SARA & HOLLY: Cruise Connection

Holly & Sara

We are Holly and Sara Graves (maiden name McBride), we are really looking forward to cruising with all of you. Diana and I have been friends since grade school, in Sonoma. My husband Holly and I met in Las Vegas, where we make our home, 32 years ago (married 8 years).  We love to travel and we love adventure. We've been on a couple of cruises together, the Alaska Inside Passage, which was absolutely breath taking.  We also enjoyed the German river cruise.  We love Hawaii, but we have never cruised there, so this will be a first. It is also the first time for us to cruise with Roger and Diana. I know we will have a great time! Roger always keeps us entertained...the first time I met him was at our High School reunion, sporting a Steve Youngdahl  name tag. Steve was our fellow classmate, but he was the dreamy popular guy, girls giggled over...so you all get it now, right? Roger you always make us laugh! I've been trying for years to go on one of Diana's cruises...so now that I'm retired, Holly and I will be there! Can't wait!  
                                  Looking forward to meeting you, Sara & Holly 

LAST CALL for CRUISE CONNECTION

Allow me to give a big shout out “thank you” to those who have submitted their Cruise Connection Introduction for our cruise blog. Truly appreciate the contribution and need I say that it has been fun reading about each of you. Just to let you know, those articles that I have received and have not posted yet, are ready and awaiting their assigned dates for our blog debut. So stay tuned, there is more coming your way!

However for the handful of cruisers (you know who you are!)  you need to still get your introduction to me please! I have extended a final deadline date of May 1st as per our Master

Cruise Calendar, check out the blog article “IMPORTANT CRUISE DEADLINES FOR YOUR CALENDAR”. 

Otherwise, I will be "releasing" Roger to write your Cruise Connection Introduction article. Do you really want that to happen? Seriously, please get your introduction in to me .... you have been warned for the last time....Mahalo! 

ALL ABOUT ROGER: Cruise Connection

Shy Roger & Swords 

As most of you know, Roger is very shy and has a difficult time writing about himself so it seemed easier to have our editor interview him.  Following is that interview.

Ed: So Roger, what is it that you enjoy about cruising?

Roger: Cruising??  I thought this was an article about Japanese swords!

Ed: No, this is about your upcoming cruise to Hawaii to renew your wedding vows.

Roger: You’ve got to be kidding me.  I’m going to Hawaii to do what?  On a cruise? When is all this happening?  Was I there?  Is this why my credit card is over the limit?

Ed: Calm down.......here, take a valium and breathe into this paper bag.....deep breaths.....relax......better??  OK, lets start over.  So why do you enjoy cruising?

Roger: Well, mostly because Diana likes cruising and I’ve learned over the years that it’s best to like what Diana likes.  I’m not stupid you know.

Ed: So, you’ve cruised before?

Roger: Yes, and Diana tells me I’ve enjoyed all of them.

Ed: I understand that you will be renewing your wedding vows.  What’s that about?

Roger: Really good question!  Apparently Diana wants the option to say no if she has finally had enough of me and my constant internal dysfunction.

Ed: I can certainly sympathize with her.......I thought there was some sort of sewage leak nearby.  Ok, next question.  Do you have a hobby?

"What?? Are you @#&%Blind??"

Roger: WHAT??  Are you @#*&% blind??  Can’t you see what I’m wearing?  Really, what school you go?  Diana says I look like a billboard and you ask that kind of stupid question.....geeze??

Ed: OK, I get it, you collect Japanese swords.  Perhaps something a little easier.  What is your favorite cocktail?

Roger: Ah....finally something relevant.  Bombay Sapphire martini up with no vermouth.

Ed: We’re on a roll now.  Your favorite food and desert?

Roger: I’m with Andre on this one.  What ever is put in front of me is my favorite.  However, as I recall, the sorbet was always outstanding.  Or did Diana tell me I enjoyed it?  Probably I liked it.

Ed: Well, that about wraps it up.  Any final thoughts or comments?

Roger: Yes, Diana tells me that I’m really looking forward to being with friends and family but in all honesty I’m not sure who they all are.  I guess that’s what name tags are for.

Necessary Documentation for our Hawaii Cruise...by ALEX KUNCIO

Dear Cruisers,

I wanted to write a short blog on what you need to bring with you on the Hawaii cruise in

terms of identification and documentation.  Since we are sailing both out of and into Los Angeles, a valid passport is not required……but it really does make life much simpler if you have one.  I highly recommend getting a passport if you don’t have one or making sure that you get your old one renewed.  You never know when a tall dark stranger will invite you to Paris for the weekend on the spur of the moment!!  The process typically takes 4-6 weeks and presently costs $110 plus a $25 execution fee, a total of $135.  If you visit Travel.State.gov all the information you need will be there.  You may always call or email me as well at 959 756-3223.  My new email address is:  innovative.travel.planner@gmail.com

The alternative to having a valid passport is the original or certified copy of your birth certificate along with a second government issued ID such as a driver’s license.  If you are a married woman who has changed her last name, you must also bring your certified copy marriage license to verify your current last name.  As I said before….a passport is soooo much easier and is good for 10 years!

There is another option of a Passport Card,  but this has very limited use.  A Passport Card cannot be use for air travel.  It can only be used if crossing a border with the United States by land or coming into the United States by sea from Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, Caribbean.  The cost is $30 plus $25 execution fee, a total of $55.  Did I mention that a Passport is so much better?

If you have a passport, please check the expiration date.  Typically, you want an expiration of no less than 6 months from the last day of travel.

If you have any questions regarding this or any other travel matter, please email or give me a call.

Warmest regards,

Alex Kuncio

Innovative Travel Planner, Inc.

Photo provided by Flickr.nathanborror

FUMI : Cruise Connection

Hello Everyone. I’m FUMI. Diana, Reagan, Roger, Karen, Buzz, Gary, Rocky, Peggy., Sara, Sean, Andre’s “MOM” and perhaps many more as I was told people are still signing up. These fellow cruisers I mentioned, I have known them a very long time and have thus through the years become a part of my family. I am very excited to be able to join Diana and Roger on this Hawaiian Island Cruise. I have been to Hawaii before as I have not missed one of their many renewals and I am looking forward to their final renewal for their 25th Anniversary. 

As you probably figured out I did not write this but, on Roger and Diana’s last visit to Sonoma. Diana asked me a lot of questions for this computer thing she is doing. I don’t know how to work a computer or really understand it. But I know that my kids and grandkids and probably even my great grandkids all know how to do it. But me...I like to watch as I am fascinated and inquisitively amazed of what it can do (these are Diana’s words to describe how I am as I look over her shoulder). So to those questions she asked me...

What made you decide to go on this cruise?

Well...because it’s the “LAST ONE”, I was there when Roger & Diana got married and I want to be there for the last one. I haven’t missed one yet and I want to do this because I can. Well, I am hoping to...Diana says “Don’t worry Mom, cruises are use to old people and they can wheelchair you on”. SO, I'M GOING! 

What is the best thing you like about cruising?

I like the relaxed traveling of cruising and still be able to see the world. It’s easy and fun.

Plus, it better then staying at home, right?

What do you enjoy about being with Roger and Diana?

I love to hear my daughter scream at my favorite son-in-law when he toots a backwind. They both make me laugh! 

What are your hobbies and interests?

READ-READ-READ - Japanese Books that is! I like to read daily. It is my favorite hobby and I also like to make homemade cards for those who stay in touch. But I think I’m getting old as my hands and fingers don’t work to good.

What do you like to do in your leisure time?

READ-READ-READ, don’t you remember? I like to read my Japanese Books.

What is your favorite color?

Blue, like the ocean, the sky and the rivers and lakes.

What is your favorite Cocktail or Drink?

Good quality Decaf Green Tea and my cocktail? Whatever Buzz makes or brings to me! There is a Maui story about Buzz’s cocktail you will have to ask him about it.  

Favorite Food & Dessert?

Sushi and I like anything creamy like ice cream (vanilla or coffee), tapioca, creme burlee & panna cotta AND finally (Karen always spoils me) I love DARK Chocolate, no nuts as she well knows! Diana says we get chocolate on our pillow on the cruise! 

And finally, Favorite cruise moment?

Going on any cruise that is with my family and friends. I am very lucky to be able to have such fun times and experiences. I have cruised Mediterranean, Caribbean, Mexico Riviera, West Coast Getaway with Ensenada and now Hawaiian Islands. I am very lucky and grateful. 

  

IMPORTANT CRUISE DEADLINES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Graphics by socialmediaexaminer.com

Planning ahead as much as Diana does is enough to drive even her travel agent, Alex crazy at times. I know it drives Roger nuts, but for the most part he has learned that planning ahead is far better then last minute rushing (as long as Diana does all the work of course!). Certainly some of our cruisers have already began to inquire .... “When can I...? Is it time to...? Can I start to....” well here are some helpful guidelines to settle those inquiry minds or at least get you to start establishing your own timeline. Additional reminders may be communicated and noted in the upcoming future, so check back here at our cruise blog.

In the upcoming months Alex and I (and maybe even some of our more veteran cruisers) may be elaborating some of the topics below in our cruise blog. In the meantime...mark your calendar or add these important dates to your schedule. Mahalo Fellow Cruisers, it’s getting real!

PRE-CRUISE TASK DESCRIPTION	2015 DEADLINE DATES
DAVIS GROUP CRUISE SIGN-UP DEADLINE         Last call to be included in our group. Renewal preparations  are needing finalization of counts and details!	MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015
SHORE EXCURSION POSTING BY PRINCESS CRUISES            75 days to 140 days before embarkations. Estimated posting dates             are as early as week of May 12 through week of July 21, 2015	Approx. the Week of: May 12  thru  July 21
FINAL CRUISE CONNECTION: Guest Introduction                       Email Article & Photo to Diana	FRIDAY,  MAY 1
YOUR DINING OPTION TO ALEX Options: Anytime Dining - Early Dining - Late Dining	FRIDAY,  MAY 29
RSVP & PAYMENT DUE FOR PRE-CRUISE SOCIAL Mail check to Diana - $37 per person	FRIDAY, JUNE 6
PRE-CRUISE GROUP SOCIAL  Duke’s Huntington Beach - 12:00 Noon	SUNDAY, JUNE 28
GROUP CRUISE PAYMENT FULL BALANCE DUE TO ALEX   Contact Alex to approve your credit card payment	FRIDAY, JULY 17
PRE-CRUISE STAY &/or PARK RESERVATION TO ALEX         San Pedro Double Tree Hotel	FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
T-SHIRT SIZES & COLOR ROGER  Email at rogerwdavis@cox.net	MONDAY, AUGUST 17
FORMALWEAR (TUX) RENTAL	SUNDAY, AUGUST 30
CRUISE PERSONALIZER- ONLINE, completion	SUNDAY, AUGUST 30
CHEF TABLE RESERVATION TO DIANA           Limited seating & availability. First Come- First Served No guaranteed till I can confirm with Ruby Princess Maitre’d	MONDAY, AUGUST 31
PASSPORT & USA CITIZENSHIP DOCUMENTS	MONDAY, AUGUST 31
FLIGHT & SHUTTLE ARRANGEMENT Airport Option: LAX (Los Angeles) or LGB (Long Beach) Generally your best price for flight is to book early!  PRE-CRUISE OVERNIGHT STAY & PARK                                   San Pedro Double Tree Hotel, pre-reservation required. Contact Alex                                                                                                                                                              EMBARKATION DAY Boarding 12:30pm-3:00pm, Ship Departures 4pm	FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

SEAN & ANDREA: Cruise Connection

The Sean and Andrea Flogg the Blogg, a Wheel Adventure into sight and photos

Aloha folks!

This is the au natural blog for both Andrea Babby and myself, Sean Hagerty.  We’re not

Andrea & Sean

much into writing, other than postcards from where we have visited, but we want to have a little fun giving it the ol’ college try..  To start with, we LOVE to cruise with the Davis Gang; anytime and anywhere!  We have been on four, I think four, previous cruises to the far corners of the Mediterranean, Mexico, Baja (yeah, I know, it’s Mexico too) as well as a beautiful little island just off the coast of southern California called Catalina.  Every time we have participated in one of these shipping sojourns, we have been delightfully rewarded with wonderful company, much laughter, incredible scenery and incredible cuisine.  But wait, there is more to the story than just cruises!

Laguna Time

What you may not know, is that Diana and I go waaaaay back in time…so far back that we first met each other when we were in Second or Third Grade at Prestwood Elementary School in Sonoma.  That’s going back to 1963 or 1964, I’m not sure which, but still a long time ago.  We both grew up in the country, among the fields of foxtail and other weeds, blackberry bushes, tall Eucalyptus trees used as wind breaks, cows, horses, turkeys, sheep..ah, let’s just say that it was very rural.  The town of Sonoma was so small that we didn’t have signal traffic lights (corner of 5^th Street West and Napa Street) until the late 1960’s..maybe 1970???  Anyway, it was a wonderful place to live and grow up.. a place where YOU knew everyone and everyone knew you (mostly good, sometimes not so good…when you got into trouble!).  Trouble, did I say trouble?  Yeah, but nothing really bad, mostly just mischief.  Thankfully, Diana’s parents, Roy and Fumi, were cool folks and opened their home to anyone who needed a little time to chill out, party on, chit chat with Diana, Reagan, Ladd, meet new friends, play thumper (a drinking game if you must know),so long as you listened to the wisdom according to Roy.  He certainly made me think about my proposed career and an alternative in case the first one didn’t quite sound so good.  I’m not sure where I’m going with this or what this has to do with a Hawaiian cruise, but I am very thankful for Diana’s friendship through the many years…

Now, back to Andrea and myself. 

Diamond Head & Us

We are a happy couple who love staying at the Casa Davis whenever we have the chance.  I knew Roger first when he officiated at our 30^th Sonoma Valley High School reunion at the Sonoma National Golf Course.  Andrea, on the other hand met Roger for the first time In 2005 or 2006, when we joined the Sonoma gang for lunch at a fancy restaurant.  Upon meeting Andrea, he made mention that her hands were petite….which according to Roger, he liked women with small hands……hmmm.   Andrea was quite surprised to say the least, but upon further thought, agreed with Roger, I guess that is the long and short of the story.  We both look forward to this cruise to the Hawaiian islands, our favorite island is Maui, and to know that we are docking in Lahaina is even better since that is the BEST side of Maui.  I can taste the sweet pineapple now….ahhh….arrgghh, off to the neighbors, oops, I mean the islands!!!!  See you all in October!!!

"Kika Kila" ...By JIM BERKSON

Ever since my youth, I enjoyed listening to music.  The rock and roll era had hit--Elvis, the Big Bopper, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Stones, the Beatles, and all those great motown groups.  And there was folk, big band, and jazz, of course.  But despite the popularity of mainstream music, I somehow bucked convention and gravitated toward that narrow little niche called country-western music. 

HEY JIM, WHERE ARE YOU GOING WITH THIS?  YOUR ASSIGNEMENT WAS TO WRITE A BLOG ABOUT OUR HAWAIIAN CRUISE YOU DUFUS!!  DO YOU HAVE A-D-D OR SOMETHING?  

OK, just hang with me a bit and it will come clear, I promise.  

As I matured (stop laughing, Jan!), I started listening more carefully to some of these country songs—you know, the ones about tractors and mama and cheatin’ and drinkin’ and jail.  And no matter how corny the lyrics or nasally the timbre of the singer’s voice, there was just something about these songs that grabbed me…a sound that was missing from all the other popular music of the day.

JIM, I’M WARNING YOU, YOU BETTER START FOCUSING ON HAWAII!!!

OK, OK.  It wasn’t until my first trip to Hawaii at the end of ’69 that I got my first real taste of Hawaiian music.  Wow, there was that sound again…the sound that I always enjoyed about country music was alive and well here in the islands!  Who knew?

Well, guess what I discovered?  That magic sound I kept hearing in country-western music had it’s roots in….drumroll please….Hawaii!!  Yep, way back in 1889 (or thereabouts) some Hawaiian yokel named Joseph Kekuku (that’s abbreviated, his full name would take an entire paragraph) dragged a piece of metal across the strings of his Spanish guitar.  Intrigued, he made further refinements at his school’s machine shop, turning out a steel bar to slide over the strings.  He also changed the strings from gut to steel and raised them so they wouldn’t hit the frets.  From that day forward, Hawaiian music would never be the same.  The Kika Kila, or steel guitar, had been born.  The sound of this instrument would change Hawaiian music forever, and would soon have a huge impact on American music as well. 

Hawaiian steel guitar started as an instrument laid across the player’s lap, hence the term “lap steel.”   The player slides the steel bar to a point directly above the fret markers while plucking the strings with picks attached to the fingers of his right hand. 

Over time the lap steel evolved to incorporate more strings and necks to support more tunings.  Then legs were added so that the heavier instrument could stand on its own.

In the 1930’s electrical amplification was incorporated.  That’s when “the sound” really came to life.  Hawaiian music went mainstream, becoming very popular on the mainland in the 1920’s and 30’s.  In fact, the sound of the steel guitar was prominent in the most popular program in radio history, “Hawaii Calls,” which broadcast from 1935 to 1975. 

In the US, hillbilly bands quickly embraced the new sound and developed a new music style called Western Swing.  In the early 1940’s and 50’s a few good ol’ country boys did some tinkering of their own, adding multiple foot pedals and knee levers to raise and lower the pitch of specific strings.  And this, friends, is how the “Pedal Steel Guitar” came about.  Whereas lap steel predominates in Hawaiian music, pedal steel is what gives country music that special “twang.” 

Today, both lap and pedal steel guitars come in a wide range of shapes and configurations.  Despite their differences, there is a commonality to them all—that unmistakable sound that uniquely flavors both Hawaiian and country-western music.

So there you have it.  The complete, albeit abbreviated, history of the Kika Kila--steel guitar--the Hawaiian invention that literally changed the sound of music.  I hope this brief intro will enrich your enjoyment of Hawaiian music as we cruise the islands in October. 

For examples of some artistic and creative steel guitar music, click on the following youtube links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRyStdaFvYE  The Moment  (acoustic lap steel)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdTa9MzgF6s  Sleepwalk  (amplified lap steel)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnHL4R6bmOQ  Song of the Islands (quad neck "lap" steel)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqmIKfL_VS4  Farewell Party (pedal steel)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awr4-uia1mI  What a Friend (pedal steel)

JIM & JAN: Cruise Connection

Ahoy, and Aloha fellow Hawaiian Cruisers,

Jan and Jim here.  Jan’s the one with all the history with Diana and Roger, working at the City of Irvine for 29 years until she retired in 2010.  Though Jim lived in Irvine for 27 years, it wasn’t until a dance class in 2009 that he and Jan met, right after she had returned from a 3-week Mediterranean cruise with the Davis clan.  Jim was immediately struck by the “new girl” in class—the one with the crazy red hair who reminded him so much of Peg Bundy from the “Married with Children” TV series.  Jim’s always had a hankering for trashy women and when he found out that Jan was, in fact, the “trash queen” of Irvine (in charge of the City’s recycling programs) he knew this had to be fate.  All it took was a belated birthday card, a fake rose, and a quick lunch to seal the deal.  Geez, she was so easy! 

Jan & Jim in Maui

Jim’s introduction to Roger and Diana’s group was a motorcycle trip to Big Bear.  He quickly impressed Jan and the rest of the group when, while edging his Harley into the shade at our first bar…err…rest stop, he somehow permitted the forces of evil (and gravity) to take over—dumping him and his date onto the asphalt.  Everyone immediately jumped in to pull the 750 lb bike upright.  Then, as an afterthought, they helped Jim and Jan get to their feet.  Somehow the bike emerged from this ordeal unscathed.  The only explanation is that in the course of her unceremonious dismount, Jan had somehow placed herself between the bike and the asphalt, thus protecting Jim’s prized possession from harm.  To Jim this was a sign from above that he had found the perfect biker chick.  It dawned on him that this relationship was special and could actually go the distance.

Apparently Jan agreed.  For not long after, they threw caution to the wind, divested themselves of their individual condo lifestyles, and bought a home together on the lake in Lake Forest.  They’ve been together ever since.  They’ve learned to accept (or at least cope with) the unique characteristics of the other.  For example, Jim’s a morning person while Jan’s a night owl.  Jim’s always hot, Jan’s always cold.  Jim’s a stickler for punctuality, while Jan’s always “fashionably late.”  Is this a case of opposites attract or irreconcilable differences?  Who knows?  Despite these disparities, one thing they definitely have in common is their love for traveling with Roger and Diana!   

Jan and Jim have joined Roger and Diana on several trips including follow-up motorcycle trips to Big Bear (without incident, I might add!), a cruise to Ensenada, a trip to Cancun, a trip to Hawaii, and most recently a Mexican Riviera cruise.  Cruising is their favorite way to travel now…especially with Roger and Diana and company.  It’s always fun, entertaining, and relaxing.  They’ve met wonderful people, shared stories and laughter, visited fascinating places, and enjoyed amazing cuisine!  How could it get any better?

Jan and Jim are very much looking forward to this Hawaiian adventure and once again enjoying the magic of cruising with the Davis clan.  See you all on board!