Book Review - Insight Guides to Cruising and Cruise Ships by Douglas Ward

Thinking about taking a cruise? Perhaps you're new to cruising? Or maybe just deciding on your next ship? This is an excellent guide for understanding cruising and getting high-level insights to all the cruise lines and the ships that are available in 2025 (when this book was published).

If you're new to cruising, start with the Introduction section which gives a nice overview of what cruising is and some good first cruise experiences. Plus some what to expect type things.

The "Cruising Uncovered" chapters has lot of great advice, tips and question-answer type nuggets. Considering using a travel agent? There's a nice list of 6 questions to ask a travel agent. Considering travel insurance, check out the "7 Tips to Get the Best Travel Insurance" side bar. Be sure to read the "5 Rip-Offs to Watch Out For" so you don't end up having a huge bill at the end of your vacation. "7 Money-Saving Tips" has some useful tips when booking. If you want to keep your trip under budget, check out "10 Things Not Included in 'All-Inclusive'" so you can avoid spending too much extra on these experiences or activities.

If you're a history buff, there's a chapter on "The Chronology of Cruising" which has a lot of interesting information.

The next section, "Choose The Right Cruise" offers suggestions based on destination and/or ships. Choose Your Ship discusses the different sizes and classes and advantages/disadvantages. I like the side-bar "10 Cabin Locations to Avoid". Sometimes, if you book too late, you really can't avoid these options.

"Types of Cruising" section has lots of good chapters - "Cruising for Families", "Cruising for Solo Travelers", "Cruising for Seniors", "Cruising to Suit Travelers with Additional Needs", "Expedition Cruising Uncovered", and more. Lots of good tips and information on all these different segments.

"The Cruise Experience" section talks about Life Aboard the cruise ship, Entertainment, Excursions, Casinos, Spas and Wellness, and more. A lot of ships charge extra for these experiences (see the "10 Things Not Included in All-Inclusive" mentioned earlier.

Now, "The Cruise Companies" talks about the Major and Smaller Cruise Lines in brief.

"Practical Information" is great. You can find the useful "What To Do If" chapter with question and answers that almost everyone will ask at some point. And a chapter on "Cruising and Safety" which I hope none of us will ever need.

"The Ships and Their Ratings" comes next. You can find almost every cruise line and a selection of their ships listed there with points on Ship, Accommodation, Food, Service, Entertainment, and Cruise Experience as well as information about the ships themselves.

Overall a great book to borrow from your local library to get an intro into cruising and to narrow down some possible trips/ships to take.

Title: Insight Guides Cruising & Cruise Ships 2025: Cruise Guide eBook
Author: Douglas Ward
ISBN: 978-1839054259
Pages: 408

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Review - Travel - Texas - Arlington - Six Flags Over Texas - Fright Fest, Oktoberfest and Tricks and Treats

My family attended Six Flags Over Texas Tricks and Treats/Oktoberfest/ Fright Fest this past weekend after missing it for a few years. I think the kids' activities during the day were much better than they have been in the past and I'll get into those in a minute. The nighttime "scares" were much calmer, more organized, and (in my opinion) less scary - it seemed to us that teenage girls were the most scared by the costumed performers. Lots of screams there. We did not go inside the haunted houses as that requires purchasing a separate ticket ($30).

The park wasn't too crowded during the day. Most of the Fright Fest revelers seemed to trickle in later in the afternoon. Although the lines were shorter, a lot of rides kept breaking down especially popular rides like Batman, Titan, and the Texas Giant. The line for the new Aquaman was quite short - keep in mind the front row gets SOAKED.

Tricks and Treats
For kids, there is a fun little Trick-er-Treat area in the French area where the Fort stands. Kids and adults can get a free bag and go door-to-door ringing the doorbells for treats. In previous years, costumed characters handed out candy in the Bugs Bunny Boomtown area. There are characters to see but on a different street further away from the Bugs Bunny Boomtown area. It's not exactly a trail like advertised, more like just a bunch of small houses in a circle. And, for convienence, the restroom is next door.

Right outside the Trick-er-Treat area, between the Icey shack and the restaurant are tables set up for pumpking decorating and/or mask making - both are free.

At the entrance of the Looney Toon area, is a haybale maze with costumed mice to visit. Fun for very young kids. The maze closes much earlier than the rest of the area. During Fright Fest, the Bugs Bunny Boomtown rides stay open later than normal which is great.

Oktoberfest:
This event is in the small Biergarten just past the games area. They had german-style treats (like brats and pretzels) and adult drinks for sale. Games such as bags (bean bag toss) and jenga for anyone to play. There was a fun band playing songs (Oompah Delics). The workers were dressed in German-style outfits and did go around checking on customers. A good place to relax while you're at the park but not a destination in itself.

Fright Fest:
The actual event starts after 5pm CST when the sun starts going down. Although it's open to anyone, I don't recommend young kids to participate as it can be scary especially the loud chainsaw noises. If you stay really late, guests can become rowdy and throw a lot of f-bombs. They were selling a special glowing necklace which was supposed to limit the scares but it does say it's not guaranteed. Personally, I didn't think the "frights" were scary but it was loud and smoky.

There are 6 haunted houses (a special ticket to enter is required and can be purchased at booths nearby, at the park entrance gate, or online).

There are 5 scare zones each with a different theme. You can easily spot them as they will be running smoke machines. This is where you will find lots of spooky props and costumed performers will interact with guests.

There are also several Halloween-Themed shows which start earlier than Fright Fest itself. We watched a Ghouling Pianos singing show which you can hear from the street. Other shows include Toxicity, Raging Inferno (heavy metal show), Curse of the Undead (gunfighter show), and Dia de Los Muertos (Mexican dancing show).

Just a sampling of some of the interesting foods and alcoholic beverages that were being sold.

Fright Fest Map: https://static.sixflags.com/website/files/sfot_ff-guide.pdf

For more information, check out: https://www.sixflags.com/overtexas

Event - #Travel #Texas - #Waxahachie - Crossroads of Texas Country Festival - October 26, 2024

Waxahachie, Texas - Crossroads of Texas Country Festival
October 26, 2024
For all things "country" which really just means "good old fashioned fun". Over 10 stages of entertainment throughout town plus the main festival stage featuring a variety of musicians including Grammy-winning Asleep at the Wheel. Over 200 vendors offering samples, handmade crafts and foods for sale, and more.
Address: Downtown Waxahachie
Hours: 9am - 7pm
Fees: None
For more info: https://www.waxahachiecvb.com/events/2024/crossroads-of-texas-country-festival

Event - #Travel #Texas - #Plano - International Festival - October 19, 2024

Plano, Texas - International Festival
October 19, 2024
Haggard Park
Located in downtown Plano, this festival has grown into one of the largest (and longest running) festivals to celebrate international cultures in North Texas. This is the 19th year to be hosted by Plano and every year there are always new, exciting things to see and do. You will find lots of vendors, local community organizations, family-friendly activities, vendors with products and foods for sale, and on the stage there will be a variety of entertainment. There's even a wellness fair and fitness zone. Parking is limited so check the map or take a ride on the DART train which stops nearby. Check the website below for specific entertainment schedule.
Address: 901 E 15th St, Plano, TX 75074
Hours: 11am - 5pm
Fees: None
For more info: https://www.planointernationalfestival.org/

Review - Houston - Houston Zoo - Zoo Boo Event

This past Sunday I was able to visit the Houston Zoo and enjoy their annual Zoo Boo decorations. Zoo Boo is included with daily admission. Just a word of caution in case your kiddos are expecting some kind of candy, there are no trick-or-treats at this event.

What is Zoo Boo?
It's basically the zoo with lots of fun Halloween-themed or Fall-themed decorations. Lots of photo-ops.

The list of Zoo Boo attractions are shown on the bottom of the Visitor Guide Map (available just inside the Zoo at the digital map display).

New for 2024, you will find two giant Talking (and singing) Pumpkins. One is at the end of the Spooky Forest (which luckily for youngsters isn't too spooky during the day) and the other is in the African Forest. Also new this year are Glowing Pumpkins near the Flamingo Terrace as well as a "Ghost Town" just past the giraffe barn with great photo-ops and skeleton props. I'm sure at night, these are a lot scarier.

Zoo Boo is every day until October 31st. The price is included with regular admission (or free if you are a Houston Zoo Member). Zoo Boo After Hours is a separately ticketed event and occurs Friday nights and nightly October 23rd-30th from 5pm to 9:30pm.

Highlights of the Zoo Boo After Hours event is that the lights on many decorations will be turned on, including the Spooky Forest, the Glowing Pumpkins (near the Flamingo Terrace), and the Ghost Town. Some young children might be afraid of the glowing eyes and props. There will also be a Dance Party in the Children's Zoo area. And s'more making by the fire pit (or pay for a premium s'more).


Ghost town is series of prop buildings with cute skeleton photo-ops set up between each one. Across the way was another, bigger photo-op area.


Throughout the zoo were some really neat carved "pumpkins". Kiddos have fun searching for these and seeing which animals are carved in there.


Family-friendly costumes for both adults and children are encouraged. I personally saw very few people in costumes but I did see a lot of cool family-matching shirts and outfits. Perhaps when it gets closer to Halloween there will be more costumes?


Parking is FREE within the Hermann Park. Try to arrive early because parking filled up quickly as the park is home to lots of things to do and events. Also, it got a bit confusing driving through with some of the roads being closed by police due to pedestrian traffic.

Also, just FYI, ticket prices fluctuate by day/time. If you have some flexibility, you might want to visit on a weekday when the prices are lower.

For More Info, visit their website, HoustonZoo.org

Event - #Travel #Texas - #Abilene - Boo at the Zoo - October 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27, 2024

Abilene, Texas - Boo at the Zoo
October 12, 13 and 19, 20 and 26, 27, 2024
Abilene Zoo
Dress the kiddos in costumes and come out to the zoo for some trick-or-treating fun (included with zoo entry). Come check out the newest baby giraffe and while you're over there, purchase some lettuce ($5.00) to feed the other giraffes (watch out for those long tongues!).
Address: 2070 Zoo Ln, Abilene, TX 79602
Hours: 8am - 4pm (attractions close at 3pm)
Fees: Zoo Entry $10 Adults, $7 Children, and $9 Seniors; ZooMore Entry bundle (includes Train Ride and Giraffe Feed) $15.99 Adults, $12.99 Children, and $14.99 Seniors.
More info: https://abilenezoo.org

Event - #Travel #Texas - #West Colombia - Hoggtoberfest - October 5, 2024

West Colombia, Texas - Hoggtoberfest
October 5, 2024
Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site
Feiern! Celebrate! Come out to this interesting historical site (about an hour southwest of Houston) for some German music, beer, food, merchandise, and more.
While you're in West Colombia, take a drive around town and check out the Mural art and stop by Carta Valley Soda Shop for some treats.
Hours: 12pm - 9pm
Address: 1702 N. 13th St, West Colombia, TX 77486
For more info: https://thc.texas.gov/events/hoggtoberfest
Get to know West Colombia: https://www.westcolumbiatx.org/
Additional info and other Texas travel/history fun: https://www.facebook.com/TexasHistoricalCommission

Review - Texas - Dallas - Dallas Arboretum - The Art of the Pumpkin

The annual pumpkin display opened up at the Dallas Arboretum. This year the theme is "The Art of the Pumpkin" and they have a pumpkin patch area where you can actually purchase pumpkins.

The Dallas Aboretum limits the amount of guests that can enter every day so you need to pre-order your tickets online: Dallas Arboretum.org. Be sure to add parking ($10). Members must order their passes/parking ahead of time as well. Look for the "Art of the Pumpkin" ticket option.

Masks are required throughout your visit. By 10am on Sunday, it felt crowded despite the limited guest allowance. Get ready to wait a little bit in lines to take pictures in front of the pumpkin-decorated houses or inside the Cinderella Coach.

The sidewalk heading to the pumpkin displays was lined with pumpkins.

 

 

Some of the pumpkin displays:

 

 

 

Here is the hay maze:

More pumpkin displays. Be sure to bring your own water bottles since the water fountains are not available right now. Since the ground is pokey with wooden mulch bits, you might want to use a towel or blanket for young ones.