I went…nowhere…and it was spectacular!

While the previously mentioned faretracker.com hasn’t proven helpful in booking cheap flights for my thrifty weekend travel adventures this summer…it hasn’t stopped me from traveling. Whether it’s been for a night or a few days, I have found ways to spend the past few weekends traveling and enjoying family and long lost friends…

Picture this. A full-service resort with 2 pools, a water slide, full-service spa, gigantic gym overlooking the ocean, themed bars and restaurants, live entertainment, duty free shopping, 24 hour room service, and midnight pizza! You’re picturing an exotic land and an endless budget. Nope. It’s a “Cruise to Nowhere.” A few weeks ago, my friend Lori and I joined my family’s yearly company “retreat,” on a “Cruise to Nowhere.”   A cruise to nowhere is a great way to take a mini-vacation and enjoy all of the amenities of a regular cruise at just a fraction of the cost. This cruise only lasts a few days, and doesn’t stop at any ports. Without the time necessary to sail to a port, the ship will instead idle or anchor close to the shoreline (but far out enough to open the casino and duty-free shops!).My family and I go every year and love the endless amount of good food and entertainment that you can enjoy. Food, non-alcoholic beverages and entertainment are all inclusive. Lori had never taken the cruise before and didn’t realize that you can’t use cash on the ship. It’s a safety/theft precaution. If you take a cruise remember your credit/debit card, because you will have to show it upon check-in and it will be used as both your money and room key during your stay.
The cruise departed from

Norfolk, Virginia on a Saturday and returned on Monday. It was just enough time to eat myself silly, catch some rays and read the book that I am determined to finish soon (Eat, Love Pray by Elizabeth Gilbert), watch one of their broadway quality shows and have enough fun to need another vacation upon my return…

Prices begin at around $300 to $800 per person. Getting out of

Raleigh for a long weekend on a budget. Priceless.