Start Planning for 2012

If you don't plan your life, then life will make other plans for you. Instead of going on that Greek Isles cruise you always dreamed of taking, you could end up blowing just as much trying to make your land trip to a third world country into something special. Too many bargain hunters have found that the cheap hotel turns out to have electrical problems that make your dim room lights flicker, mold growing in the bathroom and a swamp cooler that drowns out the TV's one channel in a foreign language but still leaves the room in sweltering heat. Then you upgrade to the suite that is just as dank and depressing but slightly larger with a view of the recycling plant. The advertised postcard spots may be there, but you have to trek through an impoverished area to catch a glimpse.

With a good sense of humor, you can get through it and maybe even have fun, but why put yourself through that, especially when you worked hard all year long to earn your escape from the daily grind? Will you let this be your story?

Not in 2012. Not for you, because you are planning ahead this time. Choose from an amazing odyssey through Ancient Ionia from Rome on the fabulous Celebrity Equinox during the weather-perfect month of May and a Western Caribbean romp from New Orleans aboard the exciting Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas over the "ski week" that starts on President's Day weekend.

Neither of those are exactly right for you? Through my affiliations with American Express and Cruise Planners, I have special pricing and amenities on hundreds of cruises throughout the world, and we don't screw around with crappy ones. We make sure you get a great cruise for your money, and it's not done with smoke and mirrors.

Perhaps you didn't realize that if you have someplace in particular that you would like to go, I can set up a group for you. Then, you can tell your friends and form your own group, saving money and landing special amenities for all, plus perhaps a tour conductor credit for you. And there's no risk for you. If it doesn't work out and only you can go, that's okay too.

The clock is ticking.