Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    Hi Dave!
    
    My family took this cruise in December 1986.  This was the Premier
    Cruise Lines/Walt Disney World combo.  We enjoyed it very much.
    
   Since you are asking for input on the cruise and not the DisneyWorld
    portion, I'll try to be specific.  We went on the 4 night cruise
    on the Oceanic.  The best part was the day we spent at the outer
    island owned by the cruise line.  It's called "Salt Cay", and is
    the same island used for the filming of the original Gilligan's
    Island series.  It's a beautiful island, the water is crystal clear
    and a beautiful green.  They usually have a Reggae band playing
    for the entire day.  Scuba diving group lessons are available. 
    My husband took them and truly enjoyed himself.
    
    The food was good, but not excellent.  Every night's dinner is a
    different ethnic theme.  From what I recall, we had italian, caribbean,
    french, and then americana.  I think that they only had the midnight
    buffet available one night during the week.  There is a "make your
    own sundae" bar every afternoon.
    
    I doubt you're interested, Dave, since this is your *honeymoon*.
    We were impressed by the number of kids on board the ship, since
    our then-12 year old was looking for some buddies.  Since our son
    was older, we gave him his own key to the cabin and told him that
    we'd see him "whenever".  After all, where will they get lost on
    a ship in the middle of the ocean!  He spent most evenings in the
    teen disco/pizza parlor with his friends and usually wandered in
    about 1 a.m.  The funniest part was that he made a fortune one night
    in the casino with a few quarters in the slot machine.  Came home
    with a $30 jackpot ALL in quarters!
    
    The star entertainment that week was Ed Ames (anybody remember the
    "Daniel Boone" tv series?).
    
    Please include your input here when you get back, as we were giving
    some thought to going again possibly this winter.
    
    	- Kathy

    What I can recommend for the Disneyworld/Epcot portion is to select
    in advance what main attractions you want to see and reserve them
    for the wee hours of the morning when they first open or the later
    evening hours. Prepare yourself for a lot of walking and a lot of
    waiting in line. Also, EPCOT's biggest attraction is their authentic
    restuarants. The first thing you do when you enter the grounds is
    stand in line for a terminal where you make reservations for dinner
    at whatever "country" you desire. If your package includes one of
    the special dinner/shows within the Magic Kingdom, you can make
    a reservation (actually must) several days before you even arrive.
    The most ellegant from what I recall is one aboard one of those
    paddle like river boats. More informal are the "Whoopdeedoo" and
    the Polynesean. 

    Dave,
    
    My girlfriend and I got the WDW/Cruise package last June and had
    an absolutely marvelous time!  We were on the Cruise ship, the
    Oceanic, and once we got on there, we did not want to get off. 
    The service on the ship is excellent!  People were always willing
    to help us.  Complimentary drinks were given to us boarding the
    ship, and there was a welcome buffet up on the pool deck.
    
    Although the cabin was very small, and not what we expected, it
    didn't matter because we were only in the cabin to change and sleep.
    There were about 4-5 bars on the ship, a disco/bar, they had contests
    while we were there (dancing), there is also a great health center
    there where you can work out.  
    
    I can't even explain the food.  Delicious!!!!!  I do not usually
    eat that much, but I did gain a couple of pounds just from all the
    food they gave you.  The best thing about it was if you didn't like
    it you could send it back and order something else.  There were
    2 meals in the dining room, breakfast and dinner (I honestly don't
    know if they served lunch because we always had the buffet), and
    if you couldn't make it to the dining room, there were also buffets
    put out for you. The midnight buffet is something you don't want
    to miss.  Most people would line up early just to catch a picture
    of it.  
    
    Nassau was an interesting place to go.  We were not too thrilled
    with it though.  The shopping is good.  There was one bar on the
    island that we never made it too, which I heard was a must is called
    Confetti's.  Most of the time you'll just want to stay on the ship.
    
    The best part of our trip was Salt Cay.  There are no words that
    I can think of to describe it, it was beautiful.  The water is so
    crystal clear, as we were going over there on the shuttle boat you
    could see the bottom of the ocean even when it was 20 feet below.
    
    In summary, I would reccommend this trip to anybody!!!! I can't
    wait to go again.  
    
    Dave, I hope you have a wonderful time on your honeymoon.
    
    
    Stephanie
    

    Any update on these packages ??
    
    Specifically, the Majestic...
    
    A friend is going on it in June, 1991....
    
    Jim
    

    I'm in the process of booking the cruise package for the Oceanic the
    week of Aus 26. There will be my wife, three sons and myself. Does
    anyone have any updated input into these packages. The range of ages
    are 15, 10 and 8 and will they have enough to do on the ship? Also with
    only three days at DisneyWorld we will not see all of it? 

    
      Your children, being 15, 10, and 8 may not all be interested in all
     of the Disney rides. 3 days is a short time to spend at Disney world.
     I believe that Premier will be giving you single day passes. These
     passes DO NOT allow you to travel between the Theme parks. If you
     choose EPCOT center that is where you have to stay or use another
     ticket. Please check on the type of Disney Tickets that are included.
     If they are Multipark passports you can travel between parks. What you
     need to do is get hold of a Disney guide book and sit down with your
     family to plan what you consider to be must see attractions, as 
     compared to what would be nice to see. You can do it with proper
     planning.
              There is a very informative Disney notes file that may be 
              of some help to you.
    
                                    -Rob
    

    re:5
    
    There is a book at the bookstore in the travel section that might help
    you at Disney World and Epcot.  The author last name starts with a "B"
    and his first name is Steve.  He puts out a book every year on Disney
    and Epcot.
    
    As far as the Oceantic...what a great ship.  I don't think you will
    find a better ship to cruise on.  They have programs for all ages of
    children, so mom and dad can enjoy themsevles, also!!!  My wife and I
    were on her in May on 1888, and loved it.  The food was great, the
    service was extremely good, and you might be able to have dinner with
    one of the disney characters...they cruise too!!
    
    The only thing I would caution you on is their island that you will
    stop at.  If you DON"T get a hammick early...you might not have a place
    to set down.  The island is where they filmed Giligan's Island a long
    to ago.  We were able to get a hammick by the lagoon...I think I saw
    something wash ashore!!!(Just kidding).
    
    I hope you will have as good a time as we did on that cruise.  That was
    our first cruise and since then we have been on 2 more.
    
    Happy cruising...
    
    Ken Clifton
    

The "very informative Disney notes file" mentioned in .6 is at CLOSET::DISNEY.
Press KP7 or Select to add it to your notebook.

						- Nina

    Thanks for the info. We've sailed two years ago in the Song of America
    so we have a base to gauge the cruise side on. It's the Disney World
    that will be new to us.