July 31, 2008

Southern Africa Lets Couples Uncover the Excellent Birds and Wildlife by Night Safari

The wonderful area of Africa named South Luangwa has been named the greatest place to safari in Africa. The area has been acclaimed in many years by the worlds most credible wildlife experts. Tourists will probably be able to admire enormous groups of wild cats as well as fantastic birds. Go on an African safaris with Kaingo.

The wildlife region is well known for its eye-opening night safaris and is a big seller with all United Kingdom people. The changing seasons makes the wildlife region irrestible with a desert season throughout winter and a green delightful jungle feel over June to August. During the changes in season the exotic animals might change giving people a different aspect.

Unearth the beauty of Africa with a driving safari vacation and be at one with the gorgeous nature. The breathtaking rivers and lion prides can make holiday makers feel alive with energy. You will be able to take huge amounts of photos and take back the most credible memories.

South Africa has legions of animals in its parks and tourists might easily pick up the perfect photo of a giraffe. If you are not used to a walking holiday you can go on a driving safari and see large amounts of the country all within a short amount of time. When you have completed your safari by day you should then go back to your resort to have dinner. Many hotel resorts are 4 star and great.

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June 17, 2008

Cruise the Caribbean

Vacationing in the Caribbean is something that everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime. From beautiful Belize to the truly amazing St.Barts, the Caribbean islands have tons to offer in terms of rest and relaxation. Whether you are traveling with the entire family or are planning a romantic vacation with your special someone, you can rest assured there is an island resort guaranteed to meet your every need.

When planning your Caribbean vacation, the first thing you must do is determine which island you’d like to visit. While this might seem a grueling decision, you can take comfort in the fact that when it comes to the Caribbean islands, you really can’t make a wrong choice. With crystal clear water on all sides and delicious sunshine bathing each one in warmth and luxury, the Caribbean islands are a wonderful place to spend any vacation.

Caribbean vacations can generally fit just about any budget. Whether you have several hundred or several thousand dollars to spend on your holiday, you can find several Caribbean travel packages to suit your budget. When searching for reasonable travel packages to the Caribbean, the best place to look is the Internet. Conduct a search and you’ll see: there are literally thousands of options from which to choose.

Caribbean vacations are a wonderful experience for people of all ages and cruises are the best way to truly experience everything the Caribbean has to offer. You can find the best deals via the Internet but read on below to find out more.

An Eastern Caribbean cruise is the perfect option for both first-time cruisers and experienced travelers looking for a slow and relaxing pace in comfortable surroundings. They are also ideal for people who have never been to the Caribbean before. Eastern Caribbean cruises are great for families because they visit only a small number of ports, so most of the cruise time is actually spent on board the ship and often with two consecutive days as sea.

There is plenty to do on the islands of the Eastern Caribbean. You can visit the famous beaches and try snorkeling, sailing, and or even golf. Shop for souvenirs and luxury goods imported from around the world including jewelry, perfumes, crystal, porcelain, cameras, electronics and more at tax-free prices at the extensive array of shops. And don’t forget to have a cooling drink at one of the many cafes and restaurants. And if you are a gambler then you don’t get left out either because the islands have the largest casinos in the Caribbean.

There is no doubt that the world’s most popular cruising destination is the Caribbean and one of the most in demand tours includes the Bahamas and the eastern islands that define the border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. During an Eastern Caribbean Cruise you will probably visit three or four of the following islands:

  • Nassau
  • St. Thomas, USVI
  • St. John, USVI
  • St. Maarten
  • San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • Tortola, BVI
  • Virgin Gorda, BVI
  • Cruise Line Private Islands

Eastern Caribbean cruises are very affordable and available year-round for 7 nights. Longer itineraries from 10-12 nights are available during the winter months.

About The Author

Corsa Roceraz is the owner of BYE Cruises which is a premier resource for cruises information. for more information, go to http://www.byecruises.com

corsa@byecruises.com

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June 8, 2008

Virtual Assistants… Even Santa Needs One!

Trying to fit all the planning and preparing and celebrating of the holiday season into an already busy schedule can bring a lot of stress to a time of year that’s supposed to be full of peace. These days, even Santa needs help making his list and checking it twice!

Fortunately, help is available. Virtual Assistants, or VA’s, offer a wide range of services designed to save you time and lighten your workload, which is more important than ever at this busy time of year. Here are a few ways a VA can help make your Christmas merry:

  1. Research gifts online

  2. Plan work for the new year

  3. Online Christmas shopping

  4. Send e-greetings to your contacts

  5. Make holiday travel arrangements

  6. Plan your Christmas event or party

  7. Add special holiday content to your website

  8. Send out announcements of your holiday promotions

  9. Send out “handwritten” Christmas or New Year cards

  10. Handle some of your office staff’s regular work so you can give them some time off

You can even give a gift certificate for VA services to someone you know - you’ll both save time!

Of course, Virtual Assistants can be an asset to your business any time of year!

Many entrepreneurs, especially those working from home, find that business ownership is not as rewarding as they expected, either personally or financially, because administrative tasks are keeping them from the work they are truly passionate about. By using a VA for your word processing, spreadsheets, database development, mailing list management, research, or other administrative tasks, you’ll have more time for the work that you enjoy and which increases your bottom line - and isn’t that why you started your own business in the first place?

Permission is granted to use this article, as long as the “About the Author” section including the link to http://www.organizedassistant.com remains intact. An email letting me know which article you have used and where would be appreciated.

About The Author

Janet Barclay, Organized Assistant, is a Professional Organizer, Virtual Assistant and Time Management Consultant. For more information visit http://www.organizedassistant.com.

info@organizedassistant.com

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June 2, 2008

Luau Party Supplies

Luau party supplies can be found at most party stores and on the Internet. But if you don’t find what you need here, you can look around flea markets and curio stores to find tropical motifs.

For planning and decorating, you will need to buy invitation cards (if you are not making your own), placement cards, straws, Hawaiian music, leis, candles. Tiki torches, Hula dolls, paper lanterns, large candles, bamboo baskets, plastic flowers and fresh flowers will give an authentic atmosphere. You can buy shells, fruits, sunglasses, decorative hair combs, fruit and large stuffed parrots and flamingos too. For costumes, think about using coconut shells to make bras and straw to make skirts. It is fun to get the guys wear these to and do the Hula!

Most gift shops stock Luau decorations, invitations, tableware, Hawaiian gifts, and more. Plates and glasses with tropical patterns and color will add to the ambience. Tropical straws, stirrers and tiny umbrellas to dress up your glasses, and plastic flowers to decorate the room are all easy to find if one starts hunting for them early enough.

Keep in mind that one should not just throw all these ingredients into the party and hope it hangs together well. One should coordinate colors so that the various elements do not clash. One should think as big as possible, but don’t turn the party into a cliche with careless inclusion of every Luau-related item you can possibly buy. The guests will appreciate your ability to make these types of choices.

Luau provides detailed information on luau, luau decorations, luau invitations, luau music and more. Luau is affiliated with Bora Bora Weather.

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May 28, 2008

Bonjoie! 7 Lessons I Learned in Paris

“April in Paris, chestnuts in blossom, holiday tables under the trees.” -E. Y. Harburg

After reveling in a mountaintop experience, it often takes one a couple of days to not only regain altitude and perspective; it takes a little while to fully grasp whatexactlyjust happened.

Such was our trip to France.

Escorting thirty-six young musicians to Paris for a three-concert tour proved to be an amazing experience which I cannot fully communicate in this Newsletter. My words will fall short; our pictures will miss most of it; and stories re-told with enthusiasm to eagerly awaiting family members will only reveal a glimpse of the experience. What happens when vision meets strategy, passion meets energy, and divine inspiration meets faith cannot be comprehended by those missing the mountaintop. But because it is now part of who I am, I feel moved to attempt to share it with you.

Paris was, for me anyway, the fruit of nearly fourteen years of musical training in my kids. And it found my heart bursting with joy as I celebrated it. After listening to “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” played mostly with less-than-perfect intonation upwards of ten thousand times; of the foot-stomping, the eyeball-rolling, and the ‘I hate the violin’ when my children were too irritable to practice; of the 90-minute roundtrip weekly drives to Westport for lessons: watching not only my own Ben and Cristina, but the orchestra kids aged twelve to eighteen, perform Beethoven’s “Fifth” and Barber’s “Adagio for Strings” in a medieval cathedral in the center of Paris left me ebullient. Tears stained my cheeks as the music moved and carried my soul to a height previously unimagined. Friendships forged with the most unsuspecting partners, as commonalities were uncovered and shared. Barriers erected by political divisions, theological differences, and ideological disparities collapsed under the international love language of music.

It was an extraordinary experience, and I learned a few lessons along the way:

1) We stand on tall shoulders of the spiritual giants who lived before us. When one visits a city with cathedrals still standing after the frenzy of the Crusades and the numerous battles fought there, one realizes the magnitude of the spiritual convictions of those who came before us. Studying the Chartres Cathedraland walking the halls of La Trinite and the Magdalena Cathedrals where our children performedallowed me not only the luxury of admiring stained glass windows depicting prominent Biblical themes; it allowed me to ruminate on the vision, inspiration and dedication with which they were crafted. In earlier times in Paris, religion was not a part of life. It was life.

2) Art, music and literature are necessary components for creating a life worth living. As are good shoes, good mattresses, and good books necessary elements of every childhood; good art, good music, and good literature provide needed nourishment for the soul. Wandering through the rooms of the Louvreand my favorite museum in Paris, the Musee D’Orsaygave me even greater appreciation for the importance of fabulous art. They don’t call these guys masters for nothing. I am convinced that the world would be both safer and happier if everyone learned to paint, played a musical instrument or sang in a choir, and read classical literature on a daily basis. Music remains the universal language of the heart; anyone who does not understand this had better start listening to Mozart.

3) Celebrate serendipity. Already a lesson explored in both my book as well as in earlier Newsletters, it is worth repeating here, as I witnessed, embraced and practiced what I preach. Most of you may know by now that I have an inordinate amount of passion for the color lime-green (or illness, depending on your perspective). It was pure serendipity that, while walking down a Parisian street in search of French ceramics and candles, we stumbled upon a lime-green sofa setting against a bricked store wall. I started laughing hysterically. Where but in Paris would I find a lime-green sofa in the middle of the street? I promptly sat down in it, reveled in the experience, and allowed it to be captured in film. It was serendipity that, while walking around a tony shopping district, I was grabbed from behind, only to find a Parisian lady who spoke no English attempt to communicate to me that her surname was “La Coq” and could I please tell her where she could buy the Vera Bradley backpack I wore which sported roosters and eggs? I happily told herin Englishthat it was no longer available but sign-languaged her to get out a paper and pen so I could write down the internet site where she might have some luck. The serendipity of that encounter still makes me smile. Perhaps it was serendipity that our tour guide was darn near perfect; that our flights were uneventful; that our hotel was perfectly situated; and that the Parisian orchestra, which played in a joint concert with us, was well-prepared and delightful. Serendipity or angels watching over us: we celebrated each and every tiny victory.

4) Food plays a huge role in the celebration of life. To be French means to have a passion for all things related to food. They unapologetically indulge in the culinary arts and enjoy all of its inherent stress-relieving side benefits on a thrice-daily basis. They endorse a ‘live to eat’ rather than an ‘eat to live’ M.O. And it shows. “Take-out coffee” is an oxymoron. It simply does not exist in France. Coffee is meant to be drunk sitting down, preferably with a friend or two, along with a baguette or a sugar-or-chocolate-filled crepe as well. While French women may not get fat, American women visiting France just might. I embraced the French dining philosophy for eight days and came back with more “wiggle in my waddle,” if you know what I mean. Que sara sara (or is that Spanish?)

5) Charm and charisma still work. They are not overrated. From the hotel staff to Parisian waiters to the clerk at the Ralph Lauren store: all met our needs with grace and charm. When an unsuspecting yet magnificent floral arrangement brought a constant tickle to my throat, the “Polo clerk” ordered up a glass of water for me. It was delivered on a cloth napkin atop a silver tray. (When was the last time that happened to you stateside?) When our orchestra met up with the community orchestra for a joint concert, we wereevery one of usenthralled by its Parisian conductor, Sylvan. Young and vibrant, he exuded charm with his humility and gracious behavior toward us; the hot pink tie against his otherwise all-black “uniform” proved once again, the magic of charisma.

6) “Bonjour” means something. The French refuse to start a conversation without it. Once, when I barged into my explanation of needing several Eiffel Tower charms for bracelets without the mandatory “Bonjour” opening, the store clerk stopped me mid-sentence, interrupting my banter with “Bonjour, Madame, how can I help you?” How wonderful to be reminded at every turn that today is, indeed, a good day!

7) “Bonjoie” means even more. Late on the second night of our trip, bubbling with energy and excitement after traveling to the top of the Eiffel Tower, I accidentally said “Bonjoie” (jwahr) rather than “Bonsoir” (swahr). Sarah, the perfectly-fluent chaperone to which I directed this mis-step, proclaimed: “Happy joy of life to you, too!” Giggling my way up the escalator to my hotel room, I didn’t quite realize the extent of my error. But the next morning on the bus, everyone greeted me with “Bonjoie.” And so it stuck. It became our password for life in April in Paris. I can think of none better.

Our children shone like sugar-coated gumdrops sprinkled around the streets of Paris, dotting major landmarks and sweetening each and every meal. I was thrilled and honored to have been part of an event of such historic significance for our young and tiny youth orchestra. They were goodwill ambassadors for our symphony, our town, and our country. Never have I been more proud as a music lover, a parent, and as an American. Perhaps my experience sheds some insight on how you, too, can celebrate life.

Carolina Fernandez earned an M.B.A. and worked at IBM and as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch before coming home to work as a wife and mother of four. She totally re-invented herself along the way. Strong convictions were born about the role of the arts in child development; homeschooling for ten years provided fertile soil for devising creative parenting strategies. These are played out in ROCKET MOM! 7 Strategies To Blast You Into Brilliance. It is available on Amazon.com, in bookstores everywhere, or by calling 888-476-2493. She writes extensively for a variety of parenting resources and teaches other moms via parenting classes and radio and TV interviews. Please visit http://www.rocketmom.com to subscribe to her free ezine and get a weekly shot of inspiration.

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May 22, 2008

Computer Training Schools

In order to increase your chances in the job market you have to take up focused training programs which will enhance your skills and enable you to accept challenges at the workplace. As the entire world is headed towards computerization, a course in computers will certainly brighten your chances to get a decent job. Computer training schools cater to the increasing demand for trained computer professionals in the industry.

Computer training schools can be found both online and near your workplace or home. Before you head towards any computer training center, it is advisable to find about current trends in the software and hardware markets. Search on the net or talk to some professionals regarding the ‘in-demand’ training programs which will secure your chances to get hired by the employers.

Computer training is not only for students who major in computers. The training centers are filled with busy executives who regularly take courses to keep up with current trends. In this competitive world it is very important for these professionals to know the latest software packages and hardware tools available.

You can choose from an array of programs ranging from basic programming concepts to complex and comprehensive graphics and networking courses. Don’t be surprised to see housewives in a computer training center near you. These ladies want to help their school going children in their studies and want to be updated in order to ensure a smooth sailing when they start work again.

The businesses have also realized the importance of training their employees on a regular basis. Since the workers find it difficult to take time from their busy schedules, these organizations hire reputable computer training schools to train their people either at their offices or in the specific computer training school.

Computer Schools provides detailed information on Computer Schools, Computer Graphic Schools, Computer Training Schools, Computer Science Schools and more. Computer Schools is affiliated with Microsoft Certifications.

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May 7, 2008

Gatwick can be more convenient than you realize

Nearly everyone in London is aware of the nightmare that is parking at Heathrow, but the good news is that Gatwick Airport parking is not nearly so challenging. It’s also much easier to reach Gatwick by car, so it’s an ideal choice for an airport for most travelers if they have their own wheels. Yes, it can be a bit expensive if you use the main parks that are directly on the airport, but they have many other car parks that are just off the airport grounds with prices that are much lower than the main ones.

Another big issue that people worry about is whether or not the car park they drive to is going to be full or not just before their flight out. Some of these places to sell out and are completely full, especially on weekends or during bank holiday periods, but many of the better parks now have reservation systems where you can prepay and you’ll have a spot waiting for you when you arrive. If you are like most people, you have been running behind schedule once or twice before a flight, so the advantages of booking your airport parking in advance are pretty clear.

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April 26, 2008

A Christmas Ski Holiday for Young Travellers

Have you always dreamt of a white Christmas but thought skiing in Europe was only for investment bankers, movie stars and royalty?
Many youth travel specialists offer great skiing package that will allow independent travellers to join the jet set and experience the magic of Christmas in the Austrian Alps.

White Christmas
The 7 night Ski Hopfgarten Xmas package, which departs from London on the 23 December, costs R3 280 per person on a B&B basis. In addition you need to add on your ski pass (R1 350) and equipment hire (from R375). If you are a beginner, then ski or snowboarding lessons are strongly recommended, and these cost from R750. Anybody purchasing a ski package will also receive the following discount options from Snowscape: 10% discount on shop purchases, 15% on clothing hire, first lesson free and 20% on extra lessons booked.
Add in your flights to London from R3825 (ex Jhb, student and youth fare excl airport taxes) and you are looking at around R9000 for your most memorable Xmas ever!

On the Slopes
The idyllic Austrian village of Hopfgarten lies at the foot of the Hohe Salve Mountain, which rises to a peak of 1829m. It is everything you’d expect a ski resort in the heart of the Austrian Tyrol to be: traditional fairy-tale wooden chalets cluster around a twin-turreted church, snow-laden fir trees nestle beneath the impressive Austrian Alps.

Youth travel specialists have been taking skiers to Hopfgarten for over 20 years and now with a large investment by the Ski Welt region, Hopfgarten and its neighbouring villages are part of one of the largest network of artificial snow making machines in Europe - ensuring the best possible snow conditions over all 250km of piste.

Hopfgarten is great for all levels of skiers and snowboarders and the friendly and informal atmosphere of the village makes it the perfect destination for young travellers. In addition, if racing down a mountain is not enough to get your adrenaline pumping then you can try some of the optional excursions on offer which include tobogganing, sleigh rides, tandem paragliding or ice skating on a frozen alpine lake. And after an energetic day on the slopes the fun really starts with the town’s infamous nightlife offerings.

http://www.statravel.co.za STA Travel is the world’s largest travel company catering specifically to the needs of students and young people. STA and Contiki Holidays are offering a 7 night ski package to South African travellers this Christmas.

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April 16, 2008

10 Must-Dos When In Monte Carlo

Home to the rich and famous, Monte Carlo exudes style and panache. The locals walk the paths with a swagger; you can smell the affluence. The town is a charming blend of chic city living and wonderful sun-kissed beaches. Monte Carlo is a compact city; the best way to explore is by foot. The narrow streets and tight alleyways are home to a fascinating array of petite shops, bars and restaurants.

1. Monte Carlo Casino
Built in 1863, this architectural masterpiece overlooks the Mediterranean and must be a priority on your sightseeing list. It has a remarkable gold and marble atrium designed by the legendary architect Charles Garnier.

2. Walk the Grand Prix Racing Route
The Monaco Grand Prix has been held annually since 1929 and is considered one of the most prestigious races in motor sport. The roads are transformed from busy public highways into a Formula 1 circuit in an incredibly short space of time.

3. Prince’s Palace
The palace is open to the public from June to October. The courtyard is paved with over 3 million coloured pebbles, beautifully arranged in geometrical patterns. Built in 1215, the palace was originally a fortress before being transformed into a luxury home.

4. Monaco Cathedral
This magnificent cathedral was constructed in 1875 and is the final resting ground of Princess Grace. The cathedral’s fabulous organ was painstakingly restored to its former glory in 1988.

5. Monte-Carlo Thermes Marins
For over a century this luxury spa has pampered and delivered the ultimate in relaxation. Treat yourself to a day you will never forget.

6. Metropole Shopping Centre
Filled with designer stores to match those of Paris and Rome, the Metropole is a shopper’s paradise. A stroll around Casino Square will present you with precious stones of the highest quality.

7. The Old Town
An abundance of quality restaurants and bars present themselves in the more traditional parts of town. Here you can tuck into local specialities such as Monegasque cuisine.

8. Café de Paris
Located in Casino Square, Café de Paris is the place to be seen. The lively mix of locals and visitors generate a warm atmosphere, whether sitting outside or dining indoors. The menu has an international flavour and daily specials are always recommended.

9. The Grimaldi Forum
The stunning Grimaldi Forum is home to a host of cultural events. Watch concerts, opera, ballet, as well as festivals and exhibitions, including the Monte-Carlo Masters tennis.

10. Stade Louis II
What the home of AS Monaco Football Club lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in quality. Despite a capacity of only 18,500 (smaller than most top football clubs), the ground’s architecture make it one of the more memorable stadia.

Steven Cronin owns the City Breaks website featuring city break special offers from luxury hotels to budget accommodations. For further reading please visit www.sargas.co.uk

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April 11, 2008

A New Queen Reigns The 7 Seas - Queen Mary 2

A New Queen Reigns The 7 Seas - Queen Mary 2

Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com
http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/cruise02/mary2/mary2.html

Since 1840 Cunard Line has been sailing the seven seas, and for the past six decades there has been a Queen amongst its fleet plying the open ocean.

A New Queen Is About To Be Crowned.

The Cunard fleet has a classic British heritage and includes Queen Elizabeth 2 and Caronia. In December 2003 the line welcomes Queen Mary 2, destined to recapture the glamour of the original Queen Mary, currently a hotel and attraction in Long Beach, California. Another new, as of yet unnamed, ship is expected to come online for Cunard in 2005.

The keel for the new Queen Mary 2 was laid in Saint Nazaire, France on July 4, 2002, a commemorative day celebrating the 162nd anniversary of the maiden voyage of the first Cunard ship - Britannia, sailing from Liverpool to Halifax and Boston.

The new $800-million Cunard flagship is expected to enter service in January 2004 and she will be the largest, longest, and tallest and most expensive passenger ship ever built.

Stylistically, QM2 will recall the grand ocean liners, with sweeping staircases, towering domed public rooms, five swimming pools, a grand ballroom and a 360-degree promenade deck. Yet she will be technologically advanced, with a four-pod propulsion system, sophisticated multi-media, conference and classroom facilities, and even the world’s first shipboard planetarium.

The first liner to be built since the line’s Queen Elizabeth 2 entered service in 1969, QM2 is the first ship for Cunard by the renowned French shipyard Alstom Chantiers de l’Atlantique, one of world’s most technically advanced shipbuilders who have built such famous luxury liners as Normandie, France, and Ile de France.

Cunard officials marked the keel-laying occasion by the placing of coins under the first section of the keel. A commemorative £5 Queen’s Golden Jubilee coin symbolizing Great Britain and a silver French Franc was chosen to represent France, the country of her birth. The ceremonial gesture, believed to have originated in ancient Greece, is said to bring good luck to a ship.

In the spirit of her predecessors, QM2 will be resplendent with grandeur and elegance, while at the same time featuring contemporary style amenities and the latest technological innovations. She will feature classic Cunard hallmarks such as sweeping staircases, expansive promenades, stylish restaurants and public rooms of an imposing scale. The sheer size of the vessel, 150,000 tonnes, has enabled the line to create a space ratio per passenger of 57.25, making her among the grandest of the world’s larger passenger ships.

In A Royal League Of Her Own!

The 2,620-passenger QM2 is a prototype of unique design: the multi-million-dollar project employs teams of naval architects, engineers and maritime experts, including the marine interior design firms of SMC-Tillberg and “designteam”, both based in London.

The liner’s handsome, traditional exterior lines are complemented by stylish interiors that carry the grace and elegance of a bygone era into the future. Facilities include 1,310 fully equipped staterooms and suites, nearly three quarters of which will have a private balcony, and a variety of passenger spaces, from a majestic, three-story dining room to intimate bars and lounges to the first sea-going planetarium.

On the technical side, the QM2 powerplant includes two gas turbines and four diesel engines. More than two-thirds of this energy will be used to power a state-of-the-art Mermaid Pod Propulsion System, comprised of two fixed and two azimuthing pod units. The first four-pod installation to date, the powerful new system provides a speed of nearly 30 knots with low noise and vibration levels and maximum maneuverability.

World Class Itineraries

Four Inaugural Voyages & A Tandem QE2 Sail

The itineraries for the QM2 will include the traditional six-day transatlantic crossing, Caribbean voyages from New York, Rio de Janeiro sailings at Carnival time, as well as Europe and the Americas.

It is only fitting that the maiden voyage of QM2 be a transatlantic crossing, for which she was designed. Inaugural festivities to be held in Southampton, her U.K. homeport, promise to be fit for a Queen complete with pomp and circumstance befitting the launch of the first new ocean liner in more than 30 years. On January 12, 2004, Cunard’s new flagship will set out for North America calling at Madeira, Tenerife, and Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, Barbados, and St. Thomas USVI, en route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for her inaugural voyage from the U.S.

QM2 will use both Fort Lauderdale and New York as her U.S. bases for a series of warm-weather sailings to some of the most desirable islands in the Caribbean. Due to her capability of cruising at a speed of nearly 30 knots, QM2 is able to sail a deep Caribbean route out of New York, unlike most other ships. Itineraries from eight to 14 days - offered in March, November and December - will visit San Juan, St. Kitts, Martinique, Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica, Aruba, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

Come February, travelers on two voyages will have the opportunity to celebrate Carnival in Rio with QM2 as their five-star floating hotel. The southbound cruise leaves Fort Lauderdale February 11, calling at St. Thomas and Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, before arriving in Rio for an overnight aboard ship. Northbound guests overnight on board February 23 before sailing to Fort Lauderdale via Barbados, Martinique, St. Maarten and St. Thomas.

Commemorative Crossings - New York & Southampton

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link:
http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/cruise02/mary2/mary2.html

Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent - Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

About the Author

Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Leave your email next to the logo for FREE e travel newsletter.

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