New ships, deals and prices 

Here, from Orbitz, is a look at the 2011 cruise scene:

* In the next six months, cruising in the Caribbean is expected to hit all-time highs. In the latter part of the year, cruise lines will be moving ships to focus on European excursions.

* Several new ships in the Caribbean (including Celebrity Eclipse [pictured] and Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas) means 2011 will present many opportunities to score a great deal because of heavy competition.

* The Western Caribbean is expected to be this year’s most popular destination, and the average cost of a cruise will be down about 5 percent from 2010 levels.

* Miami and Port Canaveral, Fla., will be the most popular ports of departure in the U.S., with average cruise prices of $1,270 and $1,199 respectively.* Cruises departing Boston will cost about 34 percent more than they did in 2010, while those leaving Charleston, S.C. are about 40 percent cheaper when compared to last year’s rates.
* The least expensive U.S.-based cruises will be departing from Mobile, Ala.; Long Beach, Calif.; and Jacksonville, Fla.

 Search Amazon.com for Cruises

Trivial question

What is Germany's third-largest city? (Answer somewhere below.)

Unlimited golfing in Tuscany 

Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort,  in Tuscany’s picturesque Maremma region, has a new Golf Unlimited package that features unlimited greens fees and use of the driving range, along with accommodations, cuisine,  a welcome amenity, and complimentary use of the resort’s thermal pool . From April 1-July 31, the resort will have a three-night package with rates starting at €699 per person,  double occupancy (about $950) and a five-night packagewith  rates starting at  €999 per person (about $1,365).  For more information, visit www.termedisaturnia.it.

Win one of 10 free vacations to Virginia 

The Virginia Tourism Corporation has launched  the Follow Your Heart to Virginia Sweepstakes featuring nine first-prize trips and one grand prize that allows the winner to build his or her dream vacation.  Each prize trip puts centers on things you love, be it amusement parks, wineries, museums and special experiences.  The sweepstakes is open to U.S. residents 21 and older who enter at www.Virginia.org/sweeps through Aug. 25.

Fascinating fact

Reykjavik translates to Bay of Smokes.

Your car dines for free with this offer

With the price of gas expected to rise some more, the Greenbelt Marriott has a Cars Eat Free promotion that lets guests to earn up to $75 in gas cards ($25 per night for up to they nights) when they stay at the hotel, which is in Greenbelt, Md., near Washington..

 Rates for the  free gas promotion range from $119 to $169 per night, include a $25 gas card for each night of stay, and must include a Friday or Saturday night stay.  This promotion is effective from now through Memorial Day, Monday, May 30,  and does not include taxes. To book this offer, you must mention promo code TRS.  Call 800-228-9290. The website is www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-deals/wasgb-greenbelt-marriott/

Trivial answer

Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is Germany's third-largest city.

Families can save at a YMCA that is hardly typical

Most people might not make the YMCA their first choice for a family vacation. But there are affordable Y cabin and lodge vacations still available in Colorado, and they appear to be nice indeed.

Both the YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Center in Estes Park, Colo., surrounded on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park, and at Snow Mountain Ranch in Winter Park, situated in beautiful Grand County, near Winter Park Resort offer:
* Buy two, get the third night free packages.

* Free activities on-site, from miniature golf to night hikes.

*  Accommodations including fully equipped mountain cabins or comfortable lodge rooms.

* Two free adult breakfasts per lodge room.

At Snow Mountain Ranch, package rates start at  $109 per night in a lodge room that can sleep up to six adults, and includes two adult breakfasts per day. At Estes Park Center, package 
rates start at $164 per night in a lodge room that can sleep up to five adults. Both offers include two adult breakfasts per day.

Visit www.ymcarockies.org or call 800-777-9622.

Fascinating fact

The Taj Mahal took as many as 20,000 workers and 20 years to complete. (But the results are quite nice.)

Hurry, hurry: Virgin is having a one-day sale

Virgin Atlantic is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a 24-hour sale today for flights from Newark Liberty Airport to London, with fares starting at $186. Book by midnight for travel starting on July 1. 

Visit www.virginatlantic.com.

Monkeying around in Waterville Valley

We're giving you plenty of notice on this New Hampshire event. Waterville Valley Resort’s Curious George Cottage Family Festival will take place Aug-7-9.  The Margret and H.A. Rey Center will be host, and among family events will be a Curious George character lunch, nature walks and hikes, children’s games, a lobster bake, Curious George movies, and astronomy and star gazing. Why, there will even be banana pancakes. A lodging package features Friday and Saturday night lodging, admission to the Fireman’s BBQ Lunch, a photo op with  George, a petting zoo, many activities and  a Curious George souvenir. Prices start at $56 per person per night (based on quad occupancy).

Visit www.ReyCenter.org. 

You deserve a cruise, along with extra savings

Through Aug. 31,  members of the Cruise Lines International Association -- both travel agents and the cruise lines themselves --  are staging a You Deserve a Cruise promotion, with savings and  incentives. After all, says Terry Dale, the association's president and CEO, "Now more than ever, a vacation is what people really need." We agree. 

Read all about the offers  here.

You also deserve a chuckle, of sorts 

Two men are engaging in the old debate on whether Hawaii is pronounced "HaVaii" or "HaWaii." 
They ask a passerby, who answers, "Havaii."
"Thank you," says the  first man.
"You're velcome," replies the passerby.

Trivia answer: The statue is in Ireland

Yesterday's mystery photo (see it below) was taken in Cobh, Ireland. The seaport community, once called Queenstown, was  the departure point for 2.5 million of the 6 million Irish people who emigrated to North America between 1848 and 1950. The statue depicts  girl named Annie Moore, and her brothers. Annie Moore was the first person to be admitted to the United States through the new immigration center  at Ellis Island, New York, Jan. 1, 1892. For the honor of being first, she was presented with a $10 gold piece. It was her 15th birthday.