THE BEST LETTER AWARD

Dear Friends of the Small Cruising Adventure (or at least aficionados of
different water experience),
     After visiting your excellent website over the past several days, I thought it was time to say hello, thank you, and begin to explore a working relationship with you with regard to finding a cruise possibility for next year.  Before starting that process, however, I want you to know how much I appreciate your efforts organizing the overwhelming material generated by the cruise industry.  It is no easy task to keep current and, perhaps even more difficult, to be able to present the latest information in a useable and comprehensive format. Your expertise and knowledge have led to such a library as well as a very friendly stop in the cyberspace realm of travel.  Again, many thanks........
And now to the particulars…from what I have been able to gather from your website, not only do you have a wide variety of personal experiences but also excellent contacts in the industry.  This seems important to me as a consumer.  Personal research, while interesting, is
overwhelming, inconclusive, and provides no unique perspective or advantage.  It’s very much like “buying a car”…the price for this is this…HOWEVER…if you book early, book often, pay in advance, catch the sales manager at the right time, know “someone”, etc…the parameters of the purchase changes.  So, I write to you to ask for help, ideas, and political clout.  If I have somehow misinterpreted what your service is, please do not hesitate to contact me and let me know.  If I’m close to the mark, well, let’s see what happens......
About cruise lines and ships…much of why this letter is being sent is to ask for your expertise and help regarding what, where, and with whom.  However, I can offer you a little insight into what has piqued our “fancy” when reading travel advertisements or Internet searches.
Windstar Cruises have interested us for several years, and through your website, we have also come across the Star Clippers and Inside Passage Cruises.  While smaller ships hold the most appeal (as we are not “crowd people”), we are not wedded to any particular cruise line or ship.  In truth, if a larger ship were offering interesting itineraries, good value, recognition of our needs, we would certainly consider it.  We have truly enjoyed both of our past cruise experiences but would like the opportunity to try a smaller ship (with less whistles and bells) and with just the 2 of us in our “party”.
    A little more about us…We like the idea of a smaller ship rather than larger (I said that already didn’t I?).  We are not interested in standard ports of call unless they constitute a minor part of the schedule.  We are very intrigued by re-positioning or trans-oceanic crossings (in part due to value for dollar spent but also the idea of the rhythm found in sailing).  We do not want, or need, Broadway shows, Hula-Hoop Contests, or Kereoke.  We are interested in learning about where we are, snorkeling and swimming in warm crystal-clear water, walking, touring different and unknown areas, wines and food, quiet evenings of music, stress reduction, exercise, sunsets, sea-air, and the movement of the water.  We like the concept of open seating for meals which would allow us some privacy for dining.  We are neither introverts nor extraverts but good listeners and somewhat selective about whose company we would like to share. We like open deck spaces for viewing the world as it passes by (the Golden Princess, while old, had a wonderful promenade deck which allowed for both walking and sitting).  5 meals a day are definitely not important and are considered a minus.  Comfort in cabins is important, however, we believe size may not be the only determining factor for comfort (although, in all likelihood, it does play a large role)....
 ......So, if you have made it this far and might be interested in helping us, we would be very appreciative.  And, if we could find that special cruise, you have my word, we would book as much of the trip as possible through you and/or your associates.  I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.  Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
James T. B.