Aloha Fellow Cruisers….
We are so excited to be boarding the Ruby Princess with all of
you next October for Roger and Dianaʼs 25th Anniversary
Renewal Vows Cruise and Celebration. It has truly been a great....Wait.......did they say 25 years??? How the heck? Impossible....that canʼt be
true....tell me we arenʼt all 25 years older already!! OMG ...Well, I was about to say it has truly been a great time being on this journey with Roger and Diana...from the original vows to each of the 5 year renewals
(we have done them all), and all the events they have hosted in between (lost count
they are such party people). And yes, it doesn't seem possible that 25 years have gone
by, but I guess the calendar (or mirror) doesn't lie.
For Buzz and me, one of the best parts of knowing Roger and Diana is having met all of you! We may have introduced them to cruising back in 1992, but they have introduced us to most of you over the years and we are so grateful. We have loved being with you on cruises, joining you on motorcycle caravans (Duane, Linda, Rod and Jenny), for extravaganzas, celebrating weddings, birthdays, babies...all of lifeʼs moments. Thank you for your friendship over these past....dang it , how did they go so fast...25 years! Yes, Roger actually opened his wallet for the first cruise in 1992 (talk about a big gulp) when I insisted he needed to take Diana on a cruise with us. And Diana was pretty much hooked from the first moment. Since I worked for Roger at the time, I knew what I was in for (ask Marty, Stella, Ross, Jim, Jan or Jo Mary if you need more info), but I didn't know it would be the start of many such fabulous journeys. Over the years we have been to so many wonderful places and as most of you know, Diana has been the instigator of many of those adventures (a la Alex - thank you). Cruising has allowed us to see so many cities and countries we would likely never see.
Though itʼs generally only a one day visit, if you research the area or use the shipʼs tours, you really get a great picture of the people and surroundings of any port. Coming “back home” after a day of sight seeing is a wonderful way to unwind and reflect on your explorations. Joining your friends for a cocktail, some sun or game of cards on deck, just the best! Donʼt forget the ship has a lot of activities on the Sea Days for you to enjoy, too. We had a premium Italian wine tasting on our last cruise that was delicious (Rocky, Sara and Holly)! The Spa Queen, Peggy, will attest to those services Iʼm sure as well.The Art Auctions are a hoot and you might even get a great deal on a new work of art for your home. Donʼt get me started on the food, but Roger will tell you it abounds 24/7 and is some of the best at sea (just not Tedʼs special culinary fare).
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| Halloween 2014 - Royal Princess |
For Buzz and me, one of the best parts of knowing Roger and Diana is having met all of you! We may have introduced them to cruising back in 1992, but they have introduced us to most of you over the years and we are so grateful. We have loved being with you on cruises, joining you on motorcycle caravans (Duane, Linda, Rod and Jenny), for extravaganzas, celebrating weddings, birthdays, babies...all of lifeʼs moments. Thank you for your friendship over these past....dang it , how did they go so fast...25 years! Yes, Roger actually opened his wallet for the first cruise in 1992 (talk about a big gulp) when I insisted he needed to take Diana on a cruise with us. And Diana was pretty much hooked from the first moment. Since I worked for Roger at the time, I knew what I was in for (ask Marty, Stella, Ross, Jim, Jan or Jo Mary if you need more info), but I didn't know it would be the start of many such fabulous journeys. Over the years we have been to so many wonderful places and as most of you know, Diana has been the instigator of many of those adventures (a la Alex - thank you). Cruising has allowed us to see so many cities and countries we would likely never see.
Though itʼs generally only a one day visit, if you research the area or use the shipʼs tours, you really get a great picture of the people and surroundings of any port. Coming “back home” after a day of sight seeing is a wonderful way to unwind and reflect on your explorations. Joining your friends for a cocktail, some sun or game of cards on deck, just the best! Donʼt forget the ship has a lot of activities on the Sea Days for you to enjoy, too. We had a premium Italian wine tasting on our last cruise that was delicious (Rocky, Sara and Holly)! The Spa Queen, Peggy, will attest to those services Iʼm sure as well.The Art Auctions are a hoot and you might even get a great deal on a new work of art for your home. Donʼt get me started on the food, but Roger will tell you it abounds 24/7 and is some of the best at sea (just not Tedʼs special culinary fare).
In addition to our love for cruising (Buzz and I will be on Princess #16 this cruise, 20
overall), we also love Hawaii just as much..Maui in particular. The Islands have always
been a special place for us and the people are what make them extra special. Those of
you who have been, you know exactly what we mean and those who will be seeing
them for the first time you will understand very soon. There are no people more
welcoming than the Hawaiians - aloha spirit prevails everywhere - and few places on
earth as beautiful and pristine. We cannot wait to be there again.
Diana welcomed you all to sign up for the cruise with E Komo Mai - Welcome! You all know that Aloha is Hello as well as Goodbye, but did you know that Mahalo is Thank You? If you need a restroom you might see Kane (cahn nee) for Men or Wahine (wa heen ay) for Women on the door. If someone tells you itʼs Makai thatʼs the water side of the road - Mauka is the inland side. Maui is (or any of the islands) No Ka Oi - the Best. When we are lifting our glasses to toast the happy couple we should say Okole Maluna (o ko lay ma luna) for Bottoms Up. The language is beautiful and melodic. The Aʼs sound like Ah and the Eʼs sound like Aʼs. The Iʼs are pronounced like E and the U sounds like “you” without the y. It can be a challenge when you see a word like humuhumunukunukuapuaʼ a - the state fish, but as in all travel adventures, an Aloha, a smile and Mahalo go a long way.
Itʼs especially wonderful to see the family joining us, Reagan, Fumi, Sue and Jim, plus dear friends from Sonoma (Sean, Andrea, Andre, Gary - we owe you a drink) - so glad you are coming, too! To you Sonoma pals, work pals and the pals we will meet or weʼve known for those 25+ years...YAY!!
With All of You, the Islands and the fun of being together in mind, let me just say A Hui Ho - till we meet again. So happy you are on board and canʼt wait to see you.
Aloha,
Buzz and Karen Vaughn
Diana welcomed you all to sign up for the cruise with E Komo Mai - Welcome! You all know that Aloha is Hello as well as Goodbye, but did you know that Mahalo is Thank You? If you need a restroom you might see Kane (cahn nee) for Men or Wahine (wa heen ay) for Women on the door. If someone tells you itʼs Makai thatʼs the water side of the road - Mauka is the inland side. Maui is (or any of the islands) No Ka Oi - the Best. When we are lifting our glasses to toast the happy couple we should say Okole Maluna (o ko lay ma luna) for Bottoms Up. The language is beautiful and melodic. The Aʼs sound like Ah and the Eʼs sound like Aʼs. The Iʼs are pronounced like E and the U sounds like “you” without the y. It can be a challenge when you see a word like humuhumunukunukuapuaʼ a - the state fish, but as in all travel adventures, an Aloha, a smile and Mahalo go a long way.
Itʼs especially wonderful to see the family joining us, Reagan, Fumi, Sue and Jim, plus dear friends from Sonoma (Sean, Andrea, Andre, Gary - we owe you a drink) - so glad you are coming, too! To you Sonoma pals, work pals and the pals we will meet or weʼve known for those 25+ years...YAY!!
With All of You, the Islands and the fun of being together in mind, let me just say A Hui Ho - till we meet again. So happy you are on board and canʼt wait to see you.
Aloha,
Buzz and Karen Vaughn
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