{?} SteamPunk Naval Expedition (7th Annual SP Cruise)

[Captain]

Our merry mutineers just returned from the 6th Annual SteamPunk Cruise departing from Miami, Florida on March 12th, 2018 cruising to Key West, Nassau Bahamas, and Havana, CUBA.  It is time to plan our 7th annual SP cruise. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/189772278077087/  Please PM for a cruise ID number.  This will seat us together, get access to conference rooms, and maybe, just maybe grant shipboard credit.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQbVRwyj9f4  

[Captain]

[von Corax]

And what's all this, then?

[Captain]

And what's all this, then?

These are some of the facilities on the Serenade of the Seas.  This will be a significant break from the previous SteamPunk Cruises.  Basically the first cruises did not live up to the organizers expectations but exceeded the cruisers' expectations.  We, the mutineers, have discovered that RCI seems to be very easy to deal with directly and, after on of our cruisers discovered this especially inviting cruise, it is the current plan A for 2017.  Planning this cruise will be part of the 4th Annual SteamPunk Cruise launching in a couple weeks.  The earlier cruises were barely a commercial venture but will be less so in the future.

We have found it somewhat frustrating to try explaining how much more of a immersive social experience these cruises are compared to a convention.  One of several issues to improve upon for future cruises is advertising.  Fortunately our cruise veterans attend pretty much all significant SteamPunk Conventions already so information flyers will be a start. 

In the past we all booked through a cruise organizer but this will probably change to everyone booking on their our own then joining up for a common area in the dining room.  The more cruisers the more facilities and discounts or "free" berths that we will earn to bring entertainers.  This will take some serious discussion.  Hopefully this public forum collects even more constructive suggestions. 

[Captain]

Discounts are available for "seniors" 55 and older and well as military and emergency personnel. 

[Captain]

Posting soon:  http://www.steampunkexpedition.com/ 

[Captain]

We seem to be taking over the 9300 block if you would like to join us. 

"To make your reservation, call 800-465-3595 and give them group number 8591474, which is listed as Steampunk Naval Expedition."

[Captain]

If you book and make a deposit on your cabin by April 25th you should be eligible for an additional 30% discount.   There may also be discounts for "seniors" 55 and over as well as military and emergency services personnel.  


We have been made an offer of full afternoon tea(s) at $10./person and in a ship location of our choice.  

[Elisa Johnstone]

Group rate are locked in through 4/25/16. Rooms start at $649/person for interior staterooms + all meals + shipboard entertainment. That's under $100 per person per day. Balcony rooms start at $876/person.

You can still book after 4/25/16, the rates may just be higher.

Note - While you can book online, you can't book in with the group that way.  The advantages to booking in with the group are: 1) Members of the group will get an additional per person discount based on the number of people in the group, and you would get that discount too; 2) the group gets more perks, starting with a dedicated conference room and building from there, depending on group size; 3) your dinner seating will be added to the group area.  (We mutiny after the first night and play musical tables within those assigned to the group.) So you pay less and the whole group gets more, which is a win-win scenario.

Either way, you're booking directly with Royal Caribbean and can use their website to choose excursions and plan other activities. The cruisers are the organizers, so there are no travel agent fees.

[Captain]

https://www.facebook.com/events/1003003663116749/  2017

[Captain]

Some of the potential excursions make this more interesting http://lifehacklane.com/browse/?id=731&page=1

[Captain]

[Captain]

http://allday.com/post/3107-cougars-limp-bizkit-and-steampunks-weird-themed-cruises-you-can-actually-go-on/?llid=V7ZN&utm_source=LS&utm_medium=FB&utm_campaign=9DZo&exp=3

I suppose that there is no such thing as bad advertisement.....

[Captain]

Good news is that in the last week the US Dollar has risen significantly and is now worth more than 2 Mexican pesos more than Monday.  Also up against the Lempira and Belize dollar so our vacation spending power is climbing. 

[Captain]

I just got an email reminder from Royal Caribbean that final payments are due by 12/19/16.
(If you weren't in the original group reservation, this may not apply to you. Check with RCI to verify your due date.)

[Captain]

Still thinking about joining the SP Cruise?  There are some last minute sale sites like:  https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-deals/offers/wow-sale

[Captain]

Apparently our conference room reservation was "misplaced."
Instead they have offered us the Chapel.

Apparently no weddings or services have been scheduled for our cruise.  We will have additional tables and it is on the 15th deck right above a lounge where we already plan to move to for CAH games.  We even seem to have an ordained chaplain with us.

[Captain]

RCCL has extended their 60% off second guest sale.

[Captain]

Would anyone be interested in joining for this excursion in Belize?  http://www.cavetubing.bz/tours/cruise

Cave tubing with lunch included in the cost is $50/person for 4.5 to 5 hours. The reviewers all say that the company gets you to the dock well ahead of when you need to be back on the ship. Unlike the official one through the cruise line that has a max weight limit of 275, these folks say they just have different sizes of tubes for different sizes of bodies. Reservations are by email, and you pay when you get there.

[Captain]

[Captain]

https://www.facebook.com/theroatanchocolatefactory/

[Captain]

Some of our SP cruisers with the chocolate factory owner. 

Our hope for the 6th Annual SteamPunk Cruise is to visit Havana, CUBA.  This is so iffy still that the cruise line cannot book us in 2018 yet.  The very first ship just went to Cuba last week and they just do not know how Cuba will or will not work yet.  Stay tuned.   In the meantime to take advantage of the early reservation benefits we have booked a "holding cruise" to St Kits (with the train and rum punch) then St Thomas (a new country for us) in March 2018. 

[Captain]

"The 2018 group number is 9056. Call 800-465-3595 to reserve or to link your reservation to the group.

RCI says they aren't even close to a 2018 schedule for Cuba. I'm worried we aren't going to get a conference room if we keep waiting.
We are moving forward with formalizing the current Nassau-St Kitts-St Thomas cruise"

[Captain]

2018 will be on the Allure of the Seas.   http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do?shipCode=AL&&ecid=ps_43700008550615307&gclid=CjwKEAjw85DIBRCy2aT0hPmS1jkSJAC1m9UvqFQ9zdHI8ZFMWH_ILTOQ3meOQcFZ11uyvJzcUOeBuBoC7Rrw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
This is a !&*#% big boat and even has a sushi bar. 
Since someone asked, yes kids are welcome and these ships are very kid friendly. 

[Captain]

It looks like we might be switching to a CUBA cruise!

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/cruises/6NightBahamasHavanaCruise-NE06S011?currencyCode=USD&sCruiseType=CO&sailDate=03%2F12%2F2018