Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    Hi Fred,
    
    I recommend RCCL (Royal Carribbean Cruise Line).  My husband and I
    spent our honeymoon on the Song of Norway.  We made friends on board
    with a couple that was celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary.
    Our cruise was a seven day Carribbean cruise (Martinique, Barbadoes,
    St. Martin, St. Thomas, Anitgua and Puerto Rico) that left on a Sunday
    and returned on a Saturday.  We had a fabulous time!!!!
    
    Joe and I made our reservations through a place called South Florida
    Cruises (1-800-327-SHIP).  They found a lot of "little" discounts
    that added up to good $$ savings.  We had a top notch room and I
    think only spent around $2,500.00.  Call them!  Ask for Joyce Migner
    and, if you would like, use my name.
    
    If I can be of any more help, please call me on DTN-337-4341.
    
    Diana Comber (Blue Bell, Pa.)
    
    

    Hi Fred & Diane!
    
    Just wanted to send off a quick line to let you know that my husband
    is an outside rep for Cruises Inc. based in NY, one of the largest 
    cruise only agencies.  I'm sure he would be happy to provide any info
    or pricing you might be interested.  He has great discounts for all
    cruises on all the major lines.  
    
    Diane - it really is a small world since I'm located in the Cherry 
    Hill, N.J. office yet we never seem to have met.  I guess all my 
    husbands business cards that I've passed out (he's booked a few 
    crusies for people in PHH) haven't reached PHO.  I'll have to give
    you a call - I used South Florida Cruises also until my husband 
    got into the business and could get discounts usually just as 
    good if not better.
    
    Fred - if you would like more info just give me a call on DTN 336-
    4759 - Kathy Shields.  We have been on about eight or nine cruises 
    so far so I should be able to give you lots of info.
    
    

    
    Fred
    
    	Congradulations.  My wife and I went on RCCL Nordic Prince for
    a week cruise to Bermuda.  We had a great time and the wife got
    hooked on cruising.  Just about any travel agane tcan help you 
    out, from AAA to Crimson, to American Express etc.  My advice
    is:
    
    	1: get a brochure ouline the lines offerings.
    
    	2: The size of the room and its location is the primary factor
    	   on cost.  This is also a factor of size.  All the rooms
    	   are clean and efficient. Unless you plan to have parties in your
    	   stateroom, there is no need for too much extra space.
    
    	3: if your cruise is leaving from Florida, the airfair will be
    	   included. We flew from Boston to Miami and the cost was
    	   included.  Your Travel agent can help you on this point.
    
    	Good luck and happy 20th.
    
    	George C.
    

    Re: .2
    
    Hi Kathy!!
    
    Send me some cards (I'm at PHO).  There's a bunch of us in Customer
    Services that are thinking about going on a cruise in the next year.
    We'll definately give your hubby a call!
    
    Diana (DTN-337-4341)
    

    Well I have gone and done it!  I finaly settled on a cruise today.  I
    have been out of town for the past two weeks so I got a late start and
    most of the good lines were already booked up.  I also changed my mind
    and decided to take two of my kids with us since they are going to be
    out of school that week.  We decided to drive down to Florida and do
    some touring for a few days and then go on a 4 night cruise on the
    Mardi Gras.  I know that it is not the best ship out there but this is
    our first cruise so I am just trying to get started to see if we like
    cruising.  Also with 4 people instead of 2 it cost me more that I had
    original thought about spending and I will have to take more spending
    money that originally planned.  We are leaving out on March 31 from
    Port Canaveral and we will go to Freeport and Nassau and spend the rest
    of the time on board.
    I have a few questions for now and I know that I will have more later.
    1) Have any of you ever stayed in a Quad-Cabin.  (I have reserved one
    and can not find them in the brocures.)
    2) When you get to the ship how do you get your luggage aboard? (Do you
    carry it aboard or does the cruise line take care of that.)
    3) The Cruise leaves port at 5:30 P.M.. How early can/should we get on
    the ship? 
    4) What is the weather usualy like during this time of the year.
    
    I can't think of all the questions now so any information that any of
    you can give me to help me out will be appreciated.
    
    Thanks in advance, Fred...DOING IT IN THE DIRT SOUTHERN STYLE...
    
    

    Fred:
    (Don't forget your radio for the races!!!)
    
    Your luggage will be taken to your cabin for you.  If your are driving
    down, they will pick up your bags there at the port and they tend to
    get to your room a few hours after you get on board.
    
    Usually,  your are able to get on the ship around 1:00pm.  Your have to
    check in and get your seatting assignments for dinner and a few other
    things.  Most of the time there is a buffet that opens around 1:30 in
    case your are in need of food.  I suggest to get there earily, around
    11:00am so that you bags can get am earily start and you can be the
    first ones onboard.
    
    The weather will be good.  Look at the weather section on the papers to
    get and idea of the climit in Nassua.  You will find it around 75 to 80
    degrees for the days and 60's at night.  
    
    Have yourdself a good time and don't eat to much!!!
    
    ken c.
    wko

    By "Quad" do you mean four in a room ??
    
    We did that back in 85....
    
    The only problem we had with 4 in a room was privacy and
    shower accomodations. My wife and I had our son, 13 at the
    time, and her mother along...I could live with that. We
    found times for ourselves here and there..Actually, that part
    was kind of fun.. Afterall, besides sleeping and changing, you
    don't spend a lot time in your room. To make it easier, plan
    with the others who gets dressed when...That way four people
    will not be bumping into each other..
    
    As for the shower, the bathroom was about 3 feet by 5 feet. The
    shower was a hose with a shower head. When you used the shower
    the entire bathroom was the tub. Make sure you get some extra
    towels from the cabin steward to wipe of the toilet. That
    was messy.
    
    After 2 days at sea, I found shower rooms and bathtub rooms down
    the hall. That made bathing much easier...
    
    They may have changed the electrical outlets since then, but the
    only 110 outlets were in rooms in the hall. My wife and I had some
    fun with me posing as her hairdresser. Of course, I really poured
    it on...
    
    The ship is small, but stable. We were outrunning a hurricane and
    there was a noticeable rolling, but we were going 24 knots..That's
    top speed...I won at the roulet and craps that night. I think the 
    motion of the ship made me a winner...I'm not complaining...
    
    I think you'll like the Mardi Gras. It is a nice ship, although a 
    little older. 
    
    Enjoy..
    Jim
    
    
    

    Upper and lower berths are fun. How old are your children ? They
    may enjoy the "bunkbeds."
    
    Jim
    

    Well it is two WEEKS and counting down.  My wife is getting very
    excited and has already had to go buy some new clothes.  I will write a
    trip report when I get back.  We are going to drive down on friday and
    try to see some sites on saturday and sunday morning.  Then we will
    leave out on the cruise on sunday at 5:30 p.m..  If you guys have any
    more tips just put them in here and I will appreciate it.  
    See you when we GET BACK.....
    Fred DOING IT IN THE DIRT SOUTHERN STYLE.....
    

    Well tomorrow is the day.  We are driving down to florida friday
    afternoon and doing some sightseeing until sunday.  I can't believe
    that the cruise is finaly here.  Well I will give ya'll a trip report
    when we return. Bon Voyage..
    Fred..DOING IT IN THE DIRT SOUTHERN STYLE...