Genealogy Cruises are fast becoming the new way to attend genealogical conferences. The genealogy cruise has the speakers and lectures that we are use to; but also adds the wonderful food and relaxation a cruise can give. While planning for your future vacation, or just hinting around to a loved on a gift idea, keep a genealogy cruise on your list of things to do.

John Michael Colletta, Stephen J. Danko, Michael J. Leclerc, Paul Milner, George C. Morgan, Donna M. Moughtly, Laura G. Prescott, Paula Stuart-Warren, Deborah Abbott, Dick Eastman and “Dear Myrtle” are among the genealogical speakers for upcoming cruises.

All family members can take advantage of the cruise. While you are at the genealogy conference, there will be plenty for your family members to do from swimming, snorkeling, sight seeing, eating and much more.

The Royal Caribbean will host their genealogy cruise on October 25-November 1, 2008. Inside cabins start at $829 per person to balcony cabins at $1140 per person. Prices include: 7-night cruise, port taxes, all meals, select beverages, and seminar fees. Rates are based on availability, and space is limited. (Deposit: $250 per person) For more information or reservations, call Cindy at Fly Away Travel, 800-837-0295, or e-mail flyawayinc@aol.com.

What is the schedule for the genealogy seminars? Classes will be held only on days at sea. There are 5 classes per day and they will begin at 8:30 and end at 4:30pm with a break for lunch between 11-12:30pm. There will be 30 min. in between each class for speakers to change classes, people to use the restrooms, etc.

Some of the topics to be covered are:

Records of the Federal Courts: Drama in Your Ancestors' Lives
Private Archives: What They Are and How to Use Them
Eastern European Genealogy: Finding Ancestors amidst the Changing Map of Europe
Give Us Our Eleven Days! How Calendar Changes Affect Genealogy Research
Genealogy Gadgets and Gizmos: New Technology to Help in Your Research
Writing Your Family History Using Microsoft Word
Advanced Probate Research
Finding Your Scottish Ancestors: The Big Five
Overcoming the Dead End Doldrums
How to Build a Personal Genealogical Reference Library
The U.S. Naturalization Process and Documents: 1790 to 1954
Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are! Hide and Seek on the Internet
Spinsters & Widows: Gender Loyalty within Families
Locating Digitized Images Online
The Three Rs: Reading, 'Riting, and Research in School Records
Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Research

The ship, Liberty of the Seas, will be sailing from the Port of Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico to Philipsburg, St. Maarten to Labadee, Haiti (Royal Caribbean's private paradise) and back home to the Port of Miami.

The 2008 Legacy Genealogy Cruise to Europe will feature one of genealogy's favorites - DearMYRTLE!. The 5th Annual Legacy Genealogy Cruise, held July 16-28, 2008, will leave Dover, England and will sail to Copenhagen, Denmark; Berlin, Germany; St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; Tallinn, Estonia; Stockholm, Sweden; and back to Dover. To find out more about this wonderful opportunity to learn more from “Dear Myrt”, visit 2008 Legacy Genealogy Cruise.

Other genealogy cruises to check out are Rootsmagic Cruises and Wholly Genes. They both recently had their cruises in October/November 2007. Due to the demand of these genealogy conferences at sea, I am sure they will be scheduling another one in the near future.

So, start planning for a wonderful new experience: a genealogy cruise. Just imagine attending a genealogy lecture, eating wonderful food, and then sitting back watching the blue waters. I definitely have a genealogy cruise on my wish list!