As many of us predicted, the cruise industry has taken steps to standardize muster drill (aka emergency or lifeboat drill) procedures around the world. A joint announcement by the US-based Cruiselines International Association (CLIA), the Europe Cruise Council and the Passenger Shipping Association (of the UK) was released on Friday.

Until the end of February, Cruise One and Cruises Inc, two long-established sister agencies, will be anteing up cruise deposits for their customers. The customers will eventually pay the full price (including the deposit), but not until they make the final cruise payment, some 90 days before sailing. So, in effect, the cruise agency is extending a short, no-interest loan to cruisers.

The New York Times posted a smart article today about avoiding luggage fees. Instead recommending the totally impractical, expensive tactic of shipping luggage (okay who actually does that? Especially FROM a vacation destination), it lists the following (mostly) helpful tips:

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A Southern California teenager is the youngest person ever to complete the so-called "Seven Summits." When 15-year-old Jordan Romero reached the summit of Antarctica's Vinson Massif on Christmas Eve, he became the youngest person to re