting day in Juneau with the highlight of the day being a trip to Mendenhall Glacier. Monday was spent exploring the fascinating city of Skagway with the highlight being the narrow gauge train trip on the White Pass and Yukon Railroad. Tuesday we spent the morning sailing Hubbard Glacier watching the glaciers "calving" and seeing whales, eagles and seals with their new born calves. What an experience! Wednesday we reached our final port of Ketchikan. This was our favorite of the 3 ports. The history, the great food and the best shopping of the trip made this day unforgettable. Even my husband agreed. The ambience and the people were very special.

Celebrity Cruises and the Infinity were incredible. The Infinity is one of only 2 ships that run with gas turbine engines, which are incredibly quiet. Also the service was impeccable (they have 1 crewmember for every 2 passengers) and the food delicious and abundant. My husband who did not want to dress for dinner the second formal night decided it was worth it when he discovered lobster was being served. Also the educational lectures and running commentary from the local naturalist during the entire cruise was wonderful.

As we sailed back in to Vancouver one short week later my husband and I both agreed that we did not want to leave. My line was that the trip had exceeded my expectations in every way. Little did I know at the time that Celebrity was changing their logo to "Exceeding Expectations". How very appropriate! In short but my husband and I cannot wait to go back to Alaska and cannot wait to sail again!

Summer 2001


Cruising On My Own

By Pam Peltier, Roseville Office

In August of this year, I had the wonderful opportunity to sail on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas. I enjoyed a 7-night cruise of Alaska's inside passage. Being my first cruise on a large ship (I have cruised the Greek islands on a ship of 500 passengers), I didn't know what to expect. I was impressed to say the least!

Check-in went smoothly and did not take long at all. Once on board, the excitement really began. There were dozens of activities to choose from that appealed to young and old alike. I noticed several three generation families cruising together throughout the week. From the activities aboard the ship to the shore excursions while visiting a port of call, I was very happy to see that the families could stay together and enjoy each other's company while exploring the fantastic scenery of Alaska. The children even had opportunities to get a break from parents with Royal's kids program "Adventure Ocean".

From the comfort and cleanliness of my stateroom to the quality of the service and food, my cruise experience was beyond my expectations. Even though the weather during the week was not exactly the best, I never once felt I was missing out on anything or wasting time. I could be as active or laid-back as I wanted to be, whenever I wanted to be, and never felt uncomfortable traveling alone. That is what cruising is all about--and that is the message I try to pass along to my clients.

Summer, 2001

Five Families Take Spring Break On The High Seas

By Rhonda Robinson, Maple Grove Office

When it came to planning our graduating senior's spring break trip for this past April we wanted to find a destination that would offer him the freedom he was looking for but would not leave my husband and myself worrying about his whereabouts and activities. As a family we discussed several options and came to an agreement that a cruise was the ideal "destination".

The next task was to pick the ship. The choice was obvious with the introduction of Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas. Not only did the ship offer the usual cruiseline activities but also it included an inline skating track, rock climbing wall, miniature golf course and ice skating rink. We then approached several other friends facing the same dilemma and easily convinced four additional families that as a "spring break destination" this was a first class choice.

Our accommodations on the ship provided ample space for a family of four to share a cabin (although I was glad we chose a cabin with a verandah). The storage space in the cabin was outstanding. We were able to unpack a week's worth of clothing and supplies without a problem. No small task with two teenagers!

The ship offered round the clock activities for all ages with special programs geared toward the teens. They particularly enjoyed the midnight to 2am ice skating party. (Something we would never have been comfortable letting them do on a land based trip.) There was also a disco just for teens and a state of the art video arcade that particularly captured the boys' attention.

The food service was outstanding. Our waiter in the main dining room was extremely attentive to the teenagers. My son was amazed when three whole lobsters showed up for dinner one evening, because the waiter had overheard him mention the night before that he really loved lobster. Multiple desserts capped off every meal, as they seemed to never be able to make up their minds. And if they ever got that urge for a midnight snack there was always the 24-hour ice cream bar and Café Promenade. serving some of the best homemade pizza I have ever tasted.

All in all it was one of the best family vacations we have ever taken, with everyone coming away relaxed and refreshed. The adults were able to enjoy each others company, spend time on their own and "do it all or nothing at all". The teens felt they had the freedom to meet new friends, enjoy their own entertainment and strengthen the friendships with their hometown acquaintances. We all had plenty of family time and enjoyed shore excursions and evening meals together.

If you haven't considered cruising for your family you should take a look at the possibilities. Call a couple of friends and propose it for next spring break!

Spring, 2001

Europe - A Great Family Destination

By Jamie Bachrach, Chanhassen Office

Last October, I traveled to Europe for the fifth or sixth time. This last time was different, a trip that was "full circle" for me. Most of my trips have been traveled as an individual, but last year was with family. My first trip to Europe, when I lived in France for a year, was also with the family, but I was 12 at the time.

This time I was the adult looking through the eyes of the children, ages eleven and seven, and taking in what they saw in Austria and Germany. Europe is a wonderful destination for families, whether it is to enjoy the history with fairy tale castles like Neuschwanstein, or the grandeur of the Alps, or just seeing the kids' eyes light up as they watch the Glockenspiel. I remember how exciting it was when I was 12 and going to the Eiffel Tower for the first time. Europe is a great place to connect to one's family and one's ancestry.

The kids had a wonderful time exploring the salt mines near Salzburg and they loved wandering around and taking pictures in the old walled cities in Germany and Austria. The scenery at every turn can be wonderful. More importantly, the kids helped in planning the trip, so that when we saw something they had read about, seeing it in real life made the experience much more impressive.

I know that they both want to go back and see other parts of Europe now. I felt the same way when I left Europe the first time. If you are considering a vacation, and you have done Disney, or Mexico, or the U.S. National Parks, please consider Europe as a great family destination this Summer or Fall and give the family a whole new perspective.
Fall, 2000


Disney Magic Perfection

By Rachel Mayrand, Roseville Office

Attention Walt Disney fans! I have just returned from the 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard the Disney Magic. I have sailed with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Lines and Disney Cruise Line has earned the number one slot in my book.

Whether you're traveling with your entire family, honeymooning for the first time or the 50th time, or just need to get away, Disney Cruise Line caters to everyone. The itinerary was perfect with three days at sea and ports of call in St. Maarten, St. Thomas and their private island Castaway Cay.

The staterooms are 25% larger than the cruise industry standard, which means plenty of room to store bags and bags of duty free products you've purchased in the Caribbean. If you'd like a special treat I suggest a stateroom with a verandah.

The food was wonderful and the entertainment knocked my socks off, especially Disney's new production "Disney Dreams". If you think it's a ship full of kids you're right. But the kids range from 0 to 90. If you're looking for a little "pixie dust" to spark up the long winter ahead look no further than Disney Cruise Line. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Fall, 2000