Cruise-n-Views December 02, 2003 Newsletter

Q & A

Q. You have used the term GRT when talking about ships and the size of them. What exactly is GRT?

A. GRT stands for Gross Registered Tonnage. It is used to compare ships and their sizes.

While it uses the term "tonnage" it actually has nothing directly to do with the weight of the ship. It is actually a measure of volume instead of weight.

One (1) GRT is equal to 100 cubic feet of enclosed deck space. Since it refers to enclosed space it obviously does not include open deck space on the pool decks and suns decks of the passenger cruise ships.

While not a perfect comparison, it is by far the most reliable and easily obtainable way of comparing ships and their relative sizes.

This term dates back to the 13th century when merchant ships carried wine in casks known as "tuns" and was used to tell the volume of wine the ship was capable of carrying.

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"Off The Track Fact"
by Judy

A. The largest Chinese Community in South America is in Lima.

B. Cerviche, is considered by most to be the national dish of Peru. It’s comprised of fresh raw fish and shellfish, marinated in lemon juice, hot chilies, salt, and pepper. TIP: Do not eat the little red chili pepper that looks like a bell pepper…it’s lethal! (based upon Capt. Lou’s personal experience).

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"Caribbean Princess" To Arrive Ahead Of Schedule

Princess Cruises announced that the lines newest vessel, "Caribbean Princess" will now sail its inaugural voyage on April 3, 2004, two weeks ahead of the originally planned launch.

The ship is currently under construction at Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. As a result of the early arrival of the vessel, Princess Cruises has added two additional sailings of the western Caribbean departing from Ft. Lauderdale on April 3 and 10 with ports of call at Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Montego Bay and Princess Cruises' private island, Princess Cay

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LAST CHANCE To Enter The
"Predict The Date"
Contest

We expect to hit the cutoff number of 20,000 subscribers to Cruise-n-Views Newsletter this week. We exceeded 18,450 this week.

We're excited about the continued rapid growth of our subscriber base. As stated before, thank you to those who have referred us to your friends. We also want to thank those who have emailed us with questions, comments, etc. Free feel to contact us at anytime with your input.

We are conducting a contest to "Predict The Date" that we do, indeed, hit 25,000 subscribers. We will award the first three entries who predict the correct date with a free one year membership in the upcoming Dynamic Dream Cruise Club that you have heard about. (Value $74)

To enter, simply send an email to:
Reply@Cruise-n-Views.com
and put your estimated date on the subject line of your email. Please enter the date as: MM/DD/YY.

Contest will be open until we hit 20,000 subscribers. One entry per subscriber.

Enter your estimated date today before three other people select it! Good Luck!

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

Country Flags and Facts

Numbers presented based on 2000 available data. GDP Income/Capita is Gross Domestic Product Income divided by total population. For comparison purposes, USA GDP Income/Capita in 2000 was $30,200

Peru

Total Pop.-- 26,600,000
Total Area-- 496,210 sq. miles
Capital City-- Lima
City Pop.-- 5,700,000
Metro Pop.-- 6,300,000
Literacy Rate-- 89%
Language-- Spanish
GDP Income/Capita-- $4,420
Currency-- Nuevo Soles
$1 US =3.45 Soles
Peru’s coastline is bordered on the North by Ecuador and on the South by Chile.

Cruise-n-Views Newsletter For Complete Up-To-Date Information On The Cruise Industry Issue #010 December 02 , 2003
FOR OUR NEW SUBSCRIBERS Welcome to another issue of Cruise-n-Views Newsletter. If you are new to our newsletter, welcome. We are glad to have you as a 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.
*LAST* Chance To Win A Free One Year Membership To Dynamic Dream Cruise Club Your Chance To Enter The Contest "Predict The Date" We will hit the cutoff number this week! Many Have Already Submitted Their Estimated Date. ENTER NOW AS THIS MAY BE YOUR LAST CHANCE!!
Caballo de Totura (See Story Below)	In This Issue #1 Trujillo, Peru #2 Lima, Peru PLUS -Q & A- -"Off The Track Fact"- -"Caribbean Princess" To Arrive Ahead Of Schedule- -Country Flags and Facts-	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 18,450 Subscribers Weekly!* Don't Miss Submitting Your Entry To The "Predict The Date" Contest For When We Hit 25,000 Subscribers! (see right side bottom of column to enter)**
#TRUJILLO, PERU Port-Of-Call # 4 We’re in the City of Trujillo now. Admiring what is purported to be the largest main square in all Peru. We got here on a bus arranged by NCL from our entry Port of Salaverry. Again, security issues were raised and we each paid the $10 tariff. Time is short at this destination and we are anxious to see the pre-Inca ruins outside the city. Money changed to Soles, we opt for an independent taxi tour of the historic Colonial Spanish area. The Cathedrals, Buildings and Mansions are ornate and magnificent beyond expectation. Pizaro Street alone boasts the following: The Mansion which housed the First Congress and Government Palace; the Urquiaga Family Home where Simón Bolivar was a guest; and the house at 688 Pizarro which is considered the most beautiful Mansion in all of South America. Hard to leave so soon, but Chan Chan is calling us into the Desert! Chan Chan was the Capital of the Chimu Indian Kingdom. As with the Incas, the origin of the Chimus is in question. Legends of old tell of Tacaynamo, the first King arriving from the Sea at the head of a fleet of rafts. It is known that the Chimus ruled the entire north coast of Peru until they were conquered by the Incas in 1470. What the Chimus left behind for us to ponder is incredible! Chan Chan is the world’s largest adobe (mud brick) city. It occupies over 14 square kilometers. It has been declared a "World Heritage Site". As we near the area of the abandoned Kingdom, we only think we are there! Capt. Lou and Dan with their identical digital cameras flashing have no idea of what’s to come. We haven’t yet reached the Chan Chan of monumental scale, formal complexity, and elaborate design. It’s truly too much to describe. The mud forms are intricate and beautiful. After two hours with mouths open in awe, we’ve barely scratched the surface of this marvel. Hungry, we make our way-- based upon Guillermo, our taxi driver’s suggestion, to Huanchaco Beach about 9 miles away. It’s an ancient fishing village just beginning to make a turn to resort status. The new development is mixed with the charm of the ancestral traditions of this fishing community. Rounding the curve and looking out upon the sea, we are treated to a sight one usually only dreams of! In front of us is a fleet of small one man boats made from local "horse reeds", which are tied together in a unique form. We see some at sea with the fisherman kneeling or sitting with knees bent, and some are being brought onto the beach and stuck upright into the sand to drain and dry. The boat is known as Caballo de Totura(see photo above). The Chimu Indians depicted these boats on the walls of the palaces in Chan Chan. The design is not changed today…nor the customs. Wives and children greet the fishermen on the beach and help pull in the boats. We feel privileged to witness such a scene. Our driver, Guillermo--easy for me to remember--it’s my grandson’s name, (William) speaks good English and has selected a superb restaurant. Guillermo was an excellent guide at a good rate. We paid 60 Soles for three and a half hours which included a good tip, while the bus cost us 140 Soles for the 30 minute ride we got taken on. Guillermo’s taxi is #111 and he can be reached at www.guillermo_ramos@hotmail.com. We taxi back to the Plaza and board the last bus to Salaverry where the ship is docked. With our minds still in ancient Peru, we wonder what marvels lie ahead at our next stop…Lima, the Capital? The preceding article was written and contributed by: Capt. Lou Hoffman *** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *** #2 LIMA, PERU Port-Of-Call # 5 Lima was named "The City of Kings" by the Spanish Conquerors, and we have a Royal Time trying to get there. Lima may be the Capital, but it’s the Port of Callao where you enter from the Sea. As cruise line passengers we are shuttled via oversized out of place, very comfortable, monstrous buses, through the Port of Callao. That trip was $10 USD per person. "Too dangerous" we were told. Poor and run down-- yes, dangerous--probably not, well OK!! But we weren’t deposited in the heart of this magnificent old Colonial City as hoped. Instead the bus took us to the Marriott Hotel in the newer and lovely suburban area of Mira Flores. The design of the development-- aided solely by nature in that it sits atop a 200 to 300 foot cliff, overlooking the Sea. It is contemporarily charming and glamorous as we have SEEN… but it is not the Lima we came to SEE! While Dan has a rendezvous with the Spanish Internet, we walk a mile or so along the Oceanside Road Park at the top of the Cliff… magnificent vistas. Then, we three return by taxi for 6 Soles or a buck, seventy-five. As Dan is finishing with the Net, I begin "interviewing" taxi drivers. Cruise note: This frequently is the most important decision you will make ashore! Our luck holds! We squeeze into a typically small (pocito) taxi for our 35 minute ride into "El Centro". Another cruise note: (we pay 20 Soles per hour or $5.80 rather than the quoted union rate of $10- $12 USD). Our driver is unpolished and the four cylinder is hitting on only three. Although Gilmer speaks no English, he does know Lima. He’s determined that we Norte Americanos get a true vision of this historic, magnificent, macho city. We love it! Our sight and all senses are bombarded in a boisterous Latin way! We see La Catedral de Lima, the cathedral which houses the tomb of Francisco Pizaro, Lima’s Founder. Then we walk around the Plaza Mayor past the Presidential Palace. Lot’s going on! The Palace Guards are splendid in their colorful uniforms, but there is much more. Riot Police, Military Guards, Water Cannon Tanks, Tear Gas Canisters, Dogs and Latin "Men in Black" are everywhere, i.e.; cathedral bell towers. We are here as the Secretary-General of the United Nations is a guest of the President of Peru. Although we can’t stay for all the ceremonies, we are pleased to know the occasion… because I initially thought it might be a Mercedes Auto Show! Onward, around the Plaza, we find an open air pedestrian area lined with sights, smells and goods. Lunch is al fresco, with Peruvian Seafood and Music… THEN, it is RUSH HOUR in a major city and we have a deadline for our return to the ship. What follows is the most extraordinary taxi ride EVER… and we know New York City!! Our street smart driver knows the narrow, pot-hole covered back streets in the non-tourist sections. He even diverts to show us the major bull ring in Lima’s rundown area. He is diligent and obvious in preventing our car from getting boxed-in at corners or at lights and stop signs (safety reasons). Such aggressive driving…but with a tone of, yes, politeness. The horns seem to have an actual language of their own. We get to the port on time, with that extra stop for Artesian Peruvian Shops at 790 Avenue de Marina…but just barely. So, if you don’t have enough time and or the energy to savor all the delights of Lima-- taste all you can… and pick your taxi driver very, very carefully. The preceding article was written and contributed by: Capt. Lou Hoffman			Q & A Q. You have used the term GRT when talking about ships and the size of them. What exactly is GRT? A. GRT stands for Gross Registered Tonnage. It is used to compare ships and their sizes. While it uses the term "tonnage" it actually has nothing directly to do with the weight of the ship. It is actually a measure of volume instead of weight. One (1) GRT is equal to 100 cubic feet of enclosed deck space. Since it refers to enclosed space it obviously does not include open deck space on the pool decks and suns decks of the passenger cruise ships. While not a perfect comparison, it is by far the most reliable and easily obtainable way of comparing ships and their relative sizes. This term dates back to the 13th century when merchant ships carried wine in casks known as "tuns" and was used to tell the volume of wine the ship was capable of carrying. *** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Off The Track Fact" by Judy A. The largest Chinese Community in South America is in Lima. B. Cerviche, is considered by most to be the national dish of Peru. It’s comprised of fresh raw fish and shellfish, marinated in lemon juice, hot chilies, salt, and pepper. TIP: Do not eat the little red chili pepper that looks like a bell pepper…it’s lethal! (based upon Capt. Lou’s personal experience). * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Caribbean Princess" To Arrive Ahead Of Schedule Princess Cruises announced that the lines newest vessel, "Caribbean Princess" will now sail its inaugural voyage on April 3, 2004, two weeks ahead of the originally planned launch. The ship is currently under construction at Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. As a result of the early arrival of the vessel, Princess Cruises has added two additional sailings of the western Caribbean departing from Ft. Lauderdale on April 3 and 10 with ports of call at Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Montego Bay and Princess Cruises' private island, Princess Cay * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * LAST CHANCE To Enter The "Predict The Date" Contest We expect to hit the cutoff number of 20,000 subscribers to Cruise-n-Views Newsletter this week. We exceeded 18,450 this week. We're excited about the continued rapid growth of our subscriber base. As stated before, thank you to those who have referred us to your friends. We also want to thank those who have emailed us with questions, comments, etc. Free feel to contact us at anytime with your input. We are conducting a contest to "Predict The Date" that we do, indeed, hit 25,000 subscribers. We will award the first three entries who predict the correct date with a free one year membership in the upcoming Dynamic Dream Cruise Club that you have heard about. (Value $74) To enter, simply send an email to: Reply@Cruise-n-Views.com and put your estimated date on the subject line of your email. Please enter the date as: MM/DD/YY. Contest will be open until we hit 20,000 subscribers. One entry per subscriber. Enter your estimated date today before three other people select it! Good Luck! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Country Flags and Facts Numbers presented based on 2000 available data. GDP Income/Capita is Gross Domestic Product Income divided by total population. For comparison purposes, USA GDP Income/Capita in 2000 was $30,200 Peru** Total Pop.-- 26,600,000 Total Area-- 496,210 sq. miles Capital City-- Lima City Pop.-- 5,700,000 Metro Pop.-- 6,300,000 Literacy Rate-- 89% Language-- Spanish GDP Income/Capita-- $4,420 Currency-- Nuevo Soles $1 US =3.45 Soles Peru’s coastline is bordered on the North by Ecuador and on the South by Chile.

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