Announcing "Freeps Ahoy", a Free Republic Network Caribbean Cruise

Free Republic Network | 11/01/2002 | MinuteGal

[DoughtyOne]

Free Republic Network

Proudly Presents

FREEPS AHOY!
a Freeper Cruise to the Caribbean
 

A sunset photo of Carnival's cruise ship Triumph.
 

Cruise Line: Carnival
Ship: Triumph
Length: Seven Nights
Departure Date: Saturday, May 31, 2003, 4:00 p.m.
Return Date: Saturday, June 7, 2003, 8:00 a.m.
Port: Miami Port Terminal
Ports of Call: Cozumel, Mexico - Grand Cayman Islands - Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Cabin Rates: Start at only $660 per person plus tax, port fees and tips for entire week
Includes: All meals and entertainment
In Addition: There will be FRN Activism meetings aboard ship

Stateroom Availability is Limited

Don't delay!  Register today!
 

Presented to you by the FRN Cruise Committee

MinuteGal, Chairman
BobJ
Diotima
Dittomom
DoughtyOne
Seeking the Truth
Strela

More Crew to come...
 

Carnival's cruise ship Triumph docked at St. Thomas.
 

Ahoy, Freepers!  Why not make your next year's vacation a FREEPER CRUISE? Can't think of a better idea!
United we stand for conservative activism AND some good old-fashioned fun, too!

This cruise thread will be running right up until embarkation day.  It'll be packed with lots of information.
Post your enthusiastic comments here.  Links are provided below for stateroom/fares information, registration form and
the Bahama Mama Q&A thread devoted solely to answers for all your cruise questions and to provide you with smooth sailing.

We strongly urge you to register ASAP.  We need a certain number of registrations by a mid-January cutoff date
to ensure our reserved block of cabins with Carnival.  From many communications we've received since last year's terrific cruise,
we're certain the interest is out there.  We don't want to have to deep-six this event if we don't get enough registrations in a timely manner.
PLEASE NOTE to hold off on making your air tickets reservations until we give you the go-ahead.
We have more than ample lead-time for this cruise and you'll be able to get good air-fare bargains in plenty of time!
Since some air-transportation tickets are non-refundable, we don't want anyone to be left holding the ditty-bag.

As an incentive for early registration, the first 20 Freepers to get their reservations into the travel agency
will win their choice of five (5) sheets of Ocents.com stamp sheets (go to that website for Seeking the Truth's array of terrific stamps!)
They will also receive a usflagballoon.com pin courtesy of Abner (check out Abner's usflagballoon website
to view the colorful pin and some excellent pictures of the US Flag Balloon!)  Registrations will be dated and time-stamped by the agency.
Winners will be notified and they'll receive their gift stamps and pins via mail.

We've got a great contest planned for later.  A lucky winner will receive a FREE cabin for two!
Last year, the contest was won by our Freeper pal, Taxman.  This time it may be you!

Bookmark this thread.  We'll keep you posted as plans evolve.  Register now for this fun-filled getaway in the sun!
Informal FRN meetings will be held on board which will be full of information and idea-sharing for effective conservative activism.

Rock the boat with your fellow Freepers!  Climb aboard today!
 

This page is for general comments about the cruise.
If you have questions, do not post them here.
Use the Bahama Mama link and ask them there.
Thank you!
 

Freeps Ahoy Links

Ask Bahama Mama - Please, questions only here
Cruise Staterooms, Categories and Rates
Registration Form
The Carnival ship Triumph
More about Cruise Staterooms
Deck Floor Plans
Cruise Map
Destinations
More about Triumph

[abner]

Good zot!

Er, I mean job!

[Cyber Liberty]

I've had very good response with decent tipping. Tip well, and your cabin attendent will make it the best trip of your life.

[lodwick]

Absolutely correct there with the decent tipping making for a great trip.

I don't know if Carnival has bathtubs upstairs or no, but for $700 we're going to be showering in a phone booth.

Mrs.L will be cruising in January with her mother et al on Norwegian with bathtubs, but the sticker for that luxury is about $600 more pricey. Yikes.

[dixie sass]

Rotfl! Morning, hows the balloon, er, I mean how are you and VOC doing?

When are y'all going to Bradenton or Brandon or whatever the name is in Florida? I've told my brother he is going to have to help and I'm gonna go down there and hopefully stay with him.

Being a minister, maybe he'll have good flying weather!

Can I get in the basket? Maybe, huh, huh?

[dixie sass]

You did? YOU DID? And...

[Cyber Liberty]

Haven't heard yet....

[dixie sass]

I thought that was a liquor, as in Martini's? Y'all play with Gin? Must get awfully messy!!

[diotima]

I keep missing all the good stuff...the mods are fast! Someone freepmail me and tell me what was pulled.

[abner]

We haven't heard anything yet.

If there is room, there is room for Dixie!

You might have to fight Ridepig for it though. ;-)

[dixie sass]

lol, I'll pop him on the snout! My brother and his family are looking forward to it.

[Utah Girl]

You are going on the FR cruise? Coolness.

[Action-America]

It must be a communist conspiracy.  Last year, I missed the cruise because it was far too short to be relaxing and this year, the date conflicts with business.  My wife and I cruise often, but never for less than 10 days.  We would make an exception for this 7 day cruise, just to be among so many FReepers, but we expect to be very busy for the entire month of June.  If things change, we will try to join you.

We have been to all of those ports in the past and can make some recommendations.

Cozumel:	Diving:  There are several good dive operators (PADI 5-Star, NASDI and others) near the dock.  Don't waste your money on the ship's dive program.  Even if they are the same operators that you would choose, you will probably pay more and the operators' contracts with the cruise lines restrict their flexibility (i.e. no diving computers, nitrox, etc.).  I can highly recommend AquaWorld Divers, right near the dock.  The last time that I was there, they let us dive our computers, but I got the impression that they only allowed it because it was the slow season and 6 of the 8 people on the boat had computers. Drinking:  Carlos & Charlie's.  Go there AFTER diving.  'Nuff said. Ruins:  As ruins go, they are better than average, but nothing like you will find in Belize and Guatemala.  Note that if you do go the the ruins, you will not have time to do much of anything else.  In fact, depending on the cruise line, you may not even have the opportunity to do anything else at all.  I tend to cruise the higher end cruise lines, so I don't know how Carnival handles that tour.
Grand Cayman	Diving:  If you are a diver.  Dive the Wall - Steep and Deep!  Again, don't use the ships dive operators.  There are several very good PADI and NASDI dive operators a short taxi ride or only a moderate walk from the dock.  I can highly recommend Parrot's Landing (1-345-949-7884 - I am not sure if they are still in business) and DiveTech (http://www.divetech.com/).  Advanced divers might want to book with DiveTech, as they offer nitrox, trimix and decompression diving (even if the ship books with them, advanced diving will be prohibited).  They also have SCOOTERS!  Naturally, appropriate certifications are required. Non-Divers:  My first suggestion is Get Certified before leaving!  Otherwise, you will miss out on the best thing that the Caymans have to offer.  But, if you are just to afraid to dive, then the next best thing is Stingray City.  Wade or snorkel with the stingrays. Rum Cake:  This is also where you get your rum cake on this cruise.
Ocho Rios	Dunn River Falls:  Whatever else you do in Jamaica, you must climb Dunn River Falls.  But, be extremely careful of the T-shirt vendors at the top.  In fact, most of the T-shirts sold in Jamaica are manufactured locally and are very poorly made.  Look for Haynes, Jerzees, etc. and even then, make sure that it looks and feels like a quality shirt.  This is common throughout the Caribbean, but rampant in Jamaica. Diving:  DO NOT USE THE SHIP'S DIVE OPERATORS!  Jamaica dive operators are extremely laid back (not safe, shoddy equipment, etc.)  Even the PADI 5-Star facility that I use is more laid back than any other 5-Star operator that I have ever used in other countries.  I have heard many horror stories about other dive operators in Jamaica.  At least PADI holds the 5-Star operators to a higher standard.  Also, do not expect to see a lot of fish.  The Jamaicans have fished the reef out.  However, the coral is fabulous. Parasailing:  It's a blast.  Try it. Coffee:  Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is one of the world's most expensive coffees.  One cup may not sell you on it, but after a few cups, most people begin to understand why it is so expensive.  It's a matter of taste.  But, if you are into coffee, then you should at least take a pound or two home.  Just be careful of counterfeits.  Your cruise director will be able to tell you what to look for.

Also, if there is any way that you can afford it, get an outside stateroom with a balcony.  It's well worth it.  For those who have not cruised before, you might want to consider second seating.  That's because at some ports, the last shore excursions return only moments before first seating occurs.  No matter how much you rush, if you are on one of those excursions, you're late for dinner.

I hope that things will change and I will be able to join you guys.  But if not, I wish you fair weather.

 

[MinuteGal]

Thanks so much, Action, for your informative post. I'm into diving for the soap bar in the shower myself, but I know the freeper water-sports afficionados will appreciate your tips.

We have reserved second-seating, and all freepers will dine together at dinner throughout the week. It's really gemutlich (a little German lingo, there)!

Leni

[Utah Girl]

Thanks for the information about the seatings. I'm not into diving either, snorkeling is about my speed.

[sweetliberty]

We discussed this last night at the FReep. It might be doable to take the FRepmobile to Miami. Budge had someone else suggest this to him who wanted to go as well.

[TheLion]

"FReepmobile to Florida"....only way to go!

[diotima]

What a great idea. Can you guys swing by Los Angeles and pick me up?

[sweetliberty]

LOL!

[dixie sass]

Second seating again and everyone together! A blast! Dinner was always fun. Good food, good wine, good friends and lots and lots of laughter!

[dixie sass]

Great information Action-America. Personally, I'm into being pampered and maybe a little swimming and sunbathing. But I know that people who are into this will appreciate the information.

Hope that you will be able to come! I'll miss Spoleto, but hey, what's a little opera or symphony compared to being on a Cruise with friends!