Mariner

The 2010 Mercury Mariner panders to the small crossover SUV segment, but has some daunting competition in the Toyota's RAV4 and Chevrolet's Equinox. If you are thinking about buying this vehicle consider upgrading the engine to get the best performance possible from your Mercury Mariner.

The 2010 Mercury Mariner offers two engine options. A 2.5 liter inline 4 can handle basic driving and generates 171 horsepower and pound feet of torque. For driving around town, this option moves the Mariner around for smooth passing maneuvers and acceleration, but for those interested in a vehicle with real get up and go, consider the upgraded engine options for the Mercury Mariner. The 3.0 liter V6 offered as the upgrade puts out 240 horse power and 223 pound feet of torque. That power can be used to tow up to 3500 pounds or just to get ahead of that annoyingly slow semi on the freeway.

There is a drawback to upgrading your engine, though. The standard package offers better gas mileage at an average of 23 miles to the gallon, 21 in town and 28 on the highway. Likely, consumers looking at the Mariner will concern themselves with the fuel efficiency, so downgrading to 21 mpg by switching to the 3.0 liter V6 might not appeal to everyone. For the truly fuel conscious, there is a hybrid model which boasts even greater fuel efficiency.

Whatever you choose, make sure to examine the competition as well, since Toyota's RAV4 and Chevrolet's Equinox have received consistently high marks in performance and mileage.

There are lots of cruise lines out there but not all of them are good for children. Just because a cruise line has a kid's area or a kids program it doesn't mean that they are overall kid friendly. The best cruise lines for those that have younger kids are definitely Disney Cruises and Carnival Cruises. Not only do they cater to kids but they have more kids cruising on their ships then adults.

Disney Cruises tend to be very expensive. They do cater to kids and your kids will have a great time but again, because of that they are pricey. One advantage however is that they no matter what the age of your child there will be something fun for them to do at any time of the day. Disney also has a private island that their ship takes you to which is a fun time for kids. It's called Castaway Cay and it is loads of fun. You can snorkel, swim and boat right there at the Castaway Family Beach.

You also have the option to bike, walk or jog while on the Private Island. If you prefer to take a glass bottom tour or go parasailing that is also an option. You can spend the entire day at Castaway Cay and still not do everything.

The Carnival cruises have specific areas for their kids. For example the 9-11 year olds will be in a particular group that caters to things that they like. The preteens and teens have their own area with computers, video games, etc. The younger kids ages 4 -7 will also be doing arts and crafts, playing games etc. This frees up the grown-ups to allow them to drop in the casino for a while or have dinner in one of the nicer cover charge restaurants on board.

The Carnival cruises are about $600 per person less expensive than the Disney Cruises. Your children will have a great time on either cruise so the choice is ultimately yours and what you can afford.

With a flat out, uncontested five star rating, this luxury ocean going vessel should certainly be high on your shortlist of cruise options. Choosing a cruise ship for your voyage is just as important as choosing a hotel for a land based destination, although somewhat more so because you spend a great deal of time on board your choice of accommodation.

When you decide on a Southern Caribbean cruise vacation, choices on board the Serenade of the Seas about with an itinerary in and around the Caribbean region throughout the year.

Some of the vessel's highlights include:

Reflections Dining Room - the main dining-room boasting a cascading waterfall, a large menu and impeccable service.

Seaview Cafe - for light meals in an outdoor setting, a popular and fun venue.

Portofino Italian Restaurant- An intimate Italian restaurant with an upscale atmosphere, an unforgettably luxurious dining experience.

Chops Grille Restaurant- A five star reservation only venue where you go for the perfect steak.

Safari Club - The Game Reserves, Zanzibar Lounge, The Congo Bar and the Serengeti Card Club make up this customizable entertainment space, each one unique and packed with fun and entertainment.

The Tropical Theater - Like being at a Broadway or Las Vegas theater, these productions are as glitzy and glamorous.

Solarium Indoor/Outdoor Pools - with retractable roof and elegant teak furnishings, coupled with two whirlpools for you to relax in after a busy day in port (open 24/7)

Schooner Bar - A nautical bar to enjoy drinks with friends.

Vortex Lounge - For dancing the night away in a club that literally spins so not for you if you're prone to seasickness!

Champagne Bar - A quiet, elegant venue to enjoy a glass or two of champagne.

Rock Climbing Wall: Did you know that the Royal Caribbean cruise ships are the only ones in the world to offer rock-climbing walls? Whether a beginner or well advanced, there are challenges for every experience level, and the ship provides all the safety gear too.

The exterior of the vessel, its most interesting distinction is the use of nearly three entire acres of glass which includes the elevators and almost every public room where the views are breathtaking.

The abundance of entertainment options is the greatest strength of the Serenade of the Seas, but still remaining a mid-size ship. It is a fantastic choice for a wide variety of passenger including families, singles, couples and groups.

The theme of religion presents itself repeatedly over the course of the second half of the "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner". When the Ancient Mariner first stepped on the boat with the Hermit and the Pilot's he had a look of death about him. Even the Pilot Boy was laughing at the Ancient Mariner and said he thought that the old Mariner was the devil. It is important to note the times in which the Mariner and the Hermit begin to pray as these generally come at pivotal points in the poem. The Albatross represents sin and that is why the Ancient Mariner is forced to suffer for killing the great bird.

The main character who was the mariner had a change in heart and bent over to pray that the Albatross corpse slipped from his neck freeing him of the sin for killing the majestic creature. There are many parallels between the Ancient Mariner killing the Albatross and Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Much like Adam and Eve the Ancient Man was punished because he failed to respect the boundaries that Christ has set for us. The Ancient Mariner was ignorant and thought he had and understanding of something that was far beyond of his reach. The seventh part of the poem is ripe with message that praying will solve all of your problems. The Hermit is used as a positive example how a person of faith should behave. Samuel Taylor Coleridge would claim that he did not intend for the poem to have any moral lessons. Rather that this is just an epic tale that needs to be told.

Although the author claims that nothing in the poem symbolizes religion that is clearly false. The hermit is a holy person and his demeanor is felt throughout the ending. Without the Hermit this poem would have no substance. This is a story about Christianity and the supernatural. The Hermit is essential in the development of either one. The Hermit was able to document the supernatural by witnessing the Ancient Mariner survive after being drown alive. At the end the Mariner the Hermit put more effort in the direction of Christianity and prayer. It is clear that because of the Hermits presence it helps the Ancient Mariner come to more peace with his relationship with God.

Ever dreamed of taking a luxury cruise across the ocean to far-off destinations? Are you planning a holiday of a lifetime on board a magnificent mega ship equipped with leisure facilities, on-board entertainment and offering world-class cuisine? Or perhaps you're a seasoned cruiser who loves floating holidays on board the world's best cruise liners?

The best source of up-to-date information for anyone planning a floating holiday are cruise travel magazines, packed with tips to make the most of your time both on-board and at your ports of call throughout the trip. The last thing you want to do is turn up without the appropriate dress code for dinner or without knowing how to keep yourself entertained during the long days at sea. Here is a selection of the best travel magazines catered to cruise travelers:

Cruise Travel
A colorful easy-to-read magazine, packed with entertaining features, reviews, tips and advice to plan your next trip as well as the best places to access cruise bargains. Features include ship, port and cruise of the month, alongside seasonal calendars detailed with ports, itineraries and prices of the major cruise ships floating around the globe. Cruise Travel magazine covers every aspect of your holiday, from planning, dress codes, shore excursions, shopping as well as advice for wheelchair users and those with special needs.

Porthole
An in-depth cruise travel magazine which features reports on industry news, destinations and special features for first-time cruisers. Stories, tips and articles are designed not just for those wanting to climb aboard luxury mega ships, it also contains detailed advice on trips aboard river cruisers and skippered sailing vessels.

Orient-Express Magazine
Covering a world of luxury travel on board Orient-Express trains, cruises or staying in their exquisite hotels, this magazine provides information on exciting destinations as well as tips on restaurants, shopping and cultural experiences worldwide. Prepare to be amazed by the incredible photos of wonderful exotic locations and sumptuous travel machines and hotels.

Caribbean Travel and Life
The Caribbean is the most popular cruise destination worldwide, and this travel magazine dedicated to the beautiful islands of the Caribbean, Bahamas and Barbados provides a wealth of information on the highlights each island has to offer. It provides excellent advice on the best islands to visit and things to do once you arrive into port. A wonderful read to take on board any Caribbean cruise, to make sure you get the best out of the islands you're about to visit.