DIANA is FINALLY Shutting Down or Shutting Up??? ... It's BON VOYAGE TIME!

Can you believe it? The day is finally here...our exotic bucket list adventure began over two years ago, back in March 2011 when the Vaughn’s & Davis’ initiated this journey by booking our deposit for our 32 Day Asia to Alaska Cruise. Wow! I’m stunned, its been two years already! 

Thank you so much for joining us! It’s so exciting to know that we will be visiting some 6 different countries, 14 different ports of call, relaxing and enjoying 18 fabulous sea days getting spoiled by the Diamond Princess (oh yeah, bring it on!) and spending it with some 20 something cruiser friends (the closest 20 something I can get at my age, I’ll take it!). 

We also began our journey by kicking off at a Cruise Orientation Luncheon which got our adrenaline pumping with excitement and anticipation. We, (Alex, from Innovative Travel Planner, Roger and I) hopefully made the Orientation worthwhile and fun by an informative opportunity to meet one another, share with you some fun and provided raffle giveaways for simply being there. Our Capital Seafood’s luncheon was spotlighted to provide you with a small peek to the wonderful world of gastronomical adventures that we will hopefully be able to experience on this trip, from Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, China, South Korea to Japan.

In conclusion my blogging days for this travel trip has now finally come to a close. But not with standing some 113 posted articles to hopefully connect and assist some of you with helpful tips and easy reference to cruising and travel related information. Or quite honestly remind you do get it done on your ‘To Do List’. Also Roger and I hope that you have gotten a chance to take advantage of our cruise gift to you by organizing your cruise documents which you all have now. And want to be sure to remind you to bring your cruise shirt for our to be arranged group photo on the ship, your door label and decor for our door contest and finally for those wanting to play or learn our sea day ‘progressive rummy game‘ ...bring your scoresheet and your mojo.

So let me finally shut up and shut down. The fun begins now and allow us to officially “WELCOME YOU ABOARD” , it’s for REAL!!!!... BON VOYAGE TIME EVERYONE! 
We will see you on deck, Yippee ---!!!  

FINAL UPDATE from ALEX & TED

Hi Cruisers,     

Unfortunately, Ted and Alex are unable to join you all on this fascinating trip through Asia. Alex has been plagued lately with a series of medical issues that she keeps overcoming but they seem to keep coming! We've waited as late as we can to see if her health issues get better, but at this time, I'm afraid that we have to face the reality that it's not going to happen.  She recently had emergency oral surgery to remove a cracked molar and a bone graft done in preparation for an implant. Her Periodontist has advised her against traveling to a third world country at a time when she might need to seek dental care. As if that wasn't enough, she needs to have another cancerous skin mole removed from her forearm which has been delayed until her mouth heals. When it rains, it pours sometimes.

Everything is set in place for your trip and you will be well taken care of by both Trails of Indochina and Princess Cruises. From the moment you come out of Customs in Bangkok, there will be a Trails of Indochina representative with a sign board stating INNOVATIVE TRAVEL and your name. Those of you in a group of 6, arriving on Philippine Airlines and Korean Airlines, the sign board will have INNOVATIVE TRAVEL and one lead name from the group. Korean Airlines group will have LOVENDUSKI as the lead name and the Philippine Airlines group will have ALBY as the lead name. From there, you will be taken to the beautiful Shangri-La Hotel where you will spend 2 nights.  Your first day of touring starts the morning of April 16th.

On April 17th, you will have a 1/2 day tour and then be taken to the ship by Trails of Indochina. Those of you getting off the cruise in Beijing, will be picked up by a Trails of Indochina representative and taken to the Crowne Plaza Hotel where you will spend 2 nights. The tour operators will be there to help you with anything that you may need.  You will enjoy 2 days of touring in Beijing including the Great Wall of China. Please take plenty of pictures for us!!

On May 5, you will be transferred to the Beijing airport and you'll be on your way home…catching up with the day you lost flying West.

We wish you all a safe and wondrous adventure through so many fascinating cultures.

We will be thinking of you everyday as you embark on a new port.  We will really miss being there with you.

Bon Voyage!

Ted & Alex

Innovative Travel

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS......By Roger

OK, unless you’re in a coma, you’ve got to realize that the big cruise departure date is fast approaching.  I don’t know about you, but I’m getting sweaty palms, feeling nervous, have 'bouts of diarrhea, can’t sleep, have to pee all the time, short-term memory loss, light headedness, upset stomach, can’t drink, and a general sense of agitation.  WTF!!!  

Whoa, hold on, it’s not the upcoming cruise, I feel this way all the time.......must be this old age thing that everyone keeps telling me about.  Wait, did someone already tell me about this??.......and, I really do enjoy meeting all you new folks again and again and again!!

On a serious note, embarkation is approaching fast and both Diana and I are becoming more excited day-by-day.  Be sure to read Diana’s blogs as there is a lot of useful information contained in these tomes.

I still have a few clothing items to purchase before we leave on April 10th. for some extra time in Bangkok.  Don’t forget to pack your white polo shirt.......we’ll be doing a group photo once we’re on board the cruise ship....no shirt---no photo!!  And, don’t forget to bring your door label!!  As in past cruises, there will be incredible prizes given away for the “best” door label as determined by a highly regarded door label decorating judging committee.  You absolutely don’t want to miss out on this event!!

Bon Voyage,
Roger

UPDATE: CHEF'S TABLE

What a nice surprise...we currently have two tables in the works for the Chef Table
for our group. My thanks to Jo Mary for taking the lead to assist me in trying to get reservations for our second table. And I will be the lead to do the same for our table.

Jo Mary and I will be racing to get on board to make the reservation as soon as we embark on the ship. Once we get our reservations we will call you and let you know our outcome. The maitre ‘d will be sending out personal invitation that you will be receiving in your stateroom once we are confirmed. Be aware that with wine the cost will be $95 dollars and without wine is $80 per person. This fee will be charged to your stateroom account.

Here is the link to the article I initially posted regarding the Chef’s Table:

http://rogerdianaasiatoalaska2013.blogspot.com/2013/03/chefs-table.html

Following are the interest sign ups I have received....

1. Diana Davis (Lead)     
2. Roger Davis
3. Scott Paulsen
4. Liddy Paulsen
5. Bob Di Nunzio
6. Michele Louvenduski
7. Rocky Alby
8. Peggy Alby
9. John Working
10. Lucy Working

1. Jo Mary Murphy (Lead)
2. Michael Murphy
3. Angie Burgh
4. Lien Burgh
5. Cristin George
6. Mike Thompson
7. Dale Berry (Wait List)
8. Jan Berry (Wait List)
9. Stella Hacker (Wait List)
10.    

   

WHO’S ON BOARD the DAVIS GROUP ... NOW!!!!

Just wanted to let the group know that we now have three people waiting to come aboard. They are currently on the Wait List for our cruise. Both the 16 day and the 32 day cruises are booked up to full capacity! Yes luckily we booked early! Can you believe it, some near 3,000 cruisers going on this cruise...and there is still more wanting to come on board.

STELLA is wait listed for the 16 day cruise. She originally signed up for the 32 day cruise segment but decided it was too long and her husband Paul decided not to join her. So STELLA opt’d to try and change and decided to go for the 16 day cruise segment option. She originally started out somewhere near 1,000 on the wait list , but has patiently made it to now to 20 from an update via fellow cruiser JoMary. Unlike her sister, Diana who plans way ahead, she loves the thrill to “wing-it” and will wait to the end and will let destiny make it’s fate. Good Luck STELLA!

New to our cruise group is DALE & JAN BERRY, Dale is a friend and co-worker from Coast

Community College District with Roger. We recently had a birthday luncheon when Dale inquired again about this cruise and well, the rest was held in the hands of ALEX. Our Magical Travel Agent that she is! ALEX has been working hard and getting both DALE and JAN ready to go, passport - check, China Visa - check, meeting - check, signature - check!  Alex is the best! She was able to initially get DALE & JAN the #2 wait list spot for the 32 day cruise and then with her magic they got #1.....

our fingers are crossed and I do believe, I do believe, Miracles do happen, I do believe, I do believe...come on embarkation date approved for the Berry party?????

Our Current Updated Roster for our 2013 Davis Asia to Alaska Cruise stands as:

32 Day Cruise Bangkok to Anchorage

Roger and Diana Davis

Rocky and Peggy Alby

John and Lucy Working

Mike Thompson and Cristin George

Dale & Jan Berry (Pending Wait List)

16 Day Cruise Bangkok to Beijing

Alex Kuncio and Ted Rodriguez

Wendy Brown and Kelly Feldman

Angie Burgh and Lien Burgh

JoMary and Michael Murphy

Scott and Liddy Paulsen

Bob DiNunzio and Michele Louvenduski

Marsha Burgess and Patty Cruz

Stella Hacker (Pending Wait List)