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Family Vacation Specialist Stacey Bridgeford inspected the Queen Mary II for Candy Cain Travel.  Here is her report:

Vacation for a good cause!

Candy Cain is teaming up with Beaches Resorts to help raise awareness and funds for the far-reaching impact of the BP oil spill in the Gulf!

Join Candy at Beaches Sandy Bay, a beautiful, family friendly, all-inclusive Jamaican Resort for a 4-day stay from October 8 – 11, 2010 and do a good deed while having a great time!

A percentage of all proceeds from this weekend will benefit the National Wildlife Federation who is directly responsible for rescuing the animals affected by the BP oil disaster.

Check out the Save the Gulf Weekend Fan Page on Facebook or call (631) 286-5249 for more details!

The Norwegian Epic is a site to behold. There was a lot of fanfare about this ship even just during the design phase, so travel agents and cruise junkies were unbelievably excited to see the Epic upon its completion. I was fortunate enough to actually win a cabin onboard the Norwegian Epic when it was Christened in New York on July 2, 2010. My trusty assistant and friend, Ebony, was thrilled when I asked her to accompany me as my guest. We would be on a cruise to nowhere from July 2-4, 2010 on Norwegian’s latest and greatest ship, the Norwegian Epic.

Upon arriving at Pier 88 in Manhattan, we were in awe of the sheer size of the Norwegian Epic. It dwarfed the two ships flanking either side– The Norwegian Jewel and the Carnival Miracle. As a matter of fact, it is the largest ship to ever enter New York Harbor. That’s saying a lot.

Checking in was quick. Perhaps this is because only half of the ship was filled for the Epic’s Inaugural Celebration, but the lines went quickle and everyone that helped us seemed to be really excited about the ship’s launch. Everyone checking in was visibly excited about the two night cruise they were about to take.