Not Too Early to Plan for 1992 Holiday Cruises

Every year at this time, in the midst of Christmas shopping, tree trimming, party-going and planning the family Christmas dinner, almost everyone indulges in a brief daydream of getting away from it all and letting someone else do the cooking and decorating.

It is for times like these that the Christmas cruise was invented.

While it’s too late to do anything but fantasize about running away to sea this Christmas, now is the perfect time to plan a cruise for the 1992 holiday season.

Planning ahead could also net an early booking discount from many cruise lines.

Here are some special Christmas cruises for 1992:

--The Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen steamboats celebrate a month of holidays, Southern-style, sailing round trip from New Orleans for three-, four-, five- and seven-day itineraries during the month of December. Along the levees, in the Cajun custom, bonfires are lit to help Papa Noel (Santa Claus) find his way; chefs from famous Southern restaurants create special holiday dishes; Victorian decorations trim old-fashioned Christmas trees, and caroling and a visit from Santa are always on the agenda.

Travelers who book cruises before Dec. 31, 1991, get prices that are slightly lower than 1991 rates--from $460 to $3,850 per person, double occupancy--instead of $490 to $3,920, the 1992 rates. Prices vary according to length of cruise and accommodations selected. Call (800) 543-1949 for more information.

--Santa Claus arrives by lifeboat on Christmas Eve to the delight of children aboard Holland America Line ships, with gifts for everyone 18 and under. Decorated Christmas trees adorn every deck and often top off the masts as well. Choirs made up of crew members sing carols from their native countries, including the Netherlands, Indonesia and the Philippines.

The Noordam and Westerdam have scheduled seven-day Christmas and New Year’s cruises from Ft. Lauderdale, with Saturday departures at prices from $1,830 to $3,370 per person, double occupancy, including air fare. Even more spirited is a 14-day Nieuw Amsterdam cruise from Tampa to nine islands, some of them off the beaten track, departing Dec. 19 and priced from $3,660 to $5,400 per person, double occupancy, including air fare.

Holland America’s flagship Rotterdam sails from New York Dec. 17 for a 19-day holiday cruise visiting seven ports and sailing into the Panama Canal before returning to New York Jan. 4. Passengers also can opt to join the ship in Ft. Lauderdale or Norfolk, Va., for slightly shorter cruises. Prices range from $3,160 to $6,220 per person, double occupancy. Call (800) 426-0327 for details.

--Royal Cruise Line’s new Royal Odyssey, the former Royal Viking Sea, will make a 12-day “Holiday Mexico” sailing, round trip from Los Angeles, leaving Dec. 22, 1992, and returning Jan. 3, 1993. Ports of call include Cabo San Lucas, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Acapulco, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan.

--The Royal Odyssey should carry a lot of appeal for veteran cruise passengers, combining the single-meal seating from Royal Viking Line and the popular “gentleman host” program from RCL, where over-50 men are staffed to serve as dancing and bridge partners for women traveling alone. For more information, call (800) 622-0538.

--For many cruise lines, a Panama Canal transit is the centerpiece of a Christmas cruise. Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Harmony will repeat this year’s sellout holiday sailing in 1992, leaving Dec. 19 from Los Angeles and arriving in Ft. Lauderdale Jan. 5. Calls along the way include Puerto Vallarta, Zihuatanejo, Acapulco, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Playa del Carmen and Key West. Fares range from $4,200 to $20,060 per person, double occupancy, including air fare.

While not for kids, the Crystal Harmony excels in special touches such as gala-themed buffets that are more like a special event than the usual overworked shipboard “theme decor.” Around the holidays, expect glittering Christmas trees and sophisticated celebrations. For a brochure, call (800) 446-6645.

--The Royal Viking Sun sails from Ft. Lauderdale on Dec. 16, 1992, and arrives in Los Angeles Jan. 5 after calling at St. Thomas, Tortola, St. Bart’s, Bonaire, Aruba, Caldera, Acapulco (for New Year’s Eve and fireworks) and Cabo San Lucas. Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are spent at sea. Prices range from $6,650 to $22,190 per person, double occupancy, including air fare. To get more information, call (800) 346-8000.

--Princess Cruises offers a choice of a seven-day Christmas or New Year’s sailing aboard two of its newest mega-liners. On Dec. 19, the Regal Princess sets out from Ft. Lauderdale headed for Nassau, San Juan, St. Thomas and Princess Cays in the Bahamas, while the Crown Princess sails from Ft. Lauderdale to Princess Cays, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Playa del Carmen/Cozumel. On Dec. 26, both ships change itineraries, allowing passengers to book a 14-day sailing with no repeat ports of call except Ft. Lauderdale and Princess Cays. Fares for the seven-day cruises range from $1,715 to $3,245 per person, double occupancy, including air fare. For information, call (800) LOVE-BOAT.