Cruises have become the preferred way to travel and can take you away to romantic ports of call.

You can bask in the Mediterranean sun where culture and cuisine sparkles in the cities by the sea or explore America's last frontier, Alaska.

Heather Burrows, Marketing Manager for Meyer Travel, shared her expertise and advised that cruises are more popular today than ever before and there are numerous destinations.

"Cruising is very affordable now and there are a lot of cruise lines to choose from. More families are travelling together and it is a wonderful way to spend quality time with those you love. You can relax and enjoy being pampered.

"The latest trends in cruising are: eco-tourism, family travel, weddings aboard ship or at exotic ports, and full spa services. People like paying one price without hidden costs,'' she said.

Many clients are choosing the Mediterranean cruises this year through Royal Caribbean International and their ship, " Legend of the Seas '' for a seven night cruise departing from Barcelona, Spain on a Saturday and returning to Barcelona the following Saturday.

Clients fly out of Bermuda to either New York or Gatwick in London.

On this cruise you will visit and explore the following places: Sunday: Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Explore the city's Gothic architecture of La Seo Cathedral.

Monday: Marseilles, France. Explore the charms of the provence countryside.

Tuesday: Florence/Pisa, Italy. Walk across the famous Ponte Veccio. Tour two of the most amazing museums in the world: the Galleria dell' Accademia, which houses masterpieces as Michelangelo's David.

Wednesday: Naples, Italy. Walk along the cobblestone streets of Pompeii with Mount Vesuvius looming above.

Thursday: Olbia, Sardinia. Enjoy beautiful Porto Cervo. Relax on a beach on the Costa Smerelda.

Friday: At Sea.

Saturday: Barcelona, Spain.

Spain is one of those countries where a visa is required before leaving Bermuda.

Another great cruise destination is Alaska on the Norwegian Cruise Line. Ms Burrows recommends taking Air Canada from Bermuda to Vancouver.

She suggests always flying the day before any cruise departure.

This seven-day cruise runs Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. Coming back to Vancouver you can catch the "Red-eye flight'', which flies out of Vancouver to Toronto at 11:30 p.m., leaves Toronto the next morning at 9:15 and arrives in Bermuda by noon.

Norwegian Wind visits Sawyer Glacier, Glacier Bay. Whether you come to see the whale migrations in spring or the bald eagle gathering in fall, Alaska's marine highway is spectacular. The brochure reads: "Glacier Bay has the greatest concentration of tidewater glaciers in the world, and when one `calves' it is as spectacular and amazing as anything you've ever seen.

"A clap of thunder breaks the stillness as a massive wall of ice plunges into the sea. Amazing, timeless, beautiful. Alaska my change you forever.'' At Ketchikan you may watch coastal Indians carve totem poles and while at Juneau you can hike through thick forests by the shores of glistening lakes.

A perk for Bermuda will be sailings either from Boston to Bermuda or Bermuda to Boston on board the Norwegian Majesty .

From Bermuda you travel two nights on board and on the third morning disembark at Boston. Most people will cruise one way and fly one way.

"This is a great way to get a sample of cruising, and we are negotiating a good one way air fare with American Airlines presently,'' Ms Burrows said.

She also advised that Meyer has confirmed cabin space April 30th to June 11 sailings and then September 3rd to October 22nd sailings.

The rate for an inside cabin is $389 per person based on double occupancy and for outside cabin is $519.

Special rates for October 22 sailing from Boston to Bermuda is a special rate of $300 per person inside and $425 outside based on double occupancy.

Standby space may be requested two weeks prior to departure. Anyone interested in these Sampler cruises should contact Lisa Bezant 295-4176.

Meyer's prices are extremely competitive. Ms Burrows said: "We will not be undersold. We can usually beat any price seen in our brochures. Prices vary according to season and category.'' Meyer Travel's marketing manager: Heather Burrows has years of travel expertise.

Venice, Italy.

Villefranche, France: Once you are on shore take in a little French culture and enjoy their wine, cheese, flowers, language and history. Then enjoy your comfortable stateroom on Legend of the Seas . Cruise Alaska in style: Norwegian Wind offers it all! Enjoy Le Bistro dining plus three main dining rooms and a Monte Carlo Casino.

There are more bears in Alaska than people.

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