Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    I was on the Horizon with my wife and two kids (6,9) this summer to 
    Bermuda for 7 days.  After having been on several cruises (NCL, Sitmar,
    Princess, Home Lines, etc) I think the Horizon was great.  
    
    Staterooms are slightly larger than average, with plenty of
    closet/drawer space, even with 4 of us in one cabin.  Furnishings are
    very nice, food was good.  We had a (minor) problem with service in the
    dining room the first night, had a new waiter the next night for the
    rest of the cruise and got great service...waiter and maitre'd had a 
    magic trick for our kids each night, etc.
    
    Horizon has a nice health club near three outdoor jacuzzi's, along with
    two pools, one adult and one (older) kids.  They had a good kids
    program on this trip, offering 9:00 am to 9:00pm activities.
    
    Aside from realizing I don't like Bermuda Cruises (love
    Bermuda, love cruising, but IMHO the two don't mix well) I had a great
    time.  The ONLY negatives I would mention are that there is no pool for
    little kids (non-swimmers or < ~8yrs) and  Horizon rides a LITTLE high
    in the water, so if the seas are rough, it isn't smoothed out as much
    as on some ships.  I'd heard the were trying to fix this, but it really
    isn't a major deficiency.  I'd recommend the ship, as I think it offers
    TREMENDOUS value; the cost for our trip was $2200 total for the four of
    us.
    
    Steve

    I have not made my decision yet on cruising.  I am planning
    on doing that this week.  I have a question regarding previous
    reply on the <Horizon rides a LITTLE high>.  Does that mean
    it gets pretty rough?  The reason I havn't cruised before is
    I get seasick quite easily and I have always worried about that.
    
    We would be sailing from San Juan to St. Thomas, Martinque,Antigua,
    Barbados, St. Lucia.  I have heard that sailing to Bermuda can
    be rough waters.  Any advise welcome.
    

Go to your doctor and get some motion sickness patches and have a great time.

Steve

    My daughter not only gets extremely sea sick, but is terrified of water
    in general and cannot swim. 
    
    In 1987 we took a 2-week cruise on the Sun Viking (RCCL) which is the
    very smallest of the RCCL ships).  By using Dramamene regularly at the
    start of the cruise, she wasn't sick at all.  Also, even though she was
    small, the Sun Viking rode as gently as any ship I've ever been on (and
    that's not many, I assure you).  On the return voyage (2nd week on our
    way back) we hit one day of perfectly HORRENDOUS weather, and she still
    wasn't sick.....I was amazed....
    
    I think either the use of Dramamene or one of the other
    anti-seasickness aids they have would probably take care of your
    seasickness......I know it certainly did for Wendy....
    
    Barb

     As a followup...
     
     The "rides a little high" I memtioned earlier really is minor.  The
     seas were rough for the Bermuda cruise we took, yet my wife (who gets
     seasick quite easily) had no problem after  dramamine.  
     
     As I mentioned, I'd definately go on this ship again, and would have
    no problem recommending for first (or nth-time) cruisers.
    
    Steve

    Hi,
    I just returned from a Christmas week cruise on the Horizon. I would
    say that the overall experience was very good. My only other cruise
    experience was on the RCCL Song of Norway. The food was as good as on
    the Song of Norway but there appeared to be a lack of adequete staff in
    the dinning room which made the service slow (like water glass not
    filled or a long wait for another cup of coffee).
    
    The rooms were larger and the bathroom much larger. Here service was
    good, but don't try to get anything after regular working hours. The 
    phones were not answered. Not at the information desk or at the
    hospital nor at room service. This to me is a major shortcomming.
    
    The entertainment is a subjective thing and I found it fair at best.
    Here again I am comparing to the Song of Norway.
    
    In closing I would say the cruise is very nice but lacking in attention
    to detail.

    Hi,
    
    As I mentioned in my first note, this is our very first cruise.  Do you
    think we will notice these shortcomings not having anything to compare
    to?
    
    Also, how was your weather, specifically the waters and how the stable
    the boat was.  How did you like the islands?
    
    Thanks,
    Ronnie Brown
    
    

    Hi,
    
    I think the only short comming that may be disturbing is if you need
    something during the night you may not be able to get it. If you
    haven't seen better you will think this ship is great. 
    	The weather was warm with rain in the afternoon towards the end of
    the week. Is the ship stable is a very subjective question. It was a
    little rocky but it didn't bother my daughter or me. My wife got some
    medicication and felt better.But, she was wearing the patch which 
    might have made her sick to start with. This ship did not rock as much
    as the Song Of Norway but who knows if the conditions were the same.
    	The island beaches(all) were very pretty (I'm told ,I don't do
    beaches) shopping is nice on Antiqua and St Thomas. 
        We took taxi tours of St. Lucia and Antiqua. I wanted to take one
    of St. Thomas but yielded to shopping. Since it was Christmas Eve and 
    Christmas day did'nt get a chance to see much of Barbados or
    Martinique.
     
    If you want some other things to be prepared for call me at 282-1453
    until Fri . Then I'm on the move to BXC.
    
    Steve

    Well folks, the day is finally here.  We leave tomorrow a.m. and
    fly to Puerto Rico.  We will spend day there and then cruise out of
    port at 10:30p.m.  I'm really excited.
    
    I got a prescription for the patch which I am not planning to use
    unless it is really necessary.  I also have bought Bonine as was
    suggested by many.
    
    I will be back on the 11th and will let you know how we fared.
    
    Thanks for all the help.
    
    Ronnie
    

    Myself and a group of friends are planning a Cruise on the HORIZON
    the week of January 25, 1992.
    
    We were able to get great rates . . . $1424. for a $1970 cabin with
    free airfare from Boston!  (plus $75. port tax)
    
    Itinerary . . . Saturday fly to San Juan and set sail 10:00pm . . .
    Islands we'll be visiting are Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Thomas,
    Antigua, and Barbados.
    
    If you would like to cruise as an individual, but take advantage of this
    great group rate, send me mail or call and I can send you more details.
    
    Pam Moschilli
    DTN 297-4333
    MCIS3::MOSCHILLI
                               
    		    

    Any recent experiences with the Horizon to report?  Three of us are
    planning to cruise to Bermuda next June and have (almost) decided on
    this ship.  We've been on one other cruise, the Sovereign of the Seas
    out of Miami, and enjoyed it tremendously.  
    
    I understand that the Horizon is not the Sovereign, but we'd like to
    hear current opinions on the service, food, accomodations, activities,
    etc. offered on the Horizon.  
    
    Thanks.
    
    Tom
    

    My husband and I will be sailing on a Sales Seminar at Sea (he is a
    Sales Rep for a cruise only agency) on September 28th.  We did spend 
    an overnite in NewYork when this ship premiered last year and it was 
    absolutely wonderful.  Although not as large as the Sovereign and 
    perhaps not as glitzy - it is absolutely beautiful.  The public rooms
    are beautiful and the whole ship is "class".  It has one of the most
    beautiful dining rooms I've ever seen.  The standard cabins are a 
    nice size (larger than the Sovereigns) and decorated beautifully.
    I personally feel that Chandris does an excellent job in the food 
    and service department and they are one of my favorite lines.
    I have sailed on older Chandris ships and their service, food 
    and all-around ambiance made up for the age and desirability 
    of the older ship.  
    
    If you would like more info on the Horizon or to chit-chat in more
    detail about it - just give me a call on DTN 336-4759.  I'm certain 
    you would not be disappointed on a "Horizon" cruise.  

    We returned from our Horizon Cruise on Saturday evening.  There was a
    group of 17 people.  We had a great trip!  
    
    I have been on two other cruises, NCL's Norway and the Home Line's 
    Homeric (now the Westerdam).  All of our cruises have been book with 
    Certified Travel, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  Lee Boyan (800) 327-2041.  I
    would recommend her highly.  She is the Cruise Manager and knows her
    business.
      
    The Horizon is a beautiful ship.  It is new, staterooms are large,
    clean and nicely decorated.  Bathrooms are large.  Plenty
    of closet space.  Beds were very comfortable (and that peaceful rocking
    helps me to sleep like a baby!).  
    
    The public rooms (dining room, lobby area, Casino, stores, lounges,
    etc) were beautiful.  The ship was very well maintained and very clean.
    
    The crew was international.  Our service in the Dining Room was very
    good.  Not superb, but more than adequate.  Here I have to add that
    when we were on the Homeric, we had an Italian Crew that were
    unbelievable.  They CATERED to every person on that ship as if you were
    the only person in the world.  Unfortunately, I don't believe we will
    ever find a ship with that kind of "special" service anywhere.  We had
    first time cruisers with us and they were extremely pleased with the
    service.
    
    Food - Excellent.  I believe this Cruise line is rated very high in the
    food category.  Taste, presentation, variety . . . all superb.
    
    Entertainment - Good.  They had a very funny comedian that had us
    rolling off our chairs.  Another night there was a hypnotist who put on
    a great show with volunteers from the audience.  They also had the
    typical Cruise Ship Singers and Dancers.  
    
    The itinerary was Puerto Rico, Martinique, Barbardos, St. Lucia.
    Antiqua, St. Thomas and back to Puerto Rico.  This was too many islands
    for a 7 day cruise.  Of course we had to get off at each one since we
    had never been to any of them except St. Thomas.  If I were to do it
    again, I'd stay on the ship in Martinique and St. Lucia (or just get
    off to go to the beach).
    
    I would give Celebrity Cruise's HORIZON very high marks in all
    categories.  Seventeen people were very pleased and had a wonderful
    vacation.  That's a pretty good recommendation.
    
    Pam 
    

    If anyone is cruising on the HORIZON in the near future, can I ask you
    a favor?
    
    In the Lounge was a band that played every evening .. ONYX was their
    name.  They had three cassettes that you could buy at $8.00 each.  We
    purchased volume #1, but would now like to purchase Volumes 2 & 3.
    
    Of course, I'd also pay for any postage incurred.
    
    If you can do this, please let me know as I am also exploring other
    ways to try to get these tapes.
    
    Thanks,
    Pam
    
    

    Has anyone been on the Horizon recently?  I am going June 25 to Bermuda
    with a group of people from the Milford MA area.  We are taking a bus
    to NY and leaving from there.
    
    This will be my second cruise to Bermuda.  I went a couple of years ago
    with NCL on the Westward.  The Horizon seems much nicer than the
    Westward.  I'm looking forward to hearing some trip reports on the
    Horizon.  Hopefully, this trip will be better that the one I took
    previously.
    
    Cheryl

    Well, assuming that Celebrity hasn't changed their casino chips!
    Seriously, I came across two $5 chips as I was packing up to move into
    a new house. Although I MAY someday cruise on the Horizon again, it
    certainly isn't in my plans for the near future. 
    
    So, if you're going on the Horizon, and would like $10 worth of chips,
    drop me a line at PARVAX::SCHUSTAK.  If you win, you could repay me in
    cash!.

    I am going on the Horizon from June 25 - July 2.  I just found out that
    there are 4 open cabins left with our group.  If anyone would like to
    join us, here are some details:
    
    Cost:  $1,175 PPDO
    Peak Season
    Includes Port Charges and tax
    We've already been upgraded 1 category and will know what our final
    plans are in May.
    
    Call Pat at C&W Travel (508-533-6977) for more details.
    
    Cheryl

    I can't believe this conference has been so quiet...there's been no
    mention ('til now!) of the Legionairres (sp?) breakout on this ship,
    she's out of service for this & next week.
    
    I thouroughly enjoyed this ship, and wonder what permanent tarnish on
    her reputation will be left. I also wonder whether, if it is found that
    the water supply DID in fact cause this mess, what other ships/ports
    might also wind up having this problem
    
    Steve

    I was on the ship from June 25 - July 2, during the time this sickness
    has been pinpointed to.  I am fine and pretty much everyone in the
    group is fine.  One woman in our group is having cold symptoms and is
    having blood work to see what's going on with her.  The nurse at work
    told her that she would have been much sicker than she is if she had
    Legionnaire's Disease.
     
    There were 18 of us and we had such a blast.  The crew was wonderful,
    the food excellent and the service was unbelievable.  I would hate for
    such a great ship to go out of commission.  But, we also have to think
    of the people who have been affected by this. 
    
    I hope that they get this straightened out soon.  
    
    Cheryl

	rec.travel.cruises is were all the action is. Cheryl, you should 
post that article to the usenet. 

	-Steve-

    I will on Monday, as soon as I have someone add the topic to my
    internet.  Someone added another one for me so I never learned how to
    do it.
    
    Cheryl

    Well, it was on WBZ this morning that the Legionnaire's disease has
    been traced to the hot tubs on the Horizon.  I guess it's really true
    that not everyone that is exposed will get it.  I was in those hot
    tubs.
    
    WBZ radio said that tubs are being replaced.
    
    Cheryl