Planning the Shore Excursions
One aspect of going on a long cruise is that when you get to all these exciting ports of call, you will need to make the most of your often brief time ashore. Obviously this takes quite a bit of planning, however, more help is at hand with a pocket brochure from Thos. Cook all about their shore programme of 32 tours. The brochure tells us…
Caronia Cruise Shore programme
To enable members of the CARONIA World Cruise to make the most of their time ashore, to see what is most worthwhile, comfortably and with expert guidance, Thos. Cook & Son Incorporated, at the request of The Cunard Steamship Company Limited, have arranged the following programme of Shore Excursions and Optional Extension Tours. They are not included in the fares for the cruise.
Shore Excursions at Ports of Call
This group of 32 Shore Excursions form the basic sightseeing at the principal ports visited by the CARONIA. They are offered at a special inclusive fare of $780.00 per person ($730.00 for passengers joining at Los Angeles) and all the members of the Cruise are advised to reserve membership in this group.
These tours cover what is most worth seeing in and around the ports, and also allow ample time for shopping at places where shopping is especially interesting. The arrangements include numerous special entertainment features, native ances and exhibitions, luncheons and parties on shore.
In some cases, notably during the visits to India and Egypt, the Shore Excursions include extensive inland trips to places which no-one making this great voyage can afford to miss: In India a six-day tour by special train to Delhi, Agra, “City of the Taj Mahal”, Fatehpur Sikri, and Banaras, “The Holy City of the Hindus”; in Egypt an inland trip with four days spent in and around Cairo.
Optional Extension Tours
In most cases these tours do not conflict with the regular Shore Excursions, but are designed for those who wish to visit places off the beaten path. These tours are limited in membership in accordance with the transportation and hotel facilities that can be made available.
Of special interest are the unusual air tours offered at New Zealand, which will include the remarkable glaciers and mountain scenery of the South Island, and the air tour from Cairo to Old Jerusalem which will make it possible for Cruise members to visit the great Christian Shrines inside the walled city which is within Trans-Jordan territory.
It is essential that reservations for the Optional Extension Tours be made promptly. In cases where Optional Tours overlap the group Shore Excursions, two fares are shown for the Optional; one for those who book the group shore excursions, based on a reduction for the sightseeing that must be omitted; and a fare for those who have not reserved the group shore excursions. All fares are per person.
Special Note
The preparation of the shore arrangements for this, the first important postwar cruise around the World required months of negotiations with transportation companies and hotels. Thos. Cook & Son's offices all around the World have co-operated with their Cruise Department in New York in setting up all arrangements. Within the past few months, special representatives from Cook's American organisation have visited all of the major points included in the itinerary to complete the plans for the Shore Excursions and Optional Extension Tours.
The very best facilities available at every port visited by the CARONIA will be placed at the disposal of her passengers. At some ports of call the sightseeing drives will be made by motor coach because the motor coaches available are better adapted to the needs of the programme than the automobiles which could be obtained. Where a sufficient number of good modern automobiles can be secured, these are used.
The hotels provided for overnight stops are the best that can be obtained. In many countries visited by the CARONIA there are no large deluxe hotels such as travellers are accustomed to in the United States and the principal cities of Europe. In New Zealand, for example, the hotels are small and without many rooms with private bath. In the smaller towns and resorts they are comparable to the “inns” of England, clean and comfortable, but not pretentious.
When travelling around the World one must be prepared to accept conditions as they exist in far-off places. Those who go on the CARONIA may be assured that they will have the best of everything that can be provided.
Application for Membership
For your convenience an application form is attached at the back of this handbook. Kindly fill it in, listing your request for membership in the Group of 32 Shore Excursions and in the Optional Extension Tours you prefer.
Return the form promptly to the office or agent through whom your cruise passage is booked. Reservations will be made in order of receipt of application.
Cruise Staff on Board
The Cruise Staff of the Cunard Line and Thos. Cook & Son will be at your service on board the CARONIA throughout the voyage around the World. At the principal ports of call Cook's staff will be assisted by Thos. Cook & Son's offices and resident staffs to ensure the best possible services and to safeguard your pleasure and comfort on Shore Excursions and Optional Extension Tours.
Joining the "Club"
Below is the joining form to take part in all 32 of the shore excursions…
