LETTERS

Cruise Travel, June, 2001

SeaBreeze Fondly Remembered

I would like to say that a lot of us will miss the SeaBreeze now that she has gone to the bottom of the sea (Cruise News, Cruise Travel, April 2001). Many of us have been on her more than once and enjoyed the cruises with her. We have met people on the Norway and on other ships that would tell you that the SeaBreeze was the best cruise they have ever been on. I, for one, like smaller ships, and her service was great. The food could not have been any better either. She will be missed a lot by many. Farewell SeaBreeze.

James McGee, Jacksonville, FL

Cruise Views From Down Under

We have recently returned from a cruise onboard Star Cruises' SuperStar Virgo; this ship is very well equipped with good restaurants (good service, but average food), excellent theater (with good seating, and a good line of sight). All other public facilities onboard were excellent. The cabins, whether they were inside or outside with balcony, are small and sparsely furnished and very plain.

We feel that this ship was in the wrong location cruising out of Singapore, which is purely a gambling-driven market. We felt the people onboard did not appreciate this type of cruise ship or what she had to offer. The shows in the Lido theater were repeated three times in a seven-day period; the people who came on to gamble did not appreciate what the theater had to offer (they walked in and out as the show was in progress).

We hope that the Norway, when she is relocated to Singapore, is not downgraded to the current standard (i.e. nothing but gambling). If Star Cruises hopes to attract people from the American market to Asia, it would need to retain the standard of cruising experienced in the American market.

In May 2000 we experienced a wonderful cruise aboard the Ocean Princess. We have also previously sailed on the Norway out of Miami, so we have experienced the type of cruising that the North American people enjoy, and we look forward to a cruise in Alaska.

Malcolm & Mercia Spence Melbourne, Australia

Farewell To A Fine Lady

I just finished reading Cruise News (Cruise Travel, February 2001) and was saddened to read that the Norway will not be sailing the Caribbean any longer. My husband and I have sailed on the Norway on three different occasions, each new experience being better than the one before. She is truly the "Grande Dame of the Sea."

We were very fortunate to have the same waiter, Patrick, on each cruise and so enjoyed the head waiter Umet. Both Patrick and Umet made our cruising experience on the Norway a true joy!

Out heartfelt thanks to the crew and staff for three most memorable cruises. Norway, you will be missed!

Dotti Ward, Pittsburgh, PA

Personal Choice For Us

We recently returned from sailing on Princess Cruises' Grand Princess. I wanted to share our experience because it was so great--wonderful from beginning to end.

We did the new "Personal Choice" dining option, which we found to be a very nice alternative to first and second seating. You could go into the dining room anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 11 p.m., and still receive the same great service and fresh food. We know because we did both.

You could also ask to sit at a favorite waiter's station if you wanted to. We found one particular waiter and assistant that we really liked and asked to sit at their station for the rest of the trip. They then got to know us and were able to serve us as well as anyone who had first or second seating.

This "Personal Choice" system is new, so just ask for what you want, and the Princess staff is more than willing to oblige.

Sabatini's was also a wonderful experience--well worth the $15 per person surcharge this restaurant charges. Make your reservations early in the trip though. They only seat about 90 people per night (90 people who get very, very pampered and spoiled).

Overall, the ship is a destination unto itself. There's always a new place to explore and a new activity to do. There's plenty of live music to listen (and dance) to, and many different shows and activities to attend. If you get bored on this ship, it's your own fault. Everyone onboard seemed to bend over backwards to serve the passengers. We can't wait for next year's trip, when the Grand goes to the Western Caribbean.

John & Debbie Mancusi, Darien, WI

A New Class Of Cruising

I enjoy Cruise Travel, especially the Letters. In the February 2001 issue, Mr. & Mrs. K.C. Whitehead's views on "Freestyle Cruising" caught my particular attention. One point I would like to add to their excellent letter is the attitude of the grunge crowd towards those who dress for formal nights.

Last year on an Eastern Caribbean cruise, I was headed for the formal captain's party and decided to stop for a cocktail. Seated near me was a couple wearing shorts, T-shirts, and sandals. They informed me that they had no intention of dressing in "monkey suits." I replied that my tux suited me well enough thank you, downed my drink, and left.

Recently, sailing in the Southern Caribbean, I was walking back to my cabin with one of our group after dinner and a delightful show (formal night again). We were strolling in the main atrium when a man and wife--he in shorts and seed cap, she in shorts and tank top (a Sherman tank top by the way)---called to us and said, "Hey are you guys with the band? Ha Ha!" I thought: Is this the future of cruising?