When one is rapidly approaching the age to qualify for membership into the AARP, we have a tendency to look back over our lives. To see where we've been and where we're at right now.  I've been doing that for some time , trying to clarify not only what I'd like to do, but what I enjoy doing.

Way back in the Nixon administration I was in the fourth grade at Altizer Elementary in Huntington WV. I remember the times when our teacher pass ed out the Scholastic Book Services order form. I eagerly scanned the titles and calculated the cost. Wow! Some of those books were 50 cents apiece!! One book I purchased was about icebergs and glaciers. In those pages I read a brief account of the tragic story of the RMS TITANIC. I don't know why, but it gripped me in a way nothing had before. I was fascinated then and it has remained to this day. My interest has progressed from ocean liners to todays cruise ships and industry. I'm one who does not like to throw things out. My bookshelves and closet are full of books relating to ships and over 20 years of Cruise Travel Magazine.

About a year and a half ago I went to Wordpress.com and began a blog I called Tightwad Cruises. It began as an experiment to see what blogging was about and hopefully to answer some questions about  cruising I had received from friends. I asked them what concerned them about cruises and got some interesting replies. From those first few posts I ended up posting items that interested me or was newsworthy.

I also wanted to encourage people to try cruising and let them know how affordable it could be. Considering what comes with a cruise vacation it is an incredible value. With todays uncertain economic climate all of us want to get the most "bang from our buck." I'm one of those people who gets excited talking about cruises, whether my own, or others. I'm certain I've spoken with folks who are booked and they don't understand my enthusiasm for THEIR cruise. I'll ask them what ship they are sailing, and so often they'll answer the Princess ship, or the Carnival ship or another cruise line. Me, I like specificis and I'll ask them  the name of the ship. Usually they don't know but I always look forward to talking with them when they return.

This life long interest in the cruise industry led me to Cruise Planners. For many years I've longed to do something on my own that might allow me to transition from my full time job. I was impressed with the industry credentials held by the company and their high ratings in ENTREPRENEUR magazines's list of top franchises and their affilitation with American Express. After a LOT of prayer and soul searching, I found myself in Fort Lauderdale FL in January this year with a class of other individuals who were beginning their own journey into the world of cruise travel selling.

Where will this end? That's a good question. I think this quote sums up my experience quite well.  "Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do." - Pope John XXIII

Bon Voyage!

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