Wow! The weeks really fly by
when you're looking forward to
a great vacation. Thanks to everyone responding
and to those who
have been filling up our reserved group of rooms.
When the rest
of them are gone, the rates will be "best available"
fare - read that
as "higher". Since the $350 deposit is fully refundable
if you
cancel by 11/5/00, don't hesitate to get your choice
of staterooms
booked now.
Several members of the Libertarian
Party National Headquarters
staff have booked for this years' cruise. I will
extend a special
invitation to my fellow members on this year's National
Committee
to join us, making a nice group of Libertarian "celebrities"
among us.
Once again, some frequently asked questions,
then "A Day on the
MS
VEENDAM".
What kind of clothing is best for a Caribbean cruise?
The package with your cruise documents
has a nice booklet that
covers this and many similar items. Typically,
the evening
temperatures are in the low 70's with daytime highs in
the upper 70's.
In the direct sun, it always seem hotter to me.
Dress is casual in the
daytime and most evenings. There are two "formal"
nights where
gentlemen are asked to wear dark suits or tuxedos and
women wear
fancy dresses (that's as close to observant about women's
wear as I
can be). Ashore and on deck, most wear shorts and
short sleeved
shirts.
Will I need to bring cash with me?
Holland America
cruise ships are "cash free". That means
personal extras (drinks, shore excursions, or gifts purchased
on board)
are charged to your "On Board Account" with your signature,
like
staying at a resort hotel. The casino is where
cash is accepted and
US currency is accepted at all ports of call (as are
credit cards).
One of the
nice features of cruising is enjoying wonderful
meals and service without exchanging money for each item
you're
enjoying. You've already paid for it!
DAY TWO ON THE MS VEENDAM
As the sun rises I sip my morning coffee
on deck, not
wanting to miss a moment of our first glorious morning
aboard.
For some, the on-board gym and exercise equipment will
look
inviting. Others will take this morning to soak
up the warm
Caribbean sun by one of the pools. This is a great time
to
explore the many luxuries of the ship we'll be enjoying
all
week long.
By noon we are docked at Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic.
Ashore are opportunities to shop, take shore excursions
of
all varieties, or hit a pristine beach. Don't forget
to be
back aboard before we cast off at 6! It's a beautiful
sight
as we leave port viewed from the sun deck. Better
shower and
dress quickly, though. At 7:15 our group's private
"Welcome
Aboard" party will commence, inviting everyone to meet
and greet
the other members of our group. Then on to the
dinning room for
the first of many gourmet meals. You'll meet your
server and his
assistant when you get to your table. They'll pamper
you at
every meal and leave you wondering how they do this 12
hours
a day, seven days a week and still remain so cheerful.
For me, a relaxing evening at sea,
with a gourmet dinner and
evening stage show, is a highlight of the cruise.
I hope you've
made plans to join us!
Here's Brooke's numbers again:
Travelmaster Inc.
120 N. Wayne Street
Angola, IN 46703
1-800-662-8010
(219) 665-1166 fax
Till next time,
Ken
P.S. Pass along the address for the cruise web site
(below) to
any friends and family you like to vacation with.
Share the fun!