Cruise Screen

There wasn’t much that was terribly exotic, but there were good times in familiar places, several of them easy drives from New Orleans. Last year — pre-Katrina, of course — brought Buenos Aires and Antarctica; this year, Gulf Shores, Ala., and Biloxi, Miss.

Coming attractions in 2007: Spiffed-up terminals and drive-through check-in. THE world’s fifth busiest airport, long derided as shabby, antiquated and crowded, is reforming itself.

THE number of outbreaks of illness on cruise ships nearly doubled in 2006, including a spike in the last six weeks. So far this year, 36 disease outbreaks on cruise ships have been reported to the Vessel Sanitation Program of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2005, there were 19.

With a deteriorating war in Iraq and endless partisan political bickering, Americans needed distractions from the wearying realities of 2006. And celebrities were more than happy to oblige.

With a deteriorating war in Iraq and endless partisan political bickering, Americans needed distractions from the wearying realities of 2006. And celebrities were more than happy to oblige.

RUBEN V. NEPALES - LOS ANGELES—HERE’S wishing one and all a strife-free 2007. For sending feedback all year round, I thank the readers. Your comments motivate me to keep writing.

The end is near, sports fans. Sunday is the last day of 2006, which featured an abundance of interesting occurrences in the sporting world. Running back Ricky Williams, drummed out of the NFL for another failed drug test, joined the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts.

Insurance, real estate and gas prices were among the major Space Coast business stories for 2006.

Some ships are designed with young cruisers in mind. But, says Jane Archer, make sure you find the right line for the child’s age group.

The Costa Classica made her debut in the Port of Dubai this past weekend, marking a historic first in the global cruise industry. Costa Crociere is the first international cruise company to homeport from Dubai, offering travelers uniquely rich itineraries throughout the Gulf region.