For those concerned about what to wear...

For those concerned about what to wear aboard a cruise liner, dress codes differ from ship to ship. To allay the passengers’ fears, each company puts out brochures that provide the options. I’ve been on ships that require black-tie attire almost nightly, and others that don’t give a hoot. Generally there’s a casual attitude these days, with only a night or so when passengers show off that new gown or tux. Rather than a tux, I’ve always worn only a dark suit.

Norwegian Cruise Lines is mailing a handy brochure to passengers sailing its ships. The title is “Cruise Clothes: What to Take, What to Take Off.” This is a guide to appropriate dress, daytime or evening. NCL executive Brad Briggs says, “It’s designed to overcome the misconception that it’s necessary to purchase a new wardrobe for a cruise.” Copies are available from your travel agent, along with brochures defining dress codes on other ships.

Bargain to Britain

Ticketron is out to prove that Britain needn’t be expensive. A one-week off-season package is on the books for $899. Includes air fare, accommodations, a rental car for seven days. Free entry to 600 castles/mansions. Guests choose from a pool of 450 B&Bs; throughout the United Kingdom. Seaside guest cottages, country homes, town houses. For travelers who are timid about driving as the British do (left side of the road), passes are available from BritRail. All flights to Britain are aboard a major scheduled airline.

For details call Ticketron Travel toll-free at (800) 225-7283.

Keeping Healthy

Information on immunizations, exotic illnesses, jet lag and other travel-related health problems is available through a new program at the UCLA Medical Center. The Travel and Tropical Medicine Program is administered by Dr. Claire Panosian, former chief of infectious diseases at L.A. County Olive View Medical Center. Panosian, an adviser to international health organizations, has assisted with research programs in Haiti, Taiwan, Pakistan, the Philippines. Counsels on motion sickness, heat stroke, the prevention and treatment of travelers’ diarrhea, pregnancy, skin diseases. Discusses problems related to Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East.

Contact the UCLA Travel and Tropical Medicine Program, c/o UCLA Medical Center, 10833 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles 90024. Telephone (213) 825-9711. Ask about the booklet “International Travel and Your Health.”

California B&Bs;

Hundreds of B&Bs; are listed in a new 48-page booklet prepared for the California Office of Tourism. Covers all regions of the state, coastal communities, inland areas, desert destinations, California’s gold country, San Francisco, the Sierras, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego. A wide choice of accommodations. Booklet lists addresses, telephone numbers. Details on meals, amenities. To assist travelers with reservations, half a dozen B&B; referral services are named in the booklet. Information is based on research by Bobbi Zane, publisher of the popular newsletter “Yellow Brick Road.” For copies of the B&B; booklet, write to P.O. Box 9278-T99, Van Nuys 91409.

Australia

If you’re heading Down Under to Australia and the land of Crocodile Dundee, Qantas is introducing new domestic fares. Up to 40% savings over standard economy prices. Here are a few examples based on dollar exchange rates in recent weeks. Trips out of Sydney: $85 to Brisbane, $167 to Cairns, $81 to Melbourne, $188 to Perth. Tickets for Australia’s domestic flights can be bought in the United States. Contact your travel agent or Qantas toll-free at (800) 227-4500.

Paris Shopping

Maribeth Clemente is an American living in Paris who specializes in “personalized shopping excursions to quaint little boutiques.” Clemente picks up visitors at their hotels, delivers them to half a dozen shops. Acts as interpreter. Two tours are offered. One emphasizes women’s clothing, accessories; the other involves a round of shops specializing in children’s clothing, perfume, accessories for the home. Tour prices aren’t cheap. Figure on about $70/$80 (includes afternoon refreshments in a tearoom). Clemente insists that her tours are worth every franc because she chooses little-known shops selling everything from porcelain beads to unusual cookware. Items you won’t find in the ordinary guidebook. Clemente also provides tips on refunds on sales tax for purchases taken outside the country.

Maribeth Clemente, 21 bis Rue Voltaire, 75011 Paris, France. Telephone 43-48-85-04.

Florida Guide

Florida has produced a slick 104-page guide that’s packed with details on sightseeing trains, parks, car rental agencies, Busch Gardens, Cypress Gardens. Other sections are devoted to the Ringling Clown College, Disney World, Big Cypress Swamp, Captiva Island, Daytona Beach, the Everglades, the Flagler Museum, the Hemingway House at Key West, Key Biscayne, Miami’s Seaquarium, the NASA Kennedy Space Center, Palm Beach, Parrot Jungle. Dozens of other destinations/attractions. Covers all seven of Florida’s vacation regions.

Free copies from the Florida Department of Commerce, 126 W. Van Buren St., Tallahassee, Fla. 32399-2000.

Oregon Guide

Oregon has produced its own guide. Forty pages pinpointing recreational areas. Contains excellent maps, details on driving tours. The guide invites travelers to “get off the beaten path and discover Oregon.” A total of 13 loop tours with mile-by-mile descriptions of attractions. Takes in the Shakespeare Festival at Ashland, plus Klamath Falls, Crater Lake, the Willamette Valley, Portland, the Columbia Gorge and Mt. Hood.

Free copies at visitor centers throughout the state, or send $1 to Oregon Marketing Associates, 660 High Street N.E., Salem, Ore. 97301.

Luggage Cart

Samsonite has introduced a suitcase called the Piggyback. Features a built-in luggage cart that allows travelers to strap on other bags. Wide-track wheels prevents spills while navigating steps, curbs. You can strap on up to three other bags. Half a dozen prototypes were tested before the design was chosen. Retails for $179.99 (medium), $199.99 (28-inch case). The luggage cart is part of the bag. Result: No attachments necessary. On sale at major department/luggage stores.

Reader Recommendations

Colorado--Charlene L. Toews, Long Beach: “Just returned from the most idyllic vacation we’ve ever taken. Spectacular setting, lovely accommodations, delicious, impeccable service at Tall Timber, SSR Box 90, Durango, Colo. 81303. Four-day, three-night package cost $680 per person and included all meals, a trip on the Durango & Silverton narrow-gauge railway, helicopter trip to airport. Beautiful hiking, horseback riding, swimming.”

Pennsylvania--Ruth Mary Larson, Pasadena: “Pine Tree Farm, Lower State Road, Doylestown, Pa. 18901. A 1730s fieldstone house renovated with all modern amenities set in beautiful parklike setting with pool and tennis courts. Full breakfasts, complimentary wine, delightful hosts. Much to do and see in surrounding Bucks County. Room rates $95 to $110.”

England--Terise LaVine, Santa Monica: “We found a new, inexpensive B&B; just two minutes from the train station in Penzance. Less than $20 U.S. per person for a double room with a spectacular view of St. Michaels Mount, a 15th-Century monastery on a tiny island. The Mooring, 4 Trewartha Terrace, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 2HE, England.”