Shore Leave

Here's a new twist on the cruise experience. Princess Cruises now offers the "Bon Voyage Experience" at the Port of Los Angeles where cruise passengers can invite guests on board four hours before departure for a lunch, a tour of the ship, and a souvenir photo. The cost is $39 per person, which can be applied to a future Princess cruise.

Bright Lights, Big Ocean

The Aquarium of the Pacific is offering another way to test your sea legs this summer. Every weekend from June 18 through September 5, the Urban Ocean World Port and Sealife Cruise will explore the co-existence of natural and manmade worlds with close up views of operations at the port as well as the majestic harbor bridges and the breakwater and encounters with the pelicans, gulls, sea lions and other wildlife that share the water with international ocean-going vessels. The two hour excursion is narrated by aquarium staff who share facts about the area and discuss how individuals can preserve the ocean for future generations. Tickets cost $29.95 for adults. No information is given on the website about how many cruises are offered each Saturday and Sunday or when the cruises set sail. Call (562) 590-3100 ext. 0 for more information

Avast! It's Port of Long Beach

In one short week, April 1, it will be time to sign up for free 90-minute tours of Port of Long Beach. The tours, which cruise by the gigantic cranes, the new eco-friendly hybrid tugboats as well as thriving wildlife areas, are offered from May to September, but they're very popular so it's important to sign up as soon as possible.

Healthy sea cruise

Just have to create a link to A Taste of Health which sponsors vegan and vegetarian cruises of the Caribbean with classes on nutrition and exercise for all ages and abilities. This year's cruise is from March 21 to 28 and sails out of Fort Lauderdale. The cost is about $2,600 for a couple

Walk at Home With My Hero Leslie Sansone and Other AARP Delights

AARP is offering discounts to joining Leslie Sansone's Walk at Home Club. For $14.95, you get free videos, meal plans, streaming live classes and chats. There's 50% off selected DVDs too. There's also something about being a Walk at Home leader. Hmmm . . . I could do that.

There's also a $100 per stateroom discount for early bookings on MSC Cruises. A Canada cruise in the fall would be nice.