It's not the waves that are rocking the boat. This year, YOLO Cruises is bringing back its swingers trip. Since you only live once (YOLO), the reasoning goes, you should get out on the water and work up a sweat.

YOLO's last Swingers Cruise trip was a bit controversial, but that hasn't stopped the company from giving it another run. It's chartered a Carnival vessel for a three-night voyage to the Bahamas, which is set to depart Miami on October 29, 2010. Once you cross into international waters, there are no rules, aside from common sense (so bring a little protection). At $399 a person, this is a great way to enjoy what YOLO's offering: "playful, sexually themed parties, cruise activities and shore excursions."

What's on the itinerary? Well, there's the "Carnal Cravings Halloween Ball, which is followed by a "naked and recuperating day" at sea. But, some of the fun is a little less structured ... after all, this is a trip for swingers.

The last YOLO swingers trip, according to company president Marlene Brustle, offered "an open, erotic atmosphere," which seems to be the goal this time around, too.

According to online security trade publication DarkReading.com, hackers went after the hotel sector more than any other in 2009. And, they didn't get caught: it took hotels an average of 156 days to discover a security breach. A study by Trustwave's SpiderLabs of 218 security breach investigations in 24 countries found that 38 percent hit the hospitality industry, 19 percent for financial services, 14 percent for retailers and 13 percent for food and beverage.

So, why are hackers poking around in hotel systems? Credit cards!

Hackers are looking for payment information that they can steal and use elsewhere. This information that can be converted to cash quickly, says Trustwave SpiderLabs executive Nicholas Percoco. Other sensitive information wasn't nearly as popular, with the likes of financial, authentication and healthcare information good for only 1 percent of what was stolen.

If you like to light up a stick more than occasionally, it's time for you to consider a "cigar safari." This unique experience, offered by Drew Estate, which manufactures both traditional and infused cigars, is available up to 16 times a year at its factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. Spend four days and three nights soaking in the pool, sipping cocktails in the on-site lounge and sampling the entire Drew Estate line, from Acid to T52.

Many cigar manufacturers are offering tours for their end-consumers these days. Camacho, Rocky Patel and Pepin Garcia's My Father are among the companies that have taken this giant marketing leap forward. With Drew Estate, however, there is a touch of a resort feel. The guestrooms, limited number, feel more like a hotel than the barracks style available at some of the factories, and the guest-to-bathroom ratio isn't bad.

Upstairs is the sort of cigar lounge that makes smokers salivate, with plenty of couches, flat screen televisions, a bar and even a poker table (games are held regularly with guests). The lounge opens onto a balcony (soon to be furnished) that offers stunning views of the Nicaragua countryside. Back on the ground, you can have a drink prepared and sit by the pool – or slip into it to cool off for a while.

Gallery: Drew Estate: Cigar destination in Esteli, Nicaragua

If you're traveling to Nicaragua and have a city-sculpted Type A personality, you're probably bracing yourself for meals that can last hours. Occasional glimpses of the restaurant staff offer brief interludes scattered among hours of nothingness. It gets tough after a while, making it hard to resist the urge to dine 'n' dash. Tip-Top, Nicaragua's answer to Popeye's or KFC, will scratch your fast food itch.

The Tip-Top format is not unfamiliar. If you've ever been to a fast-food joint anywhere, you'll have no trouble figuring out how to order and where to eat. Just step up to the counter, and order the fried delight of your choice (I went with fried chicken and French fries). Pay. Pick up your food. Grab a table, and eat. To get your drink, stop by the fountain drink station, but let the attendant do the work for you (a real perk!).

To call Tip-Top easy would be the grossest of understatements. But, there's nothing shocking here: it's fast food.

Gallery: Tip-Top

If you're going to Esteli, Nicaragua, it's probably for the cigars. The town is charming, if a bit rundown, but it's proximity to the fields and factories of some of the world's premier cigar manufacturers is undoubtedly the main attraction. So, be reasonable in your expectations when choosing a hotel. I spent three nights at Hotel Los Arcos on a visit to the Pepin Garcia cigar operation, and don't have any complaints. It isn't a luxury property (and doesn't bill itself as such), but you will be clean and comfortable during your stay.

Hotel Los Arcos is one of the few hotels I've visited in the past few years that actually use keys – real metal keys. Turn it to enter your room, and the experience will vary. Some rooms have two single beds, while others deliver two full-sized. There are a handful of suites with balconies and a bit of extra elbow room, though no guestroom is cramped. The beds and bathrooms are clean but worn, though both would seem better with a bit more of an effort to decorate.

Gallery: Hotel Los Arcos

There's only one way to go to Fiji: Turtle Island. The Valentine's Day deal from this luxury resort is nothing short of incredible. Book five nights in paradise, and you'll get two more nights free ... in beachfront accommodations in a two-room "bure." And, all meals are covered, including any romantic lunches you want to enjoy on the beach -- they'll be packed to order! The other activities are covered, as well, including sport fishing and SCUBA diving, and once you're finished exerting yourself, you can relax with two one-hour lomi-lomi (that's four-handed) massages.

The Turtle Island resort has 14 private beaches, five-star gourmet dining ... and those lomi-lomi massages, along with other spa treatments. Personal "bure mamas" will attend to all your needs as you sip top-shelf liquors and champagnes. Only 14 couples are allowed in Turtle Island at a time ... one for each private beach!

Here's where it gets really interesting: if you book by March 31, 2010, you can travel any time by Valentine's Day in 2011.

Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Pregnancy is already challenging enough, especially if you're a first-timer. Moms- and dads-to-be alike need a break from the doctor's appointments, planning and anxiety that come with bringing a new life into the world. So, when you measure the future in centimeters (you'll get it if you're expecting) instead of miles, it's hard to imagine getting on a plane, regardless of how attractive the destination is.

Before pampering takes on a new meaning – and it will – book a babymoon to Curtain Bluff. The resort, located in Antigua, takes all the thinking out of your vacation, thanks to the all-inclusive pricing. Reserve your stay and your flight, and then just show up. Sleep comfortably in your junior suite (while sleeping is still an option), and have dinner on your balcony overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Sprawl out in the sand, get on a boat or take a swim. Enjoy the last days of pre-parental life with each other.

The spa at Curtain Bluff has prenatal treatments, so be sure to book at least one trip to this den of luxury while you're in Antigua. The massages are unbeatable, and the skilled professionals know how to navigate both male and female bodies, pregnant and otherwise.

Gallery: Guestrooms at Curtain Bluff

Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

U.S. travelers understand that it's as important to give as it is to receive. Thus, it's almost just that American travel to foreign destination was up 1 percent from October 2008 to October 2009 -- exactly the same rate at which foreign travel to the United States grew. The outbound air market posted a decline of 4 percent year-over-year, though it's up from 8 percent in June.

Spending by Americans traveling to other countries reached $2.07 billion in October, a decline of 26 percent from the year before. Overseas spending for the first 10 months of 2009 amounted to $21.3 billion, representing a drop of 21 percent from the same period the year before.

Travel to most markets was down significantly, with Canada off 8 percent for October and 9 percent for the year and Mexico down 6 percent for the month and 12 percent for the year. Asia and Europe were flat for the month and 6 percent and 4 percent for the year, respectively.

Markets showing improvement in October were the Caribbean (up 11 percent), Oceania (up 12 percent), Africa (up 2 percent) and the Middle East (up 40 percent).

The good news has been confirmed: North Korea is opening its doors to Americans all year long. The Korea International Travel Company revealed the new policy to Asia Pacific Travel Ltd, which is a departure from the standard that had existed since 2005. For the past five years, Americans have only been able to travel to North Korea during the Arirang festival in August and September. Still being considered, however, is whether the five-day limit on travel will be lifted, as well as whether Americans will be able to enter the country by train.

Given the new flexibility, Asia Pacific Travel is planning some new and expanded itineraries (available here). Says Walter L. Keats, CTC, CMP, the company's president, "Asia Pacific Travel tours for 2010 will offer a different and more extensive mix of long and short-stay study tours, from April through October." Asia Pacific Travel is the only American tour operator that is recognized officially by the North Korean government with a "Letter of Commission."

The tough part about Valentine's Day is that it's in February, making the weather too cold to do anything really fun outside. So, trade in the snow for a spot on the beach this year. Le Domaine de Lonvilliers on St. Martin is offering a great new package. Spend three nights at the resort (free room upgrade based on availability), and receive roundtrip boat transfer from the airport, a bottle of champagne upon arrival and a 30-minute massage for you and your companion. Enjoy a dinner by candlelight to make the experience perfect.

This unique deal is only available through February 2010 -- which is hardly surprising at a price of $1,290 per couple. That's a small price to pay to combine romantic bliss and an escape from the cold.