Cruise-n-Views November 11, 2003 Newsletter

Emergency Ship Relocations

Several cruise lines have made an announcement due to the upcoming scheduled, "Free Trade of the Americas Conference" to be held on November 17-21, in Miami. They have decided to relocate their vessels to Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) amid concerns of potential violent protests and massive congestion near the Port of Miami.

Carnival Cruise Lines will shift the Paradise, Imagination, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Victory to Ft. Lauderdale's Port Everglades. Ships that depart Miami over the next seven days will debark in Port Everglades on their return voyages and then return to their Miami home port in December.

Norwegian Cruise Line will keep its Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Wind in Miami November 16 and November 22, respectively, but will change the Norwegian Dawn's November 19th, Miami port of call to Port Everglades.

Royal Caribbean Cruises stated at press time, that it is in the process of finalizing plans with local authorities, but said that it was premature to announce any repositionings at this time.

This event has caused operational problems in the past which the cruise lines want to avoid, as well as potential security concerns in the post 9/11 era.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Jamaica Facts:

Driving is based on British tradition.
Look to the RIGHT before crossing!

Jamaica comes from "Xaymaca" the original name given by the Arawak Indians in circa 650 AD. It means "Land of Wood and Water".

"Off The Track Fact"
by Judy

There are no poisonous snakes on the island of Jamaica. At most, you may see a garden snake or two.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

What is "Tendering"?

As you read the story about Port Calls in Jamaica, you will see the comment that we "tendered" in Montego Bay.

"Tendering" is a method used by the cruise lines when they are unable to dock their ship directly at a pier in a port of call.

This can happen for one of two reasons. Reason one could be that the ship is simply too large to be accommodated at the pier. It may be too long or may require deeper water to safely sail than is located at that pier. The second reason is that there are more ships in that port than can be accommodated directly at the available piers.

In either of these cases, the ships get as close as they can to the pier area and drop anchor. They then use several of their lifeboats (tenders) to transport passengers from the ship to the pier and back. This is called tendering.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

More Jamaica Facts:

Christopher Columbus visited Jamaica during his 2nd New World Voyage in 1494.

The Spanish arrived later and were welcomed by the Arawak Indians, who were later executed or taken as slaves. Nothing remains today of this race except the name.

"Off The Track Fact"
by Judy

A Kansas couple traveling aboard the Norwegian Crown are visiting Jamaica for the first time since their honeymoon there 47 years ago. They found their resort is now "Clothing Optional!" They had a great time!

Cruise-n-Views Newsletter For Complete Up-To-Date Information On The Cruise Industry Issue #007 November 11 , 2003
FOR OUR NEW SUBSCRIBERS Welcome to another issue of Cruise-n-Views Newsletter. We are glad to have you as a new subscriber and hope you enjoy the information this weekly newsletter provides you to stay up-to-date on all the exciting happenings in the cruise industry. We also hope you take part in this newsletter, by submitting questions you want answered, providing feedback to help us improve the newsletter to make it even more enjoyable, and even participating in occasional surveys and then reading the results of our readers once posted. The more participation from the readers, the better the newsletter will be. Editor: Daniel A. Hoffman, MCC This newsletter contains current news and information on the "Cruise" industry. It will also contain the "Views" of the editor on different issues within the industry. The editor owns and operates a cruise oriented travel agency located in Pennsylvania. This newsletter's main purpose IS NOT AND WILL NOT BE for the purpose of selling cruises. It will at times contain ads from different sources. All ads will be cruise or travel related. It will list cruise specials from time to time in the ad section, but as stated, this is not the primary purpose of this newsletter.
NEW FEATURE: If you missed a newsletter, or want to re-read something from a previous issue, now you can! Go to: www.Cruise-n-Views.com and click the issue link you want under "Archived Newsletters"
	In This Issue First 2 Ports of Call on 30 Day Cruise Articles Written By Captain Lou Hoffman #1 Jamaica-Ocho Rios #2 Montego Bay	Contact Info: You can email us at the following: Feedback@Cruise-n-Views.com for input about the newsletter Editor@Cruise-n-Views.com for submitting questions to have answered Reply@Cruise-n-Views.com for general replies or responses to articles in the newsletter
***Serving Over 7,100 Subscribers Weekly!***
#1 JAMAICA-OCHO RIOS "Come to Jamaica and feel all right !" Maybe--maybe not. Many do, some don’t. As a sailor, it’s time to try. We have been aboard the M/S Norwegian Crown for 43 hours sailing at 18 to 20 knots when we dock at Ocho Rios. It is my first visit to Jamaica, the third largest Island in the Caribbean. Ocho Rios is a small resort village on the north side of Jamaica surrounded by lush, jungle-like vegetation. Rain is the reason and we are experiencing it now. The port itself has seen better days, but retains its "Welcome to Jamaica" for first timers, and it’s "Welcome Home" to those who visited here before. Our party of four splits into the adventurous--"the wives" head to Dunn River Falls. The gathers--"the men" head to town to find an Internet cafe. Taxis are abundant--with just as many prices. In Jamaica, everything is negotiable. Red license plates on taxis with the JUTA or Maxi labels are recommended. Dan and I walk the enjoyable and easy 1.5 miles to town. Quoted prices range from $1 to $3 per person within 150 yards of the port gates. In fact during our walk, we are offered every physical pleasure imaginable along with ganja/weed rolled or bagged. Of course, all is politely rejected. This particular aspect of Jamaica-- aggressive vending practices and some illegal offers-- turns many people off. It is important to note that Jamaica is a very poor country. The street vendors are only trying to feed their families and mean no harm. Also of note --"a polite Welcome to Jamaica, my name is -----, I have things for sale", can be stopped by a respectful but firm "No Thank You". It’s no problem, Mon-- honestly there is no anger. Dunn River Falls exceed expectations. Although crowded, it is worth the physical effort needed to climb and swim in this Caribbean Garden of Eden. The Falls cascade hurriedly down steps as it's water rushes to the sea. The Taj Mahal, a somewhat unsightly collection of vendors, some of which NCL recommends, have shops which sell up-scale jewelry, name brand watches, tee-shirts, and Jamaican arts & crafts. Cuban Cigars are reasonably priced and authentic. Yes, I enjoy a good Cuban and have been to and cruised around Cuba on a 38’ sailboat. We find the Taj Internet Café with T-1 lines at a reasonable $8 per hour. It is part of a bar & grille located on a deck overlooking the main street. Now we have Internet access using our notebook-- rather than their PC’s. All this while, we enjoy refreshments and people watching. Jamaicans are some of the friendliest people of the Caribbean. This Dan and I experienced when we met Nekita who runs the Internet café. She is pleasant, efficient and very proficient. Going well beyond duty, she stays open 1 1/2 hours past closing time to permit the Cruise-n-Views work to be finished. A better Ambassador for tourism can not be found. The preceding article was written and contributed by: Capt. Lou Hoffman *** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * #2 MONTEGO BAY** After an overnight sail, the Crown drops anchor in Montego Bay at 0800. Our party tenders ashore (see side box) and shuttles to the port transportation center. Here we somehow manage to board a non air conditioned van at $4 per person for a bumpy dirty ride to Margaritaville. It’s the kind of place we older Parrot Heads sang about with disgust. It succeeds at enticing adult tourists to do childish things totally unencumbered by guilt in Paradise. "Oh Jimmy, Jimmy!!!" But of course, we had a great time in this open air place of competing vibrant colors. A short walk east along the ocean road and many "no thank you’s" later, we reach Doctors Cave Beach. This enticing beach has a $5 entry fee. We would gladly pay but decide to just watch while the skies open to drop a large amount of water on the already wet landscape. At the same time, we add to Jamaica’s Gross National Product by the consumption of Red Stripe Beer, Appleton’s Rum, and an $8 deodorant stick. Our shop owner purchases the deodorant from a shop across the street and sells it to Dan. Now that’s accommodating. By now-- a little late, Dan has this taxi thing all figured out. You look for a taxi with all the windows up and the people inside smiling. That my friend means the air conditioner works. We have another experience with the friendliness of Jamaicans. We hire Lambert’s Taxi for a return trip to the port center. In air conditioned comfort, he freely displays a well educated and very knowledgeable picture of Jamaica. He is proud of his country. He got some of his service oriented attitude as a prior NCL employee. Like Jamaica, Lambert is colorful and animated and makes a great tour guide. Contact Lambert at Juta Tour Company via cell # (876) 772-0310. Mention Capt Lou. He may still be friendly. We enjoyed much, while disliking some of Jamaica’s characteristics. No question about the oft heard phrase "out of many, one people." Jamaica has a multi-cultural history. Beauty is abundant. Jamaica needs and appreciates tourists. Is Jamaica my favorite port-of-call? No Will I return? You can bet on it! The preceding article was written and contributed by: Capt. Lou Hoffman			Emergency Ship Relocations Several cruise lines have made an announcement due to the upcoming scheduled, "Free Trade of the Americas Conference" to be held on November 17-21, in Miami. They have decided to relocate their vessels to Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) amid concerns of potential violent protests and massive congestion near the Port of Miami. Carnival Cruise Lines will shift the Paradise, Imagination, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Victory to Ft. Lauderdale's Port Everglades. Ships that depart Miami over the next seven days will debark in Port Everglades on their return voyages and then return to their Miami home port in December. Norwegian Cruise Line will keep its Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Wind in Miami November 16 and November 22, respectively, but will change the Norwegian Dawn's November 19th, Miami port of call to Port Everglades. Royal Caribbean Cruises stated at press time, that it is in the process of finalizing plans with local authorities, but said that it was premature to announce any repositionings at this time. This event has caused operational problems in the past which the cruise lines want to avoid, as well as potential security concerns in the post 9/11 era. *** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Jamaica Facts: Driving is based on British tradition. Look to the RIGHT before crossing! Jamaica comes from "Xaymaca" the original name given by the Arawak Indians in circa 650 AD. It means "Land of Wood and Water". "Off The Track Fact" by Judy There are no poisonous snakes on the island of Jamaica. At most, you may see a garden snake or two. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * What is "Tendering"? As you read the story about Port Calls in Jamaica, you will see the comment that we "tendered" in Montego Bay. "Tendering" is a method used by the cruise lines when they are unable to dock their ship directly at a pier in a port of call. This can happen for one of two reasons. Reason one could be that the ship is simply too large to be accommodated at the pier. It may be too long or may require deeper water to safely sail than is located at that pier. The second reason is that there are more ships in that port than can be accommodated directly at the available piers. In either of these cases, the ships get as close as they can to the pier area and drop anchor. They then use several of their lifeboats (tenders) to transport passengers from the ship to the pier and back. This is called tendering. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * More Jamaica Facts: Christopher Columbus visited Jamaica during his 2nd New World Voyage in 1494. The Spanish arrived later and were welcomed by the Arawak Indians, who were later executed or taken as slaves. Nothing remains today of this race except the name. "Off The Track Fact"** by Judy A Kansas couple traveling aboard the Norwegian Crown are visiting Jamaica for the first time since their honeymoon there 47 years ago. They found their resort is now "Clothing Optional!" They had a great time!

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