Thank you for
your interest in the Fifth Annual Libertarian
Cruise! I hope you will enjoy these updates whether
you decide
to book a stateroom on the ms Statendam or not.
If you ever
wish to stop receiving these updates, just hit your reply
button and
let me know. One will arrive every 3 - 4 weeks
until October.
Why would you chose to vacation on
a ship? I'm sure each
of you might give a different reason, but here's mine;
I've never
found a more relaxing and enjoyable vacation than a cruise,
even
though I keep trying. This event offers a very
special extra - among
our group will be some of the nicest people you will
ever meet .
In evaluating the 2002 cruise for yourself,
the first step I would
recommend is to request the Cruise Line mail you a brochure.
This is free and easy to do from their web site:
https://www.hollandamerica.com/contact/LiteratureOrderForm.jsp
(select Hawaii)
or call 1-877-724-5425 to ask for a brochure.
The brochure tells all about the ship
and the itinerary. The
ms Statendam pages reveal photos of the various Categories
of
staterooms and show the layout of each deck. The
descriptions
of our voyage as well as all the general details of cruising
are
carefully written for the novice. There are features
such as extra
baggage insurance, cancellation insurance, air add-on
prices, and
pre- and post-cruise extra vacations listed.
You'll like having the brochure around
as the months leading
up to our departure fly by. Part of the fun of
cruising is the
building anticipation! Don't wait for the brochure
to arrive to
check out more of the details. Click on the hypertext
link at
the end of this update to find extra information, fares,
and more.
This year, you have expanded options
for booking. As in
prior years, I have arranged for Brooke Parker at Travelmaster
to reserve a group block of staterooms. Those of
you who are
unfamiliar with cruising may prefer to use this full
service agent.
The group discount, booking through Travelmaster is 43%.
You may also book with your own local agent. If
you do so,
please send me your "booking number" so I can ask Holland
America to seat you with our group. (No guarantees
possible.)
Finally, I have established a business,
FREEDOM CRUISES
specifically to provide you with the lowest possible
fares. I am
able to book your stateroom directly with Holland America
at a
46% discount and will do so for those of you able to
provide the
necessary booking information by email. All commissions
from
bookings through FREEDOM CRUISES, net expenses, will
go
to pay for the parties and gifts Ellen and I always like
to provide
as your hosts.
Our group reservations are for "Cruise
Only" but Brooke will be
happy to coordinate your air and land accommodations,
if you'd like.
Brooke's agency is:
Travelmaster Inc.
120 N. Wayne Street
Angola, IN 46703
1-800-662-8010
(219) 665-1166 fax
That's it for
this first update. Several of you have already
booked your staterooms through FREEDOM CRUISES.
If
you have told me you're planning to join us, I'll email
a booking
form to you following this update. There are no
penalties for
cancellations before November 17th. Please e-mail
me with
your questions and I'll share answers to the most frequently
asked
questions in each update. Beginning with Update
# 2, I will also
describe the activities of some days of our itinerary
in a feature
called, "A Day On The ms Statendam".
Best Wishes,
Ken