Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    I'll let you know in about 3 weeks (-:  We're scheduled to sail the
    Western Caribbean itinerary the week of Feb. 26...
    
    My wife and I have sailed with Carnival in the past (twice on the
    Festivale) and are taking the kids this time.  According to travel
    agents we've talked with, Carnival has one of the better programs for
    children, so we're giving it a shot.
    
      - John
    

    CAN SOMEONE GIVE ME AN UPDATE ON THE NORWEGIAN LINE.  I WILL BE ON THE
    SEAWARD, AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW OF RECENT TRIPS TAKEN ABOARD..WE WILL
    BE TAKING THE BARBADOS CRUISE, WHICH STOPS AT SEVERAL PORTS.  
    
    
    

<    I'll let you know in about 3 weeks (-:  We're scheduled to sail the
<    Western Caribbean itinerary the week of Feb. 26...
    
   We're sailing on the Tropicale embarking on the same day out of Tampa. 
What's your itinerary.  Ours says we have a stop in Playa del Carmen.  Looking
closely we're supposed to be in port only 30 minutes.  I think they have a lot
of nerve calling a 30 minute stop a "stop."  We won't have time to do any more
than walk down the gang-plank. The only thing I can think of is that it's a
place for the ship to off load the entertainers and pick up a new set. There
isn't enough time to take on passengers or provisions.

   The other stops are relatively short, but long enough to do a little shopping
or short shore excursions.  I think they want to keep us on the boat to spend
more of our money in the casino or in the bar.  We'll see how it goes.  I may
just curl up with a good book or 2 and enjoy the time off.

Al

��         <<< Note 515.3 by TAMDNO::WHITMAN "I'm the NRA and I vote" >>>

��   We're sailing on the Tropicale embarking on the same day out of Tampa. 
��What's your itinerary.  Ours says we have a stop in Playa del Carmen.  Looking
��closely we're supposed to be in port only 30 minutes.  I think they have a lot
��of nerve calling a 30 minute stop a "stop."  We won't have time to do any more
��than walk down the gang-plank. The only thing I can think of is that it's a

    Do you also stop at Cozumel?  It's fairly close by.

    We were on a cruise that made a short stop in Playa del
    Carmen, and the folks who booked tours were allowed off
    there.  The ship then continued to Cozumel, for a 'normal'
    stop.   

    The folks on the tours then caught up with the ship in
    Cozumel at the end of the day -- their tours included a
    ferry to Cozumel, and then a bus back to the ship.

    Cancun and Playa del Carmen are both on the mainland, and
    Cozumel is an island, maybe 10 miles offshore, and somewhat
    south of Cancun.

    This is also pretty common with St. John and St. Thomas. 

    re .1, I would appreciate a trip report when you get back..hope
    you have a great time.
    
    Mark

    re .3,.4,.5:
    
    We depart Miami on the 26th, then on to Playa del Carmen/Cozumel after
    a day at sea (Lee is correct; the "stop" at Playa del Carmen is to drop
    off those who are touring the Tulum ruins only.)  The next stop is at
    Grand Cayman, then Ocho Rios in Jamaica before heading back to Miami.
    
    I promise I'll file a trip report.  Honest.  (-:

<    a day at sea (Lee is correct; the "stop" at Playa del Carmen is to drop
<    off those who are touring the Tulum ruins only.)  The next stop is at


   Thanks for the insight, Cozumel is our next stop so this makes more sense.


Al

	I leave on the Sensation March 26th. I've also been on the 
Fasination and had a good time. The band was good the food was good
and just about everything else. Then again, after a couple of Bahama
Mama's and everything was good !!

	-Steve-

    RE .8  What itinerary was that on?
    
    Mark

	RE .-1

	I've been on the Sensation and Fasination already and done
both the Western and Eastern. The best one was Jamaica, Grand Cayman and
Cozumel and that's the one I'll be on March 26th.

	-Steve-

    RE:  The Norweigian Crusie Line, the SEAWARD -
    
    We went on a four day cruise last fall, First week in October.
    Had a great time, good food, our only complaint is that there
    wasn't any time to sleep.!  The shows were good, and the
    trips we took were good - but we snorkled a lot.
    
    We went fro miami to key west, to cancun, to cozemel,
    then back.
    
    Have a great time!
    
    Val

    I'm dropping a trip report for my recent (well, a month ago) trip into
    the Sensation note.  Yeesh, in my excitement earlier this year, I
    thought I was going on the Fascination!  Anyway, see note 361!
    
      - John
    

    I'm thinking about a trip on the Fascination next year and had a
    few questions for those who might have been on it before. 
      I want to know how the food rated. Quality, variety, etc.
    
    Also, when you are in port, and want to take the shore trip,
    how is the tendering (i.e. water taxis) to get to the dock?
    Especially interested in how quick and efficient it is.
    
    Finally, one of the stops is 8 hours in Venezuela. If you are
    with a tour from the ship, do they require a passport?
    
    thanks to all for the prior notes and tips....

I can't answer particulars on the ship, but GENERALLY speaking:

- Re tendering...depending on the port & it's docks, sometimes you tie up to 
a pier and walk on/off (which is prefereble, for me, at least!). If there are 
tenders, there's usually a line, ranging from 5 - 30 minutes (lots of 
variables here).

- GENERALLY on a ship-sponsired tour, you don't need passports. Usually these 
details are spelled out in the "fine print" on the back pages of the 
brochure..

SteveS_who_just_firmed_up__an_X-mas_cruise_thru_the_canal