We’ve never considered ourselves ‘cruise people.’ Midnight buffets and rock-wall climbing? No thanks. But we did a ‘tester’ cruise two years ago with Pat’s parents for their 50th anniversary, and we liked it. Carnival out of New York to Canada – it doesn’t get more basic than that. But we both love the water, so waking up and watching the ocean from our balcony, then watching land come into view or disappear as we entered and left ports was wonderful. We decided we’d take another cruise sometime.

So today we’re getting ready to set sail for Greece and Croatia (with a final stop in Venice). We had always heard that the way to see Greece was via the sea. And a friendly bartender from Croatia advised the same for his country. After getting a brochure just about every week from one cruise line or another, we took the plunge. (Good marketing, though we booked the cruise with a line that never contacted us.)

We’re traveling on Azamara Club Cruises – considered ‘mid-level’ luxury – more upscale than Carnival and Royal Caribbean but less exclusive (and pricey) than Regent or Seabourn. It’s a port-intensive cruise – seven nights with no days at sea. But for a couple of working stiffs it allows us to see as much as possible in a short amount of time.

Unfortunately, our air travel is standard coach – we already got a notice from USAir that our flight was delayed. Then it wasn’t. Then show up at the same time. The air traffic controllers and taxi drivers might be on strike in Athens. What happens if you can’t land? Ah, travel. Can’t wait until we’re on the ground in Athens!