Wow! The weeks really fly by
when you're looking forward to
a great vacation. I hadn't planned to wait four
weeks to send you
this update. Thanks to everyone responding and
to those who
have already snapped 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 $300 deposit is fully
refundable if you
cancel by 11/2/99, don't hesitate to get your choice
of staterooms
booked now. We did have one person cancel last
year and the
full refund was processed without a hitch.
Last year we had the great pleasure
of having Harry and Pamela
Browne along with our group. One of our fellow
cruisers is working
to attract some of a dozen libertarian celebrities for
the 2000 cruise.
There might just be some surprises on this cruise too!
Once again, some frequently asked questions,
then "A Day on the
MS
VEENDAM".
Question 1. 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.
Question 2. 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 and I sip my morning coffee on deck, we
sail along the western end of Cuba. 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.
Monday is a
day at sea. Our first port won't be reached
until tomorrow, so this is a day to enjoy all the ship
has to offer.
For some, the on-board gym and exercise equipment will
look
inviting. Others will take this day to soak up
the warm Caribbean
sun by one of the pools. I like itineraries like
this with a day at
sea before beginning our days in port. Days at
sea are great for
getting fully relaxed and prepared to enjoy the week's
vacation.
They are a great time to explore the many luxuries of
the ship we'll
be enjoying all week long.
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 your
stateroom TV.
There are also good movies playing each day on your in-room
TV.
Monday is without
any rush or fuss and it continues at a
perfect pace for an evening of elegance. Tonight
will be the first of
two 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.
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
to any
friends and family you like to vacation with. Share
the fun!
Best Wishes,
Ken