DECEMBER 1, 2024 * VIEW AS WEBPAGE

IT'S ALMOST TIME

TO 'SAIL AWAY'

Welcome to the first issue of SAIL AWAY prior to our YMCA Alumni Reunion-at-Sea in just under three months time. Whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned cruiser we hope you will find information you can use in this special newsletter.

This first edition (November 19, 2024) focuses on some things you should consider doing now. Thanks to Meghan Bibby of Go Travel for pulling this helpful information together in one place. Be sure you have downloaded the Royal Caribbean App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Watch for Black Friday sales on the app.

--Carmelita Gallo, YMCA Alumni VP West and Reunion Chair

--Bob Cook, Go Travel Sales Director and consultant to our Travel Club

THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT

Hopefully, by now, you have downloaded the Royal Caribbean app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. If not, we suggest you do so RIGHT NOW. Royal Caribbean is having a Black Friday sale, offering significant savings (some as high as 40 percent) on drink and specialty restaurant dining packages, some excursions, wifi, The Key, and more. You can also use it for just about everything aboard the ship.

OUR PRE-CRUISE HOTEL

Planning to join us for a few days or overnight in Houston before we sail away in Galveston? Be sure to make your reservation at the Houston Marriott South at Hobby Airport, 91 Gulf Freeway, 1-713-943-7979. Our special "YMCA Retirees" room rate is $95 per night. Register with Go Travel if you wish to tour the Houston Space Center Jan. 25 ($89 pp) and/or for taking our shuttle bus from the Marriott to Galveston Cruise Port ($39 pp).

Click HERE to reserve now at the Marriott. (Rate valid through Jan. 10, 2005.)

DINING ON THE HARMONY

If you have reserved either early dining or late dining in the MAIN DINING ROOM, our group will all be seated in the same area. If you have booked "My Time" dining, you will need to make your reservations on the app. There is no additional cost in the dining room.

There are lots of choices for dining aboard the ship. COMPLIMENTARY DINING, aside from the Main Dining Room, is available at the Windjammer Café (buffet), Solarium Bistro, Park Café, Vitality Café, Café Promenade and Sorrento's Pizza.

SPECIALTY DINING in restaurants such as Chops Grille, Jamie's Italian, Wonderland, The Chef's Table, Izumi Hibachi, 150 Central Park and Sabor's Mexican prices generally range from $50-$75 (some higher, some lower). You will save money by booking on the app pre-cruise. However, if you want to try several of these excellent restaurants, consider purchasing a dining package on the app before sailing. Pick a 3-restaurant package or one offering unlimited specialty dining.You will save about 40 percent.

BEVERAGE PACKAGES: Complimentary beverages aboard ship include iced tea, coffee, lemonade, and water, but not specialty teas or coffee. Cocktails are $12-14, beer at $8 and a glass of wine about $9. There are several beverage packages to choose from and you can determine if one will save you money. They certainly are convenient. Note: All adults in the same stateroom must purchase the drink package, not individually.

EXCURSION OPTIONS AT EVERY PORT

There are many options for excursions in each of our ports -- Roatan, Costa Maya and Cozumel. Spend a day at a relaxing beach club, tour some remarkable ruins or swim with the dolphins. You can book excursions on the app and save before we sail. You can also book onboard. Note that by booking on Royal Caribbean excursions vs. private tours you are guaranteed to return to the ship by departure time. There's plenty to do in each of the ports alongside the ship as well or take a stroll or taxi into local towns. Just keep an eye on the time. The ship will leave without you!

YOU CAN BE A VIP WITH 'THE KEY'

You may want to take advantage of becoming a VIP by purchasing The Key. You must purchase it on the app before sailing and only 250 will be sold. In short, if you want it, buy it soon. The price includes shipboard VOOM Surf + Stream Wi-Fi (1 device) and that may make it a bargain for you. The Key gives you priority boarding access, carry-on bag drop-off and stateroom delivery on first day, exclusive welcome lunch, 20 percent off specialty restaurants on reservations made the first day, access to "fast-lane" for selected shipboard activities, dedicated seating section at shows in the Royal Theater, AquaTheater, Studio B, exclusive à la carte breakfast and departure at your leisure with Choice Departure time. Pricing for The Key varies, but as it includes Wi-Fi, it's certainly worth considering.

CHECK YOUR DOCUMENTS NOW

Now is the time to make sure your passport matches your legal first and last name that is listed on your Go Travel invoice and be sure it doesn’t expire prior to August 2, 2025. 

If you are traveling with a birth certificate:

It must be a state-certified birth certificate issued by the government. No “baby feet” certificates, no hospital birth certificates and no baptismal papers. You must present the original copy, no photo copies.You must also show a valid government issued photo ID, like a driver’s license. Guests 15 and under do not need to show an ID, just the birth certificate.

ROYAL ENTERTAINMENT AWAITS

Royal Caribbean cruises are known for offering plenty of high quality entertainment including award-winning Broadway musicals and original productions in the Main Theater. Showcases of acrobatics, synchronized swimming and captivating high-dives at the open-air AquaTheater. And awe-inspiring shows on ice in Studio B by world-class professional figure skaters. Entertainment comes at no extra cost. Get to venues early for best seating. Check the app for the daily schedules once on board.

NEED SPECIAL EQUIPMENT, SERVICES?

Be sure to let Royal Caribbean know if you need special equipment or services: 60 days prior to sailing: Sign language interpretating.

30 days prior to sailing: Raised toilet seat, commode chair, shower stool, transfer bench, service animal relief area, large print material, TTY, visual-tactile alert system, assistive listening devices; medical refrigerator, sharp's container, distilled water, extension cord, oxygen supply delivery, dialysis supply delivery, closed captioned television.

QUESTIONS? CLICK THE BUTTONS

If you have questions about travel and anything do with travel, cruise and reservations, click the red button below and Go Travel will respond. If you have questions about the YMCA Alumni programming on the cruise, click the blue button below.

SAIL AWAY is produced by craig altschul + associates (ca+a).

Next issue of SAIL AWAY: Early January 2025