Did You Receive Your Invitation?

[olderpilot]

Just received an e-mail invitation for a 3 day President's Cruise to Half Moon Cay. Looks like they are using the Westerdam to preview the new venues at HMC. Since that is the weekend of the Army-Navy game I'll be in Philadelphia.

Anyway, here's your chance to put your money where your mouth (or keyboard) is and bend Mr. Kruse's ear!

Dec 2-5.

[jhannah]

That would be interesting. But the timing is bad plus the airfare from the west coast would be as much as the cruise fare! Hardly worth it. But it would still be neat to do.

[sail7seas]

I would have so loved to 'take him up on his offer' but, my luck that I have a doctor's appointment that I made 8 months ago. Seeing as I had to wait so long to get this appointment, I simply cannot cancel. I could be dead before I could get another appointment and see that doctor. (sarcasm .....don't mean it literally :( )
DARN IT....I would have loved to go.

[Randyk47]

We got ours and quickly figured out it would cost us almost as much to fly to Florida as the cruise would cost. Not doing that for a short cruise.

[Bill S]

Yep, got ours, but doesn't look like we can swing it. Darn!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

We too got the email but I am with Vegas Jim to fly from the West Coast for only 3 days, the cost of air fare would be more than the cruise. Plus we will have just gotten home from the Ryndam by 2 weeks and we will be on the Westerdam in March. I did show my husband and made the comment about just getting off the Ryndam and he said "And so what is your point?" :p Meaning he would jump on another crusie in a minute. If we lived in Florida or if it was going out of San Diego I would do it in a minute.

[mattR]

Dec 2-5 dose that means the new activitys should be up and running when we are there on Dec 12th???

[serendipity1499]

We also received the invitation...However, will be on the "Westerdam" for its repo. trans-atlantic & should be able preview the changes on HMC, Nov. 28..Understand the Zuiderdam will be there at the same time...If it's too crowded will stay on the ship & enjoy the promenade deck... 3 day cruises do not excite us anymore..Enjoy the longer cruises best! Now lets hope we will not have any more major hurricanes...Watching "Frances" very closely (she's about 2,000 miles away). Happy Cruising..

[kryos]

We got ours and quickly figured out it would cost us almost as much to fly to Florida as the cruise would cost. Not doing that for a short cruise.
That's my problem too ... that and no more vacation time this year. :(

This is an ideal cruise opportunity, however, for people living within driving distance of the pier. It's just not worth it to pay airfare for what will amount to a mere two-day cruise.

Anyone planning on taking advantage of this?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[RevNeal]

Got the invite. Would LOVE to go, but I can't ... I've already got a wedding scheduled for that Saturday. :)

Oh, well ... I'll be on the Oosterdam 2 months later. I can wait that long from my Panama Canal trip. Still .. would have enjoyed seeing the Westerdam in December.

[trubey]

I'm really glad to see the group's answers on this thread!

"But sir, it's FREE!"

"So are toothpicks in restaurants, but I don't take those either."

lane

[jazzsea]

Major Cruise Conference in Ft. Lauderdale at that time. Would love to go but we're already booked for the conference. So close that we will actually see the new "Westie" sail away. Boo Hoo.

[Esme]

I'm really glad to see the group's answers on this thread!

"But sir, it's FREE!"

"So are toothpicks in restaurants, but I don't take those either."

lane

It's not FREE! Prices were quote on our invitation.

For Canadians
Inside From* Outside From* Verandah From* Verandah Suite From*
CAD$499 CAD$639 CAD$749 CAD$1,059

And then there's the cost of airfare from Canada - Too expensive for such a short cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We also got our invitation. Would love to have gone. But the airfare for 3 - 5 days (hotels before and after) are ridiculous. The airlines rock you when you book for anything less than 7 days.

And there were samples of prices listed on our invitation - nothing free.

[trustee55]

Hi!
Yes; we did receive our invitation, but as another Canadian said earlier, it would be VERY costly to fly from Canada for such a short cruise. Perhaps they could "sweeten" the deal for Canadians? LOL

Best regards and happy sailing,

Carol Ann

Not too long now before we sail on the beautiful Rotterdam on October 20!

[RuthC]

I got the e-mail, too.

Spend two days flying to cruise for three? Nope.
Maybe if I lived in Florida. Maybe.
I will be interested in reading how the "improvements" go over with those who love the peace and quiet of Half Moon Cay, though.

Funny how this mass mailing went to so many people, but we don't get the same coverage for other promos.

[cruise freak]

We got ours as well and sure would love the go. We love HMC and would like to spend more than a day there. We are leaving for a 15 night in Hawaii on December 4th so Westerdam is out of the question.

Maybe next time.

[Roboat]

Invitation extract - the bolding is mine.

"You’ll have a full day on our private paradise to explore the new activities and experience how smoothly they integrate into the peaceful and pristine nature of the island. The new additions include the WaveRunner™ park, Kids’ Aqua Park, Horseback Ride ’n Swim excursion and Stingray Cove."

Yeah, to me this does not bode well for HMC. Somehow, "peaceful and serene" and "Waverunner" are essentially opposites. I'll be very interested in the reviews of HMC after the "enhancements."

Well, it might be cool to jump on a big honkin' waverunner, jump over the swimming horses, into the Kid's Aqua Park, then tear over to scatter a few stingrays. Glad I got that drink coupon! :)

OK, OK. So maybe HAL will try to keep those of you who rent waverunners away from us good, decent people. :p

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Funny how this mass mailing went to so many people, but we don't get the same coverage for other promos.
Ruth, I agree it seeems everyone got this email. This is the FIRST email I ever got from them about a promo. The other interesting thing was it was address to me not my DH whoses name is listed first on cruise documents:confused:

[lgt]

Interesting. Didn't receive the invite, but get lots of other promos from them. Anybody care to clue me in on the particulars? We will be in Orlando for a conference the week before. Might be able to talk DH into going just before the Xmas crazies. Thanks (in advance)
Linda

[trubey]

It's not FREE! Prices were quote on our invitation.

For Canadians
Inside From* Outside From* Verandah From* Verandah Suite From*
CAD$499 CAD$639 CAD$749 CAD$1,059

And then there's the cost of airfare from Canada - Too expensive for such a short cruise.
WHOA! Sorry about that!!! If that's an offer, what the dickens is an advertisement?

LKT

[elmorejj]

We got the invitation yesterday also, but we`ll be on the Zaandam for 17 days the following week so can`t swing it. ......jean :cool:

[localady]

Yep got the invite, but we have a previous engagement. We will be in Fort Lauderdale and leaving for a HAL cruise on December 2nd also, on the Rotterdam.:cool: We will visit Half Moon Cay the day before and I am hoping the improvements will be in place by then! Not sure I will use them, but they should be interesting to see. I suspect they will be really spiffing up the place for that cruise and since we will be there the day before, perhaps it will be all shiny and new.:D :cool:

[jollycruiser]

Wonder which stateroom Mr. Kruse will have. If he is a REAL type of company man he should be bedded with the crew!

[sail7seas]

Localady....According to the e-mail, all of the HMC upgrades are supposed to be completed so you most likely will have the chance to see them all.

We will get to see them in January on our Veendam cruise.

[cruise freak]

I checked the cabins and both of the penthouses are available so he isn't staying in one of those. I think the crew quarters are probably it.

[ekerr19]

I would love to go - the cost of the airfare is prohibitive for a 3-day cruise... :(

[Debi_D]

Recieved mine yesterday and seeing that we will be just returning from the Oosterdam we can't just turn around and come back for another. But then again maybe I could get hubby just to hang out in Ft. Lauderdale until the 2nd:cool: :cool:

Deb

[RevNeal]

Recieved mine yesterday and seeing that we will be just returning from the Oosterdam we can't just turn around and come back for another. But then again maybe I could get hubby just to hang out in Ft. Lauderdale until the 2nd

How long would the wait be??? :D

[shipcafe]

Indeed the new amenities at HMC will be in place for this cruise. That is the primary function of the introduction . . .

Stingray Lagoon, Beach Horseback Riding, Aqua Park, More!

Steve
www.shipcafe.net

[dakrewser]

Got it, trashed it. Besides the problem of flying from California for a 3-day cruise, the last time (last fall) we were in HMC I didn't even get off the boat! But I did have the Volendam (mostly) to myself for the day!!:rolleyes:

[Stevesan]

Funny how this mass mailing went to so many people, but we don't get the same coverage for other promos.
Because it ain't a promo. Not at $146 per day per pax for an outside. No thank you, Stein. This is an offer I can refuse.

[Roboat]

Because it ain't a promo. Not at $146 per day per pax for an outside. No thank you, Stein. This is an offer I can refuse.
Exactly my sentiments.

[cactuslady]

Not only will I not go, this sailor has even in the past turned down a FREE Windjammer cruise. The cost of airfare, plus the inflexibility in dates (the Windjammer thing was on a sort of standy, space-available basis) usually make these opportunities a no-go for me.

[bobpatj]

My first thought when I read the "Invitation" was what a great deal it would be for anyone who lives in FLL. It's too short a trip for us to fly from Cleveland just for 1 day at HMC.

[anngie]

We looked at it and thought it would be a good idea to go 3 days early since we are already going to be on the Westerdam Dec 5th cruise but at $146 a day for an outside cabin this really is not a very good deal just to go to HMC.

[marshacher]

Hi MattR
We're on the Dec. 12 Westerdam cruise. Have you checked out the thread on the Roll Calls? It's very active and friendly. Sounds as if we're going to have a fun group.
Marsha

[Tinknock50]

Hey it isn't that the flights would be so much from the west (which they would be), but those prices don't seem much of a bargain for a 3 days cruise.

[FoxyTerrier]

I checked the cabins and both of the penthouses are available so he isn't staying in one of those. I think the crew quarters are probably it.

WOW - I checked last night and both are now gone. I figured for sure he would be staying in one of them.

How funny is it that his last name is Kruse. :)

We are thinking about going and I'm interested in the aft Cat. S staterooms - do they really have wrap around balconies? Can anyone list pros and cons on these aft staterooms.

Thanks,

Joni

[fb0075]

I would like to "invite" all to come buy a $10 shirt for $15-----WHAT A BARGAIN---
just let people think they are "special"
FRANK

[SHayesShip]

I recieved this info also.
However, I will be on a cruise during that time and also live on the West Coast.
If I were not already on a cruise I would still not pay for airfare or waste a free ticket, to go on a 3 day cruise anyway.


Just received an e-mail invitation for a 3 day President's Cruise to Half Moon Cay. Looks like they are using the Westerdam to preview the new venues at HMC. Since that is the weekend of the Army-Navy game I'll be in Philadelphia.

Anyway, here's your chance to put your money where your mouth (or keyboard) is and bend Mr. Kruse's ear!

Dec 2-5.

[Peggy Sue]

Received the invitation too. We will just be returning from the Volendam on 11/16 and then heading out on another vacation on 12/10 so this isn't even an option for us. We've taken a 3-day disney cruise and although we found it to be enjoyable, it was way too short, you were just being welcomed aboard and seemed liked minutes later they were saying pack your things it's time to go! I did like the fact they were doing a day at sea and not stopping at Nassau like most 3 or 4 day cruises see to do. I too didn't find the prices listed on the invitation to be much of an incentive ... but, I'm sure they will not have any problems filling the ship..folks within driving distance and locals will proably find it an enjoyable weekend mini-vacation.

We will be at half moon cay on 11/15..wonder if the improvements/additionals will be finished by then?

Peggy Sue