Follow OK Couple on Cunard's QE2 World Cruise

Oklahoma's Edmond Sun newspaper is writing a series of articles following local couple Sid and Thadda Groom's 81-day world cruise aboard Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2. The Groom's plan to write about 20 ports of call during their adventure and report back to the newspaper on a regular basis.

Click here to read the first article in the Edmond Sun's series.

Map courtesy of Cunard

Top Physicians Aboard Crystal in 2007

What traveler isn't interested in staying healthy while on vacation? Crystal Cruises wants to keep its passengers fit and, with the help of Cleveland Clinic, has added important health-related travel tips to its website under the "Before You Sail" heading.

Also, as part of Crystal's renown Creative Learning Institute enrichment program, Cleveland Clinic health and wellness specialists will be aboard select 2007 sailings to present a series of interactive classes and workshops. Top physicians from one of the U.S.'s top medical centers will explain how to effectively manage headaches and arthritis, offer tips for a healthier golf game, demystify preventive medicine cardiovascular issues, and much more.

According to Kristin Turner, Crystal's manager of entertainment who oversees the program, "Crystal's guests are educated and informed and they want to enrich themselves on vacation. They also want to know that they are learning from credible professionals who will share cutting edge research. The Cleveland Clinic is one of the most respected hospitals in the world. It's no surprise that the feedback on these programs has been exceptional."

Doctors from Cleveland Clinic will be aboard the following sailings:

Jan. 31 - Feb. 11 Panama Canal voyage from Costa Rica to Miami
Featuring: Dr. Michael Modic, M.D., Division Chairman of the Neurological Institute Office
Topics: Healthcare screenings, cardiovascular disease and brain imaging diagnostics

Feb. 25 - Mar. 4 Mexican Riviera sailing round-trip from Los Angeles
Featuring: Dr. Michael O'Donnell, Ph.D., Director of the Department of Health and Wellness
Topics: Health, wellness and prevention

Jun. 10 - 20 Baltic cruise from London to Stockholm (including St. Petersburg)
Featuring: Dr. A. David Rothner, M.D., Department of Neurology and Director of Patient Education and Health Information for the Clinic's Department of Education
Topics: Neurology and headaches

Jun. 27 - Jul. 11 North Cape cruise from Copenhagen to Stockholm
Featuring: Dr. Gary Hoffman, M.D., Department Chairman of the Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Disease
Topics: Rheumatology issues

Aug. 31 - Sep. 14, port-intensive Trans-Atlantic crossing from London to New York
Featuring: Dr. A.J. Cianflocco, M.D., from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Topics: Management of osteoarthritis of the knee, the mature athlete, exercise prescription, and healthier golf

Nov. 4 - 14 Panama Canal/Caribbean voyage from Miami to Costa Rica
Featuring: Dr. Mark Froimson, M.D., from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Topics: Orthopaedics

Nov. 9 - 19 Trans-Atlantic crossing from Lisbon to Miami, including Bermuda
Featuring: Dr. Michael Rocco, M.D., from the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine
Topics: Heart disease issues

Nov. 19 - 30 Panama Canal/Caribbean Thanksgiving cruise
Featuring: Dr. Michael Rabovsky, M.D., Medical Director of the Department of Family Medicine at the Clinic's Beachwood Family Health and Surgery Center
Topics: Prevention and family medicine

Authors at Sea

There was an interesting article in yesterday's New York Times about book publishers sending authors on cruises to meet fans, read from their books, and present seminars. The article by Amy Cortese is titled At Sea with a Book to Read, and the Author of It, Too. (You may need to login to the New York Times website in order to read this article.)

Ms. Cortese talked about a recent Royal Caribbean voyage known as "Book It to Bermuda." About 150 book lovers signed up for the events which ranged from readings to seminars to knitting lessons.

You may also have heard of Authors at Sea. This group puts together sailings that bring together literary fans and authors. Their last voyage to the Mexican Riviera was in April 2006 aboard the Carnival Pride. Jackie Collins and Dean Koontz presided over the bon voyage party and authors on the bill throughout the cruise included Mary Higgins Clark, Paul Levine, Authur Frommer, and many others.

The next Authors at Sea cruise is scheduled for 2008. See their website for additional details.