Cruiseone2003's VirtualTourist Home Page

Back in 2006 I stumbled onto Virtual Tourist.com by accident when I needed to find some "things to do" for an upcoming cruise that I was taking from Miami to Barcelona. I thought this was just a place to exchange travel info but then I read that people actually meet up, have meetings etc. I thought, this could be fun!(?) So I decided to take 10 minutes out of my day to start my Homepage and tell YOU a little about ME.

I have lived in the bay area since 84, in the city since 90 and couldn't think of any other place to live in the world. Well, Barcelona is giving San Francisco a run for it's money.

I am a former airline employee(United Airlines) having left the industry in 03 after 18years of service. Shortly after, my partner Terry and I started a travel agency that specializes in cruises worldwide. Our unofficial motto is "If it floats, we'll sell it". I have become quite the "cruiser" having sailed on over 30 cruises from crossing the Pacific to Hawaii, Western and Eastern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, 3 and 4 night cruises to Ensenada (for a quick getaway), Eastern Canada, Bahamas 2 Atlantic Crossings, N. Europe/Baltics, Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea. Because of my former job I was able to see a lot of the world. Looking back on it I wish I had traveled just a bit more.

That's it for now.........

Been doing some research for an upcoming trip to Scandanavia, Baltics, and Russia and read my opening bio, seems so long ago. Just completed another Transatlantic crossing with Celebrity Cruises from San Juan to Rome with port stops in Antigua, Agadir, Ibiza, Barcelona, Villefranche. This was my 24th cruise! We left San Juan with 1800 guests, 650 of which were Puerto Ricans....let me just say you have not partied until you have been on a cruise with 650 Puerto Riquenos! The DJ Begged us to leave the Disco at 4am!(it closes at 2am)
My next cruise is another with Celebrity Cruises from Dover sailing up to Helsingborg, Sweden; Rostock, Germany; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia; Tallinn, Estonia; Riga, Latvia; Klaipeda, Lithuania; and Copenhagen, Denmark.

I took my cruise to Northern Europe in Aug07, the weather was just perfect, out of 14days on the ship, 13days were warm and clear. The highlights for me were Helsinki, St. Petersburg (Loved the Metro)the Baltics, and Copenhagen. Was sad to leave the good friends we made while onboard but I have learned the best way to get over a cruise is to plan the next one! Next one is Italy and Croatia in Oct/Nov07, I'm looking forward to visiting Venice(Canals and St. Marks Sq), Portofino, Florence (statue of David)and Pisa(leaning tower), Naples (Pompeii and pizza), Split and Dubrovnik, and Messina (Sicily). Hoping to get some great tips from some VT'ers.

Plan your next one! After two wonderful cruises this past summer, one in N. Europe/Russia/Baltcis and Italy/Croatia I'm back in the U.S. and already planning the next trip abroad this time to Belgium in February; Brrrrrrrrr. Will still be fun I'm sure, nothing a jacket, cap, and scarf can't handle; see my page on Knokke, Belgium.

Wanted to add another small chapter, Terry and I are invited to attend a Seminar at Sea aboard Azamara Cruises which is a relatively new cruise line offering sailings world wide. Azamara was created by Celebrity cruises and offer service a few notches above Celebrity. They currently have two ships, the Journey and the Quest each holding about 700guests and 400crew. We leave from Venice and visit the following ports: Kopor, Slovakia; Split and Dubrovnik, Croatia; Bari, Sorrento, and Rome, Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Marseille,. France, and finally Barcelona, Spain!

I've been doing research on these ports of call but any information from a local or someone who has been would be appreciated.

I attended my first VT meeting in North Beach (San Francisco) this past Friday night May 23, 2008, about 10 members attended and we had a good time sharing food, drink, and our travel stories. I even had a couple members show me where the best pizza in North Beach is at! Check out my dining page for details.