Happy New Year!

We weren't at sea this year, but we celebrated with a water view nonetheless. Our party spot was the elegant Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center alongside the Savannah River.

Included in our festive New Year's Eve package was dinner, drinks, dancing, a toast at midnight, accommodations (so we didn'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 week-long cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's iconic SS Norway.

Here's wishing you a very happy and prosperous 2014 and smooth sailing no matter where your cruise travels take you!