[Blindtlk] how many of you have been oncruises andwhatwasyourexperience?

[Chasity Jackson]

Hi Diane,

No, this is certainly not an illogical question at all. I'm glad you asked. 
If you notify the cruise line that you are bringing a guide dog on board, 
they will designate a relief area for you, and bring a box on board full of 
second nature litter.

No, unfortunately, my current guide dog doesn't know him, because I don't 
bring her to shows or anything. My first guide dog Vanda met him once. But I 
definitely agree with you that guide dogs do tend to seek out people with 
whom they are familiar and who they like.  Definitely.
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 2:42 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] how many of you have been oncruises 
andwhatwasyourexperience?


> 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
>
> Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail transmission may contain confidential 
> and/or legally privileged information intended only for the individual or 
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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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>>> >>
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>>> >
>>> >
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