Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 10, 1993 TAG: 9310100292
SECTION: TRAVEL PAGE: F6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK WHITE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
These lyrics from Frank Sinatra's 1940 hit song "Let's Get Away From It All," are more timely than ever.
Busy people are looking for a quick diversion from the hectic pace of the 90s. Many are discovering the pleasures and excitement of getting away from it all on three-and four-day sea cruises. These floating fun ships supply a taste of shipboard living, with lavish buffets, elegant dinners and dancing. They offer exciting entertainment and activities, plus shopping and sightseeing in several ports. Best of all, the price tag compares favorably with traditional resort vacations, offering comparable travel and services.
"Because the trend in America is for shorter, more frequent vacations, the three-and four-day getaways in the cruise industry have seen a tremendous growth," said Tim Gallagher, spokesman for Carnival Cruise Lines.
Shorter cruises attract an enthusiastic crowd, both married and single. Romance is in the air, and the cruise lines make a point of accommodating the needs of single passengers with special parties and events that bring new friends together. It's a very special way to celebrate a honeymoon, anniversary or birthday.
Dress is decidedly informal, with only one formal evening at the Captain's Party. The emphasis is on relaxation and having a good time. You can leave your worries behind and enjoy the fun of a continuous party, or find a deck chair and simply do nothing at all.
The fast-paced and exciting entertainment is a mixture of veteran night club performers and a showcase for newer talents. Among the most exciting features on all the cruise ships are the gambling casinos and the swinging discos, open until the wee hours. Most cruise ships have a theater showing first-run movies.
If you partake of the many dining opportunities, including the midnight buffet, you may wish to take advantage of the aerobics program, fitness center, sauna or massage. Or you may choose jogging, volleyball, nautilus, basketball, or ping-pong. They're all available.
The cruise ships present a variety of optional excursions while in port. These range from city tours, harbor cruises, scenic coastal drives, horseback riding, golf tours and colorful marketplaces, to guided snorkeling and diving excursions. Many repeat travelers who have seen the ports-of-call indulge in the luxury and quiet of just staying aboard the ship and enjoying the planned on-board activities.
The price of your cruise depends largely on cabin selection. On each ship, except for the suites, the cabins generally are about the same size. The cost increases for an outside cabin with a porthole and higher deck location. If you don't mind waking up in the dark, an inside cabin is less expensive and may be quieter. Further savings can be realized if three or four people share a cabin.
The basic cost of your cruise includes everything except shore excursions, wine and bar drinks, photographs and tips. Photos run about $4-5 apiece. Suggested tipping is $2.50 per day each for the cabin steward and waiter, and about one-half that for the busboy.
The following cruise lines offer regularly scheduled three-and four-day round-trip sea cruises year-round from U.S. ports. Your travel agent can provide more information on prices, air travel, and can make your reservations.
\ Caribbean and Bermuda
Carnival Cruise Line: The Fantasy sails every Friday on a three-day cruise from Miami to Nassau. The four-day cruise also visits Freeport. The Fantasy is a new 2600 passenger $200 million superliner. It features the "Grand Spectrum," an open area that ascends six decks to the largest glass dome ever constructed on any ship. The Mardi Gras, underwent a multimillion-dollar refurbishment prior to its relocation to Port Canaveral, joining her sister ship Carnivale there last year. Both ships feature the highly popular Cruise and Orlando Vacations program that combines three- or four-day "Fun Ship" cruises from Port Canaveral with optional land-stays in adjacent Orlando. The Thursday three-day cruises sail from Port Canaveral to Nassau. The four-day cruises add Freeport.
Dolphin Cruise Line: The Dolphin IV has a Friday three-day from Miami to Nassau. A three-deck party boat takes you to Blue Lagoon Island for watersports. The Monday four-day trip adds Key West. An option to Monday's four-day cruise is a two-night hotel package at Disneyworld, including admissions and car rental.
Majesty Cruise Line: The newest kid on the block is the new $220 million 1,056 passenger Royal Majesty that began its inaugural season last September. The Friday three-day cruise sails from Miami to Nassau and the private Royal Isle. The Monday four-day cruise adds Key West.
Norwegian Cruise Line: The new Sunward, formally the Royal Viking Sky, leaves year-round each Friday on a three-day cruise from Miami to Nassau (or Key West) with a call at NCL's private Bahamian island, Pleasure Island. Activities on the island include watersports and a beach barbecue with a Calypso band. The Monday four-day trip adds Freeport.
Premier Cruise Lines: The Star/Ship Oceanic and the Star/Ship Atlantic both sail year-round every Friday on three-day cruises from Port Canaveral to Nassau with a call at Premier's own out island, Salt Cay. The Monday four-day trip adds a day at sea. The Star/Ship Majestic, formerly the Sun Princess, departs from Port Canaveral each Thursday and Sunday, anchoring among Premier's own four exotic cays for two days, and ferries passengers to tours and half-day visits ashore. Golf, tennis and watersports are popular. An optional Walt Disney World vacation can be added to the cruise.
Radisson Diamond Cruises: The $125 million SSC Radisson Diamond, is another new ship launched last summer. This revolutionary design is the largest twin-hull ship ever constructed. They will be cruising the Caribbean from their home port of San Juan on four-, five- and seven-day cruises. The 354 passengers will be pampered to the tune of $600 per person, per day.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines: The new Nordic Empress features a nine-deck glass-domed atrium in the heart of the ship. The two-tiered dining room with its wall of windows provides panoramic views. The 1,600-passenger Nordic Empress will sail every Friday on a three-day cruise from Miami to Nassau, with a stop at RCCL's own private out island Coco Cay, for fun and games. The Monday four-day trip adds Freeport.
\ Baja Mexico
Norwegian Cruise Line: The Southward sails every Friday on three-day cruises from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico, with a call at Catalina Island. The Monday four-day trip adds San Diego. The Southward recently underwent a major redecoration of the cabins and all public areas.
Royal Carribean Cruise Line: Viking Serenade sails Fridays on three-day cruises from Los Angeles to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. The Monday four-day cruise adds San Diego. Last year the Viking Serenade underwent a $75 million refurbishment to prepare it for the short cruise market. The occupancy was booste to 1,500 passengers by adding 260 cabins to the former car decks.
\ Hawaiian Islands
American Hawall Cruises: The Constitution offers year-round three- and four-day sailings (segments of the standard seven-day four-island Hawaiian cruise) with optional three- and four-day land packages on Hawaii, Oahu, Maui or Kauai. The ship has just undergone an extensive $5 million renovation, that included the addition of a state-of-the-art fitness center, two luxury owner-suites, a new buffet area and interior art work.
Many three- and four-day cruises are good bargains, starting at $125-$150 per day per person. Shop around, especially for travel agents who are discount cruise specialists. A better vacation is hard to find. Just ask any passenger after his or her first cruise. As the song goes, most will be planning their next "Let's get away from it all" escape at sea.
AUTHOR Jack White is a free-lance travel writer based in Westlake Village, Calif.
by CNB