Our little flock of early birds have all been re-roosted to the Hampton Inn. Very smooth transition. Life is good.
Bahama Mama just received delivery of our cruise keepsake name tags. You're going to LOVE your own personalized tag as a great memento of our voyage. They are sharp!
You freepers at the Hampton Inn will receive yours on Friday night and the rest of you will get them at the after-boarding buffet (if I can find you!)
Our own freepstuff guy, Gene McDonald (Seeking the Truth) made the tags, and they're just so tropically kewl!
Do you have your FR baseball-type cap yet for the trip? Check out Gene's 0Cents.com link on the FR home page. You'll need a cap of this type because it's so windy on deck. If I had a nickel for every too-loose hat that flew overboard on each cruise, I'd be sailing along the French Riviera right now. I'm bringing my snappy FR hat and I'll wear it proudly (especially on bad hair days).
Thanks to our angelic donors, we're going to have a table prize every single night of the week. They are just great, folks. We have generous gift certificates for Red Lobster, Home Depot and Outback Steakhouse.
We have a gift box full of items for a romantic Italian dinner, a gift box for an outdoor patio dinner, a unique and nostalgic hot-dog-stand grill for a focal point at your outdoor barbeques, and a luxury gift box of exotic teas right from the plantations of the Far East and Eurasia, a unique tea maker along with a mouthwatering selection of totally-gourmet goodies to munch on with your tea.
We have a number of little fun patriotic prizes to draw for at the beach party at Princess Cay in the Bahamas.
Then there's the Mystery Welcome Aboard prize everyone will receive at dinner the first night. This is the gift mentioned before that is worth under 10 cents, is something you'll use every day and night of the cruise, and is smaller than a breadbox.
Historically on FReeps Ahoy cruises we always have a gag gift at our cocktail party. Well, this trip we have TWO of 'em. Just wait and see.....these goofy items are HILLARYOUS. You can entertain your guests, friends and family FOREVER with 'em.
It's hard to beat the Klinton voodoo doll (with pins) we had on one of our past cruises, but the prizes this time will really make you roll on the floor laughing out loud (ROFLOL, LOL).
Good luck to you all. Hope your name is pulled out of our FReebooter Booty Bag!
Bahama Mama
I would recommend between 10 and 10:30 AM, earlier if you don't mind standing in line longer.
They appear to open the doors around 11:15, a little earlier or later depending on various factors.....the cabins all cleaned, for instance.
Don't be dismayed at the length of the line outside when you arrive. I understand from all sources that Princess is the best at processing arriving passengers and getting them to their cabins very quickly.
Once you get inside the terminal, you'll zip through registration and security and you'll be on your way to your little bit of heaven high above the sea. Everyone should have his/her tickets and ID in hand to facilitate your checking-in and helping to make it speedier for other passengers waiting behind you.
It's a LONG walk from registration to your cabin. Remember, this ship is immense and the weather will be hot when you stand in line. You'll also be toting carry-ons. If a health condition poses a walking problem for you, there are wheel chairs right where you check in. Just ask for one. There may be a wait. A steward will then wheel you to your cabin and then take the chair back to the terminal area. Have a tip ready. If you have trouble walking any longer-than-usual distances, I urge you to take a wheel chair.
Have a water bottle with you. Hampton Inn folks, there's a store across the street from the Inn where you can purchase water bottles Friday rather than lug them along on your flight.
Remember, do NOT take any photos or videos in the embarkation area. Security rules.
REMINDER: Have you mailed your filled-in U.S. Immigration form in yet? This must be done NOW. The form is in your pre-cruise packet along with the necessary mailing envelope.
Bahama Mama