| Show 4T The Salt Lake Tribune Sunday September 2 1990 Crystal Harmony Newest luxury liner cruises seas in true palatial style By Colin Bessonette Cox News Service ment saunas and steam rooms and a computerized golf simulator with holes of famous courses — It has a 3000- - square-foo- t shopping arcade with enough upscale merchandise to send any credit card item to the brink (the is a $33000 diamond and ruby ring) — It has more staterooms with verandas than any other ship in the world (260 out of a total of 484) Providing the experience of being close to the sea — bringing its sights sounds and smells right into your room — the verandas are delightful especially for those accustomed to windowless cabins or those with small sealed portholes Perhaps the Crystal Harmony's ultimate luxury is something you can't see the kind of roominess associated with TV's "Love Boat" But those were Hollywood sets On this ship the public areas are so spacious you sometimes wonder where everyone else might be At midmorning when the ship is at sea for instance you might be the only one reading in the trilevel Vista Lounge with tall slanted windows overlooking the ship's bow like an observation deck atop a skyscraper Or you might have the Palm Court — with its comfortably padded wicker furniture ceiling fans and planters with palms — all to yourself Just when you've relaxed to the point of sleep dreaming you're in Singapore's Raffles your solitude is broken by a waiter asking if he can bring something from the bar In its decor the Crystal Harmony AT SEA — A pianist wearing a Unlike most new white tuxedo white patent shoes and which can accommodatemegaliners 1500-260- 0 a white carnation in his lapel glides passengers it holds only 960 And through a medley from "The Phan- with a price tag of $200 million it tom of the Opera" His piano is a most expensive of this year's Kawai grand but it isn't like any- isn't the Carnival Cruise Lines' Fantasy ships seen or heard before: thing you've It's crystal clear with see- - through cost $225 million What makes it distinctive is its hersides top bottom and legs People cluster around him watching in fas- itage: The Crystal Harmony is Japaneand Japanese-owne- d cination as the piano's hammers and se-built strings flutter like the wings of a With the immense financial backing of Nippon Yusen Kaisha a parent hundred butterflies A smart New York nightclub? A company so vast it owns its own shipchic Hawaiian resort? yard the Crystal Harmony reflects A shopper pauses outside a store the Japanese quest for perfection to admire the glittering window dis- typical in cars electronics and camplays then walks across the marble eras It isn't the Cadillac Zenith or Leica of cruise ships it's the Infiniti entry for a closer look The merchandise is what you know from Elle and Sony or Nikon Blacky Vogue: atrium From a dazzling gama minks ($5700) casually ele- lobby with a spotlighted sculpture-adorne- d gant Diane Freis party dresses waterfall to plush pent($400) Christian Dior ties ($88) And house suites with Jacuzzis overlookmore from perfumes by Chanel to ing the sea and walk-i- closets as big scarves by Hermes as Manhattan efficiencies it's the Rodeo Drive? Fifth Avenue? luxe latest statement in ocean-goinThe hushed voices and muted In design and amenities the Cryssounds of an elegant casino are un- tal Harmony is something special: mistakable Men and women who — It has the world's first Caesar's know what they're doing surround a roulette table craps table and sever- Palace at Sea (a al blackjack tables with the croupi- casino with 75 slot machines in addigames of ers deftly and wordlessly handling tion to the higher-stake- s chance) dice cards and chips — It has two alternative theme resMonte Carlo? Las Vegas? Guess again Isn't that water out- taurants in addition to a main dining room a cafe and several other eating side the windows? Yes this is a ship but it's not just and drinking places — It has health and fitness facilianother floating hotel This is the reCrystal Harmony now making its in- ties the equal of many land-base- d augural season of cruises from San sorts including two swimming pools Francisco to Alaska's Inside (one with a retractable roof) a spa with exercise and aerobics equip reflects the understated elegance of an exclusive hotel or executive office No walls have blank unadorned surfaces even the corridors deep within the ship are covered in a textured pattern with a soft pleasing video-projecte- d two-stor- n g 2200-square-fo- Earth" a small statue of a harpist in bronze covered by gold leaf and several other Japanese statues and artworks also decorate the ship The Crystal Harmony's builders are so confident of its success that two more vessels are planned in the next few years making a fleet of three to roam the sea lanes of the world Their optimism is well founded in the opinion of cruise and leisure consultant Jim Berrier of San Francisco-base- d Berrier Enterprises "It's one of the most beautiful vessels I've ever seen" he said of the Crystal Harmony "Everything about it is state of the art It will have a big cruise impact on the upper-echelo- n market because people will switch to it from other upscale ships" Tips for the trip — Information: Crystal Cruises 2121 Avenue of the Stars Los Angeles Calif 90067 or travel agents — Schedule: The Crystal Harmony's inaugural season of four Alaska cruises was sold out The ship will spend the fall and winter sailing through the Panama Canal moving to Europe in the spring Details: On Sept 10 it sails from San Francisco on a y cruise down Mexico's Pacific coast through the Panama Canal to several Caribbean islands before arriving in San Juan Puerto Rico on Sept 27 Then it bey cruises begins a series of tween San Juan and Acapulco — ex- appearance Lauderdale Fla day Acapulco-For- t cruise March 18 on April 1 the Crystal Harmony will sail from Fort Lauderdale to Lisbon Portugal to begin its first season of European cruises with itineraries of 12 and 14 days in the eastern and western Mediterranean Black Sea and to northern Europe and Scandinavia ending with a cruise from Rome to Lisbon From Lisbon it sails back across the Atlantic to Fort Lauderdale leaving Nov near-identic- al c Up above especially in public areas and along walkways where paintings and statuary are displayed the walls are padded with ultrasuede in rich subtle hues of gray high-traffi- Dark mahogany and burgundy d white sparkling brass marble and thick carpeting are everywhere If there's anything missing it's the feeling that the ship indeed is a product of Japan Signs are in English Most passengers are from the United States especially California The food is Continental with touches to suit American tastes Capt Kai Julsen recruited from Cunard's Sagafjord and Vistafjord is Norwegian Most officers hotel staff room attendants and waiters are northern European But look closely and you'll see the little things you won't find on the Crystal Harmony's competition — Seiko clocks in public rooms Panasonic VCRs in staterooms Sharp Trinitron monitors with individual Nintendo entertainment systems in the children's playroom For drama nothing tops a Japanese rendering of an ancient Chinese scene a landscape in vibrant greens and blues reproduced in 48 panels extending seven stories high along the back wall of the ship's central staircase "Hymn to Heaven and blue-veine- 17-da- 10-da- cept for 11-da- cruises during y Christmas starting Dec 16 and New Year's Dec 27 — ending with a 14- - 10 1991 — What it costs: Fares vary according to date itinerary length of cruise and accommodations Despite the ship's unabashed luxuries its cabins cost no more than other ships in its class although the range is cabins with wide (from lower-dec- k twin beds and no windows) to penthouse suites (the largest in the industry) For transcanal trips rates range from $2450 (10 days inside stateroom) to $12880 (14 days penthouse with living room dining room bedroom Jacuzzi walk-i- n closet and For European cruises veranda) rates range from $3780 (western Mediterranean 12 days) to $17360 (western Europenorthern capitals c 14 days) Twelve-da- y crossings (April 1 eastbound Nov 10 1991 westbound) are $2980- $10900 including a two- - night hotel package in Lisbon Portugal Rates are per person based on trans-Atlanti- double occupancy and include round-triair fare from numerous US gateway cities p Crystal Harmony provides delicious dining dilemma When it comes to food the Crystal Harmony provides a delicious dilemma the kind a traveler might expect in a fine hotel: Where to eat? The ship's main location for meals is the Crystal Dining Room seating 600 It's the most formal place to dine with attentive service and food so good you won't miss restaurants at home For those who prefer a more intimate restaurant setting there are two alternatives Kyoto (seating 80 and serving Asian selections from Cantonese- - style sweet and sour shrimp to Madras lamb curry) and Prego (seating 60 with Italian specialties such as veal scaloppini and cannelloni) Serving dinner only at no surcharge but by reservation — they share two sections of a long room with lofty narrow glass-walle- d views 11 decks above the sea Buffet breakfasts and lunches also are available in the bright and breezy Lido Cafe and occasional theme meals are served on deck One day during the cruise it may be Italian complete with a theatrical backdrop of Venice and a gondola hovering above the pool another time it may be Western with chefs in cowboy gear grilling steaks and dishing out barbecue amid fake cactus and desert-white animal skulls But most of the time most of the guests — the Crystal Harmony doesn't call them passengers — choose the Crystal Dining Room An restaurant it is uncrowded two-tie- r an aesthetic triumph with tables for two four six eight and 10 many next to or near the windows A sea of blue and peach with splashes of d mahogany it's as elegant as anything at sea Settings are exquisite with Villeroy & Boch china heavy Sheffield silverware Italian linens and fresh flowers replaced frequently (like the ship's vegetables they're stored in special humidity- - controlled refrigerators to keep them at their peak) But the food is the main attraction thanks to the culinary talents of the ship's two executive chefs Austrian Gottlieb Oberweger who spent the last 12 years with Royal Viking Line before moving to the Crystal Harmony and Frenchman Michel Blanchet executive chef at the celebrated L'Ermitage in Los Angeles oversee everything from purchasing to brass-trimme- Retreating to get away from it all By Stephen Williams Newsday Writer One of the aims of travel is to get away from it all by getting to someplace else But getting away from it all can be a purpose unto itself when the destination is a retreat A retreat may not qualify for some folks as a vacation But more than a million Americans annually turn inward on holidays that don't require changing currencies or following timetables And the baggage that they carry is emotional as well as practical spiritual retreats are Although usually tied to religious affiliations not all are The more trendy "rejuvenation" retreats and the hip new retreats employ catcrcise-spa hwords like "New Age" or "biofeedback" to attract customers and many of them dish up gourmet meals and offer hots tubs by the pool and VCRs in the suites At the opposite end of the spectrum are the monastic retreats where participants spend the day in solitude praying strolling through countryside perhaps fasting with nary a newspaper or a Walkman in sight exe- Somewhere between the extremes are the hundreds of retreat houses around the country that welcome guests usually for weekends and at reasonable costs for lectures workshops and peaceful perambulating The vast majority are sponsored by the Catholic Church according to retreat directories and guides About while a 150 are Protestant-rugrowing number have been estab lished for Jews and other faiths Still others are ecumenical in nature While the houses may be aligned with certain religions movements or philosophies the range of discussion and activities often stretches beyond dogmas and theology Coping with stress keeping a marriage together and dealing with chemical addictions are recurring topics "A retreat is about reflecting" said the Rev Thomas Gedeon director of Retreats International which is affiliated with the Institute for Pastoral and Social Ministry at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana "Where are you in this particular time in your life what's going on in your life and where will you find the links to God" which works His organization with 600 retreat houses nationwide (some Protestant most Catholic) publishes a $10 directory listing addresses phone numbers and accommodations Write to Retreats International Box 1067 Notre Dame Ind 46556 Several hundred clerics counselors and social workers gather at Retreats International for four weeks each July to conduct lectures workshops and seminars on secular as well as family and community issues Tucked in the Berkshire town of Westeilield Mass the Genesis Spiritual Life Center is an ecumenical center with a holistic approach "which is that we more or less nourish the mind body and the spirit" said a counselor The center's motto reads in part "when persons of dif fering lifestyles and spiritualities connect God's creative and healing We give energies are released preference to those who often feel alienated from their church or society" The center is administered by the Sisters of Providence a Catholic order but is open to all for weekend resessions and six- - or eight-da- y treats in the summer Rates are $25 daily for room and board or $35 with the "spiritual assistance" of a staff member Genesis is at 53 Mill St Westerfield Mass 01085 The ecumenical Maryknoll Sisters Center in Ossining deals with social political and religious matters: topics include "US Foreign Policy" "Biblical Reflections" and "Dismantling Racism" Room and board is $24 a day plus $50 for registration and weeklong tuition Write to the Maryknoll Mission Institute Mary-knoSisters Center Box 529 Mary-knoNY 10545 For Jews Discover Seminars Aish sponsored by Brooklyn-base- d Hatorah offers seminars nationwide on Jewish heritage "for Jews who are poorly educated about their Judaism and that's most Jews today" said spokesman Eric Coopersmith For information on rates locations and weekend retreats write to Aish Hatorah 1388 Coney Island Ave Brooklyn NY 11230 Refresher courses in the Reform Judaism are part of the program at the Brandeis-Bardi- n Institute 1101 Calif Brandeis Lane Peppertree menus from preparation to serving - trendy are outstanding as this typical menu reflects: Appetizers: Russian Sevruga caviar on ice tartar of smoked salmon on leek salad exotic fruit cocktail pate de Champagne with sauce Cumberland Soups: Alaskan crab chowder double chicken consomme with seashell pasta and vegetable flowers chilled cream of avocado with baby shrimps Salads: field lettuce cherry tomatoes and artichoke hearts with warm crabmeat puffs iceberg lettuce with beefsteak tomatos and anchovy filets Pasta: spaghetti with chopped clams fresh herbs green peppercorns and cream Main courses: broiled fresh swordfish steak on green mustard sauce Indian vegetable and seafood curry in a ginger-ric- e ring roasted ge-glazed Long Island duckling sliced beef tenderloin and Australian cold-watlobster tail grilled medallions of veal with king crab-me- Tour Transfers Deluxe Hotel Scheduled from Los Angeles departures 13" - 14e I— Latighim 2 1414hts We have reserved JACKPOTELKO 3 DAYS S30 91661114 ! $11 TU I WO Jac 10000 - CROWN PRINCESSm FAIR PRINCESSsla Dec Jan 1990 CARIBBEAN PACIFIC PRINCESS' 2 1991 NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA What better way to see the breath taking scenery of New Zeaiand and Australia than on the original Love Boat the Pacific Princess Join us as the cruise takes us to Auckland Bay of Islands Tauranga tar Rotorua) Wellington Christchurch Duneiden and Milford South in New Zealand and Hoban Tasmania Melbourne and Sydney Australia There is limited triple and quad space available on the Pacific Princess An NEVADA 114 610 6 0011n CNOSSNG Cash Sacs Sat M 8200 Thscount T'' Thurs — I— I RENOLAKE e e e e e e NTIi7Z)S9ATI?Stott DEATH VALLEY Dors 1 101 29 DISNEYLAND $235 $207 4 Days Sot 16 DvsOCT 4 Oars 9117 Valid Sept 16 to Oct 30 V20 S20 3 CLASSIFIED WANT-AD- Tokyo s639 S $779 $779 s869 'Elan Hong Kong Taipei Bangkok Singapore feL r eel LZI -- r 1d a1dahrta14 RI Air RI Air 4 hily Visit the people and spectacular scenery or New Zealand and Australia with 9 Ehnauxi Tribole as your escort Oct ' SOUTHERN FLORIDA TOUR & CRUISE -- -- See the Florida you've only heard about! The Everglades the Space Center Palm Beach EPCOT MGM Studios as well as a three-da- y cruise to the Bahamas Don't wait 1 on this one! October - $579 RI ROSE: PARADE TOUR plus tax Restrictions apply mem 3 Day Car Rentai Us mg Sctteduktd Airline DENVER: 12-2- 8 s2370 att pp MP Air First Llassrturers '99 ava d- t- 88 least 500 South BountiluL Mali S4010 2795102715 TeLlsoo(e0Ten177) 1 liel i Most Meals Exciting Sights One Way aten4imgd11'0 A 4 ii-- - r— -- - rz-- - V ( -- El: ' FOR BROCHURES Division ot Morris Ask CALL NOW -P THOMAS TRAVEL YOUR SPECIALISTS LEISURE CRUISE & GROUP TRAVEL I& 19174 i I in Florida while everyone watches on you enjoy the New Year festivities of the Orange Bowl game and parade Also included are the Everglades Epect Cypress Gardens and an optional thme day cruise DEC 30 — JAN 4 OR 7 'Nu ai 7 Nights Hotel MOROCCO !I:: Be 11'& 5 Nights Hotel Air Oct ORANGE BOWL TOUR & CRUISE i I SPAIN PORTUGAL 0 For the perfect way to bring in the New Tear join our tow including: Las Vegas San Diego Loa Angeles With Seaworld Wild Animal Park Disneyland Universal Studios Santa Anita Racel and of MIME the Rose Parade and a New Tears Eve Party DEC 27 — JAN 3 plus tax Restrictions apply ro 237-200- SOUTH PACIFIC 11 s435 s499 HAWAII: I GET RESULTS WITH OS Visit the places where our country's history began Washington DC Philadelphia Boston Plymouth New York and see the New England foliage Brochures are available Sept italitibt""qtIstrY $649 $619 $619 $659 ORIENT: FOUND THE CAT WANTED AND DIDN'T EVEN LEAVE HOME" 10 DENVER ZEPHYR DURANGOStIVERTON EASTERN US HISTORY FALL TOUR PRINCESS CRUISES Frankfurt London Amsterdam Paris 800-888-66- "I brochure Sept 2 Your Leader in International Travel for 40 Years EUROPE: f Personally escorteo: t Join us On this all time favorite tour to Eastern Canada the spectacular fall foliage of New Entland New York & Boston Call for 328-980- 3 14111111111P 1 KJLI EASTERN CANADtriEW ENGLAND FALL FOLIAGE THOMAS TRAVEL 11001" TAHOE O'NITE CRUISE '''' NIGHTS 1441 TAH01 ELKO RIVIERA PALMER AND MARILYN HYDE BY :: 0 I Division of Moms Travel HAWAII Discover the Isles of Paradise on our fully escorted tour to Hawaii See four islands stay in first class hotels Enjoy activities other tours don't include 5 Feb 1991 ALASKA No where in the world Is there more raw scenic beauty than the glaciated areas ot 5259 South 2200 'West Salt Lake Chy 'Utah 84118 a" ab426 e S83 4 Days 96 9 913 $124 5Dm 9131911 2 !!H'''' FAIR PRINCESS5" JUNE 81marltl Phone Joan Hopkins A IRSO MEXICAN -- Learn on the state ot the art DeltaTWA Worldspan Computer System " TOUR THEN COMPARE THE PRICE (50(lely CALL FOR GREAT RATES ON EACH OF THESE SAILEIG!1 "ILVItZa:::t 801483-641- 7 FIRST COMPARE THE South East Alaska Join us tor this once in a ide time cruise on the voyage el the glaciers - add to the cruse the untorgetztble experience of driving the Alaska highway seeing Dawson City in the Yukon the Top of the World Highway Fairbanks Denali Park Anchorage Whitehorse Watson Lake and so much morel ALL OF THESE CRUISES WILL BE ESCORTED - Unlimited computer hours All training in one location MORE FOR THE MONEY! Cruise to the unicum costal cities of Puerto Vallerte Mazatlan and Cato0 San LUCA on this attractive refurbished Cruise Ship 04 Feb '' Beautiful new facilities Excellent placement record CRUISE Cruise on the revolutionary new Crown Princess during her maiden season This new ship is spacious and elegant Cruise to San Jaw) Puerto Rico Si Thomas U S Virgin Wands and Nassau in the Bahamas - m 0 1:131 w lirt:raKill NtrNI Elko I — Son I A P4rpht i WENDOVER mve stnnmatt slisEs $B $7 Cash Sacs SSW AM I 4: W'rOURSM space on these magnificent ships: "!'" 11 VMDMOI SAILING& ''' - CARLSBAD CAVERN $320 001sOtt 10 LV t-4t 44 4 ft g LAS VEGAS $79 4 Days 916111021 & 93 0 2 $98 s Om : il---Jt- IAL PRINCESS i11111111111111111111111111111M1111 93064 1 v N - '')A--3- tiscms – 10 li - Sea-bour- Encore Tours and Travel ll A er Once during each cruise the ship's culinary staff stages the Grand Gala Buffet a display as tempting to the '' ll r eye and camera as to the palate Some dishes are fanciful such as a "bird cage" made of watermelon and filled with "birds" created from lemons carrots and radishes Others are more traditional such as giant rib roasts cooked under a dome of salt to seal in the flavor and make them fork-tendFish poultry cheeses cold cuts vegetables sweets — name it and it's there displayed like works of art Room service is a welcome option for those who want more than a pizza or sandwich but don't want to dress for the dining room The Crystal Harmony is one of few ships — the n Sea Goddess I and II and the Pride and Spirit are the only others — offering the complete menu served course by course — Colin Bessonette structured Side dishes: Brussels sprouts Mila THE JUNE MORRIS SCHOOL OF TRAVEL 1 Desserts: souffle Grand Marnier passion fruit tart chocolate chip cookies peppermint chip vanilla and rum raisin ice cream with warm fudge butterscotch or cherry topping New York cheesecake yogurt papaya sherbet Wines? Of course The least expensive bottle on the ship is a $12 California chardonnay (Monterey Vineyard Classic 1989) Because a cruise is a special occasion however and since Crystal is the name of the ship why not celebrate with Cristal? A Louis Roederer Cristal Rose Champagne 1983 is just the thing at $150 Many selections are affordably range priced in the $15-$2- 0 The alternative restaurants are popular not only for their food but also for their size and ambience In contrast to the big dining room Kyoto and Prego are quiet cozy havens Guests reserve their tables for times between 6 and 10 pm the dining room with two sittings is more oran- P'e Air toes noisette potatoes steamed ginger rice spaghetti marinara California- - 7 days nese tomato fine herbs rosette pota- Their creations a combination of traditional European nouvelle and 7hDoe Foster - — TravelThe Worid Of Us" ' OUR TOMS RETED! AALL ESCORTED! - |
