An article on my AOL welcome screen caught my eye the other day so I checked it out. It was about cruises and I just loves me a good cruise. That is my ideal vacation (without kids of course). Lying around, drinking rum, reading, soaking up sun, taking excursions to explore new ports, going snorkeling, checking out local cuisine. Heaven. Anyway, the article caught my attention and I checked it out. It stated that the latest, hottest thing was specialty cruises and it went on to list a few of them. For example, there were:
Weight Loss Cruises: I don't know about you, but when I go on a cruise, I'm there to make sure I get every penny's worth of delicious food prepared by someone other than me! Somehow, getting a 5:00 wake-up call from a Richard Simmons wannabe and exercising just doesn't sound like a vacation to me. And what does the midnight buffet look like? Carrots and celery along with bottles of water? Mmmm.
Nude Cruises: Yep, that's right. You can cruise to Greece naked. On the bright side, you wouldn't have to worry about what to wear to the captain's dinner. And think how light your suitcase would be when the only thing in it is sunscreen! Let's just hope that your fellow passengers have taken the weight loss cruise before taking this one.
Magazine Sponsored Cruises: You can take a cruise with a bunch of people who have the same interests as you. The visuals I have of these different cruises are hilarious. Imagine the passengers on the Mad Magazine Cruise running around the ship. I can just see the passengers on the Scientific American Cruise lined up on the lounge chairs, their pasty white skin glowing in the dark. Or the folks on the Field and Stream Cruise walking through the corridors with their rifles, searching for something to hunt. I can just picture the Forbes crowd, the Parenting passengers, and the Modern Bride guests, all in wedding dresses, cruising around the Caribbean.
Music Cruises: You can take a specialty cruise featuring performances by your favorite artists. This wouldn't be a bad deal unless you didn't realize it was a specialty cruise. Can you imagine poor old grandma and grandpa on a Heavy Metal Head Bangers Cruise? And how long do you think it would take you to get those songs out of your head after listening to them every minute for a week?
Investment Cruises: You can go to seminars on saving and investing money while on board a luxury cruise ship. Experts give you tips for creating wealth. The first seminar goes something like this, "The first way to start saving money to invest is to stop spending it on luxuries like cruises."
I think I'll stick to the ordinary, lie on your butt, drink and eat too much, get sunburned, read a good book, do a little shopping cruise.
Here are a couple links I've gotten from people in the past week or so. I wanted to pass them on here...
Here's a link for my friend, Mimi's Relay for Life site...
Here's a link to a little girl named Lindsey, who is battling cancer. Her brother is shaving his head to raise money.
And Mimi has talked about her friend Peggy, who has cute twin boys. One of the twins, Coleman, is battling cancer. I've resisted checking out his carepage because it just breaks my heart reading stuff like this after "watching" Julian go through treatment and then die. I just didn't want to get involved in any other people's carepages. Well, I checked it out one day last week anyway and now I'm drawn in and can't stop reading and thinking about this little boy. Here's a link to care pages. Type in ColemanScott with no spaces to get his page.
I want to thank any students from Fremd who read my blog. I spoke at Fremd High School last month, and yesterday I got HUGE packet in the mail with more than 130 letters from students thanking me for participating in Writer's Week at Fremd. I had just turned in my completed manuscript and was thinking that I wanted to burn my book and start all over. I'm sick of seeing it; I think the whole thing sucks; I can't wait to get on to writing my next book. And then I got that mail. What awesome timing!
And lastly, I'm speaking at a church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago tomorrow night at 7:00 pm. If you're in the area and are interested, come on by.
Our Saviour's United Methodist Church
701 E. Schaumburg Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60194
33 comments:
Hmm, I don't know where that church is, but Schaumburg isn't too far from me... I may have to try to talk my hubby into watching the kids :) Do you know where at the church you'll be?
And a cruise sounds so lovely right now. I have friends who've taken them with their (small) children and enjoyed them, but I can't picture taking my kids on a cruise yet. When they get older, definitely -- there are kids' clubs that I remember from when I was growing up that I loved. Perfect for the times when Mommy and Daddy want to be alone or do something but still a vacation with the fam.
So what cruise have you signed up for, Dawn? Are the passports ready for you to go?... ;)
Michelle
wwww.honestandtruly.blogspot.com
I did the same thing, I wondered how twins handled the cancer issues and I got sucked in so fast, I am in love with that boy and cry buckets every time I read a post.
I am SO going to see if I can get on a Mad Magazine cruise! I wouldn't even need to drink on a cruise like that!
My uncle is in a polka band and they do a cruise every few years. Surprisingly, they have quite a few people sign up for them! I haven't been one one, but that's just because I don't want to spend 7 days on a boat with my entire extended family.
What a blessing to receive so many encouraging letters in the mail!
I love cruises too. Just regular, not specialty!
You need to take the weight loss cruise before you take a regular cruise--that way you might be lucky enough to end up where you started!
too bad I'm not THAT close to chicago...if you're doing anything April 29/30 let me know because I'll be in town to show my momma around.
I'll graduate the weekend before and saved a fortune to have my mom come from Europe to be with me on that special day.
I know that kids can be a pain in the rear end (I was one of those) but believe me, there will come a time when they appreciate all of what you have done for them! really!
best from michigan,
Franzi
We could all come together and create the very first blogger cruise! Then we could all sit in our cabins and put comments on each other's blogs and maybe even have an electronic shuffle board tournament.
http://organizeddoodles.blogspot.com/
See, I'm too lazy to even do a cruise...LOL
Just let me go out back on my deck, forget I have a houseful of kids, sip a margarita (or two, or four) and not spend a dime in the process.
I'm such a cheap date! LOL
Ummm.... This has nothing to do w/ your entry but are you not doing SSO? I guess I could just assume you arent being that is now Weds and nothing.
Boo.
I think that is fairly common to think that your finished piece of writing sucks. I mean, after you've edited a funny bit about 10 times, it doesn't sound funny to you anymore. But don't worry, it will be new to everyone else!
I was on a cruise when I was 17, my parents took me to the Bahamas. Yeah, I know what you are thinking 17 and on a cruise with my parents? luckily they knew I wouldn't fall off the boat, and there were about 20 other kids around my age so we just ran around drinking ( yes there is no age restrictions on drinking in the middle of the ocean) I did read some , but did see my parents at meal times, and when we docked in Nassau. It truly was a blast. Maybe I'll post the picture that my parents took of me the morning we were going to fly home, I was so hungover it wasnt' funny, the last thing my stomach wanted was to get on an airplane. hehe. But when I recovered I got home with an awesome tan, some really good memories, and great pictures!!
Some of those specialty cruises sound weird and conjure up funnyimages too, like they did with you. I especially liked the one of the old couple getting stuck on a headbanger cruise. What happened if they actually liked it and got off wearing all black band t-shirts, and having spiked hair? but all the while they also have on bermuda shorts and their socks pulled up to their knees?what a sight!!
Have a great day Dawn!
MaBunny
I'm sure your book is going to be wonderful! Your blogs are always funny, down-to-Earth, and real. I'm sure the book is just the same. I know it's scary putting yourself out there like that but I'm positive things will be great!
There you go...there's your pep talk for the day!
We went on a cruise this year with the kids, and it was fun. But they get kind of bored. There's nothing to do but swim (I know that sounds heavenly, but my kids are more active sorts).
I, on the other hand, could sit and do nothing all day.
I'm trying to convince my husband we need to do a last minute one together when they're cheaper, but he doesn't want to leave the kids with somebody that long.
Oh, well.
Congratulations on your book. I have four under my belt now. Isn't it amazing, though, how after you've finished them you almost hate them? It's just too much time with one manuscript.
Visit To Love, Honor and Vacuum today!
My son would like to go on the Sesame Street, Nick Jr., or Mickey Mouse Cruise. I wouldn't mind if they included some adult activities.
I can't read those blogs, I'm such a cry baby. I even cry at commericals.
Do you kids have spring break this week?
How was the second coconut cake?
Sorry MIL but I don't thinkI would want to try the rolls with Splenda in them.
How about a "We'll-look-after-your-children-and-keep-them-entertained-for-most-of-the-day" cruise? I'd buy into that :)
Mark
whereisthebloodymanual.blogspot.com
How about a "BECAUSE I SAID SO" mommy blogger cruise?
I can see thousands of women sitting on deck typing away at their laptops while their children are drawing all over each other with markers and yogurt.
The midnight buffet would feature green kool-aid fish and bacon cakes.
Think about it.
I followed Julian after reading about him on your blog around 2007 Thanksgiving time, and cried with everyone when he earned his angel wings. I still read Mimi's blogs every time she updates...her family forever has a place in my heart. I've been following Coleman for about a month now, and was immediately drawn to his story; he's such an inspiration :o) I've cried every day reading Peggy's posts since his transplant, but more out of hope than sadness, even though there is sadness in there too. On that note, I think there should be a pediatric cancer survivor cruise for kids and their families who survive cancer...and I think there should be a pediatric cancer caregiver cruise where the people who give their hearts to these kids regardless of the outcome. Where's Oprah's Big Give when ideas like THAT come around?? LOL
Take care!
Liz
http://4guysn1liz.blogspot.com
My twin nephews are shaving their heads for the St. Baldrick's thing. And they have pretty shaggy heads of hair, so this is a sacrifice.
I want the cruise that someone else pays for, but definitely the one you mentioned - lie in the sun, plenty of food that someone else cooks and cleans up after.
Ohhh! I have always wanted to go on the Blues Cruise, with blues music clearly. I first heard about it in my early 20's. All our friends used to talk about going together when we were old and rich. I hope we do it someday!
The comment thing is being buggy again and not letting me leave my name.
Kama
Dawn,
I know this is gross, but why is being naked so appealing. Whenever I think of nude beaches or cruises, I just cringe. There are certain bodily fluids that should just be contained. I don't know about you, but after 3 kids, I can't always trust my sneezes and coughs. It's embarrassing enough when no one knows about it, but I wouldn't want certain things running down my legs.
Just my opinion.
Our first and only cruise we took my mother in law (and our 4 kids, two adults, two little ones) but its cheaper for the entire cabin if one person is 55 or older. hehe. My husband will be there in a couple years and we will only go on vacations that we can cruise. its the best life. It was hard to return to normal everyday living.
ok, so the Naked cruise creeps me out a bit!
Fremd loves you, Dawn! Again, thank you for taking the time to come share what you do with our students. They really do appreciate it.
My heart hurts for the children you mentioned. If disease were a person, I would SO beat it up. And I'm a pacifist. I guess even pacifists can only be pushed so far....
Cruises: Dear Lord, I need one. I'd even take the Heavy Metal cruise. And the Field and Stream cruise. Heck, put the nakeds in with the head banging Field and Streamers and I'd STILL be there. That's how much I need a vacation where I am pampered.
--Trish
pacifiersandprada.blogspot.com
P.S. Would you feel a little stalked if I showed up tonight? I am so NOT a stalker. (Of course, that's what all stalkers probably say, right?)
HA!! You know, I'd have not thought about some of the "tidbits" you pointed out about some of the specialty cruises, and ZOINKS to some of the mental images. Thanks for the giggle!!
I would love to go on a cruise! But if we all went together you'd want to avoid the Naked cruise! You'd be seeing more than you wanted to see of me.
A no husband cruise would be great!
I could choose what I wanted to do without being vetoed.
Or how about a Chocolate and wine cruise!
Ahhh.... we can dream can't we....
Send me your book, I will told you my opinion ;)
Don't forget to sign it. And when it will become a bestseller, I'll be proud to get the first numbered edition, signed by the author.
It was an absolute thrill meeting you tonite and hearing you speak - live and in person!! You were/are fabulous. I forgot to look if you were wearing your pointy "grown up" shoes:-) Thanks for the laughs!
OK, I'm reading this at 10 PM on Wednesday night so I'm just taking a guess that you're done talking at the church? Hmmm... drat! Missed it.
Next time, a personal invite please!!!
: )
I could so do a cruise.....how about it?? Wouldn't it be great all of us commenters/bloggers together with Dawn................or maybe not, don't know if the cruise crew could cope with all of us together....but we can dream
Naked cruise? Ummm yeah, Ewwwwwww!
I had the same thoughts about carepages after Julian...you are making me think twice though, thanks.
Wow Dawn you've moved already! Went into withdrawal when your "old" page wouldn't come up, but had remembered to bookmark the new address and here I am
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