There’s no place like home as Dorothy once said. In the case of cruisers, there’s no place like cruising “close to home.” In CLIA’s most recent Market Profile, some 72 percent of those surveyed said additional “close to home” ports would increase their likelihood to cruise.While most of us still fly here and there, as needed, it’s clear that a cruise port that’s right in your backyard is a big plus. In my case, it’s just 15 minutes to the Port of Tampa or less than two hours to Port Canaveral. Not surprisingly, 71 percent of those surveyed by CLIA cited the ability to drive to the ship as a perk. Some 67 percent said they’d save money by not having to buy air travel. And 64 felt they could do without those airport hassles and TSA lines. Believe me, many folks I know echo those thoughts. As an ex-airline employee, I’m appalled but what I see these days at airports in the way of lines, hassles, fees and delays – but, hey, economic times have changed since the 1990s and the airlines have to do all they can to cut costs. It’s a horrid environment for them. Reportedly five U.S. airlines are teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, depending which analyst you interview. While I’d like to see the airlines do well, and get some of those services back, that’s about as probable as stopping global warming in its tracks tomorrow. So airline woes are my excuse to think about booking my next close-to-home cruise vacation. The trip is easy, you leave many of the transport hassles (except for gas prices) behind, and right now ”the vacation price is right” (as Drew Carey might say). Hmmm… I’m thinking early December. How about you? Are you going on a cruise vacation this year? If so, why? Inquiring minds want to know…