I departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on Dec. 20, ’05, for a 10-day expedition cruise on the MV Polar Star. I had always wanted to experience Antarctica, and in August ’05 I received a 70th birthday gift from my wife and mother-in-law in the form of a check to cover the cost of the trip.
My son and I took an Antarctic cruise, Jan. 10-22, ’06, on Orient Lines’ Marco Polo. We paid a total of $6,026 each for the cruise.
My wife and I took Oceania Cruise Lines’ 16-day “Rio de Janeiro to Manaus” trip, Feb. 14-March 1, ’05.
by Deanna Palic (second of three parts, jump to part 1,
by Lew Toulmin
Star Clipper is a ship that’s unique — except that she has a twin, along with a new, larger sister, with an even larger sister on the way.
by Pat Arrigoni, Contributing Editor
Paul Gauguin left a legacy of fine art which has earned him worldwide admiration and fame. Unfortunately, this recognition came too late, as he died in poverty in the Marquesas Islands in 1903. Yet his magnificent paintings of the native people of French Polynesia live on in the hearts of people everywhere.
Our group of five left Atlanta, Georgia, on Aug. 19, ’05, for a 16-day cruise from St. Petersburg, Russia, to Moscow with Peter the Great Cruises (2610 East 16th St., Brooklyn, NY 11235; 800/828-7970 or 718/934-4100 or www.cruiseruss.com). We boarded the m/s Shashkov the afternoon of Aug. 20 and disembarked in Moscow on Sept. 3.
My husband, Ed, and I took a trip to the Galápagos in April ’05 aboard the 96-passenger Celebrity Xpedition (Celebrity Cruises, Miami, FL; 866/973-8466 or www.celebrity xpeditions.com).
My partner and I took a one-week cruise from Panama City to Los Sueños, Costa Rica, on Windjammer Barefoot Cruises’ Amazing Grace, July 30-Aug. 6, ’05. The price was $982 per person, double occupancy.
Since my partner and I have traveled previously on Windjammer cruises and had a delightful time, we recommended the company to my sister and her husband and planned a vacation together. Unfortunately, we had a horrible experience this time.
The crew was grumpy and constantly complaining about their pay, working conditions, long hours, etc.
