posted 11-21-2000 01:10 PM                   

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 11-21-2000).]

posted 12-16-2000 01:23 PM                    

Hi,
you are all wrong here!!
The Cruise Line in question is based in Ft.Lauderdale and operates the Discoverey Sun, aka ms Freeport build in 1968
The Company is: Discoverey Cruise Line owned by Mr.ordonez the owner of Apollo Ship Chandlers, who provies catering services onboard Celebrity and Renaissance Cruises.
The Discovery sun sails daily to Freeport Grand bahamas, their URL is www.discoverycruiseline.com
The ships is well maintained and offers great fun for a short cruise as well as good food and entertainment. Worth the trip.
have fun

posted 01-12-2001 11:02 PM                    

Regarding the Discovery and SeaEscape Cruises. I have been on both several times, since I live in Miami. They can be as much fun as you want to them to be, it's the company you keep. Last Feb. my job did a group party for 385 persons all but the three that got sea sick had a blast. It is a relaxing evening and the sight of leaving the Florida coast day or evening is well worth the trip, especially if you have never been on a boat or ship. The half a day cruise or short evening dinner cruises can cost between $35 to $60 plus parking at $8.00. The full day cruise to Freeport can cost between $100 to $150, due to the high cost of government and port charges. The cruises have buffets which are all you can eat and you are asigned to a first or second seating arrangement. The food is bland in color and selection yet fresh and tasty. The line at the door and the rushed feeling to grab everything on your while in line, then to run out of plates and off to the side to wait for an empty table could be what you expect for a dinner plan.
The waiter service does not do much waiting service except clear a dish or two, you must hunt then down for water, tea or coffee service. If drinks are your thing than be prepared to spend between $5 to $10 a drink plus the tip of 15% added to that. Beleive me it with take several mixed drinks to get you buzzed, there is as much watering down as there is ocean outside the ship. While you are adding the cost of your evening don't forget to tip the waiter. My cocktail waitress also expected a tip after giving me my change for a drink, I guess she thought this was my first cruise, I'm stupid or I'm drunk. Don't forget to have your photo taken at sea for a mere $15 for a 8 x 10 photo. Oh did I forget the cabins available for those who can not stay awake 5 hours or who have that at sea nokey desire, another $45 to the tab. Don't forget the real reason you wwent on a cruise in the first place, to gamble and win a million dollars in the casino. Guess what?, you didn't win. Let's see the show, well a Broad Way want to be, not bad it's free. Well it's almost free, not free of pesty bar maid wanting to sell more drinks.
There is always the duty free shops who have to be visited by people who I guess have no clothes at home, because they need a $40 pullover shirt with the name of the ship on it. I must go to the shop for real neccessities like the $5 pack of cigarettes that I forgot in the car, or the $2.50 pack of Tums or Aspirin. That is enough bargain shopping for one 5 hour cruise.
Let's go even deaper to the root of the fun journry. Lets do the full day cruise to Freeport. You sail all day to visit a country you only spend two hours in. You will spend one hour going thru a boat yard looking pier down many metal steps only to find a bus bench area to catch a three dollar a person van to downtown Freeport. When you have filled the bus up it will then leave for a ten minute bumpy ride to off beat side of town. Off at the bus stop, guess what you see ?. one hotel and casino just what you wanted to see. The other beautiful site to see is the world famous International Shopping Mall, all of about 12 shops. If you travel on a Sunday or Holiday all the shops will be closed. Ok you hour is up and you have hundreds of people to catch the seatbeltless non-air condition van back to the ship to check in with a customs guard and climb up the metal stairs to the ship. It is time to sail back to Miami. I am glad you enjoyed you day off on a cruise. This is not an experience a first time cruiser would want to fortake as an examble of what real cruising is like. It might only be a short cruise but look at the cost for a day. The old Premier ship the Oceanbreeze sails every third day to Nassau and Freeport. It to is a old ship, but clean and safe. It offers real duty free gifts. It has several lounges and a casino. It has a very,very,very small pool, and ouside buffet and deck chairs. Cabins are real cabins and the dinning room serves real sit down dinners. Every night there is a show or a musical performer. Total cost per person including port fees, start at $149. WHAT A DEAL. If the day cruise thing is for you so you may enjoy, but you will not see me. I am not surprised your friend got a free pass to board. I once sailed on one during the week and there was more crew members than passengers sailing. I was told even thou the ship sails most of the time empty it still pays for itself with cargo being sent back inforth to the State,(Miami). The cargo can range from food and beverage to airplanes and cars. Take Care
Alan
shipahoy@bellsouth.net

posted 01-13-2001 04:59 AM                       

Bye.