Variet
cruise

REVOLUTIONARY TECH-
NOLOGY in the carly 1960s
ushered in the age of mass air
travel and spelled the end of an
era for the great ocean liners
as a primary mode of trans-
portation.

As a result, the modern cruise
industry was born — driven by
lifestyle and vacation style, not by
speed and transport.

“No longer merely transporta-
tion, today’s cruise ships are desti-
nations in themselves.” say's James
G. Godsman, chairman of Cruise
Lines International Association,

“Gone are the days af one-size-

fits-all vessels. Cruise vacationers

‘select’ their style of ship in the
same’ way they pick itineraries.
length of sailing or cabin location.”

During the last 20 years, 40 new
vessels have been added to accom-
modate the 30 million people who
vacation at sea.

Among the new ship silhoucties
are computer-operated sail vessels
that offer the adventure of a sail-
boat and the amenities of a luxury
liner: a revolutionary twin-hull
design that holds the body of the
vessel 20 feet above water; “mega”
ships wiih five-deck atriums, and
“mini” ships offering intimacy and
super luxury.

While exterior design ranges
from long and sleek to vyaclit- -like
and clegant, from towering super-
structures to wedding-cake style

steamboats and low-profile river

-barges, all vessels have some things

in common: funnels (usually color-
ful totems bearing the cruise line’s
logo): a bridge/mast assembly for
radar and satellite equipment:
propulsion sysiems (propellers or
“screws” on ocean vessels, paddic-
wheels on American riverboats and
sails on sailships): promenade
decks for strolling and jogging, and
an open deck where passengers can
sunbathe or enjoy a pool setting.

Today’s cruise ships carry as
few as !12 passengers, as many as
2.600,

* between.

Some have innovative hydrauli-
cally-powered floating sports mari-
nas that when lowered, provide a
platform for guests to enjoy swim-
ming, snorkeling, wind surfing and
sailing.

Other ships feature glass walls,
full-service health spas and confer-
ence centers with the most up-to-
date. business facilities.

“Ship designers carefully plan
public spaces to appeal to a variety
of tastes. They create areas that
provide passengers with an almos-
phere of excitement and a sense of
intimacy.

For example, the multiple-deck
lobbies that have emerged recently
feature glass clevators thal access
entrance levels for restaurants and
many public rooms,

Resembling the futuristic design
of some modern hotels, this com-
plex and difficult project was made
possible by the use of computer-
aided design technology.

While the younger set plays
video games in the arcade, the
over-21 crowd can play computer-
ized poker — among other games
of chance — in the ship's casino.
Computerized theatre sets create
magic on stages in multi-tiered
nightclubs, while state-of-the-art
sound systems and light shows illu-
minate ultra-modern discos.

At night passengers are tured on
deck for dancing under the stars
with a mesmerizing computer-gen-
erated laser fight show.

Staterooms aboard today’s
cruise ships are designed with mod-
ern amenities such as closed-circuit
TV. cable programming. VCR,

and ‘every number in.

stereo, mini bar and direct-dial tele-
phone.

Fax machines, teleconference
facilities, in-house publishing, per-
sonal computers, saleHite commu-
nications equipment and even a TV
studio are available on the high
seas.

Technology and design innova-
tion also play an essential role
behind the scenes, from the engine
room to the captain's bridge.

Computer-controtled engine
monitoring systems operate entire

TREASURES OF

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT ALL
TICKETMASTER LOCATIONS OR AT
CENTENNIAL THEATRE BOX OFFICE,
ONE HOUR PRIOR TO SHOWS,
REGULAR PRICES: $12.75

STAR ODYSSEY

Grand Mayan Caribbean
& Panama Canal
Nov. 1,1994 Sailing

Ft. Lauderdale-Ft. Lauderdale

From: $2334 preo.concara.

PRICE INCLUDES
*20% discount

“FREE AIR from Vancouver
*$50 USD PP Shipboard credit
*Prepald Shipboard Tips

*Prices are In Canadian doliars
occupancy and are su

W@&RLD

DISCOUNT .

WITH THIS COUPON

TUESDAY MARCH 8TH

NORTH VANCOUVER CENTENNIAL THEATRE

name of the game in
usiness for the °90s

ships from a single point, while
technology on the bridge autoniati-
cally directs engines through the
use of “joy stick steering.”

Cruise ships. by design, each
have their own personatity and

charm. combining the very best of

old-world craftsmanship with state-
of -the-art, cutting-edge technolo-
gy.

According to Godsman,
“Cruising is a young, dynamic
industry that continues to evolve
with passengers’ demands.

6:00 & 8:30 PM.

CROWN ODYSSEY

Meditecrznean
Romance
May 10,1994 Sailing
Venice - Lisbon
From: $3302 rpo.con.catn.

PRICE INCLUDES
-20% discount.
«FREE AIR from Vancouver
*Cocktail Party

*Prepald Shipboard Tips

per persan based on double
ject to availabilty.

687-8785 |
922-1 426 :

Your relaxing vacation can be a traumatic

experience for your pet. Pets need more than

food & water. We will care for your pet, so you

don’t have to worry. Convenient drop off at our

West Van location - final destination - our

beautiful Bowen Island kennel. Your pet will
enjoy spacious privacy and exercise areas, daily walks on 48
forested acres, top quality IAMS food plus gentle attention to
any special needs your pet may need.

CATS FROM |
$9/NIGHT

Howe Sound Pet}

Scat tol
SAM ORS

PLEASE CALL FOR
RESERVATIONS OR
MORE INFORMATION

921-8770 |

DOCS FROM
$16/NIGHT

Sunday, February 20, 1994 - North Shore News - 39

CARIBBEAN

For Experience, Understanding,

The assurance that you'll get a once-in-a- lifetime

Cruise experience
Come join our Group for 7 Days
of
“FUN IN THE SUN”
30th April 1994
Rates from $1285pp us
*Free Air Seattle*

1823 CAPILANO ROAD
North Van, B.C.
VZP 385

‘CRUISE NIGHT

Featuring, on the Classic “Star Odyssey”

Two MIGHTY PANAMA choices

Sept 3 - San Francisco, Cabot San Lucas,
Puerto Vallarta, Zihuataneja, Acapulco,
Costa Rica, Panama Canal,
Jamaica, Nassau - 15 days.

Nov 25 - Orlanjestad, Aruba, Curacao,
San Blas, Panama Canal, Costa Rica,
Acapulco - 9 days.

SPECIAL PRICES & AMENITIES
Join us on

Thursday, March 3, 7:30 PM

INTERNATIONAL PLAZA
1999 Marine Drive (at Capilano Rd.)
North Vancouver

please RSVP 926-4344

Crretience the classic 15-day Panama
cruise berween San Francisco and
Nassau. You'll visit the colorful resorts of
the Mexican Riviera, Costa Rica and a bevy
of sunny Caribbean islands, too!

Her classic beauty warmed and enriched by a $30 million
makeover, the Star Odyssey now possesses an elegant
Mediterranean radiance, offering the unhurried luxury of
single-seating dining in a fun-loving, friendly atmosphere
of Greek hospitality.

Boox Now AND SAVE!

wW Royal Cruise Line

Departure Date:
September 3, 1994

Cabo San Lucas

Depart From:

San Francisco
ACHE .
AETAN

Panama Canal
CX Cyyat Zone

SHIPS SEGISTRY-THE BAHAMAS

Come to our Cruise Night for more information.
February 22
7:30 p.m.

SERUISERD_.

R.S.V.P.

North Vancouver

R.S.V.P

West Vancouver

926-7245