hello friends!

to celebrate our upcoming 10th wedding anniversary in may 2011 we are planning on a family vacation on Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship: Allure of the Seas. we have chosen the May 8, 2011 sailing of one week in the Western Caribbean. if you’re reading this page, it’s because we really, really, really want you to come along!

the ship.

this is royal caribbean’s latest flag ship, having it’s first sailing just this fall, i believe. there’s too much to list here about it, so please check allureoftheseas.com for more, and also the royal caribbean website for this particular cruise’s details.

part of the reason we chose this particular ship/sailing is because this is the only ship in their fleet that currently offers the dreamworks experience How to Train Your Dragon Ice Show and Madagascar Aqua Show, which we think the kids will love, and the world’s first Starbucks at sea! it also features the Chicago musical and outdoor AquaTheater.

we’ve cruised a number of times, and have never seen anything like this. we had initially wanted a hawaiian cruise, but after learning that the NCL ship that does that route didn’t have great reviews for service/food, we decided to make the ship a destination in itself, and right now, there’s nothing nicer than this (that’s in our price range, anyway)! and hey, it’s one of Oprah’s favorite things, too

the cruise.

the cruise itinerary is as follows:

Day           Port                                  Arrive          Depart

08-May    Fort Lauderdale, FL                           5:00PM

09-May    Cruising

10-May    Labadee, Haiti                8:00AM     5:00PM

11-May     Falmouth, Jamaica       10:00AM     6:00PM

12-May     Cruising

13-May     Cozumel, Mexico           8:00AM     7:00PM

14-May     Cruising

15-May     Fort Lauderdale, FL      7:00AM

the cruise pricing.

my personal friend/cruise agent melanie (cruiseship centers, langley) is currently holding group space for us on this sailing for as long as she can. booking through her you’ll also receive US$50 shipboard credit per stateroom. the categories she is holding are:

Category D5 – Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony (182 sq. ft., balcony 50 – 80 sq. ft.) $1,375 CDN per person.

Category B2 – Boardwalk View Stateroom with Balcony (182 sq. ft., balcony 52 sq. ft.) $1,375 CDN per person.

Category C2 – Central Park View Stateroom with Balcony (182 sq. ft., balcony 52 sq. ft.) $1,265 CDN per person.

Category F – Ocean View Stateroom (179 sq. ft.) $1,255 CDN per person.

Category CV – Central Park View Stateroom (199 sq. ft.) $1,205 CDN per person.

all of the above rates are per person in CDN dollars, based on double occupancy and include cruise fare, port fees & government taxes. deposit to hold each stateroom is CDN$530, with final payment due by Feb 15, 2011.

keep in mind that these quotes don’t include airfare to fort lauderdale/florida area, and any extra nights you may want to stay before or after, and any hotel/airport transfers you may need, etc.

there are cheaper staterooms (starting ~CAD$997+fees/taxes), but these will be the interior ones which are typically smaller and have no windows or balconies. in our experience, these types of rooms don’t make for an enjoyable cruise, and with a warm weather destination like the caribbean, having a window or balcony for a slightly higher price is well worth the difference. but of course, everyone has a budget they need to work with. there are also some incredible deluxe/suite staterooms, some with 2 bedrooms, a loft, etc. but of course, they are significantly more money!

fyi, our family is looking at booking a room that’s a little larger: Category GS – Grand Suite with Balcony (371 sq. ft., balcony 105 sq. ft.) $2,845 CDN for 1st & 2nd passengers & $1,265 CDN for 3rd & 4th passengers – grand total $8,220 CDN including cruise fare, port fees & government taxes.

NB. the booking deadlines for this group space being held for us is: Dec 29th for the Grand Suite, and Jan 7th for all of the other categories that were quoted.

interested?

please let us know if you would consider joining us that week. we are really hoping at least a couple of families can make it, as it would be such a great experience and memory! call us, and let’s chat more about the possibility…