Marine Group Cruise Rescheduled; Not too late to sign on
2009 CC Cruise
1 March 2009, 4 pm through March 8
Cruise Route
Shipmates: In case you missed the news about our Feb. 25, 2009 Marine Group Cruise on the Carnival Miracle, that sailing has been cancelled so that the ship can undergo repairs.
Here’s the good news, I hope, for most of our group and those of you who may favor the new dates and prices.
Carnival has been most cooperative in helping to rebook our group on the closest available dates to our previous departure.
In addition, we will have lower prices, some cabin upgrades and still get our hosted group party and $100 per cabin shipboard credit — plus an another $50 shipboard credit from Carnival.
Our new cruise will be aboard the Carnival Triumph sailing Sunday, March 1, 2009 from Miami. Stops will be San Juan (5 p.m. to midnight), St. Thomas and St. Maarten.
Here are the new per person prices:
Category 8E Balcony, Deck 10 $972.73
Category 8C Balcony, Deck 8 942.73
Category 8B Balcony, Deck 7 902.73
Category 6B Window, Deck 2 752.73
Category 4B Inside, Deck 2 652.73
Carnival Cruise Protection Plan (cancellation insurance) is $129 per person (optional).
As to the Ft. Lauderdale Ramada pre-cruise hotel stay, I was able to reserve some rooms for our group on Feb. 28, but the weekend price is somewhat higher than our previous weekday prices.
Here’s what I have reserved (for a short duration):
4 Non-smoking Kings
3 Non-smoking Handicap Kings
5 Non-smoking with two Double Beds
1 Smoking King
4 Smoking with two Double Beds
These rooms will be reserved in your name on a first call, first served basis.
The room price is $179 per night. They offer complementary transfers between the airport and hotel. Transfers between the Port of Miami and the Ramada are $16.65 per person each way. Shipmates who plan to drive may leave their cars at the Ramada for $10 per night.
I hope the room rate is not too much of a shock, but Ft. Lauderdale hotels at that time of the year, especially on weekends, can be quite expensive.
You are not obligated to take the pre-cruise hotel package. You may chose to make other arrangements and I would be glad to help. For those flying, there are many hotels in the area that will pick you up at the airport, but you will have to arrange for a shuttle to the Port of Miami. I don’t recommend flying to a cruise on the day of departure, but if that is a choice, I can arrange Miami and Ft. Lauderdale airport shuttle service with Carnival for a fee.
Those driving, may chose to go directly to the ship on the day of the cruise. Parking at the port is between $15 and $20 per day.
If this new schedule interests you, please call Tom Kerr at:
850 897-7743 or email me at tripstogo@cox.net