Pre Inaugurals

[breal6]

Free excursions on CocoCay?? wow........i bet people take advantage of that!

 

BTW-Brenda........who ya taking??:p

 

 

HMMMMMM i think maybe i'll bring Allen along, lol

[isujim]

Jim that would be great. I was very surprised when I opened up that email from Laura. I had to read it three times before it sunk in.:)

 

 

I did too........I wasn't sure WHAT was in that email:D

[isujim]

I GOT THE INVITATION!

 

I'm hoping for Bayonne, Christie, since I'm in Philadelphia.

 

OMG, what will I tell them at school?? LOL!

 

Practicing: <cough> <cough> <damn spring flu!>

 

I'm sure with your wit and intelligence.......you'll think of something:rolleyes: LOL!

[Schplinky]

Does anyone else feel like they are living Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and we've all found the golden ticket?

[emmy]

Hi Emmy- looks like there might be a bunch of CCers on the ship. A lot of the video from the Freedom wasn't any good, so I didn't send it to anyone. New camera and I must have done something wrong. Getting ready for our transatlantic on the Navigator next month.

 

paul ~I wondered what happened... not a problem.. we had a mini Freedom reunion this past weekend in Las Vegas.

 

I have never been on a pre inaugural before..first hand experience please:)

 

I keep thinking it must be a mistake but for now I am enjoying this cloud 9 I am sitting on.

[Schplinky]

 

I have never been on a pre inaugural before..first hand experience please:)

 

I keep thinking it must be a mistake but for now I am enjoying this cloud 9 I am sitting on.

 

That's how I feel! I keep wondering "if" RCL will call and "if" we'll be invited, even though I got the email from Laura saying they would like to invite us.

 

I, too, would like to know what happens on an inaugural. I presume they would trot out the new show and the ice show. I know the drinks would be free. I wonder if there are special presentations or if there are senior RCL folks onboard? Is this essentially a shake-down cruise for the staff, so they can get used to the ship before the paying folk come?

[caviargal]

That's how I feel! I keep wondering "if" RCL will call and "if" we'll be invited, even though I got the email from Laura saying they would like to invite us.

 

I, too, would like to know what happens on an inaugural. I presume they would trot out the new show and the ice show. I know the drinks would be free. I wonder if there are special presentations or if there are senior RCL folks onboard? Is this essentially a shake-down cruise for the staff, so they can get used to the ship before the paying folk come?

 

All of the senior execs were on the FOS pre-inaugural. There was a great meeting for TA's and other interested people were invited as well.

 

They did showcase a new ice show and there was great entertainment in the lounges.

 

Certain things are not available, like room service and the specialty dining. Rooms are cleaned once a day. It is definitely a shake down for crew, many of whom are temporarily there from other ships.

 

Fain did some surfing on the FlowRider while we watched and was a great sport. The entire management team was professional and did excellent presentations.

[PH8]

HMMMMMM i think maybe i'll bring Allen along, lol

I would hope so.....:)

 

Got up and came right here.............wanted to know if anything new happened while I was sleeping......see some others got invites.....SUPER!! (You dont look very good,Carol--you ok??;) ).....

 

I will have my cell phone with me at all times today.......but you know what they say about a watched pot.....

[glgolfer]

Reading the email was almost what I would imagine realizing you just hit the lottery felt like.

I remember reading some of the posts from people on the Freedom pre-inaugural and thinking how lucky they were. Maybe we can post our own experiences now.

[Elizanessie]

Congratulations to all fellow CCrs who have got invite from CC to a PreInaugural in the USA...:D .and dont worry the 3 from UK wont drink all the free booze on our 23rd April PreInaugural here in UK :D

[PH8]

Congratulations to all fellow CCrs who have got invite from CC to a PreInaugural in the USA...:D .and dont worry the 3 from UK wont drink all the free booze on our 23rd April PreInaugural here in UK :D

Can we have that in writing??:p

[Elizanessie]

With so much to see and do in just one night ...there wont be toooo much time for drinkies..so you are quite safe ;) ...and how would it look if I turned up drunk when meeting Executives from RCCI UK :o

[PH8]

Smart lady!!:)

[Schplinky]

I wonder if the room stewards do particularly well in tips on inaugurals because everyone is so giddy to be invited.

 

Giddy! That's exactly the word to describe me since I got Laura's message!

[mbtaz]

Kathy, I am SOOO happy you got your invite!!! Think of me as you are laying by the pool sipping on those free drinks, LOL!! Seriously, so glad you were included, well deserved!

[Elizanessie]

Mmmm now I remember reading somewhere on this site that Tips were included....like RCCI gave you the vouchers for tipping...now where I read that I am not sure....perhaps it was in Freedom Pre-Inaugural reviews :confused:

[PH8]

I wonder if the room stewards do particularly well in tips on inaugurals because everyone is so giddy to be invited.

 

!

I bet..since everything else is free,people will tend to tip more,I bet....

 

Kathy, I am SOOO happy you got your invite!!! Think of me as you are laying by the pool sipping on those free drinks, LOL!! Seriously, so glad you were included, well deserved!

Thanks Mary......hopefully,you'll get one too(at least thru C and A).....G/L!!

[PH8]

Mmmm now I remember reading somewhere on this site that Tips were included....like RCCI gave you the vouchers for tipping...now where I read that I am not sure....perhaps it was in Freedom Pre-Inaugural reviews :confused:

When I was on the MA one,tips were included......even the parking was free......everything was except the spa treaments,if I recall.............

[Schplinky]

When I was on the MA one,tips were included......even the parking was free......everything was except the spa treaments,if I recall.............

 

Heck, if I'm on the pre-inagural, I'm going to tip Richard Fain if I see him. Kidding.

[Host Karen]

A group of CruiseCritic members sailing without a CC host??? Nope, can't be done, so I guess I'll have to go along. :D Ever since I heard from Laura yesterday, I, too, have been giddy (thanks, Schplinky, for that very appropriate term).

 

ChristieNJ, you are not the lone person who would prefer to sail from Bayonne. With any luck, we'll get our preference since everyone seems to want to sail from Miami. Under normal circumstances, I would prefer Miami but it would be difficult with my work schedule to swing it.

 

Before anyone asks, I don't know any more than you do, and I'll be waiting on pins and needles to hear from Royal Caribbean as well. It will be fun to meet more of my fellow CCers!

[Schplinky]

 

Before anyone asks, I don't know any more than you do, and I'll be waiting on pins and needles to hear from Royal Caribbean as well. It will be fun to meet more of my fellow CCers!

 

I have to admit, when I saw your post, I thought "ooh, she'll know something!"

 

:)

 

Back to my bed of pins and needles!

[negc]

Mmmm now I remember reading somewhere on this site that Tips were included....like RCCI gave you the vouchers for tipping...now where I read that I am not sure....perhaps it was in Freedom Pre-Inaugural reviews :confused:

 

Tips were included but no vouchers to the best of my recollection of the Freedom pre-inaugural we were invited to in Boston. Parking was free and the only things we paid for were spa services, purchases in the shops, and any money we spent in the casino. We had a seating assignment (Main) and a dining room assignment (Leonardo's-Deck 3) but no assigned table. In fact,on the second evening, we actually sat at a table on Deck 5 because all of the tables on Deck 3 were full when we arrived for dinner. It was nice because it gave us an opportunity to check out two of the three dining room levels.

[Schplinky]

How do they do wine at the tables? Is it a house wine or do people actually order bottles?

[Merion_Mom]

I did too........I wasn't sure WHAT was in that email:D

Me too........when I saw an email from Laura, my first thought was:

 

UH OH...........what have I done now to get myself banned again? ;)

[Schplinky]

My guess is that the theme of the pre-inaugurals will be vitality. Here is a press release from RCL's web-site yesterday. I presume it is ok to post since it is a press release and is not copy-written.

 

 

 

Royal Caribbean International Gives Cruisers A Total Mind, Body And Soul Vacation

New Vitality Program Encourages Guests to Achieve Wellness and Life Balance

 

MIAMI, March 19, 2007 - Vacationers in search of better balance in their lives can experience a total mind, body and soul vacation with Royal Caribbean International's new Vitality program. Launching in April 2007 on the cruise line's newest ship, Liberty of the Seas, the program provides an integrated approach to wellness, offering guests more choices to foster a healthier lifestyle. The program covers every aspect of the cruise experience, including new fitness and spa offerings, wholesome culinary options and active onboard and shoreside activities.

 

"This all-encompassing program is designed to encourage and educate our guests to achieve wellness through a balance of lifestyle choices that may even include the occasional dessert or an indulgent morning spent sleeping in," said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. "Guests will be able to get their feet wet with one or two of the Vitality elements or have a total experience with the onboard spa and fitness classes, shoreside activities and special menus, and then continue that experience with take-home workout plans, virtual personal trainers and healthy cooking recipes."

 

Fitness Classes and Spa Treatments

The Vitality program provides guests with opportunities to incorporate sports and fitness of every activity level into their cruise vacation. In addition, a variety of spa treatments are aimed at helping guests find their individual lifestyle balance. Tai Chi and meditation classes, therapeutic Chinese herbal medicinal offerings and acupuncture at sea round out the new roster, taking everyday relaxation to the next level. For an outward boost of confidence, guests are encouraged to participate in the revamped "New Look & New You" program, which offers mini-makeovers. The "Eat More to Weigh Less" program includes a personal tour of Windjammer Café, the cruise line's buffet restaurant, with an instructor who provides tips on healthier food choices and information on developing eating habits for lifelong health.

 

Onboard and Land-Based Activities

Guests eager to go the extra mile for a healthier, more balanced perspective on life can look to the Vitality program lecture series developed by a health and wellness expert for advice on stress and relaxation, weight management, and health and fitness. Brand partner New Balance is bolstering the Vitality program by installing a virtual personal-trainer kiosk on the line's Freedom-class ships to assist guests in creating a customized cruise vacation fitness regimen as well as a post-vacation exercise plan. Land-based Vitality fitness offerings will be available in various ports of call as well as New Balance self-guided running maps and an extensive running course on Labadee, Haiti, the cruise line's private island destination.

 

Shore Excursions

A lifestyle balance extends well beyond the onboard experience, and Royal Caribbean's popular shore excursions also will reflect the new Vitality program. Recommended excursions are perfect for active families and singles ready to hit the ground running, biking or zip-lining, including the Dragon's Flight Zipline on Labadee, Haiti; the Jungle Bike Adventure on Cozumel, Mexico; the Kayak, Snorkel and Beach Experience in George Town, Grand Cayman; and Jungle River Tubing in Montego Bay, Jamaica. These Vitality excursions are paired with discounted onboard spa treatments to rejuvenate guests' senses after an exhilarating day shoreside.

 

Culinary Offerings

The Vitality program will offer guests more dining choices to reinvigorate the body and recharge the soul. Energy bars, protein and green tea drinks, and Tazo iced- and hot-teas have been added to menus in locations like the popular "Squeeze" juice bar. Without sacrificing flavor and taste, healthier menu options, including trans-fat-free meals, all-natural ingredients and freshly prepared breads and meals, will be offered ship- and fleet-wide, alongside staple favorites.

 

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 ships currently in service and three under construction. Liberty of the Seas, the cruise line's newest ship, which debuts in April 2007, will share the title of largest cruise ship at sea with sister ship Freedom of the Seas. At 160,000 GRT with a capacity of 3,634 guests double-occupancy, Liberty of the Seas will sail alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand through its cruisetour division. For additional information or to make reservations, go to Royal Caribbean website or call (800) 327-6700. Travel professionals can access information at CruisingPower website or call (800) 327-2056.