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Cruise to Nowhere
Now boarding.
From the March 24, 2003 Issue of New York
 Picture a resort with four pools, full-service spa,
massive gym, house casino, and eighteen bars and
lounges. Tack on a restaurant serving up filet mignon
and lobster, plus music and dancing, a midnight
buffet, and maybe a whirlpool under the stars.
You’re thinking Monte Carlo? Vegas? Here’s
a hint: You can get there by cab. Hell, you could walk
there from midtown. It’s the thirteen-story,
893-foot, 1,575-room Carnival Victory, which
heads down the Hudson, out to sea, and back on its
two-night “cruises to nowhere.” Regal has
been offering similar voyages for eight years. Its
612-foot Empress holds 900 guests (not so
different from some Hamptons share houses) and offers
the same amenities as the Victory, just on a
(slightly) smaller scale. Empress leaves town
on Friday at 4:30 p.m. and returns at 8 a.m. on
Sunday. Prices begin at $149 (Regal) and $269
(Carnival) and top out around $800 per person, for a
top-of-the-line suite with large balcony. Getting out
of the steamy city without sitting for hours in
traffic? Priceless.
— Julie Mautner
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Details
Regal’s two-night cruises depart July
4, 18, and 25, August 8, 15, and 22, and September 12
and 19 (800-270-7245; regalcruises.com); Carnival
cruises are June 17, 19, and 21 (800-CARNIVAL;
carnival.com).
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| Photograph: Courtesy of Carnival Cruises |
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