From coming ashore to seeing the sights in 53 ports, Fodor's Europe Ports of Call tells cruise passengers everything they need to know -- written from a cruiser's point of view.
All the essentials for a perfect day in portWhere the ships dock or drop anchor
The best cathedrals, museums, ruins, and shops -- all easily reached from the pier
Recommended shore excursions
Walking tours and day trips
35 pages of maps
Special feature -- a cruise primerHow to choose the right ship
How to pick a travel agent
How to get the best deal on a cruise vacation
Plus cruise itineraries for the 1999 season
Nowhere in the world are conditions better suited to cruising than in the Caribbean Sea. Tiny island nations, within easy sailing distance of one another, form a chain of tropical enchantment that curves from Cuba in the north all the way down to the coast of Venezuela. There's far more to life here than sand and coconuts, however. The islands are vastly different, with their own cultures, topographies, and languages. The one constant, however, is the weather. Despite the islands' southerly position, the climate is surprisingly gentle, due in large part to the cooling influence of the trade winds.
More cruise ships ply these waters than any others in the world. There are big ships and small ships, fancy ships and party ships. With such an abundance of cruise ships in this area, you can choose an itinerary that suits you best. Cruises of the western Caribbean often include port calls in Key West and Cozumel. Eastern Caribbean itineraries usually stop at Nassau in the Bahamas.
The Cruise ExperienceYour cruise experience will be shaped by several factors, and to
determine whether a particular ship's style will suit you, you need to do a bit of research. Is a full program of organized activities scheduled by day? What happens in the evening? Are there one or two seatings in the dining room? If there is more than one, you will not be allowed to arrive and exit as the spirit moves you but instead must show up promptly when service begins -- and clear out within a specified time. What kind of entertainment is offered after dark? And how often do passengers dress up for dinner? Some cruises are fancier than others.
Although no two cruises are quite the same, even aboard the same ship, the cruise experience tends to fall into three categories.
FormalFormal cruises embody the ceremony of cruising. Generally available on ocean liners and cruise yachts sailing for seven days or longer, formal cruises recall the days when traveling by ship was an event in itself. By day, shipboard lifestyle is generally unstructured, with few organized activities. Tea and bouillon may be served to the accompaniment of music from a classical trio in the afternoon. Ashore, passengers may be treated to a champagne beach party. Meals in the dining room are served in a single seating, and passengers enjoy the finest cuisine afloat. Jackets and ties for men are the rule for dinner, tuxedos are not uncommon, and the dress code is observed faithfully throughout the evening. Pianists, cabaret acts, and local entertainers provide nighttime diversion. Service is extremely attentive and personalized. Passenger-to-crew and space ratios are best. Because these cruises tend to attract destination-oriented passengers, shore excursions -- such as private museum tours --
sometimes are included in the fare, as are pre- or post-cruise land packages and sometimes even tips.
SemiformalSemiformal cruises are a bit more relaxed than their formal counterparts. Meals are served in two seatings on ocean liners or one seating on specialty ships, menu choices are plentiful, and the cuisine is on a par with that available in better restaurants. Men tend to wear a jacket and tie to dinner most nights. Adding a distinct flair to the dining room is the common practice of staffing the restaurant with waiters of one nationality. Featured dishes may be prepared table side, and you often are able, with advance notice, to order a special diet, such as kosher, low-salt, low-cholesterol, sugar free, or vegetarian. There is a daily program of scheduled events, but there's time for more independent pursuits; passengers with similar interests are often encouraged to meet at appointed times for chess or checkers, deck games, and other friendly contests. Production-style shows are staged each evening, but the disco scene may not be too lively. Passenger-to-crew and space ratios assure go
od service and plenty of room for each passenger. Look for semiformal cruises aboard classic liners, cruise liners, and megaships on voyages of seven days or longer.
CasualCasual cruises are the most popular. Shipboard dress and lifestyle are informal. Meals in the dining room are served in two seatings on ocean liners and one seating on specialty ships; menus are usually not extensive, and the food is good but not extraordinary; your options may be limited if you have special dietetic requirements. Men dress in sport shirts and slacks for dinner most nights, in jackets and ties only two or three evenings of a typical seven-day sailing. Aboard casual ocean liners, activities are more diverse than on formal and semiformal ships, and there is almost always something going on, from bingo to beer-chugging contests. Las Vegas-style variety shows or Broadway revues headline the evening entertainment. Discos bop into the wee hours. Passenger-to-rew and space ratios are generally good, but service tends to be less personal. On the smallest ships, activities on board will be limited.
Look for casual cruises aboard classic liners, cruise liners, and megaships sailing three- to seven-day itineraries to fun-and-sun destinations; motor-sailing ships; and coastal cruisers calling on more unusual ports.
Theme CruisesThese increasingly popular sailings highlight a particular activity or topic. Onboard lectures and other events are coordinated with shoreside excursions. There are photography cruises, square-dancing cruises, sports cruises, financial-planning cruises, wine-tasting cruises, and more. The most popular destinations for theme cruises are Europe and the Caribbean. To find out about theme cruises that might interest you, consult with the individual cruise lines or a travel agent.
