[DEC. 12, 2000]  The holiday season is in full swing, which means a hectic schedule of shopping, baking, entertaining and decorating. What better way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season than to take time out to enjoy some holiday activities?

Visit a historic site or two to see how our ancestors decked the halls for the holidays. Treat your senses to the beauty of the season at a botanical garden. Sound like good ideas? Well, forget about packing an overnight bag, filling up your gas tank and finding someone to watch the dog. You can enjoy all these holiday events by taking a short drive to the state capital — just 30 minutes from Lincoln.

Central Illinois residents who live close to Springfield may appreciate its rich historic charm but often take for granted the city that draws one million tourists each year. While Chicago, St. Louis and other nearby larger cities offer a wealth of holiday festivities to enjoy, try spending the day as a tourist in the Land of Lincoln this holiday season — what you find may surprise you.

When the bank of the Spring Creek was first seen by Elisha Kelly, a hunter from North Carolina, 176 years ago, it was lined with oak, hickory and maple trees and covered with tall prairie grass and wildflowers. Kelly was so impressed with the rich prairie, abundant wildlife and natural beauty of the land that he later returned with his father, Henry Kelly, a Revolutionary War veteran, and four brothers, John, George, Elijah and William. Other families soon joined them and Springfield was born. John Kelly built the first log cabin on the present-day northwest corner of Second and Jefferson streets — also the site of the first election of county commissioners, which was in 1821.

By the mid-1850s, with the introduction of the railroad, medical societies, agricultural, education and fair associations, and a university, Springfield's population grew to more than 4,500. By 1890, more than 25,000 people made their home here. Home to the Sangamon County seat and the State Capitol, the site of the original public square is now the site of the Old State Capitol.

Springfield’s claim to fame is, of course, Abraham Lincoln, who lived and practiced law here from 1837 until he was elected president in 1861. The city is devoted to maintaining several sites to help visitors experience the former president’s 19^th-century life, including the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, location of the only home Lincoln ever owned; the Lincoln Law Offices and Federal Court; the Lincoln Depot Museum, formerly the Great Western Railroad Depot and the site of Lincoln's farewell address before he left to assume his presidency; the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, where Lincoln, his wife and three of their sons are buried; the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln delivered his famous "House Divided" address; and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden, in Lake Springfield Park. A new presidential library is also in the planning stages.

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There’s no denying that Lincoln’s legacy dominates the city, but Springfield also offers visitors a variety of other things to see and do. Located on the Sangamon River, the city is a commercial, manufacturing and financial center situated in one of the richest crop and livestock farming areas in the United States. State government, insurance, tourism and the medical community are also vital to the city's economic base.

So, why not resist the temptation to head out of town to get in the holiday spirit. If you are like me, it’s probably been a while since you’ve visited some of the unique sites that make Springfield a special city. The holidays are a perfect time to bring back those memories, while discovering new ones.

(To be continued, with a sampling of attractions and holiday events)

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

[NOV. 25, 2000]  Now is the least expensive time to take a cruise, find a regional promotion or a last-minute deal. Up until late December — but not over Christmas or Thanksgiving — is your best bet to find a good deal. Consumers can expect to pay reduced rates that are better than 2-for-1 specials. A seven-night cruise that normally costs $899 a person in the summer could be $499 during this period, with the third and fourth person sailing for $99. That’s a potential average of $300 for a one-week cruise.

[click here for Part 1]

Experts claim there are five categories of cruise ships: budget, moderate, deluxe, ultra-deluxe and the niche cruise. Budget cruises include Commodore, Premier and First European; moderate includes American Hawaii, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Olympic and Costa; deluxe lines include Princess, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Disney Cruise Line and Celebrity. Carnival is considered to be in a class by itself, as the largest cruise line. The ultra-deluxe cruises appeal to the most discriminating cruise goers and are the most expensive but offer the highest quality of service and amenities. Lines in this class include Crystal, Cunard, Radisson Seven Seas, Seabourn and Silversea. Niche cruises overlap the above categories and include the sail/cruise ships of Windstar and Star Clipper and destination-oriented lines like Orient Lines and Society Expeditions. Ships range from under 200 feet long to over 1,000 feet long and from holding fewer than 100 passengers to close to 3,000.

The various price options are evident just from browsing through brochures and cruise magazines. You feel special just by reading the Silversea cruise line booklet — describing how it greets passengers with a white-gloved ceremony, a flute of chilled Pommery champagne and a European staff promising to pamper you with lavish, personalized care. The elegant, private-yacht-like atmosphere offers private teak verandas, marbled baths, cut crystal and some rooms with as much square footage as the average house. Not to mention the food — fragrant truffles from Rome, mangoes from Bangkok and Russian caviar. But it will cost you — as much as $20,000 for a 16-day cruise to the Far East and South Pacific.

Cruise ships offer the same basic amenities no matter which price range you choose, however. Shipboard facilities include a casino, pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, gym, lectures, card rooms, organized games, contests, children’s activities, entertainment, nightclubs, movies, dancing and visits to three ports of call. Where else can you perfect your tan, take exercise classes, dance, practice tennis or golf, shoot some hoops, go in-line skating, ice skating, swimming, work out in the gym, watch a movie, attend a lecture, play bridge or just watch the world go by — without touching land? Of course, once you do arrive at one of the ports, you can pick and choose what you want to do — from sightseeing or shopping to scuba diving.

Cruise prices vary from day to day, and costs are determined on the basis of destination, cruise line, dates of travel and other factors, but one person could take a week-long cruise to the Caribbean for between $700 and $1,000. An important factor for people to remember when deciding if they can afford to go on a cruise is that prices include all meals, lodging, entertainment and other activities. On average, a one-week cruise would run from $1,100 to $1,300 a person, for this time of the year, which is high season. Prices are less during off-seasons, such as the fall.

Extra expenses not included in the cost of the cruise will be drinks, optional shore excursions, and personal services such as haircuts and laundry. Gratuities also are not included — $7 per day per person or $50 per passenger per week for a seven-day cruise is suggested. Port charges and government fees, which are approximately $118 to $126 per passenger for a typical seven-day Caribbean cruise, can also be expected. After deciding what you can afford and how long you want to be gone, it may be difficult to choose among the many tantalizing destinations.

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In its early days, the cruise industry was known mostly for its Caribbean voyages, but as cruise lines began enjoying an increasing number of repeat passengers, they discovered that the best way to keep passengers excited about cruising was to develop new itineraries in destinations all over the world.

The Caribbean is still travelers’ first choice. Washam said the Caribbean and Alaskan cruises are always the favored destinations. Statistics show that in the past 20 years Alaska, Europe, the Panama Canal, Mexico and Canada/New England have been picking up speed. More exotic destinations like Zanzibar, Morocco, Croatia, Costa Rica, Antarctica, Brazil and Madagascar are also gaining ground.

Deciding which time of year to go on a cruise depends on where you want to go. Cruises to Alaska are offered only between May and September and to Europe between April and November. Cruises to Bermuda are offered between April and October and to the Panama Canal, between September and April. Weather can also affect your decision. Officially, the National Hurricane Service states that hurricane season starts June 1 and ends Nov. 31st — which is six months of the year. However, history has shown the greatest concentration of hurricanes and tropical storms occurs between late August and mid-October.

The popularity of cruise vacations shows no signs of slowing down. The cruise industry has committed over $24 billion to build more than 60 new ships by 2004 — providing more ship space for the 75 million Americans who say they want to cruise during next five years. Not only will more ships be carrying more passengers than ever before, but the future outlook for the industry includes ships that carry as many as 3,000 people, cruise at speeds of 27 knots, and feature unusual entertainment options like rock-climbing walls, virtual reality centers and theme restaurants.

Other trends of the future will be more use of cruise ports along the southern and Gulf coasts of the United States and the Mexican Gulf Coast. Cruise lines will have to look to alternative departure ports as fleets expand and spots like Miami and San Juan fill to capacity. Other ports in Texas, Alabama and Georgia will give people in nearby states a new incentive to try a cruise. Longer cruise seasons are predicted, as are more overnight stays in popular capital cities such as Rome and Buenos Aires, along with an increase in late-night departures, giving passengers a chance to enjoy a port’s night life before going back out to sea.

But even though the urge to cruise shows no signs of slowing down, Washam said it’s not for everybody. "A lot of people like them, but a lot of people don’t like them," she said.

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

[NOV. 24, 2000]  With the extended warm fall weather, it’s hard to believe winter is just around the corner. But soon, that cold wind will howling at your doorstep. The bleak central Illinois landscape will shift from frozen tundra to soggy sod, back to frozen tundra again. Springtime will seem like an eternity away.

1.  Two-for-1 or second passengers cruise free: One of the best cruise discounts currently available to consumers. Offered on a consistent but selective basis by many cruise lines. Generally these deals are for the cruise only but sometimes include airfare from selected cities.

2.  Better than 2-for-1: This promotion often used by Holland America and Princess Cruise lines. Offers 2-for-1 plus an additional $500 off per person.

3.  Added value: Offers deals like "book a 14-day cruise and get seven days free" or free shore excursions. One cruise line offered a free $700 camera if passengers sailed on a specific date. Commonly used by Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Costa and Orient Lines.

4.  Flat rate specials: Usually gives one fixed price for the best available cabin at time of booking. Commonly used by Princess and Norwegian Cruise Lines.

5.  Senior citizens specials: Reduced rates for seniors on select sailing is commonly used by Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Costa and Norwegian Cruise lines. One passenger in the cabin must be at least 55 years old.

6.  Discount for full payment in advance: Popular with Silversea and Seabourn.

7.  First-time cruiser discount: Seabourn has offered discounts up to $500 per person to passengers booking the line for the first time.

Now’s the time to start planning how to beat the cold-weather blues. It’s also the best time to book a cruise and get a good deal, according to travel agents.

Close your eyes and picture yourself lounging poolside in a red-and-white-striped deck chair, slathered with suntan oil and sipping a mango colada. Your foot is tapping to the rhythm of calypso music beating in the background as you cruise along at 25 knots. You and a thousand other snowbirds are making your way to an exotic port of call. You have nothing more pressing on your daily agenda than eating lunch and deciding what to wear dancing that night — making a note to yourself to close leave the disco in time to hit the midnight buffet.

What better way to escape the harsh reality of a Midwestern winter than to treat yourself to a cruise? And now’s the time to begin planning that winter vacation.

Regina Washam, a travel agent with Astro Travel in Lincoln, said people of all ages book cruises to a variety of locations.

"It’s a mix, according to what I’ve been selling," she said. "It’s a variety." She’s been booking local customers from young couples to senior citizens.

Whether you want to do nothing but sit in an deck chair and eat 14 times a day or keep busy every minute of every hour of the day, a cruise can suit everybody. No wonder February is National Cruise Vacation Month. What better time to head for a tropical locale than in the dead of winter?

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According to statistics released by the Cruise Lines International Association, more than half of today’s cruise takers are between the ages of 25 and 60, with average household incomes under $60,000. It may be a surprise to some, but cruising is not just a luxury enjoyed by the wealthy but an affordable vacation for everyone.

Washam said people are now booking cruises for next spring and summer, and it’s hard to pinpoint the most popular length of trip. She said people are making plans for cruises ranging from three and four days to 10 and 11 days.

One of the reasons travel agents like cruises is because the customer knows what it’s going to cost — at least 90 percent of it. The all-encompassing components of a cruise make it an especially good fit for senior citizens, but Washam said young couples also like the easy, relaxing way to see the world.

Cruises offer nonstop activities, such as special lectures, programs, games and dancing, and a wide variety of shore excursions. Most ships have modern medical facilities and satellite communications equipment.

Once your white Christmas is over and you’ve had several chances to build a snowman with your grandkids and soak up the warmth of a fire with your cat nestled on your lap, the weather starts to get on everyone’s nerves.

So if you decide to do something about it and go on a cruise, the first thing you need to do is decide how long you want to be gone. Cruises are offered from two days to more than 100 days, but the most popular cruises last between three and 14 days.

Local travel agents recommend examining cruise brochures and deciding where you might want to go, keeping in mind that it is rarely necessary to pay the price listed in a cruise brochure. Asking friends and family where they’ve been is also helpful, but consulting a qualified cruise expert and travel agent is one the best ways to gather information.

You also need to decide on how much you want to spend, and there are cruise vacations to suit every budget, from the cost-conscious to very expensive. Cruise fares include all meals, cabin, on-board daytime activities, parties and entertainment.

(To be continued)

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

[click here for Part 2]

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