Announcing "Freeps Ahoy", a Free Republic Network Caribbean Cruise

Free Republic Network | 11/01/2002 | MinuteGal

[dixie sass]

rotfl, now is this Dio or Bob?

[dixie sass]

Okay, point taken. But what would you consider a long enough lead time? This has been talked about ever since the last cruise and that was a year ago last October.

[strela]

You remind me of the old joke: How do you tell if strela's lying?

Better to remind one of an old joke than to be one, I suppose.

Although you have demonstrated superior stenographic abilities, your analytic and strategic skills are demonstrably lacking or you would have seen that the best way to avoid the controversy preceding the last cruise would be to be upfront and energetic about the fundraising cruise.

Are you going on the cruise? Have you put down any earnest money for the cruise yet? I require honest answers to both of those questions from you before we can continue. If I don't get honest answers from you to one or both of those questions, I cordially invite you to print out a copy of this thread on 11 x 17 paper, fold it up until it has little sharp corners, then shove it up the nearest convenient accoutrement.

Ball's in your court, kookboi ...

[diotima]

It's Dio. LOL.

Bob is in Bali. I forgot to log out at home and was using his computer to print some stuff.

Silly me.

I can't want to go on another cruise, and of course I expect you to be there!

[Neets]

DO you ever have one positive thing to say while posting here at FR??? You are always concerned about topics such as this, and yet I never see you post in a congenial or even polite manner....

[TheBattman]

The details list the price (starting at $660) as including all taxes and TIPS? Since when are cruise prices listed with tips included? Normal cruise tips average over $100 per person.....please clarify.

[MinuteGal]

The cruise committee set up certain criteria for this cruise. Among them and primarily, was to obtain the lowest fares possible for a group block of cabins. We succeeded in doing just that!

We picked a date from those available to us that would be as close as possible to schools and colleges being out for the summer. This enables more freepers to sign up for a nice family vacation.

We planned great lead time for this cruise/conference so that working freepers could have more than ample time to make their vacation choices for next year with their employers.

We evaluated weather considerations. Late May is not hurricane season! Swimming, snorkling and all water sports will be in warm, toasty water. I've been on the beautiful Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman at a time of year when the water was not comfortable temperature-wise. Tourists were sunning on the beach, but only a few hardy Europeans and little kids with no nerve-endings were splashing around close to shore.

The cruise committee did a great job in selecting this particular voyage and date. Judging from the replies here and the email/freepmail we're receiving, we rang the happy-bell with most folks!

Leni

[MinuteGal]

Hi, Battman!

The cruise announcement page states near the top "$660 PLUS tax, port fees and tips".

The registration form states pre-paid gratuities are an option.The cabin category/fares page also states that pre-paid gratuities are optional.

Most cruise lines have now gone to this pre-paid option as passengers very often don't want the hassle of tipping various dining and cabin crew on the day or night before arriving at the home port. Among other things, sometimes you have to make a special trip to the purser's office deck to get proper bill denominations. I have found the pre-paid gratuity option to be a great convenience.

Thanks for your question, and hope to see you aboard!

[MinuteGal]

P.S......The optional gratuity rate of $68.25 is extremely reasonable for the week-long voyage. Also, for me, a lot less than I would tip in my weaker moments! I'm grabbing this option with relish.

Leni

[MinuteGal]

Freepers, please post your cruise questions on the "Ask Bahama Mama" Q & A thread (link at top of this thread).

There will be many, many questions and sometimes duplicate questions posted during the course of months leading up to sailing date.

It will be easier for cruisers as well as Bahama Mama to keep the answers all together on the Bahama Mama thread for quicker replies plus allowing her to give numerical referrals to answers already posted.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Leni/Bahama Mama

[TheBattman]

Thanks for the reply. My wife and I did a cruise (Western Carribean) Summer 2001. At that time, the Cruise line (Royal Carribean) didn't offer "pre-paid gratuities". We just got the anticipated tip ammount together in seperate envelopes for each person to be tipped ahead of time. The last evening, we pulled out these envelopes and added a bit here and there as we felt the person was deserving. It was actually sort of fun tipping in that way.

I don't know if our budget can handle a cruise this spring, although we would certainly LOVE to be able too. IF we can swing it, obviously, we will be there. If not, I hope everyone else that goes has a great time!

[Utah Girl]

All of your hard work is appreciated too. I am so excited to be going on my first cruise.

[dixie sass]

Dio, you don't know how much I want to be there. I enjoyed last years cruise so much. Besides appealing to the romantic in me, sighhhhhhhh, and it was a very romantic trip! The sessions that were held in the afternoons were informative, even though rushed. I think though that just meeting and exchanging ideas with others in informal chat sessions was as productive. I know that I had a great time, meeting FReepers for the first time and renewing old acquaintances.

[habs4ever]

Well done Leni, and thanks for your enthusiasm and hard work.Hope the Cruise is a great success.

[dixie sass]

STOPPIT!!!!!!!!!!!

Both of you. Apologize to the people on this thread and the cruise committee and carry on your sniping somewhere else, preferably by email or FReepmail.

I'm tired of seeing two grown intelligent men acting like little boys! GROW UP. If you have nothing to contribute to the topic of the thread, then leave it!!!!

You both are ticking me off, royally!!!

[strela]

With one exception, I hereby apologize to anyone I might have offended in this thread. I will not post in this thread again.

[Utah Girl]

Promise?