Hutch
A broken man on a Halifax pier, the last of Barret
OK, down the page kittynh discussed taking a JREF Cruise and it was discussed pretty throughly. I posted some preliminary info there and have done a little research since then. I'll post it here and if there is any interest I'll continue to pursue it.
I have made several presumptions--The first is that this will be in conjunction with TAM4 (or a later one), since that is when most of us are gathered--and because of the location (Las Vegas) the only viable port is Los Angeles.
From LA both Royal Caribbean and Carnival offer a number of cruises of varying lengths. The longer (7-10-15 night) I have shelved as probably too costly and the 3-night cruise runs from Friday to Monday, right in the middle of the TAM. So the 4 night cruise is the only reasonalbe option. They leave on Monday about 5:30pm and return to the Port of Los Angeles Friday at 8:00am.
Since getting from ship to LA to TAM4 might take all of Friday morning and some of the afternoon (thus missing a large part of the TAM), the only logical time is after TAM4, which Linda indicated to me is planned at this time for 26-29 January (Linda, if this is my misunderstanding, please correct). Therefore the cruise must leave Monday afternoon, 30 Jan 06, returning to port Friday morning, 4 Feb 06.
OK, that leaves us getting from the TAM (in Las Vegas) to the port and back. Airline round-trip flights look to be about $95-$100, although cheaper fares may be available between now and then (I haven't yet contacted Southwest). Note, we would have to rent a bus or take taxis/limos to/from LAX if we fly to the Port and that will cost extra.
The rental of a bus (one of the big tour-type cruisers) to take us from LV to LA is about $2,800 from the one quote I have received, which sounds huge but if you have 30 people on the bus, it comes out to about $90 each (I'll pickup the extra C-Note), albeit for a 7 hour ride. If only 20 come from the TAM, then the cost is more like $135 each and flying may be the better option. Also, if we take the bus we probably won't get back to Vegas on Friday in time to make our flight (especially those of us back East) and would have to spend another night in LV.
As for ship costs, I am waiting for a quote from Royal Caribbean and some further data from Carnival. It appears that the cost is between $214 per person/double occupancy (interior cabin) and as high as $329 (oceanview cabin). Neither line has been real forthcoming in terms of taxes and 'other charges', so I will post these when I get them. All-in-all, 4 nights bed and all meals for 3 fulls days and part of a fourth isn't a bad deal at those prices.
So for those considering budgets, you could do it for under $500 an individual, depending on the taxes, the room you want, and gifts/tours at the destinations. I admit, on top of TAM this is a good chunk of change and it's the reason I'm working this now, 9-10 months ahead, so people can think about it.
Also, there is a possiblity that some folks who can't make TAM because of finances or scheduling might want to Cruise. I have included in the Bus costs a stop at LAX to meet anyone like this.
Obviously, it would be better to do TAM and Cruise, but I know most folks have to plan the budget.
Anyway, there it is. I'm going to suggest that one of the mods put a sticky on this so that people who drop by only now and then can read it without it leaving the page.
Now people, I've done some of the footwork, and I'll say now I'm willing to do some of the committments (like reservations, committing using my credit card, etc.) if there is real interest.
So your job now is to TALK!!! E-Mail, PM, Pony Express, I don't care how, TALK TO EACH OTHER. PM folks who seldom come to this part of the board. Sit down and start cruching numbers to see if this is feasible. PM me or add to this thread if your interested. If you're single like me, start looking for roommates right now! (Since I doubt either rebecca or Suez could be convinced that I'm suitable roomate material, I'll try to talk Brown into coming along). But the sooner we know if this is doable the sooner I can put some real energy into it.
OK, that's enough out of me. Now the rest of you get to thinking.
PS--One more thought. Linda/Karl/Kramer/Kitten, of course you are invited to join us and do you think that maybe the Amazing one might like a Ocean cruise as an after-TAM respite?
I have made several presumptions--The first is that this will be in conjunction with TAM4 (or a later one), since that is when most of us are gathered--and because of the location (Las Vegas) the only viable port is Los Angeles.
From LA both Royal Caribbean and Carnival offer a number of cruises of varying lengths. The longer (7-10-15 night) I have shelved as probably too costly and the 3-night cruise runs from Friday to Monday, right in the middle of the TAM. So the 4 night cruise is the only reasonalbe option. They leave on Monday about 5:30pm and return to the Port of Los Angeles Friday at 8:00am.
Since getting from ship to LA to TAM4 might take all of Friday morning and some of the afternoon (thus missing a large part of the TAM), the only logical time is after TAM4, which Linda indicated to me is planned at this time for 26-29 January (Linda, if this is my misunderstanding, please correct). Therefore the cruise must leave Monday afternoon, 30 Jan 06, returning to port Friday morning, 4 Feb 06.
OK, that leaves us getting from the TAM (in Las Vegas) to the port and back. Airline round-trip flights look to be about $95-$100, although cheaper fares may be available between now and then (I haven't yet contacted Southwest). Note, we would have to rent a bus or take taxis/limos to/from LAX if we fly to the Port and that will cost extra.
The rental of a bus (one of the big tour-type cruisers) to take us from LV to LA is about $2,800 from the one quote I have received, which sounds huge but if you have 30 people on the bus, it comes out to about $90 each (I'll pickup the extra C-Note), albeit for a 7 hour ride. If only 20 come from the TAM, then the cost is more like $135 each and flying may be the better option. Also, if we take the bus we probably won't get back to Vegas on Friday in time to make our flight (especially those of us back East) and would have to spend another night in LV.
As for ship costs, I am waiting for a quote from Royal Caribbean and some further data from Carnival. It appears that the cost is between $214 per person/double occupancy (interior cabin) and as high as $329 (oceanview cabin). Neither line has been real forthcoming in terms of taxes and 'other charges', so I will post these when I get them. All-in-all, 4 nights bed and all meals for 3 fulls days and part of a fourth isn't a bad deal at those prices.
So for those considering budgets, you could do it for under $500 an individual, depending on the taxes, the room you want, and gifts/tours at the destinations. I admit, on top of TAM this is a good chunk of change and it's the reason I'm working this now, 9-10 months ahead, so people can think about it.
Also, there is a possiblity that some folks who can't make TAM because of finances or scheduling might want to Cruise. I have included in the Bus costs a stop at LAX to meet anyone like this.
Obviously, it would be better to do TAM and Cruise, but I know most folks have to plan the budget.
Anyway, there it is. I'm going to suggest that one of the mods put a sticky on this so that people who drop by only now and then can read it without it leaving the page.
Now people, I've done some of the footwork, and I'll say now I'm willing to do some of the committments (like reservations, committing using my credit card, etc.) if there is real interest.
So your job now is to TALK!!! E-Mail, PM, Pony Express, I don't care how, TALK TO EACH OTHER. PM folks who seldom come to this part of the board. Sit down and start cruching numbers to see if this is feasible. PM me or add to this thread if your interested. If you're single like me, start looking for roommates right now! (Since I doubt either rebecca or Suez could be convinced that I'm suitable roomate material, I'll try to talk Brown into coming along). But the sooner we know if this is doable the sooner I can put some real energy into it.
OK, that's enough out of me. Now the rest of you get to thinking.
PS--One more thought. Linda/Karl/Kramer/Kitten, of course you are invited to join us and do you think that maybe the Amazing one might like a Ocean cruise as an after-TAM respite?