Hooked on the "fun ships" - Letters - Letter to the Editor

Cruise Travel, Jan-Feb, 2002 by C.E. Crewse

Just a couple of notes on ships featured in the October 2001 Cruise Travel. First, we took the inaugural cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Spirit through the Panama Canal and had a grand time. We enjoyed the canal but must admit it was a little anti-climactic since we had already sailed on American West Steamboat Co.'s Queen of the West up the Columbia River. The eight locks on the Columbia and Snake rivers were more spectacular than the Panama Canal.

But Panama itself was quite beautiful and Gatun Lake was gorgeous. Our favorite stop on the canal cruise was Puntarenas, Costa Rica--a truly friendly and fascinating country. Our visit to a coffee plantation was quite interesting and informative.

The Carnival Spirit is a beautiful ship. We were pleasantly surprised at two innovations by Carnival. First, we found a group of penny slot machines (you have to put in a quarter, but you receive 25 "credits"). I actually won two jackpots over $100 while playing nine cents a pull. Secondly, they had a wonderful arts & crafts class each day, and some of our group made beautiful and useful items.

Our next cruise, celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary, is next May on the line's Ecstasy. So far we have 46 people (family and friends) booked. We love Carnival and plan many more cruises.

C.E. (Bud) Crewse, Riverside, CA