HAL CC Group Caribbean Cruise ~ Final Poll

[HeatherInFlorida]

Please only vote if you honestly feel you're interested in booking this cruise. This isn't a popularity contest to see who likes which itinerary the most.

I have lumped the 10/29 and 11/12 together because it's really a choice between Eastern, Western and Southern.

If you vote for the Eastern itinerary, please post which one is preferable or if one date is not possible for you. If you check the 10/29 or 11/12 Eastern Itinerary and do not post, I will assume either date is okay with you.

Thanks!

Heather

[Ziggy7]

10/29 and 11/12 both dates will work :)

[Oceanwench]

Either of the 7-day eastern cruises are fine with me.
Also, I can go on the western 7-day as well ... although I did not cast a vote for it!

Ziggy7: Nice post on the previous poll thread.

[bepsf]

Heather--

Either of the eastern's work for me - although I'd prefer 11/12 so I could visit my sister's family in Virginia for Thanksgiving right after the cruise.
:)

[Pudgesmom]

Heather,

I'm not voting now, but if we can go, we'd vote for the Eastern.

Beth

[LauraS]

Heather:

Great idea...this would be our very first, official Cruise Critic Member Cruise on board a HAL ship!

Good luck,

Laura

[sail7seas]

October 29 ----- 7 day Eastern on Westerdam is my first choice.

[Oceanwench]

If we did agree on the 10/29 cruise, we'd be aboard for Halloween! What fun we could plan!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Thanks for the post, LauraS, hope to be in touch with you soon. I'm sure trying!!!:D

[mechcc]

Voted for the Eastern and prefer the 10/29 date. Any of these are good for us.

Thank you Heather for taking so much time in putting this together. It is really a tough job to get it all coordinated and try to please everyone. You are just wonderful to take this on.:)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Of the ones listed above the only one we can go on is the 11/12 Westerdam.

[Nanner]

I realize the 10 day isn't the best for a lot of folks, but works well for us and we love those sea days. That said, and voting for what works for us, a 7 day wouldn't be impossible, just not our preference.

Since the itineraries are changed somewhat, either Eastern or Western hits some places we have seen and some that are new.

[llhlam]

I would prefer October 29.

[Pudgesmom]

OK, I voted anyway. I can always take my mother-in-law! :rolleyes: (Actually, we like each other!)

I think the 29th would probably be better for my schedule. I would really like to meet everyone in person!

Beth

[tiffnco]

I voted! :D

And of my choice, I'm selecting the 11/12 sailing (big surprise, huh?...hee hee)

If the 10/29 trip is the one, I'm afraid we won't be able to join in on the festivities. :(

Oh, I suppose it's worth mentioning we would only need 1 cabin verandah or better.

Tiffany

[Ziggy7]

We also need 1 cabin, verandah or higher.:)

[bepsf]

If we did agree on the 10/29 cruise, we'd be aboard for Halloween! What fun we could plan!


Hmmmm...
Maybe a CC Halloween/Masquerade Ball would be a good idea!!!

I love organizing parties - especially when I don't have to clean up!!!

Heather -
Put me down for an SS on Navigation Deck...

[tiffnco]

Hmmmm...
Maybe a CC Halloween/Masquerade Ball would be a good idea!!!

Okay, I'm going to be so sad if I miss this.

Hey, who's not to say that we couldn't do this on any of the other sailings...our very own VIP Masquerade Ball! (excuse my feeble attempt to subconsciously will people to vote for 11/12 ;) )!

Tiffany

[Ziggy7]

Hmmmm...
Maybe a CC Halloween/Masquerade Ball would be a good idea!!!Hey this sounds great! Can I go as AMY ????? j/k and Rev, your gown and collar isnt a costume :)


I love organizing parties - especially when I don't have to clean up!!!
Are you sure you can pay your bill ????? hehehehe

[sail7seas]

OOOOH, Brian.


You are making this cruise sound like more and more fun each time you post. I can't wait to meet you!!! I know if we all really do get together on this cruise, it will be a total Blast!!!

So Many Decisions.....what shall DH and I dress up as for the Grand Halloween Ball????

[kryos]

If you vote for the Eastern itinerary, please post which one is preferable or if one date is not possible for you.
I don't have a calendar here, but I am assuming none of these dates in the poll involve a cruise over Thanksgiving. I don't think so because none are far enough into the end of November.

I checked either date for the 7-day Eastern, and tried to check the 7-day Western as well, but the poll would not let me make multiple selections. Any of those three, however, would work for me. The ten-day would not and a cruise over the Thanksgiving holiday would not.

Itinerary is not that important to me in this particular case. Price and number of days are the deciding factors. For this cruise, the ship and sharing the voyage with all of you would be the important thing. I honestly am not that concerned with the specific ports of call. After all, if I don't care for the port, I can always just stay aboard and enjoy the ship. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[bepsf]

Ziggy--

Pay??? Who said anything about paying?!?!
;)

Tiff--

Yes, if we do end up with a different sailing, we can always do our own Grand Masquerade Ball - in fact I think we should!!!


S7S--

I'm getting excited about this too! This is going to be lots of fun!

After the dozens of cruises you've done on HAL, are you sure you don't deserve a free upgrade to a PH? ;)
(...so we can have one of our CC parties on the BIG Verandah? :D)

[LEtue]

Okay, I voted for the 7 day eastern. Would prefer the 11/12 date and it would be nice to come back to a short work week before Thanksgiving.

Also, it looks like more of us can go on then instead of 10/29 :D

I only need one cabin but some of my cruise friends will probably join in later. It's hard to get them to commit this early.....

Linda

[sail7seas]

That sure would be fun, Brian. I don't think I'll count on anything like that happening!!! ;)


If someone loves the aft Suites and books one of them, those are VERY large verandas. We really don't like being aft.....always a mid-ship "S".


I'm willing to try and squeeze as many as possible in cabin and verandah for cocktails.

For our Grand Halloween Ball, if there are enough of us, it is possible they may find one of the public rooms on the ship that we can use. I think I've heard of them doing that in the past for groups.

Of course, the "PS" would be pretty wonderful though.

(But,alas, I'm not fully positive we are even going......)

[HeatherInFlorida]

I want everyone to know I am getting really psyched about this. If we can pull this off and we can all go, it is going to be so much fun. And I'm quite positive we'll have more of our CC friends wanting to join in the fun.

Tiff, I'm feeling so badly. Are you SURE you can't go 10/29 if it goes that way? This is going to be really really fun. Don't forget Ziggy can't go 11/12 so someone always loses:(

I am so grateful to all who have offered your help on this undertaking. EKerr's not posting because she's really not feeling well and trying to gather all her energy to get ready for her cruise this weekend. I talked with her today (live on the phone) and she's just as excited as all of us. I'll be picking her and her family up in FLL on 3/30 so I'll get a chance to meet her.

Beth, you're one step ahead of everyone else because you already know DH and me!!!:)

Once we get the date settled, I'll get in touch with LauraS and she'll explain the next step process in terms of cabin category selection, etc. I would expect that first she'll get us our "official" quote which will hopefully give rates for each cabin category and we can go from there. From the way I read the instructions, the Preferred Cruise Agency makes the initial deposit required to hold the allotted cabins. Then we have to make our full deposit no later than five months prior to sailing. After that, any cabins without deposits will be released.

Don't worry about a thing. Once we get going on this, we will go along one step at a time with all the planning. I really didn't think I wanted to take this on, but now that I have I must admit I'm really glad we went ahead with it.

So keep voting and I hope our committee can reach a decision by next week!

[mgmgkdx]

The 11/12 westerdam would be great for me. I can't go on the 10/29 Maryann

[K&RCurt]

Voted for the Westerdam Eastern PREFER 10/29 (DW's b-day week) but the other date would be OK!

We would like cabin 5092 - the cabin we had on our first cruise this past January!

I really hope this works out, it would be awesome to put faces to all the names here on CC.

Thanks again Heather!

[stanford's girl]

We're good for the 11/12 Eastern or 11/05 Western. Can't do the 10/29 one, as inventory is on the 1st and we have to be here for that. OOOOOOOOOHHHHH----- I'm so excited!!! I love it when a great plan comes together.:D

Thanks for all your hard work Heather.:)

[Ziggy7]

Don't forget Ziggy can't go 11/12 :(

Heather, I spoke with my DH and we think its possible now to make the 11/12 sailing, difficult but possible so count us in on that one too :)

And remember if we cant go, we will make it the next time :)

I would love to be there but I would like to see as many go as possible and if that means we stay home, its ok, just think I will have the boards to myself hehehehe that could get me into trouble but hey, there always a new day tomorrow :)

[jerseygirl3]

Is there any way to find out what the price differences may be for the various dates/itineraries? I think that would be an influencing factor in our decision.

[TYMAN]

I voted the 7 day Eastern....either date should be ok for us. ?? If Ziggy goes as Amy, do I go as Fabio?? :rolleyes: Of course, I still can have Martini's with Sanford's Girl!! :D

[HeatherInFlorida]

Ziggy, that's good news!

Jersey Girl, here's a range off HAL's website which will give you an idea:

11/3 Southern ~ Volendam: Insides...$1010 Suite ... $2690 Minimum Verandah... $1480

11/5 Western ~ Westerdam: Insides...$816 Suite ... $2681 Minimum Verandah ... $1071

10/29 Eastern ~ Westerdam: Insides $812 Suite $2677 Minimum Verandah ... $1067

11/12 Eastern ~ As of today identical pricing to the 10/29 sailing


Your best bet for now is to go to the HAL site and look at the prices in the category you'd be interested in. Remember that our group price should definitely be lower than what they show.

Hope this helps!

[tiffnco]

Tiff, I'm feeling so badly. Are you SURE you can't go 10/29 if it goes that way? This is going to be really really fun. Don't forget Ziggy can't go 11/12 so someone always loses:(


Unfortunately, I'm sure :( . As I stated before, I plan fundraising events and one of our biggest ones takes place the first week of November...so there's no way I can leave anytime in October.

I know, the Halloween idea sounds like a blast...and I'll be really sad if I have to miss it...but more importantly, miss meeting all of you in person. That's the worst part.

So, I'm still going to keep my hopes up that 11/12 works out for the majority...:o

Tiffany

[tiffnco]

Heather, I spoke with my DH and we think its possible now to make the 11/12 sailing, difficult but possible so count us in on that one too :)

And remember if we cant go, we will make it the next time :)

I would love to be there but I would like to see as many go as possible and if that means we stay home, its ok, just think I will have the boards to myself hehehehe that could get me into trouble but hey, there always a new day tomorrow :)

Ziggy, you have such a positive attitude, I commend you! I should be so good...:o

[FLACRUISER99]

Ziggy, that's good news!

Jersey Girl, here's a range off HAL's website which will give you an idea:

11/3 Southern ~ Volendam: Insides...$1010 Suite ... $2690 Minimum Verandah... $1480

11/5 Western ~ Westerdam: Insides...$816 Suite ... $2681 Minimum Verandah ... $1071

10/29 Eastern ~ Westerdam: Insides $812 Suite $2677 Minimum Verandah ... $1067

11/12 Eastern ~ As of today identical pricing to the 10/29 sailing


Your best bet for now is to go to the HAL site and look at the prices in the category you'd be interested in. Remember that our group price should definitely be lower than what they show.

Hope this helps!

I am only paying $787.00pp for a Balcony,Total (Includes taxes & fees) for each of my B2B trips on the Westerdam 12/05 (group rate):rolleyes:

[HeatherInFlorida]

I am only paying $787.00pp for a Balcony,Total (Includes taxes & fees) for each of my B2B trips on the Westerdam 12/05 (group rate):rolleyes:

We're really not looking for input from people taking other cruises on other dates. The only reason I'm showing these prices is to give people a rate comparison between the cruises. These are the HAL published fares on their website which are, of course, higher.

So far the TA sites are not even quoting this far out. So I'm really begging people not interested in booking our group cruise not to start quoting prices they've received for other cruises on other dates. It really has no bearing on what we're doing here.

When we get the final price quote, we will let everyone know and they will decide whether to cruise with us.

Thanks.
Heather

[sail7seas]

You are so absolutely correct, Heather IMO


It has been made perfectly clear, repeatedly, that until we know the date(s) being the one(s) we want prices on, until we know how big the group will be, until we know which TA Laura Sterling tells us we will be using.....

The price(s) that anyone is paying for any other cruise is not pertinent. It has no relevancy at all! IMO

You made it perfectly clear that the range of prices you posted were straight from HAL's site. Most of us hope to get better prices than that when we book individually, let alone as a group.

ONCE we know exactly which cruise, which date....THEN I think it VERY pertinent that if someone finds better rates than what the CC sponsored TA is offering to us as a group. I, then, would very MUCH want to hear a single traveler, on their own, got a better rate. We all might have a question at that point about how well that group TA is treating us.

[FLACRUISER99]

:o Sorry I was just trying to show a Group Rate can be much less:o

[sail7seas]

:o Sorry I was just trying to show a Group Rate can be much less:o


I didn't see where you indicated that was a group rate you received. I missed the point if that is what it was but even still, while, of course, you were being helpful, it's possible to see how some might be confused.

Hope you got a great rate and have a terrific cruise.

[CDRMark]

Some Internet T/A sites are listing these cruises.
Cheers
MarkB

[RevNeal]

I didn't see where you indicated that was a group rate you received.

S7S ... look for the words: "group rate" in the following from jtutak's post:

I am only paying $787.00pp for a Balcony,Total (Includes taxes & fees) for each of my B2B trips on the Westerdam 12/05 (group rate) :rolleyes:

It helps to read all the way to the end. :)

[bepsf]

I had a horrible dream last night...


I dreamt that we had done all this careful work to set the date for our group cruise...

...and we were bumped off for a Line-dancing-Nudist-Christian-Lesbian Charter cruise!!!:eek: :eek: :eek:


...better lay off that Green Beer!

[CDRMark]

Line-dancing-:eek: :eek: :eek:
now that is a horrible dream.
;) Cheers
MarkB

[Renorita]

Heather, I plan on being retired by next fall, so would love to go on this Cruise! We probably can do either 10/29 or 11/12, but I prefer the 10/29 sailing. If you remember, we were some of the folks that got bumped from this Oct. 29th Cruise on the Oosterdam, so it would be ironic if we went on her sister ship the same date next year. :p

And the idea of a Masquerade Party would be just so much fun! We could meet everybody and still not know who they are until we unmask at midnight! :D
Just kidding as I know we would be meeting way before the party. Oh I hope this works out! Thank you for this great idea! :)

Rita

[LEtue]

I had a horrible dream last night...

I dreamt that we had done all this careful work to set the date for our group cruise...

...and we were bumped off for a Line-dancing-Nudist-Christian-Lesbian Charter cruise!!!:eek: :eek: :eek:


...better lay off that Green Beer!

OMG, how funny is that???? Definitely a green beer issue! I can tell that this is going to be a great group cruise already :D

Linda

[RevNeal]

and we were bumped off for a Line-dancing-Nudist-Christian-Lesbian Charter cruise!!!

FOFLMHO ...

I sure do wish I could make this cruise with y'all. You'll have fun!

[K&RCurt]

bepsf:

I just love your sense of humor!

If that happens I guess we can all claim to be Line dancing - Nudist - Christian - Lesbians! Maybe they will get a better pp rate on a full charter!

[sail7seas]

S7S ... look for the words: "group rate" in the following from jtutak's post:

Quote:


Yes, Rev...... Look in my post where I said I missed it!!! That I had missed her point, Rev!!!

[RevNeal]

:eek: YIKES :eek:

bye-e

[gizmo]

I am interested and I might be able to talk Mr.Gizmo into the 10 day cruise.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I'm sorry I caused such a stir. I wasn't trying to be difficult. It's just that it's confusing enough without throwing other prices into the mix at this point.

If we're trying to all cruise together, doesn't make any sense to bicker!!! We'll all have to make up:D .

EKerr and I will only handle this group cruise if we do it through CC. It would be practically impossible to do it through any other arrangement. If someone else decides at a later date to take that on and handle it by email, phone etc., that's fine.

It is my personal view that we met here on the CC boards, we pay nothing for the use of these boards and if we're going to do it we owe it to CC to do it on the up and up. Laura (EKerr) and I have spoken about this and decided it's the only way we want to be involved.

So, again, I'm really not trying to be difficult and I won't twist one person's arm to join us (except for Sail maybe;) ) ... but when we get the quote from CC, those will be the rates for this cruise.

If we feel the price is too high, we forget it and move on and we're all still friends. Is this okay with everybody?

[RevNeal]

It is my personal view that we met here on the CC boards, we pay nothing for the use of these boards and if we're going to do it we owe it to CC to do it on the up and up. Laura (EKerr) and I have spoken about this and decided it's the only way we want to be involved.

That sounds very reasonable to me ... but I'm looking on as an outsider.

[RevNeal]

"The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing in the right place, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment"

Heather ... I want to say, again, how powerful those words are. I should have remembered them and kept my fat head out of it.

[Ziggy7]

I'm sorry I caused such a stir. I wasn't trying to be difficult. It's just that it's confusing enough without throwing other prices into the mix at this point.

If we're trying to all cruise together, doesn't make any sense to bicker!!! We'll all have to make up:D .

EKerr and I will only handle this group cruise if we do it through CC. It would be practically impossible to do it through any other arrangement. If someone else decides at a later date to take that on and handle it by email, phone etc., that's fine.

It is my personal view that we met here on the CC boards, we pay nothing for the use of these boards and if we're going to do it we owe it to CC to do it on the up and up. Laura (EKerr) and I have spoken about this and decided it's the only way we want to be involved.

So, again, I'm really not trying to be difficult and I won't twist one person's arm to join us (except for Sail maybe;) ) ... but when we get the quote from CC, those will be the rates for this cruise.

If we feel the price is too high, we forget it and move on and we're all still friends. Is this okay with everybody?

I'm okie dokie with it :) And I agree, it should done here on CC :)

What I dont agree with is someone else taking over this get together, they can start their own! There were 5 or 6 of us that actually wanted to do this and it was opened to the public forum. I think in trying to please everyone, there were too many options to do exactly that. JMHO :)

[trubey]

So far I've stayed off this thread because we didn't we'd be going. But this group cruise is beginning to sound more and more like a great fun. One question, though. Fall of '06 is still very far off, would we be able to sign up, like a year from now? Would this interfere?

Susan.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Ah, Greg, your head's not fat!!!:o All is forgiven ... only wish you could join us!!!

Susan, I understand what your saying. The way it works is this. Once we have a date we go to LauraS with an estimate of how many we're starting out with and she gets a quote. We reserve a certain number of cabins. I think the TA will help us with that determination. My guess is that as we make our deposits we can request specific cabins. I will verify this with LauraS. You can make your deposit anytime up until 5 months before the cruise as long as there are still cabins available. After that they are released.

So the easy answer really is you certainly can take that chance and there's every possibility you could still book it.

Ziggy, you are very right. I'm going to analyze what we have here and make another post very shortly. I think it's time to sew this up.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Okay. I wrote everyone's name down who voted for 10/29 and 11/12 since that has the most number of votes. I then checked off everyone's preferences and while it was very close the 10/29 date works better for most people. There were many who said they could do either, but have also told me 10/29 is definitely better.

In addition, the 11/12 date could cause some air problems for some people since the return would be the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The rates go up then; the whole thing can be quite a mess. So that's a consideration for many of us.

So I'm going to go to Laura with the 10/29 date. I want to tell so many of you who cannot make that date that I am so very sorry. If this is successful and we do well, then hopefully there will be other group cruises.

For those of you who wanted the Southern Caribbean, why don't you jot down the names and get together and create your own cruise! There's no reason you can't do one as well.

Thanks for everyone's help and input.

[bepsf]

Heather--

You've had such a busy week with this project -
Just wanted to say THANK YOU for handling this!!!

...looking forward to the first-ever CC HAL-loween Group Cruise!!!:D

[Oceanwench]

Now all I have to do is get my line-dancing nudist Christian lesbian costume together for the Halloween Party.
Oh wait ... I don't need a costume for that, do I???

[Oceanwench]

We have a year and a half to plan this ... what fun!

I was just thinking, if they still have the Holland American Idol [or whatever they call it], the group should get an act together! No, not line-dancing nude Christian lesbians.
I wonder if there are *rules* about the entries?
Can a chorus of CC'ers take part?
[I can't carry a tune.]

[Iggipolka]

I'm in for 10/29 and I'll be hopeful (foolishly optomistic) that my spouse will be able to go too.

[mechcc]

Heather - you are just a doll for taking on all of this work. This sounds like it will be a fabolous cruise with all the cc's on board (even though we're new to the board, everyone seems just wonderful). If we can do anything to help with the next planning stage, please just ask. To those who can't make it - we are sorry you can't join us, but rest assured that we will think of you and drink a toast to you. Now we need to get the countdown clock running.:)

[K&RCurt]

Let me join in saying "Thank You Heather".

DW is going to be so excited when I tell her about this. She's in Fla. right now with DD#2 and some friends checking out some Phillies spring training games.

I'm stuck at home with DS and this has allowed me to have some sanity this week!

[TYMAN]

Heather....I also want to thank you and Ekerr for the huge effort. I look forward to all the planning and fun! Bill

[Pudgesmom]

A BIG THANK YOU FROM ME, TOO, HEATHER

Looks like my DH wants to go. He should be able to get that 10/29 week off.

My biggest concern is: why have the Buffy the Vampire Slayers been left out of this? If we're including all the Christian, nude, lesbian, etc. I think this should be part of it, too. (AND THINK OF THE COSTUME POSSIBILITES!) :D

Beth

[sail7seas]

Many Thanks, Heather. You have been so patient and considerate and have done so much work on all of our behalf.


I have not yet talked about this with DH. I like to wait until I have real info before bringing up something for us to discuss. Now that we have a date.....

Hmmmm, a good dinner, a nice wine, some special treats.......and maybe, just maybe, he just might agree.!!! :)

[bepsf]

I'm in for 10/29 and I'll be hopeful (foolishly optomistic) that my spouse will be able to go too.

I sure hope you and your partner can make it Iggi!!!
I'm counting on you to lead the line-dancing!!!
;)

[Iggipolka]

I sure hope you and your partner can make it Iggi!!!
I'm counting on you to lead the line-dancing!!!
;)

Heh...as long as we don't have to be nekkid and carrying bibles!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Phew! That's done:D . At my request Walt has kindly shut down the actual poll so no more votes can be made, but we can continue to post here and have some fun till I get the next step. I've already heard back from LauraS!! I'm going to call her that so we don't get her mixed up with Laura EKerr.

I had a few questions for her. Most important I want everyone to know that you will be able to choose your cabin # at the time you make your deposit. So once we have specifics you'll want to do that quickly if you're at all fussy.

You will also be able to talk directly to the agent so that's great to know, too. I think we have a wonderful group here and I'm sure we'll get many more who will want to join the fun. It's great to have so much time to plan.

Iggi, I'm so happy you can make 10/29. I know it wasn't your first choice. Hope your spouse can make it, too.

Brian, I have a very nice next door neighbor you just might be interested in:D so you let me know. He cruises a lot so you may already know him!!!!;)

Thanks, everyone, for such nice comments. I think this is going to be really successful and most of all FUN!!! I'll keep you posted on what happens next and any info I get from CC.

[tiffnco]

Well everyone...

I'm sorry to say that I'll have to be the one stuck at home reading the posts from the trip...so make sure someone's the designated poster...okay!!!

I'll stay on the thread and live vicariously through you guys! :D

Tiffany

[kryos]

Heather--

You've had such a busy week with this project -
Just wanted to say THANK YOU for handling this!!!

...looking forward to the first-ever CC HAL-loween Group Cruise!!!:D
Yes, thank you very, very much, Heather. You guys are putting a lot of work into this project and we all owe you a great debt of thanks.

Sadly, there is no date that is going to be good for everybody ... and someone is always going to be unhappy. That's just the way things work ... while planning a cruise, while setting up assignments for a work project, while deciding where to go to dinner.

I don't envy you all the work in setting this up, and I respect you for putting up with all the ruffled feathers that are going to invariably result in an endeavor like this. I would like to be the first to buy the two of you a drink once we are onboard.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[RevNeal]

I, too, will be joining y'all via the internet ... so make sure you have someone to post and someone to upload photos, etc. :)

I sure wish I could join you, but even if I hadn't just gotten off the Zaandam that end-of-October date is impossible for me to make (due to a bug fund raiser we hold that weekend).

Anyway ... have a blast.

Who knows ... perhaps a few would like to join Vic and I in the Pacific? I'll post a thread about that.

[tiffnco]

(due to a bug fund raiser we hold that weekend).

As a fellow fund-raiser, I'm quite interested in a BUG event ;) (yes, I KNOW you meant "big" but I couldn't resist. I picture lots of auction items involving ants and spiders :p

[RevNeal]

FOFLMHO ... pretty funny!!! :)
Yes, I intended to type "Big" and somehow, horribly, hit the "u" instead of the "i" right next to it. :D ;)

It's our largest annual fund raiser ... a huge Bar-B-Q and Auction. And, NO, we don't Bar-B-Q or Auction Bugs.

You nuts.

[tiffnco]

FOFLMHO ... pretty funny!!! :)


Help me out here...I know the LMHO, but what's the FOF?

[peaches from georgia]

Falling On the Floor

[LEtue]

Oh bummer...I wasn't expecting the 10/29 sailing to win! I was hoping for the 11/12 since the 10 day southern didn't get enough interest :(

Will have to re-think this one since the end of the month is so busy at work it is hard to imagine getting ready for a cruise too .....

[Ziggy7]

Oh bummer...I wasn't expecting the 10/29 sailing to win! I was hoping for the 11/12 since the 10 day southern didn't get enough interest :(

Will have to re-think this one since the end of the month is so busy at work it is hard to imagine getting ready for a cruise too .....

By the time you cruise you will have practice with this crusie :) "Splendour of the Seas 10/22/05"

[Renorita]

Hey this will be my first Retirement Cruise! If you all want to get in line to buy me a drink it will be okay with me! DH can buy his own. :D It is going to be so strange to be "free" and not have to check work schedules to see if I can get off. For those of you who are already retired, can you relate?

I have the feeling though that most of you are younger and not at that crossroad yet! We don't feel retirement age when we are out on the dance floor dancing up a storm. Only when we have to walk back to our seats! :D

Hope you all are not superstitious and think that us "bump-ees" (Iggi and us) will bring this cruise bad luck; meaning that a "bigger group" will bump us! :eek:

Heather, again thank you for all of your work. It is not easy trying to make something work for everyone, and you are so considerate of everyone's feelings. :)

This could end up being the longest pre-cruise thread ever, starting this early!

[LEtue]

Nope...we leave October 18th for the Splendour and don't return to work until the 1st of November. That means I miss the end of the month "push" at work. ;)

I work in a manufacturing facility and customers can be very demanding during the last week of the month. "No don't build that - we need this one instead" :eek:

[Ziggy7]

Nope...we leave October 18th for the Splendour and don't return to work until the 1st of November. That means I miss the end of the month "push" at work. ;)

I work in a manufacturing facility and customers can be very demanding during the last week of the month. "No don't build that - we need this one instead" :eek:aaaaaaawww darn and I thought I solved your delema :(

[stanford's girl]

The 10/29 cruise wasn't my 1st or 2nd choice but I'm still going to try to make it work into our schedule. I would hate to miss out on martini's with Tyman.:D

[Vic The Parrot]

And, NO, we don't Bar-B-Q or Auction Bugs.





Yummy!!!




;)

[trubey]

Heather, et.al.

We've swung into the 'yeah, we'll go' side, barring bankruptcy or sudden death.

Lane

[kryos]

Heather, et.al.

We've swung into the 'yeah, we'll go' side, barring bankruptcy or sudden death.

I'm already looking forward to it. I just checked the detailed itinerary on HAL's website and, wow ... SCUBA opportunities in every port! Not to mention trick or treating on the ship. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Renorita]

Does anyone know a good place to get Halloween costumes? All the places around here have the typical sm. med. lg. and extra large. The later being an extra large made for the junior figure. Not a problem for DH as they usually make costumes roomy enough for the average built man. But if you are the least bit busty, forget it! :eek:

[sail7seas]

We've cruised on Halloween (HAL) about four times and there never was any sort of big deal and almost no one wore costumes. As I recall, they had a party up at the Crownest in the evening and other than some cowboy boots and hats ....no one really wore costmes.

There is no reason we couldn't have our own party set up whevever....I think it possible we would get some cooperation from the crew finding us a place to party--- but we might feel a little conspicuous out and about the ship in costumes. NOT to say we couldn't/shouldn't do it but thought I'd mention Halloween is not usually a big deal on HAL ships.

Never saw or heard of any 'trick or treating'.


BUT....if we were to book the "PS", we surely could have a great party in there!!! (Don't think that's going to happen, though:) )

[FlorenceItaly]

I have been gone this week, and just got in, and saw this. Definitely count dh and I in! I'll be looking forward to hearing about when we can start booking :). Thanks for organizing this.

Marie

[sail7seas]

That's Wonderful, Marie!!! Glad you will be joining in!!!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I so wish I could join you but being gone the last couple of days and the first 5 days of the month are totally forbidden for me in the car business and unfortunely I need this job to pay for my cruising addition. if my any chance the dates get changed to the middle of the month you could definitely count us in.

Oh well, maybe next time.

[HeatherInFlorida]

This is all such great news! Trubey, ExaltHim, so great you can make it!

As for Halloween, I know I won't be doing any trick or treating:eek: ... but if we have enough people going it will be everyone else who feels out of place if we decide to go in costume:D . We're cruising on Celebrity over Halloween this year and I'll be interested to see if they do anything.

Once we get going, CC will be creating a special page for our group cruise with all the info including prices, booking information and a message board just for us. The directions say CC will help us link our message board in our CC signature to help promote our cruise. I think Rita is right ... it could be the longest Roll Call ever!!!

Also, if any of you are handy it says if we create our own CC Group Cruise Web site, that can also be linked in our signature. I'm afraid that's a bit beyond my reach.

Lisa, maybe you can get that great brain of yours working and figure a way to get those few days off. We all want you to come so much.

I don't know about everyone else, but I've been busily checking out the deck plans to decide exactly where I want to be! Now I just have to talk DH into an "SS"!!! I've been thinking of one of the VA aft cabins but Brian sent me a link to some pictures of those and I'm not sure I like the "hallway" look.

Anybody every been in one of those?

[Renorita]

Has anyone been to Turks and Caico's Island? If so, is it nice? Looking forward to all of these ports as I have never been to any of them. We have only done the Western Carribean. Also looking forward to our first HMC stop. Would be neat if we could rent all of the Cabanas! :)

Rita

[SHayesShip]

Even though I do not like cruising in October because of hurricane season I am interested in this cruise. Unless something happens COUNT ME IN!
Steve Hayes

[HeatherInFlorida]

Steve, delighted you can join us!!! We'll keep you posted. Living right here in the middle of hurricane season:D , I can tell you that by the end of October (particularly in the Eastern Caribbean) we're on pretty study ground. The peak season for Atlantic hurricanes is August/September. Any forming after that are generally out of the Gulf and should not affect us.

That said, I know it only takes one;) .

BTW, we have about 22 people saying they will likely or postively take this cruise. That is fantastic!! Many of those 22 are 2somes so we have between 35 and 40 likelies right now.

Let's book the ship!!!!!:D

[TYMAN]

Just got the "thumbs up" from DW! Since we'll be in a SS in June on the Zui....we'll probably get the same next Oct/Nov. We'll also look into booking a Cabana..we love to host parties!!! :D I need to go back and read about the Blenders again. :rolleyes:

[K&RCurt]

I also checked the itinerary as some others have. I think HAL is listening! This is the same itinerary as we sailed this past January EXCEPT Turks & Caico replaced Nassau and the port time in Turks & Caico is longer than it was in Nassau. I know we noted on our survery that if we had Nassau as a port for a future cruise we wouldn't even get off the ship and alot of others shared the same opinion.

We just LOVED both St. Maarten and Tortola so this is a great itinerary for us.

I am so looking forward to meeting all of the CC folks on this cruise!

If we get enough of us we can become the big obnoxious group that everyone complains about! Have our own costume party, take over the aft pool, ask everyone we meet what their CC screen name is and then look at them in shock when they haven't a clue what we're talking about.....I know a bunch of Cardinal fans I wouldn't mind feeling like THEY were the out of place outsiders on the ship!

[boards]

If our plans don't work out for a two week cruise on Statedam in Oct. or Dec., we very much would like to be a part this CC group cruise whichever date you decide, our first choice would be the 10 Day Volendam on 11-3 and 2nd would be the 10-29 date.

[kryos]

Also, if any of you are handy it says if we create our own CC Group Cruise Web site, that can also be linked in our signature. I'm afraid that's a bit beyond my reach.

I wonder if anyone here has the technical expertise to create an "official" banner for us. You see that in some people's signatures ... a special banner for one of their upcoming group cruises. I think that would be really nice for us to have.

I'll be taking an inside cabin on this cruise since I will more than likely be going solo and would like to be able to smoke in my cabin.

Unless, of course, there are any other solo travelers who smoke that would like to share a veranda suite? :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[HeatherInFlorida]

Keith & Gina ... absolutely right! And don't forget we must be sure to get out on the aft deck pretty early and hog all the deck chairs. Maybe hold aside 20 or 30, throw towels and books and stuff on them!!!:D

boards, don't think you may have read everything. The final choice was the 7-day Eastern Caribbean on the Westerdam 10/29/05.

Rita, we'll have to watch and see if anyone is looking for a share!

Tyman, great news that DW wants to do it. Guess Amy's out of the picture:( . Boo hoo.

Yes, I agree that these are great ports and I'm thrilled Nassau is GONE!!! What a stupid stop and only until noon!!! I called it a sea day on our last cruise. It will be fun to have Turks and Caicos since we've never been there.

EKerr just called me from FLL. They're there and getting on the Volendam tomorrow for a 10 day cruise! Lucky dogs. She'll get well now for sure. She was so happy that we came to a decision and we're moving forward. She and DH are in for sure, too.

[boards]

Sorry, thank you thats fine with me, so as I said we will be very much interested if the other plans fall through. This is a special year for us its our 50th anniversary and looking to do something special the CC group cruise just may be it. Thank you for all your efforts.

[Renorita]

I also checked the itinerary as some others have. I think HAL is listening! This is the same itinerary as we sailed this past January EXCEPT Turks & Caico replaced Nassau and the port time in Turks & Caico is longer than it was in Nassau. I know we noted on our survery that if we had Nassau as a port for a future cruise we wouldn't even get off the ship and alot of others shared the same opinion.

We just LOVED both St. Maarten and Tortola so this is a great itinerary for us.

I am so looking forward to meeting all of the CC folks on this cruise!

If we get enough of us we can become the big obnoxious group that everyone complains about! Have our own costume party, take over the aft pool, ask everyone we meet what their CC screen name is and then look at them in shock when they haven't a clue what we're talking about.....I know a bunch of Cardinal fans I wouldn't mind feeling like THEY were the out of place outsiders on the ship!

And if we get REALLY big, maybe we will take over the whole ship! Lets see now, where did I get THAT idea?????:D

[HeatherInFlorida]

Hey, everyone! I guess a good idea is a good idea:D . There are now 2 threads going for a group cruise to Alaska or Hawaii. Another day another time I would have loved to go with RevNeal to Hawaii, but sadly not in 2006.

If anyone who has decided to join us would prefer to do the 15-day Hawaii (I believe it's in early October 2006), please let me know now just so I know where we are.

I posted on Greg's thread that it's not fair to take "our" cruisers away:( , but I'm kidding of course. Everyone should go where they want to go.

Personally I hope you all stay with us because I think we've got a great group and we're going to have terrific time.

[Ziggy7]

Hey, everyone! I guess a good idea is a good idea:D . There are now 2 threads going for a group cruise to Alaska or Hawaii. Another day another time I would have loved to go with RevNeal to Hawaii, but sadly not in 2006.

If anyone who has decided to join us would prefer to do the 15-day Hawaii (I believe it's in early October 2006), please let me know now just so I know where we are.

I posted on Greg's thread that it's not fair to take "our" cruisers away:( , but I'm kidding of course. Everyone should go where they want to go.

Personally I hope you all stay with us because I think we've got a great group and we're going to have terrific time.
Count me in as staying :) We committed her first :) JMHO :)

[Ziggy7]

Great news! I was able to book the turquoise cabana for our Oct 2006 cruise thru ship services !!! "Believe it or Not" :p

[stanford's girl]

Great news! I was able to book the turquoise cabana for our Oct 2006 cruise thru ship services !!! "Believe it or Not" :p

I like a woman who plans ahead.:) Way to go Ziggy!!!:D

[HeatherInFlorida]

Great news! I was able to book the turquoise cabana for our Oct 2006 cruise thru ship services !!! "Believe it or Not" :p

Oh, C'mon Ziggy!!! I know you're kidding because you can't do that without a reservation # and you don't have one!!! You're trying to get us all excited!!! Bad girl!!!:D

[Sinbad37]

:D DON'T YOU JUST LOVE IT WHEN A GAME PLAN COMES TOGETHER!:D

We add our Thanks for your efforts! Ed and I plan on joining in the fun of this FIRST EVER HAL CC VOYAGE!

THE 10/29/06 WAS MY FIRST CHOICE, so I am a happy camper (sailor).

Icing on my Birthday Cake is the Masquerade Ball! My birthday is 10/30/????;)

My family had many birthdays in October. God Bless my Grandmother...she always made a big "Party" on HOLLOWEEN which included her home made Walnut Cake and icing names for all family members with October birthdays. We also went way out to do the masquerade! Cousins by the dozens - and we all tried to find a costume where we could not be "identified" by our well known relatives!

One cabin, a suite I hope!

[Ziggy7]

Oh, C'mon Ziggy!!! I know you're kidding because you can't do that without a reservation # and you don't have one!!! You're trying to get us all excited!!! Bad girl!!!:Dhehehe ok my bad but it did make it sound like the cruise was closer hehehehe :)

[Ziggy7]

:D DON'T YOU JUST LOVE IT WHEN A GAME PLAN COMES TOGETHER!:D

We add our Thanks for your efforts! Ed and I plan on joining in the fun of this FIRST EVER HAL CC VOYAGE!

THE 10/29/06 WAS MY FIRST CHOICE, so I am a happy camper (sailor).

Icing on my Birthday Cake is the Masquerade Ball! My birthday is 10/30/????;)

My family had many birthdays in October. God Bless my Grandmother...she always made a big "Party" on HOLLOWEEN which included her home made Walnut Cake and icing names for all family members with October birthdays. We also went way out to do the masquerade! Cousins by the dozens - and we all tried to find a costume where we could not be "identified" by our well known relatives!

One cabin, a suite I hope! Hey Sinbad where you been !!! Welcome to the best CC cruise ever !!!!!:)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Ginny & Ed, glad to have you!!! I've also added your email address to my roster. The email would come from HeathersIsland@aol.com. That's my "official" CC email address;) .

As soon as I get more info (which I would guess will be next week sometime), I'll let you all know. In the meantime, our list is growing!! We already have over 20 cabins!!!

[stanford's girl]

hehehe ok my bad but it did make it sound like the cruise was closer hehehehe :)

You are a sly one Ziggy. I was trying to figure out how you did this. I thought maybe you had a friend at HAL that bent the rules for you.;) So the race is still on for the turquoise cabana! Who will the winner be?:D

[Ziggy7]

You are a sly one Ziggy. I was trying to figure out how you did this. I thought maybe you had a friend at HAL that bent the rules for you.;) So the race is still on for the turquoise cabana! Who will the winner be?:D hehehee hmmmmmm my friends at HAL, now there's an idea I hadn't thought of yet :) muhahahahaha :p

[sail7seas]

Great news! I was able to book the turquoise cabana for our Oct 2006 cruise thru ship services !!! "Believe it or Not" :p



Can we come play with you at your Cabana???? Or should we get the one next door???

[Iggipolka]

Wohoo! The wife said there's a somewhat good chance that she'll be back in country by October 2006. She's excited about the cruise, but said that she'll only go if we get an Aft Suite..so save us one! ;) After where she's been, she's going to need some safe space and luxury to decompress.
We'd also love to share a Cabana with someone.

Wow..I've been feeling silly about getting all excited about a cruise that's 7 months+ away, now I'm all in anticipation about one that is a year and a half away!

Go ahead and pet the cute doggy.

[Ziggy7]

Can we come play with you at your Cabana???? Or should we get the one next door???
hehehe come play with us !!! The more the merrier!:)

[bepsf]

Ziggy--


You are too funny - I was thinking about having a cabana party...

Do they have a pink one?:D

[Ziggy7]

ok, who's our website guru and who's going to make a banner for or signature :) Not to rush anyone but gee, times flying by already!!! hehehehe :)

[Ziggy7]

Ziggy--


You are too funny - I was thinking about having a cabana party...

Do they have a pink one?:D hahaha funny I thought the same thing about you :)

Pink ???? ummmmm I will check with my HAL friends and see if it's still open, ya know your not the only one who wants PINK!

[kryos]

Rita, we'll have to watch and see if anyone is looking for a share!

I really appreciate the thought, Heather, but I think on this shorter cruise, I'd prefer to have my own cabin. I'm "fickle" and it's just easier that way ... especially with HAL's single supplements being so reasonable.

Besides ... I got the "bad habit" (smoking), so it's best I have the cabin to myself. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

If our plans don't work out for a two week cruise on Statedam in Oct. or Dec., we very much would like to be a part this CC group cruise whichever date you decide, our first choice would be the 10 Day Volendam on 11-3 and 2nd would be the 10-29 date.
You know, once a travel agency has been selected, there's no reason that people interested in a longer cruise ... especially if there were enough of them ... couldn't "negotiate" a special rate on a b2b encompassing this cruise. I know that under normal circumstances that's what I would do. Seven days is just not long enough and I'd want to tack on another week.

Of course, 2006 will not be a normal year for me in terms of cruising ... so this idea is just not feasible in my case with this group cruise. I'll just have to settle for seven fun-filled days instead! :)

But, I just thought I'd mention it for others who may be sitting on the fence about this ... feeling that a seven-day cruise is just not long enough.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[HeatherInFlorida]

Absolutely, Ruth! And maybe some of the people who were hoping for the Western itinerary could do a B2B and get the best of both worlds! I'm not a Western Caribbean fan so it's not for me and we can't do 2 weeks in 2006 anyway.

[FlorenceItaly]

A friend of mine, designed the one for our Sept 2005 cruise(see below). I can ask her if she would consider doing one for ours if there is no one in the group that has that talent.

Marie

[HeatherInFlorida]

Marie, that might be a great idea if she is willing! Let's wait and see the info I get from LauraS. I know the info I have says something about giving us a signature link and I have no idea what that means. But can I keep this in mind? Because that might work out great for us. Thanks for suggesting!

[Ziggy7]

Absolutely, Ruth! And maybe some of the people who were hoping for the Western itinerary could do a B2B and get the best of both worlds! I'm not a Western Caribbean fan so it's not for me and we can't do 2 weeks in 2006 anyway.You mean Rita hehehehe :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

You mean Rita hehehehe :)

Yes! I meant Rita! Heaven help me I'm losing it entirely. I thought Rita and wrote Ruth. I think she's on my mind because she's been so ill.

Rita, sorry!

Ziggy, what would I do without you to keep me on track;) .

Note to Heather: Do not put yourself in charge of the name tags!!!!!:D

[Ziggy7]

Yes! I meant Rita! Heaven help me I'm losing it entirely. I thought Rita and wrote Ruth. I think she's on my mind because she's been so ill.

Rita, sorry!

Ziggy, what would I do without you to keep me on track;) .

Note to Heather: Do not put yourself in charge of the name tags!!!!!:Dhehehee Heather, too funny!
Uh oh we are going to wear name tags ???? LOL :p

[Iggipolka]

Uh oh we are going to wear name tags ???? LOL :p

Hmm..and then the question becomes what do we put on the name tags, our CC Nicks or our real names!

[Ziggy7]

Hmm..and then the question becomes what do we put on the name tags, our CC Nicks or our real names!Just a guess but Both ???? hehehehe :p

[HeatherInFlorida]

That will be one of the big decisions facing us over the next year and a half;) . Of course it's easy for me ... "Heather" will do it:D . But for many, the "real" name won't even give a clue! Of course, we could try to figure it out and just forget name tags all together at least in the beginning. I think that would be the most fun.

Brian is going to plan a get together at a hotel the night before. I think we should all arrive there with no sign of who we are and we'll just figure it out. For some it will be easy because of our avatars and posted pics. My avatar is a flattering picture so I could probably fool you all.

The whole thing should be really fun and interesting as it unfolds.!

[Renorita]

There may be two parties of not knowing who we are. The first one at the Hotel, and then again if we have a masquerade party! :)

Heather, to really confuse you, there are two Rita"s!

Heh Heh, Rita

[Ziggy7]

Well shoot there goes my idea for everyone carrying signs with name, age, rank, serial number, who your with, who you belong to, how many kids, and anything else about you, so we dont have to take notes and remember it later !! :p

[richcrow]

Oh, C'mon Ziggy!!! I know you're kidding because you can't do that without a reservation # and you don't have one!!! You're trying to get us all excited!!! Bad girl!!!:D

Of course you are right, Heather. But this made me think about cabanas. Do you think that it would be a good idea to try and book as many cabanas as early as we could. If we had more than four people per cabana interested, it sure would start to make the cost per person pretty reasonable.

Richard

[HeatherInFlorida]

Yes, Richard, I agree absolutely. They won't open those up for reservations until a few months before the cruise. By then we'll know how many people we are and how many would like to pitch in. The cabanas are $219 for 4 people and I believe you can add people for $45 pp.
It would be great if we could reserve 3 or 4, but we can work this out as time goes on. I know that sometimes the cabana boys are quite flexible about how many people are actually coming and going in a cabana, but obviously you can't pack 12 into one and not expect to pay extra.

We'll have to talk about this as time goes on, but I think cabanas are great. We really enjoyed ours on our recent cruise.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Ziggy, I'm surprised you haven't put a ticker for "our" special cruise:D .

Rita, you're right! It gets tricky! And we don't even know first names for some of these guys. But I'm taking lots of notes and email addresses!

Richard and Iggi, love your new pictures!

[adamsmark]

Now this is beginning to sound like fun!!! Iggi, Ziggy, Sail, Heather and their spouses in adjoining cabanas! Do the spouses know all about these plans yet?

We may have to sign up for this cruise ourselves. :D

Mark

[HeatherInFlorida]

Yes, mine sure does, Mark! Can't speak for any of the others:D . And you are more than welcome to join us ... the more the merrier! We may just have to take the whole ship ..... :eek:

[bepsf]

Nametags???

Maybe, but I have the feeling that many of you will know who I am without needing a nametag...:D This is an excellent opportunity for someone to get creative. (Hint-hint...) Also, anyone for door decorating???

There was a very good article on CruiseMates about someone reserving a single cabana on HMC for 4 folks, yet there were many others coming/going and visiting and the cabana boy ran around gathering food and drink for all visitors. Now he deserved one heck of a tip!!!

I hope we can get the pink one so we can stock it w/ lots of bubbly, chocolate & decorations so everyone will know that we're meeting at the Pink Champagne Cabana...

Iggi--
You planning on bringing that wedding dress w/ you?
We'd love to see you have an ROV ceremony...
:)

[Ziggy7]

Ziggy, I'm surprised you haven't put a ticker for "our" special cruise:D I tried but it wont let me. CC says you can only use 1500 char. per signature and I guess I'm maxed waaaaaaaaaaa :(

[Ziggy7]

anyone for door decorating???

Oh yes Brian, we are having a contest, prize at this point unknown :D Also as time goes on I will start a cabana share prorgam :)

[Ziggy7]

I tried but it wont let me. CC says you can only use 1500 char. per signature and I guess I'm maxed waaaaaaaaaaa :(Ha! I did it :)

[Renorita]

Brian
You say we will know you without you wearing a name tag. All I know you by is that you are the naked guy sitting in the pool! Ohhhhhhh! That's how we will know you, I get it now! :eek:

[trubey]

We will volunteer to do the art work and the web site. Give me your opinions and comments in your next few posts.

In pre-planning our website, I'd like to throw out a few ideas:

(1) Do we want links for our actual e-mail addresses or would we prefer coded ones (to avoid spam from web crawlers)?

(2) Shall we include individual photos of our group?

(3) Shall we include a "who we are" section?

Susan.

p.s. Last week I finally decided to add an avatar to our profile. It was a toss-up between what you see above and Victoria below—who actually is a male donkey that we had for a year or so. Some mornings I'm not sure which represents me better.

[FlorenceItaly]

Susan - What a generous offer. Thanks so much. I like the idea of the individual photos. That will help us recognize one another. We have done that for my Sept CC cruise. The who we are section sounds good too. I am undecided on the email. Personally, I don't have a problem with putting mine out there, but many may, and I do understand.

Marie

[HeatherInFlorida]

I agree the emails have to be a personal choice. I have mine in my signature here and I have had no problems at all. But it is not my regular address, it is a screen name that I set up specifically for CC.

I am so excited about all these great ideas! Susan, what a generous offer! Maybe you can make a collage of photos in the form of a ship!!!:D I'M KIDDING!!!!

Brian, it's true that review talked about extra people, but I don't think there were more than 2 or 3 extras from what I could see. Two or three extra people coming and going from a cabana and 10 to 20 are quite a different thing. Ziggy can be our official Cabana Girl!!! She can work out the logistics and report back to us. Ziggy, for Brian's sake we have to at least include the "pink" cabana;) Is the pink near the yellow? It would be great to be at the far end of the beach ... just take over that whole area!

I can't believe all you guys posting in the middle of the night!!!

[HeatherInFlorida]

I have the names of 3 people who voted for the 10/29 and 11/12 cruises and did not post. I had said I would assume anyone not posting was fine with both dates so I'd really love to hear from you as to whether you're still interested in this cruise.

If you're not comfortable posting you can always email me at HeathersIsland@aol.com. I want to get a initial number for our group.

Here are the names: bellebaby, brfan, and JohnR49er. Anyone else know these folks? Let me know:)

[Himself]

So far there are 20 voting for the Eastern Caribbean on the WESTERDAM.
You know there is another group trying to get an "alternative" to Hawaii on the ZANDAM in October 2006.
Let's see how both go!!!

Himself

[HeatherInFlorida]

Himself, the poll was closed and decided last week to do the 10/29/05. You may notice I posted about the Hawaiian and Alaskan alternative cruises above.

[Himself]

Heather, sorry about that. Hope your not offended!
Himself

[HeatherInFlorida]

Heather, sorry about that. Hope your not offended!
Himself

Nope, not offended at all:D ... why would I be offended:confused: ?

[trubey]

I have declared a CONTEST!

I'm looking for your best Caribbean Cruise picture. This would be the one that HAL should have used in the cruise brochure.

FIRST PRIZE: We use your photo as the main feature on our website.

Hurry!!! Contest Closes one week from today on March 28.

Send your entries to:

cruise_trubey@yahoo.com

susan.

[K&RCurt]

Great idea Trubey!

I emailed you a photo of the Westerdam and Maasdam anchored off of HMC this past January.

We are so excited over this cruise that I've stopped obsessing over our RCI cruise scheduled for Jan. '06! We can't wait to get back on the Westerdam!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Susan, this is wonderful!:D I have to go through my photos. Do you want it to be of a HAL ship? Or can it a "destination" type photo?

Keith & Gina, you're too funny! I'm similar in that we have a 2 week Panama Canal cruise planned for this October which I'm really excited about, but somehow my focus is on this cruise:) .

[bepsf]

It's funny - I'm in the same Dam boat...

I'm somehow not as excited about my upcoming Alaska cruise as I am about this one! Tho the B2B next Feb I know I'm gonna be excited about that one when the weather turns cold next year....

[trubey]

Hi cruisers,

We already got a photo, from Keith and Gina!

If you're going to send a photo, please send it in HIGH RESOLUTION, so we don't have to get a hi-res copy later! We have fast internet so it only takes a few secs to get 2 or 3 meg downloads.

Thanks!

Lane (graphics guy in the Susan and Lane consortium)

[richcrow]

Susan, this is wonderful!:D I have to go through my photos. Do you want it to be of a HAL ship? Or can it a "destination" type photo?

Keith & Gina, you're too funny! I'm similar in that we have a 2 week Panama Canal cruise planned for this October which I'm really excited about, but somehow my focus is on this cruise:) .

Heather,

I can't say that my focus is entirely on this cruise since my next cruise will be my first HAL cruise, but I'm really getting excited about the CC cruise. Now if I can just figure out how to tell DW.:eek:

Richard

[tiffnco]

Oh you guys...I'm so sad I can't make this trip :( :( :(


It sounds like it's going to be soooo much fun. Darn that work thing...just gets in the way sometimes.

You'll have to promise to toast those of us left behind while you're at the pink cabana!

Tiffany

[HeatherInFlorida]

Hi cruisers,

We already got a photo, from Keith and Gina!

If you're going to send a photo, please send it in HIGH RESOLUTION, so we don't have to get a hi-res copy later! We have fast internet so it only takes a few secs to get 2 or 3 meg downloads.

Thanks!

Lane (graphics guy in the Susan and Lane consortium)

Lane, I just sent mine. I'm so dumb I don't know if they went high resolution or not. Actually, I have a feeling they will be way too big. Let me know. I can figure out another way to send them.

Rich, you haven't told DW???!!! You're not alone. I don't think Sail has mentioned to DH either. She's waiting for more info, I think.

[trubey]

HeatherInFlorida and K&RCurt your pictures came in just fine. That HAL brochure photographer has some great competion.

I am also thinking that we need a theme. My one suggestion is Halloween/Masquerade (please, no toilet paper jokes). But I am really open to requests.


susan

e-mail: cruise_trubey@yahoo.com

[HeatherInFlorida]

Trubey, I also forgot to mention that personally I'm not sure about email addresses on the website. I have no problem with them here, but I'm not sure that would hold true for the website. What do you think?

[trubey]

Two things:

(1) Heather, check that date again on your signature.
(2) We can just ask each person if they wish to have their (both) full names, screen names, and/or e-mail addresses on the site. I can handle the differences easily.

susan.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Susan, thanks!!! Fixed it! You're so observant! I was thinking of this year's cruise:D .

Sounds good about the addys, etc. Thanks.

[Ziggy7]

I Vote " Westerdam Hall-O-Weeners!"

[HeatherInFlorida]

Ziggy, that's good!!! How about "Haul the Weiners!!":D

[Ziggy7]

Trubey,
You 2 are wonderful for doing this! It makes it so more real :) Thanks!

I dont have anysuggestions for the website, sounds like you all are doing fine there without me! Faces and bio's and emails sound good to me :)

Tiffco, think positively ... I see in your future a promotion and an extra weeks vacation by Oct 2006!

Wooohoooooooo Heather, I have been called many things and Cabana Girl is not one of them! I like it!!!! I like it !!!

[tiffnco]

Tiffco, think positively ... I see in your future a promotion and an extra weeks vacation by Oct 2006!



ZIggy,

Thanks! You put a nice big grin on my face :D

[tiffnco]

Tiffco, think positively ... I see in your future a promotion and an extra weeks vacation by Oct 2006!



ZIggy,

Thanks! You put a nice big grin on my face :D Although unfortunately, it's not the time that an issue...it's the date. But I'll always take a new promotion! :rolleyes:

[Oceanwench]

Heather,

I like the sharing cabanas idea.
DH won't be able to come ashore in HMC, but I will!

[bepsf]

Heather,

I like the sharing cabanas idea.
DH won't be able to come ashore in HMC, but I will!

OceanW--

Remember: What happens in the cabana stays in the cabana!!!
;)

[Ziggy7]

Ziggy, that's good!!! How about "Haul the Weiners!!":D
hahaha well are you trying to say I am a weiner ! LOL hehehehehe

[Ziggy7]

OceanW--

Remember: What happens in the cabana stays in the cabana!!!
;)Especially in the PINK one hehehehehe :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

hahaha well are you trying to say I am a weiner ! LOL hehehehehe

NO, ZIGGY!!!! I was saying we're all "weiners" and HAL would be "hauling" us!!!:D

[richcrow]

Lane, I just sent mine. I'm so dumb I don't know if they went high resolution or not. Actually, I have a feeling they will be way too big. Let me know. I can figure out another way to send them.

Rich, you haven't told DW???!!! You're not alone. I don't think Sail has mentioned to DH either. She's waiting for more info, I think.

Heather,

I'm waiting until we make our final payment on the Zuiderdam cruise before I break the news about this cruise:) . Knowing how much she loves to cruise with people other than her DH, I'm sure that she is going to be as excited as I am.

Richard

[trubey]

Hey, You there! Yes, You!

Why haven't I received your photos yet?

You have less than one week left to enter.

Susan.

[TYMAN]

Are you talking to me?? Are you talking to ME? :D I'm still looking for my best photo...

[HeatherInFlorida]

Tyman, you can send as many as you like ... doesn't have to be your best!!!

[TYMAN]

Sounds good to me! Oh, here's a pic of us last time we were in Tortola.

[trubey]

Now we will be able to recognize you. Wow! Susan.

[TYMAN]

I'll be the guy pointing the way to the beach! :D

[HeatherInFlorida]

Susan, I think that pic of Tyman should win the website banner hands down!!! What do you think???;)

[TYMAN]

Here's a pic of me before I started working out....

[Renorita]

Hey, You there! Yes, You!

Why haven't I received your photos yet?

You have less than one week left to enter.

Susan.

Susan

Both of us are computer dummies, so can we just mail you a picture by snail mail? I did that with our group that is going on the Aug. 29th Cruise on the Infinity. Also I do not have a good picture of us at this time, so hopefully will get it to you sometime after our Aug. Cruise.

Even though we are plannng at this early date to go, it is still a long ways off and anything can happen, so we will have plenty of time to get a picture to you. In fact, planning on taking a computer class on the Infinity, so maybe by then I can do it via E-Mail. :) Or if one of my sons visits me before then, they can show me how.

Also, feeling a bit left out as I have posted several times, trying to fit in to this group and have had very little comments or questions answered. If this CC party is catering to most of the regulars who have know each other a long time, I certainly understand, and may feel more comfortable with another group.

Thank you for all your effort, it should be fun.

[sail7seas]

Renorita.......If you have not had your questions answered, it is just a careless over sight. EVERYONE who is going on that group cruise wants as many other CC'ers as possible to join in. EVERYONE is more than welcome.

Sometimes some of us get caught up in jokes, conversation ....whatever and VERY inadvertently miss someone's question.

I feel very confident in saying we all want you (and anyone/everyone else) to join in.

Some of us just 'talk alot' so if we do that....butt right in and tell us to cool it and pay attention to everyone!!

BTW....I am the biggest of computer dummies and not only do I not have a scanner on my laptop but if I did, I wouldn't have a clue how to use it. Therefore, no pic of me (us) has been forwarded either.

[TYMAN]

Hi Renorita....I've talked to you on other threads. Listen, I'm not a regular, just like to talk alot! :D Since Amy won't cruise with me....will you have Martini's with sanford girl and me???? Please??? :o

[HeatherInFlorida]

Rita, I'm so sorry if you've felt left out!!! I have you down on my list. I have to go back and see what happened! Maybe I missed your questions? I've been trying so hard to catch every post!!!

Please email me at HeathersIsland@aol.com. I'm feeling terrible if I've missed your posts. I'm going back right now to look at everything, but wanted to post quickly if I've slighted you in any way!

The more the merrier!!!:)

[trubey]

Renorita,

Oh, so sorry if you think I was honestly complaining about not getting enough pictures. I was just trying to drum up some interest because I just want to put them on our website for the cruise. And although the cruise is so far away, having the website early will be good for generating more interest.

I have heard from four or five of you other cruisers now, so we are actually coming pretty well. Don't bother sending anything by regular e-mail, it takes us 2 weeks to get mail from the United States, and sometimes we don't get it at all. The scariest thing is hoping that cruise documents come on time.

Susan.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Okay, I just read through this entire thread and I'm exhausted!! On top of that I just had some sort of brain freeze that was a little scarey.

Rita I missed your post about the Halloween costumes and can't help you there, I'm afraid. I don't even know where you live:D !

Can't help you about Turks & Caicos either because I've never been there. But from what I could tell we answered any other questions you had. Let us know if we didn't and we'll try to get it right.

You've only posted a few times and some of us have gotten a bit crazy so don't be shy!!! We're very happy to have you and look forward to meeting you. If you have any questions at all, ask away.

[Oceanwench]

Although we have a digital camera, we always shoot film. DH has not learned how to use the digital ... and I am not one for reading through a bunch of directions!

So I have no photo to e-mail. :(

Count me in on the pink cabana crowd if there's still time to sign up, Brian!

[Renorita]

:) Thank you so much everyone for your kind responses! You brought tears to my eyes! Looking forward to meeting all of you! DH still does not know about this as I still have to surprise him with his special Birthday Cruise (Aug. Infinity) in June! Boy its hard to keep a secret!

Heather
That was so sweet of you to go back and read all of the previous posts. Shows how caring you really are! BTW, we are from Reno, Nv.

Susan
I certainly did not mean to criticize you. I think you are doing a great job of getting everyone excited and involved! :) I just feel so computer inadequate!

Tyman
I would be honored to have a Martini with you and sanford girl! :)

Sail7seas
Thank you so much for your comments and making feel that I am not alone in my lack of computer knowledge! :) I really need that computer class! :D

Rita

[bepsf]

Rita--


You better be coming to our parties!

Costumes: I get my best ideas just from poking around used clothing stores and discount fabric shops - I start with a theme, but sometimes find something so unusual that I have just to get it - you never know what you're going to find!

[adamsmark]

Heather- For those of us who don't have much time on here and can't possibly keep up with it all, could you list the people here who will be on your CC 7 day cruise please, and maybe periodically give an update as more get added or drop off? Thanks.

We are trying to get our act together and see what we will be able to do next year, but making plans so far ahead is hard. Will there be many in suites?

[DFD1]

I just got 'round to reading this thread.

Include us (pty of 2) for either l0/29 or 11/12...or any other date during the fall. Halloween sounds like a great idea.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I just got 'round to reading this thread.

Include us (pty of 2) for either l0/29 or 11/12...or any other date during the fall. Halloween sounds like a great idea.

DFD, I've added you to my list and welcome aboard:D !! The 10/29 date was selected and the poll closed. There will hopefully be more information and quotes coming soon. LauraS has been tied up with other things this week, but I'm confident she'll get to us as soon as possible.

Mark, I have you down as a "maybe". Email me at HeathersIsland@aol.com so I can put you on my mailing list. I'll also do a list of who I have so far and post it here tomorrow. You will be able to request any cabin # (suites, included) that is available when booking. You would have up until 5 months prior to actually request your cabin and pay your deposit, but understand the earlier you book, the better the selection. As soon as I hear back from LauraS, I will have much more information. In the meantime, please feel free to email me anytime with questions and I'll do my best to answer. Of course, you can also post here.

Brian, don't you go scaring Rita off with your "theme". We're all getting very nervous:D . LOL!!!

[bepsf]

Not to worry Heather - keeping it clean here!!!

;)

[Renorita]

Not to worry Heather - keeping it clean here!!!

;)

Can't "scare" me away that easily! :D Good idea Brian regarding the Costumes. I will keep an eye out. Too bad we couldn't do a theme and everyone try and work with it. Something like the Alien Bar of Star Wars! Its easy to dress like an alien of some kind. Usually just use stuff around the house, plus maybe some make-up. Or a period theme! Anyway just a thought.

[Ziggy7]

Can't "scare" me away that easily! :D Good idea Brian regarding the Costumes. I will keep an eye out. Too bad we couldn't do a theme and everyone try and work with it. Something like the Alien Bar of Star Wars! Its easy to dress like an alien of some kind. Usually just use stuff around the house, plus maybe some make-up. Or a period theme! Anyway just a thought.
hahaha I found my costume today at Goodwill thrift store! It's a t-shirt that says " I dont do costumes" with a pumpkin on it!
Welcome to the cruise :p

[Renorita]

hahaha I found my costume today at Goodwill thrift store! It's a t-shirt that says " I dont do costumes" with a pumpkin on it!
Welcome to the cruise :p

That will work! You can be an alien with a Pumpkin T-shirt on. Just put a couple of orange patches on your cheeks and you will be all set! Oh No! you will clash with the Pink Cabana! :eek:

[Ziggy7]

That will work! You can be an alien with a Pumpkin T-shirt on. Just put a couple of orange patches on your cheeks and you will be all set! Oh No! you will clash with the Pink Cabana! :eek:

hahahaha good point, but I will be in the turquoise cabana :)

[TYMAN]

Brian...Is this your costume??? :D

[bepsf]

Tyman--
Oh sure - all I'd have to do is stop shaving for the next year and a half!!! :rolleyes:

[HeatherInFlorida]

The following is the list I have right now of people interested in this cruise. I have tried to divide it into degrees of interest. The "probably nots" are people who expressed interest in this poll, but I have not heard from them since. I'm pretty sure a couple of them jumped ship to Hawaii:D .

"As Positive As I Can Be Without More Info, etc.:D "

HeatherInFlorida (2)
EKerr19 (2)
bepsf (2)
Sail7Seas (2)
StanfordsGirl (2)
Iggipolka (1 or 2)
K&R Curt (2)
Kryos (1)
Llham (2)
ExaltHim (2)
Mechcc (?)
Oceanwench (2)
Pudgesmom (2)
Renorita (2)
Tyman (2)
Ziggy (2)
Trubey (2)
Sinbad37 (2)
DFD (2)
RichCrow (2)

"Maybe":o

Nanner
JohnR49er
Adamsmark
SHayesShip

"Probably Not":(

Bellebaby
Letue

If I have left anyone out, please forgive me and post and give me your name. If I have you in the wrong slot, please also post that and let me know. If you saw the piece of paper I'm working from, you would understand how it's perfectly possible that I've messed up.:o

Thanks! Please read my next post which will tell you what I know so far as briefly as I can explain it.

[sail7seas]

Can't "scare" me away that easily! :D Good idea Brian regarding the Costumes. I will keep an eye out. Too bad we couldn't do a theme and everyone try and work with it. Something like the Alien Bar of Star Wars! Its easy to dress like an alien of some kind. Usually just use stuff around the house, plus maybe some make-up. Or a period theme! Anyway just a thought.

Please..........No theme costumes thingees. No way you're getting us into any alien /Star Wars anything. Nothing against Star Wars in particular...........Just don't ask us to 'theme costume' anything. Thanks, if you can accomodate. :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

I just want to let everyone know that I am in contact with LauraS who has sent our cruise date out for bids. This will be the first group cruise that CC has ever done so she is learning that HAL handles it differently than other cruiselines.

So far she's gotten one explanation that isn't acceptable for us. It seems that HAL will give a certain number of staterooms in certain categories at an assigned rate. But if we later need MORE of that category, they assign a different rate.

LauraS says this simply will not work for a CC group and they're working on that now. As soon as I have more infor, you'll all be the first to know.

I will not be online over the Easter weekend because we're having family visit from the North. They're going to find it pretty darned hot and humid down here!:o Anyway, just bear in mind that I'll be checking in early Friday, but after that I won't be back until Sunday night at the earliest. I imagine most of you have plans, too.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Darn! I don't know if it did it for you, but I get 40 posts per page so my long important post fell at the bottom of my page 5. If you're reading page 6 and didn't see my list, please go back and check it. Thanks!

Re: Costumes!!! I can tell you right now that I will be the person in the Pumpkin T-shirt saying "I don't do costumes"!!! Truth is, I have on rare occasions down costumes. The last one I was Raggedy Ann and a pretty good one, too:rolleyes: !!!

[RevNeal]

I'll be watching how y'all's arrangements work out so that I can have idea of what we'll need to be doing for the Hawaii CC Group.

Bless all of you!

[Sinbad37]

:D HEATHER - CONTINUED THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORTS! HAVE A GREAT EASTER!

ZIGGY - LOVE THE "WESTERDAM HALL-O-WEENER'S" AS A TITLE!

CONGRATULATIONS FOR BEING OUR "CABANA QUEEN"!
SINCE THE HURRICANES, IF I STILL HAVE THE INFO, THERE WAS A GREAT WEB SITE FOR CABANA LOCATIONS COMPLETE WITH PHOTOS AND CABANA COLORS AND LOCATIONS. I WILL EMAIL THEM TO YOU IF I CAN FIND THEM. IF NOT, PERHAPS SOMEONE HERE WILL HAVE THEM.

WE DID THE CABANA THING OUR LAST TIME OUT AND IT WAS WONDERFUL. EVERYONE WAS SO HELPFUL TO DH WHO HAS HAD TWO MAJOR BACK SURGERIES AND NEEDED ASSISTANCE. (WE BROUGHT A RENTED WHEEL CHAIR FOR THIS CRUISE!) I FORGET WHO POSTED THAT SOMEONE COULD NOT DO HALF MOON CAY AND WOULD STAY ABOARD - EMAIL ME AND IF I CAN HELP I WILL. MAYBE BUDDY UP. OUR TA HELPED US MAKE IT POSSIBLE.
WE WILL ALSO WANT A CABANA - THE NEAREST TO FACILITIES - DUE TO WALKING PROBLEMS -UNFORTUNATELY NOT AT THE FAR END. EVEN WITHOUT ANY DISABILITY, IT'S A TRIP. (HOWEVER, ONCE SETTLED IN WHO KNOWS - I MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO DISCOVER "WHAT IS GOING ON WHEN IT HAS TO .....STAY THERE???) :eek:

TRUBEY- THANKS FOR BEING A TALENTED-TWOSOME - SUSAN & LANE (HOW LUCKY CAN YOU GET?) BOTH OUR GROUP AND SUSAN! LANE, WE HAD SOME GOOD PICTURES, SO HOPE I AM ABLE TO ENTER YOUR GREAT CONTEST.

BRIAN??? LOVE THE HOLLOWEEN COSTUME BALL!:rolleyes: ,MAYBE I CAN FINALLY "PACK LIGHT":D THANKS FOR MAKING THIS SO MUCH FUN! " YES, VIRGINIA, THERE REALLY IS A PINK CABANA!" ( BUT WE HAD ZIGGY'S TOURQUOISE.)

EMAIL - I REALIZE THIS IS A VERY INDIVIDUAL DECISION. I HAVE PERSONALLY NEVER HAD A PROBLEM AND HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH HAVING OUR CC EMAIL AVAILABLE.

THE PROBLEM I REALLY HAVE IS IN NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTACT THOSE I MIGHT WANT TO CONTACT DIRECTLY DUE TO NO EMAIL ADDRESS. THE PROFILE SAYS YOU CAN ALLOW IT, BUT NO CIGARS!

WE HAVE A NON-APPROVED GROUP OF HAL CRUISERS GOING ON OUR NEXT BOOKED CRUISE. - VEENDAM SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN - 11-26-05. I FEEL WE ARE SO LUCKY TO FINALLY HAVE SOMEONE WITH THE DESIRE, TIME AND ABILITY TO DO THIS FOR OUR GROUP!

ZIGGY EVEN HAS "HER LIST" THAT IS TRYING TO HELP HAL CRUISERS TO FIND
THEIR FELLOW SHIPMATES - ON WHATEVER CRUISE!

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BOOK THE ENTIRE SHIP! WHY NOT?

IF NOT A "THEAM FOR COSTUME" ... (THANKS SAIL!) WHY NOT A "PRIZE"
TO BE DETERMINED LATER BY VOTE, -

MOST ORIGINAL, FUNNIEST, CUTEST AND WHATEVER CATAGORIES WE CAN COME UP WITH. IF YOU LIKE THE IDEA, PLEASE CHIME IN!

ENOY AND HAPPY EASTER TO ONE AND ALL!:D

[mechcc]

Heather, put mechcc down for a defenate 2 :D

[Renorita]

Please..........No theme costumes thingees. No way you're getting us into any alien /Star Wars anything. Nothing against Star Wars in particular...........Just don't ask us to 'theme costume' anything. Thanks, if you can accomodate. :)



Okay Sail I am flexible, we can all wear Pumpkin T-Shirts that say "I don't do costumes" or would that be too thee-me like? :D

[HeatherInFlorida]

Ginny & Ed, the only way you can get email addresses is to place them in your signature or in the body of the post. That works fine. But they've disabled that feature in the profiles because of problems. I've posted my email address many times with no problem. I have many email addresses for everyone on "our" cruise because I've found them in their emails or they've sent them to me.

So I think sharing email addresses is up to the individuals. I've asked as many as possible to please email me their addresses at HeathersIsland@aol.com because there may be some things we'll want to discuss off the boards.

Mechcc, got you down for 2:D .

One other thing while I'm posting, it would be very helpful if you could let me know either by posting or emailing me what category cabin you would be interested in. Whenever possible, use the new categories like PS, S, SS, VA (A), VB (AA), VC (B), VD (B), VE (BB), VF (BC), C, D, DD, E, F, G, or H. For each category I have put the old designations in parens following the new designation.

You can get a ballpark idea of prices for each category on the HAL website. Some of the online agencies are also quoting prices for this cruise, but not all. And some do it one day and not the next.

This is not a commitment at all, but it might help if I can give LauraS an idea of the categories our initial group would want.

Thanks, everyone!

[Ziggy7]

VE (BB) for us thanks! :)

[FlorenceItaly]

We are in, but I need to think about the category, and do some looking around...will get back to you. Thanks.

Marie

[Ziggy7]

HEATHER - CONTINUED THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORTS! HAVE A GREAT EASTER!

ZIGGY - LOVE THE "WESTERDAM HALL-O-WEENER'S" AS A TITLE!

CONGRATULATIONS FOR BEING OUR "CABANA QUEEN"!
SINCE THE HURRICANES, IF I STILL HAVE THE INFO, THERE WAS A GREAT WEB SITE FOR CABANA LOCATIONS COMPLETE WITH PHOTOS AND CABANA COLORS AND LOCATIONS. I WILL EMAIL THEM TO YOU IF I CAN FIND THEM. IF NOT, PERHAPS SOMEONE HERE WILL HAVE THEM.

WE DID THE CABANA THING OUR LAST TIME OUT AND IT WAS WONDERFUL. EVERYONE WAS SO HELPFUL TO DH WHO HAS HAD TWO MAJOR BACK SURGERIES AND NEEDED ASSISTANCE. (WE BROUGHT A RENTED WHEEL CHAIR FOR THIS CRUISE!) I FORGET WHO POSTED THAT SOMEONE COULD NOT DO HALF MOON CAY AND WOULD STAY ABOARD - EMAIL ME AND IF I CAN HELP I WILL. MAYBE BUDDY UP. OUR TA HELPED US MAKE IT POSSIBLE.
WE WILL ALSO WANT A CABANA - THE NEAREST TO FACILITIES - DUE TO WALKING PROBLEMS -UNFORTUNATELY NOT AT THE FAR END. EVEN WITHOUT ANY DISABILITY, IT'S A TRIP. (HOWEVER, ONCE SETTLED IN WHO KNOWS - I MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO DISCOVER "WHAT IS GOING ON WHEN IT HAS TO .....STAY THERE???)

TRUBEY- THANKS FOR BEING A TALENTED-TWOSOME - SUSAN & LANE (HOW LUCKY CAN YOU GET?) BOTH OUR GROUP AND SUSAN! LANE, WE HAD SOME GOOD PICTURES, SO HOPE I AM ABLE TO ENTER YOUR GREAT CONTEST.

BRIAN??? LOVE THE HOLLOWEEN COSTUME BALL! ,MAYBE I CAN FINALLY "PACK LIGHT"THANKS FOR MAKING THIS SO MUCH FUN! " YES, VIRGINIA, THERE REALLY IS A PINK CABANA!" ( BUT WE HAD ZIGGY'S TOURQUOISE.)

EMAIL - I REALIZE THIS IS A VERY INDIVIDUAL DECISION. I HAVE PERSONALLY NEVER HAD A PROBLEM AND HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH HAVING OUR CC EMAIL AVAILABLE.

THE PROBLEM I REALLY HAVE IS IN NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTACT THOSE I MIGHT WANT TO CONTACT DIRECTLY DUE TO NO EMAIL ADDRESS. THE PROFILE SAYS YOU CAN ALLOW IT, BUT NO CIGARS!

WE HAVE A NON-APPROVED GROUP OF HAL CRUISERS GOING ON OUR NEXT BOOKED CRUISE. - VEENDAM SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN - 11-26-05. I FEEL WE ARE SO LUCKY TO FINALLY HAVE SOMEONE WITH THE DESIRE, TIME AND ABILITY TO DO THIS FOR OUR GROUP!

ZIGGY EVEN HAS "HER LIST" THAT IS TRYING TO HELP HAL CRUISERS TO FIND
THEIR FELLOW SHIPMATES - ON WHATEVER CRUISE!

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BOOK THE ENTIRE SHIP! WHY NOT?

IF NOT A "THEAM FOR COSTUME" ... (THANKS SAIL!) WHY NOT A "PRIZE"
TO BE DETERMINED LATER BY VOTE, -

MOST ORIGINAL, FUNNIEST, CUTEST AND WHATEVER CATAGORIES WE CAN COME UP WITH. IF YOU LIKE THE IDEA, PLEASE CHIME IN!

ENOY AND HAPPY EASTER TO ONE AND ALL!
Thanks Sinbad, any help would be appreciated :) Now as for the name Cabana Queen, does that mean I am Queen for day on HMC and everything is free ??? heheheheh j/k :D

While I dont think we need a theme for costumes, I think it would be fun to maybe do masqerade (sp) for those who dont want to dress up, also I think a contest would be fun ! Maybe HAL would give us a few prises for our group, what ya think ????

Happy Easter Everyone!!!!!

[Iggipolka]

One other thing while I'm posting, it would be very helpful if you could let me know either by posting or emailing me what category cabin you would be interested in. Whenever possible, use the new categories like PS, S, SS, VA (A), VB (AA), VC (B), VD (B), VE (BB), VF (BC), C, D, DD, E, F, G, or H. For each category I have put the old designations in parens following the new designation.

Sorry to be difficult, but my cabin prefrence is going to depend on if my wife will be able to be on the ship or not.
If she's able to (please keep your fingers crossed), then we'll be living the (S)uite life. If I'll be doing another solo trip, I'll probably go with a C.

[FlorenceItaly]

I am planning to do a transatlantic in 2006 with some girlfriends, so I think dh and I will go the cheapie route, lol.....

Marie

[bepsf]

Okay Sail I am flexible, we can all wear Pumpkin T-Shirts that say "I don't do costumes" or would that be too thee-me like? :D

Renorita--

...if you wear that, we'll all know exactly who you are, and that won't win you a prize!;)

Heather --

Please put me down for an SS on Navigation Deck.
(I'm not a snob - I just like bubble-baths in the jacuzzi!)

http://www.cruise-addicts.com/picturepost/image.php/2170/thumbMon-Tues_Cruise_012.jpg :)

S7S, et al --

If we did choose a theme for our Grand Masquerade Ball (which we don't have to) we might choose "Holland America". We could have prizes for "Best Theme Costume" and others for "Best Non-Theme Costume" amongst other awards. Perhaps we can enlist any non-costumers (Heather?) in our group plus a couple of cooperative ACD's to judge us - Sound Good???


We've got 19 months to dig out those silly Dutch Boy/Dutch girl hat's from your previous HAL cruises and get creative!


But above all, Don't stress!!! Make it fun!!! :D

[bepsf]

Sorry to be difficult, but my cabin prefrence is going to depend on if my wife will be able to be on the ship or not.
If she's able to (please keep your fingers crossed), then we'll be living the (S)uite life. If I'll be doing another solo trip, I'll probably go with a C.

Iggi--

If you and I both end up single for this trip - you can always bunk w/ me in the SS... ;)

[Himself]

HAVE a great cruise when you go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HeatherInFlorida]

.....
Perhaps we can enlist any non-costumers (Heather?) in our group plus a couple of cooperative ACD's to judge us - Sound Good???




Absolutely! Count on me for that!:D I absolutely LOVE judging ... ask anyone;)

[Iggipolka]

Iggi--

If you and I both end up single for this trip - you can always bunk w/ me in the SS... ;)

I donno Brian..ywith you being quite the social butterfly, you may want the privacy of your own cabin. Mr. Post-it notes for phone and cabin numbers on the door. ;)

[sail7seas]

S7S, et al --

If we did choose a theme for our Grand Masquerade Ball (which we don't have to) we might choose "Holland America". We could have prizes for "Best Theme Costume" and others for "Best Non-Theme Costume" amongst other awards. Perhaps we can enlist any non-costumers (Heather?) in our group plus a couple of cooperative ACD's to judge us - Sound Good???


We've got 19 months to dig out those silly Dutch Boy/Dutch girl hat's from your previous HAL cruises and get creative!



Sounds like a plan to me, Brian. :)



Heather......I'm sure I probably need not say, but please put us down for an "S".....unless Brian doesn't mind if I come soak in his tub. ;) He's got good bubbles!! :D Hope you didn't turn on the jets and fluff those bubbles all over the place. :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

We're moving along! I have some good news. LauraS has gotten all the quotes and she will review them and send one to me tomorrow. As soon as I have something to share with all of you, I will. I hope so much that we will be happy with the specifics of the offer for the group cruise.

Just to review, if we go ahead with this as a CC Group Cruise, we will book through this agent. That is not to say that you can't book on your own, but you would not be "officially" part of the group. Unofficially, though, we're all together in this no matter what:D.

We will all decide together based on how many of us are happy with the quotes as to whether we feel it's a fair price and want to go ahead.

If not, I'm hoping we can all book this cruise individually and still be a "group". I think it promises to be a wonderful group of people based on all the posts and comraderie I've seen since this all began. We can still do a Roll Call and have a great time.

For the list I'm creating of our group, I really need at least first names for many of you that I don't have. Please email me at: HeathersIsland@aol.com.

[Ziggy7]

I donno Brian..ywith you being quite the social butterfly, you may want the privacy of your own cabin. Mr. Post-it notes for phone and cabin numbers on the door. ;)hahahaha good answer Iggi! Score one for iggi hehehehe :D

Heather, you can call me Debbie, ziggy7 or whatever , just dont call me late for dinner!!! ;) :p

[bepsf]

[/color][/b]

Hope you didn't turn on the jets and fluff those bubbles all over the place. :)





S7S--

Of course I did!!!

You shoulda seen the bubbles before I had the glass of champagne handed to me - everywhere! At first I was concerned about bubbles on the floor, then I realized:

There's a drain in the floor... :)
...but this isn't my bathroom... :)
...'cause I'm on a cruise! :D
The steward will be along while we're at dinner to clean up! :p

[Ziggy7]

Could'nt resist! :)

[K&RCurt]

Heather:

Cat VD for us.

Gina is SO excited about the possibility of the costume party. I just can see now, however, that we are going to need a piece of luggage just for the costumes!

[Renorita]

Brian, No because Ziggy7 already has her Pumpkin Shirt, unless she was fibbing to us! :eek: Anyway I won't wear it because I want to try out for one of the prizes. Heard that the best prize will be:
30 minute soak in your bubble bath tub! :D

Eeeeeeewwwwww! No Dutch hats and wooden shoes for me! But I do have an idea! No this one may be workable Sail! :)

How about a Nautical Theme? That way people can just come in any kind of nautical top/bottom or both: Or come up with a Costume such as: Pirate, Ships Captain, Sailor, Mermaid/merman, Beach Bum, Treasure Chest, Tugboat.
Anyway you get the idea!

And we could call it: CC'er "Naughti-cal or Nice" Masquerade Party! :rolleyes:

What do you all think? Go ahead I can take rejection! :o

Rita

[Ziggy7]

aaaaaawwwwww I changed my mind and took back the t-shirt :) I was kinda hoping for the clown theme! :D

[HeatherInFlorida]

How about a Nautical Theme? That way people can just come in any kind of nautical top/bottom or both: Or come up with a Costume such as: Pirate, Ships Captain, Sailor, Mermaid/merman, Beach Bum, Treasure Chest, Tugboat.
Anyway you get the idea!

And we could call it: CC'er "Naughti-cal or Nice" Masquerade Party! :rolleyes:

What do you all think? Go ahead I can take rejection! :o

Rita

Rita, I think it's a great idea (that is if I were going to dress at all;) ). I think we need a committe for the Costume Party. Who wants to chair the "Costume Committee". Ziggy is our "Cabana Girl" on the Cabana Committee. We need a title for the person who heads up costumes.

Brian, you're beginning to scare me.:D

[HeatherInFlorida]

P.S. I'm looking for Stanford's Girl! She hasn't posted since the 19th. Are you out there, Stanford's Girl? Are you still with us on this on our Klazy Kluze:D ? Email me, please.

Also, Rita (Kryos), Rita (Renorita), and Marie ... can you email me? HeathersIsland@aol.com. Thanks!

[Renorita]

P.S. I'm looking for Stanford's Girl! She hasn't posted since the 19th. Are you out there, Stanford's Girl? Are you still with us on this on our Klazy Kluze:D ? Email me, please.

Also, Rita (Kryos), Rita (Renorita), and Marie ... can you email me? HeathersIsland@aol.com. Thanks!

Be happy to, but what do you want to know? If it is about the cabins, I may need some help on this as I have never been on HAL before. Will be doing the Oosterdam in a SS cabin in Nov. but it is a guaranteed so don't know where it will be located. May be interested in another SS, but depends on the price.

Oh and I forgot the s in the Naughti-cal but Nice name. Should be CC'ers, not CC'er.

How about the Ma "Dam" of Costumes for the head of costumes. I guess I could do it, but not sure what it would consist of. Never been a Madam or Ma "Dam" of anything before. :D Guess I could always hand it down to someone else if for some reason we can't go

Rita

[HeatherInFlorida]

Be happy to, but what do you want to know? If it is about the cabins, I may need some help on this as I have never been on HAL before. Will be doing the Oosterdam in a SS cabin in Nov. but it is a guaranteed so don't know where it will be located. May be interested in another SS, but depends on the price.

Oh and I forgot the s in the Naughti-cal but Nice name. Should be CC'ers, not CC'er.

How about the Ma "Dam" of Costumes for the head of costumes. I guess I could do it, but not sure what it would consist of. Never been a Madam or Ma "Dam" of anything before. :D Guess I could always hand it down to someone else if for some reason we can't go

Rita

No, it's not about cabins. Since you don't know what you want, you can wait on that. When we get the rates, you can take a look and see what you might like and then discuss it with the TA. I was just trying to get an idea because some people know for sure what they want. But not a problem!! Wait and see.

The reason I wanted your email address is that I have almost everyone's and it's a good way to communicate and make sure you see it. Some things I might want to discuss could be important and you could miss the post.

I think Ma"Dam" of Costumes is great ... or how about Costumes Ma'Dam!!! You're it!!! All it would consist of is posting about it and seeing if everyone wants to do it, is going to do it, etc. etc. We'll plan as we go on. Not to worry if for some reason you have to cancel ... we can hand that tag to someone else. But I love it! Thank you, Rita:D

[bepsf]

Heather & Rita--

I love the nautical theme too...
I already have my ideas - now just for a bit of shopping!!!
;)

...and if someone really wants a soak in the tub - that can sure be a prize ("Let's make a deal...")

[TYMAN]

I wanna win! Here's my dream costume! Of course, I gotta get DW to agree! :D

[HeatherInFlorida]

...and if someone really wants a soak in the tub - that can sure be a prize ("Let's make a deal...")[/font]

Ah, go soak your head!!! (...........sorry, Brian, I simply could not resist ... I've never said that in my whole life, but it just was so much fun for me;) )

Tyman, do you every post without a picture??? Just checking:D

[bepsf]

I wanna win! Here's my dream costume! Of course, I gotta get DW to agree! :D

Tyman--

That's not a costume...
...unless you're the one in bunny ears!
;)

[sail7seas]

Brian, No because Ziggy7 already has her Pumpkin Shirt, unless she was fibbing to us! Anyway I won't wear it because I want to try out for one of the prizes. Heard that the best prize will be:
30 minute soak in your bubble bath tub!

Eeeeeeewwwwww! No Dutch hats and wooden shoes for me! But I do have an idea! No this one may be workable Sail!

How about a Nautical Theme? That way people can just come in any kind of nautical top/bottom or both: Or come up with a Costume such as: Pirate, Ships Captain, Sailor, Mermaid/merman, Beach Bum, Treasure Chest, Tugboat.
Anyway you get the idea!

And we could call it: CC'er "Naughti-cal or Nice" Masquerade Party! :rolleyes:

What do you all think? Go ahead I can take rejection! :o



Rita: You just might be a genius.......great idea!! (If we are to wear costumes at all, that should be workable for most of us.) We can get into it 'slightly' or go 'full steam ahead'!!! Whichever we are more comfortable doing. Some might simply wear a 'sailor style shirt' and someone else might come dressed as the Captain ----oops, I wonder if there some sort of rule that bans that??

[FlorenceItaly]

I was on the Celebrity Horizon this past Halloween, and some of us CC'ers were in costume, and others were in funny hats, halloween jewelry, etc.
I wore a Halloween headband thingy, with a pumpkin on it, and some halloween jewelry...even something like that would work Sail. Some black slacks, white blouse, with accessories???????

Marie

[HeatherInFlorida]

Can I just wear a pea coat and a white sailor hat ... possibly with heels???:D

You have no idea how funny that picture is ...........

[K&RCurt]

I love the nautical theme....I always wanted to be a pirate when I grew up!

AARRRHHHHHHH! Avast Ye Landlubbers!

Now if only I would grow up!

[richcrow]

We're moving along! I have some good news. LauraS has gotten all the quotes and she will review them and send one to me tomorrow. As soon as I have something to share with all of you, I will. I hope so much that we will be happy with the specifics of the offer for the group cruise.

Just to review, if we go ahead with this as a CC Group Cruise, we will book through this agent. That is not to say that you can't book on your own, but you would not be "officially" part of the group. Unofficially, though, we're all together in this no matter what:D.

We will all decide together based on how many of us are happy with the quotes as to whether we feel it's a fair price and want to go ahead.

If not, I'm hoping we can all book this cruise individually and still be a "group". I think it promises to be a wonderful group of people based on all the posts and comraderie I've seen since this all began. We can still do a Roll Call and have a great time.

For the list I'm creating of our group, I really need at least first names for many of you that I don't have. Please email me at: HeathersIsland@aol.com.

Heather, I just provided you all of the above info via email.

Richard

[kryos]

Rita: You just might be a genius.......great idea!! (If we are to wear costumes at all, that should be workable for most of us.) We can get into it 'slightly' or go 'full steam ahead'!!! Whichever we are more comfortable doing. Some might simply wear a 'sailor style shirt' and someone else might come dressed as the Captain ----oops, I wonder if there some sort of rule that bans that??
LOL ... could I just bring a blow-up whale? :)

Blue skies ...

--rita
(the other rita ... ) :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

LOL ... could I just bring a blow-up whale? :)

Blue skies ...

--rita
(the other rita ... ) :)

Sure, Rita!:D Will it wrap around you? Or will you need one for the front and one for the back?;)

[Oceanwench]

We have two stores in our area called "Nautical but Nice."
I love pirates .. ARRRRRRRRRRRR. :D

I like Brian's theme: What happens in the pink cabana, stays in the pink cabana.
Maybe that could be expanded for the group [are we getting T-shirts?]: What happens on the Westerdam, stays on the Westerdam.

Heather, we would need an SS handicap accessible room.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Alert! Alert! Alert!

KK just posted on another thread that the International Boat Show begins 10/27/2006 in Fort Lauderdale. So all who will need hotel rooms there must keep this in mind and reserve those at the earliest possible time!

[Iggipolka]

Alert! Alert! Alert!

KK just posted on another thread that the International Boat Show begins 10/27/2006 in Fort Lauderdale. So all who will need hotel rooms there must keep this in mind and reserve those at the earliest possible time!

*giggle* Do you think a year and a half is far enough ahead of time? :D

[Ziggy7]

Alert! Alert! Alert!

KK just posted on another thread that the International Boat Show begins 10/27/2006 in Fort Lauderdale. So all who will need hotel rooms there must keep this in mind and reserve those at the earliest possible time!Gee, I thought you were hosting us all at your place ;)

[Pudgesmom]

I am in the middle of planning a banquet with a pirate theme. Port Royal Trading Company on the Internet has a vast selection of everything Piratical!

Perhaps we could invite Johnny Depp! :D He's my very favorite pirate.

Beth

[HeatherInFlorida]

Iggipolka: *giggle* Do you think a year and a half is far enough ahead of time? :D

Well, one would think!!!:D But on the other site, KK Kruisers just posted that in 2003 they tried to book a room 6 months ahead and there was nothing. So it would be something everyone would want to keep in mind.

Ziggy: Gee, I thought you were hosting us all at your place ;)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Yeah, right!!!:D

[CDRMark]

and someone else might come dressed as the Captain ----oops, I wonder if there some sort of rule that bans that??
I have dibs on 'Commander'.
If it is a pirate theme, will it be rated RRRR?
Cheers
MarkB

[HeatherInFlorida]

I have dibs on 'Commander'.
If it is a pirate theme, will it be rated RRRR?
Cheers
MarkB

So, Mark, are you joining us??:p

[CDRMark]

You will know almost as soon as we do Heather.

I hope so!
Cheers
MarkB