Hey Cruisers,
Only 13 more days until we cruise!!!!!

Please check your email and the blog regularly, there may be last minute information bits we need to share with you. 

I hope by now you have an idea of what to pack for the cruise.  My mom sent an email with a cruise checklist to give you an idea of what is needed.  Also, please remember, kids need to dress up on formal night also.  Jeans and tennis shoes are not allowed for adults or children in the formal dining area.  It was stated that slacks and button down shirts are appropriate for boys and a party dress for the girls is sufficient. Here are some suggested ideas for formal night for boys:



See you soon; if you have questions, suggestions or concerns, please share so we can discuss.

Hey Cruisers,

I hope by now you have or will be going online to check-in for the cruise.  We are 20 days away!!!  If you need assistance,  call the 1-800 number provided on the screen, they can walk you through it.  You can register up until the day before the cruise leaves, but we hope you will take care of it before then. 

We took a field trip to Galveston yesterday to map out the best route, locate the parking facility and the terminal.  We will get that information to you soon.  Please go online to secure your parking for the cruise.  It is a small lot with minimal covered parking spots and indoor parking spaces.  So please take care of that really soon.  The name of the facility is Galveston Park N' Cruise, 1-866-479-7275, 2514 New Strand, Galveston, Tx; website:  www.galvestonparkncruise.com. When making the reservation, please add the promo code PNCFR for your discount.  It can be done online.

Here is a tip from a friend who cruises with her family just about every summer.  She keeps their documents in plastic document holders.  Each has their own envelope with copies of the boarding pass, birth certificate, DL, passport, etc.  When they check in, each person has all their documents all together and they hand them over to the check in person.  She states it goes faster than having to dig in yor wallet for this, fishing another document from your purse, etc.  Here is a sample of what she was referring to:

They can be found at Office Depot, Staples or any office supply store.  If you have an idea on this or something else, let me know. 

Also, for those of us traveling with kids without both biological parents, you may need a letter from the absent parent giving permission to travel with the child.  Here is a sample letter you can use.  You will need to cut and paste, fill in with personal info, get it notorized and keep it with the child's documents.

LETTER OF CONSENT TO TRAVEL

I ___________________________________________________provide my consent for NAME OF PARENT

my child(ren) ____________________________________________ to travel with NAME OF CHILD(REN)

________________________________ to ____________________________ from NAME(S) OF ADULT TRAVEL COMPANION(S) COUNTRY/COUNTRIES

________________________________ to ____________________________ . DATE DATE

(List specific travel information in the space below such as airline, flight number, cruise line and ship or tour operator.) ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Signed_____________________________________________________________ PARENT'S NAME

Telephone/Contact:__________________________________________________

Address:

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Signature of Notary:__________________________________________________

Notary's Printed Name: ____________________________________________

Notary Seal: See you soon!!!!!!!

Here's hoping everyone has a Happy Memorial Day holiday!  

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
-John F. Kennedy 

My Mom sent an email with a draft agenda, it is only a draft, for the most comprehensive agenda, please read the one posted on the blog.  Also, you can print your boarding passes when you register, check the email sent directly from Cruises for Less on 4/20/2012, it explains the directions on how to register, print your boarding pass and luggage tags.  I would re-read all documents sent by Penny to make sure nothing is missed.


Cozumel Excursions
Uncle Robert sent a link to Cozumel excursions 

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=cozumel+mexico+tulum&fr=yfp-t-701-s
 In addition, here are some more websites for you to review to help with selecting the excursion that's right for you.

Cozumel Tours by Johann and Sandra
www.cozumel-tours.com/cozumel-ferry-schedule.htm

Cozumel Watersports
www.cozumelwatersports.com/

This is Cozumel
thisiscozumel.com/content/blogcategory/76/64/

 Just for comparison, here are the Cozumel excursions offered through Carnival.


 

Hey Guys,
I'm Back!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is our proposed itinerary for the Rison Family N' Friends Reunion Cruise:
June 17, 2012-Welcoming BBQ/Fathers Day Dinner at TJ and Nell's at 3:00pm

June 18, 2012-Depart for Galveston no later than 10am (the earlier the better)
June 18, 2012-Ship embarks from Galveston at 4:00 pm.
June 18, 2012-Pick up Cruise Bags with T-Shirts from 6-9pm (location to be determined on ship)

June 19, 2012-Family Day and Activities on the Cruise in the Piano Bar at 9:00am
June 19, 2012-Family Day Pictures around 11:30am
June 19, 2012-Family Luncheon around 12:30pm
June 19, 2012-Formal Dinner with the Captain (formal night) at 6:00pm

June 20, 2012-Dock in Progreso, Mexico from 7:30am to 4:00pm

June 21, 2012-Dock in Cozumel, Mexico from 8am-3pm
June 21, 2012-All White Night Karaoke/Dancing starting at 8pm until the sun comes up, if you can hang!!! (age 17 until 10:00pm, 18 and older can party with us all night).
       Definition of All White Attire-Here are some examples:

   For you guys:

You can go casual with a white T and white jeans or you can combine it with a leisure suit jacket, sundress, romper with heels or a linen suit.  Look your best,  this is our night to let loose and party.  I think I might go for the Amber Rose ensemble, who else is with me.

June 22, 2012-Fun Day At Sea
June 23, 2012-Disembark at Galveston beginning at 8am.

Please check your email and the blog at least 2 to 3 times per week, only 25 more days until we cruise.  Since we are 25 days out, you can go online and print your boarding pass and luggage tags.

Soon, if not today, I will post Cozumel excursions.

Hey Guys,
By now you should have received an email with lots of information from Penny in regards to boarding passes, luggage tags, 'things to know' and final cabin assignments.  Please read over this information carefully.  In addittion, here are some bits and pieces I wanted to pass along to you.

Progresso Excursions

• If considering a spa treatment onboard, as an alternative, you may want to think about getting a massage on the relaxing, calming beach in Progreso.  A massage on board starts at $100 for an hour.  As you know, the more you get done, the price goes up from there.  You can enjoy a simple massage on the beach in Progreso for $15 an hour.  This is just a little savings tip.
• A tour company in Progreso named Auto-Progreso also has tours available to Ruins in Progreso.  A number of comments on cruise sites list this as a very reputable establishment.  You can order online or wait until you get off the ship to purchase your excursion.  Here are the ones available:   

                 Excursion                           Auto Progreso                  Carnival
                 Merida                                      $25                                 $40
                 Chichen Itza                             $49                                 $79
                Uxmal                                        $49                                $79
                Dzibilchalton                            $29                                  $59
                Open Bar on Beach                  $45-you can relax by beach and eat and drink all day for $45
                Dzibilchalton & Merida           $39
                Merida on Foot                         $10

• For you hair fashionistas, hair braiding is available on the beach for $10 dollars.  It takes about an hour.

The next time I will post Cozumel excursion deals. 

The Welcoming Dinner will be held on June 17, Father's Day.  We will have a special treat for Father's.  There will be a competition to see who in the Rison family can make the best homemade ice cream.  I know Uncle Donald Ray thinks he does but we will see.  If you want to get in on this treat as a participant or happy by-stander waiting to sample, join us on June 17th.  The menu for that day is: TJ's BBQ Brisket, sausage, potato salad, baked beans, Berry Pie and homemade ice cream.  My favorite is strawberry, hint, hint.  So plan to join us. 

                        

Hey Cruisers,

I hope you had a great weekend!!  We have been busy collecting t-shirt sizes, coordinating menus and gathering needed info.

I wanted to pass along to you a website I found that will give you an idea of a daily itinerary while on the ship.  Although it is from a previous cruise, it should give you an idea of all the activities on board.  You can look it up by the ship's name Carnival Triumph.  The ship before the Triumph that sailed out of Galveston was the Ecstasy, so look up both.

www.cruisedailies.com 

Enjoy!

Hey Cruisers,
Just passing along information as I find it.  Here are some websites I found while looking for shore excursions.  A number of people I talked to have shared that you can book shore excursions when we dock.  You do not have to book through the ship.  Here are a few reputable ones recommended to me:

https://secure.shoretrips.com/
 http://cozumelwatersports.com/
http://www.cozumelbarhop.com/
Cozumel Cruise Excursions
http://www.cozumel-tours.com/massage-spa.htm

Also, I need your t-shirt sizes.  Please get them to me as soon as you can.  My mom will be calling and following up.  The design is in the final stages of completion, I know you will like it.