Re Lew Toulmin’s article “Tips on Last-minute Cruising” (April ’12, pg. 59), I also recently discovered and investigated a “last-minute cruise” listed on Vacations To Go (Houston, TX; 800/338-4962). With Silversea Cruises, the 17-day cruise, Jan. 10-27 2012, was from Fort Lauderdale through the Panama Canal to Valparaíso and Santiago, Chile.
Calling Vacations To Go on Dec. 8, 2011, I learned that the cruise was open. VTG representative Jack Fontana sent me the ship’s schematic via e-mail, and I found the cabin my wife and I wanted. Jack responded to my questions even on the weekend and was diligent in verifying all the data he gave me. I called Jack and booked the cruise on Dec. 9.
To make a long story short, the whole process worked for me, and VTG performed very well. Silversea is a class organization and their vessel was top-notch.
JOHN L. THOMPSON
Yorba Linda, CA
