Truckers who recently returned from the 2003 Truckers Cruise already are making plans for the 2004 cruise.

For next year’s cruise, these trucking cruisers chose by majority vote an 8-day exotic western Caribbean cruise on Carnival’s “Spirit.” The cruise ship will sail from Miami Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, and return Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004. The ports of call include the Panama Canal, Costa Rica and Belize.

The rates for this eight-day cruise start at $775.36 per person for an inside stateroom, $1,025.36 per person for an ocean-view stateroom, and $1,075.36 per person for a balcony stateroom. Airfare is additional with prices varying by gateway city.

For more information or reservations, call Shirley Ridge at The Travelers Mall, 1-888-976-8747, or visit www.truckerscruise.com.

--by Rene Tankersley, feature editor