IFE

Cruises and
Cancun are
the winter
holiday
season's
"hot"
vacation
spots for
singles

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Luxury Travel Ltd. in Birmingham tempts the single traveler with posters of cruise ships and resorts in warm climates.

•

Local News Editor

ingles who like to
cruise can leave the
and
Telegraph
Woodward strips
behind this winter
for a trip on the high seas.
Cruises are hot this coming
holiday season and many
cruise lines are making
special accommodations for
their unmarried travelers.
"Cruises are more popular
than ever," according to
Joanne Kowalski, travel con-
sultant for Book Couzens.,
Solite ships are specifically
catering to younger singles,
while others are blocking out
activities and cabin areas for
single travelers.
Jules Fayne; marketing
manager of Hamilton, Miller,
Hudson and Fayne, says
cruises for singles offer "the
best deals" because they are
all inclusive. Meals; accom-
modations, drinks,
entertainment and gratuities
are all included in one set
price.
What makes a cruise so at-
tractive to singles is that it
has activities designed for
singles to meet each other.
Annette Langwald, president
of Cruises Only! Ltd. and
Elkin Travel, Inc., said that
mixers, dances, sports and
other activities are among
the many events in which
singles can participate and

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socialize. Some ships teach
snorkeling in their pools,
then take travelers out to an
island : for the real thing.
Others offer lectures' by
sports stars and entertainers
or a handwriting analyst:
In addition, she said, sing-
les are attracted to cruises
because the- atmosphere on•a
ship is so informal. "You can
feel very comfortable any-
where you go on a cruise-
ship," she said.Some cruise
lines offer special interest
cruises. Last spring, several
cruise lines geared their
ships' itineraries toward
viewing Halley's Comet and
simultaneously held
astronomy-related activities
on board. Holland America
offers a "Music of Your Life"
cruise aimed at classical
music buffs, and the Norwe-

gran Cruise line has been
for its '50s cruise, Ok-
toberfest, country western
and other theme trips.
"Carnival is the best cruise
line for singles," asserts Sha-
ron Acx, manager of Berkley
Tours. "They advertise
they're party ships and they
really are." The ships are
usually filled with single
travelers from their mid-20s- -
to their mid-40s and offer a
variety of mixers, dances,
aerobics and other singles-
oriented pursuits.
Debbie Alfieri, president of
Travel Representatives, Inc.
recommends the Singleworld
cruises for singles looking for
a relaxing get-away.
"Singleworld offers good
prices, dates and cruises spec-
ifically for that age category
(25-45)." She said other

winter is • the resort city of
cruise_ lines often block out
Cancun,. Mexico, *here the
certain 'months just for :single
government has built anti ex-
travelers.
panded .condominiuni proper-
Langwald said that some
cruises are geared for single , ties ; and added a water-
Vdrifying plant. Alfieri said
parents, particularly during
-the newness of . the city and
the winter holiday season, •,
economical prices are two
Samar, she said, "has a.,
reasons why singles are at-
fabulous children's program,"
tracted to the area.
providing all kinds of things
In :Cancun, singles can
to do: for children. -
enjoy water sports, tours,
On the average, a single -
short trips to Cozumel and go
traveler can expect to pay
to the bars if they prefer.
about $1,200 for a one-week
Kowalski adds that night life
cruise (based on double occu-
is "hot," and visitors can
pancy), Langwald said. Ac-
enjoy the dancing in the dis-
cording to Acx, Comodore of-
cos or night clubs in the
fers single cabins for a double
hotels and resorts.
rate, while Carnival and
Gloria Pianko, president of
NCL will help a single
Travel Unlimited, called
traveler find a cabinmate.
Cancun, "a young destina-
The key to taking a cruise,
tion." "Everything is new
Langwald advises, is not
there. The whole area is at-
where it goes, but what it of-
tractive. I feel real comforta-
fers. Second to cruises this

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