Cruise Freek Forums Blogcast

Several updates to announce to you today.  First, for those who missed the Celebrity Solstice chat with Host Bob on Saturday, a recap of chat can be found here: http://cruisefreekforums.forumfreek.com/celebrity-f28/recap-of-solstice-live-chat-t860.htm As a reminder to those who plan to book Celebrity Solstice May 25, 2009 featuring Italy, Greece and Turkey with Bob to please send your booking forms into Bob by Tuesday.  For those who didn’t attend, Bob has made special arrangements with Celebrity Cruise Lines to allow him to block group space one day earlier than the planned release date, this is just one of many advantages of booking with CruiseFreek Forums and Host Bob for this sailing.  Bob has lots of wonderful extras lined up for the group from a private cocktail to specially arranged shore tours and a few more surprises yet to be revealed!  Deposits are $900 per cabin.

Bob can hold specific cabins up to 30 days without deposit being due so if you’re thinking about this cruise, now is the time to lock in your cabin!  So you can hold a cabin while you wait for prices! Additional information on the Solstice (including cabin types) can be found at: www.cruisecelebritysolstice.com and deck plans can be located at: http://www.celebritycruises.com/plancruise/ships/ship.do?shipCode=SL Booking forms are located here: http://cruisefreekforums.forumfreek.com/Celebrity-Solstice-May-25-2009-Booking-Form-h53.htm Your information is transmitted securely with a 256 High-grade encryption system and go directly to Bob.

Again, your information is transmitted securely with a 256 High-grade encryption system and go directly to Nina. Due to Nina’s special relationship with Cunard we have unofficial confirmation that the 2009 Holiday season will return Queen Mary 2 back to New York City and sail to the Caribbean to celebrate Christmas and New Years.  TheCunard holiday group is an active one and, many pre-cruise activities are being planned in Manhattan for those who wish to participate including:

• 1 night pre-cruise stay at either the Library or Casablanca Hotel
• Dinner at Rosie O’Grady’s (http://rosieogradys.com/)
• Tickets to Radio City Music Hall for the Christmas Spectacular Show
• Transportation to events and to/from ship

Additionally several on-board social events are also being discussed including dinner at Todd English (the alternative restaurant on-board).  Join us for this very special cruise!  Who saidCunard Cruisers are stiff?! Can’t make it for Christmas in 2009?  Cruise Freek Forums is also planning on a group cruise on Queen Mary 2 for the 4th of July in 2009!  This is an excellent opportunity to experience this extraordinary ship without the commitment of a longer cruise.  We’re still waiting for the itinerary but, ifCunard follows past itinerary history, this sailing will be depart from New York and heading to New England (usually with fireworks in Boston Harbor) and Canada.  Typically it is between a 4 to 6 night sailing.

Like the Christmas sailing, our board members are busy planning pre-cruise activies including:

• 1 night pre-cruise stay at either the Library or Casablanca Hotel
• Tickets to a ball game for the guys and a shopping trip for the gals
• Dinner at to be voted upon and announced
• Theater tickets to a Broadway show - to be announced
• Transportation arrangements for all events and to/from ship

Booking Forms for the 4th of July cruise on Cunard Queen Mary 2 are located here: http://cruisefreekforums.forumfreek.com/Queen-Mary-2-Booking-Form-4th-of-July-2009-h38.htm

Your information is transmitted securely with a 256 High-grade encryption system and go directly to Nina. NEITHER HOST BOB OR HOST NINA WILL CHARGE YOUR CREDIT CARD WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION.  YOU WILL BE CONTACTED TO GO OVER PRICING AND DETAILS OF THE CRUISE AND TO OBTAIN YOUR PERMISSION TO CHARGE YOUR CREDIT CARD.  THEREFORE SUPPLYING YOUR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION ON THE FORMS IS PURELY OPTIONAL!

Lastly, you are going to be seeing changes to the Cruise Freek Forums boards during the coming weeks.  We are adding web pages for Cruise News, Cruise Specials from our registered Travel Agents and Sponsors, and most (but not all) of the advertising will be pulled off the message boards and be located on the web pages.  We hope you like the changes and, if you have any suggestions or ideas for our new design you’re more than welcome to submit them! In closing, on this St. Patrick’s Day, I’d like to offer each of you an Old Irish Blessing, I’m sure many of you know it well:

As always thank you for your support of Cruise Freek Forums, it is truly appreciated!  Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!

http://www.cruisefeakforums.com 

LIVE CHAT TONIGHT!  MARCH 15 @ 6PM EASTERN AND AGAIN 6PM PACIFIC FEATURING THE BRAND NEW CELEBRITY SOLSTICE

CAN’T MAKE THE CHAT? 

Are you spending this weekend planning your cruise vacations? Have you ever consider booking a group cruise?

Cruise Freek Forum groups are formed for pricing and amenities purposes, and, forced socialization and forced dining together are never part of our group cruises. Your reservation is handled as an individual. It’s your vacation, it’s your time attitude! Why not take advantage of one of our groups today?

Explorer of the Seas - 9 Night Canada Cruise from Bayonne, NJ departing on August 28, 2008. Travel Agent: Bob DeAgazio of Worldview Travel. Bob can be reached at: 800-869-0674 or by email at bobd@worldviewtravel.com This sailing is open for booking, deposits are $500 per cabin and a dedicated website for this sailing can be found at the following web address: http://www.explorercanadacruise08.makeswebsites.com/

Grand Princess - 14 Night Caribbean Cruise f rom Fort Lauderdale, FL departing on December 19, 2008. Travel Agent: Bob DeAgazio of Worldview Travel. Bob can be reached at: 800-869-0674 or by email at bobd@worldviewtravel.com This sailing is open for booking, deposits are $600 per person ($1200 per cabin) and a dedicated website for this sailing can be found at the following web address: http://grandprincessdecember192008.makeswebsites.com/

Ruby Princess - 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale, FL departing on February 14, 2009. Travel Agent: Susan Schaefer of Ships N Trips Travel. Susan can be reached at: 888-221-1209 or by email at susan@shipsntripstravel.com This sailing is open for booking, deposits THIS WEEK ONLY ARE JUST $100 PER PERSON. After January 19, 2008 deposits go back up to $250 per person. A website for this sailing is currently under construction. Visit: http://www.cruisefreakforums.com

Europe, 2009 - While this group is still forming, it does appear this group will traveling in May, 2009 aboard Celebrity Cruise Lines, however, this is still subject to change according to the wishes of the group. To make your point of view known and have a voice in this sailing please visit the Group Proposals section of the Cruise Freek Forums board. Travel Agent: Bob DeAgazio of Worldview Travel. Bob can be reached at: 800-869-0674 or by email at bobd@worldviewtravel.com for questions or comments about this forming group. Visit http://www.cruisefreakforums.com

Alaska, 2009 - While this group is still forming, it does appear this group will traveling in July, 2009 aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, however, this is still subject to change according to the wishes of the group. To make your point of view known and have a voice in this sailing please visit the Group Proposals section of the Cruise Freek Forums board. Travel Agent: Bob DeAgazio of Worldview Travel. Bob can be reached at: 800-869-0674 or by email at bobd@worldviewtravel.com for questions or comments about this forming group. Visit http://www.cruisefreakforums.com

July 4th, 2009 on Queen Mary 2 - While this group is still forming, this group will be traveling during July 4th week in 2009, however, this is still subject to change according to the wishes of the group and availability from Cunard. To make your point of view known and have a voice in this sailing please visit the Group Proposals section of the Cruise Freek Forums board. Visit http://www.cruisefreakforums.com

Bermuda, 2009 - While this group is still forming, it does appear this group will traveling in June, 2009, however, this is still subject to change according to the wishes of the group. To make your point of view known and have a voice in this sailing please visit the Group Proposals section of the Cruise Freek Forums board. Visit http://www.cruisefreakforums.com

Genesis of the Seas, Fall, 2009 - Our opt-in list for Genesis of the Seas Inaugural sailing is rapidly approaching the 100 interested persons mark, and, as I’m sure you know there is great interest on the Cruise Freeks board about this ship and sailing. While Royal Caribbean hasn’t released much information, as the months roll along the list is certain to grow. Our assigned travel agent for this event is Susan Schaefer of Ships N Trips Travel. Susan can be reached at: 888-221-1209 or by email at susan@shipsntripstravel.com to receive information and updates on Genesis please be sure to put your email in the opt-in list which can be found at this webpage location: http://cruisefreekforums.forumfreek.com/Genesis-Inaugural-Cruise-Join-Us-h7.htm

Holiday Cruise, 2009 Aboard Cunard Cruise Lines - While this remains unofficial we have information that Queen Mary 2 is returning to New York City for the Christmas and New Year’s sailing in December, 2009. We have a lot of interest on the boards and via our opt-in list for this sailing. If you are interested in learning more about Cunard during the holidays please be sure to check out the Christmas threads on the Cunard board on Cruise Freeks. Not sure Cunard is right for you? Check out my short article titled Is Cunard Right For You. You can also read and see photos of the 2007 Christmas cruise on Cunard as written by our own Marina (Curvy Gal Cruises) in the LIVE FROM QM2 thread. Our assigned travel agent for this event is Nina Van Harn of Ambiance Travel. Nina can be reached at: 616-405-6950 or by email at Nina@ambiancetc.com A website (including sign up to receive updates on this sailing) is located at the following web address: http://www.cunardholiday2009.makeswebsites.com/

The NEW Queen Elizabeth, Inaugural Sailing, 2010 - As some of you might already know Cunard has sold QE2 after 40 years of service in the fleet. In 2010, Cunard is unveiling the NEW Queen Elizabeth and Cruise Freek Forums will be there for the inaugural sailing. Very little information about this new ship is currently available but, if you’d care to join us please be sure to visit the opt in page to sign up for updates on the ship and inaugural sailing: http://cruisefreekforums.forumfreek.com/Cunard-Queen-Elizabeth-Inaugural-2010-h29.htm Our assigned travel agent for this event is Nina Van Harn of Ambiance Travel. Nina can be reached at: 616-405-6950 or by email at Nina@ambiancetc.com

Caribbean, 2010 - While this group is still forming, it does appear this group will traveling in February, 2010, however, this is still subject to change according to the wishes of the group. To make your point of view known and have a voice in this sailing please visit the Group Proposals section of the Cruise Freek Forums board. Visit http://www.cruisefreakforums.com

Easter Cruise - April, 2010 - While this group is still forming, it does appear this group will traveling in April, 2010, however, this is still subject to change according to the wishes of the group. To make your point of view known and have a voice in this sailing please visit the Group Proposals section of the Cruise Freek Forums board. Visit http://www.cruisefreakforums.com

• Perfect for the travel agent with a smaller budget to showcase their company, and promote their vacation packages and cruise specials
• Includes listing on Cruise Agency page with company logo, link to web site, and up to 100 words of copy
• WE DO NOT PROOF READ, ADS ARE PLACED AS SUBMITTED
• Cost: $50 per month

Text Ads- $5 per advertisement

• Perfect for the travel agent with a very small advertising budget
• Text ads run for 30 days
• 100 Character maximum
• WE DO NOT PROOF READ, ADS ARE PLACED AS SUBMITTED
• Cost: $5 per ad

Banner Ads - $100 per month home page; $25 per month all other pages. Banners larger than 468 x 60 are subject to surcharge.

• Perfect for the travel agents looking for more exposure
• Banner ads run for 30 days
• Banner can contain flash
• WE DO NOT PROOF READ, ADS ARE PLACED AS SUBMITTED
• Cost: $100 per month home page; $25 per month all other pages

Newsletter Ads & Articles - Various prices see below

• Text Ads $5 per ad, limit 3 per agency
• Banner ads run $25 per banner
• Banner can contain flash
• WE DO NOT PROOF READ, ADS ARE PLACED AS SUBMITTED
• Articles written by you and promoting your agency $100 per article, we do not proof read, articles are placed as submitted

Email Blast - One Special, blasted to all registered emails $25 per blast

• Your Ad, no other advertisers, based to all registed emails for $25 per blast
• WE DO NOT PROOF READ, ADS ARE PLACED AS SUBMITTED
• As to not spam our members we limit this to 2 blasts per agency per month

Email us for more information about signing up with this growing board