Last week in an unprecedented move, the House narrowly approved an energy bill that would limit harmful greenhouse gases--the first time any chamber of Congress has ever approved limits of this kind. Now the energy bill faces a tough battle in the Senate and already there is vocal opposition from many different camps.

Without access to Capitol Hill, I settled for the next best thing: taking straw polls at happy hour. I asked one simple question: If the climate bill passes, would you be more likely to offset your travels?

I've been talking about getting your passport for a few years now, but this time I really mean it.  The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative has had a rolling ID ramp-up requiring passports for people who are entering the United States from Mexico, the Caribbean, or Canada.  Up until now it only mattered for people who were traveling by air.  But as of June 1st passports, NOT JUST A DRIVERS LICENCSE, will be required for entry back into the US.

The last time I went on a cruise, I was sporting alternating pink- and purple-colored braces on my teeth and spent most of my time in the teen club sipping virgin strawberry daiquiris. So when Carnival Cruise Lines invited a group of travel agents to try out their brand-new ship, the Carnival Splendor, I couldn't help but say, "Anchors aweigh!"

The Carnival Splendor is the newest, largest, and most innovative ship to date for the cruise line and boasts state-of-the-art onboard amenities like a top-deck mini golf course, a luxurious spa with a Thalassotherapy pool, a big-screen, open-air theater, a Twister waterslide, and the Serenity adults-only lounging area. I was treated to a balcony cabin for my two-night cruise out of San Francisco, and most of the wining, dining, and amenities were included so we could really enjoy the ship.

This is the updated version of my last cruise post, 50 Cruises Under $56 per Night.

Ahoy Matey! Yesterday's Los Angeles Times article on cruising featured several quotes from yours truly. In case you missed it, here's a link.

But more importantly, I asked our awesome cruise team to rerun the cruise list for me to figure out how prices look just a few short weeks after my first post on this topic. Good news! We now have 50 cruises under $50 per person, per night to share with you! See our list below, arranged by departure date.

All prices are accurate as of publication date. Any fluctuation in pricing is likely due to a stateroom category being sold out.

FEBRUARY 2009

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE UPDATED VERSION OF THIS LIST 50 CRUISES UNDER $5O PER NIGHT

Many, if not most, industries have been impacted by the economy, and the travel industry is no exception. But what’s bad for the industry is good for the consumer, because as I predicted in the Associated Press, 2009 will be the year of the travel deal. From discounted room rates at hotels to softening airfare, it’s a buyer’s market out there – so take advantage of the silver lining in this economic mess if you’re planning a getaway.

Given the latest news on Wall Street of the demise of Lehman Brothers and the sale of Merrill Lynch there will be a lot of bankers hitting the streets. And that probably doesn’t make those of use who aren’t bankers feel much better about the economy of late. It would be easy to despair about these times. But then again, what good will that do? It won’t change the outcome or stem the tide of what is to come. So why not escape it all?

I say, it’s time to sail away. That’s right just pick up and get away from it all without a care or worry. Perhaps you’re out of a job and you need time to think or perhaps you just need a rest and a break from all the news of the War in Iraq, the upcoming election, fuel prices and people talk-talk-talking about just what is the situation in America. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to hop on board.

I was that kid who always got car sick; I couldn’t ride the Spinnaker at Six Flags; and God forbid I set foot on a boat. My first (and possibly last) cruise experience left me with a queasy shade of green and a rather painful shot in the bum, while my traveling cohorts claimed that they “couldn’t even feel the boat moving.”

Motion sickness is one of those things that pounces on you when you’re least expecting it, so the best thing to do is plan ahead. Here are a few tips from the July 2008 issue of ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports:

Right now, we’re riding the crest of cruise wave season, the heaviest time of year for cruise bookings and prime time to find steals and deals on ships both large and small. When you factor in that all your meals and much of your onboard entertainment is included in the cruise price, it truly is one of the best bargains in vacationing today.

Now I know there are a lot of people out there who think “cruise” and roll their eyes (are you one of them?), but as someone who previously doubted she’d ever be able to find anything to like about sea legs, I’ve been proven wrong again and again.

One of my duties at Travelocity is writing about cruises. Here’s the typical response I get when I announce this at dinner parties.

“Cruises”?! (Person chokes on a bite of food.) “Aren’t they for old people”?

If you tuned into the premiere of the modern-day TV classic America’s Next Top Model, then you would have seen Cycle 9 kicking off onboard Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas. There, the model hopefuls were coming down with seasickness, noshing on rich cruise cuisine while accusing one another of eating disorders, and even attempting to “work it” on the jogging track, much to the displeasure of runway expert Miss J.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member PNelson

Whether I’m in the market for shoes or electronics or vacations, I’m a staunch believer in getting the biggest bang for my buck. I always shop around to make sure I’m getting the best deal, and I rarely let my impulsive, girly, gotta-have-it-now instincts take control. Call me cheap, but why dole out more cash than you really have to – for anything? Perhaps it’s this commitment to saving a pretty penny that has cultivated my appreciation for cruising.