NEW YEAR CARIBEAN CRUISE FOR 2008

[LEGAL]

Ken ,JB and everybody. I spoke to Derick and we need to determin how many days. I had to start somewhere so I told Derick 7 days. Ken that is the New Years Cruise it leaves December 30th. The ship he recommends is the triumph check with the carnival cruise site http://www.carnival.com
The triumph is well appointed with a different European themes. We thought this would be nice especially for the woman that have not traveled so much. The price is around $700.00/person That price will get better the more people join. As it is I think that is a very good price I have never been disappointed with what Derick has done for me in the past.  We all will have the same agent to deal with this will save on confusion and if anyone has any special requirements Derick will see that they are handled in a professional and expedient manor  Please if there are any suggestions please feel free to recommend.


LEGAL

[Jack]

$700 a person!!   To hell with Kiev over New Years, although it might be tough passing up on seeing, dancing, parting, talking, mingling with all those Kiev beauties.

Legal, for $700 that's my airfare from Dallas to wherever, roundtrip, and the cost of the cruise, the New Years Eve party?  How many days?

[Turboguy]

Is that inside cabin, outside cabin?   What are the ports of call?  Departing from?

[catzenmouse]

I REALLY like this idea! You can count us in on that one.

Just pass along the details as you can and let us know when we need to do something money wise. 

Probably need to fly in the day before to make sure nothing strange happens in regard to late flights etc. so a room overnight somewhere near the ship would be ideal.

JB, I'll be joining you in that bar! 

Ken

[Turboguy]

I believe that actually departs on the 29th of December.   According to Carnival here are the ports of call:

Carnival Triumph       
       
  Sailing From    Miami, FL on 12/29/2007     
       
  Itinerary    Miami, FL ; San Juan, Puerto Rico ; St. Thomas, USVI ; St. Maarten, NA ; Miami, FL     Cruise Details   
   
Those are all US territories so as to the question I posted on the other thread there should not be a problem with gals still traveling on a Russian Passport.

[William3rd]

Are you sure that the Netherland Antilles are US?  ???

[LEGAL]

Turboguy You are correct about the dates sorry guy's. Turbo check Saint Marteen. I am not sure if that is US or not.

Ken! Olga, I and hopefully Jet and Lilia will pick you and Elena  up we can discuss that as the plans  progress. We know where to find you JB


LEGAL

[jb]

Etna and I will prolly fly in the day before and find a hotel nearby.

Sounds like it will be fun if we can put this together.

[Jack]

Ok, this sounds like all married couples. Guess I'll just stick to Kiev.

But if you guys want we can meet on-line at 5-6am on the 1st and exchange photos!

[William3rd]

It is Dutch under the reign of good Queen  Beatrice. And all that that will entail. . . . .

[LEGAL]

Turbo I didn't ask about inside or outside cabins, Olga and I will be getting an outside cabin with a balcony, that will cost more  

JB We can and will put this together.


LEGAL

[Turboguy]

Are you sure that the Netherland Antilles are US?  ???

Someone send an e-mail to the CIA.  Tell them the Netherlands Antilies are supporting the terrorists and there is lots of time for a major attack.  We can have the Antillies an American property in plenty of time and it is about time we tried a war we can win.  Look at Grenada. 

Based on the website that is an inside room.   You really want at least an outside and the ones with the balcony are really great.

Here are the room prices for the three types.

$699*  $799*  $949*

You will find a rather hefty addition for port taxes, service charges etc. 

[LEGAL]

Turbo and others Remember we will not be paying those prices. Derick is a good friend, we will be traveling on what is called friends of family and the prices are  better than what is posted. The more of us that get together the better our pricing will be. Consider I pay at Minimum $150.00 just for a decent hotel and no meals or entertainment are included. 


LEGAL

[Kuna]

Hey guys... this sounds fantastic but I'm not married... AND not as close as you to the point of departure.  I can fly in sure...  but I'd better get moving if I want to be married by New Year!

Seriously though.. what a fantastic idea.  I envy you all!

Kuna

[LEGAL]

Kuna we could hook you up with one of Olga's girlfriends.
Hopefully we will repeat this the following year, maybe someplace different. Kuna by the time we all take a second trip you should be married and you know you and the new bride are welcome 


LEGAL

[viking]

Hey Legal

Even us single guys could use a cruise. Never know who you might meet at dinner!

[Turboguy]

Many of the boats have a lot of RW in the staff.   Might be cheaper than a flight to the FSU.

[KenC]

FYI We too are very interested.
Ken & LenaC

[LEGAL]

Ken & LenaC you are most certainly welcome Olga and I are looking forward to meeting you both. I do think we all will have a good time.

Derick Albinson is our cruise agent and the number for everybody is
TOLL FREE 866-455-8196  THE EXT CODE IS 86297  AND PLEASE REMIND HIM YOU ARE WITH RWD PARTY. THE SHIP HE RECOMENDS IS THE TRIUMPH. THE 7 DAY CRUISE

Carnival Triumph       
       
  Sailing From    Miami, FL on 12/29/2007     
       
  Itinerary    Miami, FL ; San Juan, Puerto Rico ; St. Thomas, USVI ; St. Maarten, NA ; Miami, FL     Cruise Details   


Please Ken feel free to jump in with ideas.

LEGAL & Olga

[Kuna]

So there won't be many people in the "Starting Out" area... "Experienced" will be well represented as will "Married"...

The only thing I'm worried about is when you guys end up in "Anything Goes".   

[KenC]

I once took 50 well deserving sales people on a 3 day cruise out of Miami.  We used a smaller more intimate ship.  The one selected here is a big ship, but we are booking well in advance and I am sure Derick will coordinate things so that we will all be in a similar area of the ship.  The prices should get smaller as the group gets bigger too as the costs are high at that time of the year.  I don't know if we will get the same kind of discount if everyone just books their own trip  separately or if we went to Derick and said we need 25 cabins for 50 people, what can you do for us?

What I do know about cruises (and I am not an expert here) is that the quality of the cruise is all about the ship itself.  Good ship = good cruise.  A "good ship" is a new ship, but not maiden voyage. The website did not list the age of the Triumph.

Ports of call are also important.  You must want to be in the places where you stop.  Larger ships tend to be a pain to get on and off of too.  People mistakenly think they will be on the ship most of the time when really you use the ship as a mobile hotel and spend your days (and some evenings) ashore.  Plan ahead for the shore excursions too because they fill up quickly and then your out. 

We should have one "point" man for this and I elect Legal!   If the group gets to any size, which I think it will, we should get some very special treatment aboard with our own private liaison on board.  We should be able to prearrange our dinning schedules so as to all be seated at the same dinner times (there usually are two) and at the same tables.  If there are after dinner shows, they too should be coordinated.

I also think the single guys should consider this cruise too.  They will learn more about RW and their American hubbies during this time than they would ever reading here.  There is no woman on earth that enjoys or celebrates New Years like a Russian woman!  The singles can bunk up by 2's in a cabin.  (Don't worry those full size beds split apart into 2 singles ) 

Um, and lastly, shouldn't someone invite Dan & Olya?
KenC

[Turboguy]

I have been on two cruises KenC, both on Carnival.  One was a 7 day and one was a 5 day.   Most of Carnivals fleet is pretty new.   The ships I went on were both around 2 years old.   If the agent recommended that ship it is probably one of the newer ones. 

The inside and outside rooms without a balcony both have twin beds.  One is under the window and the other is along the wall at a 90 degree angle.   The balcony rooms do have one larger bed.   I have booked the standard outside room when I went.   Actually my two cruises were both singles cruises and they booked other people into the room with everyone and it did not usually present a problem.  It was all same sex and they tried to do similar ages.   Actually the men had no problems.  I have vague memories of one of the women trying to stab her roomate but I doubt we will have any women sharing rooms. 

We never had any problems disembarking at our ports of call.   I think our ships were in the 3000 people range and most everyone got off.   The side trips they offer are great and are often the highlights of the trip so don't hesitate to sign up for them but we might want to talk about those in advance when the time gets closer.  It would be more fun doing those as a group too, at least as much as possible. 

I am sure there are a lot that could sign up as a group but I have a feeling there will be some stragglers too.   I may have to be a straggler because of needing to make sure our paperwork is far enough along.   Of course I have not asked VWRW if she is interested yet but I think she would be.

[LEGAL]

Oh CRAP   Ken Pointman gets killed first when something goes wrong.
I just spoke with (spiffy4JC) Derick Albinson our cruise specialist and I have asked him to log on to RWD and help with some of the questions and logistics. Ken I also spoke with Derick about the group excursions and we both agree with you.
I don't want to get thrown overboard  


LEGAL

[Turboguy]

I don't want to get thrown overboard  

LEGAL

Before the trip visit a store and get a couple of packs of Life Savers to carry in your pocket just in case.  I did talk to VWRW and assuming our paper work allows we are a definate.  Of course the way the visa thing is going at the moment who knows.

[KenC]

Oh CRAP  Ken Pointman gets killed first when something goes wrong.


LEGAL

Exactly!
KenC