FORMAL NIGHT ...Black Tie & Glitz!

Wanted to remind everyone that there will be two (2) formal nights on our cruise.

If the schedule is the same as in 2006 when I 'ventured this cruise, then the formal nights will be Thursday March 5th (2nd Sea Day) and Wednesday, March 11th (2nd to the last Sea Day). But, plan on 2 formal nights nonetheless.

So if you are thinking of ordering a Tuxedo for rent. Best get on line at Carnival and download the form and head to Men's Wear House or other source you might use to get measured. Then order your tux and accessories through the cruise line.

The alternative is a dark jacket and tie, gentlemen! Ladies, black is always in and any glitzy or stunning jewels and accessories works. If the Specialty Restaurant is your choice...then you will need to be wearing a jacket and a bit more dressy. A night of the lifestyle of the rich and famous?

Okay, so maybe just an adult version of Prom Night? Either way...you're lookin' good!

In review of Carnival's dress and attire for the cruise...Carnival is very liberal. If you link on the Dining Attire requirement it even offers option on dress jeans and dress shorts, unheard of for other cruise lines.

Photo provided by Flickr Zorilla

UPDATED NEWS...Cruise Document are here?!

Just wanted to let you all know that Carnival Cruise has sent our travel agent Alex, hard copies of our cruise documents. Yes, even if Alex had requested that documents be sent electronically. I know, go figure!

So here is the plan…WE HAVE DOCUMENTS for you. With our Hawaiian Friends that are cruising with us, the cruise documents will be sent to Naomi Carter who will be distributing these documents perhaps at your next meeting. Naomi will relay this information.

I have cruise documents for the Miyasaki, Vaughn and Mike Tiffany and will get them to you, personally.

The rest of the group cruisers should look for your documents through the mail. Upon receiving your documents be sure that the information is accurate. If you have not done so, I personally would still go on line at Carnival Cruise to fill out you’re “MY PROFILE” and other information including emergency and passport information. Doing so will expedite your check-in process at
the cruise terminal.

Struggling with the on-line? Alex informed me that she can assist you or feel free to contact me. For those who already completed this request…start organizing what you will be packing and welcome aboard.

Thanks,
Diana
dianamdavis@cox.net

Logo from Carnival Cruise

IMPORTANT WORDS from our travel agent

An email was sent out to you via our travel agent Alex. If you haven't received it, here it is. And please contact Alex directly so that she can be sure she has the latest email contact for you. Now, Words from Alex, out travel agent:

Ahoy fellow cruisers!
The time has come to start packing!!
For many of you, this may be a first time cruise experience. If you have any questions about what to pack, what to do, where to go....CALL ME, PLEASE! I look forward to meeting each of you on board the Spirit on March 4th.

There are a few things that need to be done before we go. First, you should go to http://www.carnival.com/ and fill out the FUN PASS information, especially the emergency contact information for someone back home. Once you're in the website:

1. Click MY CRUISE which will have a drop down menu and click FUN PASS. It will ask you for you booking number (which is on your statements that I emailed to you); your last name (I hope you know that, if not, call me and I'll tell you); SHIP NAME: CARNIVAL SPIRIT; SAIL DATE: MARCH 4, 2009

2. This should hopefully get you into your reservation and the form that you need to fill out. Things like your address, last 4 digits of your credit card, emergency contact. You will also need to acknowledge acceptance of Carnival's Policies and Procedures (no throwing you wife/husband overboard; no swinging parties; stuff like that).

3. Once you have completed the Fun Pass, then you can go back to MY CRUISE and click on MY DOCUMENTS. This is where they will ask you for your passport number, expiration date, issue date, where it was issued. Once you have filled out all the information that they request, you can then print your edocs and luggage tags.

If you prefer to have me fill out the information for you online, I would be happy to do it or to help you while you're online to do it. Just email me your emergency contact information and I will take care of it.

SEE YOU SOON!!
MAHALO NUI,
ALEX
INNOVATIVE TRAVEL

Laurel Airport Parking has a discount coupon!

One of our fellow cruiser Janice just sent me this bit of information you might want to check out. I believe this is the same place where Karen and Buzz mentioned they use a coupon for their
parking. Gracias Janice!



Janice just talked to a parking facility in San Diego called Laurel Airport Parking. They are on the corner of Laurel and Kettner. If you go on-line to their site Laurel Parking you can get a $3.00 off coupon per day. Roof top parking with the coupon would be $9.00 per day and covered parking would be $11.00. They provide a shuttle to the cruise line.

NEED YOUR HELP Please!

NEED YOUR HELP – IMMEDIATE REPLY REQUESTED!

A direct email has been sent to you so please check your InBox
We need to know the size of either a Men or Ladies Polo Shirt.

We have already set up an awaiting order for these shirts and will be coordinating a group photo by the ship photographer during our cruise.
Your selected shirt size and more details will be provided to you once we get on board the ship. And there is no additional cost for you to participate. We are requesting your assistance to expedite your response and would appreciate your immediate effort and answer.
Please be advised that these shirt sizes seem to run a “wee bit” larger. But remember you will be in warmer weather and a looser shirt might feel more comfortable as well.
Mucho Garcias,
Diana & Roger

Why PRE-PAID GRATUITY you ask?

Check your Email In Box...a message was sent to you requesting your action as follows:

This is a request to have you contact Alex at Innovative Travel either through phone or by email for approval to charge $80.00 per person for pre-paid gratuity on your credit card.

After much contemplation and thought. We believe that this will be the best course of action for our group. Unfortunately this pre-paid gratuity is an all or nothing group participation decision. And we wanted to let you know why we have made this decision.

1. In order to provide the opportunity to mix and mingle among our tables for our group at our late night dining, we would have to pre-pay our gratuity. Cruise ship policy! Yes, we wanna play musical chairs throughout our cruise dining and pre-paying our gratuities will allow this opportunity.

2. We have chosen this option because we did not want to, play God and have to make the decision to assign who had to sit at who’s table. Hey were honest aren’t we?

3. Paying ahead as such will be one less thing you have to worry about till of course you get your credit card bill….but you knew that!

4. On those select day or days you choose to participate in the Specialty Restaurant reservations or maybe not want to dress-up and head to the buffet or worse yet too hung over from the partying in port to show up for dinner and settled for room service? Well having you gone won’t impact the one or two lonely individuals at your table who managed to dress-up, show-up and stayed sober! They can now join another table for company --- get the idea now?

So, need your help as the time has come to make the dining arrangements. Give Alex a call or email her to charge your credit card and we will be on our way! This is a PRIORITY ACTION ---please! You don’t want us nagging you and especially me (ask Roger he’ll verify that!).

Thanks for your immediate response,
Diana & Roger Davis
Naomi Carter

Photo from Carnival Cruise

What's the best parking option for the cruise?

Roger and I just made a day trip to San Diego the other day and wanted to update you with our findings. We have decided to spend the night in San Diego on March 3rd (pre-cruise)and have booked our reservation at the Humphrey's Half Moon Inn & Suites on Shelter Island.


We chose a Snooze 'n Cruise option that was $139 (Tropical Pool & Garden View) which also included our overnight accommodation as well as a complimentary parking for our car during our cruise. Additionally, complimentary shuttle transport between the hotel and cruise terminal was also included. The hotel also has a Snooze 'n Cruise for $119 (same category) for those flying in to San Diego Airport and not driving. Be sure you get the Snooze 'n Cruise rate as this is a lower promotional price. See our Snooze 'n Cruise blog article. I suggest you book directly through the hotel if this is of interest. The phone number is 619/224-3411 or 800/345-9995.


The other option for those not wanting to spend the night is, we found parking rates to be
between $12-18 per day pending on location of your parking lot and whether you care if your car
is under a parking structure or out in the open.



There are a number of parking options off of the 5 freeway when you exit on to
Sassafras / Kettner Blvd as you head towards the airport. We specifically stopped to get prices for the Cruise Terminal Parking (5 Star Parking) on Harbor and Broadway. This was directly across from the Cruise Terminal. It was $15.00 a day with no parking structure so your car will be out in the open.



In talking to my girlfriend Karen, she brought up a discount coupon you can get on-line for parking lot structure on the corner of Sassasfras and Laurel. Not sure if they have a shuttle service between the parking structure and the cruise ternimal. Perhaps Karen can add her two cents if she finds this info with her comment to this article?


Some of our other local friends shared their interest about taking the train to San Diego from Orange County. You can walk from the train terminal to the cruise terminal via Broadway. But, don't plan to have multiple luggage as the road way maybe bumpy and I'm not certain that there was a sidewalk from the train to the cruise terminal on Broadway. Still thinking train ride....You can always take a cab to haul you to the cruise terminal?


And finally, the current information I have is that our Hawaii friends have chosen to get into the Mexican spirit by selecting Comfort Inn at Old Town as their pre and post cruise accommodations. Ole'! My personal recommendation is to checkout the OLD TOWN MEXICAN CAFE. Best Corn Tortilla I've had this side of the border and their Pork Pozole Soup is delicious!

Photo provided by Flickr SD Dirk, view from Shelter Island to the San Diego Skyline.