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.
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