Low Carb Cruise 2009

[regandy]

It is time to announce the NEXT cruise!!! Everyone who went last year had so much fun that we just KNEW that we wanted to do it again -- and there are so many more of our online friends that we want to meet.

I am posting this across our Low Carb community to encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to meet up and have a great time. The 2008 Cruise was a lot of fun. We had 46 people from all over the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. It was a relaxed time and so fantastic to meet such wonderful people.

If you might be interested there is a link at the bottom of this page where you can get more information OR you can PM me directly.

Here are the particulars:

WHEN: January 19-23, 2009 (Monday through Friday)

WHERE: Sailing out of Galveston Texas; going to Cozumel & Progreso Mexico

COST: $400.19 per person double occupancy (AND GOOD NEWS -- this includes the taxes AND port charges; please note that their might be another fuel surcharge - I am not certain about this yet approx $25-$35) -- AND this is for the cheapest inside cabin only. When you actually go and sign up you will be given the option for other cabins with different rates. This is inclusive!which means all meals and beverages are included. What it does NOT include are any special excursions (optional), alcohol, gambling, and souveniers.

DEPOSIT: $50 per person, or $100 for the cabin -- REFUNDABLE. If you want to go and are still not sure about the details, you can go ahead and sign up to reserve your place. IF something happens and you cannot go, this is refundable (up to 30 days before we sail).

DEADLINES:
.....deposit -- [COLOR="Red"]May 6th [/COLOR](if this is a problem drop me a PM for alternatives)
.... 1st payment -- $150, due September 8th
.... 2nd (final) payment -- balance due November 6th

CABIN-MATES: ANYONE you would like. You can take a family member, friend, OR stay with one of your low-carb friends. That is up to you. Cabins are for DOUBLE occupancy which means that if you don't have a cabinmate you will pay double for a room by yourself.

Feel free to post your questions here because there may be others who have the same questions or you might find your answer at one of these links.

General Information Link

Cruise Reservation Link

I am using a very reputable company. This is my 3rd year doing business with them and I have not had ANY problems. They really go out of their way to work with our group and to make this a fantastic trip.

I HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US!!! Post here and let me know if you are considering it.

(Thanks again, Tom, for helping us get the word out. Hope YOU can make it!!)

[realityjunkee]

I'm definitely interested!

[Stellar]

Sounds fun. Will have to talk it over with DH.

[LChottie07]

Speaking as one of those 46 cruisers that went this year, I can attest that this was probably one of the best vacations I have ever had. It was incredible to finally meet some of my friends that I've gotten to know so well here online. We have some fantastic plans in store for this year and it will be well worth it! Please join us cause it will be AMAZING!!!

ETA: Thank you so much Tom for helping us get the word out about this fantastic event!!

[MeekNHumble]

Hi,

I just spoke w/my soon2b hubby and he said I can attend... so, count me in

[LChottie07]

Meekness, we'd love to have you!!! Welcome Aboard!

[MeekNHumble]

I'm excited -

[regandy]

Yea!! Welcome and cannot WAIT to meet you! You are gonna have such a great time. Woohoo!!!!!

[MeekNHumble]

Becky, is a passport needed???

[LChottie07]

It might be Meekness... But even if it's not, it makes transition SOOO much quicker and easier. I would recommend getting one if you don't have it yet.

[MeekNHumble]

I will apply for one next week. Thanks

[regandy]

There was a move to make passports necessary for ALL travel out of country, but it didn't go through.

You don't NEED passport, BUT as Christin said, it does make it a lot easier. IF you don't have a passport then you will have to have your ORIGINAL birthcertificate or a certified legal copy (NO photocopies).

... besides, passports are good for 10 years. Nice to have. Never know when you might need to jet over to Paris for a good pair of shoes! hahahahaha .... hey, I can dream.

[elyseelyse]

Sounds so fun!!

Would actually like to go....I could not that time of year, two kids in school, and no backup child care (except for emergencies).

Not sure anyone would "like" me anymore after spending a week with me, lol.

[regandy]

elyse -- my middle name Elise

I understand with kids in school. We actually pick January and February because it is when they have the cheapest rates. THEY have "Camp Carnival" for kids on the ship.. but you have to decide if it is worth missing a week of school for. AND since I am a school principal, I cannot advise you. hahahahaha I've scheduled that week off at our school. perks.

here is a picture to share of the last cruise, it is of some of our group singing "We are Family" -- with the exception of the barefoot woman in the green shorts. She had to many Margarita's and ended up falling into everyone on stage and nearly knocking them over. It was embarrassing.

[regandy]

Slide shows of the cruise (click on the pictures to view)

[MeekNHumble]

I don't see the slide show.

[regandy]

hmmm... didn't know if it would work. You are supposed to click on the photo and be redirected to the slide show. Oh well.

[regandy]

Oh Meeknes -- You will be a newlywed?? What a great "honeymoon" this will make for you both!!

[MeekNHumble]

Originally Posted by regandy

Oh Meeknes -- You will be a newlywed?? What a great "honeymoon" this will make for you both!!

I'm getting married in August. My fiance is afraid to fly or sail (lol) so we are speading our HM in Virginia Beach I invited my cousine to tag along with me on the cruise. Yea!

BTW, you remind me of Kim Kardashian's mom, Krys... she is beautiful

[regandy]

pshawww.... hahaha Actually wish I had just a LITTLE bit of her height... I'm only 5 feet tall. THANKS!

[joolia]

Becky,

Thank you for posting this. Can you tell us a little bit about the food on the cruise? I have sailed with Carnival twice before, so I am familiar with their standard menu, but I am curious if the provide any special "low-carb" recipes for this particular cruise.

[regandy]

For those unfamiliar with cruising: Almost ALL of the food is included in the price... and all sodas and regular coffee. Bottled water, gourmet latte's, and bottled sodas cost extra, but there was a soda fountain on the Lido deck that was opened 24 hours.

There were actually 3 places to eat on the ship. There was the Lido Deck grill out by the pool, a cafeteria style Panorama Grill indoors, and then of course the evening meal was "FINE DINING". There is 24 hour free room service, also.

The food was fantastic. What was good about it was that it was served gourmet style. In other words, portion controlled. They offered "lighter" fare (Spa choices). Another thing is that you can order everything off the menu just like you want it cooked. OR what you want left off. They really catered to you! Everyone who went can tell you that you ate well, but not "stuffed".... you ate healthier than normal because everything was broiled, baked, etc. One of the things that everybody LOVED was the low-carb cheesecake. They even had HOME MADE sugar free ice cream with NO malitol. On the cruise not everyone was on a low carb diet, so it really was about individual choices. Most people pretty much avoided the 24-hour pizzaria and ice-cream parlor. hahahaha

Here are some actual pictures of a diner's plate taken on the cruise: (I don't know if the link will work) .. Food pictures 2008 Carnival Ecstasy Cruise To Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico - a set on Flickr

Yes there is a HUGE midnight buffet. It was overkill -- a monument to gluttony. We took pictures, but I don't think but a few people tasted it. We weren't judgmental with each other in regards to the food because we were all in different stages and levels of low carb eating... BUT we did use some restraint! We practiced what we have been training to do with this WOE. Some people did great, some of us exercised a little more freedom (HEY... it was my birthday!!). We were having too much fun and food was NOT the main focus. There was so much to do -- walking, the exercise room, the spa, the track, and LOTS of stairs (instead of the elevators) so it made up for any indulgences that may have been had. hahahaha

I hope this answers your questions... YES there are PLENTY of low carb choices! Lobster and Steak every night if you would like! and BUNCHES of steamed veggies! ... just be sure and tell them "No Bread, thank you!"

Here is a link to a sample menu: http://www.carnival.com/cms/Static_T.../pdf/FD_SC.pdf

[jeepifer]

Originally Posted by Meekness29

I'm getting married in August. My fiance is afraid to fly or sail (lol) so we are speading our HM in Virginia Beach I invited my cousine to tag along with me on the cruise. Yea!

If you do get a passport now, remember if you change your name after marriage you'll have to get it amended, or carry a certified copy of the marriage certificate with you. It might just be easier to wait until after the wedding to get one. It only takes about 8 weeks turnaround time, so plenty of time before the cruise!

[regandy]

Originally Posted by jeepifer

If you do get a passport now, remember if you change your name after marriage you'll have to get it amended, or carry a certified copy of the marriage certificate with you. It might just be easier to wait until after the wedding to get one. It only takes about 8 weeks turnaround time, so plenty of time before the cruise!

Thanks jeepifer... I didn't think about that! GREAT advice!

[ebonyeyz28]

OMG, I'm gonna check my budget very, very carefully to see if I can go...darn tuition!

[Recluse]

This sounds like big fun. I'm thinkin about thinkin about it! And Galveston not too bad of a drive. Hey Neighbor - LChottie - I'm in Austin too - northwest - Anderson Mill.

[thisisrightnow]

I would love to go. Unfortunately I graduate in December and will be moving to a new state and getting a new job/apartment ASAP, so I wouldn't be able to afford that.

[dbevmac]

Sounds fun. Just took the family on spring break cruise in March. You can eat really low carb if you want to. I did gain a little weight but on a previous cruise I actually lost weight. I'll look into this.

[LChottie07]

Originally Posted by Recluse

This sounds like big fun. I'm thinkin about thinkin about it! And Galveston not too bad of a drive. Hey Neighbor - LChottie - I'm in Austin too - northwest - Anderson Mill.

Hey! We really are neighbors then!! I'm in South Round Rock almost at the Cedar Park border off of 620 near Toll45 and Parmer. Nice to "meet" ya!

[Recluse]

You too LChottie! Somehow ended up on that darned toll road a few months back and from Lakeline Blvd to Parmer Ln was .75 and I had nothing but a checkbook and a debit card - so they billed me - $1.90 - now I'm real careful!