Wow! We've had a great response
since the October update.
Another 50,000 people (readers of the Liberator Online,
the
emagazine of the Advocates
for Self-Government) were informed
of our cruise last month. As a result, many of
them have already
asked to receive these updates. Welcome to everyone!
With the election drawing to a close,
I hope you are all looking
forward to a relaxing vacation. Thanks to everyone
who returned
their booking forms and made a reservation. Our
fellow cruisers
now include 19 residents of IN, CT, AK, PA, MI and Barbados!
For many, flying to Seattle is much less expensive than
to Vancouver.
Holland America offers a motorcoach transfer for $50
per person
to cover the 3 hour trip from the Seattle airport to
the Vancouver
pier. Many of us will spend an extra day or two
beforehand in
Seattle, spend the night of the 7th at the airport Marriott
and take
the motorcoach transfer on the morning of embarkation.
I have been contacted by several LP
members living in Alaska
who are interested in sharing some fellowship with us
in Juneau. I
will work with them to prepare a lunch ashore or another
event to
compliment your many options for shore excursions that
day.
All activities during the Libertarian
Cruises are optional. The
trip is for rest and relaxation - with extra opportunities
for having
fun with fellow Libertarians, their families and friends.
Last year,
while in port at Hilo, two local Libertarians hosted
members of our
group to some coffee and pastries, then provided a half
day island
tour. It was a wonderful time, getting to see all
the regular tourist
spots with the benefit of a local viewpoint.
Once again, some frequently asked questions,
then "A Day on the
MS Statendam".
Question 1. What kind of clothing is best for an Alaska cruise?
Alaska is well known for its “liquid
sunshine,” and it's very
likely you'll encounter cooler temperatures on our cruise.
The
best plan is to be prepared for changing weather by dressing
in
layers—a shirt, sweater and light raincoat will do—so
that you
can peel layers off or put them on as needed. Aboard
ship,
dress is casual in the daytime and most evenings.
There are two
"formal" nights where, during the evening hours, gentlemen
are
asked to wear dark suits or tuxedos and women wear fancy
dresses (that's as close to observant about women's wear
as I
can be).
Question 2. Will I need to bring cash with me?
Holland America
cruise ships are "cash free". That means
personal extras (drinks, shore excursions, or gifts purchased
on board)
are charged to your "On Board Account" with your signature,
like
staying at a resort hotel. The casino is where
cash is accepted, and
of course, at the ports of call (as are credit cards).
One of the
nice features of cruising is enjoying wonderful
meals and service without exchanging money for each item
you're
enjoying. You've already paid for it!
DAY TWO ON THE MS STATENDAM
As the sun rises I sip my morning coffee
on deck, so as to
not miss a moment of our first glorious morning aboard.
Later,
in the dinning room for breakfast, we are greeted like
long lost
relatives by our table attendants, whom we met just last
night!
Even though I saw him working the midnight buffet, our
waiter
is bright and smiling as if this were a day off.
Monday is one of our days at sea.
This is a great time to
explore the many luxuries of the ship we'll be enjoying
for the
next seven days. For some, the on-board gym and
exercise
equipment will look inviting. Others will take
this morning to
marvel at the coastline of the beautiful inside passage.
Days at
sea are great for getting fully relaxed and preparing
to enjoy the
entire trip.
I like to participate
in some of the extra activities planned
just for days at sea. There are wine tasting classes,
tours of the
galley and bridge, and bridge or backgammon tournaments.
The
on-board talk about tomorrow's port, Ketchikan, includes
a
presentation by the Holland America Line on-board naturalist.
There is also a native Artist-in-Residence to share the
culture and
traditions of the Alaskan indigenous people throughout
our cruise.
Seeing these daily excursion talks
live, in the show lounge, is
fun. They are also taped and rebroadcast continuously
on one channel
of your stateroom TV. Everyone sets their own schedule
during
the entire cruise. This day is without any rush
or fuss and it
continues at a perfect pace for an evening of elegance.
Tonight
will be the first of our formal evenings starting with
a complementary
"Captain's Welcoming Cocktail Party" before dinner.
For me, a formal
evening at sea, with a gourmet dinner and evening stage
show, is the
highlight of the cruise. I hope you've decided
to join us!
Till next time,
Ken