Showing posts with label 2012 cruise information. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2012 cruise information. Show all posts

Sunday, March 25, 2012

One Week Until We Sail!

This year's Cricut Cruiser's only have one week until we board the Mariner of the Seas and set sail to the Western Caribbean! The majority of the cruisers have joined the Facebook group I made and have been able to get to know each other before we board. I think we have about 50 Cricut cruiser's, this does not include the total with guests. I am not sure how many total will be in the group. We have cruiser's from all over the United States and a few from Canada this year. I think it is going to be a fun group of people for sure!

Everyone will start arriving in Houston next Saturday and many are staying in a hotel the night before and have a get together planned with some local Cricut people as well. My traveling party will not be attending this unofficial get together as I am looking forward to spending the evening and night with my friend Carmen and her family who live in Houston.

We received our class schedules last week. At first there were going to be a beginner's group and an experienced group but since there were so many experienced user's going Dan had to do some last minute work on the classes *okie knows Dan works hard to put on a fabulous cruise*.

Our ship sets sail at 4:30pm next Sunday, which also happens to be April Fool's day and that might be interesting. We have a Cricut Bon Voyage Cocktail Party that night in one of the lounges and we get FREE DRINKS *okie does the free drinks dance*. Last year's party was great. All the cruiser's attended and we got to know each other. I already knew some of the cruiser's last year so it was nice to get to visit with them and also get to meet some of the people I didn't know.

Our first day of classes are on Monday and they classes are based on learning how to work the machines. Our classes include:
Gypsy - learn how to use your Gypsy *okie is debating about this one since she doesn't much care for the Gypsy*
Cricut Imagine - teaching us the in's and out's of this machine *okie is thinking pool time during this class since she doesn't have an Imagine*
Cricut Craftroom & Cricut Mini - how to work the free software and the new smaller machine. This one will be a must since I don't know how to work CCR.
Cricut Expression 2 - beyond the basis of turning on the machine, again a must since I know how to turn on the machine and that's about it *okie thinks most of the buttons on her machines are just there for pretty decorative lights since she only uses Design Studio*.
And then that night we will have an open crop. I do have page kits ready to take for BFF Karen and I to work on during the crop times. We actually have open crop time each night of the cruise.

On Tuesday we will be arriving into Cozumel and spend the day doing various activities. Some of the cruiser's have excursions planned. I plan on going to the flea market and finding a beach. That night we have a Project 1. So far that is all we know about the classes, just project, no other information has been provided...so mysterious isn't it?!


Wednesday is the Cayman Islands and then we all meet up that night for the Surprise Event. I am wondering if the surprise is that Cricut is going to marry me. Last year I was able to sneak in a kiss with Cricut! What ever the surprise is I am sure it will be fantastic. ProvoCraft sure knows how to treat it's cruiser's well and like royalty!


Thursday is Jamaica and I am a little nervous about this one. I have heard many things about Jamaica and I am not sure how far I will stray from the port. That night is also a Surprise Event, maybe it will be my divorce from Cricut *okie falls out of chair laughing*.

 
Our last two days of the cruise are at sea so we have 2 projects on each of those days. The final night we have a social closing instead of an open crop. I remember last year's closing well as there were many tears shed from not only the cruiser's but some of the ProvoCraft staff as well. We had spent a wonderful week together and it was hard saying goodbye to everyone.

Since I will be taking my laptop with me I will try to write up posts from each day of the cruise to share the experience with everyone. It's hard to remember everything once you get back from a trip. I won't be able to post the information until I return home but at least it will be a more accurate account than what my peas size brain could remember from last year's cruise and hopefully have more pictures to share.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

How Much Money Is This Going To Cost Me?

That is a good question and one that doesn't have a definitive answer. If you won the cruise the then the following is included:
Cruise for Two that includes taxes and gratuties
Airfare for two (you will have to pay for extra bags beyond what is included)
Cricut Classes
Motel Room night before the cruise
Transportation from the hotel to the port, from the port to the airport upon return

You will likely be responsible for your transportation from the airport to the hotel. I will see if I can find out about shuttle service availability or taxi fares. I believe last year it was about $20 in a taxi from the airport to the hotel, but I am not sure how far it is this year since we will be leaving out of Galveston and last year we were in Ft. Lauderdale.

While on the ship anything you buy in the stores, any drinks (sodas and alcohol) than the ones that come with meals (tea, coffee, milk, juice), any amenities such as spa service are charged to your room and then charged to your credit card at the end of the cruise. You are responsible for those charges.


Any shore excursions are your responsibility. There are some listed on the Royal Carribean site, LAND SHORE EXCURSIONS, if you would like to check them out. There are a total of 171 excursions to choose from on the list so make sure you click "next page" to see them all. Last year we didn't do any excursions but there were plenty of people that did and enjoyed them. Sandie, Karen, Sandy and I all preferred to do our own thing and explore on our own. There are some suggestions on the 2012 Cricut Cruise from members who are doing the Dunn's Falls or the Mayan Ruins.

There is always plenty to do on the ship. There are 4 pools on the ship, one being an adult only, which is what I prefer since I will not be taking any children with me. There are also a total of 6 whirlpools on the ship so there are plenty of places to soak up the sun. Last year we were given a list of available activities every day so we could choose what we might like to do. Several people enjoyed the nightly entertainment in the live theater, that included magic shows, dancing, etc. There is a cinema on board where you can go watch a movie. There are night clubs available if you want to dance the night away. The Mariner of the Seas also includes a Rock Climbing Wall, Miniature Golf and an Ice Rink. I know there are a lot of things I am not mentioning but I just wanted to provide some highlights. At this time I do not know which of these might cost extra.

If you choose you can leave extra money for a tip at the end of the trip and an envelope will be provided for this. Karen and I each left extra in the envelope because our stewards were so awesome!

Anything you buy while on shore is at your own expense, such as eating, shopping, excursions, etc.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Official Email From Toby

Here is the official email from Toby concerning the cruise.

My friends and I have opted for a balcony room and will be having 4 in our room. We are wondering if we will be a little cramped but figured what the hey....try it this once and figure it out! LOL

I noticed that in Toby's email she has the Cricut price in there of $300. I have NOT seen anything official from ProvoCraft so I can't confirm this at this time. Also I do not know if you purchase that through Toby. I know last year you purchased the Cricut package on the ProvoCraft website. As soon as I find out that information I will be posting it and label it "official".


Cruise Itinerary
No
Date
Port
Arrive
Depart
1
Sun, Apr 01
-
4:30 PM
2
Mon, Apr 02
At Sea
-
-
3
Tue, Apr 03
7:00 AM
4:00 PM
4
Wed, Apr 04
10:00 AM
6:00 PM
5
Thu, Apr 05
8:00 AM
5:00 PM
6
Fri, Apr 06
At Sea
-
-
7
Sat, Apr 07
At Sea
-
-
8
Sun, Apr 08
7:00 AM

 
 
Per person prices:
 
Inside Cabin 1st/2nd person             $639.00        
Outside Cabin 1st/2nd person          $809.00         3rd/4th person $409.00
Balcony Cabin 1st/2nd person           $959.00         3rd/4th person $469.00
These prices are based on a minimum of 2 people in a cabin.
 
Taxes $95.00 additional for each person
Gratuities $82.00 additional for each person (covers your cabin steward, waiter, busboy)
 
 
Roundtrip transfers from Airport to Galveston (approx 1 hour drive):
Houston Hobby         $77.00 per person
Houston Intercontinental   $82.00 per person
 
$250 deposit due per person to confirm cabin & price.
Final payment due January 13th, 2012.
 
Travel Insurance is approx $78 - $160 per person depending on your age.
 
Cricket Cruise Upgrade Package:
Beginner user:  $300 per person
Experienced user:  $300 per person
 
Additional items to budget for:  Bar tab, tours off the ship, casino, spa, shopping, air transportation, and pre or post hotel.
 
I look forward to assisting you with all of your vacation needs.  Call or email me anytime.
 
 
Toby Nash
Cruise & Travel Masters
4376 So. 700 E., SLC, UT 84107
801-268-4470 ~ 800-264-0557