"FIRST TIME CRUISERS"

Many cruise industry experts feel that the key to their ongoing success depends upon the experiences of the "first-time cruiser". In fact, competing cruise line executives all agree that once you get that "first-timer" onboard, chances are you'll have a lifelong cruiser. And the younger the better. If you took family cruise vacations as a child or teen, the odds are...you'll be back. And as your tastes, preferences, lifestyle, life experiences and pocketbook changes over the years...so will your cruise line.

Family reunions and the family-cruise market in general is the fastest growing segment of the industry. And with so many new cruise ships being introduced now is the time to get expert travel advice from a trusted travel agent.

Royal Caribbean boasts the world's largest cruise ships and with everything imaginable onboard (except the space shuttle - for now) their phenomenal success speaks for itself. I interviewed Royal Caribbean's President and CEO, Adam Goldstein regarding his thoughts on the first-time cruiser:

Why do you feel first-time cruisers are so important to the cruise industry?

THE CRUISE INDUSTRY STILL HAS LOW PENETRATION OF THE MARKET FOR LEISURE TRAVELERS. IN ORDER TO GROW THE INDUSTRY TO ITS POTENTIAL WE NEED TO INTRODUCE MORE VACATIONERS TO CRUISING. WHEN PEOPLE TRY IT THEY LOVE IT AND WANT TO GO AGAIN. THE KEY IS TO GET THEM TO TRY IT.

What do you say to potential first-timers in order to take a cruise vacation rather than say a Disney land vacation?

IN COMPARISON TO ANY LAND VACATION WE STRESS THE VALUE, EXCITEMENT AND SERVICE PROPOSITION OF CRUISING. VALUE BECAUSE YOU GET SO MANY ACTIVITIES AND CHOICES FOR YOUR MONEY. EXCITEMENT BECAUSE TODAY'S SHIPS ARE UNBELIEVABLE. SERVICE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT FIND ANYWHERE ELSE THE LEVEL OF CARE AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL THAT A GUEST RECEIVES ON OUR SHIPS.

What do you find as the greatest and most surprising benefits to the apprehensive first-time cruiser?

THAT THERE IS MUCH MORE TO DO THAN THEY COULD POSSIBLY HAVE THE TIME TO DO WHILE ONBOARD.

Once you've got the first time cruiser onboard...are they hooked?

NOT ALL BUT CERTAINLY MANY. WE HAVE A VERY LOYAL FOLLOWING FROM MILLIONS OF REPEAT GUESTS.

What do you say to the potential first-timer when they are concerned about not having enough entertainment or activities onboard one of your RCI ships?

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR WEB SITE THEN TALK TO A PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL AGENT AND THEY WILL ADVISE YOU OF THE POSSIBILITIES. AT EVERY TIME OF THE DAY A GUEST HAS MULTIPLE CHOICES OF ACTIVITIES, ENTERTAINMENT AND DINING. GIVE IT A TRY.

Do you have any specific ships within the RCI fleet that you would especially recommend for first-timers?

THEY'RE ALL GREAT FOR FIRST TIMERS. IT DEPENDS ON DESTINATIONS, LENGTH OF CRUISE AND AVAILABILITY. OF COURSE THE NEWEST SHIPS HAVE CERTAIN UNIQUE FEATURES SUCH AS THE FLOWRIDER ON THE THREE FREEDOM-CLASS SHIPS.

How do you address the inevitable "What if I get seasick" question to the first-timer?

IT'S RARE GIVEN THE SIZE OF OUR SHIPS THAT A GUEST WILL SUFFER FROM SEASICKNESS. HOWEVER IF SOMEONE IS CONCERNED THEY CAN RECEIVE A PRESCRIPTION FOR ANTI-SEASICKNESS MEDICINE FROM THEIR PHYSICIAN TO BRING TO THE SHIP. WE HAVE EXCELLENT MEDICAL FACILITIES ONBOARD IN CASE THE NEED ARISES.

And last, but not least...as the President and CEO of Royal Caribbean, what would your expert advice be to a family that is about to take their very first cruise?

LET EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY PURSUE WHATEVER INTERESTS THEM DURING THE DAY, THEN GET TOGETHER AT DINNER TO DISCUSS THE DAY'S EXPERIENCES AND PLAN FOR THE NEXT DAY. EVERYONE WILL HAVE A FABULOUS TIME.

QUESTION - My husband is a passionate , lifelong golfer (I am not) and wants us to vacation in Scotland this fall. Of course I know Scotland is world-famous for being the "Home of Golf", however, what do you recommend for the non-golfer?

ANSWER - My husband, Stewart, is also a devoted golfer, and like you, I thought Scotland was all about golf...and bagpipes, tartans, clans and whiskey. (Think Rob Roy meets Tiger Woods.) Boy, was I wrong.

Yes, the world's first golf clubs were Muirfield and the Royal and Ancient at St. Andrews...and yes, most golfers visiting Scotland are keen to play the famous (and not so famous) championship courses several times during their stay. But don't let that stop you from spending at least one full day in St. Andrews walking throughout Scotland's oldest university town with its cobblestone streets, crooked housefronts, medieval churches and traditional pubs. (During our time in St. Andrews the course was closed for play as the "Dunhill Open" was taking place - but fun and free to watch the pros and celebrities.)

A land of magnificent beauty, I found Scotland to be a distinctive and unique destination offering the traveler spectacular scenery, musical celebrations, an abundance of sports & recreation, historic monuments & castles and world-class cuisine and accommodations.

We flew into Glasgow, rented a car and stayed overnight in Glasgow's residential West End at the highly acclaimed "One Devonshire Gardens". A stunning boutique hotel where you are greeted by a Scotsman in full tartan dress and welcomed with a "wee dram" of whiskey - a perfect way to begin your Scottish holiday.

Our plan was to drive north, through the Highlands, and stay at elegant country manor houses and small hotels before ending our trip in Edinburgh.

If you love breathtaking scenery, the Highlands will not disappoint - nor will the picturesque villages , sparkling lochs, historic castles & ancient ruins (which seem to be everywhere and come out of nowhere - but the most impressive when you spot them on a small island in the middle of a loch).

It was a perfect, although very busy, itinerary for us. Driving and touring (castles, distilleries, ruins & medieval towns) most of the day and checking into our small hotels late in the afternoon - just in time for a friendly chat with our host, a warm & cozy fire and a hot cup of tea.

Most of the properties offered a breakfast and dinner package which we loved. Every night all house guests would gather in the living room (always in front of a roaring fire) for pre-dinner cocktails, light-hearted conversation (usually about where you came from and where you were going) and a description of the evening meal from the chef. (A miniature and unpretentious Gosford Park - well, kind of.)

Just to mention a few of the properties we loved and highly recommend : The Airds Hotel in Port Appin; Castleton House Hotel in Angus and Loch Ness Lodge in Loch Ness - Inverness (see Loch Ness expert interview in AAA Touch - Jan/Feb)

Our final destination was the historic city of Edinburgh - the seat of Scotland's new parliament and the royal residence of Holyroodhouse Palace. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Edinburgh is dominated by the imposing and world-famous Edinburgh Castle sitting high above the city. An outstanding walking city, we explored the castle (and crown jewels), the Royal Mile, Old Town and Princess Street. We stayed at The Roxburgh Hotel in the residential Georgian "New Town" Charlotte Square neighborhood, a terrific hotel and location.

Scotland was so much more than I ever expected it to be and I loved every moment we were there.

**Although most of our Scotland trip was independent, AAA has excellent partnerships with tour companies that are travel experts in Scotland. Our stay in Edinburgh was coordinated through CIE Tours and they have an outstanding reputation for British, Scottish and Irish tour packages.**

Having just returned from an amazing , although hectic, trip to Scotland- (we put almost 1,000 miles on our rental car, toured the cities andHighlands and stayed most nights at a different property), one of thehighlights was meeting the world's foremost authority on Loch Ness - Mr.Adrian Shine. My husband, Stewart and I had dinner with Adrian at thebrand new (we were the first ever overnight guests)and very luxurious"Loch Ness Lodge" overlooking the hauntingly beautiful Loch Ness.

If Adrian looks familiar to you, you have probably seen him on many LochNess documentarys being interviewed by media from all over the world.However, he is probably best known for his Toyota Truck Commercial thataired throughout the US and UK. (Remember, the Loch Ness Monster trieseating the truck and then spits it out?)

Adrian has investigated Loch Ness and its Loch Ness Monster mysterysince 1973 and his fascination lies partly in the mystery and partly inexploring a little understood environment. He is the Leader of the"Loch Ness Project" ; "The 3D Loch Ness Experience" and is theAmbassador for Loch Ness for the Scottish Tourist Board.

He claims few people really believe Loch Ness is a "Jurassic Park", yet,along with the media sterotype of "Nessy" as a plesiosaur - a longnecked, marine reptile contemporary with the dinosaurs, the monstermystery stays alive. The lack of recent fossils does not dim the hopesof some, they point to the Coelacanth, a fish caught alive in 1938 -after an absence from the fossil record for 65-million years.

With a new animated movie coming out, "The Water Horse", which beginswhen a young boy discovers a large egg on the seashore of Loch Ness -the interest, mystery and imagination of Loch Ness will be back - in abig way. (Adrian was meeting with both the History Channel and theDiscovery Channel the next day.)

I had the opportunity to conduct an interview, and here is a sampling ofour talk :

Q - When did you first become interested in the Loch Ness Monster?

I was a schoolboy of the 1960's and was fascinated by the interest shownby some eminent British naturalists such as Sir Peter Scott - I knew Iwanted to grow up, solve the mystery and be a naturalist.

Q - Is the legend of Nessy more or less popular today?

We live in a more sceptical age than was the case in the 1960's when"the establishment" including established science was under challenge.However, people are still intrigued to know why so many people -justlike themselves- have witnessed the mystery at Loch Ness.

Q - When I was growing up everyone knew about the Loch Ness Monster -is that still true today?

Yes, but because they are better educated their attitude and questionsare different.

Q - How far do people travel to Scotland and the Loch Ness Project tolearn more?

From every continent on Earth, including naturalists from Antarctica.The largest recent increase is from China.

Q - Is "Nessy" more popular outside of Scotland - than in actual areasaround the Loch?

In many ways, yes. Local opinion is probably more polarised thanelsewhere. If you or a trusted family member has seen something, thenyou may be a believer. If you have lived here all your life and seennothing, then you might not be. I think mysteries deepen with distancebecause we are more open minded about places we are unfamiliar with.

Q - What would you like your message as an explorer and naturalist tobe regarding Loch Ness?

There is a lot more happening in lakes than meets the eye. The mostinteresting side of my work is the discovery of special things aboutLoch Ness which sheds light into the controversy, sometimes explainingwhat people are really seeing. But we don't have all the answers yet.

Q - And last, but not least - are you a believer?

I don't think that Loch Ness is "Jurassic Park", but it is a lost world.An Ice Age lost world and the grains of truth behind a legend will befound there. For me this in not a matter of faith, but reason. I haveyet to explain everything that people report seeing. So I have to saythat I do not believe...yet!

For more information on visiting Scotland and Loch Ness, go to: www.lochnessproject.com, or www.visitscotland.com

WHAT TO SEE & DO

Many people visiting New York City go to Times Square only and never go anywhere else. Although a must-see NYC attraction, there is so much more to NYC than Times Square. I highly recommend having a plan-of-action so you don't find yourself being overwhelmed and walking around in circles. (There are several good NYC tour books you can buy or borrow from the library.)

Even if you've done it before, nothing compares to a Statue of Liberty , Ellis Island, Gray Line double-decker city bus or a Circle Line boat tour. You'll get a good lay of the land, plus a connection to how life really was for the early immigrants hoping for a new life.

Everyone loves the festive atmosphere at Rockefeller Center - with the sunken ice skating rink and gigantic Christmas tree. For the past 75-years, the world-famous Rockettes have kicked it up for the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall and the New York Ballet brings the much loved "Nutcracker" to Lincoln Center. (Make your reservations now as the best seats and times sell out quickly.)

New York is my very favorite walking city and although part of the wow-factor can be found simply staring up at all the skyscrapers and down the congested streets and sidewalks, there are several specialized walking tours available.

We recently walked and toured the opulent Upper East Side , home to the richest zip code in the world - 10021. Our walking tour company, "Beyond Times Square", not only pointed out all of the mansions, private clubs, and embassies but gave us a history lesson on the architecture, culture and the high-society lifestyle of the area.

A stroll along Fifth Avenue will bring you by some of the most famous sites (Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center) and most famous stores in the world (perfect for Christmas or window shopping): Cartier, Gucci , FAO Schwarz, Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany & Co., and of course, Saks Fifth Avenue. (Although many NYC experts say if you have only one store to visit in NYC, make it Bloomingdales.)

Following your crowded Fifth Avenue walk, you can slip inside the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States, St. Patrick's, for a few moments of quiet reflection.

I also like walking, shopping and people-watching through some of the fun and lively neighborhoods such as Chinatown & Little Italy (affordable dining and shopping) ; Tribeca & SoHo (sidewalk cafes) and Greenwich Village (celebrity moms with their kids). And don't forget to squeeze in a long winter walk through Central Park, stopping at some of the 50 sculptures, Strawberry Fields, the Zoo and Wollman Rink.


New York is a city of museums, and between 82nd and 104th streets the area is known as "Museum Mile" with the largest art collection in the US, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Opened in 1874, the Met is considered the giant among all NY museums and is a must-see, even for visitors who are not art lovers. The American Museum of Natural History, the museum of Modern Art and Frank Lloyd's masterpiece, the Guggenheim Museum shouldn't be missed.

Just about every visitor to NYC wants to see a "show" and Broadway, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall all offer world-class venues for the performing arts. Save time (and energy) and book your ticket before arriving in NYC. I've found great Broadway and Off-Broadway information at the following websites : www.playbill.com ; www.broadwaybox.com and www.braodway.com.

And last but not least, I recommend taking Amtrak from Harrisburg or Lancaster to NYC. There are several daily departures and you don't have to worry about traffic, parking or the weather. Remember, there is no food service between Harrisburg and NYC, so be sure to bring a bottle of water and a snack - especially for the kids. You can check out all of the special rail fares (AAA members, students and senior citizens get a discount) by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL or go to www.amtrak.com. For more NYC information, check out www.aaacp.com and click on "City Packages" - "Holiday Time in NYC" or www.nycvisit.com

Anytime is a great time to visit New York City, but I think the holidays are the most special. Beginning in November with Macy's annual Thanksgiving Day Parade through the very crowded , elbow-to-elbow New Years Eve "ball drop" in Times Square. With its sheer abundance of hotels, restaurants, attractions, stores and world-class museums, New York City can be overwhelming to many of us, but don't let that stop you from visiting one of the greatest cities in the world.

Where To Stay:

If it's elegance, ultra-luxury and 24-hour pampering service you want (and are willing to pay dearly for), you will not be disappointed with the Ritz-Carlton Central Park South. This hotel is simply gorgeous and the Central Park/Fifth Avenue location is ideal. Another over-the-top choice would be The Pierre, (now run by the Four Seasons luxury chain), world renowned as one of New York's finest hotels, also with a very prestigious Fifth Avenue/Upper East Side address.

Our most recent stays have been at The Kitano New York, a AAA four-diamond property located on Park Avenue in Midtown's historic Murray Hill neighborhood. The guestrooms are spacious and elegant and the easy walking access to the Theater District, Times Square and the Empire State Building is really appealing. For families, bigger can be better and the newly renovated gigantic Grand Hyatt was a great choice for us. Sitting on busy 42nd Street, the Grand Hyatt is connected to Grand Central Station and another good walking area to many must-see New New York City attractions, including the UN, Rockefeller Center and the New York Public Library. (The Grand Hyatt is also very popular for hosting news/press conferences and VIP events. In the 3-days we were there, we saw Ivana Trump, Morley Saffer from 60-Minutes and Presidential candidate, Ron Paul.)

I also like the legendary Algonquin Hotel on West 44th (Midtown). Home to Dorothy Parker's famous literary "Round Table", the Algonquin reopened a couple years ago after a major restoration and looks great. (Rooms are on the small side, but the regulars love the classic and relaxed feeling throughout the hotel, particularly in the comfy - and busy - Lobby Lounge.)

The Iroquois hotel (you can't miss the uniformed and extremely courteous bellmen) stands practically next door to the Algonquin and has become a popular full-service luxury boutique hotel with a terrific in-house restaurant, Triomphe, that is favored by the well-dressed locals for lunch.

If you don't want to mortgage the house, most of the chain hotels including Sheraton, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Holiday Inn offer special weekend rates, corporate rates and ongoing package deals. (There is a special Sunday Night promotional hotel rate that is currently being offered - go to www.nycvisit.com or call 1-800-NYCVISIT for all details.)

Hotels in New York City are generally sold-out Thanksgiving weekend and the first three weekends in December. However, as you get closer to Christmas, rooms become available. If you're planning a NYC holiday getaway, book your hotel now. (NYC is expecting larger than normal visitors from overseas (particularly the UK) this holiday season due to the excellent exchange rate of the British pound and euro to our dollar.

Where to Eat:

Recent reports indicate that New York City has over 18,000 eating establishments. I'm not sure that's an accurate figure, but I do know NYC has more restaurants than I could ever count, let alone personally experience. New York is the pinnacle of the food lovers world because it absolutely has something for everyone - including diverse cuisine, atmosphere, location and of course, cost.

If you're looking for upscale Japanese food, many critics consider The Kitano's Nadaman Hakubai to serve the most authentic Kaiseki delicacies in the United States. I'm not sure what we were always eating, but it was unlike anything I've ever had. The eight-course Kaiseki is as much an art form as it is a meal with each course beautifully presented in traditional Japanese style.

I really like the French restaurant, Payard, on Lexington Avenue where it seems we are always the only tourists having dinner at this neighborhood gem. And speaking of neighborhood restaurants, we recently discovered two really affordable, delicious and cozy (some may say crowded) Italian family restaurants serving authentic home-made food to the locals - La Mela Ristorante on Mulberry Street in Little Italy and Fagiolini on Lexinton Avenue.

The Delegates Dining Room, overlooking the East River, and inside the United Nations is a great experience for the entire family. Reservations are required and you must present a photo ID upon arrival. Each week a different country is featured and our Danish smorgasbord was both delicious and affordable.

The kids (and you) will be satisfied with the amazing and noisy collection of restaurants inside Grand Central Terminal and the gigantic hamburgers at P J Clarkes are always popular, and messy. I also know the lines can be long, but the overstuffed sandwiches are well worth it at both Katz's and Carnegie Deli.

Especially during the holiday season, nothing quite gets you in the mood like the weekend brunch at Tavern on the Green. Even though some people feel its a Central Park tourist trap, the millions of twinkling lights will dazzle you...and after a busy day of Christmas shopping, who wouldn't love stopping at the whimsical Serendipity 3 for a large cup of their famous frozen hot chocolate.

And finally, we always try to stop at Macy's "Cellar" before heading home on the train and grabbing a "gourmet meal to go" from the amazing Food Hall. You will not be disappointed with this delicious last-minute purchase, especially since the Keystone Amtrak train from NYC to Harrisburg does not have any onboard food or drink service.