The Wandering Disciple

A few days left until Christmas and Dick Gothner of Skyscraper Tours has passed along a few deals that could make the perfect holiday gift for someone this season. There are two different deals on the Navigator of the Seas. The first one leaves Fort Lauderdale on 1/10/11 and embarks on a 5-night Western Caribbean Cruise and visits Labadee and Montego Bay. A balcony on this sailing is just $319 a person. The second sailing is also a 5-night Western Caribbean Cruise and departs Fort Lauderdale on 1/15/11. This sailing makes a stop at Grand Cayman and Cozumel. An atrium room will set you back just $199 per person. The Navigator of the Seas is a Voyager Class ship and features a skating rink, mini-golf course and much more to enjoy. We traveled on this ship in 2007 and had a blast. Want to travel on the largest, most innovative ship in the fleet? Try the brand new Oasis of the Seas. There are two itineraries to choose from. The 7-night Western Caribbean Cruise departs Fort Laude...

North Port, Florida: Christmas is fast approaching and that was never more evident in North Port than Saturday night along North Port Boulevard for the annual holiday parade and festival. Spectators lined the parade route that began at the north end of North Port Boulevard and traveled down to Dallas White Park for the festival. The theme of this year’s Poinsettia Parade was “Magical Night of Lights”. The parade had over 60 participants all showing their holiday spirit in an attempt to entertain the crowd and take home one of four awards. At the conclusion of the parade route was the Poinsettia Festival. The festival had live entertainment, great food and even snow to play in. The parade and festival occurs each year to celebrate the holiday season. Click on the photo above to view photos from the 2010 Poinsettia Parade .

Dick Gothner with Skyscraper Tours has sent over some more cruise deals. These deals are part of the Tuesday's Sales Event by Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Line. There are many great deals to choose from and here are some of the highlights. Take a quick trip to the Bahamas on Monarch of the Seas. Depart Port Canaveral on 1/17/11 for a 4-night cruise to the Bahamas with stops at Nassau and Cococay. Rates start at $139 for an inside cabin. Don't want to go to the Bahamas but will need a short sailing, try the Navigator of the Seas 4-night trip to the Western Caribbean. The ship set sail on 1/20/11 from Fort Lauderdale on a trip to Cozumel. Rates start at $219 for an inside cabin. Want to sail on the holiday's? Check out the rates for sailings during Christmas or New Years. There are some good prices on several different ships including Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Radiance of the Se...

Dick Gothner of Skyscraper Tours has sent along his latest cruise deal. Princess Cruise Line is offering a great rate on a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise on the Crown Princess. The ship leaves Fort Lauderdale and stops at Grand Cayman, Roatan, Cozumel and the cruise lines private island of Princess Cay. There are three dates to choose from; January 8, 15 and 29, 2011. Rates start at $432 for an inside room or $629 for a balcony. The Crown Princess has been sailing the seas since 2006. It is a member of the Grand Class of the Princess fleet and can accommodate 3,080 passengers. It features 5 pools, a nine home mini-golf course, theaters, casino, night clubs and lounges. The ship features many onboard restaurants to satisfy every member of the family. The rates above include cruise fare and taxes and are subject to change. If you are interested in this deal or any other cruise, contact Dick Gothner with Skyscraper Tours .

Venice, Florida: Thousands of on-lookers lined the banks of the Intercoastal Waterway in Venice for the annual Venice Christmas Boat Parade which occurs the first Saturday of December for the past twenty two years. The parade of boats began on Casey Key, traveled through the jetties then back into the Intercoastal waterway towards the airport where the boats were judged. In all over 30 boats ranging in size and decorations participated in the event. The award winners for the 2010 parade include: 29’ & under: Wayne’s World (#13) 30’-39’: Mis Bessie (#8) 40’ & over: Trust No One (#10) Commercial, Service, Club: Kat’s Meow (#25) Best in Show: Emerald Isle (#17) The Venice Christman Boat Parade began in 1989 when Jim Hussmann organized a committee to assemble the first ever holiday boat parade. The event has taken place the first Saturday of each December since then and has attracted thousands of participates and fans over the years. Proceeds from the event go towards youth boatin...

Boca Grande, Florida: The Boca Grande Pier is located on an abandoned train trestle on the barrier island of Boca Grande in west Charlotte County. Its location on the northern end of the island has become a popular fishing spot for locals and tourists. The train trestles leading to Boca Grande were once the lifeline of the island. Aboard these tracks, trains loaded with phosphate would make their way from the mines to the awaiting freighters in Port Boca Grande. But when the rail shipping of phosphate had ended, the tracks were no longer used. Several years later, government officials from Charlotte County parks and recreation turned a section of the train trestles on the island into a fishing pier park. This section on Boca Grande provides excellent fishing along the Gasparilla Sound. In these waters live grouper, black drum, white grunt, sheepshead and more. There is no charge to use the facilities, however the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority charges a toll to cross the only brid...

This weeks cruise deals from Skyscraper Tours. Ever dream of sailing on the newest cruise ship to hit the waters? Royal Caribbean is offering a deal for the brand new Allure of the Seas for its second cruise that departs from Fort Lauderdale on 12/12/10. The ship visits Nassau, St Thomas and St Maarten on this 7 night Eastern Caribbean Cruise. Enjoy the new features this ship has to offer including Central Park, Boardwalk, Aqua Theater and all the other favorites Royal Caribbean is known for. Rates for this cruise start at just $729. If you need a break and only have a few days to spare, try the four night cruise on the Majesty of the Seas from Royal Caribbean. This four night cruise leaves Miami on 12/13/10 and visits Key West, Nassau and Cococay. Rates start at $159 per person. Royal Caribbean is also offering deals on Radiance of the Seas out of the Port of Tampa. This four night cruise leaves Tampa on 12/16/10 and travels to Cozumel and back. A balcony room on this sailing starts a...