Cruise

by Mary Beltran, Associate Editor

Back in the good old days of the 1950s, most ocean liners had a few single cabins available for their single customers. The builders of those ships realized that, yes, there actually were single people in the population! 

CLARIFICATION — Regarding the article “Awed by the Pristine Beauty of Antarctica” by Nancy Tardy, subscriber Kenneth Crosby of Laredo, Texas, wrote, “The statement in the August 2013 issue that air/sea tours of Antarctica are less expensive than all-sea ones is simply false, and the statement that air/sea tours are more enjoyable than all-sea ones is only the author’s personal opinion.”

After reviewing the information published, ITN decided that a clarification was needed.

Wanda Bahde’s letter “Waterways of the Czars” (Feb. ’13, pg. 24), regarding her June 23-July 6, 2012, cruise-tour in Russia with Viking River Cruises (800/304-9616), was spot on. My wife, Paula, and I took the same cruise-tour (albeit in the opposite direction, from Moscow to St. Petersburg), May 17-29, 2013. I would like to supplement her excellent letter with some additional recommendations for those planning a similar trip.

In the article “Things To Do Before You Cruise,” in his August ’13 “The Cruising World” column, Lew Toulmin recommended prebooking ships’ excursions before sailing. I completely agree.

As a partially mobility-impaired traveler who uses a Rollator-style walker, I always book my shore tours ahead. When I board the ship, my excursion tickets are either waiting in my cabin or arrive shortly. 

The largest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas, will be put in dry dock on Feb. 24 to repair its propulsion units. Booked passengers can apply for a 100% refund or rebook other itineraries with RCI at the same rate. 

8-day/7-night cruise aboard Coral Princess II, departing Mondays from AUSTRALIA, March 3-31. Highlights: See tropical fish and coral with marine biologist aboard glass-bottomed boat/snorkeling and scuba diving/nature walk through rainforest on Dunk Island/James Cook Museum in Cooktown/Australian wildlife at Cooktown Botanic Gardens. Cruise, standard cabin AUD2,968 (near $2,800), stateroom AUD3,436, deluxe stateroom AUD3,971. Wild Earth Travel (P.O.

When in DENMARK, consider purchasing a Copenhagen Card (at tourist information centers and selected hotels, hostels and 7/11 stores in Copenhagen or online). 

On our September ’12 trip, my husband, David, and I each bought a 24-hour card to “get out of town.” That may sound strange, but the cards work on the regional trains as well as in the city and we wanted to see two castles that day: Frederiksborg (the “Danish Versailles”) and Kronborg (“Hamlet’s castle”). 

My husband, Ron, and I are inveterate travelers, having been on 67 cruises and all seven continents. We also are enthusiastic viewers of nature programs and have long been fascinated by the huge lizards on the island of Komodo in Indonesia. So when we found that “The Great Barrier Reef Experience” cruise with Holland America Line (Seattle, WA; 877/932-4259) stopped there, we immediately booked it through our travel agent.

To cruise or not to cruise? That is the question. Cost is not the major drawback. What to consider is your body, your patience, your endurance and your ability to find pleasure in many new experiences.

A quick summary of the positives — great food, usually anything and everything you desire plus new experiences with cuisine; great cabin service, with stewards smiling, anticipating and pleasing; great ports of call (places you wouldn’t see otherwise), and great opportunities to learn and experience new things.