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Posted on 12/22/2003 8:52:51 PM PST by DoughtyOne
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Some of them are not working at this time. We wanted to get this thread up in time so that freepers can take advantage of the limited-time-only discount on balcoy cabins. So please be sure to check back in.
Doughty One, Cruise Webmaster
In a few minutes, and on this thread, I'll post the fares, the itinerary and the details of a nice early-bird registration incentive deal.
Please hold your questions and comments till this info is posted.
After that, please go to the Bahama Mama thread for answers to any specific questions you may have.
Thanks,
Leni, Cruise Chair
Cabin fares for inside cabins range from $619 to $742 per person. Port charges of $124 and tax of $58 per person not included.
Fares for outside ocean view cabins range from $822 to $1072 per person. Port charges of $124 and tax of $58 per person not included.
For cruisers who want balconys, we recommend you book an ocean view cabin immediately. There's a limited-time-only discount offer by Holland/America which began Monday, Dec.15. If you book an ocean view cabin during this discount offer, you'll automatically be upgraded to an ocean view cabin/balcony at no extra cost.
There are other fares and cabin categories offered by H/A that are too numerous to be listed here. There are fares for passengers on a budget as well as for those who need or want larger accomodations.
Rates for third and fourth persons in any cabin are $799 per person including port fees. Tax of $58 per person is additional.
For one person in a cabin, fare is 150% of the rate of any cabin. (All cruise lines work on the basis of double-occupany). As usual, we'll help find cabin-mates for freepers who want to split the cabin fare.
The Cruise Committee cannot and does not handle booking and is unable to answer questions regarding individual cabin fares and accomodations needs. This is handled every year by Wanda, our freeper cruise travel agent. She'll answer all your queries and patiently work with you to secure fares and accomodations comfortable for you and appropriate to your budgetary needs.
To book a cabin, or to get information on rates and cabins, please phone Wanda at toll-free 1-800-890-7583. She is on Pacific time, so judge accordingly. She can be reached during normal week-day working hours.
Again, if you want a balcony cabin, we urge you to contact Wanda immediately. There are a little over 400 of these cabins on this ship. The discount is offered on a first-come, first-served basis and is not limited to our Freeper group, but to all Holland America potential cruisers anywhere and everywhere.
There is quite a demand for balcony cabins. This means the discount promotion can end at any time. Therefore, we encourage you to book right away.
When you register with Wanda, the deposit is $350 per person. The remainder is due March 1. Credit card transactions are acceptable.
To make life easier, Wanda will also handle your airline reservations to and from the Ft. Lauderdale airport. Please ask her about this. Since air fares to the Ft. Lauderdale airport are lower than flying into Miami as we did last cruise, travelers can save up to a couple hundred dollars on air fares this time around.
Itinerary will be posted next.
Leni, Cruise Chair
Every year, we get dire predictions of doom the moment the cruise announcement thread goes up. Hopefully, that will not be the case this time.
Leni
Saturday, May 22 - Depart Ft. Lauderdale port 5:00 (all times are Eastern)
Sunday - Half Moon Cay, Bahamas - 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Monday - At Sea
Tuesday - St. Thomas (U.S.Virgin Islands) - 8 :00 AM to 12 Midnight
Wednesday - Tortola (British Virgin Islands) - 7:00 AM to 8 PM
Thursday - At Sea
Friday - Nassau, Bahamas - 12:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Saturday - Return to Ft. Lauderdale port terminal - 8:00 AM
There will be an FRN activism program on one of the "At Sea" days.
Leni
If you're one of the first 50 persons to register, your name will be put into a freeper hat. Four names will be drawn by our Admiral of the Fleet, JimRob.
Each winner will receive a $50 Holland/America gift certificate good at any of the shops aboard the Zuiderdam. There are jewelry shops, apparel shops, gift shops, etc. on the ship which carry a variety of very fine and unusual items. Right down to imported Dutch cheeses and chocolate! They have sales and bargains, and many items are less expensive than in port shops.
Winners will be announced on this thread. Gift certificates will be distributed on board ship. Members and families of the FRN board of directors not eligible. Our travel agent, Wanda, will date/time stamp each registration as they come in. One certificate per family only.
Good luck to all you early birds!
Leni
It wasn't an easy job this time. We were under pressure to get the announcement out because of the limited-time-only discount on balcony fares.
Some links still have to be added, but Doughty rose to the occasion and we're viewing the splendid results of his work right now!
Leni
This coming year, with the rebounding economy, the cruise lines just will not be offering such discounts again. The old law of supply and demand, to be sure.
Just start saving your pesos in the sugar bowl, there's lots of time till embarkation day.
Plus, for air travelers, the savings flying into Ft. Lauderdale airport instead of Miami, as we did last time, will save you the equivalent of the discount our group received on FReeps Ahoy 2.
Leni
BraveMan very charitably decides to feed the fish on the Freeps Ahoy Cruise.
The full-day stop is a delight for swimmers, waders, sun-bathers, loungers, yakkers, beach bums, water sports enthusiasts, bird watchers, hikers and joggers. The only other folks on the cay are your Zuiderdam fellow passengers.
Once a refuge for pirates, H/A purchased the island in 1997, and has developed only 45 acres of the 2400 acres. As much habitat as possible is maintained for wildlife, and the island is a significant nesting area for waterfowl.
While Half Moon Cay's name could be derived from its gorgeous, white sand crescent-shaped beach, it really comes from the explorer Henry Hudson's ship, the "Half Moon".
We'll enjoy all kinds of water sports, volley ball, hiking through the wildlife preserve on marked trails, and much more. Or just lay back under a palm and read, snooze or have lively gab fests with your new freeper friends.
There's a West Indies village with shops and lots of open-air cocktail bars with luscious frozen tropical rum creations.
The ship's staff comes ashore also, to provide a fabulous open-air tropical buffet (so delicious!) plus entertainment from the ship's terrific steel band.
A highlight of our last cruise was our freeper beach party on Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman. The paradise that is Half Moon Key promises to top even that fun day!
Leni
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