LETTERS

Cruise Travel, Nov, 2000

Liner Lover

Thank you for the beautifully illustrated cover story by M.T. Schwartzman on Norwegian Cruise Line's Norway (Cruise Travel, October 2000). As a child, I had dreamed of sailing on the SS France, but she was taken out of service when I was only 11. When she was reintroduced as the Norway in 1980, I revived this dream, but it wasn't until October of 1995, when my wife surprised me with a cruise aboard the Norway to celebrate our fifth anniversary, that my dream finally came true. We sailed on the Norway again in August of 1997, and I am eagerly looking forward to my next cruise aboard this ageless beauty.

With the possible exception of Premier's Rembrandt or American Hawaii's Independence, no other ship comes close to the Norway in stateliness or beauty. As far as I am concerned, when the Norway stops sailing, so will I. Thank you again for a great article!

Mike Amichetti, Nashua, NH

Cruise Lines Are Listening

I would like to respond to letter-writer Erika Bolanis, who wrote in the October 2000 Cruise Travel regarding special needs of the deaf. The cruise lines are addressing the needs of the deaf. Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas and just-launched Explorer of the Seas have everything you need to feel safe and secure. The hearing-impaired can get strobe-light door-knockers and telephone-ringers, telephone amplifiers, alarm clocks with under-mattress or under-pillow vibrators, and sound enhancers for the theater.

Most Princess Cruises' ships have a supply of ADA "all-in-one" kits including telephone amplifiers, visual smoke detectors, door-knocker sensors, text telephones, and other aids for guests with heating impairment. I recently toured Disney Cruise Line's Disney Magic and have sailed the Disney Wonder. They, too, have the above-mentioned supplies in their rooms for the "differently abled." Tell Erika to call the cruise lines for their brochures that address the needs of deaf, blind, and differently abled guests.

Karen Peiffer, Morrison, CO

Northern Neighbors Fondly Recalled

We just received the October 2000 Cruise Travel. Jim Kerr's "Day In Quebec City" article reminded us of the incredible experience we had there.

Two years ago, my husband and I were on Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas, on the first of three fall foliage trips she made that year. This was the first time a ship of that size ever went to Quebec City, and the ship was built in France, so there was a little patriotism involved too. During the day we called, hundreds of people walked up and down the pier to admire the ship. Local reporters were allowed onboard for news footage. It was a major event.

After thoroughly enjoying ourselves, the city, and the people, the ship pulled out at about 10:30 that night. There, on the dock to see us off, were perhaps 10,000 people. They broke out into a spontaneous chorus of "Auld Lang Syne," which brought tears to our eyes. To this day we get "dewy-eyed" whenever we think about it. They also sang "Frere Jacques," but when they began "Amazing Grace," I thought to myself, "I'm going out to the North Atlantic--do I really want to hear this?" Just kidding!

Nevertheless, this was one of the most memorable moments we have ever had. Many thanks to the people of Quebec. I hope someone from there reads this magazine!

Roberta & Michael May, Buffalo Grove, IL

Cruising For Recipes

Are there any cookbooks featuring dishes served on cruise lines? My husband and I would love to hear about them!

Debbie Kupperberg, Wantagh, NY

Why, yes there are. And Lorraine Shapiro, our "Sailing With The Chefs" culinary expert, has rounded them up and will be taking an in-depth look at them in the February 2001 Cruise Travel, our special Annual Directory Issue.

"Adults Only" Cruise Coveted

I have enjoyed reading Cruise Travel for more than five years now, and it always makes my day to see the latest issue in my mailbox. The October 2000 issue featured a letter from Salvator & Charlene Scalici titled "Not Seen, Not Heard, Not Sailing," which should be framed and hung in the office of every cruise line director of marketing.

At age 38 I am a veteran of more than 20 cruises, most of them on Royal Caribbean, my favorite cruise line. I do not want to cruise with children and never book during the summer or other traditional family-vacation times. Unfortunately, this system doesn't work anymore due to the major cruise lines pursuing the family-vacation market year-round. As a result, my fiance and I will be spending our honeymoon at a Sandal's resort. Several years ago, we would have not considered anything other than a cruise.

My suggestion is this: With all of the major lines having multiple ships, why not try an experiment and designate four sailings per year (seven-night Caribbean) as "adults only"? Maybe the Eastern Caribbean in November, Western in January, etc. If the major cruise lines think the market isn't there for an "adults only" cruise, they should think again. I totally sympathize with the Scalicis.

Stacy Bush, West McLean, VA

Paradise Revisited