DATE: Sunday, April 13, 1997                TAG: 9704120059

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E3   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: TRAVELWISE

SOURCE: STEPHEN HARRIMAN

                                            LENGTH:   66 lines

'FESS UP TO YOUR SHIPBOARD EATING HABITS

IT USED TO BE, whenever I'd return from a cruise, my long-time colleague and friend, the late Abe Goldblatt, would always ask, ``How was the food?''

Not ``Where did you go?'' or ``Whatall did you see?'' Just ``How was the food?''

Abe liked food. So do I. Together we were particularly damaging to buffet spreads. I still think of him every time I attack one. Also when I sit down to a cruise meal.

Which brings me to the point: Is eating what cruising is really all about? Or, more particularly, are cruise passengers really the gluttons they've been made out to be?

I think not. However, Porthole magazine wants to know what you think. The magazine is conducting a survey and is inviting you to, well, spill the beans, and divulge your on-board eating habits.

There are 20 questions in the survey poses. One is: ``How many entrees do you typically eat at each meal: (a) one (b) two (c) three or more?''

Where else but cruising would this sort of question come up?

Any cruiser can participate in Porthole's survey. To obtain a copy of the survey questions, call (954) 746-5554 or write to the magazine at 7100 W. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33319. Survey results will be published in Porthole's September/October issue.

Popular parks

The most-visited sites in the National Park System in 1996:

1. Blue Ridge Parkway (Va., N.C.) 17,169,062

2. Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Calif.) 14,043,984

3. Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Ariz., Nev.) 9,350,847

4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tenn., N.C.) 9,265,667

5. Gateway National Recreation Area (N.Y., N.J.) 6,381,502

6. George Washington Memorial Parkway (Va., Md.) 6,126,490

7. National Capitol Parks (D.C.) 6,094,875

8. Natchez Trace Parkway (Miss., Ala., Tenn.) 6,088,610

9. Cape Cod National Seashore (Mass.) 4,901,782

10. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area 4,657,735

Your money's worth

Amtrak is discounting its Explore America Fares, under which the country is divided into eastern, central and western sections, for spring season travel. Travel within one region costs $168; in two regions, $198; or in all three regions, $278, with as many as three stopovers allowed during a 30-day period.

The tickets must be bought by May 9 for travel through June 19. After that, fares rise $50 through Aug. 17. The nearest Amtrak station is Newport News. Info: (800) 872-7245.

Lufthansa, the German national carrier, is offering a special $411 round-trip air fare on its new nonstop service between Newark, N.J., and Munich.

Tickets must be purchased by April 30 and are good on flights through May 31. Call a local travel agent.

Sighting

A press release from the Ogunquit, Maine, Chamber of Commerce advises that the annual Patriot's Celebration this coming weekend will feature ``Elvis in person.'' MEMO: Travel-wise is compiled from wire-service reports, news releases,

trade journals, books, magazines and the deepest recesses of the

writer's mind. Send comments and questions to Travel-wise, The

Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va. 23501-0449; phone (757) 446-2904.

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