7 day western caribbean cruise

Caribbean golfing

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines kicks off this fall with a "Fresh Faces of the Caribbean" campaign geared to the interests of repeat travelers who seek new ports and special activities on Caribbean cruises. Braemar will be based in Barbados from October 2002 until April 2003 and will offer itineraries to destinations including the Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua, St. Barts and the Amazon.

The 729-passenger Braemar, formerly the "Crown Dynasty," joined the Fred. Olsen fleet in 2001 and underwent a multimillion-dollar refurbishment.

Braemar's smaller size allows for exploring some more hidden destinations, including Devil's Island (French Guiana) and Bequia.

A key feature of the new "Fresh Faces" series is Fred. Olsen's "Flagship Golf" program, which is available on many of Braemar's Caribbean departures. The package includes four rounds of golf plus return transport to the ship, individual tuition from a PGA professional, golf lectures and two exclusive cocktail parties. The package is priced at [pounds sterling]300 (approx. $450) and is bookable in advance of the cruise.

Select courses featured on "Flagship Golf" cruises include St. Lucia Golf & Country Club, Castries, par 71; Cedar Valley Golf Club, Antigua, par 69; Blue Bay Golf & Beach Resort, Curacao, par 72; Sandals Golf & Country Club, Jamaica, par 71; Barbados Golf Club, par 72, and Hesperia Hotel, Isla Margarita, par 72.

The Caribbean itineraries run 14 nights and begin and end in Barbados.

Cruise-only prices start at $2,355, with offerings of 30% off on most sailings.

There also are two Amazon itineraries, offered on Nov. 21, 2002, and March 27, 2003, with calls along the Amazon and on Devil's Island, Macapa (Brazil) and Scarborough (Tobago).

For brochures and reservations, call 800/843-0602 or visit www.fredolsencruises.co.uk.

Barging in Scotland

Go Barging introduces exclusive overnight mooring locations for the 8-passenger Scottish Highlander.

The barge cruises along the Great Glen from Inverness to Fort William, through lochs and along rivers and the scenic Caledonian Canal. Here is a land of legend, lore and beauty in cool, misty, lush, green, northern valleys.

The waterway runs for 66 miles southwest from Dochgarroch, a little south of Inverness, via Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, then Fort Augustus, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy to Banavie, near Fort William, in the Western Highlands. The Caledonian Canal area is also a central point from which to explore castles, whisky distilleries and championship golf courses.

Scottish Highlander now moors overnight beneath floodlit 11th-century Castle Urquhart. Built on a rocky promontory above Loch Ness, it was constructed principally as an observation post and now is a haunt of would-be spotters of the famous Loch Ness Monster since it commands a view almost 15 miles in each direction from Inverness to Fort Augustus.

The site has revealed traces of Iron Age habitation and was probably fortified as early as the sixth century when St. Columbia visited the area and apparently encountered a sea creature.

Rates for the 6-night/7-day cruises range from $2,190 to $3,090 in 2002 and 2003; the price includes accommodation, champagne welcome, three gourmet meals a day with fine wines at lunch and dinner, open bar, use of all facilities on board, shore excursions and admittance fees. All of Go Barging's fleet operates between April and November.

Call Go Barging at 800/394 8630, fax (44) 1784 483072, e-mail sales@GoBarging.com or visit www.GoBarging.com.