Wow! We've had a great response since the October
update. 60,000 people (readers of the Liberator Online,
the emagazine of the Advocates for Self-Government) have
been informed of our cruise each month. As a result,
many of them have already asked to receive these updates.
Welcome to everyone!
With the election having drawn 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. Since the last update the inside staterooms
have nearly all been sold. The few remaining are now only
available at a 40 % discount making the remaining outside
staterooms a better deal (at 55 % discounts). If you are
even thinking about joining us, please make a reservation
now to hold a stateroom. The deposit is fully refundable
for cancellations made before 12/9/03.
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. Singles are always among our group and many times
children join us. All have enjoyed their Cruise.
With this update I'll begin two regular features;
"frequently asked questions" and "a day on the MS Rotterdam" (an
abbreviated log of our days on the ship).
Question 1. Will I feel out of place if I go as a single? Not a
bit! We have had a variety of single passengers on each of our
prior Libertarian Cruises and they have, to my observation,
enjoyed the trip as much as everyone else. Some singles choose
to share a stateroom with another. Some prefer to enjoy having
a stateroom all to themselves. (Most staterooms are available as
a single for 150 % of the "per person double occupancy fare".)
If you are considering joining us as a single, let me know and I'll
send more details.
Question 2. What travel documents do I need to travel with the
MS Rotterdam? For U.S. citizens, a passport is best, but not
required. An official (raised seal) birth certificate and photo
driver's license will do. As security measures change, so may
the cruise line requirements. A passport will always be accepted.
(Since 9/11/01, ships have refused to board those without the
proper documents.)
Question 3. Will I get sea sick? Although this is a very individual
problem, it is remarkably rare on a ship this size. Unless you get
motion sickness riding in the front seat of an automobile, you will
do fine on a Cruise on this size ship. Of my 112 days at sea, only
one day was rough enough to lead me to take an anti-nausea pill.
With that, I had no problem. I enjoy cruising without a worry,
even though I consider myself quite sensitive to motion. (I HAVE
become ill after small boat fishing, riding in the back of a van, or
when reading in a car, so don't join me for those activities.)
Don't wait for me to answer your question in this feature. Send
me an e-mail with your question. I'll send you a personal response
and it will help me address other's similar questions in this forum.
DAY ONE ON THE MS ROTTERDAM
If you fly into the Fort Lauderdale airport on the Fly Cruise
Plan a Holland America Employee will greet you at your gate and
direct you to a waiting bus. Your checked luggage will be handled
for you and will appear at your cabin this evening. For those making
their own flight arrangements, a transfer can be purchased for $15
per person. Ellen and I usually find we can just grab a cab when
we arrive for a lower cost than the price of two transfers.
As you arrive at the pier, the size of the many cruise ships
becomes apparent. Several HUGE ships are in line at their
companies' terminals. There is electricity in the air as you
step up to present your boarding documents to the Holland America
personnel at the boarding desk, traverse the gangway and board
the MS ROTTERDAM.
As you enter the ship, you find yourself five floors up on the
Promenade Deck with an open atrium. It reminds me of the lobby
of a Hyatt Regency Hotel. A white gloved attendant welcomes you
aboard and directs you to your cabin. Once there, you'll find it
spotless and ready to explore. The steward for your room will stop
by to introduce himself. He will become a good friend during the
next ten days, working very hard to please you.
After "muster" (a lifeboat drill) you'll join most passengers on
the sports deck to enjoy a "sail away" party and watch the ships and
port as you cast off and head out to begin your vacation. Then it's
time to meet and greet your fellow cruisers at our group's private
cocktail party. An open bar, hot and cold Canapés and friendly
libertarians make this a great beginning for our vacation. Then on
to the dinning room for the first of many gourmet meals. You'll meet
your server and his assistant when you get to your table. They'll
pamper you at every meal and leave you wondering how they do this
12 hours a day, seven days a week and still remain so cheerful.
Dinners become a get-together for you and your friends to
share the day's events after everyone "does their own thing" each day.
If you've requested a table for two, each evening becomes a private
renewal of the relationship you've come aboard to celebrate. Most
in our group usually share several large tables (near each other) at
the late seating and enjoy "open seating" among our group's tables.
Each night after dinner you'll be able to enjoy a stage show, the
casino, the midnight buffet, late night dancing and more!
That's it for this month. The next update will include DAY TWO
ON THE MS ROTTERDAM. Please plan to join us. Unfilled staterooms
in our reserved group of staterooms will be released after this month,
so make your reservation without delay! Send me an email request and
I'll email you the booking form prompting all the needed information.
Cheers!
Ken
P.S. If you have any friends or family who might enjoy receiving
these "Cruise Updates", please have them email me with their preferred
email address.