Cruising Through Music of the ‘40s

A big hit with senior travelers last year was the successful series “1940s Remembered” big-band theme cruises aboard American Hawaii’s ships the Independence and the Constitution. The seven-day cruises will be repeated this year, with visiting celebrities from Hollywood’s 1940s era. Theme orchestras this year will include the Benny Goodman Tribute Orchestra; Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye, led by Roger Thorpe, and Les Elgart’s orchestra. Ships will feature period memorabilia.

Cruise ships depart Honolulu and stop at Hilo and Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii; at Kahului, Maui, and at Nawiliwili, Kauai. Sailing dates are May 7, 14 and 21; Nov. 26, and Dec. 3 and 10.

Passengers traveling alone this year can get inside deluxe staterooms for a supplement of only $100, replacing the previous 60% single-supplement charge. Per-person prices are determined by stateroom location and range $995-$1,895 for the cruise only. Round-trip air fare from Los Angeles to Honolulu is $349. Grandparents are advised that children 16 and under sail free if they share a cabin with adults in certain cabin categories, or they can get a 50% reduction for their own cabin. Shore excursions are extra.

Cruise/resort vacations can be booked, combining a three-day cruise with a four-day land package or a four-day cruise and three-day land package. For complete information and brochures, contact American Hawaii Cruises, 550 Kearney St., San Francisco 94108; telephone (800) 765-7000.

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Limited space is available on three upcoming trips organized by Trieloff Tours, a California operator specializing in senior tours:

* Chinese New Year in San Francisco, combined with a tour of the Napa Valley wine country, adds up to a five-night, six-day trip. It includes scenic and historic highlights of San Francisco, with reserved seating at the New Year parade, and two nights in the Napa Valley. The tour includes two breakfasts, two dinners and two cocktail parties. The cost from Southern California cities, including round-trip air fare, is $799 per person; the trip departs Feb. 24.

* A Grand Canyon railway trip begins with an overnight in Laughlin, Nev., and proceeds to Flagstaff, Ariz., where a visit to the Museum of Northern Arizona is scheduled. Next day, the Grand Canyon Steam Railway plies the 65-mile journey to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Except for the rail trip, travel is by air-conditioned motor coach. The four-day/ three-night excursion includes first-class hotels, two breakfasts (one aboard the train) and two dinners. Priced at $399, the trip departs Los Angeles April 25.

* An 11-day Cajun-Dixie tour includes two nights in New Orleans and a three-night cruise aboard the Mississippi Queen stern-wheeler. There are stops in 10 cities, with visits to stately mansions, formal gardens, museums and Civil War battlefields. The trip departs May 18. Prices, including round-trip air fare from Southern California, range $1,899-$2,299 and include all entrance fees, an air-conditioned motor coach, first-class hotels throughout the trip and 12 meals.

For complete information, see your travel agent or call Trieloff Tours at (800) 432-7125.

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A Club Med incentive program called “Forever Young” offers guests over the age of 55 a $150 discount on any one-week stay at half a dozen selected resorts. The six Club Med destinations are Paradise Island and Eleuthera in the Bahamas; Ixtapa and Cancun in Mexico; Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, and Sandpiper, about 45 miles north of West Palm Beach on Florida’s east coast.

Prices for one-week stays at the participating Club Meds vary with the season. The following examples do not include air fare and are per-person weekly rates based on double occupancy: Paradise Island, $790-$1,090; Cancun, $850-$1,200, and Sandpiper, $950-$1,250.

For a Club Med brochure or for general information, call (800) 258-2633.