European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 27, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The Royal Viking line s flagship is helped up the River thames in London. When it was launched in passengers can Dine in elegance or Graze at a Buffet in was sad a the world s largest cruise liner. The liners variety of restaurants. Can find a ship within their budget. But they still should t expect luxury hotel amenities at a Motel Price. A More cruises to Russia Ukraine and other parts of the former soviet Union. A a return of cruise ships to the Mediterranean. Several lines cancelled 1991 itineraries in the Eastern Mediterranean when the persian Culf War erupted a year ago. A historic itineraries retracing at least part of Christopher Columbus s routes of exploration in the new world 500 years ago. A entirely smoke free cruises. These efforts must be working. Some cruise lines reported record sales in the first two weeks of january according to a report in travel weekly an Industry publication. Although this was an optimistic beginning Many of the bookings appeared to be for discounted trips As passengers took advantage of Early booking promotions. Some Sample cruises initially Pearl cruises had planned to introduce its Vietnam itinerary with Only two cruises this year a one in the Spring and the other in the fall. Both sold out quickly. At the same time the French owned line left a Gap in its sailing schedule anticipating the . Treasury department s decision to lift its ban against promoting Tours to Vietnam within the United states. As soon As the rules were relaxed in december the line quickly added a third trip aimed at americans. On the itinerary Are cities and ports that dominated the news during the War in Vietnam Haiphong the port of Hanoi Danang and an excursion to Hue and to Chi Munh City formerly known As Saigon. The 10-Day cruise along the vietnamese coast is part of a 17-Day far East package that includes stays in Hong Kong where the trip begins and Manila the disembarkation port. The departure Date is july 11. The voyage will be aboard the 480-passenger Ocean Pearl. Rates for the package begin at $2,495 per person based on double occupancy a not including the Cost of getting to the far East. Early booking discounts Are available up to 60 Days before departure. Three cruises also Are being planned for 1993. For information Contact Pearl cruises 1510 be 17th St., fort Lauderdale Fla. 33316. The Waters of the Eastern Mediterranean seem relatively Calm right now and cruise lines that cancelled 1991 sailings because of the iraqi crisis Are planning to return this summer. Among them is seabourn cruise line which is scheduling a series of 14-Day luxury class cruises aboard the seabourn spirit from late March into Early october. Some Mediterranean itineraries include a Call on Seville Spain site of the world s fair that opens april 20. Others visit the Creek islands and Istanbul. For information Contact seabourn cruise line 55 Francisco St., san Francisco Calif. 94133. Travellers can spend Good Friday and easter sunday in two of Europe s most imposing cathedrals the towering gothic masterpiece in Cologne Germany and the Sandstone Cathedral at Strasbourg France. Cd River cruises five Day tour aboard the flagship deutschland leaves Basel Switzerland on april 16, and stops in Strasbourg on Good Friday and in Cologne on easter before Docking the next Day in Amsterdam the Netherlands. The ship accommodates 184 passengers and has a dining room Sauna and solarium and a heated outdoor swimming Pool. Cruise fares Start at $795 per person double. Seaquest the new corporate name for Salen Lindblad cruising will Send its Frontier spirit on a 16-night cruise among the British Isles from May 16 to june 1, departing from and returning to Hamburg Germany. The 164-passenger vessel will Call at the Isles of Scilly the aran islands and the islands of Skye and mull among others. Cruise Only prices Start at $4,500 a person. Several cruise lines will provide glimpses this summer of the changes under Way in what Usea to be called the. Soviet Union. Most sail either the Baltic sea with Calls on St. Petersburg and Tallinn the capital of Estonia or the Black sea with Calls on Odessa and Yalta in Ukraine. Among them Are Cunard the Royal Viking line and Finland s Silja line. For details on these cruises Contact the ship line or a travel agent. The los Angeles Timos contributed to this  Boatload of cruises a local travel official says that cruise lines Are definitely trying to get prices Down and that customers who use military base booking offices have responded by showing More interest. Bob Wyatt assistant managing director for scheduled airlines travel offices overseas says that developing cruise business has been one of Sato s goals. And As Sato and its Market have become More knowledgeable about what is available business has increased. Last year a cruise through the greek islands that was run by a local tour operator and promoted by Sato was so successful that Sato plans on running two of its own this year. One will be during the july fourth Holiday the other in the fall. Information Tours and travel Sato and other local travel offices have scheduled trips in cooperation with local travel companies. Among them is a cruise of the Baltic sea leaving from Kiel Germany and including six nights on ship and a Layover in St. Petersburg Russia. The trip arranged by top Tours is aboard the . Anna Karenina which has a Pool Sauna restaurants and tax free shop. Seven trips Are scheduled Between april and late August. Prices Range from $399 to $1,199 depending on season and size and location of sleeping Cabin. The Price includes round trip coach transportation from various Sites in Germany to Kiel. Top Tours is also running a love boat to Sweden cruise that includes one night on ship and a visit to the swedish Harbor town of Trel Leberg plus an optional tour of nearby Malmo. Other activities include dinner and breakfast buffets a disco and a City tour of Hamburg Germany. The trips leave each tuesday through april 7 and Cost Between $129 and $169, depending on Type of Cabin. The Price includes round trip coach transportation to trave Munde Germany from various German starting Points. Both top Tours and enjoy Tours run combined mini cruises and bus trips that include stops in Amsterdam the Netherlands Brussels Belgium and London. Tour prices begin at $139. Details on these and other cruises Are available at base travel offices and through private travel agents. A the stars and stripes february 27, 1992 stripes Magazine 71