VANCOUVER – Don't like the idea of riding across the waves on a cruise ship? Not sure you're into visiting a different port every day? If so, then I have a cruise for you, or should I say a non-cruise?

The Olympics are coming to Vancouver next winter and for the first time during the winter months the city will see a flotilla of four ships similar to what would be seen in port at the height of the summer Alaska-cruising season.

If you find yourself on Carnival's Elation or Holland America's Statendam or Oosterdam you're probably under interrogation. Those three ships have been chartered by the government to house security personnel during the 2010 Olympic Games.

The ship you want to be on is the Norwegian Cruise Lines Star, which will serve as a floating hotel during the Games. The ship has been chartered by Newwest Travel out of Edmonton and will be docked on the North Shore across from Vancouver. If your cabin is on the starboard side you will be looking at the city. The port side will look out upon the North Shore mountains, which is where some of the Olympic events will take place.

Here's a hint: Pick the city side. The view is nicer.

At 2,200 passengers, the Star is not the biggest of the NCL ships but you'll receive the same treatment you would if you were on a cruise. All the meals are part of your package and the entertainment is the same. In fact, they're adding some local talent. You will get everything you would find on a cruise except you are not sailing anywhere.

For those cruisers who hunt for under $100-a-day cruises, these packages are not for you. It's the Olympics and everyone from the doughnut shop to the fanciest hotels will be charging top dollar.

The cruise line will have six packages available during the Games next February, for stays of three or four days.

Here is a pricing example using the three-day package from Feb. 10-13. An inside cabin will cost $2,836 US, including taxes and fees.

Besides the usual onboard amenities you would find on the Norwegian Star, the company chartering the ship is offering a 24-hour shuttle to the airport along with continuous shuttles to the SeaBus Terminal in North Vancouver where you can cross the harbour in a few minutes to downtown.

If you're looking for something cheaper on the same ship, there are two cruises that bookend the games. One before the opening ceremonies, which sails north from Los Angeles with a stop in Victoria, and one that sails back south to L.A. after the Games are over with a stop in San Francisco.

Information on all the packages is at www.vancouver2010cruiseship.com.

Copyright 2009 The Vancouver Sun. All rights reserved. From http://www.vancouversun.com. By Phil Reimer.
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