Alaskan cruise tops in new poll From page 32 most significant, of course, is that it comes from the people who really matter — paying guests,” says Michael Brown, publisher and editor of CruiseReports. “Our ratings for tour, resort and lifestyle cruises are based entirely on evaluations gathered from actual passengers who volun- teer to rate a ship based on their recent cruise experi- ence.” “Being named Head of the Class in the tour cruise category is a unique honor,” agrees K.Y. Tang, president of World Explorer Cruises. “This distinction is indicative of our ongoing commitment, to offering voyages of discov- ery, learning and adventure.” Out of the seven other ships, in the tour cruise cate- gory, evaluated by CruiseReports throughout the last year, SS Universe Explorer received the highest com- bined value/quality score of 17.84. The value index rating, which weighs some 30 sepa- rate factors affecting the cruise experience against the average cost per day to sail in an outside stateroom on the ship, came in at 9.2 for the Universe Explorer. This is among the highest value scores ever recorded in the tour cruise category. The ship’s quality rating, repre- senting the average of all 13 areas evaluated by the volun- teer reviewers, was 0.7 out of a perfect 10 points. According to the January 2000 issue of CruiseReports, what set the Universe Explorer apart was “consistency and its intensive focus on the natural beauty, history, and culture of Alaska.” The ship’s highest ratings were for port’ calls, entertainment, service and activities. As one passenger ut it, “Any one interested in learning, in beautiful scenery and wildlife should sail on this ship.” The complete review of SS Universe Explorer in CruiseReports can be found on their Website = at . Or check = out World Explorer’s Website for more information on ports, shore excursions, itineraries, sailing dates, staterooms and even deck plans. To order a brochure call the brochure hotline at 800-325-2752 or download a copy off the Website. Even more bonus offers and specias prices on Holland America Cruises! February 28 - March 4 Se "Cook islands tn $107% pn. Pars ‘TRAVEL uth African si wet : Jamie ThomvBG Wiidlife Photographer of the Year 6G Wildlife photographer of the year, Jamie Thom, a 26-year-old ranger at the Mala Mala game reserve in Mpumalanga, South Africa, photographed this two-year-old leopard resting in the early hours of the evening. The photo is part of a touring exhibit currently on view at the Natural History Museum in London, England. urself To ° m Wa Air Only Bahia Principe Ai inctusive, Standard Room EE TELE NGL TORII AIRE BEGIN REALISE LER LITE VEER N TASER DELI Puerto V allarta Air Only les rect com | Cancun ~ Sunday, February 27, 2000 — North Shore News - 33 petition, Natural History Museum, London Mar. 4 1 Week 539 1519 Mar. 4 1 Week 459 gnized The United Nations’ addition of three South African sites to its world heritage list in December is an important boost for cultur- al awareness reports The Rainbow, a newsletter published by the High Commission for South Africa in Ortawa. The world heritage commit- tee voted unanimously to add Robben Island, the Greater St. Lucia Wedands Park and the fossil hominoid — sites at Sterkfontein to its roll of impor- tant natural and cultural sites. The fossil sites in the hills west of Johannesburg contain evidence of humankind’s ori- gins. The wetlands, (in KwaZulu-Natal) are the largest in the southern hemisphere. Robben Island (Western Cape} was used as a prison for 350 years and was imumortalized in Nelson Mandela’s long walk to freedom. For more information visit The Rainbow's Website at Mar.4 = Mar.11 0 Mar. 25 2Weeks 1Week 1 Week 569 569 659 2379 1599 1619 Mar.4 9 Mar.11 Mar. 18 2 Weeks 1 Week 2 Weeks 379 499 589 Club Embarcadero Pacifico av inclusive, StaAm 999 1479 899 1739 Puerte P Air Galy Air Only tom $999» ton $799 pp. Amsterdany ion $659. Holfox ton $449 pp Air Only Circus Circus Imperial Palace EEE DEG ELLE AT RSE LE La Esplanada Av inclusive, Standard Room ATRL AST EN PTME IT BWR FT IRD EH Pinta Ca H-10 Bavaro Resort Ai! inclusive, Standard Room 1469 1589 2249 Las Vegas Mar. 2 1 Week 479 899 Mar. 2 1 Week 479 seacoast Mar.9 Mar16 Mar. 23 1 Week 2Weeks 1 Week 729 «#7239 «6729 1169 1449 1769 Mar. 23 Mar. 23 . 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