TRAVEL TIPS

‘THE CRUISE ships are
migrating, and since the
beginning of the month a
dozen cruise ships have
sailed under the Lions Gate
Bridge to begin the summer
season of voyages tu Alaska.

There will be more to come, car-
tying half a million passengers
before the Westerdam’s last
farewell on October 10.

Another migration we can’t see
takes place at the same time as
these ships move to and from
Vancouver — across the Atlantic,

_that is:

Ina rite of spring, a select num-
ber of cruise ships changes tack and
crosses to Europe for a summer of
cruising in the Mediterranean, the

North Sea and Baltic.

In the fall they steam home
seeking the Caribbean sun.

These voyages usually offer five
-days at sea: quite a difference from
the typical Caribbean cruise which
involves daily ports of call and
non-stop shore excursions and

’. shopping.

Unlike the Caribbean experi-
ence, With its interruptions,
announcements and line-ups, oeean
cruising is all about relaxing. A
ship gets into its stride, officers
walk the decks and chat to passen-
gers. The atmosphere is clubbier.

Pussengers like the exercise
they might skip when the schedule
is busier, and they find a cosy spot
on deck and read books, perhaps
keeping an eye open for desert
islands where @ Robinson Crusoe
might be marooned.

These are voyages for roman-
tics.

Until not so long ago, Atlantic
crossing were not popular, and
half-full ships carried lucky souls
who had paid bargain fares. 1
thought this was still the case until
I talked to Dean Miller, doyen of
Vancouver PR people and Princess
Cruises’ man in Canada.

He said he tried to get ona
crossing recently and it was sold
out.

Other cruise veterans, such as
travel agent Marguerite Ghislieri,
confirmed that this was the case.

As she said, the market is matur-
ing, with many people having
cruised Alaska, the Caribbean and
the Mexican Riviera. They have
been through Panama and done the
Med.

They've found that ports of call
can be tiring and they are bored
with shopping. What they like best
is shipboard life, with easy days
and elegant evenings, and they
want to meet other travellers rather
than party-going tourists or,
increasingly, squads of badge-
wearing conventioneers.

So, more experienced cruisers
are sailing the Atlantic, finding as
well that going to Europe by ship is
a grand way to arrive without jet
lag.

And although the ships are
busier, bargains can still be found.

For example, fhe new Costa
Romantika offered a free week in

THE RADISSON Diamond offers big savings on an Atlantic crossing. Crulse ships from most.

Sunday, May 15, 1994 -

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Raa: OS + SHER

A LEEDS PA

Photo submitted

lines cross the ocean in spring and fall to reposition for seasonal cruising.

Italy for passengers taking its
recent trans-Atlantic. The Island
Princess between Buenos Aires and
Barcelong was two for one, or 50%
off.

The Crown Odyssey from San
Juan to Malaga also could be had

for 50% off, and the Statendam had -

a discount which was snapped up
by Holland America repeaters.

Luxury ships catering to experi-
enced, sophisticated cruisers who
enjoy the days at sea tend to do
well on Atlantic crossings.

But there are opportunities, such
as the May 30 sailing of the
Radisson Diamond from San Juan

to Lisbon. Total savings on this
cruise, including two free nights in
Lisbon, total more than $5,000 per
person. ;

Right about now the cruise lines
will be looking at their computer
sereens and deciding which fall
trans-Atlantic cruises will be put on
special.

. Likely there will be fewer dis-
counted cabins, but in this business
things can change quickly. The
only way to get in the picture is to
be plugged into a travel agent who
knows cruising.

Positioning cruises also offer
deals. Come the fall, the vessels

Frisco delights with revitalized market district

THE ASTUTE TRAVELLER

SAN FRANCISCO, arguably
the North American city of
choice when it comes to yaca-
tions, has added a cultural
centre to its lengthy list of
tourist attractions. .

Opened fast autumn, the Center
for the Arts at Yerba Buena Gardens
is a four-hectare cultural and enter-
tainment hub that includes galleries, a
theatre, gardens, and a Martin Luther
King Memorial, all set in a park with
plants and waterfalls to complement
the contemporary architecture,

The centre’s mandate is to provide
a showcase [or the diversity of cul-
tures found in the Bay area — every-
thing from African quilts to Filipino
storytelling.

At Third Street between Mission
and Howard near the heart of down-
town, the facility borders the huge
Moscone Convention Center and is
part of the city’s revitalization of the
south of Market Street neighborhood,
which a decade ago was a skid-row
area.

Beyond the new arts centre is a
city made for walkers. You can take
on ’Frisco’s 40-odd hills solo or join
one of numerous organized jaunts.

If it’s Chinatown that interests
you, try Shirley Fong-Torres’ histori-
cal and culinary back streets tour.
The two-and-a-half hour walk
includes visits to herbal shops and a
look inside a fortune cookie factory.
With dim sum, the price for adults is
US$35.

While visiting Fisherman’s
Wharf, follow the barking noise
behind Pier 39 for an up-close
glimpse of dozens and dozens of sed
tions. The colony moved to the inner
harbor in 1989, after the earthquake,
and has taken over the docks of a

Infermediate travel aN yea CF for busy
North Vanceuver mall location (no
evenings or Sundi oy). Attractive modern
office, APG and Trav Com accounting
system, predominantly leisure travel. If you
have @ minimum of two years experience
and want to join a greet team, tax us at
604-980-. Ey or ater 6:30 pm,
telephone 60¢4987-4368. Gwynn
SLB.
4QRRBh

ATIYNN

Winey
a |
saAeyek

_ATLYNN TRAVEL LTD. §

# A member of

now-abandoned boat marina.
For more information, contact San
Francisco Convention and Visitors

[UPDATE YOUR VACCINATIONS BEFORE TRAVEL|

Bureau, 201 Third St., San Francisco,
CA 94103-3185. Tel.: (415) 974-
6900.

et UN LYNN VALLEY MEDICAL & TRAVEL CLINIC
“e 1200 Lynn Valley Rd. (beside McDonald's)
Open 8am - 9pm - 7 days a week (988-5389)
No appointment necessary Approved by Health & Welfare Canada. j

WELCOMES

RUKSHANA DAROOWALA

Having recently moved from another North Shore
Agency, Rukshana has worked as a Travel consultant

for 7 years.

She has tived and worked in India, England and
Hongkong before making Vancouver her home.
Rukshana’s many clients and friends value her service
and personal attention to their travel needs.

Marlin invites her old and new clients to visit her at

their Park Royal office.

Tel. 929-0406

4 the Thomas Cook
4 Group (Canada) Limited

MARLIN TRAVEL
CRUISE CENTRE

2009 S. Park Royal
West Van
922-9301

FAX 922-2961

which have been cruising to Alaska
will head south and west from
Vancouver.

The voyages down the coast are
not for the faint of heart because
seas can be choppy, but cruises to’.
Hawaii always sell quickly, with .
some Vancouver travel agents
putting together sea/air packages
for the round trip.

Finally, don’t overlook the QE?,
one of the most majestic ships of
all time, which has a busy program
of Atlantic crossings all summer,
and this year offers six European
tours starting at US$2,095 includ- .
ing one-way by British Airways.

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