New World
of Cruising

Good-bye shuffleboard, hello virtual reality golf! In attempting to move forward in these high tech times, the cruise industry has reinvented itself to provide virtually everything for virtually everyone.

For golfers, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Legend of the Seas has created a shrunken 18-hole golf course with sand traps and water hazards. The longest drive is 32 feet. The little golf course provides great practice for golf games scheduled to be played at ports-of-call. For gamblers, Carnival's Elation offers casino action and entertainment reminiscent of a weekend in Las Vegas.

For fitness enthusiasts, all the major cruise lines have sports decks for walking and jogging, panoramic view gymnasiums with the latest exercise equipment, and classes to help passengers stay fit and trim. For art lovers, millions of dollars have been spent to enhance public areas with oil paintings, watercolors, and sculptures created from steel, brass and fiber optics.

And for gourmands, 24-hour alternative dining options are offered on the Grand Princess, for one, opening nine different dining venues onboard, including an Italian trattoria and a Southwestern cafe. Even passengers who prefer quiet time in their cabins have not been forgotten. Princess Cruises has made a point of adding private balconies onto many of its outside staterooms on both the Sun Princess and the Dawn Princess.

Megaship Movement

Opulence on the water has become possible because of the latest technology. Megaships, despite their size can float safely and cruise at great speed.

Today, all the major cruise lines are building bigger and bigger ships, each trying to create more spectacular amenities and design. Multi-deck atriums, sweeping staircases, glass elevators, and sky lounges have been incorporated into many architectural plans.

This is not to say, however, that only megaships are attracting more passengers. Smaller cruise companies are competing successfully by building new ships themselves or reconfiguring older models and adding extra touches, such as Windstar Cruises' 312-passenger Wind Surf with its 10,000 square foot spa. Or the Delta Queen Steamboat Company's newest paddlewheeler, the American Queen, with its wedding cake design and grand lounge that re-creates a small-town opera house, complete with private boxes.

Still other cruise lines have opted for stretching and remodeling their popular ships. Some have increased passenger capacity by 40 percent, adding new features such as casinos, expanded spa and fitness facilities, and youth centers with video arcades.

Disney Debut

Disney has joined the cruising industry with the introduction of its first 85,000 ton ship, the Disney Magic. Since the week-long holiday combines three or four days at Disney World Resort and a three-or four-day sailing to the Bahamas, it appeals greatly to families. But despite the fact that the ship has 15,000 square feet of dedicated children's space and a staff of 30 to 40 counselors, Disney Magic also wants to attract adults without kids. Portions of the ship are designated strictly for grown-ups, including an adults-only restaurant, a separate pool and spa, and a secluded beach area on Disney's private Bahamian island.

Unforgettable pampering of guests is the main thrust for ships sailing under the Celebrity flag. The Century, Galaxy and Mercury were designed to feature top-of-the-line spa treatments including saltwater thalassotherapy pools. Spa packages can even be purchased in advance. Aboard the Paul Gauguin, Radisson Seven Seas' newly introduced luxury small ship, spa services are provided by Carita of Paris. A fold-down marina allows passengers to participate in water sports right off the ship.

Then, there are theme cruises that are very popular with passengers. The Delta Queen Steamboat Company has a yearlong Celebration of Heartland America program with regional cooking demonstrations, screenings from the History Channel, and special concerts and sing-alongs.

American Hawaii Cruises' SS Independence, which sails to four Hawaiian islands, offers Aloha Festivals and Hawaiian Heritage theme cruises September 12 – October 10, 1998, then Big Band cruises in November and December, and Whales in the Wild cruises January 2 through April 3, 1999. Besides spotting 40-ton humpback whales frolicking in their winter playground, passengers also learn about the mammals from marine naturalists who lecture onboard ship.

With so many different cruise options offered these days, travel agents have become as much a source for cruise selection as for cruise booking. When you're ready to take a cruise, please call us. We'll be happy to match your interests and vacation budget with the most appropriate cruise.