Happy New Year!

We won't be at sea this year, but we're celebrating with a water view nonetheless. Our party spot is the elegant Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center alongside the Savannah River.

Included in our festive New Year's Eve package is dinner, drinks, dancing, a toast at midnight, accommodations (so we don't have to drive home), and New Year's Day breakfast.

Party hats, leis, noisemakers, and champagne. The Marriott had those as well. And, as was routine more then two decades ago (illustrated in the photo here of Cruise Diva and Mel), so did cruise ships. In fact, that twenty-something-year old picture was not taken during a New Year's Eve celebration. Back then, there was a festive party atmosphere on the second formal night of every 7-day cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line's SS Norway.

Here's wishing you a very happy and prosperous 2013 and smooth sailing no matter where your cruises take you!