Wow! The weeks really fly by
when you're looking forward to
a great vacation. Thanks to everyone responding
and to those who
have joined our group. We have now added MN to
the states of
our fellow cruisers. One of my friends who travels
frequently told
me that Hawaii is the one place where the beauty in person
truly
matches the pictures shown in the travel brochures.
Our trip will
demonstrate that.
I have been contacted by three LP members
living in Hawaii
who are interested in sharing some fellowship with us
in some of
our ports of call. Dick Rowland told me that the
Senate minority
leader (elected Republican, but an LP member) would like
to give
us a tour of the Hawaiian Capitol while we are in Honolulu.
I am
now working to get a schedule we can plan around.
Others in Hilo
and Nawiliwili have also inquired about the times we
are in port
there.
All activities during the Libertarian
Cruises are optional. The
trip is for rest and relaxation with extra opportunities
for having
fun with fellow Libertarians and their friends.
Last year, while
in port at Barbados, a resident LP member provided a
private island
tour and lunch at her resort for those in our group who
were interested.
It was a wonderful day, after which our new friend wanted
to join us
on the ship for the rest of the Cruise. Alas, the
ship was fully
occupied.
I hope each of you who are considering
joining us in February
will feel safe to do so. While I might be concerned
about travel
in many foreign lands in these times of increased terrorism,
I have
as much a sense of security traveling to and visiting
Hawaii as I
would on the mainland. It is likely we will be
less in harms way.
Please know that if you proceed to book a stateroom,
your
payment is fully refundable if you choose to cancel prior
to
November 18. A $350 per person deposit is required
to book
your stateroom.
Once again, some frequently asked questions,
then "A Day on the
MS Statendam".
Question 3. What kind of clothing is best for a Hawaiian 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. Each week there are
two "formal" nights
where, during the evening hours, 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). For
the most part,
ashore and on deck, most wear shorts and short sleeved
shirts.
Question 4. 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
of course, at the 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 STATENDAM
As the sun rises I sip my morning coffee
on deck, so as to
not miss a moment of our first glorious morning aboard.
Later,
in the dinning room for breakfast, we are greeted like
long lost
relatives by our table attendants, whom we met just last
night!
Even though I saw him working the midnight buffet, our
waiter
is bright and smiling as if this were a day off.
Saturday is one of our days at sea.
This is a great time to
explore the many luxuries of the ship we'll be enjoying
for the
next two weeks. For some, the on-board gym and
exercise
equipment will look inviting. Others will take
this morning to
soak up the warm Pacific sun by one of the pools.
I like
itineraries like this with some days at sea before beginning
our
days in port. Days at sea are great for getting
fully relaxed and
preparing to enjoy the entire trip.
I like to participate
in some of the extra activities planned
just for days at sea. There are wine tasting classes,
tours of the
galley and bridge, and bridge or backgammon tournaments.
You don't
have to attend the on board talks about the many shore
tours and
shopping lectures (held in the show lounge), but they
are fun live.
They are also taped and rebroadcast continuously on one
chanel
of your stateroom TV. There are also good movies
playing each
day on your in-room TV.
Saturday is
without any rush or fuss and it continues at a
perfect pace for an evening of elegance. Tonight
will be the first of
our formal evenings starting with a complementary Captain's
Welcoming
Cocktail Party before dinner. For me, a formal
evening at sea, with a
gourmet dinner and evening stage show, is the highlight
of the cruise..
I hope you've decided to join us!
Till next time,
Ken