Magazine plugs cruises out of NY
Horizon and Meridian , received an extra boost last month with an article promoting the pleasures of New York based cruises.
The article in "Our Town'' -- a newspaper with a wealthy New York readership -- claimed cruises for New Yorkers cut out the stress of air and road travel.
Eight major cruise lines operate out of Manhattan to destinations in Bermuda, Europe, the Caribbean, New England and Canada.
"Cruises can be a relaxing way to squeeze the maximum amount of enjoyment out of a trip,'' said travel writer Mr. Nelson Williams. "We could go to the beach any weekend in New York but a cruise made for a cool vacation.'' The allure of cruises, he said, was the "high pamper factor''.
"There is always a steward ready to refill your glass. At dinner there are two waiters and a wine steward to every table. In the casino, dealers are quick to dish out advice with a wink. And in your cabin, the bed linens are changed twice daily and the towels three times.'' But cabins, he said were typically cramped and it was better to splurge on a suite complete with sofa bed, cocktail table, chairs and entertainment centre with television and VCR. The bedroom boasted a king size bed unlike smaller cabins which were, he said, "little bigger than a walk-in closet''.
"For couples such accommodations are short on romance,'' Mr. Williams said.
"Few if any lower category cabins feature beds made for two.'' The cheapest cabins, he said, came with twin beds, or worse, fold down bunks.
"Granted you don't spend too much time in your cabin, but it's nice for two people to be able to dress for dinner at the same time.'' Generally, he said there were three sit-down meals daily and a midnight buffet. Meanwhile, hamburgers and hot dogs grilled all day by the outdoor pool and room service was available 24-hours a day at no extra charge.
"You have, undoubtedly heard about the food on cruises,'' Mr. Williams writes. "It's all true. Even the most moderately priced ships feature fine cuisine and enough of it to send you home several pound heavier.'' Passengers need only expect to pay for gratuities, alcohol, soft drinks and gambling.
On-board entertainment was impressive.
"For those who desire to simply occupy a lounge chair and make their way through John Grisham's latest, floating miles off the East Coast can be a simple kind of paradise.''