Can you gift a cruise?

According to a retail analyst, 32.4 percent, nearly 1/3 of consumers said they would have their holiday shopping done by December 18th. 11.9 percent would not be finished until Christmas eve.

Great news for about 50% of the shoppers who still don't have their Christmas gift list complete - you can gift a cruise!

Whether your budget is $20, $200 or $2000 plus, there is a cruise gift for everyone. You can buy a cruise certificate from most of your local cruise agents in a denomination you want to spend. The great thing is, the person receiving the cruise gift can use it when they want (ask your agent for a one to two year redemption option, or more) and where they would like to travel and what cabin they would like to have on the cruise.

So, if you haven't thought of that very special, very different gift to give this year...a cruise is a really great option! What better gift, no matter how much you spend, can give someone the hopes, dreams and excitment of all the places, events and entertainment a cruise ship can provide.

How to Avoid the Demise of a Vacation

Egypt, Greece and the list goes on of unrest. Hurricanes, volcanoes and the list goes on of natural disasters.

I particularly keep track of those events because I book my clients to cruises all over the world and I myself am taking a cruise that specifically stops in some of these affected places.

If I look on the positive side, I can't help but be thankful for both myself and my clients. Out of all the vacations you can plan, a cruise is one you can avoid most negative elements. We are not stuck in a volatile situation - we can leave a port or not visit a port and move on to the next place. We may have some disruption or changes in our cruise schedule but we are not adding thousands of souls to the damaged areas.

So plan carefully, opt for a cruise if you can and no matter what add travel insurance for the unexpected. Give yourself every out so your vacation has the best chance of survival.