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Asheville, N.C.: Carolyn, I have a 14-year-old daughter who lives with her mother in Atlanta. I want to do a cruise with her in Summer 2009 or during the December holidays, most likely in the Caribbean. I really want this to be a great father-daughter experience. She loves the outdoors and is a trooper when it comes to adventure. Any suggestions?

Carolyn Spencer Brown: Hi, you sound like a cool dad. I'd definitely try for a Western Caribbean itinerary that calls at places like Belize, Cozumel, Mexico's Riviera Maya and Jamaica; there are so many fun, adventurous tours, from ziplining to scuba. If she's 14, I'd suggest you look at lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean which do a very good job with teens—both in their onboard programs and on-shore tour options. Good luck, have a blast.

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Sitka, Alaska: We (my husband and I) are planning a spring trip of up to three weeks to Greece. One of us is able to comfortably walk very short distances (several city blocks) though otherwise in excellent health. We are thinking a ten day cruise and selective use of shore excursions, combined with about five days in Athens prior to departure, would help us to optimize what we see. What do you recommend in terms of types of excursions, given these circumstances? Many thanks.

Carolyn Spencer Brown: Hi, Sitka. My husband was just in your fair town the day before yesterday and he adored it!

If you really want to absorb and experience the region, I'd suggest you take a look at a line called Swan Hellenic. It's U.K.-based (though does market to North Americans) and it offers such a fantastic onboard enrichment program that's connected to on-shore tours. It's primarily aimed at passengers who are pretty well traveled, want to really learn something on cruises, and who are older—55-plus—and so not so interested in beaches and ziplining and that kind of thing.

I'd definitely recommend you add on a visit to Athens—three days might be better than five or you'll wear yourselves out before you even get onboard. Athens is frenetic....

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Greenville, S.C.: What is the best way to not get seasick & what is the best thing to do if you do get sick?

Carolyn Spencer Brown: Thanks for the question, Greenville, SC. Most of today's cruise ships are so big and well stabilized that you won't feel any motion—and probably won't get seasick. If you are prone to motion sickness, however, there are many remedies to take along. If you are very prone to seasickness, ask your doctor before you leave home for the Transderm patch, available by prescription. Otherwise, queasiness can usually be relieved by an over-the-counter medication like Dramamine or Bonine.

Alternative remedies include ginger capsules and acupressure wristbands, available at most pharmacies. If all else fails, I find that a nice ginger ale settles my stomach!