NORM:

Could you give our readers an idea of costs involved if travel originates from USA or Canada and how accessible is it to fly to South Pacific?

David:

One-month roundtrip airfares from Los Angeles or Vancouver to Tahiti, Rarotonga, or Fiji start around US$1,250 in low season, provided you book at least 14 days in advance and are willing to accept a 35 percent cancellation fee. If you fly on shorter notice during high season (December to February), you'll pay around US$2,000. The weekend travel sections of major newspapers carry ads for discounted fares, and websites sometimes sell tickets for considerably less than prices quoted by airline agents over phone. For example, I recently flew from Vancouver to American Samoa for US$700 roundtrip on an Internet special. Such offers are routinely announced in newsletter of South Pacific Tourism Organization, available at SOUTH PACIFIC TOURISM ORGANIZATION.

NORM:

If you had to choose 6 unequalled venues in South Pacific for a romantic getaway, honeymoon or wedding destination, what would they be and why?

David:

My first choice would be:

Tahiti and its neighbours Moorea and Bora Bora.

The soaring green peaks and brilliant reefs of these islands are unsurpassed, and "exotic" French atmosphere combines well with charm of Polynesia.

Fiji is a very close second for its stunning variety and friendliness.

Then there's Rarotonga in Cook Islands.

This is long a favorite holiday destination for New Zealanders. Rarotonga is small enough to explore in a week, and facilities are excellent.

My fourth choice is Easter Island. Although for those into hiking or archaeology, it should come first. Travel agents often book three-night stopovers on Easter Island, but only highlights can be seen during such a short stay.

Finally, I should mention Vanuatu for those looking for something really different. This little known Melanesian country offers a colorful mix of scuba diving, tribal culture, active volcanoes, and South Pacific's most beautiful capital city, Port Vila.

NORM:

What resources are available on Internet pertaining to weddings and honeymoon vacations in South Pacific?

David:

Obtaining independent information on weddings and honeymoons isn't easy as resort and tour company websites only promote their own products. That said, HONEYMOON FIJI and HONEYMOON VANUATU are worth a look, and TRAVEL MAXIA is useful in that it covers entire South Pacific. It's also well worth perusing official tourism websites of island visitors bureaus, all of which are linked to SOUTH PACIFIC.ORG

NORM:

Is there anything else you would like to add that we have not covered pertaining to South Pacific?

David:

The South Pacific should be recognized as a straightforward, trouble- free destination. None of countries included in my book require visas of North Americans, Europeans, Australians, New Zealanders, or Japanese. Obstacles like erratic pricing, corrupt officials, violent crime, and security glitches are generally absent here. This sprawling region is best characterised by its amazing variety, with many distinct cultures, cuisines, histories, and environments to experience and enjoy. At US$24.95, Moon Handbooks South Pacific has potential to save vacationers hundreds of dollars, while assisting them in making best choices. It's all in there.

Thanks David for accepting our invitation to be interviewed.

Norm Goldman is the editor of sketchandtravel.com bookpleasures.com.

Norm and his wife Lily are a unique husband and wife team who meld art with words focusing on romantic destinations.

Norm:

What type of clothing should I bring aboard?

Douglas:

Take clothing suited to area you will be cruising in. Remember that ships are air-conditioned, so clothing that is layered works well. If you choose to cruise in cold weather regions, take suitable outer clothing, particularly for excursions ashore (Alaska is an example). If you take a Caribbean cruise, you really could pack light (cottons and natural fibers being best, as many Caribbean islands have a high humidity factor for much of year). Most of (large) resort ships have a very casual dress code, while others (particularly ships that offer cruises longer than seven days industry standard) feature more formal dress codes. Tuxes are only really needed aboard Queen Mary 2 when doing a transatlantic crossing; otherwise, you can dress down and comfortable.

Norm:

Is there always a doctor and clinic aboard cruise ships?

Douglas:

Almost all cruise ships carrying more than 50 passengers have a fully qualified medical doctor and nursing assistants, which also take care of crew. Some of larger ships have several doctors, surgical specialists, small operating rooms, full x-ray facilities, as well as extensive pharmacies. In other words, today's cruise ships would be able to cope with most medical emergencies. However, if you take medication, remember to take an adequate supply (and if you have to fly to get to/from your cruise ship, take medication in your carry-on luggage just in case your checked-in luggage doesn't quite make it on same day, or to same port you're flying to).

Norm:

Can I make telephone calls from cruise ship?

Douglas:

Almost all cruise ships are equipped with direct-dial satellite-linked telephone systems (and Internet connectivity). A few ships even have special aerials that let you use your mobile phone, although most ships lose mobile connectivity when more than a mile offshore. The cost of a direct-dial satellite call varies between about $4 and $10 per minute, so don't use telephone unless you have to-the charges can add up quickly.

Norm:

What is usual check-in schedule before cruise takes off?

Douglas:

Most cruise ships start embarkation about four hours prior to sailing. You would normally complete all paperwork and go through passport and security checks in a passenger terminal before being allowed to board your cruise ship. Today's check-in procedure is relatively painless, although it can take some time if you are cruising aboard one of larger ships, when there will be 3000 other passengers to check in (in other words, there will be lines just like at post office).

Norm:

What happens if someone has special dietary requests?

Douglas:

Most cruise ships can handle special dietary requests, but do give advanced notice so that chefs can order and prepare any food items not normally carried. Its too late once ship has sailed, so make your needs and requirements known at time you book (this is when it's better to book through an accredited cruise travel specialist rather than picking something off Internet which doesn't answer questions well).

Norm:

How do you make payments on board?

Douglas:

An onboard credit account will typically be established when you check in prior to embarkation. When you purchase things aboard ship (drinks or wine, for example), these items are added to your account, and charged to your credit card at end of cruise.

Norm:

Should you tip while on aboard ship?

Douglas:

Some ships include tips, while others automatically add a tip to your daily onboard account (particularly major cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International). However, on average you should plan on about $10 per day per person. Aboard ships of some of more upscale cruise lines, such as Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club, Seabourn Cruise Lines, and Silversea Cruises, tips are included in fare.

Norm:

How safe are cruise ships and how can I find out more about a particular company's record pertaining to its safety and cleanliness?

Douglas:

Today's cruise ships are extremely safe (nobody wants to work aboard an unsafe ship), and most are clean. However, of late, I have noticed that standards of cleanliness in cabins and public areas aboard some of very large ships leave much to be desired (this is effect of discounting, when lines cut personnel to keep prices artificially low). In general, if same standards of food storage, handling, and hygiene that are practiced aboard today's ships were to be applied to hotels and restaurants in United States, most would fail consistently! In other words, ships are clean very clean.

Norm:

If you had any important advice to offer our readers that has not been covered, what would it be?

Douglas:

Do read book Berlitz Publishing's Ocean Cruising & Cruise Ships 2005, and you'll be more educated than most travel agents. Bon Voyage, I wish you all a wonderful cruise vacation.

Thanks Douglas for your time.

Norm Goldman is editor of the travel site, sketchandtravel.com and the book reviewing site,bookpleasures.com.

Norm and his artist wife, Lily, are a unique husband and wife team, as they meld words with art focusing on romantic articles.