1 booked my first cruise in 1973 and, because I was green as grass, enjoyed it thoroughly. If they booked me on that cruise today I'd be horrified. First, it was a two-class ship and for economy we booked se- cond class. We were assured that the only difference was in cabin size and location. What a laugh. They didn’t mention second class dining and the food was awful. Certain areas of the ship were off limits, too, and that didn’t sit too well with our North American code of conduct. What hooked me on cruising was the convenience of the whole thing — once aboard you unpack- ed and that was all you had to do for the next week. Even if the food was awful you didn’t have to search around for a place to eat. The ports of call were fascinating — Tangier, Casablan- ca, Malaga and Palma are four that 1 remember the best. The land tours were pathetic — creaky old buses with dust pour- ing in the windows. The guides were new in the business and it’s a miracle that most of the passen- gers managed to get back to the ship before it sailed. I turned the wrong way in Palma, lost the group and just made it back by seconds — how do you tell a taxi driver (no English) to get you to a ship when you have no idea where the damn thing is parked? Today’s cruise passengers expect the best and they get it, from gourmet meals to Las Vegas style stage shows. Even the smallest cabins are comfortable and the shipboard activities match or beat any resort. The only thing missing is an 18-hole golf course and it wouldn’t surprise me if the ship designers are working on it. Of all holiday packages booked by travel agencies, cruising yields the highest number of satisfied customers. A new. social stratum has THE EMERGENCE of the cruise industry has had more impact upon travel than any other aspect of the business. The astounding part is that it’s so recent. The changes in the past 20 years are simply remarkable. Barbara McCreadie TRAVELWISE emerged. I call them ‘‘cruise ship groupies’’ but the cruise lines have more elegant titles for them. All sorts of perks are included when you become a repeat passenger of any cruise line. And the boasting that goes with it! Repeat passengers are hooked on this type of vacation and they’ve been everywhere. The cruise lines are expanding as fast as they can so that passengers won’t have to patronize the com- petition for new locales. Now for the important stuff. I firmly believe that the only reason anyone is dissatisfied with any cruise is that they picked the wrong type of cruise for their in- terests. Or, they picked the wrong cabin or the wrong dinner sitting or the wrong dining table. So, how does the first-timer get it right? For starters, are you a vigorous, active individual or are you in- clined to grow moss on your north side? A cruise that has many ports of call is ideal for the active traveller. The person who is happiest curled up on a deck chair with a book would probably enjoy a more leisurely cruise. Try looking for the semi-annual repositioning cruises, especially those with an Atlantic or Pacific crossing where you may spend a week out of sight of land. Next, consider theme cruises. Not all cruises have themes but many do. For example, one cruise I took featured country music and I lov- ed it. Another passenger told me, “If Pd realized that those (deleted) hillbillies were going to be yowling all over the place I'd have paid to stay home.”’ Another theme cruise that Brian and I thoroughly enjoyed was one tong duplicate bridge tournament with Alfred Sheinwold directing. The bridge was great fun,but even better was getting to know this famous bridge expert — he’s a se wonderful guy. Famous personalities are often guests on cruises on a commercial basis. A passenger always gets a chance to get to know the star on a fairly personal level and it can be quite an experience. Now that you’ve decided on the style of cruise you prefer, give some thought to the lifestyle aboard. If you feel most comfortable living North American style, choose a ship that caters mostly to North Americans. Even a foreign ship adapts when it’s hauling mostly “us” (read US.}. Americans are often difficult to please and least likely adapt to any change in lifestyle. On the other hand, if you like things new and perhaps very dif- ferent, head for a cruise where the pred passengers will be predominantly European or South American. For me. this is the ultimate in cruising but it may not ap- peal to everyone. On one cruise, through the Eastern Mediterranean, the ship was Greek. the crew ftalian and mast of the passengers were Northern European. I thought it was terrific but some of the few Americans aboard hated it. | must admit that the food was awful Pe) but at my big, all-European table, we had such fun learning to curse it in six languages that we almost resented the odd good meal. That brings up a vital point in comfortable cruising. Your first encounter with fellow passengers comes when you choose your din- ing room seating. If you’re gre- Sunday, September 16, 1690 - North Shore News - 33 garious, request the biggest table in the room. If not, a table for two is best. Requesting a table for four is risky. If you don’t hit it off you’re in an awkward position. See Book Page 34 CARIBBEAN November 12, 1990 10 days Noordam ITINERARY Ft. Lauderdale, Willemstad, Caracas, St. Georges, Fort-de- France, Cruise by Mt. Pelee, Martinque, St. Thomas, Nassau, Ft. Lauderdale. REPOSITIONING CRUISE May 01, 1991 18 days Westerdam ITINERARY Ft. Lauderdale, Aruba, Car- tagena, Panama Canal, Puerto Caldera, Acapulco, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Van- NAME ADDRESS TELEPHONE LYNN VALLEY 984-4545 ~ 6 (Six) Cabins left on the @ Holland America Cruises [_ ASK US ABOUT OUR SPECIAL RATES AND SAVINGS CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR’S Panama Canal Cruise December 23, 1990 16 days Rotterdam Ft. Lauderdale to San Diego ITINERARY Ft. Lauderdale, Aruba, Car- tagena, San Blas Islands, Panama Canai, Puerto Caldera, Acapulco, Zihuatane- jo/ixtapa. Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, San Diego a MEXICO COASTAL CRUISE May 17, 1991 9 days Weé8terdam ITINERARY Acapulo, San Diego, Seattle, Vancouver CRUISE VOUCHER $100 per couple Book now and receive $100.00 per couple. Offer applies to these advertised specials with Holland American Cruises. PARK & TILFORD PARK ROYAL 922-9301 ‘Noordain 12 day Christmas Cruise Dec. 22/90 y PANAMA CANAL CRUISE March 24, 1991 days Noordam . “Offer: receive $200 U.S: per person shipboard credit if booked by Nov. 01. 1990, ITINERARY Ft. Lauderdale, Ocho Rios, Cartagena, San Blas Islands, Panama Canal, Puerto Caldera, Acapulco, Zihuatane- jo/ixtapa, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, Los Angeles SOUTH PACIFIC CRUISE September 27, 1991 35 days Nieuw Amsterdam ITINERARY Los Angeles, Ensenada, Hilo, Lahaina, Kauai, Honolulu, Christmas Island, Apia, Pago Pago, Suva, Nuku'alofa, Rarotonga, Papeete, Bora Bora, Moorea, Nuku Hira, Los * 980-9766