[Blindtlk] how many of you have been on cruises andwhatwasyourexperience?

Wed Aug 4 19:42:44 UTC 2010

Hey Chasstity,

Oh, yes, the guidedogs are always a good ice breaker. Maybe if your guidedog knows him, he'll help you out as well.  (now don't get mad at me guidedog users.) LOL I do know that the user, not the animal, is in control. But I have also seen guidedogs gravitate towards those people that they like or find interesting.

I have thought of a dog several times myself. There are just so many pros and cons to weigh, and so I still hang on to my cane and haven't taken the  plunge. What kind of dog do you have?

Now this brings up an interesting question. Forgive me if I sound ignorant, I don't mean too. But when you go on a cruise with a dog, how do you handle the relief issue?

Just curious.

Diane Graves
Civil Rights Specialist
Indiana Civil Rights Commission
Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
317-232-2647

"It is service that measures success."
George Washington Carver

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-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chasity Jackson
Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 2:54 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] how many of you have been oncruises andwhatwas yourexperience?

Hey Diane,

Thanks for the compliment about my spunk. It made me smile. I'm glad that
you admitted that if it were a Tyler Perry cruise, you'd be wondering the
same thing. Glad I'm not alone on that issue. LOL. Thank you for all your
suggestions! I have thought about pairing up with people. Yes, I have many
Kid Rock fans on my facebook who are going on the cruise...And I have
already discussed going with one of them. I am going with another person,
but he too is blind. So I think I definitely will take your suggestion and
hang with people who can spot him for me. I hear you about watching for
complete strangers. I roomed with two ladies I didn't know very well at a
Kid Rock show in New Jersey, and it was a complete disaster. I wouldn't do
that again if my life depended on it! LOL.

I will also take David's suggestion and let him know that I won't know he's
there unless he says something. I know on this past cruise, this past April,
everyone got to take a picture with him when they got on board. So that
would be an ample opportunity to let him know. I have been going to his
shows for 9 years, and always sit in the front row when I go, so I know he
recognizes me, and we have met, so he already knows I'm blind. But I think
it would still be good to point out to him, to emphasize that I won't know
he's there unless he says something to me. I think it will be in my favor
that I will have my guide dog with me too.
I will write you off list to talk more about things you mentioned about your
own interest, that I'm curious about. I don't want to get too off topic here
on the list. LOL.

Thanks again for your message. I'm glad that you ended up responding.
Chasity
----- Original Message -----
From: "Graves, Diane" <dgraves at icrc.IN.gov>
To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 12:43 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] how many of you have been oncruises andwhatwas
yourexperience?

> Chastity,
>
> You go girl! I can't say that I'm into Kid rock myself, but if it were a
> Tyler Perry cruise, I'd be wondering the same thing. I didn't really know
> how to respond, so I wasn't going to, but I like your spunk, so I'm going
> to throw out a couple of suggestions for whatever they are worth.
>
> Are you going all by yourself? I don't know how extroverted you are, I'm
> not at all, but if you are an outgoing person, maybe you could "buddy up"
> with another passenger who would tell you when they spot him. You'll want
> to be careful about strangers, of course, but that might be one option.
>
> Another might be to let a waiter or activities director or someone like
> that know that you'd like a chance to talk with him, and maybe they can
> "put a bug in his ear
> " Once  he realizes that you are there, that you are a fan, and that you
> are blind, he'll probably make it a point to address you when he sees you.
>
> Just a few thoughts for whatever they are worth.
>
>
>
> Diane Graves
> Civil Rights Specialist
> Indiana Civil Rights Commission
> Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
> 317-232-2647
>
> "It is service that measures success."
> George Washington Carver
>
> Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail transmission may contain confidential
> and/or legally privileged information intended only for the individual or
> entity(ies)
> named in the E-mail address. If you are not the intended recipient, be
> advised that any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or acting
> in reliance
> upon the contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have
> received this E-mail transmission in error, please reply to sender to
> arrange for the return and proper delivery of the transmission.
> Subsequently, delete the message from your system immediately.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of cheryl echevarria
> Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 1:27 PM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] how many of you have been on cruises andwhatwas
> your experience?
>
> Again, as stated each cruise offer e-documents now, no one mails documents
> any longer.
>
> Also, as mentioned and I am a professional Travel Agent, who is also
> blind,
> and we are here to help each other, whether giving advice or not.
>
> If I sound like a psychiatrist it was out of concern for the not really
> want
> to enjoy your trip but to get to see Kid Rock.
>
> All information give is current and up to date, especially since I am a
> certified specialist and have taken all of the individual cruise line
> training including e-documents, what goes on when luggage is taken and put
> on a cruise.
>
> I wouldn't be a good person to not make an impression on the situation to
> possibly help, it came out wrong and I am sorry about.
>
>
> The biggest compliment you can pay me is to recommend my services!
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
> Independent Travel Consultant
> C10-10646
>
> http://Echevarriatravel.com
> 1-866-580-5574
> skype: angeldn3
>
> Reservations at echevarriatravel.com
> Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Montrose Travel
> CST-1018299-10
> Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Absolute Cruise and Travel
> Inc.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chasity Jackson" <chasityvanda at charter.net>
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 12:56 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] how many of you have been on cruises andwhatwas
> your
> experience?
>
>
>> Hi David,
>>
>> I really wanted to thank you for your helpful message. That's true. It is
>> a
>> closed environment.
>>
>> The reason I even asked the question that I did, although it might sound
>> odd, is actually because he was out most of the time, socializing and
>> interacting with people. There were people who had been on other artist
>> related cruises, and they all concurred that he went above and beyond,
>> and
>> was out an unusual amount more than most artists. So it just simply
>> concerned me that I may not have as many opportunities to spot him as
>> others
>> with sight do, and I just wanted to bring it up to see what others
>> thought.
>> That's all.
>>
>> Thanks for the heads up about luggage tags. I will call much closer to
>> the
>> time of the cruise and inquire as to how that works with this particular
>> cruise.
>>
>> You and others have been very helpful, and keep the ideas and information
>> coming. I hope that you enjoy your next cruise! Feel free to write me off
>> list and let me know about it.
>> Chasity
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Hyde, David W. (ESC)" <david.hyde at wcbvi.k12.wi.us>
>> To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 11:00 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] how many of you have been on cruises and whatwas
>> your experience?
>>
>>
>> > If this is a Kid Rock Cruise (who ever hi (I guess it's a he) is) (no,
>> > don't tell me, I'm happy in my ignorance) there will probably be a
>> > reception. Be pro-active. When you meet him, gently remind him that if
>> > he
>> > doesn't speak to you, you won't know he's there. Because this is a
>> > closed
>> > environment, he can't get away from you entirely. Please remember that
>> > he,
>> > like all of us, likes to get away from people too, and although he is
>> > on
>> > the cruise, and probably being paid, he's going to want to get away
>> > from
>> > all you admiring fans.
>> >
>> > Now about luggage. You will probably either get in the mail, or print
>> > out
>> > luggage tags for your bags. Mine were in the cabin when I got there the
>> > first time, and arrived with me the second. We came on board around
>> > 1:00,
>> > and, since they were cleaning cabins, we kept our bags with us. On the
>> > first cruise (western Caribbean) our bags were all taken to customs,
>> > and
>> > we had to hunt them. On the second, we took our bags off ourselves. If
>> > you
>> > can, I highly recommend this practice.
>> >
>> > Next cruise is over Christmas. Some friends and we are going out of New
>> > Orleans to Casamel, and then the Bahamas. My wife thinks that it's the
>> > only way to take a vacation.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>> > On
>> > Behalf Of Chasity Jackson
>> > Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 10:41 AM
>> > To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>> > Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] how many of you have been on cruises and what
>> > was
>> > your experience?
>> >
>> > David,
>> > That's great you have been on two and are preparing for your third. I
>> > hear
>> > you about the expense of the excursions. To be perfectly honest with
>> > you,
>> > I'm sure I will find an exciting excursion and I'll love it, but I am
>> > not
>> > going on this cruise because I want to be in Cozumel. I couldn't care
>> > less
>> > if the boat just went in circles. LOL. I am just going because it is a
>> > Kid
>> > Rock cruise, and Kid Rock will be on the boat the entire time. He walks
>> > around the boat the entire time like a regular every day person,
>> > available
>> > to chat with folks.
>> >
>> > One thing that concerns me is that because I can't see him, that my
>> > opportunities to walk up to him or talk to him will be less than the
>> > opportunities of other people who can see where he is. I have met him
>> > already over the years, but I love any opportunity to talk to him, and
>> > I
>> > worry about how I will find him, or perhaps not finding him at all on
>> > the
>> > cruise. I'm not your typical go with the flow type of girl either. LOL.
>> > I
>> > already know I'll be ancy and searching him out during the entire
>> > cruise.
>> > I just want my opportunities to have daily encounters and chats with
>> > him
>> > to be equal to that of others who said they saw or chatted with him
>> > multiple times, and I worry that because I won't see him, in that type
>> > of
>> > environment,  that I won't know where he is.
>> >
>> > David, how long did it take you to get your suitcase? Did you have
>> > trouble
>> > with suitcases getting lost or anything like that? How long after you
>> > boarded the ship did you get your luggage?
>> >
>> > I'm glad to know people's concerns about taking private buses, and am
>> > glad
>> > to be informed about the experiences others have had in the past with
>> > this.
>> >
>> > Where is your third cruise going and how long of a cruise is it?
>> >
>> > Glad to know that waiters and waitresses are helpful about reading the
>> > menu.
>> > And thank you for the suggestion about having someone read the daily
>> > events that will occur. I had no idea about that. Thanks for pointing
>> > that
>> > out to me. Learning things like that makes me glad I posted on this
>> > list
>> > too, to hear from others about cruises in general, and not just the
>> > guide
>> > dog list about guide dog issues.
>> >
>> > Feel free to tell me more as you think of anything else. Thanks a lot
>> > for
>> > informing me about everything.
>> > Chasity
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "Hyde, David W. (ESC)" <david.hyde at wcbvi.k12.wi.us>
>> > To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>> > Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 8:14 AM
>> > Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] how many of you have been on cruises and what
>> > was
>> > your experience?
>> >
>> >
>> >> My wife and I have done two, and getting ready for a third. I had
>> >> absolutely no problems. Waiters are more than willing to read menus.
>> >> You may want to have someone read the daily paper that comes out
>> >> giving information about activities. The contests, like trivia dealing
>> >> with sports etc. were not accessible, but I found people more than
>> >> willing to read them if asked. As Cheryl said, shore excursions are
>> >> expensive. We did them on the first cruise (Caribbean) and not on the
>> >> second (Mexico.) We had just as much fun grabbing a bus or a cab from
>> >> the peer and going down town and exploring. Forget carnival rides, a
>> >> bus in Porta Viarta is an experience.
>> >>
>> >> The last one we went on was a Carnival cruise, as is the next one.
>> >> They were very relaxed, always something going on, great activities
>> >> for children. Just remember that tourists are merely mobile devices
>> >> for dispensing money to locals, and enjoy.
>> >>
>> >> -----Original Message-----
>> >> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>> >> On Behalf Of Chasity Jackson
>> >> Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2010 4:27 PM
>> >> To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>> >> Subject: [Blindtlk] how many of you have been on cruises and what was
>> >> your experience?
>> >>
>> >> Hi listers. I was just wondering how many of you have been on cruises,
>> >> and what your experience has been in general when on board and ashore?
>> >> My friend Terry and I are going on a cruise next April 7 through the
>> >> 11, with rock star Kid Rock, who I have been following from state to
>> >> state for the last 9 years. It is a four day cruise that leaves from
>> >> New Orleans and goes to Cozumel. Cozumel is our only port of call. The
>> >> cruise is put on through Sixthman but the ship is provided by
>> >> Carnival. The ship name is the Triumph. It is their largest ship. I
>> >> was just wondering if others have been on that particular ship for
>> >> other cruises in the past. If so, did you have trouble navigating it
>> >> or did you find it relatively easy? When you disembarked from the ship
>> >> and went sightseeing at your port of call, did you choose to take one
>> >> of the excursions they offered and go with a group, or did you make
>> >> other plans? How did you find your experiences traveling in another
>> >> country? I have never been on a cruise, let alone overseas period. So
>> >> I'm just taking these 8 months before the cruise and doing research,
>> >> getting all my ducks in a row, so to speak. And I just thought it
>> >> would
>> >> be nice to get as many experiences and perspectives as possible.
>> >> I asked about cruises on the guide dog list, but that was simply to
>> >> get the perspective of a guide dog owner, to see if there were any
>> >> difficulties, etc. So now I am asking in general how many of you have
>> >> been on cruises and what your experiences were, just to get a general
>> >> idea, to hear others' viewpoints and to perhaps learn things I have
>> >> not yet thought about.
>> >>
>> >> I recently received a 90 something page booklet from Carnival
>> >> detailing things that sailors should know before they cruise, which I
>> >> found very helpful. So I just thought I'd pose this question and see
>> >> what other people have experienced.
>> >>
>> >> Thanks.
>> >> Chasity
>> >> _______________________________________________
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