2010 Freedom Cruise

Last Chance to Get Onboard

Ok, the last deadline has passed, but we can still sneak a few more good souls in. As long as cabins are available, people can join the cruise. There's less than 60 days before we embark on our Freedom Cruise as We're Taking Home Dialysis to Sea. Please contact Pat or myself for more details, or reply below.

We're gonna have a great time as we show the world home dialyzors have regained the ability to travel like no other dialysis patients can. An application has been submitted to Guinness for "the most home dialysis patients to go on a cruise together", and we're awaiting word if it's been accepted. You too can possibly be part of a world's record and have your name go down in history. Or at least have fun with us as we go to the Cayman Islands, Isle Roatan off of Honduras, Belize and Cozumel.

Final Deadline Fast Approaching

FINAL DEADLINE IS 9/18

 

OK, this is it guys.  We have a few ocean view and balconies left and Carnival has informed us the next deadline is the absolute final one.  So if you’re sitting on the fence it’s time to decide.  Once our rooms are gone, one will have to book directly with Carnival.  That means NO DISCOUNT, NO CATEGORY UPGRADE, NO ONBOARD CREDIT, and NO CREDIT FOR A FREE 16^th FARE FOR EVERY 15 PEOPLE.  This is it!  There’s no more after this.  Come join us on the cruise as “We’re Taking Home Dialysis to Sea”.

 

Rich

Another Extension to September 4th

by Rich

We really weren't expecting this, but we got another extension to September 4th without losing any of our allotted cabins.  I think this probably means that cabins aren't selling as quickly as Carnival would wish.  But that doesn't mean you who are sitting on the fence have the luxury of time.  Others may be in the same situation and are wavering as well.  This could change in a moment's notice and cabins can fill up.  We still can lose some.  Personally, the fewer total travellers on the boat the better, as long as ot's not dialyzors.  There would be more room to move about the ship, and more food for each of us.

Please contact Pat Colongione or me for more information.

Deadline Extended to August 5th

by Rich

Our deadline to sign up for the cruise at the current rates and perks is August 5th.  What does this really mean?  We had 50 cabins reserved.  On August 5th we will have to release probably 10 cabins.  If we need more cabins than what we have reserved, the cost will be the prevailing ones at the time and will come without the benies we negotiated like the $75 on board credit and the 2 category upgrade.  So if you're considering going on the cruise, please put your deposit down before August 5th.

NxStage Newsletter

By Rich

NxStage featured the cruise in it's Spring Newsletter, which finally came out this summer.

Almost ready!

I've had my deposit in for awhile; got the insurance.  We have a cool corner cabin at the stern.  I'm hyped!  Last week I got my airline reservations done.  My wife and I are flying in the evening before and will be staying at the motel Pat sets up.  I wanted to get in earlier, but couldn't pass by the $124 seat flight on the 2nd.  I still need to get passports for my wife and me.

The motel will have a free breakfast and has a free shuttle to the cruiseline's port.  We're planning on leaving the motel at about 11:00 am and hopefully we'll get on board early enough for a leisurely lunch.

I'm still waiting for Harvey Wells to put down his deposit.  His clinic nurse is already signed up.

Great Prices Reduced Again

The Balcony prices got reduced by another $20pp.  Here's the latest flyer for the cruise.

Great News -- New Lower Prices

The prices have been reduced by $20/person and $50/person for Oceanview and Balcony respectively.  Oceanview will be $654.25pp and Balcony $794.25pp.

Ashore Excursions

By Rich

I'm beginning to do some research on excursions CKD5ers may want to participate in.  There are possibilities to work through some private excursion companies, rather than Carnival.  This may save some money if enough people are interested.  So leave comments regarding what your interests are and I'll keep track to see if something can be done to reduce costs.

The 2010 Freedom Cruise Podcast: Pat and Bill - time to put in your deposit

By Bill

In this second podcast Pat and I talk about insurance, getting in your deposit and some of the logistic details.

I think the player requires that you have QuickTime installed, download here or download the MP3 file by right clicking here, and selecting save as.

I'm getting in my cabin deposit, $500 (cruise deposit for 2 people) + $100 (for insurance for 2 people). The podcast breaks up a little at the end - Pat's home number is 518-2352142 and her cell is 518-573-7556. Leave comments with any questions or concerns. I don't think it was mentioned in the podcast but right now the deposit deadline is April; we may be able to get that moved. Deposits can be refunded until October.

Why are there ads?

By Bill

The advertising and the donation button are no cost, little effort ways to lower the cost of participation. I doubt these efforts will raise much money themselves but I hope it gets everyone thinking about ways to lower the cost of participation (or at least buy everyone a glass of wine).

I'll update a cruise money page as we go. I'll post the monthly advertising reports and if any donations come in I'll report those too (there doesn't seem to be a way to accept anonymous donations but I"m looking into it, at this point I can withhold donors names by request but I'll still know who the donor is), I will also report the benefits we are receiving through the booking process and how those benefits are being used. Any blog post relating to the money side of this I'll incorporate into the cruise money page.

Leave comments if you have any thoughts on the fundraising effort. Are the ads acceptable? Are they worth the few dollars they'll bring in? What else could we do? Any ideas for a tshirt?

Another new Tagline

By Rich

Renaming the tagline is so much fun, we've done it again.  Just consider the tweaking as our attempt to perfect the message we're trying to send.  We want the tagline to be as perfect as the cruise we'll be.  So that's why we've added a word and the new tag is "We're Taking Home Dialysis to Sea".  What better way to celebrate our freedom from in-center dialysis.  Just imagine the fun we'll have in the Caribbean.  Just the thought of feeling the warm ocean breeze is getting my blood lines all heated up.  Just don't ask me to play shuffleboard.

The 2010 Freedom Cruise Podcast: The First One, with Rich and Bill

By Bill

This is a first effort at podcasting about the cruise. This first one is me and Rich chatting about the idea of the cruise and why we think it is a good idea.

I think the player requires that you have QuickTime installed, download here or download the MP3 file by right clicking here, and selecting save as.

Look for a future podcasts with Pat about how to sign up for the 2010 Freedom Cruise, and more chats with Rich as we count down the months to Freedom Cruise 1.

Freedom Cruise Information

By Bill

I have posted Information Central. It is designed to be a one stop place to get all your questions about the cruise answered and to track our organizing progress. Keep the questions coming and we'll keep figuring out some answers. As we develop more information I will keep updating the page so check back often.

We're Taking Dialysis to Sea

By Bill

The original tag line for this blog was We're Taking NxStage to Sea but it was pointed out that people using PD are welcome to join us. So the tag line has been changed to We're Taking Dialysis to Sea. I think  this cruise is for people who have the freedom to travel either with working kidneys or with their dialysis equipment.  Logistically I am planning on greasing the transport of NxStage supplies as much as I can. If you are on PD and are interested in going on the cruise, drop me an email and we'll figure out how your travel can be made easier.

The 2010 Freedom Cruise

By Bill

Here's the idea – January 3 to January 10, 2010. Carnival line, depart and return to Miami on the Valor

The prices are per person, based on double occupancy and including taxes and port fees. Transportation to Miami and accommodation before and after the cruise would be extra.

• Cat 4B: inside $554.25pp, insurance is $59pp
• Cat 6B: Ocean View  $$674.25pp, insurance is $79pp
• Cat 8B: Balcony is $844.25pp, insurance is $89pp

We are strongly recommending insurance but it is up to you.

As a group the supply logistics can be handled centrally, everyone brings their own machine. The cruise company said no problem if each cabin had 400 pounds of supplies coming with and I think NxStage will centrally coordinate the people traveling with their cyclers.

The group perks would be pooled. For instance there are points you earn based on your group, I'm not totally clear on it but you get five points for booking early and you could use 4 points to have each passenger receive $100 worth of on board credit.

Another group benefit would be for every 8 cabins booked the organizer gets back between $300 and $600 which could be used to fund group activities or directly refunded – there are no free rides planned.

One of the group benefits is that you get meeting space use on board. We can decide as a group what events to plan as a group. Pat, Harvey and Rich are going to be posting here and you can post here too if you're going to be joining us next January. We can raise issues and figure out solutions on the blog through posting and commenting. This is not a business venture. The goal is to make the cost of participation as low as it can be and to allow a fun and comfortable vacation in the tropical sun.

Booking Spreadsheet

By Bill

(UPDATE 3/1)This spread sheet has now been incorporated into a page: 2010 Freedom Cruise Information Central.

This is a work in progress but here is the spreadsheet via Google Documents. As people sign up we'll add you to the list and you'll get the ability to participate in this blog by directly posting and I am looking to see how to make the Google Documents - the PPT and the spreadsheets - open to editing by people who have paid their deposits.

The 2010 Freedom Cruise

By Bill

(UPDATE 3/1)This PPT has now been incorporated into a page 2010 Freedom Cruise Information Central.