Taking a Cruise

When I was at the founders and funders dinner in Toronto, I invited myself into a conversation on Holiday Cruises. I, as a Gen-Xer, was decidedly anti-cruise. "Never been on one," I said. "Can't stand the thought of being stuck on a floating Hotel."

I was immediately corrected by a gentleman named, Stuart MacDonald, who I learned later is very well known in the travel circles having started Expedia.ca. He waxed on about how its not a floating hotel, you can go on personal expeditions at numerous ports during a cruise (rent cars, site see off the beaten path, go hiking, fishing, rock climbing etc), you can also sit back and relax anytime you like, and how you can party all night if that's your thing. That's what a cruise offers and it is all at your finger tips. He was pretty convincing as were others in that conversation. All of whom had taken numerous cruises.

Stuart asked, "Do you have young kids?"

I said, "Yes, 3 years and 3 months."

"Ever go on a week long trip with them in a car?"

No. And I immediately got his point.

Talked to my wife, Mandy when I got back to Vancouver about the possibility of a cruise, who like me was immediately "no way!" I couldn't explain it as well as Stuart (He's REALLY passionate about cruises. Seriously passionate.), but she kind of got that it was a bit more than we had both thought about it.

However, literally this past week Mandy and I have been feeling a little overwhelmed with kids and family life and we really want to take a relaxing and fun vacation this year to recharge our batteries and renew our natural Joie de Vive.

"Maybe a cruise is not a bad idea," Mandy said.

Well I've been meaning to contact Stuart about it later this year, but today he launched Trip Harbour. He had mentioned the idea to me in Toronto, but it sounded like it was still in idea state. I didn't realize it was well into development and ready for imminent release.

It's a pretty impressive travel site. I'll dig into it later this summer, but if anyone has cruise suggestions let me know. Or I guess write a review on Trip Harbour.

Congratulations to you and your team, Stuart.

Get the whole story here: Taking a Cruise.

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