shipahoy

Fellow ship lover is also sad to beleive the Norway has seen it last days at sea. I still think she is still very elegant and should be saved, she is the last liner of her kind next to QE2, which in my opinion is as good as or better. I realize the market wants fuel efficient , newer, larger and more luxury but the Norway still has alot to offer. Even after the explosion I booked a sailing on her, regardless. The cruise market wants bigger and more retail space and items to make more money, that is there market and bottom line. I think the newer ships are all cookie cut outs of each other, they lack appeal with indiviual style, grace or charm. Some ships give you the appearance of a large bar of floating Ivory Soap. I am glad with the 60 cruises I have taken, I started early enough to see some of the oldie goldies. With the new solas laws, handicap rules, and cruise mergers, and compitetion, and 9/11, so many have left us for scrap. I have sailed aboard, Britanis, Norway, Regent Sun, Dolpne, Oceanbreeze, Seabreeze, Rembrant, Vera Cruise, Caribe (now Regal Empress) still holding out for a little longer., shipahoy@bellsouth.net Alan Miller in Miami

I was surprised when sailing years ago on Melody MSC Line and both Costa last month how cheap the tipping policy was. Costa"s guide line was only $5.50 per day posted on account. I like the convience of tipping on the onboard accounts. since some people refuse to tip at all, soo cheap. I still like the grace of formal night and the envelopes on the last night. I feel some times the staff gos the extra mile in some cases, when the paycheck is not automatically posted. I could not beleive after leting children sail for only port charges on the last Costa cruise, people were on line fighting not to pay tips for the children sharing the cabin. Children or adults they ate and had cabin service, really cheap if I must say so. shipahoy@bellsouth.net

I love the idea most all ships have the concept and smarts to offer areas for Friends of Dorothy and Friends of Bill. If you don't know fomer AAA and gay and lesbian folks. Nice way to start cruise and share friendships. I just hope you are not gay and a AAA member, might have to join both groups for some. Laugh. Happy New Year happy cruising everyone. Alan Miller in Miami shipahoy@bellsouth.net

I sailed on the Costa Magica, three night freeport cruise. I was so amazed by this cruise, after taking almost 59 in my life. Gift shops empty. Food either cold, poorly cooked, or lack of choices. Buffets are bland, crew un organized. Something as simple as running out of icetea. Cruise was ran like it was the cruise lines first cruise ever. A beautiful carnival cookie cutter ship, but not the service. Show had little varierty. This market usually in Europe needs to adapt to American style and standards, or will sink there image. The cruise had mostly travel agents, most not impressed either. The ship was not surprised either, did not give out comment cards on last night, even thou they had drop boxs to drop them in. I guess they didn't want out comments or complaints. I hope Carnival's parent company is not so big to lose value because size of past mergers and growth with other lines. Alan Miller, shipahoy@bellsouth.net Miami, Florida