Welcome to "Cruise News" for 2/23/06.

        Since your last issue of "Cruise News" we've
been very busy having FUN!  Ellen and I escorted our
NINTH ANNUAL FREEDOM CRUISE on Celebrity
Infinity, then stayed on board the following week to
escort our GOLF CRUISE.  You'll find a link to a
recap of each cruise (with photos) at the end of this
message.

        We're already eager to board the Holland America
Zaandam next year for the TENTH ANNUAL FREEDOM
CRUISE sailing to Hawaii.  Later in this issue of "Cruise News "
I'll begin a feature called "A Day on the ms ZAANDAM", a
preview daily log of our 2007 Hawaii Cruise.  Even if you
can't join us for our TENTH ANNUAL cruise, you can enjoy
it vicariously by reading the future issues of "Cruise News".

         25% of our allocated staterooms have already been
reserved, all by FREEDOM CRUISES "repeaters".  These
folks have enjoyed previous Annual Cruises and don't want
to miss out on the fun.  If you've ever traveled with us, I'm
sure you'll recognize these friends.  If you've never traveled
with us, I hope you'll plan to join us for the first time.  Half
of every group are new cruisers.  There are many singles as
well as couples.

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DAY ONE ON THE MS ZAANDAM

February 19, 2007

        Yesterday we flew to San Diego in time to
host a get-together at the hotel for all who could
join us.  The excitement of arriving and seeing the
port, where tomorrow we'd be boarding the Ms
Zaandam, was palpable.  After a day of flying,
sleep came easy with thoughts of cruising filling
my dreams.

        We boarded our motor coach for the pier after
lunch today.  (We left our luggage outside our hotel
room and we'd see it next at our stateroom door on the
Zaandam.)  After presenting our passports and cruise
tickets, we walked across the gangway onto the ship.

        Embarkation afternoons are a great opportunity
to explore the ship we'll be calling home for the next
two weeks.  Many of the areas we have come to enjoy
are providing guided tours and special promotions.  The
invitations for a "Welcome Aboard" Party, hosted by
FREEDOM CRUISES are found by all in their staterooms.

        After the mandatory life boat drill (called
"muster") everyone gathers in the "Crows Nest" lounge
for our "Welcome Aboard" cocktail party.  Old and new
friends meet and greet warmly and by dinner time, we
are already "old" friends.  We meet our wait staff who
will be serving our group of tables for the next 15 evening
meals.  Then we enjoy this first one!

        After that, there's time for the stage show,
dancing or some casino time before turning in.  When
returning to our room, we find the first of many pillow
chocolates on our turned down bed.  It's great to be
sailing again!

********************************************************

        Please let me know if you'd like to reserve a
stateroom for our 2/07 Hawaii Cruise.  We'd love to
have you join us again.  I'll share "A Day at Sea on
the Zaandam" next month.

Thanks for reading,

Ken

P.S.  Click here to go to our Hawaii Cruise home page.
http://freedomcruises.biz/CRUISE2007.html

Click here for a Recap of our Ninth Annual Cruise:
http://freedomcruises.biz/NinthRecap.html

Click here for a Recap of our Golf Cruise:
http://freedomcruises.biz/GolfRecap.html