New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-28
PASSAGE BOOKED FAR AHEAD
PROSPECTS FOR HEAVY OCEAN TRAVEL
IN 1899

PROSPECTS FOR HEAVY OCEAN TRAVEL
IN 1899
The season of 1899 promises be one OF the best
In the way Of transatlantic travel that the steam
ship companies doing business at this port nave
ever known While II Is yet too early for the dit-
ferent lines 10 give out any definite ngures az ~
their bookings for the season. many OF them al
ready have booked nearly the full first-caoin ca
paciy OF their steamers az far ahead as next june
The Transatlantic travel OF the last year was
greatly interfered with by the war between the
United States and Spain. Many people who had
contemplated European trips gave up the idea
even before the blowing up OF the Maine as theh
there was that unsettled condition Of International
affairs which led the Seople to believe that there
would be trouble between the two nations. When
war was actually declared there was "A great fail-
ng-off in the bookings and many who had al
ready engaged passage arranged TO cancel IT,
The approach 81 1899 shows entirely different con-
dlions Peace has been accomplished. ana ms
with the added prosperity Of the country. has re-
suited In great rush for passage on the dinere"t
steamship lines While the engagements for pas
sage on the summer steamers usually does not
begin until the latter part Of January 1t began
early In This month and promises to Increase rap
idly The Storage third-class passenger traffic
also shows an increase far the future book
ings are concerned. In the present month many
who were immigrants TO this country few years
WAS especially true among he Italians. who in the
last ten years have Decn coming To the United
States in large numbers. They take advantage OF
the first opportunity to return To their native land
visit their relatives.
Tribune reporter visited the Offices OF the va
rIous Transatlantic lines yesterday with View Of
learning the exact condition OF passenger traffic.
A. the Office of the international Navigation Com
pany. which controls both the American and Red
Star lines there feeling that the season OF
ls., would be highly ssful. During this year
the line was badly handicapped by reason OF its
best steamers being in Government service during
the war and result comparison had TO be
made with 1891. which showed that the prospects
for 1899 exceeded the results for 1880. The Ameri-
can Line is already receiving large number or
June and July bookings and the passenger depart
meut confident that 1899 will be one OF the best
years for travel ever experienced by the line The
Anchor Line. running steamers to Scotland, Is
equally certain OF excellent business.
The Cunard Line reported that the number OF
those sailing this month its steamers had ex-
ceeded all expectations. and fited numerous Incl
dents where the officials had figured out what the
son. only find that tbs list had been nearly
doubled on the Day OF sailing The line sreaay
while 1t IL rather early 20 give out any positive
3s ,bs to the S Bs ys sHe the
The French Line which expects an unprecedented
ss is Of so f thai s vii rfr sa f'H' not
reed any other years business done by the line at
this port.
The Hamburg American Line agent did not hest
tate TO that from bookings already made the
line looked forward to the heaviest business It had
done.
The White star the North German Lloyd, the
Atlantic Transport. the Hoa nd America ana the
United States Steamship Company, formerly the
Thingvala Line. also optimistic as TO the
future OF steamship travel and believed that
the coming year would not only show that a
large number OF people going abroad. but
that there would also be many foreigners coming
to the United States and as result business
would be- heavy.
Several Of the lines which running midwinter
cruises have been overwhelmed with Applications
for passage the steamers, and thus reason tnat
II there are so many anxious to make trips mis-
winter there Will surely be more ready to cross
the water In the summer season. or All those seen
I'm relation the prospects for TRANSATLANTIC traVel
the aggregate reason given for the Increase was
Peace declared. American supremacy and pros
perty.'