Senior Highlights....

CRUISE INDUSTRY OFFERS LOWER PRICES, NEW SHIPS,

THEMES, & MORE INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS

Prices for Caribbean, Panama Canal, European and other worldwide cruises are falling this fall, creating some of the best discounts and deals for seniors in recent history. It's the perfect time to book your fall or winter cruise, with lots of new ships, themes, and international itineraries.

"One thing is certain, the fall cruise season is a time when cruise lines reward passengers with the year's lowest rats in order to fill their ships," says Lawrence Fishkin, a senior partner for The Cruise Line, Inc. (800/777-0707), a popular cruise discounter. "With rates so low and published so far in advance, cruise travelers have the opportunity to scoop up bargains that may not be available closer to sailing date," Fishkin continues.

Citing multiple departures on Carnival's seven-day SuperLiner cruises from Miami, San Juan, Tampa, and New Orleans, Fishkin says that starting prices of $449 per person represent a 50% reduction off most of the summer's lowest discounted rates--and more than 70% off Carnival's brochure rate. Carnival also offers third and fourth passenger passenger pricing (for passengers sharing the same cabin, which can be ideal for children and grandchildren) from $49 per person for three- and four-day cruises and from $129 per person for seven-day trips. Low add-on airfare is available from most cities.

The fall cruise season is traditionally the slowest time of the year for cruise lines. Tropical storm season is cited by many industry analysts as a major factor, but Fishkin feels smart seniors can take advantage of this concern and resulting low fares.

"Most cruise travelers are now aware of hurricane season," says Fishkin, a native Floridian. "What they may not be aware of is the vastness of the Caribbean Sea. When a storm looks like a threat to some Caribbean islands, it can still be clear sailing and smooth seas in other parts of the Caribbean. It would be like living in Dallas and being concerned for you personal safety in New York." Fishkin points out that all tropical weather systems are tracked from the moment they leave the African coast, giving cruise ships ample warning to steer clear of approaching storms.

Fishkin's list of the best cruise bargains for this fall include: Princess Cruises' brand new ship Dawn Princess, which has rates as low as $649 per person on select seventh-day Caribbean cruises from October to December; Holland America's Westerdam, which features rates as low as $599 per person for seven-day Caribbean cruises; the six-star-rated Radisson Diamond, which is offering five two-for-one cruises on select Transatlantic and Caribbean sailings from October 27 through December 5; and Norwegian Cruise Line's Seaward, which offers rates as low as $499 per person on seven-day cruise from San Juan for select dates from August 31 to December 14. Princess and Holland America are also offering two-for-one discounts on select 10- to 14-day Panama Canal cruises from October through December.

Fishkin says that repositioning cruises represent another excellent source of fall cruise bargains for flexible seniors. For example, Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Enchantment of the Seas, cruise 14 days from Harwich, England to Boston on September 6, with rates as low as $2,917 per person, including roundtrip airfare from the west coast.

The Cruise Line, Inc., publishes a free magazine, entitled "World of Cruising," which features an updated list of fall and winter cruise specials, themes, and international destinations. They also offer a great cruise travel guide for seniors, called "Seniors' Guide to Cruising," which provides specific strategies for seniors.

Along with generally lower prices, the cruise industry is welcoming a record number of new ships. After 13 new ships in 1996 and another seven new liners in 1997, passengers will see at least 13 new vessels by the end of 1999. The new ships range from yacht-like to the popular new mega-liners for more than 2,000 passengers.

Theme cruises have also become quite popular for new and older ships. For instance, Holland America offers a wide range of theme cruises, like their Big Band cruises in December featuring the Glenn Miller Orchestra aboard the MS Westerdam. The famed QE2's Musical Theater 19-day theme cruise features the box office smash Riverdance and other shows, while calling on ports like the Azores, Bermuda, and several stops in the Caribbean. Other lines offering a wide variety of themes include Norwegian Cruise Line with "Sports Afloat", Silversea's National Geographic trips, Costa's Italian-themed cruises, Premier's Orlando-oriented land packages, Orient's worldwide cultural cruises, and American Hawaii's shorter cruise possibilities.

Finally, cruise lines are calling on more ports on ever-widening worldwide itineraries. "If you think you can't go somewhere by ship, guess again," says James Godsman, president of the Cruise Lines International Association. "Today's cruise ships are crisscrossing the globe and taking vacationers to more exotic and unusual places." Thus, from prices to new places, this fall and winter is the perfect time to take your first or 50th cruise.