 |
Cruises: Short trips get an upgrade with improved ships
09:56 PM CDT on Thursday, October 2, 2008
Not long ago, shorter-than-a-week cruisers could expect to find themselves on worn-out vessels lacking the amenities of today's megaships. Not anymore.
Tight-on-time travelers are beginning to get the respect they deserve, with new (or greatly refurbished) ships plying the weekend waters. Here are a few short cruises leaving from ports that are a direct flight from Dallas (or nearby ports), including some of the itineraries offered, tidbits about the cruise lines and rates.
DISNEY
(1-888-325-2500; www.disneycruise.com)
Short itineraries
Three- or four-night sailings on Wonder leave from Disney's art-deco-inspired cruise terminal in Port Canaveral year-round. The port is about an hour's ride from Orlando International Airport on the line's cushy buses.
Shipboard notables
The Wonder, launched in 1999, still looks shipshape thanks to frequent dry-dock touch-ups and upgrades. Large staterooms, a deck devoted to kids' activities (including the Oceaneer lab for tweens, and Flounder's Reef Nursery for children younger than 3), high-caliber shows and the only fireworks display at sea, make this a family favorite. Plus, with so many families aboard, the adults-only pool, cafe and spa are blissfully uncrowded. Sorry, gamblers, no casino.
Shore tours
The ship stops at Castaway Cay, Disney's private island with two expansive beaches, massages in private cabanas, and snorkeling or paddling gear for getting out to the 175-foot replica of The Flying Dutchman ghost ship from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest . In Nassau, tube along a lazy river with rapids, waterfalls and even an escalator at Atlantis' new 63-acre Aquaventure.
Cruise cost
Prices start at $389 per person for a three-night cruise, $449 for four nights.
CELEBRITY
(1-800-437-3111; www.celebritycruises.com)
Short itineraries
Celebrity, while not a big player in the short-cruise circuit, offers four- and five-night western Caribbean sailings from Miami on the refurbished Century; December through April 2009. The ship also will make a two-night trip to the Bahamas on Jan. 8. Try out Celebrity's version of a megaship when Infinity departs from Fort Lauderdale to Key West and Cozumel on Dec. 3.
Shipboard notables
Century received a $55 million makeover in June 2006, adding sleek rooms with oak-paneled walls, tropical murals, flat-screen televisions and 314 balcony cabins. A sushi bar, Murano (an elegant alternative restaurant), concierge-class suites (with personalized stationery), plus the luxurious Aqua Spa and Café, give Celebrity ships a boutique-hotel vibe.
Off the ship
In Cozumel, fly through the air on a zip line, cross between towers on suspension bridges, and rappel off climbing towers as part of 70 climbing routes available on the Adventure Park, Zip Line & Snorkel tour. Spot conch shells and sea cucumbers on the more leisurely Key West kayak tour.
Cruise costs
Century fares begin at $449 for four nights, $499 for five-night cruises. Special four-night Infinity sailing from $449.
Christine Koubek is a freelance writer in Maryland.
NORWEGIAN
(1-866-234-0292; www.ncl.com)
Short itineraries
Norwegian Sky sails three- and four-night Bahamas cruises year-round that include a day at Norwegian's private island, Great Stirrup Cay. The line's hip ship Jewel, which launched in 2005, offers five-day Western Caribbean cruises from Miami to Grand Cayman and Cozumel from November through April.
Shipboard notables
Norwegian's freestyle cruising means no assigned dining, no formal night and a wide selection of restaurants and cabin types. Other perks include lobster served nightly, classes in improvisation and organic cooking, and cold towels poolside. Norwegian Sky is fresh from a two-month remodeling that includes a new casino. Jewel's Bar Central with martini bar, champagne and wine bar, plus beer and whisky pub make this the nighttime place to be.
Shore tours
In the Bahamas, kayak through a mangrove forest at Lucayan National Park, or place a bet at the Atlantis Resort casino. On Norwegian's private island, Great Stirrup Cay, guests can parasail, snorkel or snooze in a hammock.
Sink your toes into the soft sand of Grand Cayman's Seven Mile Beach.
Cruise cost
Rates begin at $199 per person, for three- or four-night Sky cruises, $499 for five-nighters on Jewel.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN
(1-800-722-5045; www.royalcaribbean.com)
Short itineraries
Take a four- or five-night western Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale on megaship Navigator of the Seas, December through April. Four-night trips stop in Cozumel, while five-night sailings vary port stops among Grand Cayman, Belize and Jamaica. Enchantment of the Seas offers four-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale to Key West and Cozumel; the five-nighter adds a stop in Belize or Grand Cayman (depending on sail date, through November 2009).
Shipboard notables
With soaring atriums and tasteful decor, this activity-oriented line is known for its rock-climbing walls, minigolf courses and ice-skating rinks. Enchantment of the Seas not only was refurbished in 2005 but was stretched, with a new midsection providing space for signature Royal Caribbean features such as Boleros Latin lounge, a steakhouse, a water-fountain play area, 151 staterooms and a bungee trampoline. Claustrophobes beware: Enchantment's less-expensive cabin types are some of the smallest staterooms afloat. A newer ship, Navigator of the Seas, is one of the largest cruise vessels in the world and has a promenade that's like a minimall.
Shore tours
Check out Grand Cayman's Conch Shell House, constructed entirely of shells, and the town of Hell, whose name was inspired by its unusual rock formations. Shop the streets of Key West. In Belize, see playful jaguars, the tapir and its unusual snout, plus toucans, margays and ocelots, all at the Belize Zoo.
Cruise cost
Navigator of the Seas four-night cruises from $429, five nights from $499. Enchantment of the Seas four-night sailings from $349, five nights from $399.
CARNIVAL
(1-800-227-6482; www.carnival.com )
Short itineraries
Ecstasy is sailing from Houston until Galveston's port reopens. It makes four-night jaunts to Cozumel, Mexico, with an extra stop in Progreso on five-night sailings. Inspiration sails from Tampa, offering four-night cruises to Cozumel; five-nighters add a stop at Grand Cayman. Fresh from dry dock, Fantasy departs from New Orleans and offers four-night sailings to Cozumel. Five-night cruises include a visit to Progreso.
Sensation (scheduled for a makeover in January) sails three- and four-night Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral. New megaship Splendor will offer a special four-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 17, with stops at private island Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk.
Shipboard notables
Carnival offers short cruises from more ports than any other line. While you'll find all age groups onboard, its flashy style is not for everyone (imagine Vegas at sea). Thanks to Carnival's $250 million Evolutions of Fun initiative, several Fantasy-class ships (but not the Ecstasy) have received enhanced spas, adults-only areas and mini aqua parks for their pool decks with double-lane racing slides.
Remodeled staterooms (with new bathrooms and flat-screen televisions), new coffee bars, nine-hole miniature golf, and a New York-style deli have made this line's older class of ships look new.
Off the ship
Hunt for clues and solve a mystery in the "Amazing Cozumel Race," an interactive adventure game. In Progreso, ride through the colonial city of Merida by Segway, hang out at the Corona Beach party or learn about Mayan culture. Go horseback riding along the beach on Half Moon Cay.
Cruise costs
Ecstasy four-night cruises from $399, five ights from $329. Tampa's Inspiration four-night cruises from $299, five nights from $279. Fantasy four-night cruises from $269, five nights from $279. Sensation three-night cruises start at $179, four nights from $199. Special Nov. 17 Splendor sailing from $399.
NOTE: Prices quoted are based on current cruise line fares and are subject to availability. Fares are per person based on double occupancy. Restrictions may apply. Prices don't include port charges, taxes, excursions or airfare and transfers to ports of embarkation. Itineraries occasionally change at the last minute due to weather and other factors. Lower rates may be obtainable from online cruise discounters and travel agents.
Latest News
Most Emailed Stories
Latest Video
Spotlight
