Which Cruise Is Right for You?

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That depends on what you want to do—and how much you want to spend! Here are four types of seafaring getaways, with options to suit any budget.

Health & fitness retreat

$ If you don't want to shell out for a fitness cruise, sail to the western Caribbean, where you can choose an adventure like snorkeling, scuba diving, horseback riding, or biking. Carnival offers the best options in this area (carnival.com)

$$ Royal Caribbean's Freedom, Liberty, and Independence of the Seas each have healthy menu options, a gym and spa, a surfing simulator, a jogging track, an ice-skating rink, a boxing ring, and a rock-climbing wall (royalcaribbean.com)

$$$ On Star Clippers' ships, you dock in small, exotic ports with recreational options that include hiking up volcanoes and cycling through vanilla plantations. Onboard fitness classes include yoga and aerobics (starclippers.com)

Milestone celebration

$ Cruises to Alaska and British Columbia offer sophistication (Vancouver and Victoria) and nature (all around you). During shoulder season, you can nab a bargain for around $100 per person per day. Princess and Holland America have the best options (princess.com, hollandamerica.com)

$$ Big-time celebrations call for big-time ships: The Queen Mary 2, which crosses the Atlantic, has a planetarium, a pub, and Canyon Ranch's only cruise spa (cunard.com)

$$$ French Country Waterways and European Waterways offer trips on barges that meander along canals in France. Days revolve around meals, bike rides, winery visits, and watching the countryside go by fcwl.com (gobarging.com)

Single girls' get-together

$ Carnival Cruise Lines — known to many as the "party hearty" line — has a terrific selection of three- and four-night voyages to destinations like the Bahamas (from Florida ports) and Ensenada, Mexico (from Long Beach, Calif.) (carnival.com)

$$ Book a shorter cruise on a line that might otherwise be a budget buster. Celebrity Century sails four- and five-night trips in the Caribbean and has fully equipped fitness facilities and an elegant ambience (celebritycruises.com)

$$$ Mediterranean itineraries are popular with European travelers, so the onboard experience provides cultural immersion — and, potentially,cute men aplenty. MSC and Costa, lines that channel Carnival's celebratory mood, have shipsthat sail the Mediterranean (msccruisesusa.com, costacruises.com)

Made-for-moms trip

$ No time? Norwegian Cruise Line offers one- and two-night voyages out of New York that don't have any port calls. They do have restaurants, spas, and entertainment (you can catch a Second City comedy show on Norwegian Gem) (ncl.com)

$$ Get a grand experience for less by taking a repositioning cruise. Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Carnival all offer these one-way trips. In October, for example, Carnival Splendor sails from Rome to Fort Lauderdale (carnival.com)

$$$ Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America sails round trip from Honolulu. The ship has spas, restaurants, and a Hawaiian cultural center, but the island stops — including Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai — are the real stars (ncl.com)

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Top 10 Extreme Vacations

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We've found ten extreme vacations to get your heart racing:


1. Drag Racing
Doug Foley's Drag Racing School offers several dates in Atco, New Jersey (plus a trio of options in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Maryland); for the highest HBM (heart beats per minute), opt for the Super Comp Dragster package, a two-day program that includes safety instruction and step-by-step familiarization with your car.

2. Gorilla Safari
No more than 700 mountain gorillas remain, but Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Africa is still the best place on the earth to spot – and maybe even touch – one of these gentle herbivores. Their distinctive personalities are endearing, while the ruins of the Karisoke Research station where Fossey was murdered and buried are themselves quite moving.

3. Heli-Skiing
Lured by the promise of untouched slopes, wilderness solitude, and challenging terrain, those who dare to get airborne access otherwise inaccessible peaks. Valdez Heli-Camps operates tours to the Chugach mountain range in Alaska; serious extremists book the four-day Sound to Summit package that tackles Chugach's 13,000-foot peak and offers accommodations on a ship anchored in the Prince William Sound.

4. Mountain Climbing
Mount Everest looms large in travelers' minds, and with good reason: risking passage through the "death zone" (which takes lives every year) and reaching the summit is the achievement of a lifetime. If you're an accomplished climber, Adventure Consultants offers summit expeditions from Nepal that will set you back about $60,000 and come with no guarantees of summiting.

5. Sandboarding
Sandboarding is a four-season extreme sport that's recently gained in popularity with snowboarders looking for a similar rush and surreal, desert landscapes. Sure, you could try surfing the dunes at your local beach, but for the real deal, head to Cerro Blanco near the Andes mountain range in Peru to find the world's tallest sand dune.

6. Shark Diving
Pack your gear and go deep-sea diving with the sharks off the coast of Cape Point, South Africa. Apex Shark Expeditions runs day trips into False Bay (some 30 minutes from Cape Town) between November and June, inviting you to swim for over an hour with Mako and blue sharks without anything but your wet suit between you and their fins.

7. Space Travel
The 10-day space journey offered by Virginia-based Space Adventures blasts you from a launch pad in Kazakhstan into the actual orbit of the Earth, where gravity itself becomes obsolete as you circle the globe every 90 minutes. But if the thought of piggybacking on a Russian rocket for a cool $25 million grounds you, wait for a comfy chair on Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic, set to launch as early as 2009 with suborbital flights that will set you back $200,000.

8. Spelunking
Rappel down the side of a limestone cliff, squeeze through damp crevices covered with luminescent glow worms, leap from a subterranean waterfall, and go "black-water rafting" in the underground rapids at Ruakuri Cave, part of the otherworldly Waitomo cave system in New Zealand. The five-hour Black Abyss adventure offered by The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co. is the most challenging of the region's guided tours, with a mix of climbing, rappelling, and cave tubing.

9. Stunt Vacations
For a taste of the car chases, burning buildings, and free falls seen in high-octane action movies, head to Las Vegas. Thrillseekers Unlimited offers hear-pounding adventures taught by working SAG stunt professionals; book the five-day Stunt Experience and you'll stunt fight, set yourself on fire, and bungee jump from the AJ Hackett Tower on the Strip.

10. Titanic Dive
You don't have to be an oceanographer to get a look at the shipwreck of all shipwrecks, either – head to Newfoundland, where The Great Canadian Adventure Company runs expeditions aboard the Akademik Keldysh, a Russian research vessel capable of descending nearly 2.5 miles underwater to reach the ship's resting place. The privilege of seeing the Titanic up close costs nearly $40,000 but, for fanatics, it's a small price to pay to be one of the first non-scientists to make the dive.

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How to Avoid Jet Lag

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1. PREGAME. A term usually reserved for heavy boozing, this one seriously applies to flights. 24 hours before your flight, drink as much water as you possibly can. A flight is severely dehydrating, and it's actually the primary cause of jet lag.

2. RELAX. Once you get in the air, do whatever you have to in order to relax. Personally, I never sleep on flights, so I'm not saying you have to sleep. Listen to some relaxing music, breathe deeply, and kick off your shoes. Just relax.

3. WALK AROUND. To keep your circulation and muscles in order, walk around the plane every one-two hours. It keeps you adjusted and keeps your muscles in working order.

4. MOISTURIZE. During the flight, take some time to use facial and body moisturizer. Your skin gets really dehydrated (along with the rest of you) and this can help keep some of the moisture in.

5. ASK FOR WATER. Flight attendants are completely used to giving patrons water nearly constantly, so don't be afraid to ask for some water. Ask for a few cups at a time if you feel hesitant about continually calling them over.

6. EXERCISE. Once you land, try to be outside as much as possible, and absorb a lot of sunshine. Stimulating your endorphins doesn't hurt either (which exercise does). A lot of studies say that the more time you spend outside, the better you will adjust to the time difference.

7. STAY AWAKE. This is the most difficult, but also the most crucial part of the whole process. My tried and true method is to stay up until nightfall of the day you arrive. Try not to drink caffeine as it will dehydrate you further. Load up on water and fruit; they'll give you a natural boost and also help rehydrate you. Go to bed any time after nightfall.

8. WAKE UP. Wake up at a normal hour the next morning; it will keep you on a normal schedule, and you'll feel refreshed.

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Carnival will get rid of fuel charges but will raise fares

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Carnival Corp., the world's largest cruise operator, said effective Oct. 31 it will eliminate fuel surcharges on new bookings for 2010 at six brands and raise fares instead.

The Miami-based cruise giant also laid out guidelines to reimburse consumers for 2008 and 2009 voyages if oil prices drop. If the price of oil is $70 a barrel or less during the 25 trading days ending five trading days prior to departure, a passenger will get a shipboard credit to refund the fuel surcharge.

The moves apply to Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and the Yachts of Seabourn. Carnival Corp. was the first in the industry to impose the fuel surcharge last year, a move that was soon followed by its competitors.

In a statement, Bill Harber, director of marketing for Carnival Corp., said the company is moving away from fuel surcharges to reflect the recent downward trend in fuel prices. He added that Carnival may reinstate fuel surcharges if oil prices rise.

At Seabourn, the fuel surcharge is $15 a day per person for the first and second passengers, up to $210 per cruise, and $4 a day per person for the third and fourth passengers, up to $56 per cruise. At the other five lines, the fuel surcharge is $9 a day per person for the first and second passengers, up to $126 per cruise and $4 a day per person for the third through fifth passengers, up to $56 per cruise. The six lines operate 88 ships with 167,000 lower berths.

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American Airlines will offer A la Carte Pricing?

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American Airlines recently announced that beginning in 2009, it would imitate the a la carte pricing plan of Air Canada by offering a basic fare and allowing travelers to select additional services for extra fees.

But when we asked msnbc.com readers what they thought of the "unbundling" of airline services, many were displeased. "This is absolutely ridiculous! Next they will charge us for oxygen on the airplane," wrote dcarey.

Some worry this is only the beginning of additional fees. "I will not be surprised if airlines begin selling magazines, or charging $20 for carry-on baggage, $5 to use the overhead bin, or $2 per restroom visit, and a few bucks for post-flight trash disposal and interior cleaning fee — regardless of whether you fly coach, business, or first class," said km-452746.

But not everyone had a negative reaction to American Airlines’ announcement. "I honestly don't have a problem with this," said Hank-618601. "In Europe, when you buy a train ticket, you are buying a seat only and sometimes you are not even guaranteed a seat. ... Anything else you want on board that train, you must pay for separately. Why shouldn't air travel be the same?"

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Top 10 Guy Getaways

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We’ve rounded up the ten best activities and destinations where you can bond with your buds – whether watching baseball, drinking beer, or a getting a back rub – on a guys-only getaway.

1. Catch a Baseball Game in Boston
Even a die-hard Yankees fan can’t deny Boston's place in baseball history. The best time to see the boys of summer in action is – well, the summer – but no matter what time of year you visit Boston, you can always take a tour of Fenway Park for a behind-the-scenes look at one of baseball’s most famous franchises.

2. Cook in Napa
There’s no better place to learn the basics than the Culinary Institute of America in Northern California’s Napa Valley. The CIA offers very masculine "Live-Fire Cooking" cooking classes – you’ll be the ultimate barbecue man on the block in no time. If it gets too hot in the kitchen, get out to one of Napa Valley’s superb restaurants where you can sit back and let someone else do the cooking.

3. Drink Beer in Bavaria
There may be no better place on earth for beer lovers than Bavaria, Germany’s largest state. The capital city of Munich is home to the world-famous Oktoberfest, but there’s plenty of sud-sipping to be done in Bavaria all year long. Beer gardens and beer halls abound, as do centuries-old breweries whose output adheres to the strict standards set forth in 1516.

4. Golf in Ponte Vedra Beach
Head to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and book a tee time at the TPC Sawgrass, home of The Players Championship – known as the “Fifth Major,” – and the site of Tiger Wood’s incredible 60-foot “better than most” putt that helped him win the tourney in 2001 (you can try to recreate the moment on the famous 17th-hole). No matter what level you're at, playing a course that's as steeped in golf lore as this one is an experience best shared with the boys.

5. Off-Road in Death Valley
Former boy scouts looking for a wilderness camping adventure should look no further than Death Valley, California, where deep-rock canyons, old mining camps, and the arid Panamint Mountains beg to explored. See it all via 4x4 – and if you’re feeling really adventurous, spin your wheels in the sand of the Dumont Dunes, some of the tallest dunes open for off-road riding.

6. Party in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the ultimate spot for excess, a place where boys can be boys and indulge in the activities guys love: gambling, girls, and nightlife. The Hardwood Suite at the Palms Casino Resort is tailor-made for men – think a basketball half-court and scoreboard, a massive hot tub, a full bar, and a pool table.

7. Play Cowboy in Lajitas
The best place to coral your inner cowboy is at the Lajitas Resort’s Badlands Hotel, which recreates a Wild West frontier town complete with tumbling tumbleweeds and a rickety boardwalk, albeit with modern comforts and amenities.

8. Spa in Chicago
If you secretly love to be pampered, you’re not alone – about a third of US spa-goers are men. Get your back massaged (or waxed) in masculine surroundings – think pool tables, brown leather chairs, and ’40s pin-up-girl posters – at the 316 Club Barber Spa.

9. Sport Fish in Panama
Panama is full of surprises; that it’s an excellent spot for sport fishing is one of many. Grab the guys and head south for a “reel” good catch – Panama’s waters are home to swordfish, marlin, and even some shark species.

10. Surf in Sydney
Known as the Bondi Beach of the north, this strip of Sydney sand attracts hordes of visitors looking to kick back and ride the waves (and perhaps steal a glance at topless sunbathers, a regular sighting on local beaches).

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Amtrak reports record annual ridership

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Amtrak has set another ridership record, with 28.7 million people taking its trains last year.
That's an 11% increase over the 25.8 million passengers that the national passenger railroad carried in fiscal year 2007.

Total ticket revenue for the year that ended Sept. 30 reached $1.7 billion, a 14% increase over the $1.5 billion taken in the previous year.

Amtrak, long criticized for its reliance on government subsidies, has been enjoying a resurgence. The railroad has posted six years of ridership and revenue growth and recently has benefited from high gas and airline prices.

Earlier this month, Congress passed a bill authorizing $13 billion in funding for Amtrak over five years. President Bush is expected to sign the legislation.

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