Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    Welcome to the CRUISE notesfile.

    My wife and I also cruised on the Skyward several years ago and had a
    wonderful time.

    You asked for suggestions regarding cruising for your parents.  May I
    suggest that you look into Holland America Line.  The tend to cater to
    upper middle age to golden years crowd.  Your parents would more than
    likely be very comfortable in that atmosphere for their first cruise.

    There are several notes in this file that suggest discount cruise
    travel agents you may want to get in touch with for information
    regarding prices.

    Joe

    Thanks Joe,
    
    I'll see if I can get them some brochures on the line you mentioned.
     I let you know how I make out.
    
    Doreen
    

    My wife and I went on a cruise last year from Jan 3-10.  We sailed
    on the Song of America from RCCL.  It was the last trip it made
    in the Eastern Carribean.  Sovereign of the Seas took over its
    itinerary and Song of America now goes to the western Carribean.

    The weather wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either.  It actually
    poured when we were on St. John (we took one of the excursions from
    St. Thomas that the ship sold tickets for).  Our tour guide said it
    only rains a few times a year there.  The ferry ride to St. John
    was quite nauseating for some due to the rough seas.  Also, we were
    in Puerto Rico on the Feast of the Epiphany.  It's a Catholic holiday
    and the Puerto Ricans were not too happy about working on a Catholic
    holiday.  The Bacardi Rum distillery tour was cancelled due to the
    holiday, and traffic was at a standstill everywhere.  All in all,
    we had 4 very nice days, 2 cloudy days, and one day where it rained
    (St. Thomas/St. John).  The seas were rough that one day, but not too
    many people got ill.  We were on one of the lower decks, so we could
    hear the waves crashing on our porthole all night.  I thought it was
    great! We really had a great time.  I highly recommend RCCL (although
    I haven't been on any other.)  My wife has been on Carnival and
    didn't see too much difference between the two.  We'll be sailing
    on NCL's Seaward next May.

    Note:  For those sports fanatics, the ship carried the football
           playoffs on both TV (in one of the lounges) and radio (in
           your cabin).
     
           Also, although March is too soon to take advantage of the
           discounts offered by the cruise lines, many travel agents
           have discounts of 10-20% typically on certain cruises throughout
           the year.  I suggest that you just ask a few travel agents
           what types of deals they may have during the month of March.
           They might not have too much left, but it's worth a try.
    

    DON,
    
    Thanks for the info.  We were on NCL SKYWARD in October.  Very,
    Very nice.  The staff was excellent.  We took a ten day cruise and
    stopped at:  St. Croix, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St Maarten, Grenada,
    Barbados, St. Thomas.  It was an excellent time.
    
    We went to the travel agent the other night.  Mom  will probably
    be going in March RCCL On a 7 day to the above islands.  We were
    looking at the Ocho Rios, etc, on RCCL.  We haven't made any definite
    plans yet though.  
    
    Doreen
    

	If you are booking at least six months in advance, then most
	cruise lines will give you automatic discount of at least 15%
	or 20%. The lead time and discount depends on the line.

	My wife and I have sailed with RCCL three times on cruises
	booked far (12 months) in advance. The last two times we actually
	organized the affair by doing the legwork which normally the
	travel agent does. We lined up friends, relatives, whoever that
	wanted to go, collected the initial deposits, got preferences
	for room assignments, organized a "Cruise Night" for people
	going on the cruise, etc. Only when the last payment for the
	cruise was due did the travel agent and cruise line take over.
	For our trouble, we got one free passage for every 8 cabins
	(16 people) we booked. That saved a lot of money when you
	bring along your children, etc...

	We are tentatively looking at a cruise sometime in 1990 and
	from our previous cruises already have people that want to go.
	Since we've only sailed in late summer (Aug and Sep), we can't
	give you much info on January cruises but with the
	obvious exceptions of hurricanes/tropical storms the time we went
	is great since it really is off-season for most of the
	islands and the crowds aren't as great.

	As I've said before in this conference, any RCCL cruise is a great
	experience even if the only thing you do is stay on board ship....

	Good sailing, Don

    One for me and one for mom in 1990 has turned out to be......
    
    The same one for me and mom in 1989.
    
    We will be going on RCCL Song of Norway on November 5  leaving from
    San Juan, to St Maarten, Martinque, Barbados, Antigua, St. Thomas.
     
    
    We have an outside room on the Main Deck, in the middle.
    
    Does anyone have any comments on this ship and deck?
    
    Is anyone planning on being on that cruise?
    
    
    Bye
    
    Doreen
    

    Boy, am I jealous!  Last November I was on the Song of Norway going to
    the same islands you will be.  It was great - loved every minute of it
    and can't wait to go back.  Our cabin was also on Main Deck, but we had
    an inside room.  The deck was fine - I liked it because the hallway
    crossover to get from one end of the ship to the other was on the same
    deck, so there was no climbing up, walking over, and climbing back
    down.  Nice and central to everything.  The snorkeling on St. Maarten
    and the shopping there were great.  I thought the deals were better
    there than on St. Thomas.  Have a great time!!
    
    
    					Sharon

    Well the time has come.  In 2 weeks we'll be sailing out on the
    Song of Norway.  I'll post a trip report when we get back.
    
    Anybody else sailing on 11/5?
                         
    Doreen