Scuba Cruise Monthly Newsletter & Updates
March 19, 2007
This is a friendly reminder that our $25pp cruise deposit promotion is about to expire. If you or your friends want to take advantage of this, please make sure you reserve your cruise ASAP. The normal deposit of $300pp will take effect when this promotion expires.
A couple of people recently emailed some questions about dive reservations. In St. Lucia, we have opted to coordinate our dives independent of ShoreTrips. The dive operation we have selected is highly recommended in a number of independent reviews we have found. Please note that this dive shop does not require that you to prepay. Rather, they ask that you to guarantee your dive reservation with a credit card. Directions are posted under dive package info, and it's a good idea to reserve your dive in St. Lucia now. In the event you are unable to dive, there is no penalty for canceling, 24 hours in advance.
Because we have limited spots on the dive boats in all three ports, at the very least you MUST let us know of your plans to dive with the group. A few people not connected to the group have expressed a desire to dive with us if there is available space. We need to know the members of our group who plan to dive in each port, and those who don't. Remember, you do not have to pay for any of your dives to be placed onto the dive boat list.
Please contact Suzi if you have any questions. Have a good week!
March 15, 2007
Just a short note to encourage you to check out the new dive operation information posted today.
March 13, 2007
You are welcome to make a payment of any amount on your cruise booking at any time by logging onto CruiseQuick's Secure Online Booking Engine . Please have your CruiseQuick invoice handy and carefully enter in the required information. Please note that although the submit button says "Final Payment", the amount you pay towards your cruise can be in any amount.
Cruise Quick will send you a revised invoice soon thereafter. Good luck!
March 10, 2007
March 2007 Newsletter
I hope everyone is doing well. From here on out, I will be posting a monthly newsletter and regular group updates at the 2007 Scuba Cruise Website. Please don't hesitate to contact me, Suzi, your Group Leader if you have any questions or concerns.
CruiseQuick Update
Within 24 hours of booking your cruise using CruiseQuick's secure online booking engine you should receive an invoice via email. Please check over your invoice from top to bottom to make sure the information is correct. If you find any mistakes, please notify CruiseQuick, or me, immediately. There is someone at CruiseQuick 24 hours a day and their email response is very good. If you prefer to discuss your booking via the telephone, please do not hesitate to contact me in California at (916) 961-4399 after 4pm Pacific Time. I am able to assist you with most issues; if not, I will gladly let you know the steps to take to resolve any concerns you may have.
Your second deposit of $275pp will be due on June 1, 2007. Please note that you are welcome to make your second deposit at any time; we have a special online link for that also (please email me requesting the link to the payment web page). You can make payments on your booking in ANY amount at any time using the same link. Once your reservation posts $600 ($300pp) you're home free until the September 9, 2007, which is the final payment due date. After posting $600 to their cabin booking, most people opt for a cabin assignment. Remember, you will not be assigned a cabin until your reservation posts $300pp.
For a complete summary of CruiseQuick's cancellation policy, please visit our website.
Dive Package Information
We now have our dive package squared away in each port of call. You can expect to pay between $88 and $96 for two tank dives in St. Maarten, St. Lucia and St. Kitts. For pricing and specific information, please stop by the Dive Package Info page at our group website. In a nutshell, we have reserved diving in St. Maarten and St. Kitts through ShoreTrips and a two-tank dive package in St. Lucia through Dive Fair Helen.
If you are planning to dive with us, please email me at scubacruise2007@yahoo.com .
As last time, I will have an updated dive boat list on our group website; I will need your first name and last initial and your buddy's (if you have one). Please refer to the information posted at the group website to book your dives.
Important Reminder: Getting to Fort Lauderdale
The Carnival Miracle will be departing out of Fort Lauderdale the day after Thanksgiving. If you plan to fly out to Fort Lauderdale the day of the cruise, remember, those red-eye flights will book up fast. If you plan to fly into Fort Lauderdale Thanksgiving night, hotel reservations could be hard to come by at the last minute. This is just a friendly reminder. Don't procrastinate!
Ship Info
If you sailed with us in December, you saw the Carnival Miracle docked next to the Carnival Valor in Costa Maya. The Miracle is a little smaller than the Valor, but very similar in design. You can expect the staterooms to be identical to those aboard the Valor. Many of the public areas will also be similar.
The Miracle was completed in 2004, so it's one of Carnival's newest ships. It's design is identical to the Pride and other Spirit class ships – a favorite among Carnival past guests. I will periodically post reviews and other ship specific information at our group website. For more information, I recommend you check out the Ship Info page at our website; you'll find some excellent links there, as well as some pictures.
Travel Documentation
You will need a valid US Passport to cruise this year. If you do not already have one, please don't delay.
Here is information pertaining to obtaining a US Passport:
General Passport Information from US Department of State Applying for a US
How to Renew a Passport
You can renew an expired passport by mail - simply download the appropriate PDF file and send it along with your check and picture to one of the US Passport Processing Centers. If you have never had a Passport, you will have to visit a US Post Office or a US Passport office. Having the forms filled out and ready to go will speed up the process.
Link to US Passport Applications
Conclusion
That's it for now! Please check the group website often for updates. If you are planning to dive with us, don't forget to email me.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Suzi Rudek
March 9, 2007Additional information for booking dives and updating the group's boat list. See "Dive Package Info."
March 8, 2007
Diving in St. Lucia is negotiated with "Dive Fair Helen" dive shop. See "Dive Package Info."
