[ essential information about your cruise aboard the Norwegian Dawn ]

[ essential information
about your cruise aboard
the Norwegian Dawn ]
July 10 - 17, 2005
[ cruise itinerary ]
Day
Port
Arrive
Depart
July 10
Depart NYC
—
6pm
July 11
At Sea
—
—
July 12
Halifax
7am
4pm
July 13
Boston
11am
midnight
July 14
Provincetown
7am
6pm
July 15
Martha’s Vineyard
8am
6pm
July 16
At Sea
—
—
July 17
NYC
9am
—
[ dear guests ]
We are so excited
about seeing each
of you on our
next R Family
Vacations cruise!
Kelli and I have
been counting the
days until we sail down the Hudson River aboard the
Norwegian Dawn. We can’t wait to see many familiar
faces and meet all of the new friends that are joining
us for the first time.
The following booklet lists everything you need to
know about your upcoming cruise with us. Please read
it carefully as it contains some very important information to prepare you for your vacation. Please do not
hesitate to contact the R Family office should you have
any questions.
Have a very safe trip to our hometown of New York,
New York. We’ll see you onboard!
With Kind Regards,
Gregg Kaminsky and Kelli O’Donnell
Finally
a gay cruise that
welcomes everyone.
[ table of contents ]
how to prepare for the cruise
2
Travel Documents; Sailing from the Big Apple;
How to Get to the Port; Flights; Check-in;
Money; Lifeboat Drill; Customs; Alcoholic
Beverages; Water & Power; Packing; Baggage
all about the norwegian dawn
7
Freestyle Daily; Spa Services; Weddings; Friday
Night Services; R Family Team; Shore Excursions;
Special Dietary Requests; Medications; Internet;
Onboard Account; Medical Services; Laundry/Dry
Cleaning; Tipping; Pets; Special Occasions
our young travelers
11
Kid’s Crew; Kid’s Pool; Video Zone; Soda Card;
Kid’s Café; Blue Lagoon; Sprinkle’s Ice Cream;
Nanny Service; Children’s Singers; Free to be
You and Me; Cribs; Cinema; Sports Court;
Theme Parties; Teen Panel; Evenings
entertainment
14
Entertainment Highlights; Speaker Series/
Workshops/Discussion Groups; Singles Events;
Friends of Bill W.
dining
18
Restaurant Options
contact information
20
Before Sailing; Phones at Sea; Disembarking
Table of Contents
1
[ how to prepare
for the cruise ]
travel documents
This package contains your R Family Vacations Travel
Confirmation; Norwegian Cruise Line passenger
ticket contract; R Family luggage tags, NCL stateroom
luggage tag; NCL Advanced Registration form; and
other information about your cruise.
Passports are not required for this cruise (except for
all non-U.S. Citizens). A birth certificate (with a raised
seal) and a government issued photo ID is sufficient.
Minors only need birth certificates. Parents please make
sure you have your guardian papers (if applicable) and
any necessary legal medical documentation with you.
Non-U.S. citizens must be in possession of a valid
passport and multiple entries Visa for entry into the
United States, or a visa waiver. Non-U.S. citizens should
contact their local immigration office or embassy.
It is the passenger’s responsibility to secure all
necessary documentation. Please note that there will
be no refund if a passenger is denied boarding by U.S.
immigration officials for lack of proper documents.
Please note our records indicate that when you made
your reservation, you were provided with the terms and
conditions of the cruise, which you accepted, by signature.
Please present your birth certificate/photo ID or
passport when you check in. There are no cruise tickets.
It’s all electronic.
sailing from the big apple
We embark and disembark right from midtown
Manhattan at Twelfth Avenue and 55th Street. We will
begin check-in at approximately 3pm and the ship
sails at 6pm. You must be onboard 30
minutes prior
to sailing or
your reservation
may be subject
to cancellation.
2
How to Prepare for the Cruise
how to get to the port
from the airports: If you are flying into NY on July 10,
we recommend that you take a taxi or car service from
the airport. All of the three major airports are convenient and it should take less than an hour to reach the
port. Cost should be between $30–$50.
from the city: If you are staying in New York prior to
the cruise at a hotel or with friends, we recommend you
hop in a cab to the port. It’s less than 10 minutes away
from Times Square and costs less than $15.
driving: If you are driving to NYC the day we depart,
there are a few options for parking. There is limited
parking available at the port but there are many parking
lots near the port within walking distance. We recommend that you drop off your luggage and park.
Unfortunately, parking in New York can be very pricey.
Parking costs between $15–25 per day (subject to change).
flights
Please allow extra time to check in for your flights.
Going through security can take a long time due to
heightened security at the airports. We recommend that
you arrive at the airport between 90 minutes and two
hours before your flight.
We recommend that you do not book return flights
prior to 1:00pm on July 17. You can purchase bus transportation to both LGA and JFK airports from the shore
excursions desk once you get onboard. However, if you
use this service to go to the airport, you must not have
a return flight booked before 1:00pm.
check-in
Bring your cruise documents and required ID with
you. Your luggage will be sent to your rooms before
you enter the pier, so make sure you don’t pack these
items. At this time, you will need to provide a credit
card or cash deposit to cover your onboard expenses.
Your room key serves as a credit card for all onboard
charges including drinks, spa services, shore excursions
or onboard purchases.
R Family Team members and NCL representatives
will be there to answer any questions you may have and
to help you through the process.
How to Prepare for the Cruise
3
money
U.S. Dollars are accepted in all of the ports we are
visiting. However, you will get the best exchange rate in
Halifax, Nova Scotia if you exchange your U.S. dollars
for Canadian dollars at any local bank or use a credit
card when making purchases.
lifeboat drill
Please be advised that before we sail from New York,
all passengers onboard are required to participate in a
lifeboat drill. Every guest will be asked to go to an
assigned area and must wear the life jackets provided
in each stateroom.
We realize that many of you are traveling long
distances to participate on this cruise. This lifeboat drill
(especially for children) can be a bit stressful. We promise
this cruise will be a blast. Please be patient during the
drill. Your safety is our first concern. Fun is our
second! Once this is complete, be prepared to sail
away on the best vacation of your life.
customs
U.S. citizens are allowed $400 (retail prices) of dutyfree merchandise including one liter of liquor and
200 cigarettes.
For information on the allowance for non-U.S.
citizens entering the United States, please check with
the Purser’s Desk onboard. You are not permitted to
bring fresh fruits, meat products, fresh milk products,
plants or tortoise shell products into the U.S.
alcoholic beverages
No alcoholic beverages may be brought onboard for
personal consumption, according to Norwegian Cruise
Line policy. Any liquor purchased onboard or in any port
of call will be placed in a secure area and delivered to
your stateroom on the last evening of the cruise.
water & power
The voltage
throughout the
ship is both 110
and 220 volts AC.
All of the water
onboard is
filtered.
4
How to Prepare for the Cruise
packing
clothing: R Family Vacations and Norwegian’s
Freestyle Cruising emphasizes a casual, comfortable
atmosphere with no specified dress code. This is your
vacation and we want you to dress as you please. You
may want to bring a light jacket or sweater for the
evenings as it can sometimes be cool on deck or
inside with the air conditioning.
special suggestions: We suggest bringing a box of zip
lock bags — they are great for separating your wet items
from dry ones and for storing lotions and sunscreens.
Also, white noise machines can be welcome accessories
at night. Even the newest ships creak and the new sounds
can keep light sleepers from getting their beauty rest.
dinner: We do not mind if you wear shorts to dinner.
However, we do ask that they be dressy Bermuda style.
Also, we request that no tank tops be worn in the
restaurants after 6pm.
ports: Because of our summer sailing date, it will be
warm during the days. Make sure you bring comfortable shoes for walking and beach shoes for the water.
theme events: R Family Vacations has created several
themed events throughout the week. We welcome you
to dress up as much or as little as you like.
• state fair: Think plaid shirts, cowboy hats,
bandannas, and denim. Get ready to win LOTS
of prizes.
• hollywood: You’ll be the first to sneak preview
HBO’s “All Aboard: Rosie’s Family Cruise”.
Come ready to walk the red carpet...we’ll supply
the accessories to make each of you Hollywood
Glam or bring your own.
• retro: Get ready to boogie on the pool deck to
classic disco. Bring your polyester, bell-bottoms
and anything else to get you in
the groove.
How to Prepare for the Cruise
5
baggage
Most airlines allow two checked bags and one carry on.
Check with your airline for specific allowances.
It is recommended that you do not place valuables
in your checked luggage, including those checked
aboard the ship.
There are safes in every stateroom in which you
create your own combination. We recommend that
you store all of your valuables there.
You will be required to submit all luggage for
security screening at the pier. Security regulations
require that there are no exceptions to this rule.
If you need luggage assistance, porter service is
available at the pier during embarkation. It is much
appreciated and customary to tip the porters $1.00
per bag.
Please be advised that it can take up to 5 hours
for checked luggage to arrive to your stateroom so
you may want to carry on anything you will need
that first afternoon.
6
How to Prepare for the Cruise
[ all about the
Norwegian Dawn ]
freestyle daily
The Freestyle Daily will be delivered to your stateroom each night providing a complete list of activities
and entertainment for the following day. All times
and locations are listed. We recommend you read it
carefully so you can prepare for how you want to
spend your day. Changes or
updates may occur so the
Freestyle Daily is our best
way to keep you informed.
spa services
The Dawn features a fullservice spa offering
everything from hot stone
massage to hairstyling and
aromatherapy facials. There
is an additional charge for
each of these services and
they can be charged to your
stateroom. Please note that you
must be 18 or over to
use the spa services.
weddings
MCC Pastor Cindi Love and Mass. Justice of the
Peace Sally Masters have offered to officiate.
For those of you wanting to get married in
Massachusetts, the state requires that you are either a
resident or intend to become one. There is also a 3-day
waiting period. You may visit a court and request a
waiver. If you live close to Mass., we recommend you
obtain a waiver prior to the cruise. They are good for
60 days. You may also choose to get married in Halifax,
Nova Scotia. You do not need to be a resident but you
do need to submit paperwork prior to our arrival.
Please contact our office for more details or to make
arrangements for your wedding.
friday night services
We will offer a Friday night service for our Jewish guests
or for anyone who wishes to attend.
All About the Norwegian Dawn
7
r family team
Our team is always available to assist you with anything
you may need during your cruise. We will have a courtesy desk set up daily. Operation hours will be posted in
the Freestyle Daily. You can also reach a team member
by notifying someone at the front desk.
shore excursions
The shore excursions department has planned many
exciting tours in each port. A complete listing of the
shore excursions is enclosed. You can sign up for these
once you board.
All excursions are owned and operated by independent operators ashore, and are sold onboard as
a convenience to our guests. Guests participate in
all activities off the ship at their own risk. Please be
advised that R Family Vacations has no responsibility
or affiliation with Shore Excursion sales or operations.
Some of the excursions may be with groups from
other cruises or the general public.
special dietary requests
Norwegian Cruise Line will make every attempt
to accommodate special requests onboard. There are
vegetarian, non-dairy and low fat options available at
every meal, in every restaurant.
If you need something out of the ordinary, please
contact Gregg in the R Family Vacations office prior
to the cruise.
medications
Don’t forget to bring all of your prescription and
non-prescription medications in their original bottles.
Every stateroom has a refrigerator in case you need to
store them.
internet
There is an
Internet café
open 24 hours a
day. There is a
fee for use of the
Internet. Wireless
laptop access is
also available at
the same rate.
8
All About the Norwegian Dawn
onboard account
You will receive a complete statement on the last night
for you to review. Any discrepancies must be resolved
prior to debarkation.
medical services
There is a doctor and a nurse onboard. Be aware that
customary charges will be made for all medical care and
services. The medical facilities are only equipped to
perform basic care. The personnel cannot offer care for
conditions requiring specialized expertise or equipment.
Passengers with such conditions, or in the event of an
emergency, may be evacuated at the passenger’s expense.
No prescription medication will be dispersed onboard
without an examination by the physician.
laundry/dry cleaning
Laundry, dry cleaning and pressing services are available
for a charge. Laundry bags and service request forms
are in your staterooms. There are also coin operated
washing machines/dryers located onboard. Consult
your cabin steward for details.
tipping
All standard gratuities have been prepaid for this
cruise so no tipping is required or expected at any
time. All dining room staff, cabin stewards and other
personnel have been compensated at levels that are
customary for a group this size. No additional tipping
is needed but may be extended at your discretion if
the service is exceptional.
pets
Although we’ve had a huge number of requests to bring
dogs and cats on the cruise, no pets are allowed except
dogs assisting visually, hearing, or physically impaired.
special occasions
You can purchase cakes, flowers, fruit baskets or other
gifts from NCL. Call our office and we’ll process this
request for you. Please note that these requests must be
made no later than June 24th. You need to provide your
reservation number when you go to NCL.com or by
calling 800-327-7030.
All About the Norwegian Dawn
9
[ our young travelers ]
R Family Vacations is pleased to offer the very first gay
and lesbian cruise that welcomes children! We are so
excited about what we have to offer to our young guests.
kid’s crew
We have a fantastic week planned for kids of all ages.
Don’t think of it as babysitting (unless you want to)
because our activities are active, energetic, educational,
and more importantly, fun. All parents must complete
the registration form at the Kid’s Crew orientation
(Sunday). You can also pick up schedules for the week
for the appropriate age group of your children to find
out what and when programs are offered.
kid’s pool
Norwegian Dawn has a fantastic T-Rex Kid’s Pool.
Please note that NCL and R Family Vacations do not
provide lifeguard service for either the children’s pool or
the main pool. You are responsible for supervising your
children in these areas.
video zone
Younger guests can enjoy a variety of arcade games in
the Video Zone located on Deck 13.
soda card
You can purchase a soda card stamp for your kid’s room
key (or yours) so they can receive unlimited soda refills
anywhere that soft drinks are served.
Our Young Travelers
11
kid’s café
There is an adorable Kid’s Café
located in the Garden Café on
deck 12. This buffet has been especially designed for the little guys
complete with tasty selections for
breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Kids
can serve themselves ‘cause the
buffet is just their size, as Gregg
demonstrates in this picture.
blue lagoon
This 24-hour diner-style restaurant is a favorite with
kids, offering everything from fried rice and wonton
soup to burgers and potato skins.
sprinkle’s ice cream
Kids will love the ice cream stand located at the main pool.
A variety of ice cream pops and ice cream is available.
nanny service
Because we have many travelers who are under the age
of two and too young to participate in the Kid’s Crew
program, R Family Vacations is offering the services of
licensed nannies. Please check the Freestyle Daily for
exact times. The plan is to offer nanny services every
evening and limited times during the sea days. This will
be set up as small group babysitting in our “baby
room.” You will need to bring all of your own supplies
if you want to use this service.
If your children are two and older, you can use the
Kid’s Crew program until 10pm. There is no charge for
these hours. The Kid’s Crew program also offers late night
hours from 10pm–1am, but there is a $5 per hour charge.
denise doucette
Denise is a very talented children’s singer. She will be
performing numerous times during the week with her
show designed specifically for our young cruisers.
free to be you and me
R Family Vacations is excited to present live performances of the 70’s favorite ‘Free to Be You and Me’.
We’ll feature this production throughout the week
for all to enjoy.
12
Our Young Travelers
pack ‘n play cribs
The Norwegian Dawn has some “pack ‘n play” cribs
available for guest use. Please contact our office if you
did not reserve one when you made your reservation.
cinema
The Norwegian Dawn has a real movie cinema and
each day we will feature at least one movie geared to
our younger guests.
sports court
This ship is perfect for the active traveler. There is a
basketball court on the pool deck and we’ll have loads
of sports contests and active games for both the youngsters as well as our adult guests.
teen panel
We will once again be offering a teen panel. This panel
will be made up of some of our teen guests. The Teen
Panel will be an amazing experience for everyone on
the cruise. The panel will share their personal experiences about what it is
like to grow up in a
gay family. You won’t
want to miss this.
evenings
R Family Vacations
has designed this
cruise with families in
mind. We are going to schedule evenings to make sure
that the parents and kids can get the most out of all of
the wonderful things this cruise has to offer.
If you need an evening with “just adults” here’s our
suggestion: After your kids enjoy an early dinner, they
can enjoy the evening activities in the Kid’s Crew while
you enjoy a romantic meal in one of the Dawn’s ten
restaurants and catch one of our world-class shows in
the 1100-seat theater.
Our Young Travelers
13
[ entertainment ]
Each night, we will feature a headliner show in the
main theater. Please be advised that most of the shows
are suitable for children. One evening will feature a
comedy showcase. All of our comedians are very
familiar with the family aspect of our cruise. However,
you may need to decide if adult comedy is appropriate
for your individual family.
We will mark any event “PG” if we feel that
parental discretion is advised for any particular show
or performance. We will always have an alternate show
each evening on the ship that will be appropriate for
children. Check the Freestyle Daily for more details
each day.
“Let Me Entertain You”
Each day will be filled with incredible entertainment
throughout the ship.
14
Entertainment
entertainment highlights
sunday
• The Kinsey Sicks
America’s favorite Dragapella Barbershop Quartet
– Four Fabulous A Capella Singers
monday
• Rosie O’Donnell’s Variety Hour
Enjoy some of this week’s incredible entertainers
including Rosie in a big Broadway style
production number.
tuesday
• Comedy Showcase
featuring Judy Gold, Jason Dudey,
and Poppy Champlain.
wednesday
• Cyndi Lauper
We know you will “just wanna have fun” when
this superstar takes to the stage.
thursday
• “Ad-Liberty”
John Tartaglia, from the Tony Award Winning
Avenue Q, performs his critically acclaimed
cabaret show.
friday
• “All-Aboard: Rosie’s Family Cruise”
Enjoy a sneak preview of the HBO Documentary
Feature Film shot on our inaugural cruise. Hosted
by Rosie with a few surprises!
saturday
• Broadway Belters
Our very own musical madman Seth Rudetsky
presents “Broadway Belters” our finale show
featuring some of Broadway’s best performers.
It will be a-MAH-zing!
Entertainment
15
other talent includes:
• Sharon Gless
(yes, from Cagney & Lacy & Queer as Folk)
• Suzanne Buirgy
• Esera Tuaolo
• Gavin Creel
• Robbie Roth
• Paul Castree
• Anika Larsen
• Darius DeHaas
• Liz Callaway
• Orfeh
• Jennifer Kruskamp
• Denise Doucette
• Brain Nash
• Norm Lewis
• Liz McCartney
• Stephanie Harwood
• Elaine Brier
• Anne Steele
• Bobby Peaco
• Denise Summerford
• Brooke Elliott
Please refer to the Freestyle Daily for exact showtimes.
Please note that all schedules are subject to change.
dj
Michael Connolly will be programming all of the music
for the week. He has DJ’d everything from feature films,
weddings and fashion shows to some of the top restaurants in New York. Michael will be mixing music at our
theme parties, at the pool, and in the disco.
16
Entertainment
speaker series/workshops/
discussion groups
R Family Vacations has put together some fantastic
discussion groups and seminars on everything from
parenting to politics. Please check your Freestyle Daily
onboard for times and locations.
We have a invited a very acclaimed list of speakers
to share their stories including:
• Lisa Bennett: Director of HRC Family Net
• Bob Bernstein: Author of “Families of Value”
• Elizabeth Birch: Former Executive Director of
HRC, Host “Birch & Company” on Here TV!
• Wes Combs: Founder of Witeck Combs
Communications
• Aimee Gelnaw: Former Director of the Family
Pride Coalition
• Steve & Jessie Harris: Founders of Family
Evolutions
• Cindi Love: Executive Director of the
Metropolitan Community Church
• Geryl Natrofsky: New Jersey IVF Clinic
• Susan Powter: Fitness Guru
• Hilary Rosen: Former CEO Recording Industry
Association of America, Commentator MSNBC
• Steve Sklar: Adoption Attorney
• Art Smith: Oprah Winfrey’s Personal Chef
• Gail Taylor / Dr. Kim Bergman: Growing
Generations – Surrogacy & Egg Donation
• Esera Tuaolo: Former NFL football player,
gay dad, singer
• Judy Wieder: Corporate Editorial Director
of LPI Media
single travelers
Single travelers will have the opportunity to meet other
singles during mixers and events throughout the cruise.
Please check the Freestyle Daily for times and locations.
friends of bill w
There will be daily Friends of Bill W. meetings.
Entertainment
17
[ dining ]
restaurant options
The hardest decision you have to make on your cruise
will be where to eat! This ship features ten incredible
restaurants:
• Venetian: Traditional cuisine with a multicourse menu
• Aqua & Impressions: Contemporary dining
room with a multi-course menu
• Cagney’s Steak House: Choose from a menu
of steak, seafood and chicken.
• Bamboo: Sushi bar and teppanyaki room
• Le Bistro: French and Mediterranean dishes
• La Tratorria: Italian restaurant featuring pasta
and pizzas
• Blue Lagoon: 24-hour diner
• Salsa: Tex-Mex, tapas and margaritas
• Garden Café: International buffet open for all
meals and snacks
• Kid’s Café: Mini-buffet for the youngsters with
hot dogs and chicken
Dining times vary, so refer to your Freestyle Daily for
exact times. There is also 24-hour room service available
at no additional cost.
18
Dining
breakfast & lunch
For breakfast, you have a choice between Garden Café,
the Venetian or the Blue Lagoon.
For lunch, you may choose from the above breakfast
options or try the sushi / teppanyaki bar.
dinner
You may eat your dinner at any of the restaurants on
the ship.
Venetian, Aqua, and Impressions require no reservations. Just show up when you want, whenever you
want. Same for the Blue Lagoon and the Garden Café.
Some of the specialty restaurants do require reservations (Cagney’s, Bamboo, Le Bistro, La Tratorria,
and Salsa). Reservations can be made by dialing the
reservation desk or by visiting the reservation desk in
the Grand Atrium. Reservations must be made on the
day you request.
Please note that there is a $15 cover charge at
Le Bistro and a $20 cover charge at Cagney’s. Sushi
and teppanyaki can be purchased a la carte. There is
no cover charge at the other seven restaurants
including La Tratorria and Salsa.
Dining
19
[ contact information ]
before sailing
We can be reached on our office number at
866-732-6822 or 845-348-0397. If you don’t reach
someone please leave a message. We are diligent
about retrieving and returning our missed calls.
Norwegian Cruise Line: 800-327-7030
phones at sea
You can phone, telex, fax to anywhere in the world
and will be billed at applicable ship-to-shore rates.
For someone at home to contact you, they need to
call 1-888-nc.ships (non-U.S. 1-732-335-3280). Please
have a major credit card and note that satellite calls
can be very expensive.
disembarking
We are set to arrive back in New York at 9am.
However, it can take an hour or two to clear U.S.
Customs. Returning flights should not be scheduled
before 1:00pm.
The port can be very busy during the summer
months with as many as four cruise ships returning
that same day to New York. If you live in New York
and you’re taking a cab, it might be a good idea to
walk a block or two towards Eleventh or Tenth
Avenue and catch a cab there.
20
Contact Information
Please do not hesitate to contact our office with any
questions you may have about your upcoming cruise.
We’ve been working hard to make sure that this is the
best vacation you’ll ever have. We look forward to
meeting each of you on this historic cruise. Please
travel safely on your journey to New York.
With Kind Regards,
The R Family Team
Gregg Kaminsky
Kelli O’Donnell
Colleen Werkheiser
Tim Albrecht
Rachel Allgood
Ann Cooley
Phil Dominguez
LeRoi Freeman
Michael Goedecke
Marya Grandy
Dennis Lemenager
Lyn Malec
Paul Marks
Rich McPhee
Katherine Persky
Mark Reis
Tim Santos
Michael Lee Scott
Kathleen Seymour
Collin Sheehan
Contact Information
21
family friendly vacations designed
especially for the gay and lesbian community
family friendly vacations designed
especially for the gay and lesbian community
2 Washington Avenue
Nyack, NY 10960
phone 1-866-r-fam-vac
fax 845-348-0396
info@rFamilyVacations.com
International Guests: 845-348-0397