With the current cruise menu bulging like a barge`s hull, singling out one that`s right for you could present an interesting challenge. Let`s face it, not all ships were created with equal appeal to every passenger.
And if you`re considering a Mexican Riviera or Caribbean cruise this year, it could prove an even bigger dilemma when faced with the veritable smorgasbord of nautical options available in those areas. We`re talking a total of 75 cruise ships, in all shapes, sizes and styles, collectively circling those tropical, sun-soaked spots during any given week.
So what`s a seafarer to do? Well, for starters a good travel agent can help steer you in the right direction. But before you plunk down that deposit you might want to ask a few questions. After all, a cruise vacation isn`t exactly cheap, so it`s important to carefully choose one that`s compatible with your nautical nature.
To simplify this, here are some pertinent pointers to consider when planning a sea voyage-with a few tips thrown in for good measure for smoother sailing once you`re seaborne.
– Food. One of the big reasons some people cruise. So what ships dish out the best fare? While galleys do change, recent samplings by discerning seafarers, found the following to be a cut above the rest when it came to gustatory delights: the Crystal Harmony; Sea Goddess I & II; Seabourn Pride;
Seabourn Spirit; Royal Viking Star; Princess Cruises` Island, Crown and Pacific Princess; Mermoz; Sagafjord; and the QE2 primarily in the Queens Grill. (The new Club Med I shows promise.)
– Caveat emptor: Gastronomes should shy away from so-called ”party”
ships that offer all play and not too much in the way of memorable meals and any cruise line that touts ”gourmet” cuisine.
– Sybaritic pleasures: If a cruise to you means exploring pristine beaches, swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving in warm azur seas, Windstar Sail Cruises` Wind Sprit and Wind Star are for you. The longest sailing ships ever built, the luxurious four-masted, 440-foot, 150-passenger vessels circle the Caribbean on seven-day cruises. A sybarite`s nirvana, the ship boasts a special diving platform form which passengers can slip into the sea-whenever the captain drops anchor-for swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving. No need to tote your own gear-snorkeling, fishing and waterskiing equipment are provided. – Total luxury: You pay more for the very best, but it`s well worth it:
the Crystal Harmony, a somewhat more sophisticated lady of the sea offering sometimes exceptional service, truly exquisite cuisine, a touch of class and 260 accommodations with outside verandas (out of 480 cabins) for your cruising comfort.
– The suite life: If you care enough to want the very best, these are suite options: Sea Goddess I & II-elegant, sleek, little sister ships catering to the ultra affulent; Seabourn Spirit and Pride, attractive twin sisters offering classy comfort, fine food and service which some contented customers contend is non pareil. Renaissance II & III, little 100-passenger luxury liners where passengers are referred to as ”guests” and the service attentive and friendly.
But if you prefer bigger boats, request a suite or mini-suite on the Crown or Star Princess-they`re sensational with 100- and 50-square-foot verandas (respectively) to boot.
Speaking of balconies, if the very idea of stepping out to your private veranda at any given moment sounds appealing, or keeping your cabin door open to the balmy breezes, eating breakfast al fresco or sipping champagne or cocktails in utmost privacy, a balcony could be for you. Staterooms with balconies cost more and are available on the Royal, Star, Crown and Sky Princess, Sagafjord, Vistafjord, Crystal Harmony, Renaissance, Crown Odyssey, spanking new Crown Monarch, Premier`s Oceanic, Norway, Seabourn Pride and Spirit and Nordic Empress.
– Fitness: Anyone who enjoys feeling the burn of pumping iron or kicking up those endorphins through cardiovascular workouts should sit up and take note.
Guilt-free cruising has become a reality. It really is possible to avoid waddling down the gangplank at the end of your voyage-if you exercise the healthy options many cruise companies are offering. Any ship, worth its sea salt, now sports state-of-the-art gyms with weight equipment, instructors, jogging tracks, weight rooms, steam baths and/or saunas, whirlpools and spas or salons offering massages, facials and other treatments.
The heavyweights in this category include: Cunard Lines` floating version of the world-famous Golden Door at Escondido, Calif., where the rich and famous shell out $3,750 a week to be pummeled, pampered and whittled down to size. The QE2 boasts the biggest spa facility of the fleet, with mini-versions on the Sagafjord and Vistafjord. The Norway`s Roman Spa, a 6,000-foot complex with marble columns and floors, offering exercises, spa cuisine and an assortment of theraputic treatments, such body wraps, facials, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy and skin exfoliation. Princess Cruises` Cruisercize (exercise)
Program and Images at Sea Spa (beauty treatments) rank among the best afloat, particularly on the Star and Crown Princess.
Other commendable choices include: Crown Odyssey`s Health Center and Dine to Your Heart`s Content program, which provides passengers with Heart Association-approved cuisine; Carnival`s Celebration, Fantasy, Holiday; Royal Viking Star, Sky and Sea, Crystal Harmony, Noordam.
– Ship size: This may matter more than you think. If ”Bigger is better,” try one of these bodacious ships: Princess Star (1,470 passengers), Crown (1,590 passengers), Royal (1,200 passengers), Sovereign of the Seas
(2,282 passengers) and Norway (2,000 passengers). Some others weigh in at a half to a quarter as much, so tell your travel agent which you prefer. Keep in mind that larger ships obviously carry more passengers.
– Stateroom space: You`ll probably spend more time than you think in your cabin, whether dressing, sleeping of napping. There`s nothing worse than feeling ”boxed” in during a sea voyage, or not having enough closet or drawer space. Don`t be fooled by the brochure-ask for measurements and check on storage facilities.
– Budgetary considerations: There are ways to reduce the cost of a cruise. One is to consult a travel agent who specializes in cruises and has a handle on industry buzz words such as ”repositioning cruises,” ”early booking discounts,” ”standby fares” and ”value season”-which in their various translations can mean a 10 to 50 percent price reduction.
Or you can go through specialty cruise companies such as Kelly Cruises
(708-932-8361), Cruises International (708-573-0900), Cruises of Distinction (800-634-3445), The Cruise Line (800-777-0707) and Landry and Kling (800-448-9002)-which can often get you 20 to 30 percent off published prices.
Once you`ve picked your cruise and bought your tickets there are a few more matters to deal with:
– Dietary restrictions: Advise your travel agent and/or the cruise line well in advance.
– Pack prudently: Casual daytime wear, comfortable footwear, running shoes, warmups or leotards (to avoid any excuses for not exercising) the type of evening attire suitable for a fine restaurant and a couple of spiffy outfits for the captain`s galas.
Tuxedos, by the way, seem to have been lost in the wake of more trendy wear, particularly on tropical cruises. Many ships now provide terry cloth robes to use during your cruise. Find out if your ship does so you don`t bring one.
Don`t forget documents such as passport, cruise and airline tickets, or medications, which should always be carried in your purse or carry-on bag.
– Seating selection: Right after boarding proceed directly to the dining room to confirm seating arrangements. Don`t leave this to chance, especially if you want a table for two, which are often at a premium. Your travel agent should handle this, but double check or you may wind up dining early or later than you prefer or sitting at an undesirable table.
Learn the names of your cabin stewards and find out how to summon them
(telephone, buzzer).
Select shore excurions carefully. Organized tours often turn into endless hours holed up in a bus and too much time spent where you`d rather not be. Sybarities could miss out on sensational snorkeling, swimming or tanning time, while epicureans could be giving up an opportunity to sample unusual cuisines. One thing is certain, though, there will always be enough time to shop. This is a given, especially when at the mercy of bus drivers who appear propelled by magnetic forces to at least one major shopping complex. Those of us not inclined to partake wind up shuffling our feet for hours. You`ll also see your share of forts, art museums and historic monuments, but you may miss all the wonderful ambience of charming ports such as St. Barts, Antiqua, St. Lucia, Barbados, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan or Zihuatanejo unless you venture off on your own.
