TFP Caribbean Cruise 2009?
 

So I was thinking about the meetups the other day, and thinking about some of the awesome people here that I'm probably never going to meet. Like Sultana, who would be incredible to meet in person, but since I'm totally freaked out about the possibility of being capped in some random driveby shooting in LA, I'm probably never going to meet. And then I thought, that wouldn't it be neat if we could all arrange to meet in a single spot, and THEN I thought, "What about a cruise?" Royal Caribbean is always offering 3 or 5 day cruises. A three day would be about perfect, just like a long weekend. And they are quite affordable, which is one reason, that I'm looking at 2009 for a timeslot. that would give everyone time to save up, book off, and make plans. So, TFP, whatya think?

Heck of a good idea...

Will you be piloting this ship?

That's almost too far for me to plan out, since I am relatively mobile this days - definitely something that would interest me, but still would need to hash out more details before I could commit.

Sounds like fun. I wonder what 2009 will hold for me?

Therefore the whole 'planning' stage of things. I figure we should get some idea here about who would be interested in such an event, then we can look at specific dates/voyages. Planning so far ahead has the advantage of being able to book time off and save up. Besides, some cruises sell years in advance.

Oh what a good idea, mark me down as interested!!!

I would also like to meet some of the interesting personalities here on TFP in person so as to get better acquainted. This is a very intuitive proposal for a possible large-scale TFP meet-up. Sounds fun! Keep me posted for this awesome endeavor.

I, and my significant other, am very interested. I don't know where we'll be or what we'll be doing, as like amonkie, my life could go anywhere in two years. I know by then we'll be married! But I know we'll both want to go, and this much time gives us time to plan around it.

I've had the great fortune of meeting Shani and amonkie already, but I'd love to meet the rest of you who wish to come!

That's a really great idea. Why 2009, though? Surely we could get a plan together for next summer?

I would sail on the titanic for the chance to meet Lucifer and see snowy, charlatan and amonkie again ;) (and any future posters that post after me lol)

Also interested

If we're back in the US, this would be really fun... hell, even if we're still in Iceland, we could benefit from a dose of Caribbean sunshine!

I am trying to imagine a handful of arbitrary TFP members/strangers all stuck on a boat together... could get wild, in more ways than one. How to escape if we all end up not liking each other? :lol:

Sounds like a great idear. I am very interested...

I'm pleased that this idea has had some positive response. Like Rat said, I'm sure we could "whip something off" for next summer, but that may not be possible for everyone to do. Personally, my next summer is booked already, with a tentative trip to NYC in the spring and then another trip to Portugal in June; and I'm contemplating a change of jobs which might mean less money, so I'll need some more time to save up. I was hoping to get maximum TFP'ers on this one, so everyone spread the word to those who might not have seen this thread.

Next year wouldn't work for us as we are hoping to go to England for our "big" vacation, but 2009 might work. Sounds like fun, and I'm definitely interested.

I need to see at least... 5 more hot women express interest before I say anything. Need to offset all of the sunbathing grannies I'll have to witness.

Very cool idea, I am definitely interested. I could probably do it summer 08, and summer 09... I dont plan that far in advance, so I dont see why I couldnt go.


man really cool idea... I hope this happens.

ha!

I'd be interested.. once i tell my gf about this, she will be too. i think.:paranoid:

Halx if your wife comes does that lower the number to 4? or was the original number 6?

Wow, that was good jab there ShaniFaye. ;)

Color me interested.

Sounds like fun. Count me in. :)

What if it was an annual event? Or if there was SOME big annual event that brought a big chunk of TFP together?

I didnt mean it as a jab :confused: It was my way of asking if she would come too!!

I'd love to come but it's extra far for me...I'd have to save a lot. Plus the fact that I get seasick...it would have to be a big cruise ship so that doesn't happen. But it's a possibility - so I'm a maybe. 2009 is still a long way off!

I would love to see something like this happen. Any vacation destination will do, quite frankly, though for us, the more budget-minded the better.

Furthermore, if we did decide to do something like this, we would be eligible for group discounts for booking together, etc.

Yay for Coupons!

Being a homeless student really puts a damper on the vacation plans, no?

Well, two years in the future I will no longer be in college. By that time, I should be wrapping up my Master's, and I'm relying on all of you to help me celebrate.

I just like saving money--means more money for my nest egg.

I was thinking that in the evenings we could take a promenade on the TFP deck!!

This is looking like a definate possibilty for me. For some reason, a tropical cruise was an easy sell to my wife? :thumbsup:

awesome. bringing the kids too?

It was also an easy sell to my SO...hmm...

I take it that tfp grannies are not encouraged to attend, or do we have to come up with our own five hot women?

Don't underestimate the appeal of the older woman, Pen--and don't underestimate yourself. ;)

Heh, that's why I intend to bring five hot men. :thumbsup:

Yeah, the whole gang. :)

When the thread first popped up, I figured the idea was more suited to the mobile unattached members. After all, leaving my family for a weekend get-together is one thing, but heading out on a Caribbean adventure was entirely another. And then it occurred to me that I needn't go alone.

It's win-win as far as I'm concerned.

I have no idea if I can make a cruise but if I can I will. I have no idea where I will be two years from now.

I'll try to come. Knowing my luck, a sad chance of it.

count me interested too!

I would definitely be up for it...just got to make the monies.

Has this venture gained any traction so far? 'cause my plans in attending hasn't lifted off the ground at all.

Perhaps a summer '10 or '11 is more viable in terms of sensibly and feasibly preparing an agenda the great offshore Tilted Friends PileUp (or Project, if you prefer :skeptical: )

im still in...'10 is better though

we'll need a core of people willing to do this. otherwise it will never come to fruition

I'm interested, in '10.

Hahahaha...

We're still not married, and won't be until 2010...school kind of got in the way. Oh well.

And so did the recession. Given our economic situation, we won't be taking any cruises any time soon. Maybe in another couple years things will be different!

I didn't respond to this thread the first time around, so perhaps people weren't counting on me being there. I don't see Tt and I jumping into a cruise anytime in the next four years due to our current academic priorities. I will keep it in the back of my mind, though. Perhaps life will move in unexpected directions.

I'm in. You tell me the what when and where and I'll be there.

so its me and tully...who else is in

11 is better for me and the soon to be Mrs, enough time to get our wedding and combined debts cleaned up and out of the way.

I've never been on a cruise. Would it be 5-days? 7-days? What part of the Caribbean would be the best? I would vote for the Feb-March 2010 time frame, but I have no idea what work things might come up for that time frame.
Carnival Cruise Lines

I'm up for 3-5-7 or even 9 days. But I will say Carnival and Celebrity are my least favorite cruise lines. Not saying I'd pass on a TFP cruise with them. They have really good deals sometimes.

This is an excellent idea, and I would LOVE to go if I can get the cash together.

like CGirl said, excellent idea, and I'd love to go if I can get that kind of money together.
Two years from now? Yeah, I think I could save up. We'll see.
And oh gosh, time to tone up so I can wear a bikini again.

I'd still be down.

I only get 2 weeks worth of vacation a year... so planning it to cover a weekend would be good... and I wouldn't be as inclined to go on a 7 or 9 day one...

Little did I know, LOL! Since writing this I've moved to 2 different states, lost more than one job, and am finally getting back on my feet.

I really think for this to work, its going to have to be a pt your money where your mouth is. I did a cruise for christmas and having a travel agent involved significantly smoothed the process and got us some additional discounts since we booked 4 rooms. A travel agent could also help give us the best window to actually be making bookings, and also airfare packages for those who are not near the city of port.

Just went on a Carnival cruise. How are the others different.?

Word of warning ... we had fun, but it might have been nicer if it hadn't been spring break for so many. The noise level was sometimes unbearable around crowds of teens. Gawd, there were so many of them, too! The above ground hot tubs were always filled with 17-20 year olds. And I mean, FILLED. As many squashed into it as possible. Even the rim was completely full of young-uns stradling the rim with one leg in the tub and one leg on the deck. In 3 days, I couldn't get even one toe near that warm water.

I'd love to go a different time of year. But with the current events in my life, I am unsure when I could make it. If this does pan out and I can't go, I WANNA SEE PICTURES!!

We're going on our first cruise this late Summer, a short 5 day trip, to find out if we like cruises or not. So, I don't know yet about a 2010 trip.

Were they a bunch of college girls? If so, I wouldn't have a problem with that. I'll be in the hot tub quite a bit... :)

Some of them could have been college girls, if they were freshmen or maybe sophomore. But many of them looked like high school kids on their last spring break (senior year). The 21-25 year old looking ones weren't as loud or hyper, nor did they act nearly as immature. Hehe, and they didn't get close to the hot tubs often, either. I have an 18 year old daughter, and am guessing their ages based on how old her classmates look, and how some of them act. Also, I don't remember seeing them with alcoholic beverages, and I don't remember seeing them in any bars except the disco club. Which also makes me think they were of the younger crowd.

That's been my experience with Carnival and the one cruise I did with them was in early Nov. Bunch of kids getting drunk and acting immature. Actually, to be honest, it probably wasn't an act. The shit the staff put up with from these kids was amazing. They had a age policy on drinking, 21, but I sincerely think if you had the cash you got the drink. I swear some kids looked 15 at the bar. I know as I get older everyone looks younger but there's no way some of these kids were 21.

Plus anytime you left your towel or drink at/on a lounge chair and went for another drink or use the restroom they'd (the kids) just move your stuff to a table or the deck and take over your spot. I ended up telling one kid she was welcome to lay on the chair as long as she didn't mind me on top of her. Her male friend decided it was tough talk time and I exchanged a couple words with him. After which they decided to find another location.

Have had better luck with Royal Caribbean and I hear good things about Norwegian. Both are more costly usually.

Holy a vacation!! Count me in! As long as I have at least 2 weeks notice I can probably take any time off I wanted. I can't believe I never saw this thread before.

Never been on a cruise, any idea on what they cost?

Depends on the cruise, the cruise line and the stateroom you book. Last cruise I did was a five day (which is really 3. You leave a 5pm on day one and return at 7am on day five) I think an inside cabin cost me about $350. Another couple got the same type room for 250pp. Every thing's double occp. You get charged more if you travel alone. Another couple in our group got married on that cruise they book a suite on the fantail I think they said it cost them $2500. This was on Royal Caribbean and we hit Jamaica and Grand Cayman.

I vote yes for 2010.

Or, alternatively, we could just all descend on Tully Mars in Mexico and take over his place for a week. :D

That's my tentative plan for this September, anyway. Additional TFP-ers would make it an even more exciting time!

im going to make sure blahblah comes along :D haha!

sept sound good...but too close to the chicago marathon, so im unsure if i will be able to make it.

mexico sounds like an idea..

how many snorkels do you have tully?

I'd be thrilled to host a TFP gathering. In fact anyone interested in popping in is welcome anytime, just give me a heads up. I do travel some.

I have room for about eight (give or take depending on couples needing privacy.) I have a good sized completely private pool, pretty much a private beach, volley ball net can be set-up, BBQ grill etc... If more then eight are interested or people just prefer not staying here the guy that owns my house also owns a hotel. We could make a good deal with him. All his rooms are suites with kitchens, some are two bedrooms. I think he gets about $35 a night, we could do better.

Snorkeling isn't a really a big thing here as it's all sand and no reef. Not a lot to see. For the record I own one snorkel that hasn't been used, other then in class, in about 12yrs. There are many things in this area worth seeing though. Merida is an awesome city. It's very old and colonial, Very laid back. There's probably 30-40 ruin sites within an hour drive. Cenotes are really cool. Several caves. The list is long. I've been here two years this month and I could see something new everyday for the next two years and still not see everything.

But this is real Mexico, if people were interested in Cancun I know a couple condos that sleep 6-8 easily and if split up cost wise would be much cheaper then hotel rooms. they have kitchens and laundry which is always nice. Plus they overlook the Caribbean which is also a plus. In Cancun you'll want that snorkel. Plus for anyone who dives I know where to go for near empty boats and much cheaper dives.

So I'm in on the cruise, no doubt. Just tell me when and where. But I'm also totally into having people visit here.

you sold it to me. im in..

ill come back with some dates for me and let you know in about a week when im back in the UAE..your place sounds cool, so does a short cruise...im not really that fussed. its the company that counts..right?

still need to go skydiving though!

I'll be in Mexico hanging out with Tully September 19-27 or so. I'm going to give myself another week or so to make up my mind definitively and buy the plane ticket.. but yeah. Those are my vacation dates, wherever I end up. :)

Yes dlish is about time I meet you I think. Where better than at a tropical destination?! I have 5 holiday days left and my work is pretty flexible as far as taking time off.

You know, as long as it's not close to Dragoncon, I think I get a week's paid vacation. I would love to spend it with TFPers and laying on a beach somewhere. I know there is rum and Jimmy Buffett cause Tully likes both of them. Those are the 4 elements that make up the Prefect Vacation (tm).

Now... we have to get CinnamonGirl to join us. Pony, you help me out and I help you out. Ya know, wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more. :thumbsup:

Only place around here is in Playa and they're tandem factory. I got lucky the only time I went and a guy from the UK let me use his rig. Don't think the lightening is going to strike twice. I'm not jumping out of a plane with someone else strapped to my back, least not and play $300 for it.

Get back to me with dates. Dec. and Jan are completely out. I rented this place to a Canadian couple and I'm going on a over due travel binge.

---------- Post added at 01:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:33 PM ----------

Looking forward to it, making plans now... so ruins, caves, centoes, zip lines, shopping (probably have to shop).. anything else you're interested in seeing? Do you dive? Snorkel? And of course just sitting on the beach or by the pool soaking up the sun.

---------- Post added at 01:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:38 PM ----------

If you have five days take them and get on a plane. Flights to Cancun are dirt cheap right now.

---------- Post added at 01:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:42 PM ----------

Rum, check. Buffett (as well as other music) check. Beach, pool and sun, check. Seems like all thats missing is you... and Cinn. Better get to talking to her.

Now I want to visit Tully.

Oh, man. I wanna run away to Mexico.


"She came down from Cincinnati...took her three days on a train..."

So visit, you and yours are alway welcome.

---------- Post added at 05:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:51 AM ----------

Not going to find Land Sharks here so run away.

Though you might just find yourself saying...

I cant go back to america soon
So goddamn cold its gonna snow until Virginia
Yeah, theyre freezin up in buffalo stuck in their cars
And Im lyin here neath the sun and the stars.

I'm so going to be there if it fits into my schedule.

Spring / Summer 2010? Oh, it's on.

Yeah, I've already alerted the Federales. Ya know just in case you get lost.

I was going on a cruise-like adventure anyway... but if it I can get on a boat with TFPeople... that'd be a much better way to spend a few days drunk.

if someone wants to pay for my broke jobless ass to be there, feel free :p

Either way, let me know when, I'll be there to get drunk with ya.

Date change for visiting Tully: Now Oct 3-11. Including my birthday!!

I'm soooo looking forward to spending a significant amount of time on adventures, on a beach, or in a pool.. preferably in a bikini.

Hurray for vacations!! I want to go to Mexico and a cruise now.

Crompsin can show me how to be a real man!

I can only point you in the direction and insist that you wear protection. *rimshot*

You're not even going to give him any 504?

We are our own men, Tully. Some of us choose to ride 750s. Some of us choose to drink ourselves into a coma every evening.

...

I'm going on a cruise to meet TFP people and I'm only bringing cargo pants and some aviator sunglasses. And sunblock.

750? 950 V-twin, thank-you very much. Oh, wait that a Vespa... never mind.

Did you just fuck up that Progressive commercial, Tully?

No, I made it better.

I apologize, Sir. I am still hung over.

...

This cruise better have a climbing wall so I can reenact various action movies.

...

I figure my odds of getting laid on this cruise are actually less than if I went alone.

ooohh cruise or party at Tullys sounds like fun. maybe I should finally get around to getting a passport.

Sir? Well fuck you too, hope that hang over last two days.

---------- Post added at 08:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:49 AM ----------


Yep, either way you're going to need a passport. Should have one.

My passport is ready. I guess the biggest question is: How sick are we all gonna get from the food?

Depends on the cruise line.

Here, I don't think I've ever gotten sick from the food.

I think if we all get sick at the same time we can make some sort of a game out of it.

You mean the game that PoA plays regularly on the weekends?

We call it "Who will choke on their puke and die first?"

So far, nobody's won...

I worked as a cook for a short time on a cruise ship, it's not that bad. It's like generic corporate food stuffs. They use fresh ingredients, there are people who's job is to do nothing but cut carrots all day. Meat is frozen. Nothing is leftover. Everything is tossed after it has been on the buffet. They are ANAL about food prep and care on cruises. Most people get sick because they eat something they are allergic to or just fucking pig out all the time.

*****

Dude, I'm down for this. I can do a cruise as long as we have set dates and I have a good while to save for it.

Cromp, POA, and I will rock that boat. After that we will most likely get kicked off the boat.

Yeah, as long as I have time to save, I'll be all over this!

I'm going to get belligerent, piss you all off, and you will have nowhere to run!

Punk, Eden... I will front you cash if I have to... this needs to happen.

What the hell Eden? Do I have to behave myself or something?

Oh, you're in, too.

Well Cromps if you're fronting cash... I'll take some. Might even use some of it for the cruise.

Unless something goes wrong, I should have the cash.... but I'm always down for using Bush Baby-Killer Blood Money (tm) for getting fucked up with friends.

Blah... I may not know you, but you just don't seem up for the stupid juvenile antics and sophomoric behavior that will follow Punk, Chomp, and I. Fun games like, "Look at punk's penis... no seriously if you don't look at it, he won't put it away", "Who wants to get punched in the face", "Watch Chomp and Eden reenact the Night at the Roxbury", and my favorite "Try to have sex with women who don't speak English"!

If you want to get keelhauled along with the rest of us, come on down.