Royal Caribbean Cruise “Enchantment of the Sea” – Maiden Voyage, Dec. 7, 2008

Skip Doeringer has been working very hard to get the information on this voyage out to as many folks in our community as possible.  The more folks who travel, the better the pricing. Mitzi Martain lives in El Palmar and prior to moving to Panama owned and operated her own Adventure Travel business, specializing in cruises and diving adventures.  Skip and Mitzi have paired up to help make this trip as affordable as possible. On Tuesday, January 21st, several folks met to learn more about the cruise, including pricing and itineraries.The purpose of this Group Cruise is FUN, of course.  We will have many laughs and smiles.  Several folks at the meeting are experienced cruisers and were very excited about this particular cruise and ship.  By joining in on a ‘Group’ cruise we all get amenities, such as a $100.00 on ship credit for each cabin and a ‘Compensation Thank You’ from the cruise line.  This amount is unknown to us until the last person books with our group.  We will see the ‘Compensation Thank You’ amount upon final bill at the end of the cruise.

We also have many divers who will be joining in on the fun and with the help of Mitzi we will be sure to have a dive or two at each port.  As many of you know, Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire are known as three of the best dive spots in the Caribbean.  There will be something for everyone, both on and off the ship!

The cruise will leave from Colon, Panama on Sunday Dec. 7 and will cruise for 7 days, visiting 5 ports;

Cartagena, Colombia 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8

Santa Marta, Colombia 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9

Aruba, Netherland Antilles 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Wednesday Dec. 10

Curacao, Netherlands Antilles 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thursday Dec. 11

Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles 7:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Friday Dec. 12

At sea Saturday, Dec. 13

Arrive Colon, Panama 6:00 a.m. Sunday Dec. 14

The ship is 10 years old, one of the largest cruise ships on the sea, and was completely refurbished in 2005.  The ship holds 2,730 people, has tonnage of  81,500, is 989 feet long, a 106 foot beam and draws 25 feet of draft.  She sails at 22 knots on open water and is registered in the Bahamas.  Both 110 and 220 electric outlets are available in each cabin.
 
Onboard you will find suspension bridges, full fitness facilities, spas, shops, bungee trampolines, casinos, beauty parlors, jogging track, climbing wall, Broadway style shows nightly, many restaurants and even a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream parlor.

So, down to what folks really want to know; how much will this cost?

Pricing includes $159 taxes, $23.90 cruise fee and $35.00 fuel surcharge and excludes any comps for Group Volume, which will be calculated at final payment.  This pricing is based on Per Person with two people sharing each cabin.

- Category Q; Inside cabin, no window:  $707.90 PP – 22 spaces available (11 cabins)
- Category N; Inside cabin, no window:  $722.90 PP – 16 spaces available (8 cabins)
- Category I; Outside cabin w/window:  $857.90 PP – 40 spaces available (20 cabins)
- Category H; Outside cabin w/window:  $887.90 PP – 16 spaces available (8 cabins)
- Category D2; Balcony cabins:  These cabins go fast and we do not have specific availability.  It is first come, first served basis.  $1,057.99 PP (approx. pricing)
- Category JS: Junior Suite w/tub, refrigerator and sleeper sofa -- $1636.99 PP 8 spaces (4 cabins)

To secure the above space and pricing, you will need to get your first deposit of $250.00 per person to Mitzi Martain.  The first step is to fill out a ‘Trip Booking Form’ and a ‘Credit Card Payment Form’ and get them to Mitzi as soon as possible.  Again, first round of confirmations/deposits must be received by February 7 in order to secure the above space and/or pricing.  There will be additional opportunities to book your trip, but pricing and/or availability may change after the 7th of February.

To get your Trip Booking Form and Credit Card Payment Form, contact
Mitzi Martain via email  martain@tcarrier.net or phone 6469-6712 or
Kaye Ashbridge via email kayeashbridge@yahoo.com  or phone 6679-1663

The final payment will be due on or before September 28, 2008, 70 days prior to cruising.

Travel insurance is advised and is based on the cabin cost.  As an estimate, for an inside cabin travel insurance is approx. $59.00 per person.  Travel insurance can be obtained from Royal Caribbean or you may choose to go with another option such as:  www.travelexinsurance.com   Please specify to Mitzi if you will be purchasing travel insurance.

We will have transportation from Coronado to Colon for $27.20, plus $2.00 tip for baggage, per person.  The same fee will be charged for return trip from Colon to Coronado (total of $29.20 per person, each way; $58.40 pp round trip).  The buses will leave from the Hotel and/or the Equestre Club at 10:00 a.m. on December 7th.

Coronado Hotel’s General Manager, Margarita Garcia, has approved parking for vehicles to be left at the Club Equestre from Dec. 7 through 15.

For more information about Royal Caribbean Cruise go to:  www.royalcaribbean.com     
Okay, Cruisers, get your deposit in and spread the word to your friends.  More information will follow once we meet again.

Happy cruising!