Frommer's Cruises & Ports of Call 2008: From U.S. & Canadian Home Ports to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii & More (Frommer's Complete) PDF
Preview Frommer's Cruises & Ports of Call 2008: From U.S. & Canadian Home Ports to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii & More (Frommer's Complete)
01_137352 ffirs.qxp 8/29/07 11:58 PM Page i Cruises & Ports of Call From U.S. & Canadian Home Ports to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii & More 2008 by Heidi Sarna & Matt Hannafin 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 “Strategies for getting the best price,including when to book.Ship ratings,cabin eval- uation.” —Newark Star Ledger “...is one of the most thorough,easy-to-navigate references that has stats,reviews and realties of both ships and ports.” —Pittsburgh Post Gazette 01_137352 ffirs.qxp 8/29/07 11:58 PM Page i 01_137352 ffirs.qxp 8/29/07 11:58 PM Page i Cruises & Ports of Call From U.S. & Canadian Home Ports to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii & More 2008 by Heidi Sarna & Matt Hannafin 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 “Strategies for getting the best price,including when to book.Ship ratings,cabin eval- uation.” —Newark Star Ledger “...is one of the most thorough,easy-to-navigate references that has stats,reviews and realties of both ships and ports.” —Pittsburgh Post Gazette 01_137352 ffirs.qxp 8/29/07 11:58 PM Page ii Published by: Wiley Publishing,Inc. 111 River St. Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774 Copyright © 2007 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: 978-0-470-13735-2 Editor: Naomi Kraus with Leslie Shen and Anuja Madar Production Editors: Heather Wilcox, Lindsay Conner Cartographer: Guy Ruggiero 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_137352 ftoc.qxp 8/29/07 11:55 PM Page iii Contents List of Maps viii Cruising 2008:Big Boats,Big Business 1 The Best of Cruising 5 1 Our Favorite Mainstream Ships . . . . . .5 8 Best Beaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 2 Best Luxury Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 9 Best Small-Ship Adventure Cruises . . .11 3 The Most Romantic Cruises . . . . . . . .6 10 Best History & Learning Cruises . . . .11 4 Best Cruises for Families with Kids . . .7 11 Best Cruises for Sports Nuts & 5 Best Cruises for Pure Relaxation . . . . .8 Gym Rats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 6 Best Dining Experiences . . . . . . . . . . .9 12 Best Ships for Spa-Goers . . . . . . . . .13 7 Best Cruises for the Party Set . . . . . .10 13 Best Shopping Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Part 1: Planning,Booking & Preparing for Your Cruise 1 Choosing Your Ideal Cruise 19 1 Homeland Cruise Regions in Brief . . .19 Getting Married on Board 2 Itineraries:The Long & or in Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 the Short of It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 6 Cruises for Gay Men & Lesbians . . . .33 3 Different Boats for Different Folks . . .24 7 Active Travel & Adventure Cruises . . .34 Ship Size Comparisons . . . . . . . . . . .26 8 Cruises for the Young & Old . . . . . . .35 4 Cruises for Families . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 9 Cruises for People with Disabilities Family Cruising Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 & Health Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 5 Cruises for Honeymooners & Onboard Medical Care . . . . . . . . . . .37 Anniversary Couples . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 2 Booking Your Cruise & Getting the Best Price 38 1 The Caribbean:A Bargain Average Cost of Onboard Extras . . . .46 Hunter’s Dream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 5 Agents & the Web:Finding 2 The Prices in This Guide . . . . . . . . . .39 the Best Deals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 3 The Cost:What’s Included & Be Savvy & Beware of Scams . . . . . .48 What’s Not . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 6 Recommended Agencies Price Comparisons: Discounted & Websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Rates vs. Brochure Rates . . . . . . . . .40 7 Choosing Your Cabin . . . . . . . . . . . .51 4 Money-Saving Strategies . . . . . . . . .45 Model Cabin Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . .53 02_137352 ftoc.qxp 8/29/07 11:55 PM Page iv iv CONTENTS Reading a Ship’s Deck Plan . . . . . . .54 10 Booking Pre- & Post-Cruise 8 Booking Your Air Travel . . . . . . . . . . .56 Hotel Stays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 9 Prebooking Your Dinner Table & 11 Cancellations & Insurance . . . . . . . .58 Arranging Special Diets . . . . . . . . . .57 12 Putting Down a Deposit & Reviewing Tickets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 3 Things to Know Before You Go 62 1 Passports & Visas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 4 Packing for the Different 2 Money Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Cruise Climates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 3 Keeping in Touch While at Sea . . . . .64 5 Tipping,Customs & Other End-of-Cruise Concerns . . . . . . . . . .70 4 The Cruise Experience 73 1 Checking In,Boarding & Settling 4 Keeping Fit:Gyms,Spas & Sports . . .81 into Your Cabin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 5 Programs for Kids & Teens . . . . . . . .84 A Brief History of Cruising . . . . . . . .74 6 Onboard Dining Options . . . . . . . . . .84 2 Exploring the Ports of Call: 7 Onboard Entertainment . . . . . . . . . .89 Shore Excursions vs.Going It 8 Shopping Opportunities on Your Own . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 on Ship & Shore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 3 A Typical Day at Sea:Onboard Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 Part 2: The Cruise Lines & Their Ships 5 The Ratings & How to Read Them 95 1 Cruise Line Categories . . . . . . . . . . .95 3 Evaluating & Comparing 2 Reading the Reviews the Listed Cruise Prices . . . . . . . . . . .97 & Ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95 Ships at a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98 6 The Mainstream Lines 110 1 Mini-Review:Azamara Cruises . . . .111 8 MSC Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192 2 Carnival Cruise Lines . . . . . . . . . . .112 9 Norwegian Cruise Line . . . . . . . . . .199 3 Celebrity Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136 Why NCL Owns Hawaii . . . . . . . . .201 4 Costa Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150 10 Oceania Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219 5 Disney Cruise Line . . . . . . . . . . . . .158 11 Princess Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225 6 Holland America Line . . . . . . . . . . .167 Still the Love Boat . . . . . . . . . . . . .227 7 Imperial Majesty Cruise Line . . . . . .187 12 Royal Caribbean International . . . . .245 02_137352 ftoc.qxp 8/29/07 11:55 PM Page v CONTENTS v 7 The Ultraluxury Lines 269 1 Crystal Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270 4 Seabourn Cruise Line . . . . . . . . . . .300 2 Cunard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281 5 SeaDream Yacht Club . . . . . . . . . . .307 Preview: Queen Victoria . . . . . . . . .287 6 Silversea Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315 3 Regent Seven Seas Cruises . . . . . . .291 8 Small Ships,Sailing Ships & Adventure Cruises 323 1 Mini-Review:American Canadian 7 Majestic America Line . . . . . . . . . . .359 Caribbean Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .326 8 Mini-Review:RiverBarge 2 American Cruise Lines . . . . . . . . . .327 Excursions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .369 3 Mini-Review:American 9 Mini-Review:Sea Cloud Cruises . . .370 Safari Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334 10 Star Clippers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .372 4 Cruise West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335 11 Windjammer Barefoot Cruises . . . .379 5 Lindblad Expeditions . . . . . . . . . . .345 12 Windstar Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . .390 6 The Maine Windjammers . . . . . . . .349 Part 3: The Ports 9 The Ports of Embarkation 403 Choosing a Chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404 10 Montréal,Québec . . . . . . . . . . . . . .454 1 Anchorage,Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . .404 11 New Orleans,Louisiana . . . . . . . . .459 2 Baltimore,Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . .409 12 New York City,New York . . . . . . . .465 3 Boston,Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . .414 New York’s Best Pizza . . . . . . . . . .474 4 Cape Canaveral & Cocoa Beach, 13 Norfolk,Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .475 Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .420 14 Philadelphia,Pennsylvania . . . . . . .480 5 Charleston,South Carolina . . . . . . .427 15 San Diego,California . . . . . . . . . . .486 6 Fort Lauderdale,Florida . . . . . . . . .432 16 San Francisco,California . . . . . . . . .494 7 Galveston,Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .436 17 Seattle,Washington . . . . . . . . . . . .501 8 Los Angeles,California . . . . . . . . . .440 18 Tampa,Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .506 9 Miami,Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .448 19 Vancouver,British Columbia . . . . . .511 10 The Caribbean,The Bahamas & the Panama Canal 517 1 The Cruise Lines’ Private Islands . . .518 6 Belize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .539 2 Antigua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524 7 British Virgin Islands:Tortola & 3 Aruba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .527 Virgin Gorda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .542 4 The Bahamas:Nassau & Freeport . . .531 A Slice of Paradise: Jost Van Dyke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .544 5 Barbados . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .537 02_137352 ftoc.qxp 8/29/07 11:55 PM Page vi vi CONTENTS 8 Cozumel & the Yucatán Peninsula . . .546 18 The Panama Canal . . . . . . . . . . . . .582 9 Curaçao . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .555 19 Puerto Rico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .585 10 Dominica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .558 San Juan as a Port 11 Grand Cayman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .561 of Embarkation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .586 12 Grand Turk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563 Walking Tour: Old San Juan . . . . . .587 13 Grenada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .566 Puerto Rico Golf Excursions . . . . . .592 14 Jamaica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .568 20 St.Barts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .592 Montego Bay Golf Excursions . . . . .572 21 St.Kitts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .594 15 Key West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .573 22 St.Lucia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .596 16 Martinique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .577 23 St.Martin/Sint Maarten . . . . . . . . .599 Martinique Golf Excursions . . . . . . .580 24 U.S.Virgin Islands:St.Thomas & St.John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .603 17 Nevis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .580 11 Alaska & British Columbia 609 1 Cruising Alaska’s Natural 3 Icy Strait Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .619 Wonders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .610 4 Juneau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .620 Glaciers: An Intro to the Ice . . . . . .614 5 Ketchikan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .624 Cruisetours—’Cause All Alaska 6 Sitka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .626 Ain’t on Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .616 7 Skagway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .630 2 Haines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .617 8 Victoria,British Columbia . . . . . . . .633 12 The Mexican Riviera & Baja 636 1 Acapulco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .636 3 Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo . . . . . . . . . . . . .643 2 Cabo San Lucas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .639 4 Mazatlán . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .645 Small-Ship Cruises in Baja’s Mazatlán Golf Excursions . . . . . . . .647 Sea of Cortez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .641 5 Puerto Vallarta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .648 13 Bermuda 652 1 Hamilton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .654 3 Royal Naval Dockyard . . . . . . . . . . .657 2 St.George’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .656 14 Hawaii 658 1 Oahu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .660 3 Maui . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .666 If You’re Embarking in Honolulu...662 4 The Big Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .669 2 Kauai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .664 02_137352 ftoc.qxp 8/29/07 11:55 PM Page vii CONTENTS vii 15 New England & Eastern Canada 674 1 Bar Harbor,Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . .676 3 Newport,Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . .682 2 Halifax,Nova Scotia . . . . . . . . . . . .678 4 Québec City,Québec . . . . . . . . . . .685 The Small Ports of New England 5 Saint John,New Brunswick . . . . . . .687 & Eastern Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . .680 16 U.S.River Cruise Routes 690 1 The California Wine Country . . . . . .690 3 The Hudson River,Erie Canal 2 The Columbia & Snake Rivers, & Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .695 Pacific Northwest . . . . . . . . . . . . . .692 4 The Mississippi River System . . . . . .697 Index 702 02_137352 ftoc.qxp 8/29/07 11:55 PM Page viii List of Maps Downtown Anchorage 405 Tampa 507 Baltimore 411 Vancouver 513 Boston 415 The Gulf of Mexico & the Caribbean 520 Cape Canaveral & Cocoa Beach 421 Aruba 529 Charleston 429 Nassau 533 Fort Lauderdale 433 Cozumel & the Yucatán Ports 549 Galveston 437 Key West 575 Los Angeles 441 Old San Juan Walking Tour 589 Miami 449 The U.S. & British Virgin Islands 605 Montréal 455 Alaska 612 New Orleans: The French Quarter 461 Sitka 627 New York City 466 Victoria 635 Norfolk 477 The Mexican Riviera 637 Philadelphia 482 Bermuda 653 San Diego 487 The Hawaiian Islands 659 San Francisco 495 New England & Eastern Canada 675 Seattle 503
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