********************************************************************************
2013
Reunion Planning Committee
Events
Coordinator: Eddy Pay ( brentkids@sesi.com
)
Travel
& Accommodation: (see Options
below)
Information
Distribution: Roy McDonald ( brentkids@sesi.com
)
Treasurer:
Dave Martin ( brentkids@sesi.com
)
Promotional/Memorabilia:
Marcia Mau (brentkids@sesi.com
)
Confirmation
Coordinator: Ann Neal (brentkids@sesi.com
)
Reunion
Host: Jane Ashcraft Shapiro (brentkids@sesi.com)
Complaint
Department: Your e-mail address.com
Website:
www.brentkids.com
Correspondence
related to Reunion: brentkids@sesi.com
*************************************************************************************
Subject: Hotel Room Block Expansion
Posted Date: 05/08/2013
Dear Brentonians:
As of this
posting, the 20 guaranteed Rooms (60 nights) at the Avenue Crowne
Plaza Hotel (877-283-5110) have been met. Thank you for booking/reserving
early. With the ASManila (120 Rooms) and other
conventions in Chicago, the only available expansion of our room guarantees are
Hotel Suites (1 King, 1 Sofa Bed in separate adjoining area). We have added 5
more rooms (Suites) to our guarantee in anticipation that some of you are
waiting to commit based on your schedules/events that are unknown at this time.
The discounted rates for the Suites are $199.00/night plus tax (16.4%), double
occupancy. That is still a savings of $100.00+ stated on their website pricing.
The Hotel is simply running out of rooms.
Please make your
reservations for the remaining availability of Suites as soon as possible and
let us know that you have made them along with your itinerary. We cannot
guarantee that there will be any additional rooms at the Hotel beyond our
commitment. If there are overflow rooms available, they will be at the market
rate of the Hotel.
Your Reunion
Committee
******************************************************************
Subject: Hotel Room Block
Posted Date: 04/24/2013
Dear
Brentonians,
Following updates
for the 2013 Reunion in Chicago is important for you to consider in your
planning:
Ø Hotel
Reservations – We currently
have a block of 20 rooms guaranteed with the Avenue Crowne
Plaza Hotel for the Reunion dates September 27 – 29 (3 nights) at the rates of
$159.00 & $179.00 per night (1 King, 2 Queens respectively). And currently
we have 9 confirmed number of reserved rooms made by you. So we are close to half-way
there based on our estimated guaranteed rooms for the Reunion. Once the 20
rooms are reserved, the rates return to normal rates for that Hotel
(approximately $100.00 more per night). In order for us to expand the number of
rooms from 20 to some higher number at the negotiated lower rates, we have to
do so before we reach that estimated number of 20 by the terms of our contract
with the Hotel. As of this posting, we have 30 Alumni indicating that they will
attend (including spouse/SO) resulting in 19 corresponding rooms (See
Attendee List on website). However, only 10 rooms have confirmed reservations.
We ask that you reserve your rooms as soon as possible so that we can have an
opportunity to add to the room estimates in time. By providing your Credit Card
to reserve a room, the Hotel guarantees a “hold” on your card and does not
charge your card until your arrival/departure. Should your plans change, you
can cancel that held reservation up to 24 hours
prior to your arrival date. So, please call and reserve early (1-877-283-5110)
and also let us know so we can expand the number of rooms with some accuracy.
There are two additional reasons for you to
reserve your room as soon as possible. There is a large Convention planned in
Chicago for the same time-frame as our Reunion and ASManila
is expecting 100 to 125 to attend their reunion. The Hotel may not be able to
expand our estimated rooms if you wait too long to confirm.
Ø Hotel Nights – Several of you have elected to extend your
stay before/beyond the Reunion dates and explore beautiful Chicago. The Hotel
operates on number of nights basis. Our Reunion is for 3 nights at the
negotiated rates. We have been able to negotiate the extended number of nights
with the Hotel, at the lower rates, on a case by case basis. If you plan more
than three nights stay, go ahead and make the reservations for the three nights
minimum and notify us of your desire to stay extended nights. We will try and
negotiate that extension with the Hotel but cannot guarantee success.
Ø Registration Fee
–
Again, the earlier the better. After
August 15th (postmark), the rate goes to $125.00/pp
Ø Forum – On the website (http://www.brentkids.com) Reunion Forum
link there are six topics that we’ve identified for on line discussion:
Airlines, Ground Transportation, Food Specialties and Restaurants,
Entertainment, Tours, and Miscellaneous (Freebies, Auctions, etc.). Feel free to share information with other
attendees.
******************************************************************
Subject: Your Assistance Details
Posted Date: 04/19/2013
Dear Brentonians:
The
Reunion 2013 in Chicago is gaining a full head of steam. You can look at the
latest changes on the website, Chicago
Bound Details and the Attendee List
on who is coming and, sadly, who is not as we update them almost daily.
We
need your help in the following areas:
Ø
Make
your airline reservations early and provide us your detailed itinerary (Flight
carrier, Flight #, arrival date & time and the airport). Prices will only
go up the longer you wait.
Ø
Make
your Hotel reservations early. After September 5th, the prices will
return to normal rates. Let us know if you selected a King or Queen, sharing or
wanting to share, arrival date, number of nights reserved.
Ø
Send
your Registration Fees early. After August 15th (postmark) they will
rise as stated.
Ø
Take
a peek at the “Attendee List” to see the type of data we are trying to capture
and provide to all of you. Provide us with that data as soon as you finalized
your plans or in increments if you wish.
Ø
Provide
us the name of your spouse or significant other attending so that we can make
accurate ID Badges necessary for all
activities.
Ø
If
planning or not sure on attending, let us know. We will appeal to
your nostalgic bone and see if we can help.
Ø
Bring
your dancing shoes. The combined group of ASM and Brent Alumni will be rockin from 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM on Saturday night. Attire for
that evening will be semi-formal (jacket, dress, Barong, or business suit).
Send
all correspondence (e-mail) to brentkids@sesi.com and visit the website http://www.brentkids.com often for posted updates.
Later
on we will be sharing attendee lists with ASM for names that you may know from
Manila.
Sincerely,
Your
Reunion Committee
******************************************************************
Subject: Reunion Details
Posted Date: 04/03/2013
Reunion
registration is on its way. This document is now history. Consult the various
links such as “Chicago Bound Details”, “Attendee List”, “Crowne Plaza Hotel”, etc. for up-to-date
information. Make your reservations early and please let us know via brentkids@sesi.com the following information that we can publish as
well as assist us in the planning process:
Ø Hotel Reservations Made (King or dual Queen rooms)
Ø Number in your party
Ø Airline/transportation Itinerary
Ø Registration Fee paid (Address in “Chicago Bound
Details”
Ø Length of Stay (nights) - dates
Looking forward
to a great time!
Reunion Committee
******************************************************************
Subject: Reunion Site Selection
Posted Date: 03/24/2013
Thank you all for participating in the Reunion
2013 site selection process. We took all your suggestion under “New Locations”
of the Forum and using the criteria posted under “Category Mapping” (Alumni on
the ground, Cost comparisons, Central Air Hub, Accommodations, and
Entertainment) and came up with the following results:
Chicago
So, some may be
disappointed, some may be elated, but Chicago
is going to be the site for our last hurrah! As an aggregate, it met most
of the Criteria elements. Our individual preferences were set aside. In the following weeks we will be working
with Jane Ashcraft Shapiro ‘65, Alumna on the ground and Host of the 2013
Reunion. We will be finalizing a date (September/October), negotiating block
hotel rates, developing venues for entertainment and social gatherings, and
getting commitments from those of you who will be attending. So stay tuned in
the coming weeks for pesky e-mails informing you (as well as assisting us early
of your commitments) of all the details.
For those who
know for sure (sigh) that they will not be attending, please let us know brentkids@sesi.com so that we can remove you from the distribution
list if you wish.
Thank You
Ann, Marcia,
Dave, Roy, Eddy & Jane
Subject:
Reunion Vote Results
Posted
Date: 03/01/2013
March 1, 2013
Dear Brentonians:
The
Reunion Poll and your access to vote ended as scheduled this morning. Thank you
for all your input and patience as we went through this process. The results are as follows:
|
Brent Reunion 2013 - Select One |
|
Cruise - (East Coast Port) |
|
|
|
8 Votes 15.38% |
|
Cruise - (West Coast Port) |
|
|
|
4 Votes 7.69% |
|
Cruise - (Central Coast Port) |
|
|
|
3 Votes 5.77% |
|
Prior Locations (CA, TX, VA, NY) |
|
|
|
10 Votes 19.23% |
|
New Locations (ME, Panama, NV, MO,
WA, IL, LA) |
|
|
|
27 Votes 51.92% |
|
Total Votes 52 |
The
Forum, though not closed, had 6 Topics,
575 Views (multiple by some) and
58 Posts/Replies.
The
task at hand now will be the job of the Reunion Committee to rank & rate
the location of the Fall Reunion based on the majority of the votes in Option
5 - New
Locations. In our letter, 2013 Reunion Letter link, posted under
the <Reunions> tab of the website www.brentkids.com and e-mailed to
all of you, provided for a set of criteria to be applied by the Reunion
Committee, criteria (a – e), posted on 02/01/13, Category Mapping. We hope to announce the results within a week
after some research and evaluation. Rest assured that this Reunion, as our “last Hurrah” of the ‘50’s and ‘60’s
generation of students at Brent will be the most memorable.
For
those that cannot attend, or are not interested in attending, please e-mail brentkids@sesi.com
to be taken off the distribution list as we will be providing updates of our progress and
organization efforts in putting this Reunion into high gear.
Thanks
again for your participation!
Reunion
Committee
Ann Lafferty
Dave Martin
Marcia Mau
Roy McDonald
Eddy Pay
******************************************************************************
Subject:
Reunion Forum (Makeover)
Posted
Date: 02/11/2013
Sorry for the interruption on the
Forum. In Geekspeak, the text area for your input was
limited to only 256 characters. The new “Makeover” Forum is designed around the
5 Reunion Options plus one (Other-which is a collection of your input with no
specific choice). The Forum has been populated with your e-mails that correlate
to the Option choices. Please visit, view and participate.
******************************************************************************
Subject:
Reunion Forum
Posted
Date: 02/08/2013
We have installed a specific
Reunion Forum or textual Chat (not a general Blog) on www.brentkids.com
where we can have a dialogue between the registered members for your ideas and opinions regarding the Reunion
and the Option Categories. Your input and discussions will be helpful to the
Reunion Committee in formulating the Committee’s decisions. The process and structure of the
Poll results remains as is. Ideas from you on your 2013 Reunion will be helpful and
appreciated. Please keep in mind that this is open only to registered members
to voice their opinions and view/comment on the thread of conversations . Therefore, civility and agree-to-disagree will
be appreciated. We reserve the right to remove any dialogue that appears
offensive.
Please follow the instructions as
posted before on the Poll process (Posted Date: 02/01/2013). Below the <Poll> link you will see the
<Reunion Forum>
link, click on that link, go through the login process and you will be provided
a page of scrollable member opinions and the opportunity to comment/reply (at the
end of the thread) by entering your name
(your name is mandatory) and a text box to rant or rave as you wish. Click on
<Submit> and
visit another time to view other member comments/replies. The subject remains
fixed as Brent Reunion 2013.
Thank You.
Reunion Committee
********************************************************************************
Subject:
Poll
Posted
Date: 02/01/2013
Please read before voting. The
voting can only be accomplished through the www.brentkids.com
website. The USA Brent Kids website now has a Polling link in the Reunions tab
currently related to a selection of a location for the 2013 Reunion to be held
in the Fall of 2013. You are provided five categories to choose from and vote for by
March 1, 2013. Some categories are grouped since a multitude of suggestions
have been received and their growing volume restricts fixed Poll choices. The categories are:
Ø Cruise
Ship (East Coast Port)
Ø Cruise
Ship (West Coast Port)
Ø Cruise
Ship (Central Coast Port)
Ø Prior
Locations (CA, TX, VA, NY)
Ø New
Locations (ME, Panama, NV, NO,WA, IL, LA)
The mapping of your choices are
explained within this posting. You have
to be registered on the website to vote (click on News tab
if you are not registered). You have only one vote. If you make a mistake or
change your mind before March 1, 2013, please e-mail me (brentkids@sesi.com)
so that I can reset your vote and allow you to vote again. Do not be in a hurry
to vote. Investigate and digest the options and perhaps any changes made to
this posting during the open voting period. Further communications, questions,
ideas, etc. should be e-mailed to brentkids@sesi.com.
Procedure
(Voting):
Ø On
your web browser enter the website address www.brentkids.com
or click on the address stated here.
Ø Click
on the Tab labeled <Reunions> (not necessary to login at this time)
Ø Click
on the link: <2013 Reunion Plans> - various formats are made available,
choose the one supported on your computer.
Ø This
posting will be displayed (it may ask you if you want to Open, Save or Save As,
click on Open).
Ø Read
the full posting since it is continuously updated.
Ø Exit
once finished reading the Posting (or hit back page on your browser to return
to the previous page)
Ø Click
on the link <Poll> right below it.
Ø It
will ask you to login by typing in your registered email address and password.
Don’t forget to position your cursor on each field. If you are not registered,
go to the News tab and follow the instructions.
Ø If
successful at login the 5 categories will appear giving you the option buttons.
Click on one of the 5 categories and then click on <Vote>.
Ø You
will next see the voting results shown in a bar graph with percentages and
number of votes per category.
Ø If
you choose to just view the voting results,
at any time, do not click on <Vote>, instead click on <vote results>
Ø If
you attempt to vote more than once, it will remind you that you have already
voted.
Ø Exit
out of the website or click on other tabs as you wish
Category
Mapping:
If you select option 4 or 5 of
the Poll which are based on recommendations from
many of you (details under Fourth
& Fifth below), and the Poll indicates a majority in either of them, the
committee will then decide which of the selections in the group is chosen based
on having (a) Alumni on the ground who will
volunteer to help organize the effort, (b) cost comparisons, (c) centrality
to airline hub, (d) accommodations, and (e) entertainment. For example, if
Option 4 is selected, all of the
suggestions made by the individuals
listed under “Fourth” for having the Reunion in the suggested USA City/State is evaluated against (a – e)
to determine where we have Reunion 2013. If none of the suggestions meet the
criteria (a – e), then the next higher % of the Poll results will be evaluated and so on. Democracy at work … I think.
Options
(Cruises & Land based Reunion)
First:
Cruise (East Coast Port) - The following cruise
is offered and the link provided will
give you all the information regarding Port, Cruise Line, Dates, Approximate
Cost/pp, Duration, and other pertinent information:
Ø Cruise
Line – Holland America (ms Nieuw Amsterdam)
Ø Embark
& Disembark Port – Ft. Lauderdale,
FL
Ø Duration
– 6 nights/7 days
Ø Ports
of Call – Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Grand Turk (Turks & Caicos), San Juan (Puerto
Rico), Philipsburg(Dutch)/St. Martin(French), Half Moon Cay
(Bahamas), Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Ø Dates
– October 27th 2013 4:00 PM – November 3rd 2013 7:00 AM
Ø Prices
– Booking 60/90 days prior to departure ($499, $599, $799, $1399, $1799) and
cheaper if less than 60 days.
|
Ø Travel Agents – Your own choice or following
suggestions (mention “Brent Reunion
Group”: Anatolia Moreno 312-943-7840
Ext. 83273 Anatalia.Moreno@aexp.com or Anoop Mittra
888-472-7847 amittra@cruiseplanners.com |
Click on this link for further
details:
Second:
Cruise (West Coast Port) – The following cruise
is offered and the link provided will
give you all the information regarding Port, Cruise Line, Dates, Approximate
Cost/pp, Duration, and other pertinent information:
Ø Cruise
Line – Holland America (ms Statendam)
Ø Embark
Port – Vancouver, Canada
Ø Disembark
Port – San Diego, California
Ø Duration
– 5 nights/6 days
Ø Ports
of Call – Hugs the Western Coast;
Vancouver Canada, San Francisco CA, San Diego CA
Ø Dates
– September 29th 2013 4:00 PM
– October 4th 2013 7:00 AM
Ø Prices
– Booking 60/90 days prior to departure ($349, $399, $599) and cheaper if less
than 60 days.
|
Ø Travel Agents – Your own choice or
following suggestions (mention “Brent Reunion
Group”): Anatolia Moreno 312-943-7840
Ext. 83273 Anatalia.Moreno@aexp.com or Anoop Mittra
888-472-7847 amittra@cruiseplanners.com |
Click on this link for further
details:
http://www.icruise.com/5-night-pacific-coastal-cruise_statendam_9-29-2013.html
Third:
Cruise (Central Coast Port) - The following
cruise is offered and the link provided
will give you all the information regarding Port, Cruise Line, Dates,
Approximate Cost/pp, Duration, and other pertinent information:
Ø Cruise
Line – Princess (Caribbean Princess)
Ø Embark
& Disembark Port – Houston, TX
Ø Duration
– 6 nights/7 days
Ø Ports
of Call – Houston, Cozumel, Roatan, Belize City, Houston
Ø Dates
– November 9th 2013 4:00 PM –
November16th 2013 7:00 AM
Ø Prices
– Booking 60/90 days prior to departure ($649, $749, $999, $1,249) and cheaper
if less than 60 days.
|
Ø Travel Agents – Your own choice or
following suggestions (mention “Brent Reunion
Group”): Anatolia Moreno 312-943-7840
Ext. 83273 Anatalia.Moreno@aexp.com or Anoop Mittra
888-472-7847 amittra@cruiseplanners.com |
Click on this link for further
details:
Fourth:
(Prior Locations) – Suggestions are:
Ø Virginia/DC
area, similar to the one held in 2002 – Louis Jurika
Ø Dallas/Rockwall
– John & Julie Grant
Ø Virginia/DC
area – Fred Crouter
Ø San
Francisco – Eddy Pay
Fifth:
(New Locations) – Suggestions are:
Ø Santa
Fe - Steve Griffiths
Ø Shrine
Mont Orkney Springs, VA – Dick Banks
Ø Lake
Tahoe – Eric Harrington
Ø New
Orleans – Leilani Hino
Ø Bocas del Toro, Panama – Sally Ramirez http://www.hotelitodelmar.com/
Ø Panama
Canal cruise – Pamela Nargie
Ø Las
Vegas – Marcia Mau
Ø Chicago
– Marcia Mau
Ø St.
Louis – Fred Crouter
Ø Windjammer-Like
cruise – King Amos
Ø Maine
– Terry Lewis
Ø Seattle
– Mark Pfeifer
Ø Vancouver
– Eddy Pay
Happy Voting!
Subject: Cruise Awareness
Date Posted: 02/01/2013
In the event a Cruise
is selected and for those of us who may not have been on a cruise recently,
here are comparative costs and Do’s & Don’t you should be aware of. It is
my take on five cruises I have been on (East Coast/Europe) and common to most
all. If you have experiences to share, please e-mail brentkids@sesi.com and I
will include them in this posting as we
go along.
Cruise Lines (my experiences):
Cunard – Excellent. Mostly Atlantic/Europe Crossings. Best for our age group.
Carnival – Worst. For
teenagers and families with young children.
Princess – Leaning
towards Carnival category, but tolerable.
Norwegian –
Excellent.
Holland America –
Next to Excellent.
Costs
Most all cruise lines
provide a package deal in terms of costs (mainly accommodation, entertainment &
food). When you think of it, an 8 day 7
night stay at any major hotel in a major city for the same services would run approximately $850.00 for one on the
low side (or 120.00/day for one to include estimated meals and expenses), less any
air travel. A cruise for the same services, would run approximately $650.00 or
less for one (dependent on your state-room selection) or $93.00/day for one.
But there are “surprise” costs that you should be aware of. First, every Line
imposes a daily “Tip” or gratuity on your bill for the waiter that waits on
you, the steward that makes up your room, to the butler that makes those funny
animal figures with your towels. Normally it is around $12.00/day or $96.00 per
stateroom. Expectations are that you would also leave an equivalent amount in
your state-room upon departure if you believe you received superior service
(which you normally do since they are cheerfully at your beck and call 24/7).
Next, there are taxes, Port Fees, etc. that are usually included but may not be part of your reservation.
One other trick of the trade is Dining. All Lines have a running buffet 24/7 on
one or two of the decks. You will never go hungry, yet, the same food that is
served at the buffets, should you elect to be guaranteed a dining room table
with a waiter and wine specialist (forgot what they call them – Sommeliers? ),
would cost you as high as $20.00/night for one if you dine elegantly in the
evenings. They do not tell you that when they ask you what dining hour you
prefer, 6:00, 7:00 or 8:00 PM. It magically appears on your bill at the end of
the cruise. Last, room service, laundry, special services all have a price tag,
so ask before you submit your room key (all-to-be-all temporary credit card).
Given all of that, where you are now is close to the same costs as your one
city stay, but consider the 3 to 4 ports-of-call you visit, the entertainment
events 24/7, the unlimited food and beverages (non-alcoholic) and add those as
costs and you will conclude that you have saved money by going on a cruise.
Cash & Credit
When you register at
the Port for departure, they will ask for a Credit Card “retainer” to insure
that they may charge the “Tip”, any purchases
you made, any Port tax/fees if not included. (BTW – trying to pay with a
personal credit card vs. the “all-to-be-all” card while you are on the cruise,
is painful). Bring cash for your off-shore visits, Casino, and parking (if you
drive to a Port in Ft. Lauderdale as I did ($100.00 for 8 day parking)). To get
cash via credit card or check usually runs around 15%. Credit at the Casino is usually less
(6%) to be used at the tables up to $1000.00/ day – wonder why!? One last item.
Keep the “all-to-be-all” card they issue you (which serves as your room key,
purchase card, embark/disembark ID, etc.), away from your cell phone. It gets
demagnetized and you have to get a new one re-issued. That card is used for
your embark/disembark to shore/Ports of Call (as well as your Passport in some
cases).
Attire
Most cruises have a
one or two night formal wear for dining at your reserved hour (if you so choose
to). A tux, suit (jacket) and cocktail dresses are required. Otherwise,
depending on the season, pack light with shorts pants and polo shirts/blouses
for East Coast cruises. A jacket would come handy as well as an umbrella for
off-shore visits.
Duty Free
There are many
bargains to be had at the constant sales and special promotions aboard ship.
Watches, Jewelry, and liquor can be had for as much as 60% off. The liquor,
however, cannot be consumed while on-board. If you purchase any, they will
deliver it to your state-room on your last day. That has two reasons, one more
important than the other. First, they would prefer that you purchase your
drinks by the glass (more cost) and two, liability in the event you get too
drunk and go Postal.
Passport & Customs
You will need a
passport if you wish to disembark at any of the Ports-of-Call. Make sure your
passport is valid for a minimum of 6
months beyond your return date. When you make your reservations or supply your
travel agent the information, be sure that the name you supply is identical to
what is on your passport (middle initial or name). If you have a non-relative
minor (less than 18 years old), you will need a parental release form or she/he
cannot accompany you without his/her parents. I had a cousin of my daughter
going with me and my daughter on one cruise and had to fax a parental form from
her mother to the port authorities the last minute and almost missed the
cruise. You will be given a Customs form to fill out for the end of your
cruise. There are limits on what you can bring back to the States duty free. In
all the five cruises I have been on, the Customs folks were all sleep at the
time of departure and never checked anyone’s bags.
Entertainment (Shipboard)
The Love Boat has
nothing on the current cruises. All night Piano Bar, Wine tasting sessions,
Casino, Las Vegas type shows, dance halls (and in the case of the retired Cunard QE-II, Tea-time service promptly at 4:00 with white
glove service and cucumber sandwiches), auctions, in-door/out-door pools and
hot tubs, video/game parlors, Spa’s, fitness clubs, and a lot I cannot remember
without a drink in my hand.
Entertainment (Port Excursions)
Several to choose
from that can be purchased before the cruise or while you are on-board. From
scuba diving to city tours to hiking, etc. My preference is to do my own thing.
Get a cab at the port and take in the city and eat at the local restaurants.
Normally you are given anywhere from 6 to 8 hours at a Port. Don’t miss the
departure time or you will have to catch a plane to the next Port the ship
calls.
Communication
Your cell phones will
work but not always. If you have a smart phone, make sure you disable the Data
option or you will find a large bill from your carrier upon return. Onboard
ship they have internet and phone service availability. They may charge for
their use. Your iPads,
laptops, computers … leave them behind. You are on a cruise Reunion/Vacation!
Staterooms
There are basically
four groups. Inside, Outside, Balcony, and Suite(s). If you plan on spending
very little time (mostly for sleeping quarters) in your stateroom, choose the
Inside. It is the cheapest and a bit noisier since it is usually on the lower
decks close to the engine room and a bit more cramped. If you would like some
sunlight in your room select Outside which will have a porthole and at least
you will be able to see the white caps. The best, is Balcony. You don’t
have to go up to the decks that have ocean view to enjoy the salt air and the
scenery. Last is the suite. You will pay more for elbow room.
Disembarking
On the evening of
your scheduled disembarkation, the ship will announce over the PA system that
you have the option to leave early by taking/lugging your own bags/luggage with you and assemble at the deck of
Disembarkation for “early” departures or leaving you bags outside your
stateroom before 12:00 AM with proper
tags and the porters would take them for you to be collected at Customs. If you
have a flight to catch, I would recommend that you take the “early” route since
even that line becomes a long one. The other advantage is that the Customs
folks do not pay too much attention to early departures (since they know they
are in a hurry), but if your bags are assembled at Customs, they may have to
earn their pay and randomly select you for bag check.
*************************************************************************************
Subject: Initial e-mail for Reunion
2013 Plans
Posted Date: 01/16/2013
Dear Brentonians of the ‘60’s era,
Before Hovaround becomes our major
investment, or the flexible cane the Christmas gift from our grandkids. Before
the richness of our experiences, incomprehensible to many, in lands far away
become forgotten by time. Before the bonds of our camaraderie fade within that
hour-glass, lets join for a 2013 Brent High School Reunion!
Eddy Pay and I (and many others) have been throwing around
the idea of a “last-Hurrah” for our generation of Brentonians.
There is approximately $3,000.00 in seed money that has been banked by David
Martin useable for this adventure. In the coming weeks I will be setting up a
“polling” system on the website (www.brentkids.com) where you can vote
for the selection that we initially put together. Selection cut-off date will
be March 1st for a Reunion in
September/October time-frame. The list of ideas (in order of preference at this
time) are as follows. Any suggestions will be welcome, and these are our
initial thoughts:
Ø Cruise Ships – (7 to 8 days) East, Central or West
departure points to be determined by committed participant clusters based on
the polling; pluses are logistics, captivity, activity, & costs(group
discounts); minuses are cluster phobia.
Ø Prior Locations – San Francisco, Virginia, & Texas;
pluses are familiarity & freedom of movement; minuses are logistics, costs
& been-there-done-that.
Ø New Locations – NOLA (New Orleans, LA), Europe, Baguio,
South America; pluses are WOW; minuses are costs & logistics.
We will form a small
committee (and hope that it does not create a Camel) to explore the selections
based on the poll results and formulate much more details for your eventual selection
(such as destinations, estimated costs, duration, dates, group discounts,
airfare options, accommodations, etc.). For now, the willingness to participate
is the first salvo where we can determine the level of interest. Nothing is
etched in stone at this point. I will send out another e-mail regarding the
voting poll very soon and hope that it will excite your participation as it may
be the last time for us to get together as a large group.
Cheers … Roy &
Eddy