Last Minute Reminders

As we near our departure date, I thought I would post a Scuba Cruise group update as well as some last minute reminders:

1) Copy your Important Documents.  It is my understanding that at check-in, you might have to surrender your passports; I strongly recommend keeping a hard copy of your most important documents (your C-Card and Passport) in your safe on the ship or a copy online in an email file (this is what we do).

2) Embarkation.  Arriving at the pier, you will be greeted in at a large tent.  You can either carry-on your luggage or check it and have it delivered to your cabin. It sounds like the process goes quickly. On other Princess ships, the restaurant is open for lunch; I don't know about the Ocean Princess, however if it is, that is where Mike and I plan to eat.  If you are able to board the ship before 10am (I read some have done so in the past), chances are your stateroom will not be ready. Remember, passengers can remain in the room until 10am.

3) On the ship.  If we do not see you at the pier, please call Mike and Suzi in cabin 3009 to let them know you have boarded the ship - you can use any phone in the public areas of the ship. It is my understanding that you can come and go freely between the ship and the shore.  Dinner is open seating that first night.



4) Bon Voyage. The ship will have a mandatory Life Boat Drill around 3:45 pm on day two of the cruise. Our Bon Voyage Party/Pre-Dive Orientation is scheduled in the Tahitian Lounge for 5pm; everyone should plan to attend.

5) Communication.  We don't have a lot planned, but all group activity reminders will be delivered to your cabin usually the night before, so please check your mailbox regularly.  Most of you have been diving with us before, so the same procedures apply to this cruise.  If you become ill and can't dive, please contact Suzi as soon as possible so that we might be able to sell your spot on the dive boat to another diver on the ship. If you meet a diver on the ship who is interested in joining us, please refer them to Suzi or Mike.

6) Group DVD.  Mike will again be producing the Scuba Cruise Group DVD, so he will be asking you to contribute island and uw photos and video.  When you have some down time, please delete your bloopers so we can cut down on the amount of time Mike spends editing.  During the cruise, there will be one group meeting scheduled mid-way so we can share our photos and download them into Mike's computer; the location is still pending, but we were told that it will be held in one of the alternative restaurants.

7) Wine & Spirits.  Princess Cruises will allow you to bring on board as many bottles of wine as you like; the first two bottles are free, the rest have a corking fee that will be charged to your shipboard account. Hard liquor will be confiscated, according to Princess.  Please transfer your wine bottles into your carry-on; those in checked bags will trigger a search and a visit to the Naughty Room.  Same for bags with hard liquor.  If you do plan to bring spirits, please use some creativity when packing.

Like you, Mike and I are looking forward to this trip to Tahiti.  See you in Paradise!

Suzi