TRAVEL Sailing shows that ship 1 is all that was claimed LONDON - The Radisson Diamond is not the prettiest ship in the world. But if you want to run away to sea and don’t want to get seasick, it might be the best thing afloat since Noah’s ark. The 20,000-ton, 354-passenger . David Wishart Radisson Diamond, standing high out of the water on twin bulls like a giant catamaran, enjoys the world’s most futuristic techno- logy. After christening celebrations here and a gala dinner followed by London’s most spectacular fireworks display in years, the $700-a-night luxury ship went back down the Thames for a weekend cruise in the English Channel. It was a brief sailing, but enough to demonstrate that the Radisson Diamond appears to be all it is claimed — a very stable platform that sets new standards of comfort afloat, particularly for people who are not good sailors. This is achieved by having two deep hulls that are not unlike the pontoons used in the oil-rig in- TRAVEL An invisible print is stored in both the key and the computer enabling dustry. security to catch 44 The engines and other heavy machinery are low in the hulls, and as a result the ship is quiet and almost free of vibration. 99 The bulls anchor the ship in the . sea so that when the waves go up and down the ship responds to a lesser degree. Also it is very wide, just big enough in fact to squeeze through the Panama Canal. The engines and other heavy machinery are low in the hulls, and as a result the ship is quiet and almost free of vibration. Radisson Diamond bristles with high-tech equipment, including the latest stabilizers from Brown Bros. of Edinburgh, Scotland. Other gadgets are more visible, such as the cabin keys, issued after each passenger has had a photograph taken on boarding. stowaways. Simply plug the cabin key into a computer slot and the passenger’s face shows up on a screen. Passengers usually board the ‘vessel at deck six, starting point for two striking glass elevators which go to deck 10, the pro- menade deck. There are three passenger ac- commodation decks — seven, eight and nine, and the cabins on two of them (seven and nine) have private balconies. Deck 10 has a grill, deck bar, pool and hot tub. There are steps to deck 11 leading up to the spa, sports track/jogging area and nets SPECIALS ON FALL CRUISES ‘ AAA SS33 5355939555585 C 7 Days Caribbean 7 Days Mexico 7 Days Bermuda Above prices include FREE round-trip airfare. Space is limited. Cail NOW for details! Over 120 locations in the world. $1, us. us. $1,099 us CALL 984-6122 1325 Marine Drive, N.Van. (next to Canadian Tire) CERCCRETRRER ECT RTCCERTETEERTEE REET TWEETECEEEEEY | ESCAPE TO THE SEASIDE THE GREAT ESCAPE PACKAGE The Inn of the Sea, located at secluded Yellow Point, Vancouver Island, is a full faciliry, Seaside Resort with 28 spacious waterview suites with kitchens, 30 comfortable seaview rooms, heated pool and spa, tennis court, hiking trails, canoes, 200’ of dockside moorage, 4 nearby golf courses, and features excep- tional dining in cur Gournier Waterfront Restaurant and Poolside Patio. Also inquire abour our well-appointed Conference Facilities. i122 3600 Yellowpoint Rd. Ladysmith, BC., Canada, VOR 260 (604) 245-2211 Fax: 245-3442 1-800-663-7327 RESORT Just 20 minutes south of Nanaimo Effective until HT 1992 on \ availabilty basis. imposters or ghote David Wishart THE NEWLY-christened Radisson Diamond on the River Thames in London. for golf practice. Cabins are a good size and ‘peautifully fitted. There is a 24- hour roosn service, TV and VCR. The dining room is one of the most beautiful afloat, with murals reminiscent of Michelangelo and fluted pillars which create an at- mosphere that is whimsically ele- gant, particularly with the silver drapes pulled. When the drapes are open there are spectacular sea views through the enormous stern window. Would-be cruisers should try to get one of the four tables for two by the window; to sit here is to hang over the water, like being on the terrace of an exclusive hotel on the Cote d’Azur. The food is as good as the set- ting. Chef Stephan Hamrin from Sweden, who has worked on Sea Goddess, QE2 and Seabourn, nightly comes up with six or seven main courses, always including a pasta dish and something oriental. House table wines are included. The reds were acceptable but few cruisers paying those big bucks will be happy with the Italian Soave white. The grill on deck 10 is open for breakfast and Junch and in the - evenings becomes a splendid Italian restaurant. Passengers can go any time to the main dining room, which is cleverly broken up into a main section, then two others on either side. One reason for this layout is that the ship was designed for not just individual passengers, but for sales and incentive groups, and more than likely there will be dif- ferent groups on the ship at any one time. Almost one entire deck is devored to meeting rooms, an auditorium seating 240, and all the latest communications equip- ment. Entertainment includes a casino, singing and story-telling from cruise director Tony Sher, and 2 Is a little Extra Protection and Peace of Mind worth $30? No one wants to experience a breakdown, locked keys in their car or starting problems. Unfortunately, these things do happen. That is why you have a BCAA membership. For only $30 your spouse, teenager or family member living within your household can get an associate membership. Make BCAA membership a family affair. BCAA PARK ROYAL SOUTH 922-3361 ° large marina at the stern of the ship which is lowered for water- sports. The Finnish-flagged vessel is owned by a consortium from Finland, Japan and the U.S. It has a no tipping policy. Radisson Diamond is now cruis- ing Northern Europe and. the Mediterranean. In September it takes up home base at San Juan, from where it will make four-, five-. and seven-day Caribbean cruises, most of which should be piain sailing for the passengers, and if the in- augurai cruise is a guide, perhaps an endless vacation for the ship’s Nov. 03 to Apr. 20 AIRFARE I From can. *eoed> ) @ NIGHT PACKAGE p AIRFARE, KIHE] CONDO & CAR I tom can.® 77 poic fF 14 RIGHT PACKAGE 8 AIRFARE, KIHEI CONDO & CAR I rom can. 51,050 pric can 148 ; Depart Vancouver : a between Nov. 01 to Dec. 10 § can. *898 Depart Vancouver between Dec. i1 to 24