C6 - Wednesday, February 29, 1984 - North Shore News CRUISE TO ALASKA Popular pasti pastime since the turn of the century. Both CC oasine 5 to Alaska has been a popular the CPR and the CNR ran their Princesses (CP) and Princes (CN) on a-regular basis attracting a faithful crowd, many from the midwestern USA. The train trip across the prairies and through the Rockies was very popular, especially with teachers, free for the summer holidays. ee travel- by Barbara McCreadie rr These ships weren’t ‘‘Love Boats.”” The cabins were small, few had private bathrooms and your only chance of going for a swim was to fall overboard. Still, the food was marvellous - in the old railway tradition and the little ships could enter small fjords impossible for the big liners. The last of these ships, the Prince George sailed into history in the summer of 1983. The Prince George had been purchased by a Victoria group - Canadian Cruise Lines - and had been refitted for modern travellers who like their plumbing private. Unfortunately, the refit was more cosmetic than internal and regular breakdowns foul- ed the schedule. Brian and | did an Alaska run on the P.G. about three years ago and loved every minute of it. There was nothing pretentious - good, wholesome Canadian food, a moderate wine list and limited shipboard entertain- ment (a band with a fine vocalist plus one fancy hat contest). The bar ran out of ice, two passengers got left behind in Sitka - or was it Juneau?-but the rest of us had a fine time. Until 1970, the big foreign cruise lines left Alaska alone. They believed that the inside channels and straits were too narrow for the big liners and no one thought to check it out until P & O brought the captain of one of their ships, the Oronsay, up to check it out. ‘‘Nonsense!’’ said the captain. ‘‘We can do it.’’ and in 1970 the P&O liner Ar- cadia began the Alaska run. For the summer of 1984, fourteen luxury liners will be hauling thousands of tourists back and forth from Van- couver to Alaska. Many of the ships extend their run from either Los Angeles or San Francisco while others begin and end in Vancouver. The newest twist to Alaska cruising is the Sun Dancer out of Los Angeles. This is a completely re-fitted car ferry - that can carry 150 cars and about 700 passengers. The idea is that people will drive « one way and cruise the other which may appeal to those who want to see Alaska Highway and don’t care for bus tours. The other alter- native until now has been to fly one way and cruise the other - the Prince George tried that approach last year. Also, the ship judged to be the finest cruise liner in the world - the Sagafjord - will be making three stops in Van- couver. Recently purchased by Cunard from a Norwegian line, the Sagafjord is the last word in luxury and appeals to the very big money crowd. The two lines with the big- gest stake in the Alaska cruise GIFTS OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS COLLECTORS ITEMS ] 0% discount to senior citizens Diamond and Gemstone Specialists 1598 Lonsdale Ave N V 988-4717 THE STORE. THAT KEEPS NORTH VANCOUVER TICKING AND TALKING goldmine are Princess Lines represented by the Pacific Princess, Island Princess and Sun Princess, and Holland- America with the Noordam, Rotterdam and Nieuw Amsterdam. Watch for something bordering on a price war between these two giants of the cruise industry. So far, Princess has the edge. First, they’ve fired all their British’ cooks and the kitchens and dining rooms are now occupied by Italians. As any regular ship’s passenger will tell you, they’re the best in the world. Don’t think you’ll get much pasta! The cuisine is inter- national and they do just as great a job with Beef Well- ington as they do with ravioli. * goes anywhere © unbreakable * keeps drinks hot e kept alive Second, Princess gives single travellers a real break. Most ships (and _ hotels, resorts, etc.) charge a single supplement of up to 80% for the privilege of having a cabin or room to yourself. Princess only dings you 10%. For that price, even some married couples I know would be better off taking separate cabins together. The majority of the ships on the Alaska run are beautiful, luxurious and well- run. There is one that isn’t, or so I’m told. Pll not name it because I haven’t tried it myself. Various people who I’ve asked about it have call- ed it, ‘‘An old dog’’ and a **bloody rust bucket, bounc- ing up and down.’’ Check carefully before you * indispensable * collapsible e keeps drinks cold | * goes anywhere 922-9650 . 844 Park Royal North. West Van Richmond Centre Mall 276-2606 The advertisers below entitle any senior citizen to a minimum 10% discount on advertised merchan- 20% OFF ALL ITEMS Auto Gt ASS VINYL TOPS PLATE GLASS MIBAROMS SUNBOOFS == Swystal cass open Geturdpaye Pam lon 152 Pemberton Ave. NV. tCESL ciao Ranied promptly, 980-4804 WAIKIKI $359 Air only WAIKIKI ~ $504 8 Days. 7 Nights, Air & Hotel LAS VEGAS $305 5 Days, 4 Nights, Air & Hotel RENO ‘$249 5 Days, 4 Nights, Air & Hotel $249 MAPLE LEAF TRAVEL 736-3555 Reg. Agent 157-3 book, unless you really like old dogs or rust buckets. LOOSE FANBELTS? TORONTO vars CHECK ’EM OFTEN. 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