[Nfbf-l] Where to find pricing and other information the cruise long e-mail

Thu Nov 8 13:26:35 UTC 2012

Good morning all:
Instead of me and Dwight re-posting the information for the cruise. I am going to list where to find the information.
Tone of e-mail not to be taken rude or nasty, lost power again last night due to the noreaster snowstorm, and got it back about an hour ago and it is cold, so I need the warmth on the NFB of Florida Family.  
1.  Call me at 631-456-5391, 9AM-6PM Monday - Friday, Saturday 9AM-1PM Sundays, closed Sundays and holidays
2. You should have received the information if you belong to a local chapter the pricing and information from the Board of Directors of FL
3. Here on the List.
4.  On my website it is listed. just click this link and it will take you to the direct page.
http://www.echevarriatravel.com/NFB_of_Florida_2014.php
5.  Facebook - I have made an event page for the sail away convention cruise 2014 and have posted the link on the National Federation of the Blind of Florida page.
6. I am going to post it here again at the bottom of this e-mail.
A few things, many of you call and say that you are calling because you are blind and with the NFB.  Which is really nice of you, but I am also with the NFB and Blind. Currently, I am the President of the NFB Travel and Tourism Division, Treasurer of the Greater Long Island Chapter and a NAGDU member, the Maxx in the cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com is my guide dog's name.
Maxx has traveled with me on cruises before, so guide dog users, I will be posting dos and don'ts for cruising with your dog, so if you want to be bring your dog, please ask questions.
Some other questions I am getting from people who are booking.
1. I am in a wheelchair can I still go? Yes, as stated from the beginning, if you cannot get out of the wheelchair or put it this way shouldn't get out of the wheelchair, there are wheel chair accessible rooms, no difference in price for the rooms, unless that particular category sells out that I have held.  If you need a wheelchair accessible room, please please please, book asap, they do go fast.  Only limited amount of these rooms on the ship.
As side note:  
If you are a scooter/wheelchair user and you do not need the roll in showers or the lower closet space and just need it because you walk slower or tired easily, etc. Whatever the case maybe, please book the regular rooms, same for guide dog users (I only have cruised once in an accessible room only to give feedback for others on it), the rooms are big enough to charge scooters and to park your wheelchair. Another thing if you would like to rent a scooter/powerchair/wheelchair/oxygen, please let me know, I do rent them for you, they are additional price, they are in your room upon arrival on the ship, and they will take the scooter back when you cruise is over, the cruise line doesn't have there own and wont rent it for you either, that goes to you and through your travel agent, ME! :)
Example: Interior Staterooms at $199 per person plus taxes and fees, if you want an interior and those rooms sell out, we might need to find you a different Interior level on the ship and that price might go up, not a lot but a little.
Wheelchair accessible rooms available in all of the space I have held.
2nd Question:
I am going with a friend of mine, and want to pay with 2 separate credit cards on our room can we do this.
Yes you can, you will get a separate invoice of the total amount you owe, but both people need to be ready to book with credit card the day you are going to book, I can call the other person once I get your information.
3rd Question
Do I need a passport, we went over this yes, you do.
Dwight Sayer and I have a little difference of opinion on which one you should have either the passport book or the card.
Best answer I can give as a professional. If you plan on cruising certain areas of the Caribbean or go to Canada and Mexico, the passport card is okay.
If you are going to be traveling more once you get the cruise bug in you, or go to other countries outside the US, then the answer is get the passport book (standard one).
They both last for 10 years.
Yes the kiddies need them also.
You can get the application from me, it is in .pdf form print or you can get it from you local post office, fill it out, get passport picture (DO NOT GET IT FROM THE POST OFFICE, THEY ARE EXPENSIVE), unless of course you are wanted for something, then they have the picture on the wall. ROFL.  Just a joke, I know BAD Cheryl.
Process time is 2-6 weeks you need all original documents and they will be returned to you.  Do not wait until the last minute to get them.
Last Question for now
Can my friends and family come on the cruise that are not part of the NFB of FL.
Yes they can!!!  The state of FL has held 75 rooms for there members, I have held separate space on the ship for your friends and family. They also need to start booking as well.  They need to call me as well.
We are not the only people going to be on the cruise. But it is going to be a learning experience not just for us and the cruise lines, but it will be a learning experience for others cruising about the blind.  Many people will be from foreign countries as well, and will maybe even want to sit in and listen to what we have to say.
Sorry for long e-mail
Cheryl
Pricing again below.
PRICES FOR THE STATE CONVENTION OF THE NFB OF FLORIDA

CRUISE FEB 7-10, 2014

To make your reservations: Contact
Cheryl Echevarria at 631-456-5394 between the hours of 9AM – 6PM Monday –
Friday. 9AM – 1PM Saturdays. Sundays Closed or reservations at echevarriatravel.com

PRICES ARE BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
RATES (2 PERSONS IN THE ROOM).  SHOULD
YOU NEED 3 OR MORE PEOPLE IN YOUR ROOM, PLEASE CALL ME FOR RATES, ALSO THOSE
NEEDED ACCESSIBLE STATE ROOMS CALL ASAP, DUE TO AVAILABILITY.

INTERIOR STATE ROOM – NO WINDOWS 

$199 PER PERSON TOTAL WITH TAXES, FEES AND GRATUITIES (TIPS
AT RESTAURANTS) TOTAL $321.73 PER PERSON.

TOTAL CRUISE PRICE: $643.46

OCEAN VIEW – WINDOW VIEW

$299 PER PRSON TOTAL WITH TAXES, FEES AND GRATUITIES – 

TOTAL PER PERSON - $421.73 

TOTAL CRUISE PRICE: $843.36

BALCONY – TABLE AND CHAIRS ON THE BALCONY

$549 PER PERSON TOTAL WITH TAXES, FEES, AND GRATUITIES 

TOTAL PER PERSON - $671.73

TOTAL CRUISE PRICE - $1343.46

DEPOSIT DUE AT BOOKING $50.00 PER PERSON, PAYMENT PLANS CAN
BE ARRANGED.

Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
SNG Certified - Accessible Travel Advocate!
Cheryl Echevarria, Ownerhttp://www.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations@echevarriatravel.comhttp://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com
2012 Norwegian Cruise Line University Advisory Board Member.
Echevarria Travel and proud member of the National Federation of the Blind will be holding a year round fundraiser for the http://www.NFBNY.org after Hurricane Sandy and other resources. Any vacation package booked between November 6 2012-November 6, 2013 and vacation must be traveled no later than 12/30/2014 a percentage of my earnings will go to the affiliate.  Also is you book a Sandals for couples or Beaches for families and friends resorts vacation, $100.00 per booking will go to the affiliate as well.  You do not need to be a member of the NFB.org, just book through us.
Thank you.