"Not so long ago, it looked like a trip booked by the Ancient Mariner. But the Democrats' victory last month may make things a bit livelier on the Nation magazine's first annual 'seminar cruise,' which is set to leave Fort Lauderdale, Fla., today.

The liberal weekly's ship heads out late this afternoon, but don't bother hustling on down. The 200 cabins--top price $5,900 for two--have been sold out since summer. A Nation spokeswoman says she was told by the travel agent that the cabins sold out faster than for any other event except the New Kids on the Block cruise.

People actually booked berths during the heart of Monicagate, on a cruise that kicks off with a 21/2-hour session on the 1998 election results and 'Prospects for 2000,' moderated by Nation publisher Victor Navasky. The next discussion session, designed perhaps to remind liberals of how bad things really could be, features George McGovern talking about 'Presidential Politics: Past, Present and Future.'

Other exciting panels feature Nation columnists Calvin Trillin, Alexander Cockburn, Christopher Hitchens, Katha Pollitt and Patricia Williams, along with writers Molly Ivins and Jim Hightower. Topics include 'The Global Economy: Class, Race and Politics' and 'The Future of the Left.'

Surely, people didn't rush to sign up for a cruise that costs $500 more than a similar Heritage Foundation to-do in June just to listen to that stuff? Yes, they did, insists Nation vice president Peggy Randall. Old lefty types jumped at the chance to talk about these matters with famous liberals; similar fund raising cruises by conservative publications don't book so fast, Randall says, because 'the right is everywhere,' while it's so unusual to have 'all the lefty guys in one place.' (Of course, you don't need such a big place.)

Maybe so. But a close look at the cruise schedule reveals that, nearly every night at 7, everyone is urged to 'join other Nation guests at the Crow's Nest Lounge for cocktails and dancing before dinner!' And there's gambling, too" Tips and comments for A Kamen's column are welcomed at: In the Loop, 76 Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071, or by e-mail at Loop@ washpost.com. Please include home and work phone numbers" (Al Kamen, The Washington Post Magazine, December 6, 1998).