Reunion 2009 Cruise

5 days - Carnival Destiny

Eastern Caribbean - Round trip Miami

September 21-26, 2009

updated2/9/09

Itinerary:

Mon-- Board ship from 12:30pm - 2:30pm. Depart Miami 4:pm

Tue-- Fun Day at Sea

Wed-- Grand Turk 7:00am - 2:30pm

Thu-- Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 9:30am - 6:00pm

Fri-- Nassau, Bahamas 7:00am - 5:00pm

Sat --Miami 8:00am arrival

I have received the following quotes for our cruise. We get a military discount for those that act early. Add $62.69 per person for government taxes. There is no fuel surcharge at this time.

Category 4A Interior Cabins: (Without discount $359 per person)

$311 per person for the 1st and 2nd guest in each cabin. Add $149 per person for 3rd and 4th person

Category 6A Ocean View Cabins: (Without discount $429 per person)

$367 per person for the 1st and 2nd guest in each cabin. Add $169 per person for 3rd and 4th person.

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Category 8A Balcony Cabins: (military discount was sold out - a few available now at $447 + taxes as of 2/9/09)

$529 per person for the 1st and 2nd guest in each cabin. Add $189 per person for 3rd and 4th person.

These are very reasonable fares for a nice cruise. If you haven’t cruised before this is the time to give it a try. Each person will handle there own reservation by calling the Carnival representative below. You will need to give her Booking # 10FF04 to get these rates. A deposit of $200 per guest is required at the time you book and you will probably have to send a copy of your DD214.. The final payment is due by July 23, 2009 and you can cancel without penalty up to that time. If you prefer you can use your own travel agent to make your booking, but I am not sure how the discount would be handled.

To make a reservation call Bernadine Christian 1-800-819-3902 Ext 82405

or email bchristian@carnival.com Give here Booking # 10FF04 and go from there.

Her office hours are Monday through Thursday 10am to 7pm and Fridays 9pm to 6pm EST

This ship has two evening dining times for the main dining room around 6pm and 8pm with tables pre assigned. Let Bernadine know when you book, as the early dining tends to fill up first. Every effort will be made to get our group seated at adjacent tables for both dining times. There is also very good food served in the cafeteria most any time you want to eat. To assure that we get together and socialize one of the large lounges will be designated as a meeting point at different designated times. Following each dining time there is always excellent entertainment in the large show room as well as in the many specialty lounges. There is something for every taste, like karaoke, classical, piano bar, country, dancing, etc..

General Information, Advice, and Know Before You Go:

Trip insurance is available but that is something that can be decided up until the final payment due. Transfers are available from airport to ship and ship to airport but they are not that cost effective. Taxi from the airport to the cruise port is about 8 miles for a cost of about $20 which is cheaper, and the taxi goes on your schedule.

The ship is handicap friendly and wheelchairs and electric scooters work nicely.

You must be on board by 2:30 pm for sailing at 4:00 pm so don’t cut it too close. They don’t wait and a lifeboat drill usually has to occur before sailing. While they post a boarding time from 12:30 to 2:30 people are usually lined up by 11am and boarding proceeds when the other people are off.

We prefer to fly in the day before and relax and go sight seeing. Try not to schedule your return flight before 1pm to allow plenty of time for debarkation and getting to the airport. If you do have an early flight, arrangements can be made to be in the 1st group to debark. Most cases you are off the ship by 10-11am but you never know. Nobody is allowed to debark until Customs gives the word and then you go by pre assigned color codes. Your luggage is left outside your door on the last night of the cruise and you reclaim it in the baggage area according to your pre assigned color code. You can also carry your own luggage, if you like, and debark with the 1stgroup.

Carnival is very strict about bringing your own booze aboard. You are allowed 1 bottle of wine or champagne per person, age 21 or over, in your carry on. Booze by the drink on board really is not that expensive. A tip of 15% is automatically added to the bill and the total is paid with your sail and sign card. No cash is needed except for some dollar bills to tip the room service waiters. Room service is always available and it is customary to tip a dollar or two.

There is no restriction on # of bags. You drop them with the porters at the entrance and they are delivered later to your stateroom. It is customary when you arrive to tip the porter $1 per bag. A lot of people don’t but a little green in your hand gets the porters attention and you quickly on your way to check in..

All charges on board go on your sail and sign card which is also the key to your stateroom. An automatic tip is added each day per person to cover the ships staff. However, you can have it removed and tip them yourself, or not tip if you choose. A small safe will be in your stateroom for valuables.

There will be a dress up night for the main dining room. That means fancy dress, coats and ties, or a tuxedo if you prefer. I usually wear a dark blue suit. The rest of the time dinner in the main dining room requires nice casual but no shorts or ball caps. We usually have breakfast and lunch in the main dining room as we like being waited on in a nice setting. Breakfast and lunch in the main dining room is open seating so you can make arrangements to eat with whomever you want. Shorts and very casual is ok then. If you don’t want to dress up for the formal night the cafeteria offers really great food with about 4 different cuisines, salad bar, deli bar, sushi, and great desserts. And of course pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, and ice cream are available almost anytime.

It is a myth that everyone gains weight on a cruise! There is a sports deck, swimming pools, hot tubs, walking deck, spa, and exercise room to keep you in shape. But then sometimes a good book and a lounge chair is all the exercise you need.

And before I forget there is a casino if gaming is your game. It does close while in port..

Hope you can join us. All alumni, family, and friends are invited.. Don’t delay as it is possible the allotted military discounts could sell out. Also, the closer to getting sold out the fares could increase.

One other thing, while the cabins are small they are very comfortable for 2 adults and children. However, 4 adults in one would not be too desireable or comfortable in my estimation.

Hope to see you on the cruise. LaRue and I are booked in cabin #6308 with late dining. If you want more information on the ship, or cruising, etc go to www.carnival.com

Would appreciate an email if you plan to go, or won’t be going, as it helps in the planning process and to know how many this has reached...

Regards, Harry and LaRue

email: harryhat2@msn.com