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2012 Poster Cruise....

Re: 2012 Poster Cruise....

Posting info to both threads that I started- just in case some of you are subscribed to this thread.

So- we have info for this proposed cruise- it will be on the Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas, out of Tampa, March 31-April 4- just in time for the Frozen Four. The group cut off is 8 cabins, and the more cabins we get, the more free people. At 8, one person (the cheapest) is free, and I will send a check to all refunding that equal amount so that we all would benefit from the free person. May end up not being too much, but anything is better than nothing, right?

Here's the link to the cruise- http://www.royalcaribbean.com/finda...=1120331&date=201202&selectedCurrencyCode=USD

You can get some details of the ship, and the places that we will be visting.

Mrs Alfa and I just finished a cruise on the Jewel's sister ship, the Serenade- it's a smaller ship, but very nicely trimmed out, so we really liked the ship.

If you have not done one, and are considering it, or are thinking about traveling with friends that you are not sure, well.... this would be a good opportunity to travel with friends (since you don't have to do everything with them) and try a cruise (it's only 5 nights, and many of you are already travelling to Tampa). As a note- the cost of the cruise does include the room and pretty much all of the food you can stuff in your face. But does not include drinks, excursions, and any other things you might want to spend money on- so bank a few more $$ for spending money. There is a casino, if that is your forte (or problem, which ever).

I'm really hoping that on "caribbean night" for dinner, we can all wear jersies instead of stupid shirts. I think the looks and telling everyone that there is college hockey at the departure point and time would be really neat.

All that is required now for RCCL is a $100pp refundable deposit. I'd like to start grouping this up, so I'll up these messages once a month or so as a reminder. Well, this one, since it's the oldest.

If you are interested, please contact me at alfablue (dot) uscho (at) gmail (dot) com. I'll forward the info to you for booking. Again, if you want to use another booking agent- to get something like on board credit or free tips, feel free- just make sure I know so that I can tie all of the cruses together via RCCL and we can all benefit.
 
Re: 2012 Poster Cruise....

I don't like that drinks aren't going to be free. Are drinks comped in the casino?

5 nights x ~13 drinks/night x ~$8/drink = $520 That is pretty steep. I may have to work on ways to sneak liquor on a boat...
 
Re: 2012 Poster Cruise....

bigblue_dl said:
I don't like that drinks aren't going to be free. Are drinks comped in the casino?

5 nights x ~13 drinks/night x ~$8/drink = $520 That is pretty steep. I may have to work on ways to sneak liquor on a boat...
Click to expand...

Good question, but I don't recall the drink prices to be more than typical bar prices. I promise to check on that for our next cruise (next weekend... ;) ). Not trivial, for sure. OTOH, banking that much money for pay for on board things isn't all that out of line. Having a little card sure makes things easy. (although, I know that they can put notification limits, and it can be pre-paid).

Oh, and for the soda fanatic, they do have soda packages to save some money.
 
Re: 2012 Poster Cruise....

bigblue_dl said:
I don't like that drinks aren't going to be free. Are drinks comped in the casino?

5 nights x ~13 drinks/night x ~$8/drink = $520 That is pretty steep. I may have to work on ways to sneak liquor on a boat...
Click to expand...

If you do sneak it on, I'm told the little airline size bottles are the way to go - they x-ray bags for the larger bottles.

Anyone know where the 2011 Posters' Game thread got to?
 
Re: 2012 Poster Cruise....

goldy_331 said:
If you do sneak it on, I'm told the little airline size bottles are the way to go - they x-ray bags for the larger bottles.

Anyone know where the 2011 Posters' Game thread got to?
Click to expand...
I'm leaning towards filling up a shampoo bottle, body wash bottle, contact solution, sunscreen bottle, etc. with some really potent everclear.
 
Re: 2012 Poster Cruise....

bigblue_dl said:
I'm leaning towards filling up a shampoo bottle, body wash bottle, contact solution, sunscreen bottle, etc. with some really potent everclear.
Click to expand...

I assume you'll be buying in tampa, or it will be two zip lock bags of contact solution bottles..... Even at 180 proof, that doesn't exactly go far. Not to mention the plastic taste.
 
Re: 2012 Poster Cruise....

alfablue said:
I assume you'll be buying in tampa, or it will be two zip lock bags of contact solution bottles..... Even at 180 proof, that doesn't exactly go far. Not to mention the plastic taste.
Click to expand...
I'll probably pack whatever I need in checked luggage, so I don't have to worry about the ziplock bag rule. Bring big empty bottles in checked luggage, buy a bottle of good everclear down there and fill everything up. You imply that you can make 190 proof everclear taste worse?
 
bigblue_dl said:
I'll probably pack whatever I need in checked luggage, so I don't have to worry about the ziplock bag rule. Bring big empty bottles in checked luggage, buy a bottle of good everclear down there and fill everything up. You imply that you can make 190 proof everclear taste worse?
Click to expand...
I think he's implying that everclear has a taste...
 
Re: 2012 Poster Cruise....

bigblue_dl said:
I'll probably pack whatever I need in checked luggage, so I don't have to worry about the ziplock bag rule. Bring big empty bottles in checked luggage, buy a bottle of good everclear down there and fill everything up. You imply that you can make 190 proof everclear taste worse?
Click to expand...

Well, I am assuming that everclear will react with plastic. So in addition to that burning sensation, you will sort of, kind of, if your taste buds live through it, taste plastic.
 
Re: 2012 Poster Cruise....

bigblue_dl said:
I don't like that drinks aren't going to be free. Are drinks comped in the casino?

5 nights x ~13 drinks/night x ~$8/drink = $520 That is pretty steep. I may have to work on ways to sneak liquor on a boat...
Click to expand...

Some info on costs:
Drink of the day: normally $9- some frutiy drink with a lot of rum in it.
Typical fruity drink- $6-8
Mixed drink- not sure- didn't have one.
Wine- $6-17/glass, but the wide range is at the restaurants, not sure what the bars have. They have a BIG bottle selection, and deals.
Soda- don't know, but spoke to a few people who got the "deal"- and they thought the deal is a great offer. You see a lot of people walking around with the soda cups.
All drinks have a 15% gratuity added to them. So you don't have to.

Spa treatment is also a feature- from $100-$300, and you pay for a tip as well. Massage up to what I call shock therapy, and with stones, seaweed, and lotions all options.

Seriously, one needs to factor in you will be buying stuff on board. We tend to be roughly one person room kind of extra cost.

But, if you really try hard, you can eat far more than the cost of the room, drinks, etc- all food (except for premium stuff) is included. You want 3 or 4 main dishes- they will bring them, all of the deserts- they will bring them. Which really means you do need to watch what you eat- or you will run out of room to drink.

Please, feel free to post questions- I'll do my best to answer them.

Right now, I know there will be 3 rooms- ours, my parents, and at least one poster. If you can swing the time, I think you will have fun.
 
Re: 2012 Poster Cruise....

alfablue said:
Some info on costs:
Drink of the day: normally $9- some frutiy drink with a lot of rum in it.
Typical fruity drink- $6-8
Mixed drink- not sure- didn't have one.
Wine- $6-17/glass, but the wide range is at the restaurants, not sure what the bars have. They have a BIG bottle selection, and deals.
Soda- don't know, but spoke to a few people who got the "deal"- and they thought the deal is a great offer. You see a lot of people walking around with the soda cups.
All drinks have a 15% gratuity added to them. So you don't have to.

Spa treatment is also a feature- from $100-$300, and you pay for a tip as well. Massage up to what I call shock therapy, and with stones, seaweed, and lotions all options.

Seriously, one needs to factor in you will be buying stuff on board. We tend to be roughly one person room kind of extra cost.

But, if you really try hard, you can eat far more than the cost of the room, drinks, etc- all food (except for premium stuff) is included. You want 3 or 4 main dishes- they will bring them, all of the deserts- they will bring them. Which really means you do need to watch what you eat- or you will run out of room to drink.

Please, feel free to post questions- I'll do my best to answer them.

Right now, I know there will be 3 rooms- ours, my parents, and at least one poster. If you can swing the time, I think you will have fun.
Click to expand...
So I could bring an extra suitcase and fill it up with enough ribeye steaks for 2 months of leftovers? Sweet.
 
Re: 2012 Poster Cruise....

bigblue_dl said:
So I could bring an extra suitcase and fill it up with enough ribeye steaks for 2 months of leftovers? Sweet.
Click to expand...

Worth a try. But you might try to find a portable deep freezer, since the food will also have to last the weekend in Tampa.
 
Re: 2012 Poster Cruise....

Since we are now just under 13 months from this cruise to accompany the frozen Four that will take place in Tampa next spring, I thought I bring the post back to the front page.

Seems early to think about, sure- but if you need to save some discretionary money up to do it, well....

Anyway, for questions- alfablue(dot)uscho(at)gmail(dot)com. I'll be sending a "mass" e-mail to the ones who 1)I have their e-mail for other reasons and 2) expressed interest after the FF this year.

As a reminder, this is a 5 night cruise, starting the Saturday prior to the FF, and ending the day that it starts (thursday) and goes to two ports in Mexico. It makes the flight to Tampa include a weekend (Saturday to the following Sunday).
 
Re: 2012 Poster Cruise....

We are now 12 months out. So far I have a pretty compact list of those who are interested- I'll send a group note out later.

So IF you are thinking of making the Tampa FF a week, and are interested in a cruise from Saturday evening to Thursday morning, shoot me a note.

I'll admit that cruising isn't for everyone, but I know that I enjoy it, which is why I'm inviting you all to try it once.

Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, I'll be able to call my contact at Royal Caribbean- but I suspect that rooms are not an issue as of today.... If you are interested- it's a good time to start saving some side money to go, though....


alfablue(dot)uscho(at)gmai(dot)com
 
Re: 2012 Poster Cruise....

bigblue_dl said:
My participation is on temporary hold, pending finding a way to visit The Masters instead...
Click to expand...

that WOULD be pretty cool. which weekend is it?

If it's the same FF weekend, if you drive all night after the championship game.... hmmmmm
 
Re: 2012 Poster Cruise....

Another bump to remind people that this is a vacation option at the same time as the Frozen Four.

If you never been on a cruise, and always wanted to- this should be a decent option. Goes to 2 ports in Mexico, has 2 days at sea, and isn't so long that you are dreading the last days (if you are not having fun). But long enough that if you like it, it's longer than a 2 night weekend get to know cruise.

My intention is that each of the participants book their own trip if they have a preferred route (favorite travel agent, part of a group, cruise.com- whatever), and a few months before we sail, I'll put all of the reservations together so that we are a group, and even if we are not large enough for a room discount, we can all sit together at dinner.

This is the cruise- http://www.royalcaribbean.com/finda...=1120331&date=201202&selectedCurrencyCode=USD
March 31-April 5, sailing from Tampa, stopping at Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. The return date is the same day as the first day of the FF, so we can have a reasonably relaxed disembarkent (although, we'll be off the ship by 11), and maybe we can get limited taxis to move everyone around.

So far I've heard from a few people, and will send notes out to others who expressed some interest.

If it works that we have a big group, cool. If not, I'll still be fine, so no pressure.

If you need more info that's not been posted (which there isn't much else), or that you are planning on coming- alfablue (dot) uscho (at) gmail (dot) com
 
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