|  |     A couple of years ago, my husband and I went on a 10-day cruise on the
    Sitmar (I believe this cruise line is now the Princess Line) through
    the Panama Canal ending in Acapulco, Mexico.  It was a fairly big ship
    - not huge  -  and we only had 3 ports of call which I personally
    prefer.  We left out of San Juan, stopped in St. Thomas where we did
    the usual shopping etc, then we spent one day on St. John.  That was a
    beautiful stop.   We went to Trunk Bay and that was beautiful. The only
    other stop was in Curacao...nice shopping and nice beach.  There was
    really one other stop which was only for a few hours and that was on
    San Blas Island.  It is really just a visit with very poor natives
    during which time they try to sell their wares.   We didn't enjoy that
    stop very much.  The time spent on board the other six days was
    terrific.  Lots of activities and a great time was had by all!!
    
    We went on a "smaller" ship the following year and did not enjoy it at
    all.   I think your parents would enjoy being on a larger ship as
    compared to a small one.  This is only my personal opinion but having
    been on both a fairly large ship and on a small one, I would definitely
    choose the larger one.
    
    We spent two extra days in Acapulco and enjoyed that very much.
    
    Let me know what you decide on.....my sister and her husband (he's 71)
    just came back from a cruise on the Norway...their son and
    daughter-in-law gave them this trip for their anniversary..they had a
    spectacular time...
    
    Helene
           
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|  |     Your gift of a 50th Anniversary cruise sounds like a wonderful
    idea and there are so many choices ..... Chandris Celebrity's Horizon 
    is a beautiful ship and somewhat smaller (40,000 Tons).  My husband 
    and I are outside reps for Cruises Inc. and were lucky enought to 
    get an overnight in New York on this ship last year for agents.
    It was wonderful and the ship is classy, beautiful and Chandris 
    provides great service.   Another suggestion would be NCL's Seward 
    to the Western Caribbean.  New ship but not a megaliner.  Friends 
    of mine recently came off it and absolutely loved it.  We also get 
    great discounts on Commodore cruise lines and they offer a nice 
    ship (Enchanted Isle) out of New Orleans to the Western Caribbean.
    We have some great prices for that one.  And last but not least 
    they might enjoy Costa's Marina sailing to the Eastern and Western 
    caribbean on alternating weeks.  The Marina is Costa's newest ship 
    and not real large (40,000 Tons).  We recenly booked a couple on 
    this ship who have been on about ten cruises and they claim that 
    the Marina was the very best cruise they have ever taken.  The 
    food and service is #1.  If you would like me to send you some 
    info or prices - just write me at EJO or call me on DTN 336-4759.
    Thanks A Million....... Kathy Shields
    
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