Life Is But A Dream

You look out onto the sunrise with sleepy eyes. From your balcony you stretch as you enjoy the morning breeze. The waiter pours your coffee and asks if you’d care for another scone with honey. You thank him, breathing in the fresh sea air and return to watching miles of open waves as your ship makes its way to the next port.

Yes, “nothing is as real as a dream”—so goes the saying. “The world can change around you, but your dream will not. Responsibilities need not erase it. Duties need not obscure it. Because the dream is within you, no one can take it away.” It’s a quote by Tom Clancy, but has been used for countless situations including the experience of relaxing on a cruise liner—soaking up the sun by day and dancing the night away.

“Every room is wonderful, but the balcony is the way to go. That way you’ll have the experience,” said Lynn Irvin, owner of Cruise Holidays in Manassas. “You don’t have to rush out to breakfast.”

Cruising seems to be the ultimate way to vacation with so many things to do on board as well as on land. And things look so much better when on a cruise. “Cruise Hawaii was spectacular,” said Irvin who explained that many people who have seen the white beaches of Florida or the Caribbean are disappointed with our islands. “You see it so much differently on a cruise. We hiked a volcano and were able to throw sticks in flowing lava. And at night we saw the red lava going down the volcano as we sailed by. It was unbelievable.”

The islands of Hawaii offer many activities through cruise liners like Carnival, including snorkeling, scuba-diving, swimming, whale-watching, horseback riding, helicopter tours, golfing, big game fishing and of course surfing.

As more and more people are looking to explore the world, more opportunities are opening up. “A lot of people are at a point in their lives where they want to experience the world,” said Steve Nelson of Junction Travel, in Manassas. “They are healthy and have the money to do it.”

Even if money is no object, cruising can be more economical and convenient for anyone vacationing. Prices, which haven’t changed much since the 1980’s, include lodging, food, and many different forms of entertainment. And it’s more enjoyable to dance or relax while the ship makes its way to the next destination, compared to waiting at the airport.

Families can have fun, too.

It’s not just the Love Boat scene anymore. Cruise lines have also improved to accommodate families as well as adventure seekers. “The majority of cruise lines have developed programs for kids and teens,” said Irvin who recently took three of her eight grandchildren on a trip and has been on more than 30 trips herself. Husband J.D. Irvin is the behind-the-scene’s owner when not working as service manager at Miller/Toyota in Manassas.

“The kids love the formal dining experience. And there are camps they can go to – the kids are given pagers so they can contact their parents and the staff is trained in childcare.”

Even teenagers can have a great time with teen clubs and dances. And cruises also work well for family reunions and business seminars. Families can meet and still pursue their own interests and employees look forward to fun company trips. Many churches book trips for fundraisers where the cruise line will match the funds collected.

For many, taking a cruise is the way to go because everything is taken care of. Disney Cruises are popular this time of year and many people choose the cruise itself rather than the destination. “The ships are so fabulous these days,” said Nelson. “It’s the old-fashioned luxury liner at its best.”

Rollin’ down the river ...

For a more personal kind of cruising experience, many take a River Cruise along the shores of Europe, Russia, China, and the United States. “It’s more intimate,” said Irvin. “The ship sales while you’re dancing and dining, and the next morning you wake up in a new city. You get to experience cultures and places that you wouldn’t on a bigger ship.”

Cruisers can enjoy the Mississippi and Ohio rivers or take a breathtaking tour to Alaska. In Europe there are wine tours where ships go to the vineyards. “It’s a little expensive, but you get to travel to different places – for each place that could have been half a day at the airport.”

Choosing the right cruise for you

It’s a great idea to research the inte rnet to get an idea of where you want to go and how, said Irvin. Then find a cruise counselor or “dream builder” to find exactly what you are looking for.

“You’ll want to ask yourself if you want warm or cold,” she said. “Do you want romance, education, relaxation, adventure …?” Then it’s a good idea to have a general vicinity in mind which also depends on the time of year.

Also decide how long you want to go and what are your priorities. The cruise lines actually prefer working through a counselor or travel agent, said Irvin. “Choose a person you’d like to do business with.” Local agencies will have all the contacts and experience to make it a successful trip and to fix any problems along the way.

Lynn and J.D. Irvin at Cruise Holidays can be reached at 1-703-330-1888 or online at www.cruisecounselors.net. Steve Nelson can be reached at 703-368-8757 or at www.junctiontravel.com.

– L.A. Eaton
Staff Writer