JUNE 2012


SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION


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‘There are hundreds of cruise operators around the world, and we have direct access to most of them.’


Professional help needed to get the most from a cruise vacation


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reaming of a cruise aboard a luxury ocean liner, drifting over sparkling blue seas heading for exotic destinations, spending


lazy days soaking in sun and sights, dining daily on gourmet offerings to your heart’s content? You need help! Cruise vacations today are incredibly


diverse in form and function to an extent that even exceeds the capacity of the imagination of the most experienced traveler. While a simple Caribbean cruise is hopping from island to island, featuring nightclubs and casinos, a sleek luxury river boat is cruising down the Danube, stopping to visit Medieval castles. While another river boat is cruising


through major inland waterways in Cambodia and Vietnam, a luxury sailing vessel is skimming the coast of Italy with its passengers riveted to a guest lecturer’s dissertation on the history of the central Mediterranean. Yet another ship is passing the


Queen Charlotte Islands off the coast of British Columbia on its way to Skagway, Alaska, with a specific focus on whale- watching and eco-education. This time, it’s a small ship — only 200 or so passengers, while another mega-ship is carrying 6,200 vacationers, many of them multi-generational families, to tropical destinations from Florida to exciting vacation spots in the Caribbean. There are cruises that are truly all-


inclusive, such as Regent Seven Seas’ packages where you can virtually leave your cash and credit cards at home once you arrange your vacation, as compared to many other cruises where adult beverages, excursions and air travel are extra. That’s a glimpse — but only a glimpse


— of the world of vacation cruising today. There are theme cruises, river cruises, luxury cruises, even world cruises (that’s right, all the way around), and the way


River cruises have become the fastest-growing sector in cruise vacations.


you choose your cruise needs careful consideration. Howard Moses, president of The


Cruise Authority with nearly 200 cruises on his personal resume, has a wealth of knowledge and experience to help cruisers, both veterans and newbies, find the ideal fit for their next water-borne vacation. “Cruise vacations are a big part of our business,” says Moses. A 10- to 15- minute conversation with


Moses or one of The Cruise Authority’s outstanding cruise consultants leaves absolutely no doubt that they know their business — and there is a lot to know. “The fastest-growing sector in the


cruise industry today is river cruising,” says Moses. “That means the choices are growing rapidly, too. Where choosing


a cruise used to be mainly focused on Europe, now it’s a matter of choosing a continent or region and going from there.” He also looks at theme cruises as


options for vacationers with specific interests. “There are more than 500 cruises based on such varied themes as wine, food, history, ecology, literature and music — and that’s just the beginning,” he says. His own mother, a teenager in the 1950s, recently went on a doo-wop cruise and had “the time of her life,” says Moses. While cruise vacations are increasingly


available by type, location, theme and size of vessel, there is a cruise for just about any pocketbook, too. Working with industry experts such as The Cruise Authority is the best way to maximize the number of choices that suit your preferences, schedule and budget. “There are hundreds of cruise operators


around the world, and we have direct access to most of them,” says Moses. The Cruise Authority is a member of


Mega-cruise liners offer a wide variety of accommodations and entertainment for all ages.


Signature Travel Network, a consortium of independent agencies that use their collective buying power to be able to offer value-adds, such as on-board credits, free shore tours or prepaid gratuities, that are not published or otherwise readily available. “Not only do we add value to the cruise vacation, we do it at no cost to our customers,” says Moses. ”There’s no question you can buy a cruise vacation on your own over


Choices for family and theme cruises are almost unlimited.


the Internet, but that doesn’t mean you should,” he says. “Choosing an experienced, qualified cruise professional can give you so much more for your money and take the guesswork out of your vacation plans.”


T R A V E L


The Cruise Authority 1760 Powers Ferry Road Marietta, GA 30067 (800) 326.4971 (770) 952.8300


Email: hmoses@the-cruise-authority.com Website: www.the-cruise-authority.com Hours: M-F 9-6, Sat –Sun 11-3


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