We're Taking Home Dialysis to Sea

[Rich Berkowitz]

On January 3, 2010, we set sail on the Carnival Valor for a 7 day Western Caribbean Cruise. It's being called the 2010 Freedon Cruise and all home dialyzors and transplants are invited. Whether you're a NxStager or a PDer, come along and frolick in the warm waters (hmm, well maybe not PDers). We currently have 50 cabins reserved.

For more information, go to the cruise blog.

[Rich Berkowitz]

I've booked an outside cabin. With the 2 category upgrade we're getting it will be a 6D instead of a 6B. That means I'll get one of the prime outside cabins (without a balcony) at the aft. I put in for one of the corner cabins which is larger than the ones between the corners.

I plan on going snorkeling with the stingrays. I'm going to bring my own stinger if they decide to play rough with me. Also am planning on going to Jimmy Buffet's on Grand Cayman Island.

The cruise is gonna be great. We've reserved 50 cabins so let's see some others sign up. Here's some of the reasons why.
1) You'll be cruising with other home dialyzors and we really know how to party.
2) It's warm in January in the Caribbean.
3) We got a great discount for the cabins
4) The wife will appreciate not having to cook for a week.
5) The foods great.
6) If you've been thinking of ending it all, you can jump overboard.
7) We're getting a 2 category upgrade.
8) We're also getting a $75 on board vredit per cabin.
9) For every 15 people the 16th is free. Cabins with CKD5ers will get a rebate toward the cabin. Cabins without CKD5ers won't. So that means CKD5ers will get that much more.
10) It's going to be a celebration of life that you'll be sorry you missed if you don't go.

[Patricia Colongione]

Come on all you NxStagers -- lets all meet at sea! What a great time we will have. Can't wait until I can get Rich, Harvey, Bill and the rest of us raising cane in the calypso bars! Can't you see us all doing the calypso around the ship a little looped. Just picture it.

Come on call or e-mail me. Bring the family, bring the kids. Bring your cycler!

Cell 518-573-7556 - pc0639@gmail.com

Pat

[Willowtreewren]

This sounds like great fun, but we run a private school and just can't be gone for a week of classes.

Want to hear all about it from those who go, though.

Aleta

[Rich Berkowitz]

Great News. Prices have been reduced from our already reduced fares for Ocean View and Balcony Cabins. Ocean View by $20/person and Balcony by $50/person.

Edited 5/15 -- I made a mistake on the attachment and put the wrong price in for Balcony.

[Rich Berkowitz]

We got our first genuine NxStage clinic nurse to put a deposit down on the cruise. She's Harvey''s nurse and hails from Texas. It looks like we're gonna be covered from all directions.

[Rich Berkowitz]

A formal application has been made to the Guinness World Records for the “Largest group of home dialysis patients to go on a cruise together”. The application process takes about 4-6 weeks so we won’t know if it has been accepted until then.

[Rich Berkowitz]

Bill has designed a very attractive 11x17 wall poster. I believe he still needs to update the latest price break. But when that’s done, I’m sure he’d be happy to send a file to anybody that wants to have it posted on their center’s wall.

We’ve already gone over the 20% mark in reaching our 50 cabins with plenty of time to go. But remember, the 2 category upgrades are available on a first come first serve basis. Once a particular category of cabins are gone, they’re gone.

Who wants to be responsible for coordinating the miniature golf tournament? Or shall we see who can swim faster than the dolphins? Either way there will be fun things to do. Don’t forget. On Grand Cayman Island at Jimmy Buffet’s, we get to pour a multitude of libations down Harvey’s gullet!

[Rich Berkowitz]

deadline to sign up for the cruise at the current rates and perks is August 5th. What does this really mean? We had 50 cabins reserved. On August 5th we will have to release probably 10 cabins. If we need more cabins than what we have reserved, the cost will be the prevailing ones at the time and will come without the benies we negotiated like the $75 on board credit and the 2 category upgrade. So if you're considering foinf on the cruise, please put your deposit down before August 5th.

[Rich Berkowitz]

Only two days until our final deadline to put down deposits before we have to give up cabins. If the cabins are gone, regular prices without the extras will prevail.