HAWAIIAN FRIENDS

Back in 1986, I had an opportunity to go to Hawaii to participate in a professional learning exchange program which was co-sponsored by my California Parks and Recreation Society and the Hawaii Recreation and Park Association. During this time, I was very fortunate to have met a number of professional colleagues who have now become lifetime friends. SInce this encounter, we all made a practice to meet up at our annual professional conference and whenever the conference was held in Southern California our group would take an additional 2-3 personal days and head to Ensenada as a tradition.

During these years of friendship, whenever my Hawaii friends would come into town I would coordinate our carpool to Ensenada (back in the days, rental cars were not allowed across the border) or we would meet up as they individually came into town. On the same note, when we headed to Hawaii we would also meet up with our Hawaii Friends and they would very generously host us with their warm Aloha Spirit...and though most of us are retired now. Our special friendship has still endured to this very day.

Some of you on this cruise have met my very special Hawaii Friends and had the opportunity to receive their gracious hospitality and aloha. One of those Hawaii Friends I speak of here is, Joan Yamanaka and she had shared this with me and I thought I would share it with you. In my experience this truly spotlights the beauty, grace and generosity of who the Hawaiian people are... during our visit to the islands, I hope you have an opportunity to experience the Aloha Spirit that has touched my heart through all these years. Enjoy! 

Aloha Nui Loa, Diana

There are friends..and then there are “Hawaiian Friends”

FRIENDS: Never ask for food

HAWAIIAN FRIENDS: Always bring food.

FRIENDS: Will say “Hello”.

HAWAIIAN FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug and a kiss.

FRIENDS:Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.

HAWAIIAN FRIENDS: Call your parents Uncle & Auntie

FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.

HAWAIIAN FRIENDS: Cry with you.

FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.

HAWAIIAN FRIENDS: Will spend hours talking,laughing and just being together. Help clean-up when all pau (finished)!

FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.

HAWAIIAN FRIENDS:Could write a book with direct quotes.

FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that’s what the crowd is doing.

HAWAIIAN FRIENDS:Will kick the whole crowd’s okoles (butts) that left you.

FRIENDS: Get mad when you don’t stay in contact.

HAWAIIAN FRIENDS: Years could go by and you pick up like it was yesterday.

FRIENDS: Come and go.

HAWAIIAN FRIENDS: Are family

Cruise Terminal Passenger Unloading & Loading plus Parking Update

This is the long term cruise parking update from Princess Cruises via Alex for those not partaking in our Pre-Cruise Queen Mary package. Please be sure you are aware of this 

procedure before you head to your embarkation. If you have additional questions, please contact Alex directly. Thanks!

IMPORTANT NOTICES

Please be advised that Ruby Princess will embark guests at Berth 54 on Saturday October 3, 2015, and disembark guests at Pier 93 on Sunday October 18. Berth 54 is located at Outer Harbor, Berth 54, San Pedro, CA 90731. Pier 93 is located at 100 Swinford Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731. Guests with Princess transfers or a Cruise Plus hotel package will be transferred directly from Los Angeles International Airport or their hotel to Berth 54 on October 3, and from Pier 93 to Los Angeles International Airport or their hotel on October 18. Guests with independent transfer arrangements should be guided accordingly. Guests parking their car for the duration of the cruise should drop off their luggage at Berth 54 and then proceed to the long-term parking lot at Pier 93 as there is no long-term parking available at Berth 54. After parking at Pier 93, guests will be transported back to Berth 54 via complimentary shuttle from the parking lot near the Berth 92 building. Directions to Berth 54: Exit the 110 Freeway at Harbor Blvd. and turn right. Proceed 1.3 miles on Harbor Blvd. which will turn into Miner St. Proceed straight ahead on Miner St. to Berth 54.

QUEEN MARY - Our Group Pre-Cruise Package

Typically before a cruise out of the Port of Los Angeles, Roger and I utilize a hotel “Stay and Park” at a local hotel in San Pedro. And like all things in life, change happens ...so on this particular cruise, Alex & Ted have been working hard on another option for us which has sparked quite a group interest. 

This pre-cruise opportunity is a very relaxing and comfortable transition to our embarkation day and a fun way to kick-off our cruise. Being that you are there a day before guarantees that you will not have to rush and miss the ship. And because your shuttle will be included you will have a more leisurely arrival to your cruise embarkation. 

Friday October 2, 2015 the Davis Group will be kicking off the pre-cruise at Long Beach’s famous Queen Mary. The current package that had been set up include a Deluxe King (limited availability, please confirm with Alex) stateroom for overnight, parking for your car during our entire 15 day cruise, round trip shuttle to and from the Ruby Princess, full buffet breakfast on embarkation day and of course taxes.  

There are two price package one for singles and another for double. 

The cost for the packages are:

SINGLE:  $206.45      DOUBLE: $241.45

                   

More details will follow as to when we can check-in and what plans we might be having for dinner. But in the meantime as I know curious minds would like to know....Below is a list of fellow cruisers who informed me of their interest and have signed up for our Group Pre-Cruise Queen Mary Package....

1. Roger & Diana Davis

2. Reagan & Fumi Miyasaki

3. Gary Heard

4. Andre Mathieu

5. Wendy & Norm Kilgore

6.  Lee & Bob Spar

7. Rocky & Peggy Alby

8. Jim Berkson & Jan Noce

9. Sean Hagerty & Andrea Babby

10 Stella Hacker & Patricia Fierro

11.JoMary & Michael Murphy

12.Russell Cobb

13.Linda & Duane Davis

14.Sara & Holly Graves

15.Connie King

16.Alex Kuncio & Ted Rodriguez

17.Ross Moodie

In closing, Alex shared with me that the Ruby Princess will be embarking cruisers at one berth and disembarking at another pier. And long term parking for Princess Cruises passengers will be at the disembarkation pier . So those not joining us will have to drop their luggage first and then park your car at long term parking then take the complimentary shuttle back to embark the ship. I will be posting a more detailed description of this procedure on an upcoming blog article.

No worries for those of you on the Queen Mary we will coordinate our shuttle to and from the ship. Relax have a great time & welcome aboard! 

Photo provided by cruiselawnews.com

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Cruise Payment Balance Due

Hopefully you have all received your FINAL PAYMENT REMINDER in your email inbox.

Alex has informed me that she has sent them all out and that you all have received them. If this is not the case please contact Alex immediately.

Alex has requested that payment be completed preferably before Thursday, July 16th

as she will be out of the office celebrating her birthday...and so those waiting till Friday, July 17th deadline? Hmmm..... oh that’s right, Alex is a professional...But we know what fun this Salsa Queen can have... so help her out and get your payment in early, please!

I have also posted a blog about pre-paid gratuity. You can pay this with your cruise balance or contact Alex and make arrangements for another payment date. Thank you for agreeing to do this as this will allow our group much more flexibility in our Traditional Dining Seating for dinner. So Thanks for your cooperation...

83 days till embarkation day! 

Pre-Paid Gratuity for Our Group

In speaking with Alex the decision was made to implement a Pre-Paid Gratuity for our group. The main reason for this decision was so that our Late Seating Dining would allow us to not have to have pre-assigned seating for our group. Allowing us the freedom to sit where there is an opening or to adjust our table seating on days that there might be openings due to our group members having chosen to not dine with us that night or their decision to partake in a speciality restaurant for that evening.

You may pre-pay your gratuities with Alex with your cruise balance or contact her directly for another date for payment arrangement.

The gratuity payment is based on the category of your stateroom and they are as noted below:

$12 per person per day Mini-Suites & Suites

$11.50 per person per day All Other Staterooms

This gratuity will be shared amongst those staff who help provide and support your cruise experience, including all waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards and housekeeping staff across the fleet.

Photo provided by Flickr.Dolphinsdock

And the "Winners" are.....

What a great time was had by all ... and I believe Karen had the best time of all of us! Appreciate your help Karen in getting our winner's all lined up for our blog posting. Here are the winner's of the Pre-Cruise Brunch Raffle at Duke's in Huntington Beach. Congratulations to our Winners! 

RAFFLE PRIZES		WINNER’S NAME
Brunch Raffle #1: Duke’s Restaurant Souvenir &1 Paid Brunch .............		Patricia Fierro
Brunch Raffle #2: Chocolate Mac, Postcards, Martini Cards & $25 Shell Gas Card ........		Andre Mathieu
Brunch Raffle #3:Vegas Souvenir Basket ..................................................		JoMary Murphy
Brunch Raffle #4: Aloha Wine Bag & Sparkling Wine ............................		Peggy Alby
Brunch Raffle #5: Red Welcome Aboard Pillow ......................................		Stella Hacker
Brunch Raffle #6: Navy Welcome Aboard Pillow ...................................		Alex Kuncio
Brunch Raffle #7 Crab Bottle Stopper & White Wine ...............................		Lien Burgh
Brunch Raffle #8 Lobster Bottle Stopper & Red Wine .............................		Jim Berkson
Brunch Raffle #9: Journal & $25 iTunes Gift Card ...................................		Buzz Vaughn
Brunch Raffle #10:“Alex”Princess Cruise Coffee Card & Shot Glass .......		Reagan Miyasaki
Brunch Raffle #11:“Alex”Princess Cruise Coffee Card & Chardonnay ......		Dee Dee Pittaluga

Pre-Cruise Brunch Notes!

Notes from:

Roger & Diana's 25th Anniversary Renewal Cruise

PRE-CRUISE BRUNCH 

Sunday, June 28, 2015 - Duke’s Huntington Beach

25 Attendees: Alex Kuncio, Ted Rodriguez, Andre Mathieu, Angie Burgh, Lien Burgh, Buzz & Karen Vaughn, Connie King, Diana & Roger Davis, Dee Dee Pittaluga, Patricia Fierro, Fumi Miyasaki, Reagan Miyasaki, Jan Noce, Jim Berkson, JoMary & Michael Murphy, Norm & Wendy Kilgore, Peggy & Rocky Alby, Ross Moodie, Stella Hacker & Russ Cobb's Substitute: Stacy Miyasaki

WELCOME REMARK & BRUNCH

ANNOUNCEMENTS & FAQ 

⚓ 25th Anniversary Renewal Celebration (Roger & Diana)

Welcome & Thank you for joining us at this Pre-Cruise Brunch Kick-off

Roger & Diana’s 25th Anniversary Renewal Ceremony will be held on

Monday, October 12th - The Sea Day after Maui, more details to follow

⚓ Renewal Party Introductions
Joining us today: Matron of Honor: Karen Vaughn Best Man: Buzz Vaughn

Bridesmaids: Peggy Alby & Stella Hacker, Groomsman: Reagan Miyasaki

Photographers: Rocky Alby, Norm Kilgore

Renewal Officiants: Alex Kuncio & Andre Mathieu

Absent: Groomsman: Russell Cobb & Gary Heard

Photographer Sean Hagerty

⚓ Aloha Attire - Smart Casual Day

Requesting Cruiser Guests to wear Aloha Shirts and Dresses for the Renewal Ceremony

If possible in major colors of Blues-Greens-and accents of Purples-Yellows-Whites-Black 

⚓ Mahalo No Gifts, Necessary!

Your presence is all that Roger and Diana requests

⚓ Shirt Color & Size Selection

Contact Diana or Roger if you have not picked out your color and size for a T-Shirt  

⚓ Postcard - Cruise Blog Address (Diana)

Cruise Blog Address is on the postcard on your table, next to your party favor. Please check-in to the blog as this is our main communication channel. 

⚓ Thank You for Cruise Connection Introductions (Diana)

Mahalo for all your introductions. They are now all on-line. 

Get to to know your fellow cruisers!

⚓ Email & Phone Contact for Cruisers (Diana)

Your Phone Number and Email Address will be shared via a roster

among our group only. This will be sent via email. Check your email inbox. 

It will not be posted on the group cruise blog.

  

⚓ On-Line “Guest Check-In” (Diana)

Check on your Princess Cruises On-Line Check-In. 

You will need to update your & your cabin mate’s personal information.

⚓ Princess Cruises Shore Excursions On-Line (Diana)

Princess Cruises Shore excursions are now on-line.

Roster for Fellow Cruises will be forth coming to inquire about which shore excursions you can perhaps share together.

⚓ Hilo Scuba & Snorkel Dive Excursion (Rocky)

Rocky is coordinating a independent private Scuba and Snorkel Group.

Flyers were distributed. 

Sign-up directly with Rocky

Wine & Liquor Policy (Diana)

There is a ship policy of one 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per person 

that can be brought aboard on embarkation. If you are not a drinker, 

please contact Diana or Rocky so that we may make arrangements to have 

you bring a bottle(s) for us.

Thank You!

⚓ Chef Table Interest List (Diana)

If you have not done so, please check out the Cruise Blog on the Chef’s Table and contact Diana for sign-ups. She will be attempting to coordinating our group once on board with the Maitre 'd. 

⚓ Speciality Restaurant (Diana)

Please be advised that there will be no formal group sign-ups by Diana for the Speciality restaurants on board the Ruby Princess. Both Sabatini and Crown Grill can be reserved individually or with your favorite fellow cruisers. Plan ahead for the best days! 

⚓ Rummy Card Game (Karen)

There will be two Rummy Game Contest with Prizes coordinated by Karen & Buzz Vaughn

Check both the blog and your Welcome Packet, to be distributed at the Queen Mary

 ⚓ Photo Contest (Rocky)

Our Group Cruise Photographer, Rocky is hosting a Photo Contest.

Check on our Cruise Blog for an advance Preview of the Contest. 

Flyer with details will be in your Welcome Packet

Rocky also offered to assist anyone who is interested in creating a 12 months calendar

of your best photos from this trip. Contact Rocky directly for details.

⚓ Shop-Share & Social (Peggy)

Peggy will be hosting a social event to share your wonderful buys and shopping treasures on the latter sea day after the Hawaiian Islands. So stay tuned for more details and information. Happy Shopping both on the ship and on the islands!

  

⚓ Cabin Door Decoration Contest (Stella)

Stella will be coordinating the Cabin Door Decoration Contest with yes, Prizes!

So here’s your chance to show your creativity, make it personal, establish your theme and have fun... but remember, no X-Rated display, hear that Roger & Ross!  

⚓ Alex’s New Email (Alex)

Alex has a new email address. Check the blog for the details

⚓ Friday, October 2, 2015 - Pre-Cruise Overnight & Parking (Alex)

Contact Alex if you are interested in our Group Pre-Cruise Overnight, Parking, Shuttle & Breakfast on the Long Beach Queen Mary Ship.

Rooms are limited and on a first come first serve basis. Don’t delay!

⚓ Cruise Payment Balance (Alex)

Cruise Balance will be due this mid-July.

Check your cruise booking confirmation for the exact date

or call Alex for assistance. 

⚓ Passport & ID (Alex)

Reminder bring your current Passport and Driver’s License 

and your major credit card

⚓ Other FAQ’s (Alex)

⚓ We will be implementing a pre-paid gratuity payment so as we can move about freely at our Traditional Late Seating Dining without set seating assignments for our group. You may either pay for this with your balance cruise payment or contact Alex to prearrange your payment date before Friday, September 11th.  

RAFFLE

11 prizes were raffled see Cruise Blog for Winners!

THANKS FOR JOINING US

Your Cruise Begins in 97 Days

See you on deck soon! 

LADY DI: Closing Cruise Connection!

“Six degrees of separation is the theory that everyone and everything is six or fewer steps away, by way of introduction, from any other person in the world, so that a chain of “a friend of a friend” statements can be made to connect any two people in a maximum of six steps, so states the free encyclopedia - Wikipedia”.    

So what does this have to do with Diana's cruise connection introduction? Well, we currently have approximately 36 folks for our cruise and if I were to describe all of my family and friends on this cruise, I could place them into six groups and with enough thought I could probably connect at least six or less relationship through either my life or our past renewal ceremonies. But I’m not going to do that...what I am going to do in my introduction cruise connection is share with you how I am connected with each of our cruiser.

Here we go...No.# 1, ”Family”, ROGER need I say more? Yeah he’s the love of my life and the reason we are “ALL”  going on this cruise

to Hawaii. You might want to thank him because I would not be planning any of this if ROGER wasn’t insistent on renewing our vows, “again” and for the final time! FUMI, my Mom and of course REAGAN, my older of two Brothers who have made it to our wedding as well as to all of our renewals! 

No. #2, “Sonoma Friends”, childhood schoolmates since 3rd Grade. I moved and claimed Sonoma, California as my home town at age 8 where I became friends with SEAN, ANDRE, PEGGY & SARA.

Then some 5 years later, in the 8th grade, ROCKY & GARY entered my life. Knowing these long time friends brings more friends, HOLLY, Sara’s hubby & ANDREA, who is Sean’s girlfriend. Our frequent visits to family up in Nor Cal always includes our Sonoma friends and though some have branched away from our hometown our friendship ties often reunites us in other areas...staying close even to this very day.

Through some fun and crazy Halloween parties in Burbank as well as Roger’s best friend Jim who has since passed away, Group No. #3 brings RUSSEL and DUANE into my life as we shared years of fun gatherings, celebrations, getaways, motorcycle rides and camaraderie...I also met LINDA who became Duane’s devoted wife through these two best friends. If you wanna laugh, get to know these guys. You’ll understand why your side aches the next day! 

Through some coaxing of promises to support him, I told Roger he should get involved with his Glendale High School Reunion Committee. So he got involved, and we haven’t stop having fun, which brings on No.#4, GHS Friends... we got to know and became close friends with his classmates WENDY and LEE. You know when it’s an instant right connection? Well the welcome I received from these two special ladies was amazing. The numerous meetings and coordinating tasks and duties to put on a high school reunion brought about not only classmates but their spouses...again instant connection with two wonderful guys, NORM, Wendy’s husband and BOB, Lee’s husband. The reunion committee meetings aren’t frequent anymore until the next reunion of course. But our friendship has flourished through the years as we continue to connect over dinners, travel getaways, parties, celebrations and continuous promises to stay in touch till we meet again at our next reunion, whenever it may be. And thanks to my connection with Wendy she brought about CAROLE & ELLIOT as we cruised the Mediterranean on one of my biggest group of 90+ cruisers in 2008.  

No.#5,  City of Irvine, the reason I moved to Southern California to pursue a career and

where I should probably be concerned with shared stories meshing my various friends on this cruise, especially if it involves umbrella cocktails, yikes!  I met KAREN my BFF, who by the way worked for Roger and of course through the years of friendship with Karen, the foursome was born when Karen married BUZZ.  The fun & laughter keeps coming! Then PAT who hired me as an intern when I finished up my education before climbing a career ladder that kept me in So Cal & over 25 years with the City of Irvine. Then here comes fun-loving STELLA who we both found as each other’s Soul

Sister. You should meet up with Stella over coffee or cocktails for her version of this story. She’s got a good one, just saying! ROSS my Program Coordinator for awhile and oh boy did we manage to create some crazy memories & projects together. JO MARY who provided departmental support and JAN who became a special friend though City projects as we managed to share and interact among other City friends such as ANGIE & IRENE.  Through my coordination in traveling and cruising a number of group trips, Roger and I had the pleasure of developing friendship with Pat’s childhood friend DEE DEE . JoMary brought her husband MICHAEL as well as Jan introduced her fiancé JIM and Angie brought her Mom LIEN on our incredible Asian Cruise which we will always cherish the moments.

My success, excitement and passion could not come about without No.#6... no degree of separation here! Instead my partner in crime in my successful travel/cruise trips since our 15th Anniversary Renewal is due to ALEX. I may create and have a vision, but if it wasn’t for the expertise, professionalism and experience of this amazing and dear friend, well

Roger would be going crazy as my retirement days would surely be without focus and fun. With Alex comes her husband chef TED. Love this guy and our passion for cooking and food truly bonds the two of us. What a double bonus for me travel and  culinary adventures. Two of my passions! The years have brought about so many laughter and fun times...sharing dinner parties, restaurants and events. Most recently Ted brought CONNIE his sister to our Mexico cruise and obviously she must have had a great time with us and will be joining us on our 25th Anniversary Renewal Cruise to Hawaii.  

I’m getting to think this world of ours is a very small world!  Welcome Aboard Everyone and let our celebration begin... as of today, 91 days till embarkation!  See you on deck of the Ruby Princess soon!