Cruises

By PEGGY ANDERS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 29, 2002

Click the graphic above for a detailed chart on cruises.

The approach of cool weather brings an end to the summer schedule of Alaska and European sailings for many cruise ships. Dozens of these vessels soon will begin repositioning cruises to various Florida ports and to San Juan, Puerto Rico. They will then sail throughout the Caribbean for the winter and early spring cruise season.

The following cruise lines will have vessels sailing from Florida ports and from San Juan, through April 2003. Check the accompanying chart for a quick reference to ports of call. For detailed information on cruises, contact the cruise lines and travel agents, as itineraries are subject to change and some cruises sell out quickly.

AMERICAN CRUISE LINES, One Marine Park, Haddam, CT 06438, toll-free 1-800-814-6880; www.americancruiselines.com.

American Eagle (49 passengers). Okeechobee & Southern Waterways seven-night cruises through spring feature St. Simon's and Amelia Island stops, St. Augustine and Lake Okeechobee crossing to Fort Myers. seven-day Thanksgiving cruise leaves Fort Myers Nov. 23; Antebellum South cruises sail from Jacksonville to Charleston from March through May and stop at Jekyll Island, Hilton Head and Savannah.

American Glory (49 passengers). Each stateroom has picture windows, many have outside verandahs on ship that makes its Florida debut Nov. 9 with Antebellum South Cruise from Jacksonville; Great Rivers of Florida cruises begin in Nov.; 14-day East Coast Inland Passage cruise April 19.

AMERICAN CANADIAN CARIBBEAN LINE, 461 Water St., P.O. Box 368, Warren, RI 02885; toll-free 1-800-556-7450; www.accl-smallships.com.

Grande Caribe (100 passengers). Limited boarding from Stuart on Tropical Trek cruise, departs Nov. 25, cruises to Cancun, Belize, Guatemala, Panama; Intracoastal Waterway cruise to Rhode Island from Titusvulle April 8 visits St. Simon's Island, Savannah, Norfolk and Baltimore.

Grand Mariner (100 passengers). 14-night Intracoastal Waterways and Bays cruise leaves Titusville for Rhode Island April 24.

Niagara Prince (84 passengers). Tampa to New Orleans 11-night cruise departs April 2.

Ships features "bow landings" that enable passengers to disembark directly onto the beach.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES, 3655 NW 87th Ave., Miami, FL 33178-2428; toll-free 1-800-227-6482; www.carnival.com.

Carnival Destiny (2,642 passengers). Sails southern Caribbean from San Juan year-round.

Carnival Legend (2,124 passengers). Southern and western Caribbean cruises from Port Everglades in winter.

Carnival Pride (2,124 passengers). Sails out of Port Canaveral on eastern Caribbean cruises.

Carnival Spirit (2,124 passengers). Sails Caribbean; ports include Limon, Costa Rica, Barbados, Belize; Panama Canal cruise April 1; stops include Cartagena, Cabo San Lucas and San Diego.

Carnival Triumph (2,758 passengers). Sails eastern and western Caribbean from Miami.

Carnival Victory (2,758 passengers). Eastern and western Caribbean cruises to Ocho Rios, St. Maarten during winter and spring.

Fantasy (2,056 passengers). Sails out of Port Canaveral on three-day and four-day Bahamas cruises year-round.

Fascination (2,052 passengers). Sails on western Caribbean and Bahamas cruises from Miami year-round.

Imagination (2,052 passengers). Western Caribbean cruises from Miami year-round.

Inspiration (2,052 passengers). Sails from Tampa to Grand Cayman, Cozumel and New Orleans beginning Nov. 25.

Paradise (2,052 passengers). Eastern and western Caribbean cruises all season include St. Thomas, Grand Cayman.

Sensation (2,052 passengers). Sails from Tampa on western Caribbean cruises to Grand Cayman, Cozumel; Dec. 23 cruise includes Costa Maya, Mexico stops.

CELEBRITY CRUISES, 1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, FL 33132; toll-free 1-800-437-3111; www.celebrity-cruises.com.

Century (1,750 passengers). St. Maarten, Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman among port stops through April.

Constellation (1,950 passengers). Two-night cruises to nowhere Nov. 10, 12, then sails from San Juan to St. Croix, St. Lucia, Castries through April.

Galaxy (1,870 passengers). Sails southern Caribbean routes through March 15.

Horizon (1,354 passengers). Sails from Tampa on seven-night western Caribbean cruises Nov. 2 through April; ports include Key West, Cozumel.

Infinity (1,950 passengers). Panama Canal cruises to San Diego Nov. through April; stops include Puntarenas, Cabo San Lucas.

Mercury (1,870 passengers). Sails western Caribbean from Miami Oct.18 through March 28.

Millennium (1,950 passengers). Ultimate Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale through Oct., with stops in Cartagena, Puerto Limon; then eastern Caribbean through April.

Summit (1,950 passengers). Sails Ultimate Caribbean cruises Oct. through March; stops in St. Kitts, Cartagena, Aruba.

CLIPPER CRUISE LINE, 11969 Westline Industrial Drive, St. Louis MO 63146; toll-free 1-800-325-0010, www.clippercruise.com.

Nantucket Clipper (100 passengers). Sails from Jacksonville on Antebellum South cruise Nov. 9, Dec. 7 and 21, March 8 and 22, April 5, with stops in St. Mary's, Brunswick, Savannah, Beaufort and Charleston. Colonial America and Battlefields of the Civil War 15-day cruise on the Potomac departs April 19, stops in Baltimore, Alexandria.

COSTA CRUISE LINES, 200 South Park Road, Suite 200, Hollywood, FL 33021; toll-free 1-800-332-6782 (brochures); www.costacruises.com.

CostaAtlantica (2,114 passengers). Western Caribbean cruise sails to Key West, Cozumel, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Nov. through April; eastern Caribbean cruise from Dec. through March includes stop in St. Thomas and San Juan. April 13 transAtlantic crossing sails from Fort Lauderdale to Genoa, Italy.

CostaVictoria (1,928 passengers). Grand Mayan Adventure Dec. through April visits Key West, Merida, Cozumel; Caribbean, Panama Canal cruises in Dec.; April 20 transAtlantic crossing sails to Genoa, Italy.

CRYSTAL CRUISES, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 1400, Los Angeles, CA 90067; toll-free 1-800-820-6663; www.crystalcruises.com.

Crystal Harmony (940 passengers). Nov 7 Panama Canal cruise to Caldera, Costa Rica; Feb. 12 "Yoga, Health & Fitness" positioning cruise to Los Angeles.

Crystal Symphony (940 passengers). Nov. 17 Fort Lauderdale round-trip cruise includes Grand Cayman, St. John's; Nov. 29 "Yoga, Health & Fitness" cruise to Costa Rica includes stops in Tortola and St. Barts; first leg of Jan. 19 world cruise sails to Buenos Aires; all segments feature Wine & Food Festival, complimentary French and Spanish instruction.

Voted "World's Best Large Cruise Line" by Travel & Leisure magazine reader survey for seventh consecutive year.

CUNARD LINE, 6100 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 400, Miami, FL 33126; toll-free 1-800-728-6273, www.cunard.com.

Queen Elizabeth II (1,791 passengers). Returns to Florida with Dec. 23 embarkation; Bonaire, Tobago, Barbados and St. Thomas stops; departs Jan. 7 on 107-day, six-continent world cruise, 11-day first leg to Los Angeles stops in Cartagena and Acapulco.

DISCOVERY CRUISES, 1775 NW 70th Ave., Miami, FL 33126; 1-800-937-4477 is Florida toll-free number, 1-800-866-8687 is national toll-free number; www.discoverycruiseline.com.

Discovery Sun (1,150 passengers). One-day cruises and resort packages from Port Everglades to Freeport, Grand Bahamas, daily.

DISNEY CRUISE LINE, P.O. Box 10238, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830; toll-free 1-888-325-2500; www.disneycruise.com.

Disney Magic (1,754 passengers). Seven-night western Caribbean sailings from Port Canaveral to Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Castaway Cay, Disney's private island; alternates with eastern Caribbean sailings to St. Maarten and St. Thomas each Saturday.

Disney Wonder (1,754 passengers). Sails on three-night and four-night cruises to the Bahamas Thursdays and Sundays and stops in Freeport in addition to Castaway Cay; Disney resort stays can be combined with cruises for seven-night land-sea vacation packages.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE, 300 Elliott Ave. W, Seattle, WA 98119, toll-free 1-800-426-0327; www.hollandamerica.com.

Amsterdam (1,380 passengers). Sails southern Caribbean to Curacao, Venezuela, Martinique and Trinidad, Oct. 22, Nov. 11, Dec. 1; embarks on Grand World Voyage to Papeete, Tahiti, on Jan. 4 from Fort Lauderdale.

Maasdam (1,266 passengers). Holiday cruise sails from Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 29; cruises eastern Caribbean through April; positioning cruise April 27 sails to Los Angeles.

Noordam (1,214 passengers). Southern Caribbean cruises from Tampa includes port stops in Bonaire and Aruba; trans-Atlantic cruise sails from Tampa on April 13 to Lisbon, with stops in Key West and the Gibraltar.

Rotterdam (1,316 passengers). Cruises the Panama Canal from Fort Lauderdale, with stops in Cartagena, Curacao and Aruba.

Veendam (1,266 passengers). Sails from Tampa with western Caribbean stops that include Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel starting Oct. 26; positioning cruise from Tampa on April 19 sails through Panama Canal to Vancouver.

Volendam (1,440 passengers). Holiday cruise departs Dec. 21; New Year's cruise Dec. 28 sails to Key West, Cozumel, Belize, Half Moon Cay; April 28 Panama Canal cruise sails to San Francisco.

Zaandam (1,440 passengers). Dec. 28 New Year's cruise features Bahamas stop; repositioning cruise through Panama Canal to Oregon on April 16.

Zuiderdam (1,848 passengers). Dec. 21 holiday Caribbean cruise includes St. Thomas.

IMPERIAL MAJESTY CRUISE LINE, 2950 Gateway Drive, Pompano Beach, FL 33069; toll-free 1-800-394-3865; www.imperialmajesty.com.

OceanBreeze (1,002 passengers). Liner, originally christened by Queen Elizabeth II, offers two-night cruises to Nassau in the Bahamas year-round from Port Everglades.

MSC ITALIAN CRUISES, 420 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10018; toll-free 1-800-666-9333; www.msccruisesusa.com.

Melody (1,076 passengers). Sails the southern Caribbean and to South America with stops in Antigua, Grenada, St. Barts, Cartagena, Jan. through March; trans-Atlantic positioning to Genoa, Italy, on April 22 stops in St. Croix, Barcelona.

NEKTON DIVING CRUISES, 520 SE 32nd St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316; toll-free 1-800-899-6753; www.nektoncruises.com.

Nekton Pilot (32 passengers). Oct. 5 Bahamas Adventure cruise from Fort Lauderdale features diving in Grand Bahama, White Sand Ridge, Gingerbread Grounds; Oct. 12 cruise features diving between Florida Keys and Cuba; returns to Florida in April.

Nekton Rorqual (34 passengers). Oct. 5 Bahama cruise through April 5; both ships of U.S. registry, with twin hull and cabins with picture windows.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE, 7665 Corporate Center Drive, Miami, FL 33126; toll-free 1-800-327-7030; www.ncl.com.

Norwegian Dawn (2,240 passengers). New ship debuts with western and eastern Caribbean cruises from Miami from Dec. through April 19; stops include Tortola, Montego Bay.

Norwegian Dream (1,748 passengers). Sails western Caribbean in Nov.; Miami to Santiago Dec. 6 includes Belize City, Callao; March 31 trans-Atlantic/Mediterranean voyage from Miami to Civitavecchia, Rome, stops in Cannes and Barcelona.

Norwegian Majesty (1,462 passengers). Three-day and four-day Bahamas cruises and Mexico cruises from Miami.

Norwegian Sky (2,002 passengers). Eastern Caribbean from San Juan through April 6, stops include Barbados, St. Kitts; April 20 positioning to San Francisco.

Norwegian Sea (1,518 passengers). Cruises the Bahamas and western Caribbean from Miami; April 14 sailing to New York stops in Aruba, Bermuda.

Norwegian Sun (1,936 passengers). Sails seven-day western Caribbean cruises from Miami with stops in Belize and Cozumel through April; April 12 cruise to Los Angeles.

Norway (2,032 passengers) Sails seven-day eastern Caribbean cruises from Miami weekly, includes stops in St. Maarten.

"Freestyle Cruising" program on most Norwegian ships features no preset dining time or table, flexible activity schedule and attire choices.

ORIENT LINES, 7665 Corporate Center Drive, Miami, FL 33126; toll-free 1-800-333-7300; www.orientlines.com.

Crown Odyssey (1,026 passengers). Sails from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles Nov. 17 on Panama Canal cruise, stops in Cartagena, San Blas Islands, Cabo San Lucas.

Marco Polo (826 passengers). Sixteen-day trans-Atlantic sail leaves on April 7 from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona, guests can extend cruise to Rome.

PRINCESS CRUISES, 24305 Town Center Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91355; toll-free 1-800-774-6237; www.princess.com.

Coral Princess (1,950 passengers). New class ship debuts in Dec. from Fort Lauderdale, with 10-day Panama Canal cruises; April 23 positioning to San Francisco.

Dawn Princess (1,950 passengers). Eastern Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale beginning Nov. 20 includes stops in Antigua, St. Lucia; March 20 cruise to San Diego includes Ocho Rios, Panama Canal, Cartagena stops.

Grand Princess (2,600 passengers). Sails on seven-day eastern and western Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale through May.

Golden Princess (2,600 passengers). Sister ship to Grand Princess sails on eastern Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale beginning Oct. 26; trans-Atlantic to Barcelona April 26.

Royal Princess (1,200 passengers). Panama Canal cruises from Fort Lauderdale Oct. 31-Dec. 12; stops in Cartagena, Costa Rica, Aruba; cruise to Santiago, Chile, Dec. 26.

Sea Princess (1,950 passengers). Sails eastern Caribbean from San Juan beginning Oct. 12; San Juan to Acapulco cruise April 19.

Sun Princess (1,950 passengers). Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles Feb. 24 only area sailing.

Some itineraries include port stop at Princess Cay, Princess Cruises' private island in the Bahamas (Eleuthera), and the only Bahamas-area stop.

RADISSON SEVEN SEAS CRUISES, 600 Corporate Drive, Suite 410, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334; toll-free 1-800-285-1835; www.rssc.com.

Radisson Diamond (350 passengers). Returns to San Juan in Nov. with eastern Caribbean cruises; Tropical Sunsets cruise from West Palm on Dec. 9 stops in Key West, Bimini; Dec. 18 Panama Canal cruise; April 23 San Juan to Funchal, Portugal, trans-Atlantic cruise.

Seven Seas Navigator (490 passengers). Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles Panama Canal cruises Nov. 23 (Thanksgiving cruise), Feb. 26, with Grand Cayman, Cabo San Lucas, Colombia stops; April 23 positioning to Bermuda stops in Charleston.

Seven Seas Mariner (700 passengers). Dec. 2 Caribbean cruise; Jan 7 Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles Panama Canal cruise.

REGAL CRUISES, 300 Regal Cruises Way, Palmetto, FL 34221, or P.O box 1329, Palmetto, FL 34220; toll-free 1-800-270-7245, or (941) 721-7300; www.regalcruises.com.

Regal Empress (900 passengers). Among cruises sailing out of Port Manatee Oct. through mid June: includes Fantasy Fest to Key West Oct. 23, Thanksgiving cruise Nov. 24 to Grand Cayman, Belize, Cozumel; Panama Canal, Mexico and Sunspree cruises to nowhere.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL, 1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, FL 33132; toll-free 1-800-327-6700 or your travel agent; www.royalcaribbean.com.

Adventure of the Seas (3,114 passengers). Sails from San Juan on southern Caribbean cruises yearround, ports include Aruba, St. Maarten, Curacao.

Brilliance of the Seas (2,100 passengers). New ship debuts in area with Caribbean cruise from Miami on Nov. 22; April 28 trans-Atlantic to Barcelona.

Enchantment of the Seas (1,950 passengers). Sails both eastern and western Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale.

Explorer of the Seas (3,114 passengers). Sails the Caribbean from Miami.

Majesty of the Seas (2,350 passengers). Sails to the Bahamas and Key West from Miami.

Monarch of the Seas (2,350 passengers). Sails on four-night and five-night western Caribbean cruises.

Navigator of the Seas (3,114 passengers). Sails the Caribbean from Miami starting in December; stops include Ocho Rios, Labadee, Grand Cayman.

Nordic Empress (1,600 passengers). Sails from Tampa Nov. through April, stops include Belize, Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Tampa to San Juan on April 26.

Radiance of the Seas (2,100 passengers). Dec. 21, 28 holiday cruises from San Juan; southern Caribbean cruises through April; Panama Canal positioning cruise to San Diego on April 19.

Sovereign of the Seas (2,250 passengers). Offers three-night and four-night Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral.

Voyager of the Seas (3,100 passengers). Seven-night western Caribbean cruises from Miami include ports of Ocho Rios and Cozumel.

ROYAL OLYMPIC CRUISES, 805 Third Ave., New York, NY 10022; toll-free 1-800-872-6400; www.royalolympiccruises.com

Olympic Explorer (836 passengers). Royal Olympic's new ship cruises Panama Canal from Port Canaveral on Nov. 27; Grand Caribbean cruise Dec. 9; Caribbean holiday cruise Dec. 20, Amazon River cruise Dec. 27; Trans-canal positioning to Los Angeles Jan. 12.

Olympic Voyager (836 passengers). Holiday Amazon cruise from Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 22; Orinoco or Amazon River cruises Jan. 16, Feb. 5; trans-Atlantic crossing to Genoa on April 14.

SCOTIA PRINCE CRUISES, P.O. Box 4216, Portland, ME 04101-0416; toll-free 1-866-466-3935 or 1-800-845-4073; www.yucatanexpress.com

M/S Scotia Prince (1,100 passengers). Ferry debuts with twice weekly sailings from Tampa to Progreso, Mexico (near Merida) and Cancun in the Yucatan Peninsula, beginning Nov. 22 through April.

SEABOURN CRUISE LINE, 6100 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 400, Miami, FL 33126; 1-800-929-9391; www.seabourn.com.

Seabourn Legend (208 passengers). Sails Caribbean and Central America from Dec. to March, stops include Caldera, Costa Rica, Belize, St. Croix.

Seabourn Pride (208 passengers). Nov. 11 Fort Lauderdale to San Juan, St. Barts, St. Martin, British Virgin Islands; also sails Caribbean Dec. 7, 21; Jan. 4 through Panama Canal to Valparaiso, Chile; March 17 trans-Atlantic to Lisbon.

SILVERSEA CRUISES, 110 E Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301; toll-free 1-800-774-9996; www.silversea.com.

Silver Shadow (382 passengers). New ship sails Oct. 23 from Fort Lauderdale to Bridgetown, Barbados, on 9-day cruise, stops in Bequia, St. Lucia.

Silver Whisper (382 passengers). Nov. 17 cruise travels to Venezuela, Aruba, Cartagena, Grand Cayman and Kew West; Dec. 1 to Trinidad, Cozumel and New Orleans; Palm Beach to Tenerife, Canary Islands, trans-Atlantic crossing on April 16 includes San Juan, St. Kitts.

Silver Cloud (296 passengers). Ship just completed major drydock refurbishment and sails on Caribbean Holiday cruise Dec. 22; Jan. 3 cruise includes stops in Belize, Key West, Cozumel; March 18 cruise to Bridgetown, Barbados, includes Caracas, Bonaire; April 10 cruise to Bridgetown stops in St. Barts.

WINDSTAR CRUISES, 300 Elliott Ave. W, Seattle, WA 98119; toll-free 1-800-258-7245; www.windstarcruises.com.

Wind Surf (308 passengers). Windstar's largest sailing ship sails from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas and Key West; stops include Salt Cay, Bimini, Freeport on Dec., 8, 15, 22 and 29 holiday and New Year's cruises; sails Jan. 5 on eastern Caribbean cruise to Grand Turk, Virgin Gorda, St. Thomas.

Cruises to nowhere

A number of half-day and day-long "cruises to nowhere" also are offered from Florida ports. These vessels typically sail far enough from shore to allow them to open their casinos. Among these ships: Palm Beach Princess of Palm Beach Casino Line from Palm Beach, call toll-free 1-800-841-7447 or (561) 845-2101; or www.pbcasino.com. Sterling Casino Lines, www.sterlingcasinolines.com, sails 1,744 passenger Ambassador II twice daily from Port Canaveral: toll-free 1-800-765-5711. SeaEscape sails from Port Everglades, call toll-free 1-800-327-2005 or www.seaescape.com.; Sun Cruz Casino, toll-free 1-800-474-3423, www.suncruzcasino.com, offers 5-hour cruises departing from both west and east coast of Florida locations including: John's Pass (shuttle available from Clearwater) (727) 895-3325, Key Largo, Hollywood, Port Canaveral, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville; Star Dancer Casino Cruises from Madeira Beach, toll-free 1-800-688-PLAY (7529).

-- Compiled by PEGGY ANDERS of the Times

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