We have been informed the Ditzlers will not be available at the next meeting as they will be in Mexico. (This is one unlucky couple). Along this line I have discovered there are others that cannot make the Saturday 3rd dinner meeting. I would like to find a consensus on a later date. I have heard there is no resistance to attending, just conflicts in our schedules. 14 busy people - - go figure. I suggest moving the meeting to the next Saturday in March. Please call me and other cruisers to see if we can find a date that works for all. While we understand scheduling conflicts I feel strongly that the group will benefit greatly if we can keep a discipline that has 100% attendance at these social / business meetings as our goal. Results of a meeting date change will be posted on the BLOG.
We now have seven couples that have paid their deposits (currently $800 as I understand it). We will require a $500 payment from all couples at our March and all subsequent monthly meetings. (until we have collected what we will need for the compete trip). I believe our newest couple is paid a little ahead (maybe $200) . This payment in March will give our Purser (Amy) the cash to make the required payment in March of the additional 15%. This will bring our total payments to VIP to 25% of the cruise (about $6200). A final 75% payment is required in August (90 days before sailing). Our current payment schedule ($500 per month per couple) will provide for this.
Just to make things absolutely clear, NOBODY going on the cruise gets a penny from our account. Every dollar will be used for payment of items we are required to pay for to make the trip possible. Every penny will be accounted for to every person. This account will be used for the following items:
- Boat rental to VIP
- Boat insurance to VIP
- Boat fuel
- Purchase water for the boat
- Payment of moorage
- Payment of tourist taxes (BVI)
- Payment for provisioning of the boats. Food, booze and supplies.
- Any money not spent on these items will be returned to you after the cruise on a "pro-rata" basis.
All cruisers will be separately responsible for payment of any food and beverages consumed on shore. You will also need to pay for any activities of your choice, IE: scuba diving, renting a little sailboat, jet skis, ferry rides, rental chairs at beaches, rental cars (Except for the car we use in Saint Thomas to get us to the boat and provision the boats, if we all agree to share this cost). You will also need to allow for purchases you will make of souvenirs, bail money, and toys you will want (floaties for example).
You will need to pay for your hotel at the beginning and end of the trip...if you stay in Saint Thomas. BTW, I have committed to getting us the best deal (price-value) for a hotel on the last night (Thanksgiving Thursday) at one hotel (makes transportation easier) once we have all of our cruisers on board. As far as I know, everybody is planning to depart Saint Thomas on Friday the 23rd of November. Please wait to make this hotel reservation. Barbara, Rick and I will pay for our own hotel on Thursday night the 8th of November when we go early to secure provisions and receive our skipper training. I do not remember if G&D are arriving in Saint Thomas on Thursday or Friday the 9th. Please let me know in your comments. All cruisers will be able to "Sleep - A -Board" boat #2 on Friday and Saturday nights at no additional cost.
There is a small hospital in Saint Thomas if we need. All health care in the Virgin Islands is less sophisticated than what we find at home so don't get sick or hurt...but if you do you might want to find out about your insurance providers policy coverage in the Virgin Islands. Remember you may need a helicopter to get to the hospital quickly so this might be something to ask about also. Just trying to be cautious, ya never know.
BACK TO THE CABINS...
With seven couples this leaves open just the single (Mid - Forward) cabin on Boat # One (unnamed). After that cabin is taken we will have two full boats and a great cast of characters. Also, there are two bunks in a small room (closet) in the aft cabin of each of the boats.
There has been talk of Velecia Williams (a friend of P&B) joining us on Boat #2 in one of the bunks. If she is able to make the trip she would use the head in our (P&B's) cabin.
Fears of needing a smaller boat have certainly been put to rest by now. We can now concentrate as a group on just how much booze it will take to keep us floating for two weeks. I for one am working on a system to haul aboard a 50 gallon keg of Caribbean Coconut Rum and lash it to the poop deck. I know it only comes in bottles but it sounds fun to say it anyway.
With this posting I will be updating our Cabin Assignment posting. I hear Amy will be posting an update of our finances soon. This will show where your money is going.
Aye Aye,
Pat
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