Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    We have gone on Caribbean cruises during the last week in February
    for the last two years.  We sailed on the Italian Costa line (a line no
    one has discussed in this Notes file, interestingly enough).  We
    booked through Crimson Travel in Chelmsford, MA.  They were very
    helpful and we had no glitches in our travels.  The first year we 
    sailed on the Carla C and really enjoyed it.  So we booked again,
    through Crimson, to sail on her sister ship, the Daphne.  We were not 
    happy with this cruise.  I won't go into the details here, but it was
    the cruise line, not the travel agent, who was at fault.
    
    This year I went to Garber Travel in Nashua, NH, and had an interesting
    talk with Cindy O'Neil about the different cruise lines.  She seemed
    to know a great deal about which ones are worth taking, and which
    ones can offer you the type of cruise you want.  The RCCL line is
    one of the better lines.  Cindy was telling me how the crew members
    change cruise lines.  Good crew members go where the money is and RCCL 
    pays well.  This can change from year to year.  That is one of the reasons
    we did not enjoy our second cruise with Costa.  Much of the good
    crew members had moved on to other ships, leaving behind a sullen
    crew with low morale.
    
    We have decided to go to Barbados this February and just stay there.
    It was one of the islands we stopped at on our cruise and we really
    liked it.
    
    In any case, to answer your question, I think you would be wise
    to speak to a travel agent about your options.  Try Cindy at Garber
    Travel on Main Street in Nashua.  And do it soon!  You may be too
    late for February already.
  

    I called both Cindy (reply .1) and Debbi (reply .2) They were both
    helful. I am now waiting for the packages they are sending. I will
    keep you posted on the progress.
    
    Thanks for the help so far.
    

    OK, I've started reviewing the packages sent to me by Cindy O'Neil
    of Garber Travel in Nashua. Now I really have some questions.
    
    It appears the smaller ships have the better itineraries. If I think
    about this I can understand why. Should I be concerned about sailing
    on a 525', 16 ton boat as opposed to a 1035', 70 ton boat? NCL's
    Skyward has a ten day east and west Caribbean cruise. It is a small
    ship. Will the servises (ie:food, entertainment) be as excellent
    as the larger ships in the fleet?
    
    The Seward has a western Caribbean cruise that includes Cozumel
    and Grand Caymen and Jamaica. The price is also right. Any comments
    on the western Caribbean?
    
    RCCL is a little more expensive. Actually not much difference in
    listed prices, but not as good discounts.
    
    There is a 10 day Antilles cruise that includes St. Thomas Antigua
    St. Maarten Martinque, Barbadoes. The fare is expensive with no
    dscounts. This is on the Nordic Prince. 
    
    Song of Norway has a 7 day with an itinerary the same as the the
    10 day cruise. The itinerary appears a little crowded for a 7 day
    cruise. 
    
    Song of America has a good western Caribbean trip, and the price
    is right.
    
    Sovereign of the Seas goes to San Juan and St. Thomas. I know St.
    Thomas is supposed to be good for shopping. 
    
    Based only on Itinerary and price my choices would be:
    
    1. Nordic Prince 10 day Antilles if I can get a discounted price.
    
    2. NCL's Skyward's east and west Caribbean if I can feel comfortable
    on a smaller ship.
    
    3. Seward (NCL) 7day west Caribbean
    
    3a. Song of America (RCCL) 7 day weest Caribbean 
        Seward and Song of America Itineraries are the same. Seward
        has slightly better price.
    
    4. Norway (NCL) East Caribbean 
    
    
    Any comments on itineraries, ships? 
                                

    I am leaving on NCL's SEAWARD Sunday..... I will write when I get
    back and let you know the details.		
    
    Jayne Etheridge

    I was on the NCL Starward.  It was a smaller ship than the Carnival
    that I vacationed on my furst cruise.  I was never sick on the
    Carnival.  I was sick (sea-sick) on the Starward.  I know it's because
    of the size difference.  
    
    I'd opt for the larger ship.
    

    My wife and I enjoyed a cruise on the Starward a couple of years
    ago.  I was also a bit seasick the first night out of Miami.  The
    course the ship took was perpendicular to the Gulf Stream.  This
    caused a bit more rocking than my stomach could take so I had to
    leave the dining room before desert was served.  I went back to
    my cabin laid down and fell asleep.  My wife came down to the cabin
    when she was through eating and begged me to go the show.  I did
    and part way through the show I started to feel much much better.
    Then I noticed the ship was no longer rocking.  The announcement
    was made that we were no longer in the Gulf stream and everything
    was a.o.k from then on.  I'm not sure the Starward even takes the
    same course anymore.
    
    We enjoyed the Starward very much.  The food was excellent, we got
    to know many more people than on the bigger ships, the snorkeling
    program they offered was fantastic...etc.  The cabin was a bit small
    but who spends much time in the cabin anyway.
    
    I experienced a touch of seasickness on my last cruise on Sitmar's
    Fairsky.  Now that is a BIG ship, but that day the seas were even
    bigger!  It is not so much the size of the ship, but rather the
    size of the sea.
    
    Besides, there are things you can take for seasickness (see other
    notes) and you'll have nothing to worry about.
    

re: .4

If you're concerned about getting seasick and rough seas I'd recommend
the NCL Norway.  It was formerly the S.S. France and was built to sail
the extremely rough North Sea.  When I took a tour of the bridge the
fourth day out they told us that they were not using the stabalizers
at all because the ship doesn't need them for the "smooth" Caribbean
because of the deep draft of the ship.

I concur with you about crowded itineraries.  My personal preference is
more time at sea.  The Norway has two days at sea before reaching St.
Maarten and another day and a half on the way back.  I enjoyed those
times most.

Good luck in your decisions!

	Bob

P.S. See 36.1 for more of my obviously biased reports of the Norway.

    Well it's just about a "done deal".
    
    We tried, as first choice, to book the Norway for Mar 11. There
    was a 25% discount. It appears that is pretty well booked.
    
    The second choice was the Noordam for Mar 4th. This was not really
    a second choice but an alternative first choice. We booked a "C"
    deluxe cabin. I have heard only good things about this boat and
    we're really looking forward to the trip.
    
    I talked to Garber, and Cindy was very helpful. She was trying to
    book the Norway (she may still accomplish this and if so...). I
    would reccommend Cindy and Garber for future travel needs.
    
    I also talked with Debbie at the Ship Shop in Missouri. She sent
    out a package, but I never recieved it. Her discounts were comparable
    to Garber. She also was very helpful.
    
    Once I zeroed in on what, where, and when, I was looking for price.
    Someone recommended Whites Travel Service in W. Hartford Conn. They
    were $220. cheaper for the same cabin on the Holland America Noordam as
    Garber quoted. The woman I talked to was also helpful. She confirmed my
    reservation on the Noordam subject to my deposit. If the Norway booking
    doesn't come thru this afternoon, I will be going on the Noordam.
    Whites has some very good discounts available. I would call them in the
    future for cruises. 
    
    Now I just have to work out some Pre, Post, cruise arrangements.
    
    Thanks for all of the reponses, helpful hints, suggestions that I
    recieved thru this notes file. Everyone has been very helpful in
    helping me to arrange the trip.
    
    Now I just need to update you, when we return.
    Thanks,
    
    Bob H.
    

    Well, Cindy came through. She managed to get us booked on the Norway
    for Mar.11. This was our first choice. We are going to be in a class
    5 cabin on Oslo deck. We dropped the reservation on the Noordam.
    
    One surprise. We wanted to visit friends in Florida before and after
    the cruise for a few days. If we took the plane allowance, we lost the
    discount. To change the plane to a different day is a hassle. They
    charge a fee for changing the day you fly, even if its the same
    airline. The fee could be from $25. to $100. per person each change.
    This really sounds like a ripoff. If you pick up a pre or post cruise
    package there is no problem, but you must use the cruise package to
    change plane dates, which includes the hotel, or pay the penalty. 
    
    It may be cheaper for me to arrange my own airfare for the added
    time, and noshow on the scheduled airline. I don't need a car or
    hotel.                                                            
    

    Re: .10
    
    That's interesting!  When I did a 10-day RCCL on the Nordic Prince
    we flew down three days early (to visit my sister- and brother-in-law)
    and the cruise line/travel agent had no problems doing this at no
    charge - we could pick any time/day we wanted (I even changed the
    reservations once!).  It's funny how every line/agent/etc. can be
    different.
    
    -Karen

    Well things have really changed since I last updated this note.
    
    I ended up booking a 7 day cruise on the Norway with AAAABCO Cruise
    Center in Miami. I took the air allowance and booked my own fare
    so that I could go early to Florida and stay after the cruise. I
    got an Eccellent rate from Barbara at AAAABCO for the cruise. 
    
    This week I got a call from the travel agent saying the cruise was
    overbooked and if I was flexible they would make me a good deal
    on an alternate cruise. They offered me a 10 day cruise in the same
    time frame on the Skyward. They picked up the additional airfare
    for my wife and myself from Miami to San Juan. They will refund
    one of the cruise tickets I already purchased for the Norway. Bottom
    line is we will be taking a 10 day southern Caribbean cruise for
    2 for a total of $1500 including air.                        
    
    We accepted the offer.
    
    I'm interested in any Skyward comments?
    

    
    
    Nice going...I'm envious....$1500 for 10 days!!!!!!!!!! I paid twice
    that much last year for 10 days on the NCL Southward....(I did book
    late).
    
    I've learned much from reading these notes on the work you need to do
    to get a decent deal..You my friend have hit paydirt..
    
    Enjoy...Enjoy...Enjoy...
    
    
    			sw