Going on a Caribbean cruise

Customer: We're interested in going on a Caribbean cruise, but we're

a little worried about the accommodation. I know the ships are luxurious, but I've heard the cabins can be very small — you know, cramped and stuffy. I want a bit of space and fresh air.

travel agent: Yes, it's true most cabins are not quite like hotel rooms,

but most companies do offer deluxe cabins as well. Cabin selection usually depends on how much you want to spend. Many cruisers usually book the cheapest room available at the time of booking, preferring to save their money for shopping or shore excursions.

Customer: Money is not the question now. I personally am a little

claustrophobic and like to be able to peer out my window in the morning to see the weather, so I'd like to book an outside cabin with a window or porthole.

Itavel agent: Let me see, I have a brochure here... This company says

they have the largest cabins in the Caribbean — for exam­ple, a lot of them have their own private verandas or bal­conies. You might also note that on most ships a cabin mid­ship and on a lower deck will " ride better" in rough seas than one near the bow or on a higher deck.

Customer: Oh, I see. What about bathroom? We don't have to share,

do we?

TVavel agent: No, all the cabins have suite facilities. They also say there's

a lot of space for clothes and things — a wardrobe and two drawers.

Английский язык для турбизнеса и сервиса

Customer: And there'll be three of us.

TVavel agent: OK, some cabins can take three people — you need to get

a stateroom, because they're designed for three or four people. I think you'll find that comfortable even if you don't have as much space as in a hotel room. But a cruise is an unforgettable experience; once you try it you can never stop it.

Customer: Yes, I see. What about the facilities in the room?

TVavel agent: Well, there is a TV, a radio. There's a telephone if you want

to speak to friends back home, a personal safe for money and valuables, and a fridge for drinks as well.

Customer: What about dining?

TVavel agent: Dinner time varies with the cruise line or ship. There are

three possibilities—early seating: about 6: 00 pm, late seat­ing about 8: 00—8: 30 pm or open seating: anytime within a given time frame 6: 30—9: 30.

Customer: Which is better?

TVavel agent: There are advantages to both. Early seating might mean

that you might have to rush for dinner if you are on a shore excursion that lasts until the late afternoon, or can't tear yourself away from the beach or pool. The advantage to early seating is that you can then go to the shows after din­ner and have more time for nightlife before bed. Late seat­ing allows you to have plenty of time to get ready for din­ner. However, if you don't finish dinner until after 10: 00 pm, you might either miss the show or part of the night life.

Customer: Will the cruise line give us the choice of seating?

TVavel agent: Definitely. But if you choose this particular voyage, you

don't need to worry, it's open seating all the time. But you need to specify what table size you prefer. There are tables for two, four, six, or eight.

Customer: No tables for three?

TVavel agent: Sorry, they don't say that. But I can put you at a table for

four if you don't like big companies. You may be lucky, and no one will travel alone to join you.

Customer: Thanks a lot.

Unit 3. Travelling By Sea

TVavel agent: Another note about dining. This cruise line always has one

or two dress-up nights on a seven-day cruise where pas­sengers wear formal or semi-formal attire. Do you mind that?

No, of course not. I'll take my cocktail dress, my daugh­ter adores dressing up, and my husband will have to put up with the need of wearing a tie a couple of times on va­cation.

That's wonderful.

OK, so what cabin would you recommend for us? Well, you definitely want an outside cabin so that you can see daylight. So there are three possibilities. If there are three of you I think the best would be a suite, which means you'll also get a veranda.

Mmm, that sounds nice, but it's probably going to be very expensive, isn't it?

IVavel agent: Well, if you go for the smaller cabin without a hall and a

dressing room you'll save a little bit. They start at $1999 per person, but if you book now, you'll get a 5 % discount for early booking and you may have a chance of being up­graded to a bigger cabin later. That' great. And is that still available? Just a moment, I'll just check for you....