Great deals in 2012

TRAVEL UPDATE By Marlinda Angbetic Tan (The Freeman) Updated January 12, 2012 12:00 AM

A few issues ago, I enumerated the places I dream of going someday. Those places remain in my bucket list and with the cost of traveling being made more affordable by the steep competition among airlines, I may still fulfill my dream trips on record time. (Nice thought to start the New Year!)

Ready for Sinulog 2012? Check here for updates.

Here are some ideas I got in my email that may set you thinking about your trips for 2012: how about zeroing in on cruises? Vacations To Go has some interesting suggestions worth looking into, like Antarctic Expeditions; tours to the British Isles; South African or Kenyan safari; watching The Great Migration (of wildebeests and zebras) in Tanzania; Italian culture and culinary tours in Rome, Florence and Venice; escorted tours in national parks (checking out canyons, mesas and buttes) of the American Southwest; river cruises along the Danube or nearer, along the Mekong River or the Yangtze; an Amazon River Cruise in the challenging Brazilian rain forest.

But consider the TOP TEN CRUISES ON OFFER:

1) Caribbean – 7 nights on Carnival Cruises, boarding in Miami: from US$479.00, Save 71%

2) Mexico -- 7 nights on Disney Cruises, boarding in Los Angeles on March 25 US$868.00

3) Caribbean – 7 nights on Norwegian Cruise Lines, boarding in New Orleans on February 12: from $479.00, Save 63%

4) Bermuda -- 11 nights on Azamara Club Cruises, boarding in San Juan (Puerto Rico) on March 30: from $1,899.00, Save 50%

5) Caribbean – 7 nights on Celebrity Cruises, boarding in San Juan on Feb. 25: From $519.00, Save 64%

6) Central America – 7 nights on Windstar Cruises, boarding in Puerto Caldera on March 17: ocean view cabin $1,599.00, Save 61%

7) Tahiti/French Polynesia – 7 nights on Paul Gauguin Cruises, boarding in Papeete (Tahiti) on Feb. 18: ocean view cabin $3,097.00, Save 64%

8) South America – 14 nights on Crystal Cruises, boarding in Miami on Feb. 6: Ocean view cabin $3,520.00, Save 68%

9) Panama Canal – 7 nights on Silversea Cruises, boarding in Puerto Caldera on March 28: ocean view cabin $3,799.00, Save 50%

10) Caribbean -- 10 nights on Regent Cruises, boarding in Fort Lauderdale on Feb. 27: suite $4,549.00, Save 62%

Ready for Sinulog 2012? Check here for updates.

For inquiries, email Alan Fox, Chairman & CEO of Vacations To Go: alanfox@vacationstogo.com

Cruising is the best way to relax in a vacation, as a family, alone, or with your “barkada” for a carousing reunion. You don’t have to pack/unpack. No worry about where to sleep, or when to take a dip in the pool. Restaurants are there for fine dining or casual meals – 7 times a day!

Watch out for your weight gain, though. As they say at the start of a cruise: “You traipse in through the gangway but we may have to roll you out, at the end of the trip!”

Will look for more happy deals next time….happy cruising!