
DATE: Sunday, November 2, 1997              TAG: 9710310092

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E3   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: TRAVELWISE

SOURCE: STEPHEN HARRIMAN

                                            LENGTH:  121 lines

NEW LINER'S MAIDEN CRUISE DELAYED AGAIN

WHILE WE'RE TALKING of cruise ships, there's this:

Holland America Line's new flagship, Rotterdam VI, which had been expected to make its maiden cruise Oct. 30 after cancellations for Oct. 6 and 18, has been delayed again.

Its first sail, from Barcelona, Spain, to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., now is scheduled for Nov. 11. The more than 1,300 passengers booked for the Oct. 30 cruise, in the western Mediterranean, are being offered alternative bookings at a 25 percent discount.

Holland America line blamed the reschedulings on delays caused by manpower shortages at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Marghera, Italy. Speaking of which. .

The labor problems at Fincantieri also have forced the postponement to April 30, 1998, from March 12, of the inaugural voyage of Disney Magic. The delay, which scuttled about 4,500 bookings on 15 cruises, was caused when Fincantieri needed to divert workers to complete Rotterdam VI.

Since the cancellations were announced on Oct. 20, Disney has been calling each of the affected passengers - personally or through their travel agents - to offer either a cancellation for a full refund or a new booking at a 25 percent discount on any cruise that leaves before April 30, 1999. Anyone booked on the original inaugural sailing will automatically be rebooked on the new April 30 maiden voyage. For Disney info, call (407) 566-7000.

Sail with Paul Gauguin's great-granddaughter, Maria, and other close descendants. Book an eight-night Caribbean cruise on Radisson Seven Seas Cruises' new ship, the Paul Gauguin, for first and only time before the ship begins year-round itineraries in Tahiti and French Polynesia. Departs San Juan Dec. 4 and stops at La Romana, Dominican Republic; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman; Playa del Carmen and Cancun, Mexico; then Key West, and disembarks Dec. 12 in Fort Lauderdale. From $1,995 per person plus $95 for round-trip air from New York. Info: (800) 333-3333; you can book through a local travel agent. BARGAINS AFLOAT

The Delta Queen Steamboat Co. is offering two-for-one fares on cruises departing in January or February; prices start at $950 for two people for three nights. All the cruises are aboard the Mississippi Queen and American Queen on the lower Mississippi River; most are round trip from New Orleans. Passengers can choose from either of two special themes: Big Band and Dixie Fest. Fares vary by length of cruise and stateroom category. Certain restrictions apply. For details, call (800) 618-9662. Reservations must be made through a travel agent.

Princess Cruises has a growing number of three- and four-berth staterooms in its expanding, new Grand Class fleet. Vacant ones. So. . . Princess has lowered its third/fourth berth rates in several destinations by up to 85 percent.

The new rates are available on eight of the line's 10 ships, including all four of its Grand Class ships. The rates apply to adults as well as children. The third/fourth berth rates, which include port charges, are available regardless of the fare paid by the first and second passengers in the stateroom - and that includes Love Boat Savers rates, two-for-ones, and other promotional rates. The new third/fourth berth rates range from $199 to $1,199 depending on destination and cabin category. A local travel agent should have the details and can make reservations. QUOTABLE

``We travel to modify our attitudes, our prejudices, our blindnesses. . . . That we can accomplish all these things while having a good time is the miracle of travel.''

- The late James A. Michener, the author whose books about the world's people and places encouraged and inspired millions of people to travel. YOUR MONEY'S WORTH

The Hyatt Regency Hilton Head in South Carolina has a Warm Welcome rate of $44 per person, per night, double occupancy, available Nov. 18 through Mar. 5. Guests also receive a daily $20 food and beverage credit per room and discounted greens fees. Info: (800) 233-1234.

Virgin Atlantic Vacations offers several Britain and Beyond packages, from $439 per person/ double for a London Jaunt. Includes air, transfers, three nights' accommodations, breakfast. Through May 31. Virgin flies out of New York and Washington. Other packages available. Info: (888) YES-VIRGIN.

Maya Route trackers should check out the Belize & Tikal package offered by Overseas Adventure Travel: $1,990 per person/ double occupancy beginning in January, includes round-trip air from Miami, nine nights in small hotels and lodges, breakfast, seven lunches, eight dinners, barrier reef expedition, sightseeing, ground transport, more. Info: (800) 221-0814. ONE GREAT PLACE

Saratoga Springs in New York has just been named the first recipient of American Heritage magazine's Great American Place award. The award is presented to a city that offers a first-rate historical travel experience, shows an appreciation of its past, is family-friendly, offers accommodations for every budget, and is of national significance.

Saratoga Springs has for years promoted its three H's - health, history and horses. The city first became known in the late 1800s as the place the celebrated came to bet on the horses and ``take to the waters'' of its mineral baths. The city is still a leader in horse racing and home to the oldest operating Thoroughbred track in the country, and the National Museum of Racing and Thoroughbred Hall of Fame.

And the city is the site of the Revolutionary War battle of Saratoga, an American victory. A profile of Saratoga Springs appears in the October issue of American Heritage. TRAVEL TRIVIA

This from Richard H. Carpenter of the Boston Globe: You're vacationing in Antarctica, where the temperature is a cozy 40 below zero Celsius. What is the temperature in Fahrenheit?

Did you guess it? The Fahrenheit temperature is also 40 below. That is the only point at which both temperatures are the same. ON THE ROAD AGAIN

The top motor-coach trips, as selected by the readers of Mature Traveler magazine (P.O. Box 50400, Reno, Nev. 89513-0400):

1. New England leaf-watching

2. American West

3. Branson, Mo.

4. Nashville

5. Washington, D.C.

6. Alaska

7. Europe and the U.K.

8. Western Canada

9. Orlando

10. Myrtle Beach, S.C.