~~

SAN JUAN — We went to
see the Panama Canal, an
engineering feat of some
renown.

David
Wishart

TRAVEL TIPS

We went up the locks, down
the locks, and along the way saw
some beautiful Caribbean isiands
and some of us even got to play
golf, but it was the ship that szole
the show.

She was the Crystal Harmony,
new in service just last year and
the talk of the industry because
the competition can’t believe ihe
Japanese owners can offer so
much ship for so tittle in fares.

Well, let’s say right away that
Crystal Cruises aren't giving it
away. The cheapest cabin on this
10-day jaunt was U.S. $240 a day
per person and a lot of people
were paying $400 a day (that’s
$800 a couple) for a swish outside
double with private veranda.

But those aboard who had been
around the bay and had sampled
more expensive gin palaces said
this was just as good, and what's
more because Crystal Harmony is
bigger there is more to do, such as
a choice of three restaurants,
spacious show lounge and
Caesar's Palace Casino at Sea.

The story sounds ail very famil-
jar. First of all Nippon Yusen
Kaisha — the giant NYK line —
hired Art Rodney from the top
job at Princess Cruises, the com-
pany that launched cruising on to
its current roller-coaster.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
buile the $209 million, 50,000-10n
vessel] and delivered it (before the
delivery dute) to Los Angeles-
based Crystal Cruises.

Just for the record, NYK is just
about to put into service another
ship for the domestic Japanese
market. The role of Crystal
Cruises is ta sell 90% of Crystal

We specialize in over
35 Cruise Lines all over
the world

Why take a chance on
booking oa cruise
with just anybody?

985-SHIP

(7447)
1823 Gapilano Rd.

<enters

eruise «

proc Lina (rece bessears Sacmebs:

34 - Sunday, May 19, 1991 - North Shore News

Harmony's cabins in North
America.

And what cabins they are. More
than half of the 480 staterooms
have private verandas, they all
have spacious sitting areas,
bathtubs, TV and VCR and 24-
hour room service.

Heart of the ship is the two-
storey Crystal Plaza atrium, there
is un Avenue of the Stars shopp-
ing arcade selling mouthwash to
minks, a superb library with yards
of hard-back books plus videos,
and the Avenue Saloon, the night
owl’s hangout and one of the best
bars at sea.

Everywhere, even in the
smooth-running elevators, marble
has been applied tastefully and
there are miles of teak and brass
trim.

Unforiunately the disco is on
the small side and isolated from
the Avenue Saloon, which may be
the reason there is not much night
life on board.

On the other hand most normal
people who have spent all day Jy-
ing in the sun, walking around the
all-around teak deck, working out
in the spa, or hurtling ashore on
shore excursions are quite content
to tuck in at a reasonable hour.

Eating well can also slow you
down. Crystal Harmony’s meals
were first class, all served on qual-
ity dishes and with crystal glasses.
The alternative restaurants, which
required reservations but no extra

TRAVEL

Cruise ship offers magnificent value

Suuare veszaters

net T's Fhe
Phoie submitted

charge, served Italian and Japa-
nese food.

The itinerary was superb. We
boarded at San Juan, a dedicated
few having played golf at Hyatt’s
quartet of Robert Trent Jones golf
course 15 miles west of town, In
fact it’s a good idea to spend a
couple of days here prior to boar-
ding so as to get over jet lag.

First. port of call was Si.
Thomas, home of Mahogany run,
a truly fun golf course, a thrilling
yachting excursion at St. Maarten,
and Curacao, just the place for
diamond shopping and Indonesian
food.

Then the canai, an experience
never io be forgotten, to sail in
one day from the Atlantic to the
Pacific. A guide came aboard and
gave an enthralling commentary.

We then turned north and
headed for Costa Rica, Columbus’
“rich coast.’* Jt was almost 10
years since | had been here, but
despite an increased exposure to
tourism the Ticos are still wonder-
ful people. | bought my son a
wooden airplane and later wished
i had another for myself.

Then Acapuice, and no trouble
to arrange an early disembarka-
tion for a 9:30 a.m. tee-time at
the Acapulco Princess.

But first goodbye to the Crystal
Harmony, a very stylish ship. To

her compeiitors | say, watch out,
there’s probably at least one more
on the way.

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vetoes TEBIGRED

from

5795.4

Suite 266 GOO Howe St
Vancouver, BC. V6Z 2M4 i
‘Tel: (G04) 669-8858 i

1-800-668-4101 |

Pax: (604) 684-4829

invites his past clients to cali
him at his new location at

Ih USD. Mostly outside Stateroom! ¢

THE MITSUBISHI-BUILT Crystal Harmony has small-ship quality
with more choices.
to sell 90% of the cabins in Nerth America.

The goat of L.A.-based Crystal Cruises is

CRUISE
TO
CALIFORNIA
September 28

Vancouver to San Diego
with

@: Holland America

A TRADITIO’ OF EXCELLENCE?

escorted departure on
MS Westerdam

from*G7 1 Cdn. + fax

{5 night cruise}

from? 1035 Cdn. + tax

(5 night cruise/3 night hotel)

Includes cruise, hotel and
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Prices per person,
dbl. occupancy.

Space is limited
Book Now

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at
926-9059

CARLOS VARAS

736-8300
STC TRAVEL
240-4275 W. 6th AVE.

VANCOUVER, B.C. |

2383 Marine Drive
West Vancouver

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