Yo soy un Berlizer...LOL

For workshops and discussions that a piano is not needed, RCCL would be the best choice since they have rooms specifically set aside for conferences on deck 2. I would also think that they would have more piano's as I know there are only 2 really available for meeting and playing at the same time. If anyone on this forum has sailed on either Fredom, Liberty or Independence of the Seas and can provide locations it would be appreciated. I was invited and sailed on the pre inaugurals of both Freedom and Liberty of the Seas but in all honesty cannot remember.

Actually Bill, I cannot imagine a meeting with our group that would 'not' require a piano!!!

Could you check on that for us?

We are players/gatherers/partygoers all day and all night! And if attending a lecture/performance/shoptalk we still need a piano on hand.

And a place to meet for just the get-togethers could be most anywhere that there is a place that a group could gather within the large group...
or a big private estate room or adjoining rooms for the after party events.

In other words, the trip itself is only the frosting on the cake. Our get together and a place to meet and would be of utmost importance.

Otherwise, we could take any old cruise at any old time!

I hope I am speaking for others interested in attending. If not, I apologize for being forward about this.

Good points Lilylady.

Bill, if you scan a few of these posts, you will see how we usually operate.
We can meet just about anywhere, as long as there is:
~ A Piano (or 2 or 10 or...)
~ Food
~ Drink

http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/topic/22/145/2.html


http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/22/171/3.html

http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/22/133.html

http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/topic/22/147/3.html

I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience with Celebrity. A number of years ago, my wife and I went on a Celebrity cruise, and were very impressed with the ship and crew. At the time, Celebrity was still owned by the Chandris family, and not by RCI, as they are now, so perhaps things have changed.

Cruise ships are very hard on the environment. Some companies are trying to become more responsible. I hope you will consider going with them.

There's an article in today's NY Times:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/travel/15green.html?ref=todayspaper

It is a matter of scheduling. Once we have selected a ship I will begin to work on scheduling. The space and time offered to us will depend on how many people we have (ie with say 20 to 40 we could probably use the piano bar during the day. With larger groups again gatherings would be during the day in most cases and probably in the upper "crowsnest" lounges.

It is a matter of scheduling. Once we have selected a ship I will begin to work on scheduling. The space and time offered to us will depend on how many people we have (ie with say 20 to 40 we could probably use the piano bar during the day. With larger groups again gatherings would be during the day in most cases and probably in the upper "crowsnest" lounges.

Cruise ships are very hard on the environment. Some companies are trying to become more responsible. I hope you will consider going with them.

There's an article in today's NY Times:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/travel/15green.html?ref=todayspaper

Hi Frank,
Saw you posts for the piano cruise. Sounds like a great idea. We would do our own entertaining and spend less time eating all that food. We have been on several cruises, the most recent last Feb. on NCL's Gem. Nice ship, great shows, and service. In 2005 we fly to London, took a 10 day cruise back to the states on NCL' Jewel. Again, a very good experience. They have Yamaha's in their lounges, with good pianists. In 2000, when I was still working as a Nurse, we did an educational cruise on NCL's, Norway. They were very accommodating, setting up rooms, and private breakfasts. Have you checked them out? Have you set a time of year or month? Looking forward to possibly joining you.
Dot

Hi Dot,

Thanks for your input.
I think it will be fun.

I'm letting our agent handle all the details.

I've never been on a cruise. All the ships I traveled on were work boats (offshore lobster, fishing draggers, tug boats).

If we get enough people, we should be able to commandeer some meeting space with a piano.

We are looking at March/April 2010 I believe.
Hope you can join us.

I have been on a number of cruises to the Carribean. Holland American, Norwegian Cruise lines and Royal Carribean were the best.

I heard from friends that Celebrity was the worst. Gaby Tu

I want to thank all of you who voted and the comments provided in this thread.

Based on the opinions of many of you in this "thread" we have decided to sail on the Liberty of the Seas by Royal Caribbean. The voting was close so we used the following to our advantage:

A great location for piano sessions on the ship overlooking the ocean from the lounge on deck 14.

The pricing which was a better value

Much better ports of call including a "day on the beach" at the private island. I apologize for those who may have travelled in the past on this itineary but there is so much more to see and do and my wife loves the "shopping".

A far superior children's program for anyone who wishes to come with their children or grandchildren I guarantee that they will not get in your way during the cruise.

More balcony cabins and far more activities (due to being a larger ship).

We have a choice of the March 14 or April 11 sailing. The April sailing is a better value and will not interfere with Lent as it leaveas the week after Easter. Next week a flyer will be prepared and posted. Early reservations are recommended. Since this is the initial cruise of the group RCCL will only provide 16 cabins at this time. Any questions can be directed to me at info@dreamvacationtravels.com or posted to this site for all to see the response. Look forward to meeting many of you. Thanks again for your input. It really helped in making the decision.

Hi Bill, I'm sure I'm not the only person curious about the approximate price range on the cruise. Can you give us an idea?

Don't forget to negotiate internet access so you can keep in touch with all us guys who can't make it.

The forum could be a bit slow that week!

Without the moderators around there is a good chance we will all kill each other.

Oh and Monica, take that price with a pinch of salt. In this economic climate you should be able to bag a discount of at least 30% :rolleyes:

The best Cruise we (wife and I)went on recently was on the new Cunard 'Queen Victoria'

They also had Yamaha Grands, about 7 I think, one a near-concert grand size. All in good tune. We also had an excellent paid Concert Pianist who's name I cannot remember. Even bought his CD. Will edit post later. Plus the resident bar pianist who played to requests of the passengers. Another talented pianist.

Sorry, but all my subconscious brain is full of music awaiting my recall when I next play the piano. To get piano practice in as a passenger I had to get on the ivories around 6.30 AM. That was no problem as I get up early every day.

I cannot play to audience as I'm one of those peculiar people that play by ear and memory recall,any distraction ruins the brain recall and the ability of master of the keyboard sounds.

So yes, we can recommend the Queen Victoria 100%

The details, pricing, location of piano's for our use, itinerary etc will be on the site by the end of February. Negotiating with the cruise line but pricing will start under $ 1000 per person including all those crazy port and government taxes. Not much more for outside cabins and the best of all the balconies. As interest and bookings increase I will see more perks such as free internet, cocktail parties, etc. All I can say is "sharpen your ice skating and surfing" skills. I want to see Frank climb the rock wall (Can you see that picture on the forum). I tried everything when I sailed on the inaugural of the ship and may even forward Frank some pictures. I look forward to meeting many of you on the cruise and if the response is anything like the response to the "survey" we will take over the ship.

Would you consider surveying members to find out whether there's a preference between the two dates you're considering? For me, one date will work and the other won't - the same may be true for others.

Carol

Piano Cruise Details!
See the attached Word Doc for all the details.

Piano World and Dream Vacation Travels
is proud to present

MELODIES AT SEA
CARIBBEAN CRUISE
MARCH 14 - 21, 2010


Join Founder Frank Baxter on the Inaugural Cruise of Piano World
to the Sunny Western Caribbean on
Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas

Our Ship...


The Promenade...



A Stateroom...



A Show...




Another Show, with Orchestra ...



A Lounge (meeting room?) with a Piano ...


Don't forget to download and read the attached Word Document with Itinerary, Ports of Call, Pricing, Contacts, and more...

Piano Cruise Details


Bill's Dream Vacations Web Site

Piano World and Dream Vacation Travels
is proud to present

MELODIES AT SEA
CARIBBEAN CRUISE
MARCH 14 - 21, 2010


Join Founder Frank Baxter on the Inaugural Cruise of Piano World
to the Sunny Western Caribbean on
Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas
We promise memorable experiences in unique
ports of call. Cruise devoted to those who enjoy the piano, want to learn more, or are piano professionals. Experience will include:

• 7 nights of Caribbean cruising
• Choice of a variety of deluxe staterooms.
• Private receptions
• Private concerts
• Informative and entertaining lectures
• Traditional preset dining
• Daily activities – 24 hour room service
• First Class entertainment
• Guaranteed Fun
• Surprise gifts


Day Port Arrive Depart
0 Miami 04:30 PM
1 Musical Day at Sea

2 Private Island, 08:00 AM 04:00 PM
Labadee, Haiti

3 Montego Bay, 10:30 AM 06:00 PM
Jamaica

4 Georgetown, 08:00 AM 04:00 PM
Grand Cayman

5 Cozumel, Mexico, 10:00 AM 07:00 PM
6. Musical Day at Sea

7 Miami 07:00 AM

Special group pricing includes accommodations, port charges, and on board group activities as follows

Junior Suite with Balcony: from $ 1,949.00; Deluxe Balcony: from $1,299.00; Outside Stateroom from $ 1,149.00 ; Promenade Stateroom from $ 1,099.00; Inside Stateroom from
$ 964.00. Deposit of $ 250 per person required. Balance not due until November 30, 2009.

Rates are per person, double occupancy and do not include: Airfare, Transfers to ship, Gratuities, Gov’t Taxes, Fuel Surcharges, Travel Insurance, or optional shore excursions. For reservations and additional information contact: Bill Potuchek, Dream Vacation Travels at 1-877-874-7771 or info@dreamvacationtravels.com
. Space in each cabin category is limited.
Rates and availability not guaranteed after 8/15/2009.
Affiliated with Travel Planners International.
FLA seller of travel Reg. No. 1067024.
CA seller of travel Reg. No 2063964-40.

Information about the ship...

Ship Highlights
FlowRider®
H2O Zone
Cantilevered whirlpools
Rock-climbing wall
Ice-skating rink
Royal Promenade
Extensive WiFi capabilities and connectivity for cell phones
Full-size, flat-screen TVs in every stateroom
Themed bars and lounges
Adventure Ocean® youth facilities
Fitness Center and Day Spa
Full-size Everlast boxing ring
Casino RoyaleSM
Presidential Family Suite
Sports Pool
Full-size sports court
9-hole miniature golf course
Johnny Rockets® '50s-style restaurant
Portofino Italian Restaurant
Chops Grille
Ben & Jerry's® ice cream
Vintages wine bar
Boleros Latin-themed lounge
Sorrento's pizza
Vitality Wellness Program

Ship Facts
Maiden Voyage: May 19, 2007
Passenger Capacity: 3,634 double occupancy
Godmother: Donnalea Madeley
Gross Tonnage: 160,000
Length: 1,112'
Max Beam: 184'
Draft: 28'
Cruising Speed: 21.6 knots
Conference Facilities
Dedicated meeting space with breakout rooms and reception area to accommodate up to 400 people

High-tech presentation rooms

Color touch screens, wireless remote controls, teleconferencing equipment and more

Want to Know More?

Virtual Tours, Deck Layouts, Podcasts, Videos...

Liberty Of the Seas

Jerry A441 and I, Linda both want to be included in this fabulous cruise. Jerry said that he replied a couple weeks ago but I can't find his post. Anyway, count us in.

That's great news Linda.

Ok, we have our piano tuner onboard now (just kidding).

Now you just have to convince some more of our friends from the Cape to join us.

Best,

Frank B.

Please see this new thread...

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthrea...tml#Post1156407