Archive for Past Cruise
Trek Updates
Announcing
Cruise Trek 2015 ~ “The
Caribbean Oasis”
November 7 to 14, 2015
Plus an optional pre-cruise Kennedy Space Center Tour
Cruise Trek 2016 ~ “The
South America Passage”
CT Main Event ~ March 20 to April 3, 2016
And / Or ~ April 3 to 23, 2016
Or Do It All ~ March 20 to April 23, 2016
Update – January 20, 2015:
Hey Cruise Trek Family!
Hope your holidays were terrific . . .
So here you have it! CT 15, 16, and possibilities for 17. . . Yup!!
Seriously stepping out of our own world. . . That is, taking two serious
steps out of our own worlds and with perhaps one step back in (kind
of) . . . all for our next out-of-this-world adventures &
discoveries!
CT 15 – Caribbean ~
“Hey mon, eef you still got too much ghost in you from the
very busy & cool isle voyage, Charlie’s Calypso Cruise
will warm you up and jive you out. We es setting the sails November 7
in Ft. Lauderdale and go party to Jamaica, Haiti, and me favorite
– Cozumel. Dees will be a real taste of de islands! Some of our
special events could include: Uhuru’s Voodoo Lounge, Red
Shirt Reggae Romp, Klingon Limbo Contest and a Jambalaya Jam! You
will not be living long and prospering eef you miss dees days to hang
out with your fellow Trektafarians.”
~ Cruise Trek 2015 Fun ~
Highlights, left to right – Kennedy Space Center,
Jamaican marketplace, and Dunn’s River Falls.
Indeed yes!!! We allowed ourselves some fun in the above
description for Cruise Trek 2015. . . maybe too much holiday grub
& grog!? In any case, my spell checker and editors went crazy or
at the very least fought me on this one!! Oh well. . . just having fun!
Please read on to discover more. . .
Our Cruise Trek 2015 adventure
will be like a good ol’ present day contemporary theme park
and with many of the adventures we all will seriously enjoy and
understand! This trip is certainly something way different than what
we have experienced from our last 20+ years of CT family adventures!
We toss in a couple great and very different ports we have never seen,
plus one that that is sure to bring back fun and fond memories of our
last Caribbean adventure back in 2004. I’m sure some of you
remember the party we had at Carlos n’ Charlie’s in
Cozumel and/or the tender ride back to the ship ? oh my! ;-)
Again, this new and different event to the Caribbean will be onboard
one of the world’s largest ships. It offers an amazing number of
features and programs to definitely keep one very busy 24/7. Of course,
there will be plenty of opportunities to simply find a place to chill out as
well.
We will set sail on a ship with a rock wall, an ice rink, a surfing pool,
a zip line, and a boardwalk loaded with eateries. There are also grand
onboard shows including some that take place in an outdoor pool with
outdoor theatre style seating and so much more! Then we have the
ports of call that include the “Private Destination” of
Labadee in Haiti, where you can spend an idle day on a secluded
beach with your CT family favorites or soar through the air on the
longest zip line in the Caribbean! Then in
Falmouth, Jamaica, you can visit the old world
port city of Dunns River Falls, visit more beaches, or head off to
Montego Bay or Ocho Rios.
And all of this can be done by private or ship tour. Then we sail
to Cozumel, which offers more beautiful beaches
or a ferry ride to the mainland to educate yourself about Mayan history
and ruins. Of course, during the week we will also offer ST: CT events
with special guests. AND on top of that, if all comes to fruition, we will
produce a BTTF event on the very same cruise. How about that for a
crossover genre, if you will!!?? All in all, it will surely be very
“engaging” and full of camaraderie.
Then on top of the above cruise adventure, we have an optional
two-night pre-cruise tour to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), the
world’s largest launch facility. This tour starts with a meet-up
in Orlando for an overnight at a local hotel. Then we’ll have
breakfast in the morning, transfer to KSC for a day full of exploring and
then transfer again to our hotel in Fort Lauderdale that same evening
for an overnight stay. We will board our ship the next morning or
afternoon.
Just to let you know. . . upon polling the CT family, it seemed that
a less expensive, more relaxed event was desired. I understand our
preference for togetherness and camaraderie, as well as some place
nice and warm. The Caribbean Oasis may be the exact ticket we all
need!! To get you in the appropriate mood, please take a listen to the
Banana Boat Song – Beetle Juice Day-O
on YouTube or search YouTube with that same phrase. It did for
me. . . Just imagine what the musical trio of Menyuk, Moore &
Dickson could do to the same!! LOL!
CT 16 – South America ~
For Cruise Trek 2016, we have the
“The South America
Passage”, which is sure to be magnificently enthralling,
as well as culturally and environmentally so divergent from our own
world. . .
~ Cruise Trek 2016 Fun ~
Highlights, left to right – Stanley penguins, Punta Arenas
National Park, Osorno Volcano in Puerto Montt, and Llama farm.
Imagine our informal Cruise Trek Family morning breakfast
gatherings (Lido area or on deck) or dining in our staterooms while
Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, slides into view.
We’ll be in Tierra del Fuego, the “Land of Fire,”
so named by Magellan some 400 years ago when he spied mysterious
flames dancing on the dark, distant shore. The flames, it happens,
were the signal fires of the Alacalufes people, who to this day still
pursue ancient tribal ways.
And then on another day, we will enter Glacier Alley, where massive
glaciers – Italia, Alemania, Francia, Romanche – grind
their way to the sea from high in the Darwin Range. From our vantage
point in the Crow’s Nest Lounge high atop the ship with a
surround of windows affording panoramic views, we will watch in awe
as towers of ice the size of buildings break off and crash into the sea.
Then envision entering Beagle Channel, where it’ll be
easy to see why Charles Darwin was so enchanted by the region
during his exploratory cruise in 1832. Wildlife is everywhere. We
step ashore at Punta Arenas to stroll through the nesting grounds of
millions of chattering Magellanic penguins, coming within yards of
busy parents and their demanding, fuzzy fledglings.
Do we want adventure in new places?
The South America Discovery
may fill our bills, as they say!!
So many places will offer scenic cruising and appear seemingly
untouched by humans. . . It is simply serene and the magnificence is
sure to inspire you. . . imagine again. . . in the wakes of Magellan and
Darwin? this “Passage” will feature speakers providing
expert presentations on the region’s geographic formation,
biological development, and human history. In fact, we may even have
our own private CT guest lecturer from International Big History
Association aboard. . . the IBHA is an organization that promotes the
science with more emphasis from the perspective of the Universe and
not just from a merely human existence perspective. Of which Bill Gates
helped to jump start. . .
CT 17 – Destination ???? ~
Then for a total time warp we go to Cuba in 2017 (of course, this one
is subject to change as maybe Asia or another European River or big ship
cruise to the Black Sea might make more sense (depending upon politics,
economics and more). . . more explained below. . .
I have not been to Cuba before and this would be my first time there
as well. . . but in doing the research to produce an educational and
“People-to-People” (as defined and required by the US
Dept. of State) event, it just sounds like it will be an amazing experience
all by itself. The stories I have heard from others who have experienced
Cuba are just a trip – wow!
IDIC – Infinite Diversity In Infinite Combinations –
as demonstrated by Cruise Trek Family members sharing the fun and
camaraderie of celebrating Halloween in Paris on the 2013 Seine
cruise.
Ok I will share one that I am sure will pique your curiosity: The tour
owner/operator (who is a lovely man & friend & neighbor)
loves to share the about the time when he had a New York Bar
Association group go to Cuba for a cultural learning experience –
again as defined by the Dept. of State. Anyway, at a dinner reception
(very informal) with many locals, one NYC attorney member asked
another local and Cuban attorney how divorce was handled.
The Cuban said, “I do not understand the question.”
The Big Time NYC attorney asked, sort of self-consciously or meekly (if
that is possible), “How long does it take to process a
divorce?”
The matter-of-fact local said, “Well, you go downstairs to
the street, meet an elder lady, sign a paper and in two minutes it is
done!”
And so, the BT NYC guy incredulously says, “Well, what
about the contract of dissolution, asset division, child custody and
more????”
The local says, “Huh? We don’t have any assets,
the ‘village’ all raises our children and so I am not sure
what you are asking.”
Anyway, indeed the above may be a generalization. . . though
things are less complicated, if not in a time warp. For me, it sounds all
very endearing if not simply like it used to be when I grew up. . .
where it always took a village. And even with the story above and the
hard life there, the people are gracious and caring. Despite what we
may call hardship, the energy, dance and song of the culture is just
amazing. . .
By the way, some of the best people I know are attorneys. . . I was
just taking a little fun & dramatic license with all. . . Right, Eric
and Bonnie!!??
Though to explain further, currently, Cuba is silly expensive. For
instance, we could go to So America for two weeks and including airfare,
we would pay just about the same for a week in Cuba. I am hoping by
the time we go things, are a bit more politically relaxed and we will see
lower costs. Though I just hope that when that time comes around,
we’ll still see the lovely but time-warped Cuba of today. . .
Could remind me of a ST episode or two.
~ Want to Take a Regular / Non-Event Cruise? ~
Cruise Trek can help!
We’ve been on more than 100 cruises, and
we can help you find the perfect cruise you’re
looking for.
Contact Us!
In any case, the really great thing about all these new adventures
is that you can do one, two, three or all four options. Please see the
itineraries, linked in the menu at the top of this screen, to complete
your understanding of all.
Oh yes, some of you may have heard already, but I just wanted to
thank again CT family members Diane & Andrea for joining us in
a “Charlie de Tour Road Trip” this last fall –
named as such because it is told that a certain somebody has never
seen a road that one should not want to take. ;-) Even better was that
along the way we were able to hook up with even more CT family!
So, for final housekeeping – we offer our apologies for the
long delay in getting all the future event information to you. We have
been juggling supplier and timing issues for all. . . plus, R & D
trips & weddings to attend. . . and, well, the rest of life kept us
pretty busy too!! ;-))
Running out of room here to explain more . . . but, maybe we could
do another CT family Q & A gathering on board??!! ;-)) With
those built-in wonderful days at sea, I am sure we will have time for
loads of comradery and interaction. . . like as compared to our hugely
busy event to the British Isles last year!
In any case, we are looking forward to sharing and enjoying many
more adventures and expanding our perspectives. . .
Best of New Years to you all. . . Make it so. . .
Travel well & safe always . . .
Charlie
PS
My sincere appreciation goes to family CTer Dr. Curt D. for his
“Hey, Mon” paragraph and others for inspiring and
helping to get this material out to you all.
And, of course, to the newbies to the CT family. . . Welcome
aboard! Many of us have sailed together so many times and/or
additionally engaged outside of our events that we have certainly
become a family. . . And again, I for one would not have it any other
way! ;-))
Charles C. Datin, Cruise Trek
Mail to – PO Box 4277 Malibu, CA 90264
Phone – (310) 456-7544
Website –
www.cruisetrek.com
SKYPE – cruisetrek
Email:
CruiseTrek@gmail.com
Update – November 27, 2014:
Hey, CT Family!
Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!! I am stuffed after two
big meals in one day!! ;-)))
Information on Cruise Trek 2015 to “the Caribbean”,
Cruise Trek 2016 to “South America”, and Cruise Trek
2017 to possibly “Cuba” coming soon!!
Be well & Travel safe. . .
Charlie
Update – October 9, 2014:
Hey, CT Family!
(Note sent to CT past cruisers 10/6/2014)
Again, very sorry for any duplicate emails. . . I simply gathered these
email addresses from the last 5 years’ events/adventures. . .
and some of you have done more than one!! ;-)))
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But if you’re not already hearing from Cruise Trek and
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In any case, I simply had a question for you and i needed as much
feedback as possible. . . Hence my wide reach ;-)) Plus, I so enjoyed
the Q & A on our UK sailing this last July that i seriously wish it
had gone on longer! ;-)) Next time we will endeavor to have more
Q & A.
Anyway, the one thing I failed to ask you all. . . What would you
think of a flight and land tour to Cuba???
Keeping in mind that this destination, group size, costs, time of year
and other restrictions may be a limitation for some . . but, I have always
wanted to explore this country, culture & community by way of an
educationally, federally licensed and structured trip. . . and perhaps
doing it before and if Cuba ever opens up.
That said, we are still working on future events. . . seems we have
2016 pretty close to decided. . . just 2015 has been bounced about. . .
but, we do certainly have some fun and/or fascinating adventures in
mind.
Hope you are all very well. And look forward to seeing you again
soon.
Oh. . . we just returned from a terrific 2-week road trip with and/or
including some special CT family engagements. . . It was so cool! The
Sierras, Lake Tahoe, Mt Shasta, Crater Lake, Ashland, the coast of
Oregon to the coast of California & the magnificent Redwoods. . .
Luv it when those CT family extras come into play! ;-)
Again Input is always appreciated. . . Tis time especially for Cuba,
though of course on other destinations as well. . . and therein we try to
find the “balance of all or of the whole”.
As always. . . travel safe & sane. . .
My best to you all,
Charlie
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