AUTO TRAIN (GRAND) KIDS RIDE FREE THIS SUMMER

The nostalgia of train travel is back.  Families can now take a ride on the Amtrak Auto Train and bring kids or grandkids along for free.  Grandkids begging for a ride on a real train may now have the perfect opportunity.  From now through July 15, kids ages 2 to 15 travel for free on Amtrak’s non-stop train between Lorton, Virginia outside of Washington DC and Sanford, Florida, an Orlando burb.   Just imagine, Disney, Universal, Silver Springs, Kennedy Space Center and many other off-beat attractions conveniently reached from the Sanford depot. 

With the Amtrak Kids Ride Free promotion on the Auto Train, which carries passengers and their automobiles, two children may travel for free with each full-fare paying adult. Amtrak’s Auto Train offers one daily departure in each direction, with non-stop service between Lorton, Va. – near Washington, DC, and Sanford, Fla., near Orlando.  The offer is also valid for sleeping car accommodations upon payment of a full accommodation charge.  The Kids Ride Free offer is valid for travel between June 1 and September 30, 2007, with no blackout dates.   

Multi-generational families can avoid the hassles of highway driving but have their car when they arrive at their destination.  Passengers can also rent a digEplayer portable entertainment unit.  The personal audio-video player features movies, TV shows, cartoons, music videos and music all digitally pre-programmed.   

I have personally experienced the Auto Train.  Both offspring (age 19 and 20 at the time) were re-locating to Florida for college in the Orlando area.  The Auto Train proved to be an excellent service and lasting memory for our family.  We had little roomettes with the luxurious touch of a seasoned porter who served dinner and took care of our needs.  Arriving refreshed from the night on the Auto Train, our rested car was driven down the ramp from its train car, and we were bright eyed and bushy tailed en route to our final destination.  Multi-generational families can now enjoy a train experience with the grandkids, building lasting family memories with this latest offer. 

To take advantage of the Kids Ride Free offer, go to www.Amtrak.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL and use the discount code H717.  Reservations are required a minimum of seven days prior to travel and the discount is not valid in conjunction with any other discounts.  

© 2007 Nansee Enterprises, Inc. 

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BERMUDA SHORTS FOR BOOMERS   

Boomers waiting for their ship to come in may find that it is just on the horizon.  Cruise fares have fallen sharply in recent months and many experts agree that 2007 is shaping up as a banner year for a great deal, with some cruises costing as little as $55 to $70 a day. When you consider that a cruise includes in its fare a cabin, all meals, entertainment, excellent service, well… it is really hard to beat. The best deals are in the Caribbean but Bermuda also has some tempting cruise offerings.

Bermuda is a charming paradise in the Atlantic Ocean.  Reigning as one of the world’s most popular cruise destinations since the 60’s,  Bermuda offers beautiful weather, world-class golf courses, shopping, pastel-colored villages and pink sandy beaches.  Cruising to Bermuda at various times of the year is available from as many as seven Eastern US ports, such as Baltimore, Brooklyn, Boston, New York, Cape Liberty, Philadelphia, Norfolk, Charleston and Fort Lauderdale.  It is a destination that requires no air travel for millions of Boomers that represents outstanding convenience and value.

CLIA member cruise lines offering Bermuda cruises from May 2007 include:

CELEBRITY CRUISES

From April 28 through October 20, Celebrity Journey makes seven-day cruises from Cape Liberty, N.J. to Bermuda.

CRYSTAL CRUISES

On November 9, Crystal Serenity departs on a 10-day repositioning cruise from Lisbon to Miami - complete with a Big Band sound of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Offering one of the most comprehensive Bermuda cruise schedules, Norwegian Cruise Line features three ships -  Crown, Dawn and Majesty - that sail nine separate itineraries from New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Charleston.

PRINCESS CRUISES

Princess Cruises’ summer season includes six Eastern Caribbean itineraries. The nine-day itineraries, aboard Crown Princess between May 12 and September 6, sail roundtrip from Brooklyn.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

Between April and October, Bermuda-only cruises ranging from five-to seven-nights, depart from Baltimore, Cape Liberty, Norfolk and Philadelphia; eight-night sailings from Philadelphia and Norfolk feature Caribbean ports as well.

© 2007 Nansee Enterprises, Inc.