Video: Checking In to Sheraton Maui Today

Well, we've got our bags packed. Our puppy sitters have arrived and our car service to JFK should be here in a moment. This morning we're heading for Maui, Hawaii. I'm on assignment updating Thomas Cook's Travellers Hawaii and HotSpots Hawaii guidebooks for the European market. I'll also be writing a few articles for some of my regular magazine and website clients. I'll post more about that after our trip.

We've booked award seats on American Airlines and the flights are packed. Let's hope for clear, safe skies and an uneventful trip to Hawaii!

Upon landing this evening we'll grab a rental car and make our way to Lahaina and the Sheraton Maui Resort on Kaanapali Beach.

Click below to watch a video about the Sheraton Maui.

We won't arrive to the hotel until late this evening, but I hope to post then. Also, be sure to follow me on Twitter this week as I'll be tweeting throughout our Hawaiian trip.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

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Seabourn Summer: Greece & Turkey with Odyssey

While I'm packing my bags for Maui today, my mind is already on my next scheduled cruise. We'll be sailing Seabourn's newest ship, the 450-passenger Odyssey. We won't be on her two-week maiden voyage—our dogs will never forgive us if we keep leaving them for several weeks at a time! Instead, we're awaiting confirmation on reservations for a 7-night Istanbul to Athens run in July.

I'll be blogging and tweeting each day from ports of call including:

• Istanbul, Turkey
• Dikili, Turkey
• Kusadasi, Turkey
• Bodrum, Turkey
• Santorini, Greece
• Amorgos, Greece
• Navplion, Greece
• Athens, Greece

In addition, I'll post extensive photo albums and video clips from photographer Leonard Hospidor. I'll blog more about our Seabourn plans after returning from Maui. But if you'd like to learn more about Seabourn, talk with your travel agent or visit Seabourn's website.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo of Istanbul's Blue Mosque courtesy of iStockPhoto.com

Don't Miss Our New Contest!

Win Charlie's Truffled Popcorn. Simply comment on any post in this blog (include your e-mail address), subscribe to have blog posts delivered directly to your e-mail in-box, or follow me on Twitter. Learn more about the contest here.

Do you love cruising? Share your luxury cruise review at LuxuryCruiseBible.com. Submit your cruise review here.

New Seabourn Odyssey Pictures

Surf over to Seabourn's blog for some new photos of the soon-to-be sailing Seabourn Odyssey. She's a beauty!

In addition to the photos, they've got a great countdown clock for those of you who are sailing on the maiden voyage.

You can also find a photo slideshow featuring Odyssey at CruiseCritic.com. It's paired with an interesting article by CC's UK correspondent, Sue Bryant.

For more information about the ship, visit Seabourn's mini-website devoted to the Odyssey.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo of Odyssey's penthouse suite courtesy of Seabourn