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Cruise Vacation is a "sampler" of several exotic locations
To cruise or not to cruise – it's a question that many of our friends facing middle age. Most people think cruises are either a group of youth on 24 / 7 parties, or persons seniors enjoying their golden years.
The truth is that most cruises fall somewhere in between, although there are cruise lines and destinations known to appeal to the very young or very old. We just returned from our second trip on Holland America Line – this time for the Western Caribbean – and we found two of these cruises have a handful of young, a little more than the former, but many people like us who were in the middle.
When friends ask us if they should try a cruise, it is said by all means. We consider Cruising as a sort of sampler of holiday – a week or 10 days in which you try several destinations and decide which you think you would pleasure to visit for a vacation together. The problem for us is that we often feel that we would spend more time in a port when it is time to leave.
But consider the benefits. With the cruise you will never have to unpack your bags more than one Once, while the change destinations before your eyes. Most cruise lines, meals are-muss, no fuss, always cooked and ready for you to eat when you're hungry – and when you're not. The meals are generally covered in your rate, although alcoholic beverages are extra. Most onboard activities are covered and that the shore excursions cost extra. Dining arrangements usually put you in situations where it is easy to meet new friends.
Our most recent cruise was on the Veendam from Tampa, Florida, visiting Cozumel, Mexico, Montego Bay, Jamaica and the island of Grand Cayman. This route of seven days was on the right combination of shore time – one day a destination – and cruising. The Veendam produces a program each day outlining the myriad of activities that are available for passengers. The line-up is impressive – class spa, yoga classes, cooking classes, business courses, seminars, art, games and many recreational activities, live, high-quality performances in theaters, pubs and restaurants – and even the Catholic Mass
We emphasize to parents raising children, Holland America Line makes Club Hal available passengers wishing to submit their grade school children at pre-teen. It was a success with our seven years who enjoyed games and crafts but especially liked the idea of meeting new friends on board who were his age. There's a separate meeting and program area for teenagers.
On the Veendam, our "triple" stateroom has given us a couple of twin beds and a sofa bed for our daughter to sleep. With lots of cupboards and drawers, the few hundred square feet does not seem particularly low. We do not have a veranda – or private outside balcony – but goes with just a window saved us about $ 500 per week.
Although a large veranda to relax in privacy, read a book and watch the ocean pass, we found an excellent substitute for Veendam: Deck 6. This is the promenade deck outdoors, which is lined with a single row of chairs perfect for watching the scenery. It is also when we did our daily walk – four times around to walk a mile.
Days port can be planned in advance by buying excursions such as boat tours, snorkeling on TRIPS and various tours. We did a snorkeling adventure – on the Nautilus "submarine" in Grand Cayman, which turned out to be a particularly important see fish life in abundance in the Bay George Town – but in general we have preferred to have no fixed schedule for all of our days in port. Our preference is for a short walk from the town on our own, taking taxis and local bus necessary to see sites we have already read about.
As one might expect, great beaches and hot pools and snorkeling were plentiful in all three of these destinations. But each destination has its own flavor and attractions and we especially enjoyed such destinations as the Harbour Street Craft Market Montego Bay – where we enjoyed getting to know local merchants and suppliers – and Cozumel Chankanaab National Park, where there are beaches galore, giant iguanas run wild and even a pool where visitors can swim with dolphins. On the island of Grand Cayman, we found the beach perfect dive in Seven Mile Beach – ideal because the water was clear, the fish abundant and the few.
Back on the Veendam, the food was generally prepared to a high standard and we usually ate breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria-style restaurant Lido, and dinner in the dining room of Rotterdam. There were three formal evenings – meaning everybody gets to dress for dinner – with all other meals remaining casual. Interestingly, we have heard some older passengers complaining there was too much cafeteria dining, not formal enough – And yet, we probably would have preferred less formal dining. It is difficult to please everyone all the time.
With Holland America Line, there is a $ 10 fee each passing day to file your flight attendant, waiters and others who helped you during your stay the ship. Frankly we were glad to pay – the service was as good as any hotel thirty-six stars, we visited always cheerful and responsive. For decades, Holland America Line has recruited most of the ship workers from Indonesia and the Philippines – To the point of setting up training facilities in these areas – and there seems to be a great marriage. second and third generation workers are happy follow in the footsteps of their parents and Holland America Line continues to score high with passengers in the service category.
One thing to our friends, sometimes ask is this story about people falling ill during the cruise. Indeed, with new arise from time to time about the illness on board ships cruise – including a very recent episode on a ship based in San Diego – it is only natural that prospective passengers want to know if they'll be Safe offshore Television, newspapers and jumping on the Internet history and you can almost feel the air being pushed out industry as cruise lines try to unring the bell of the negative publicity.
On this most recent cruise, we spent some time with the captain and his senior staff about the precautions Lines Holland America Line employees (and even cruise) to to prevent an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness. The captain and his staff explained that once a virus breaks out, it is quite difficult and takes time to purify an entire ship. And if the Holland America Line for some time takes a proactive battle – what they call a "code yellow" alert – that encourages passengers to wash their hands frequently and avoid physical contact with other passengers. The Veendam greeting, the captain said – only the Pleasant half – is to touch your elbows, not shake hands.
Indeed, even before the foot on board the Veendam, we had been told to wash our hands using one of dozens of Purell dispensers placed all around the ship. Whenever we went to eat, distributors were ready. And we noticed ramps on the ship were scrubbed and polished several times a day just to avoid transferring germs.
A GLANCE
WHERE: Veendam Holland America Line is currently cruising from Tampa, Florida. This trip included such destinations in the Western Caribbean.
WHAT: cruise, whether in the Caribbean, Mexican Rivera or anywhere else in the world is becoming more popular with baby boomers who love the comfort and convenience.
WHEN: Any time of year, depending on your destination. Cruise lines generally ships reposition to take advantage of the interest of passengers has increased for certain destinations during certain seasons.
WHY: Cruising, In a word, is near. Ships today are so important there are many activities to keep you busy. Cruise is also a way for you to visit multiple destinations within a short trip without having to pack and unpack bags at each stop ..
HOW: For more information on Holland America Line cruises, 877-SAIL-HAL phone or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
About the Author
Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer. His company publishes CaliforniaWeekend.com which focuses on California getaways, and NorthwestTravelAdvisor.com covering Washington travel, as well as getaways in Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia.
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