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Published June 19, 2008

4th. McClain Alumni Cruise Being Planned

Update (7/3/08): I called AAA to make our reservation and asked about adding trip insurance to the package. The cost would be $65.00 per person. For the first two trips we didn't take out insurance but have done so for cruises since then. There hasn't been a cruise where someone hasn't had to use, or with they had purchased it, their trip insurance. Examples would include a couple having to fly back half way trough the trip because of a death in the family and/or someone getting sick before the cruise and having to cancel.

Update (7/2/08): Talked to the AAA representative and we now have forty rooms reserved and the total price for an inside cabin, including taxes and fuel surcharges, will be $800.43 per person. We've always tried to get a rate of $100 per person, per day and since this is an eight day cruise we have met our target. The details as I currently have them are:

Inside room $800.43 per person double occupancy
Outside room (has a small window) $940.43 per person double occupancy
Balcony room $1070.43 per person double occupancy
Carnival airfare from Columbus, Ohio to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, including transfers, is $460.61 per person, round trip.
There is also a chance that other amenities will be offered by Carnival Cruise Lines and I will let everyone know when details become available.
In case you are unaware, an American Passport is required for travel outside the US. Detailed information may be obtained at the State Department's website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. Back in 2000 we obtained ours by having our passport photos taken at CVS Pharmacy and filing applications at the Highland County Court House in Hillsboro. Do it early because it takes more time today than it did prior to 9/11.

To secure your reservation call AAA Group Services at 800-887-1976 and ask for Vicki Bell. Vicki is also available at 740-354-5614 (extension 234)

Update (6/23/08): Checked out all the deals on cruises over the weekend and found the best deal with Carnival. A few of us who have been on earlier Alumni cruises talked it over and decided that what we wanted was something with several days at sea and to visit places we've not been before. So, we've decided on, with the help of AAA, an eight day Carnival cruise departing on January 16, 2009 from Fort Lauderdale, FL and visiting the ports of Colon, Panama; Limon, Costa Rica; and Belize City, Belize. The cost will be somewhat higher than in the past due to an extra day onboard and an added fuel surcharge (something all cruise lines are doing). If you want all the details, as we now know them to be, you can visit Carnival's site at:

http://www.carnival.com/Itinerary.aspx?embkCode=FLL&itinCode=WCQ&durDays=8&shipCode=MI&subRegionCode=CW &rateCode=BCA&sailingID=44371&sailDate=1/16/2009

AAA may be able to get us a better rate and there will probably be some perks depending on how may actually sign up for the cruise. At minimum, we would be locked into a price that would protect us from future increases.

By popular request the McClain Alumni Association is in the beginning process of organizing a fourth Alumni Caribbean Cruise. Most likely the date of the adventure will be in January of 2009. We've been checking the Internet for prices but haven't settled on anything yet. Again, AAA of Hillsboro will most likely be doing the actual booking. They did a wonderful job on our last outing. We will be sending out a mailing to our paid membership in the near future but the cruise is open to anyone who is an alumni of McClain or the Greenfield School System. We've always had a good time and this next one should be no exception. Begin now to plan on attending, keep the month of January open. Just close your eyes and listen... can't you hear Harry Belafonte's rum laced raspy sweet voice singing, "Down the way where the nights are gay, and the sun shines daily on the mountain tops. When we reached Jamaica we made a stop...."

SPREAD THE WORD... TELL YOUR FRIENDS... TELL YOUR KIDS... TELL YOUR MAMA... TELL YOUR PA... TELL EVERYBODY IN ARKANSAS... ~~TELL YOUR MOTHER IN LAW~~

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