Frommer's Cruises & Ports of Call 2007: From U.S. & Canadian Home Ports to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii & More PDF
Preview Frommer's Cruises & Ports of Call 2007: From U.S. & Canadian Home Ports to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii & More
01_788643 ffirs.qxp 8/23/06 1:42 PM Page i Cruises & Ports of Call From U.S. & Canadian Home Ports to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii & More 2007 by Matt Hannafin & Heidi Sarna Here’s what the critics say about Frommer’s: “Amazingly easy to use.Very portable,very complete.” —Booklist “Detailed,accurate,and easy-to-read information for all price ranges.” —Glamour Magazine “A thorough and entertaining look at the cruise world.” —Chicago Tribune “Frommer’s Guides have a way of giving you a real feel for a place.” —Knight Ridder Newspapers 01_788643 ffirs.qxp 8/23/06 1:42 PM Page ii 01_788643 ffirs.qxp 8/23/06 1:42 PM Page i Cruises & Ports of Call From U.S. & Canadian Home Ports to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii & More 2007 by Matt Hannafin & Heidi Sarna Here’s what the critics say about Frommer’s: “Amazingly easy to use.Very portable,very complete.” —Booklist “Detailed,accurate,and easy-to-read information for all price ranges.” —Glamour Magazine “A thorough and entertaining look at the cruise world.” —Chicago Tribune “Frommer’s Guides have a way of giving you a real feel for a place.” —Knight Ridder Newspapers 01_788643 ffirs.qxp 8/23/06 1:42 PM Page ii Published by: Wiley Publishing,Inc. 111 River St. Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774 Copyright © 2006 Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authori- zation through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, 978/750-8400, fax 978/646-8600. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Legal Department, Wiley Publishing, Inc., 10475 Crosspoint Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46256, 317/572-3447, fax 317/572-4355, or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions. Wiley and the Wiley Publishing logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates. Frommer’s is a trademark or registered trademark of Arthur Frommer. Used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Wiley Publishing, Inc. is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. ISBN-13: 978-0-471-78864-5 ISBN-10: 0-471-78864-3 Editor: Naomi P. Kraus Production Editor: M. Faunette Johnston Cartographer: Anton Crane Photo Editor: Richard Fox Anniversary Logo Design: Richard Pacifico Production by Wiley Indianapolis Composition Services For information on our other products and services or to obtain technical support, please contact our Customer Care Department within the U.S. at 800/762-2974, outside the U.S. at 317/572-3993 or fax 317/572-4002. Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic formats. Manufactured in the United States of America 5 4 3 2 1 02_788643 ftoc.qxp 8/24/06 7:44 AM Page iii Contents List of Maps viii Cruising 2007:Everyone’s Doing It 1 The Best of Cruising 8 1 Our Favorite Mainstream Ships . . . . . .8 8 Best Beaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 2 Best Luxury Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 9 Best Small-Ship Adventure Cruises . . .14 3 The Most Romantic Cruises . . . . . . . .9 10 Best History & Learning Cruises . . . .14 4 Best Cruises for Families with Kids . . .10 11 Best Cruises for Sports Nuts 5 Best Cruises for Pure Relaxation . . . .11 & Gym Rats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 6 Best Cuisine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 12 Best Ships for Spa-Goers . . . . . . . . .16 7 Best Cruises for the Party Set . . . . . .12 13 Best Shopping Cruises . . . . . . . . . . .17 Part 1: Planning,Booking & Preparing for Your Cruise 1 Choosing Your Ideal Cruise 20 1 Homeland Cruise Regions in Brief . . .20 5 Cruises for Honeymooners 2 Itineraries:The Long & & Anniversary Couples . . . . . . . . . . .34 the Short of It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 6 Cruises for Gay Men & Lesbians . . . .35 3 Different Boats for Different Folks . . .25 7 Active Travel & Adventure Cruises . . .35 Ship Size Comparisons . . . . . . . . . . .26 8 Cruises for Young People . . . . . . . . .36 4 Cruises for Families . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 9 Cruises for People with Disabilities Family Cruising Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 & Health Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Getting Married on Board Onboard Medical Care . . . . . . . . . . .38 or in Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 2 Booking Your Cruise & Getting the Best Price 40 1 Cruising 2007:The 90-day Rule . . . .40 4 Money-Saving Strategies . . . . . . . . .46 2 The Prices in this Guide . . . . . . . . . .41 Average Cost of Onboard Extras . . . .47 3 The Cost:What’s Included 5 Agents & the Web:Finding & What’s Not . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 the Best Deals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Price Comparisons: Discounted Be Savvy & Beware of Scams . . . . . .50 Rates vs. Brochure Rates . . . . . . . . .42 02_788643 ftoc.qxp 8/24/06 7:44 AM Page iv iv CONTENTS 6 Recommended Agencies 9 Prebooking Your Dinner Table & Websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 & Arranging Special Diets . . . . . . . . .59 7 Choosing Your Cabin . . . . . . . . . . . .53 10 Booking Pre- & Post-Cruise Model Cabin Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Hotel Stays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Reading a Ship’s Deck Plan . . . . . . .56 11 Cancellations & Insurance . . . . . . . .59 8 Booking Your Air Travel . . . . . . . . . . .58 12 Putting Down a Deposit & Reviewing Tickets . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 3 Things to Know Before You Go 63 1 Passports & Visas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 4 Packing for the Different 2 Money Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Cruise Climates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 3 Keeping in Touch While at Sea . . . . .65 5 Tipping,Customs & Other End-of-Cruise Concerns . . . . . . . . . .71 4 The Cruise Experience 74 1 Checking In,Boarding & Settling 4 Keeping Fit:Gyms,Spas & Sports . . .82 into Your Cabin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 5 Programs for Kids & Teens . . . . . . . .85 A History of Cruising . . . . . . . . . . . .76 6 Onboard Dining Options . . . . . . . . . .86 2 Exploring the Ports of Call: Specialty Dining: Who’s Got What . . .88 Shore Excursions vs.Going It 7 Onboard Entertainment . . . . . . . . . .90 on Your Own . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 8 Shopping Opportunities 3 A Typical Day at Sea: on Ship & Shore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 Onboard Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 Part 2: The Cruise Lines & Their Ships 5 The Ratings & How to Read Them 94 1 Cruise Line Categories . . . . . . . . . . .94 Ships at a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96 2 Reading the Reviews & Ratings . . . .94 3 Evaluating & Comparing the Listed Cruise Prices . . . . . . . . . .104 6 The Mainstream Lines 106 Frommer’s Ratings at a Glance: 6 Imperial Majesty Cruise Line . . . . . .185 The Mainstream Lines . . . . . . . . . .107 7 MSC Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190 1 Carnival Cruise Lines . . . . . . . . . . .108 8 Norwegian Cruise Line . . . . . . . . . .196 2 Celebrity Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131 9 Oceania Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219 3 Costa Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148 10 Princess Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225 4 Disney Cruise Line . . . . . . . . . . . . .157 11 Royal Caribbean International . . . . .246 5 Holland America Line . . . . . . . . . . .166 02_788643 ftoc.qxp 8/24/06 7:44 AM Page v CONTENTS v 7 The Ultraluxury Lines 272 Frommer’s Ratings at a Glance: 3 Regent Seven Seas Cruises The Ultraluxury Lines . . . . . . . . . . .273 (formerly Radisson) . . . . . . . . . . . . .293 1 Crystal Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273 4 Seabourn Cruise Line . . . . . . . . . . .302 2 Cunard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283 5 SeaDream Yacht Club . . . . . . . . . . .310 Preview: Queen Victoria . . . . . . . . .287 6 Silversea Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .317 8 Small Ships,Sailing Ships & Adventure Cruises 325 Frommer’s Ratings at a Glance: 6 Mini-Review:INTRAV/Clipper Cruise The Small-Ship Lines . . . . . . . . . . . .328 Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .351 1 American Canadian 7 Lindblad Expeditions . . . . . . . . . . .352 Caribbean Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328 8 Maine Windjammer Association . . .356 2 Mini-Review:American 9 Majestic America Line . . . . . . . . . . .365 Cruise Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334 10 Mini-Review:RiverBarge 3 American Safari Cruises . . . . . . . . .335 Excursions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .376 4 Cruise West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339 11 Mini-Review:Sea Cloud Cruises . . .377 Like a Road Trip, But by Boat . . . . .343 12 Star Clippers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .379 In Central America with 13 Windjammer Barefoot Cruises . . . .388 thePacific Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . .346 14 Windstar Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . .399 5 Mini-Review:easyCruise . . . . . . . . .350 Part 3: The Ports 9 The Ports of Embarkation 410 1 Anchorage,Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . .411 10 Montréal,Québec . . . . . . . . . . . . . .460 Choosing a Chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . .411 11 New Orleans,Louisiana . . . . . . . . .464 2 Baltimore,Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . .416 12 New York City,New York . . . . . . . .471 3 Boston,Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . .421 13 Norfolk,Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .480 4 Cape Canaveral & Cocoa Beach, 14 Philadelphia,Pennsylvania . . . . . . .485 Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .426 15 Québec City,Québec . . . . . . . . . . .491 5 Charleston,South Carolina . . . . . . .433 16 San Diego,California . . . . . . . . . . .497 6 Fort Lauderdale,Florida . . . . . . . . .438 17 San Francisco,California . . . . . . . . .504 7 Galveston,Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .442 18 Seattle,Washington . . . . . . . . . . . .511 8 Los Angeles,California . . . . . . . . . .446 19 Tampa,Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .515 9 Miami,Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .454 20 Vancouver,British Columbia . . . . . .520 02_788643 ftoc.qxp 8/24/06 7:44 AM Page vi vi CONTENTS 10 The Caribbean,The Bahamas & the Panama Canal 525 1 The Cruise Lines’ Private Islands . . .526 Montego Bay Golf Excursions . . . . .578 2 Antigua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .531 15 Key West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .579 3 Aruba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .535 16 Martinique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .583 4 The Bahamas:Nassau & Freeport . . .539 Martinique Golf Excursions . . . . . . .585 5 Barbados . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .544 17 Nevis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .587 6 Belize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .546 18 The Panama Canal . . . . . . . . . . . . .588 7 British Virgin Islands:Tortola 19 Puerto Rico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .591 & Virgin Gorda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .549 San Juan as a Port of A Slice of Paradise: Embarkation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .592 Jost Van Dyke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .551 Walking Tour: Old San Juan . . . . . .592 8 Cozumel & the Yucatán Puerto Rico Golf Excursions . . . . . .597 Peninsula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .553 20 St.Barts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .598 9 Curaçao . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .562 21 St.Kitts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .600 10 Dominica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .565 22 St.Lucia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .602 11 Grand Cayman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .568 23 St.Martin/Sint Maarten . . . . . . . . .605 12 Grand Turk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .570 24 U.S.Virgin Islands:St.Thomas 13 Grenada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .572 & St.John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .608 14 Jamaica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .574 11 Alaska & British Columbia 615 1 Cruising Alaska’s Natural 3 Icy Strait Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .625 Wonders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .616 4 Juneau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .626 Glaciers: An Intro to the Ice . . . . . .620 5 Ketchikan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .629 Cruisetours—’Cause All Alaska 6 Sitka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .632 Ain’t on Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .622 7 Skagway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .636 2 Haines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .623 8 Victoria,British Columbia . . . . . . . .639 12 The Mexican Riviera & Baja 642 1 Acapulco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .642 3 Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo . . . . . . . . . . . . .648 2 Cabo San Lucas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .645 4 Mazatlán . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .650 Small-Ship Cruises in Baja’s Mazatlán Golf Excursions . . . . . . . .653 Sea of Cortez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .648 5 Puerto Vallarta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .654 02_788643 ftoc.qxp 8/24/06 7:44 AM Page vii CONTENTS vii 13 Bermuda 658 1 Hamilton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .659 3 Royal Naval Dockyard . . . . . . . . . . .663 2 St.George’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .662 14 Hawaii 664 1 Oahu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .664 3 Maui . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672 If You’re Embarking in Honolulu...668 4 The Big Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .675 2 Kauai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .669 15 New England & Eastern Canada 680 1 Bar Harbor,Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . .682 3 Newport,Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . .688 2 Halifax,Nova Scotia . . . . . . . . . . . .684 4 Saint John,New Brunswick . . . . . . .692 New England & Eastern Canada’s Smaller Ports . . . . . . . . . .686 16 U.S.River Cruise Routes 695 1 The California Wine Country . . . . . .695 3 The Hudson River,Erie Canal 2 The Columbia & Snake Rivers, & Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .700 Pacific Northwest . . . . . . . . . . . . . .698 4 The Mississippi River System . . . . . .703 Index 708 02_788643 ftoc.qxp 8/24/06 7:44 AM Page viii List of Maps Downtown Anchorage 413 Tampa 517 Baltimore 417 Vancouver 521 Boston 423 The Gulf of Mexico & Cape Canaveral & Cocoa Beach 427 the Caribbean 528 Charleston 435 Aruba 537 Fort Lauderdale 439 Nassau 541 Galveston 443 Cozumel & the Yucatán Ports 555 Los Angeles 447 Key West 581 Miami 455 Old San Juan Walking Tour 593 Montréal 461 The U.S. & British Virgin Islands 609 New Orleans’ French Quarter 465 Alaska 618 New York City 472 Sitka 633 Norfolk 481 Victoria 640 Philadelphia 486 The Mexican Riviera 643 Québec City 493 Bermuda 661 San Diego 499 The Hawaiian Islands 665 San Francisco 505 New England & Eastern Canada 681 Seattle 513 U.S. Embarkation Ports & River Routes 697
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