Seconding the big cruise ship blues

ARTHUR FROMMER’S comments relating to large cruise ships were totally on target [“Bigger Is Not Always Better on Cruises,” On a Budget, April 9].

I have sailed on three cruise ships carrying in excess of 2,000 passengers in the last two years and encountered many of the conditions he described: noisy and crowded dining rooms with young children running about unsupervised; port problems; and the constant selling on board, even drinking water and coffee.

I have had enough. My future cruises will be on smaller vessels or on river cruises that generally have fewer than 200 passengers.

I hope Frommer will devote a column to the enjoyable experiences to be encountered on Europe’s river cruises.

IRA M. LANDIS

Los Angeles