Binoculars have become more and more popular over recent years, having many uses in a range of outdoor recreational activities and pursuits. If you are going hunting, camping, hiking, fishing or sailing, a pair of binoculars can add a new dimension and in some cases could be an essential piece of equipment. But could small binoculars do the same thing for our everyday lives?

Only a few years ago, it would have seemed ridiculous to suggest that we wouldn't consider leaving the house without taking a phone with us. And yet now, carrying a cellular phone has become the norm and it seems strange not to have one. They seem to grow in sophistication on an almost weekly basis, with improved buy amoxicillin cameras, music players and software. What was once a toy for the techno geek is now mainstream.

Binocular technology has also advanced, particularly in the area of compact binoculars. Some of the models that are available now look very different from the larger, more traditional designs. They look modern, sleek, stylish and very, very small. The newer small binoculars would easily fit into a purse or shirt pocket and are just as easy to carry around as the ubiquitous cell phone.

Small size doesn't equate to low quality though. It is now possible to get very good optics and quite high magnification in a very small package. They won't break the bank either with prices comparing very favourably with some of the other technology that we carry around. So what use would we city dwellers make of these shiny new devices?

There are obvious uses such as at sports events such as football games, horse racing or track and field. But what about indoor sports like basketball or ice hockey. There is also the theatre, ballet and opera. These modern devices are just as unobtrusive to carry around, and of far better quality than traditional opera glasses.

These devices are not just for viewing objects at great distances. They can also have a very short minimum focusing range, enabling you to better appreciate the detail on object that is quite close. From taking a closer look at the ornate carving on the walls of a building, to picking out the finer points of a painting or sculpture in a gallery, compact binoculars can enhance your viewing pleasure.

And, let's be honest, it's not all about the pursuit of culture, binoculars can just be fun. Who doesn't like to people watch from time to time? When you leave the gallery, you can find a pavement café, drink a coffee and watch the world go by. And if something interesting seems to be happening on the other side of the square, you can zoom in for a closer look. Go on, you know you want to.

We have become accustomed to being able to carry our entertainment around with us. With developments in ultra compact binocular technology opening up new possibilities for fun on the move, could they become the latest 'must have' accessory? They are certainly available at prices to suit most budgets without stinting on quality. Will you be ahead of the trend?

In spite of the economic downturn, mainstream cruising is still proving to be a solid choice for many vacationers. The year-over-year growth in bookings won't be quite as robust this coming season, but that doesn't mean no one will be cruising. Most cruise passengers are still drawn to the megaships that offer up the traditional itineraries like the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera and Alaska.

But if you're looking for an alternative to traditional cruises, a brave new world awaits. By comparison, only a relative few know about specialty cruises or small ship cruising. Yet there is a growing fascination and demand for these alternative cruising experiences.

Cruise lines like Seattle-based Cruise West offers the perfect antidote to big-ship, mainstream cruises. Here is a company with a fleet of 11 vessels that range in capacity between 40 and 148 passengers. Because each ship has been designed with a shallow draft, the vessels are able to sail into coves, inlets and inland waterways the larger ships simply can't get to.

Even when the small vessels mirror the itineraries of the larger ships, the difference is night and day. On an Alaska cruise, for instance, it's the difference between spotting a grizzly on shore through powerful binoculars versus practically nuzzling up to the giant beast as your motor vessel pulls to within a few feet of the shoreline. This is the intimacy of the small ship cruise experience, an experience that permits an extraordinarily up-close view of scenery and wildlife, and a much more personal connection to the villages and people you're likely to meet along the way.

In the beginning, Cruise West focused on the Pacific Northwest and Alaska but they have diversified considerably since their first cruise in 1990. Even though several vessels in their fleet still offer an Alaskan experience that is nothing short of spectacular, they have spread their wings to cover many other fascinating destinations. On the home front, they offer intriguing cruises along the Pacific Northwest's Columbia and Snake Rivers, following in the footsteps of the great explorers, Lewis and Clark. And then there cruises for the whale-watching buffs that take in Mexico's Sea of Cortés.

Further afield, cruises to Central America's Panama and Costa Rica take in not only the flora and fauna of these countries brimming with the bounty of nature but also offering up opportunities to meet the indigenous Kuna Indians of Panama's San Blais Islands.

Their flagship vessel, the Spirit of Oceanus, is an anomaly compared to the rest of their fleet. With a capacity of 120 guests, this is their first ocean-going vessel and is also their most luxurious. With fascinating itineraries that start at the Aleutian Islands at the top of the Pacific Ocean, it takes in seldom-traveled routes through Far East Russia, Japan, coastal China, and Vietnam before heading into Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia in the South Pacific. Cruises to the ultra unique Galápagos Islands and river cruises along Europe's Danube; round out their greatly expanded repertoire of intriguing places to visit and explore.

If unique vessels and unique ports of call help define specialty cruises, one added feature helps to order prescription drugs without a prescription differentiate these kinds of cruises from the mainstream cruise vacation. That third attraction is cruise themes, and Cruise West excels at offering cruises with a special slant that will appeal to those who share a common affinity or interest. Photography cruises, for example, have become extremely popular and Cruise West has teamed up with Pentax to offer seven special itineraries where professional photographers accompany the cruise, offering their expertise and advice to seasoned and novice photographers alike.

A whole new world of pleasures and ports awaits when you sign up for a specialty cruise. So if you're looking for something different, something quite unique for your next cruise vacation, consider a cruise on a small ship - the big alternative to big-box cruising. For more information visit http://www.uncommoncruises.com.