Luxury vessel base THE IRREPRESSIBLE cruise industry came out with another big splash with the introduction of the new Windward in San Francisco. The 41,000-ton vessel, like its sister ship the Dreamward, was designed to cruise the Caribbean in the winter, Windward, however, will also do Alaska, and starting next May . will be based in Vancouver for a summer of seven-day cruises up ‘the Inside Passage. The ship, built in France to carry up to 1 +246 passengers, is a 4... there wiil be an NFL pro on every Windward cruise. 3? - Midsizer compared to the mega- _ liners so commmon today. But it is very spacious, with lots of room on deck, which will be an asset during, Alaska cruises when everyone wants to be outside. Cabins are extremely roomy, with 85% of them outside statc- rooms featuring a sitting area. . Couches fold out to make a bed __ fora third person, All beds can be “made up as two singles or a queen-size. Total area is 160 square feet (14.4 square metres), which may not sound a lot, but by industry standards this is more than enough room to swing a large . . Marine tabby. About 20% of the outside staterooms are suites with floor- to-ceiling windows, and almost - half of these have private ‘balconies. All suites have con- cierge service. "Panoramic windows are every- where, so that no matter where a : passenger turns there is often a striking view to be seen. And for “the record, all cabin windows are One-way glass. TRAVEL TIPS We checked on this outside our promenade-deck cabin, for from inside people can be seen strolling by just a stretch away. The answer is that they can’t see in, so your daytime lounging gear could well include a duster and curlers. Windward has four dining rooms, ranging in capacity from 76 to 282 passengers. Passengers are assigned to one of them for a first- or second- sitting dinner, but otherwise it is open seating at a!l of them for breakfast and lunch. That’s a novel touch and offers a little variety. The menu is the same at them all, however. Meals on our two-day cruise to nowhere were of a high standard, with service to match. Norwegian Cruise Line and its parent, Kloster, have much expe- rience to draw on and they ob- viously had no difficulty finding top people to run this’ship. The main lounge, the Stardust, is the venue for glittering shows, while the Observatory lounge, way up on the top deck, has the ele- gant feel of similar lounges on other ships which soak passengers for twice the ticket. If all this good living requires a little remedial action, there’s a health ciub, aerobics room and for walkers the promenade deck goes in Vancouver next Photo submitted ATHLETES AHCY in the Windward’s novel sports bar. The vessel will be cruising to Alaska from Vancowwer througnout ine summer of 1994. right around the ship, as it surely should. Sun lovers will find that decks have been terraced, a welcome relief from some mega-liners where huge expanses of teak are covered with hundreds of oiled bodies looking for all the world like sardines. Way aft, the Windward has a sports bar, where {2 large televi- sions hocked up to satellites have all the football, baseball and basketball you can handle. The cruise line says there will be an NFL pro on every Windward cruise. Sports fans on board seemed to - love the bar, which may help solve the problem of women who have trouble getting the athletes of their choice out of armchairs at home. The Windward will have 12 times the action, live athletes, and no need to get up for a beer. Just flag the waiter and the deed is done, Hungry? The sports bar has its own grill, with a tempting variety of meals, including burgers of course, as well as the best fries afloat. But a complaint: I loved the coconut-scented shampoo, but it was impossible to know which of the three small bathroom bottles to take into the shower. Only Superman could read the minute print. Otherwise, Windward is a beauty. Air Canada’s new procedures make it easier to obtain travel discounts for people flying due to bereavement AIR CANADA and its regional connector carriers have developed a ‘mere compassionate travel pol- : icy for customers flying due to the death of a family member. The airline’s new procedures make it easier for bereaved trav- ellers to obtain reduced one-way airfares. Customers flying within North America receive a 35% discount ‘off the regular full economy fare. To qualify for the compas- sionate fare, they simply provide the name of the deceased, the date of the funeral, and the name, telephone number and address of the funeral home, Otherwise a copy of the death certificate will also be accepted. For international flights, Air Canada offers a reduction of 35% or more off the full economy fare, depending on destination. Bereaved customers flying out- side North America need to supply HIKING FISHING PAINTING @ autumn in the alpine in Cathedral A ay 3. 3, 5 hours east of Vancouver) AAy t in a mountain lake or ; resident artist. Your For info or reservations call or write: Cathedral Lakes Lodge RR#1 Cawston 8.C. VOX 1C0° : acopy of the death certificate. Travellers unable to purchase a compassionate fare prior to departure may apply for a rebate after the travel is completed. After the trip and within 90 days of bereavement, customers will be given a refund at any Air Canada or Air Canada connector ticket counter or sales office with the submission of the following documents: a completed compas- sionate travel form (available from any Air Canada ticket counter or sales office), a copy of the death certificate or funeral director’s statement, and the original ticket coupon. Customers may also mail the information to Air Canada Re- fund Services, P.O. Box 6475, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 3V2, - ~ Air Canada’s compassionate travel policy is applicable to cus- tomers travelling due to the death of an immediate family member. «& They have better prices and they've been there. You can't beat that." SASHES HOHTCHSEHUSCHEBHOOHTESETHEHOOCTOFEOCEOE CRUISE THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL CROWN PRINCESS OCTORER 5/93 (Acapulco - Canal Transit - Cartagena - Aniba - St, Thomas - Princess Cays - Ft. Lauderdale) 11 DAYS FROM USD °1.699 per person nel. itfare from Vancouver eeoceeseesesace eruisesiil yor avai Lhe, Zz sie Mn COFTHPR ASCHER HEEBEHEEVEB EEE ipeenters aiean Srcinhets 1823 Capilano Rozd + 985.7447 COSTA RICA FLY & DRIVE &. fi “The Best Way to See. the Country” Hl 9 nights - Sept. 07 to Nov. 30° con*1180 room. 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