Travel Forum / Travel Types / Cruises / February 2004

The suitcases are not only packed but are in the car.  Nothing left to
do but wait until it is time to drive to the port tomorrow.  This is the
hardest part of going on a cruise.  Weather here today in Tampa is
absolutely beautiful.  It is about 72 degrees and no rain.  We will be

Am looking for ideas for spending the day in Barbados and not
interested in any of the ship's excursions.  We don't snorkel
or scuba, like interesting crafts, art, culture, history,
walking around seeing the sights.  Would appreciate any ideas.

RTCers,
In one of our most recent discussions about "adults only" cruises, someone
commented that the cruise lines didn't offer them at traditional vacation
time, e.g., summer and holidays, or to interesting destinations--Alaska was

I will be sailing on the Caribbean Princess  4/24/04.
Must be the first sailing, I have not seen it on any other itinaries.
I was on the fourth sailing on the Voyager and that was a shakedown cruise.
Hank

Eric and I were at Mom's all day today....working on her bathroom.  We
got home around 4:30 or so and are exhausted.  I saw that you
called....what's up?
I talked to Angel, she promised to be ready to book by March 31st, or we

Per the Princess webcam, the Diamond Princess is now leaving Japan for a non
stop shot across the Pacific for Los Angeles.
Our clock is at -20 days and counting.....
"Anything that doesn't kill you,,,,,,,just hurts a hell of a lot" JLP20

I have 3 more "never cruised before" questions.
1) Cruising 4 or 5 days out of Galveston, it seems that most cruises go to
the western Caribbean. When is peak and off peak seasons? Is there a time to
avoid, like hurricane season? When is that? I noticed that the price hits

Thinking about taking a med cruise this summer on Holland America's new
Westerdam.  I heard that the cruise line is trying to improve their image as
being just a 'blue hair' cruise and are now trying to cater more to
families.  Anyone with any experience with toddlers on this line?  ...

Micky Arison has a tough life.  Jet-setting on his private jet to locals
around the world to christen yet another of his companies ships.  Micky must
love his ship christenings as he seems to attend them all, regardless of
what brand they fall under.  Can I please have his job???!!!

I'm interested in booking with a "guaranteed' cabin class,
instead of selecting a particular cabin number.
From what I learned, you are guaranteed the class you select,
with the possibility of being bumped up to a higher class.

In another thread Tom, I believe, mentioned going to Virgin Gorda and
then going to the "Baths" was a "good thing".  Someone else asked how to
get there.  Well, that's my question.  Is it easy to get to Virgin Gorda
and the Baths?  Should we do that through the ship's excursions ...

For those of you departing tomorrow 2/29 on the Dawn you will be late. I
just got a message from a passenger onboard and the current arrival time in
NYC is 2 PM Sunday. Allowing 2 hours for customs and 2 hours to empty the
ship it looks like embarkation will not start before 6PM!

Have you used this company and how was their service?
Please e-mail me with response to
tremmeer@sympatico.ca
Many Thanks

A friend of mine is going on her first cruise this Sunday
(Grand Princess, Western Car. I think).
We wanted to get her a "going-away" present but couldn't
think of anything specific, so we thought we'd get her