January 1, 2004


Travel Times

Cruise ship weddings gaining popularity
More than 15,000 couples will say “I do” aboard cruise ships in 2004. With the increasing popularity of cruise ship weddings, Carnival’s new cruise ship Miracle and Carnival Pride will offer a wide variety of affordable and convenient wedding packages for couples seeking to tie the knot. The Miracle and Pride feature an intimate and elegant on-board wedding chapel - an ideal venue for couples to exchange vows. Wedding packages offer a ceremony aboard ship during embarkation day or at various on-island locations. The Chapel aboard Carnival Miracle features stained-glass windows and Old Testament scenes, along with a central aisle leading to the stage and a private dressing area for the bride. The new 88,500-ton ship will enter service from Jacksonville, Florida, Feb. 27, 2004. For more information, call the Travel Desk 723-0238.

Cruise line introduces yacht races for passengers
Cruise enthusiasts with a "need for speed" are likely to be drawn to an exclusive new excursion from Celebrity Cruises in Grand Cayman: a race from the pier to Cayman's Seven Mile Beach on one of the most extreme racing yachts in the world. The platform for the excursion is the former "80-foot Maxi-class yacht Lodka Sport," now named "Celebrity Cruises." The new contender in the exclusive new racing excursion will be none other than sister brand Royal Caribbean International, which has secured a nearly identical yacht in order to offer the same excursion to Royal Caribbean guests. Each vessel will accommodate approximately 20 guests per 3.5-hour race, at a cost of $105 per person. For booking information, call the Travel Desk, 723-0238.

Dog sledding a mush rush
Dog sledding has always been a popular activity in Alaska, but more and more people are traveling to places such as Colorado, the upper Midwest and New England to experience the sport. Dog sledding seems to catching on because according to Gregg Dubit of the Durango Dog Ranch in Colorado, operating under special use permit in the San Juan National Forest. Gregg and wife Gretchen are seasoned guides who have been training and running dogs for over eight years. The enthusiasm of being whisked along the trail by Siberian and Alaskan huskies is a feeling you'll not soon forget. “You don’t have to be in Alaska to enjoy sled-dog racing,” he said. At Durango, you can sled or ride along enjoying our picturesque mountains that very few have ever seen. Hot drinks, fresh snacks, and camaraderie between human and canine are just some of the highlights, said Dubit. Riders, who must book in advance, come from all over the country as part of an adventure vacation. A number of lodging choices are available including the Angel Haus Condominiums. For more information, call the Durango Dog Ranch, (970) 259-0694.


-- Sean Eastwood