Pre-Cruise Stay Planned for Manhattan Holiday Sailing 2010

We are planning one and two night pre-cruise packages in Manhattan. Yes, you read right, Manhattan. We understand fully that hotel prices are going to be double of hotels located in New Jersey but, it's part of the experience we are offering our cruisers. Why? Because Manhattan during the Holidays can only be described as magical. Currently in the works are plans to offer a city holiday lights tour (a very worthwhile enclosed bus tour that will allow you to see all the glam and glitter without the blisters on your feet), and, we are currently taking a poll to see if people would rather attend a Broadway show or go to Radio City for the Christmas Spectacular or both. We will be including dinner in the package and, it's going to be a wonderful time for all who join our group.

If this is your first time reading this blog, welcome! Cruise Freek Forums is planning a Holiday Cruise from Bayonne, New Jersey on Royal Caribbean and you're invited to join us!

WHY BOOK A GROUP CRUISE WITH CRUISE FREEK FORUMS?

1) No forced socializations! We will certainly organize Meet and Greets and other such activities if there is enough interest, however, you are never required to attend. Likewise, you may select your dining time and table size just like if you were booking an individual reservation. It's your vacation, it's your time!

2) Groups generally tend to receive some type of amenities package like onboard credit and discounted rates on fares. Cunard has one of the best and flexible group programs in the industry, even though you book as part of a "group" your reservation is treated like an individual reservation.

3) Reliable, dependable, trustworthy travel agents to make booking your cruise a pleasure. Unless there is a scheduling conflict, our assigned travel agent will be escorting the group to aid with any onboard requirements that might arise.

Royal Caribbean for the Holidays in 2010

I'm borrowing this from my Cruise Freek Forums board-mate, Ajani, with full permission, and, just making a few changes:

It's Time to Start Thinking About Christmas 2010

Don't forget to check out Cruise Freek Forum's Christmas Cruise aboard Grand Princess on December 19, 2008.

My enthusiastic board-mates on Cruise Freek Forums began to form a group cruise on Cunard for the holidays in 2009 nearly a year ago with the itinerary and prices still sight unseen. After doing some poking around, I found out that the "major cruise message board" out there who I don't dare mention by name (but, if you've been on the Internet and you are cruiser then you probably belong to this board) doesn't have one single Cunard group sailing. Strange, right?

Anyway, given that Cruise Freeks are now successfully filling group space for their Cunard group for the Holidays in 2009, I thought I'd do the same for 2010 when Cruise Freek Forums will be sponsoring a holiday cruise aboard Royal Caribbean from New Jersey.

Some people like to make arguments about holiday cruises - that's they're too expensive. However, one could argue that the money saved on buying Christmas presents, food, your time and factoring intangible expenses such as aggravation, a few hundred dollars might just off-set the extra cost!

Another famous holiday cruise argument is that the ship will be crowded and over-run with kids. My response to that is any time that school is out whether it's for summer vacation or for school breaks such as Christmas vacation the ships are going to have children on them and usually lots of them and the ships are usually sold to capacity at those times. So that argument doesn't hold any water with me. And, actually the only ones it really bothers are old farts who forgot what it's like to be a kid or to be a parent of a young child and, I wouldn't want to sail with someone with such a cranky attitude so I'd be happier if that type did stay home!

I think the biggest argument of why people don't sail during the holidays is family related issues like "My parents will kill me if we don't come to visit". Well, here's a thought...why not invite them along? It's not like a cruise is a last minute decision as studies show that most people book their cruise 6 months in advance and with holiday sailings it jumps to over a year in advance; so, there is time to set up a budget and pay it off as the months roll along. And, being the veteran of many holiday sailings I've seen more extended families on board during holiday sailings than any other time of year.

Another family related issue is that the kids will miss Christmas at home - interesting argument because the kids I see on the ships don't look like they are missing a thing! Santa always manages to find the cruise ships, clever parents can bring presents along with them as token gifts, and, I'm sure it's a better memory maker being on a cruise with their family than sitting around listening to same stories told by relatives...again.

And if this enough to convince you that you, then maybe some photos will:


















Or would you rather be doing this: