Galacticruise 2008 photos

Photos by Phillip and Eva Vanermine. Click link below to see the whole set on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/starcruiser/sets/72157607745090957/detail/

Creating a Science fiction and Star Trek cruise Fans will love, but will they go? (part two))

Fans explore Key West , Florida with Richard Hatch
 from Battlestar Galactica
 on one of my earlier cruises.

Fortunately, there's  another kind of science fiction fan cruise that avoids the risk  of one hosted by or revolving around a single person. A cruise with multiple TV or movie guests. Examples are Cruise Trek, which has been running cruises for many years, and the Galacticruise, which I help to organize.

 This kind of cruise is much less risky for the fan who wants to cruise with the stars. Typically you may have three or more guests on this kind of cruise so if someone drops out, the cruise still goes on. (The best operators will try to find a replacement if a featured guest drops out.)

 Unfortunately, guest cancellations happen more often than you might think. One recent Star Trek themed cruise did not get many fans to attend their pricy shindig, so several of their top stars cancelled, or were cancelled. Fans were not happy with that! On the 2008 Galacticruise, some major guests couldn't attend because of professional opportunities,  but the promoters kept the fans happy by adding a couple more guests at almost the last minute.

The one difficulty in running this kind of cruise is that bringing guests on the ship can get very expensive. Just a cabin and airfare can cost around $2000 or more per guest! That does not include any appearance fee the guests charge, which can run into several thousands of dollars for popular TV stars.

 So, generally speaking the more guests, and the more popular the guests, the higher the price the fans have to pay.  Is it worth it? Does it have to be so expensive, or can you save thousands by shopping around?

For some of the cruises the fans happily pay $500, $700 or even $1,000 premium per person above the actual cruise price. Some cruises basically double the price of just the cruise alone. Personally, I think that is too much to charge. Even if I were sailing with William Shatner or Tom Cruise, I'd never pay twice as much as I should for a seven day cruise.  I don't think you should either!

Fortunately, paying a high price tag does not always have to the case. For some actors, it's not all about the money. Some guests on the 2008 Galacticruise waived an appearance fee. Some actors just want to experience a cruise and enjoy the attention from their fans and like giving back to the fans who helped make them a success. These are the kind of guests I seek out for cruises, those who truly appreciate and enjoy their fans and cruises. They cost you less too, and make the event not only a better experience, but more affordable too.

Richard Hatch signs autographs at a party on the cruise.

These guests make for the best experience for the fans too.  They are the ones you can stop and talk with in a karaoke bar or out by the pool. Go to the evening show lounge with them.

 Not the actors who are in it just to make a buck, appear on stage and sign autographs for an hour then become unavailable for the remainder of your cruise.

It's not that the guests shouldn't make a buck. Actors have to pay bills too, just like you and me. It's just that I don't think they or the promoters should "gouge" the fans or pick their pockets out of greed or just to feed a massive ego. You shouldn't stand for it either, and you can choose not to.

That's why I keep my cruises at a reasonable price. Yes, there are expenses to pay, and I do want to give our guests a fair payment too, so there is a modest event ticket price above the cost of the cabin. Still, even with the event fee added, Galacticruise is around half the price of many of the other cruises out there.

Which cruise is right for you? Check them all out. Then come back to us. Even though Galacticruise costs less, you'll still meet great guests and have a fun experience you'll remember the rest of your life.

The money you save is money you can spend on shore excursions, duty free shopping, spa treatments or even your air fare. Or you can just save it to pay next month's bills!

So make your next fan cruise Galacticruise. Or you can book another cruise at twice the price. Either way, you'll have fun and join a small and elite group of fans savvy enough to vacation with Hollywood TV stars.

Creating a Science fiction and Star Trek cruise Fans will love, but will they go? (part one)

Why would you consider a fan cruise anyway? Won't you get more bang for the buck out of a science fiction convention? Or is a cruise a whole different experience, one that you should definitely plan on?

Fan cruises are different from a convention in several ways. One cruise promoter sums up the difference in this way: at a convention, you get to meet the stars. On a cruise you get to know them!

That's because a cruise group is usually much smaller than a convention with hundreds or thousands of people. It's much more relaxed, with no long lines to meet the stars. You are actually on vacation with them! There may be fewer guests, but since there are fewer fans on board, it make for a more personal experience.

Of course there are other more obvious differences between cruises and conventions, a convention hotel stays in one place. A cruise ship takes you to different ports, usually traveling to different countries. Often you'll watch the sunset in one port and wake up to sunrise in whole different country! (Galacticruise actually visits five different countries in one week!)

A cruise is often more expensive than a hotel stay, or is it? With a cruise, not only does the price include your room, it also includes all your meals! It also includes all that traveling to exotic ports too, although special tours and shore excursions can cost extra. Savvy travelers have known for years that a cruise is your best bargain for any travel vacation/holiday.

There are several Star Trek and Science fiction theme cruises out there. I'm sure that all of them are a fun adventure for the discerning fan who wants an intimate and unique adventure with real Hollywood actors. Some of better known cruises are "Cruise Trek".  "The Star Trek Cruise" There 's also a "Dr Who" themed cruise and in the past cruises hosted by Dirk Benedict and Richard Hatch, both from the original 1978 "Battlestar Galactica".  Plus of course, our cruise "Galacticruise: The Science Fiction Cruise".

So which of these cruises is right for you? I encourage you to shop around and compare so you can find the cruise that best fits your interests, schedule and budget. Here's some tips you might want to keep in mind while comparing fan cruises:

Length: Most fan cruises are seven day and on occasion, eight day cruises. A few are three or four day cruises, which may (or may not) cost less to attend.  So many of you do have to plan on taking vacation time from work to participate.

Guests: The number of guests on a cruise may run from a single guest hosted cruise, such as Richard Hatch's or Dirk Benedict's cruises to three or four or even more guests on the program. Most concentrate on one particular interest, such as Dr. Who, Star Trek, Babylon 5, or Firefly. A few cruises have guests from multiple TV programs.

As in any convention, guest appearances on cruises are subject to professional commitments. If an actor is offered a role where he can make thousands of dollars and further his career, he may have to cancel his cruise or convention appearance. Sometimes, it's ill health or family emergencies that lead to cancelations.  That can make for an awkward situation. I've seen it happen... twice.

That's why I'd stay away from the cruises hosted by just one star. I know of one star who canceled his one week cruise appearance because only a handful of fans booked the cruise. It just wouldn't make money for him! Unfortunately, the cancellation came too late for fans who could not get a full refund!  Some just took the cruise without him or any guest at all!

So my first recommendation, stick with cruises with more than one guest. Chances are some of them will show up! In case of cancelation, a good promoter will try to find a last minute substitution if it is possible.

(To be continued in part 2)

Join us in wishing a speedy recovery to Betty Carl

I just learned this morning that Betty Carl is now recovering from arm surgery following a serious accident.

I've heard Betty is doing well, but may be away from the office for quite some time.

Let's all pray for her speedy recovery!

Betty has been a big help in getting our Galacticruise cabin block all set up on Carnival Legend, and has been invaluable in getting our cabin bookings in to Carnival.

 Betty also did all the bookings and arrangements for the first Galacticruise in 2008 as well as for Richard Hatch's first two cruises in 2005 and 2006.

I'll be visiting Betty in the hospital this weekend, and I'll wish her well from all of you.

Until Betty is able to come back to the St. Cloud Travel office, please send your cabin booking requests directly to me at Steve@galacticruise.com. 407-891-0690.

Get well soon, Betty! We're all praying for you!

How to cruise for FREE on Galacticruise.

A free cruise? Do I really want to give you a "free" cruise? Wouldn't there be some kind of catch to it?

  The first "real" cruise I went on was free to me and Darlene! Ten years ago Darlene's mom wanted to treat the family to a great family reunion. Although she is by no means wealthy in a monetary sense, she booked several cabins for the family on a three day Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean's "Sovereign of the Seas", from Port Canaveral Florida.

  I am deeply grateful to her for that act of generosity.  The cruise made a huge impression on us. I'd say it changed my life. It was one of the best vacations ever.

  Maybe the ocean is in my blood. I was born and brought up in and around Gloucester, Massachusetts, a city renowned for its connection to the sea. As a child I read books about pirates and whalers, and imagined traveling to foreign lands across the waves. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea was one of my favorite books and movies! On hot summer weekends we often went to the beach and played and fished in the inviting waters and watched the people in their boats.

  Now here I was on the cruise. Actually going to sea on a real ship! Lazing around by the pool and soaking in a hot tub. Visiting a foreign country, with unique sights and smells.  Being completely taken care of by friendly staff with wonderful food, five courses served for dinner each evening. Followed by a great live show in the ship's theater. Sleeping in a tiny but cozy cabin which was always immaculately cleaned up with a freshly made bed and clean towels whenever you returned to it.

  That was a real vacation! Much better than staying at home painting the house.

I've been on ten cruises now.  I love cruises. What can I say?  I'm adventurous and love to travel. Are you?

 If I could, I'd love to give you a free cruise too. If you've never been on a cruise before, I think it can change and expand your life as it has mine. What is your life but the sum of your experiences anyway? So choose the good ones!

  Unfortunately, I'm not rich, in a money sense anyway, so giving you a free cruise is usually beyond my means. Except for this fact: right now I'm running a group cruise.

 One of the perks the cruise lines give to groups is what they call tour conductor credits. That comes down to giving the group leaders a free cabin for every 15 cabins that are sold in the group. So I'm starting what I call the Galacticruise Rewards program. It benefits me of course, but it benefits you too, by making it easy for you to earn a "FREE" cruise!

   So I'm earning a free cabin for every 15 I sell. Why shouldn't you benefit too? I can share those free cabins with you. Just help me book ten of the 15 we need to earn that free cabin, and it's yours. Free!

You can even look at it this way: This is your group cruise! You need to book 15 cabins to get a free one  for yourself. I'm helping you book five of these, so you only have to book 10 to get your cruise free!

  I'll even make it easier for you. Book just five cabins, (besides your own) and you'll get a free bed in a cabin as long as you are sharing with someone who is paying. You get your Galacticruise event admission free too!

It's really not too hard. Just commit to going and put down your cabin deposit. (only $50 until July 20)  Once your friends hear that you are going and how excited you are, naturally they will want to go too!

If you earn your free cabin, you'll even get the $50 back!

How will I know you sent them? When they book the cruise, we'll ask how they found out and who sent them. If they say you, you are on your way!

The only caveat is they all must be fully paid members of Galacticruise and book the cabins through St. Cloud Travel.

  Call me or send me an email and I'll tell you how you can do this.

So "like" share this page on Facebook and twitter. Encourage your friends to "Like" our fan page on facebook. I'll ask everyone who joins the cruise how they found out about it. If they say it's through you, you could be on your way to cruising with us FREE!

See you on the cruise!
Steve.

 

An embarrassing moment for me...

This is embarrassing. I've been planning to open bookings on Galacticruise on Wednesday, July 6. As of this morning July 5,  I still don't have my "star attraction" confirmed on the cruise!!

You know, the big star from that popular TV show everyone will be dying to take a cruise with.

It's definitely in the works. However, it just wouldn't be appropriate to announce this guest until I have a definite commitment. The July Fourth holiday weekend has everyone away having fun, so getting this person signed is a bit delayed.

So what to do? Will anyone want to book the cruise without knowing who the star attraction is? Should I delay opening the bookings?

Here's what I'll do: I'm going to open bookings on Wednesday anyway, as I previously announced.  This is what I'll have to do: I'm going to offer a huge discount. $200 off our $300 event fee to anyone who books on Wednesday, July 6.

Scratch that.  Discounts are a common ploy to get you to buy.

  Instead, I've decided to do something unprecedented for any fan cruise.

Book Galacticruise on Wednesday, July 6 and you will pay not pay anything for our basic program! You'll just pay the actual price of the cruise at our discounted cost from Carnival.

 You'll get admission to all  the Galacticruise basic program, panels, autograph session and meet the TV stars absolutely free, as long as you book your cabin with us on Wednesday, July 6.

Why? We need a lot of initial bookings to impress Carnival that we need a lot of cabins in group block. So it helps us a lot when you book now.


The deal can save you $600 off of our normal price on two people.

Hoe much is just the cruise cabin? Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 6, you can get an inside cabin, on a seven day cruise to four ports in the Caribbean for just $499, plus tax per person, double occupancy.  Balcony cabins are just $684, plus tax. That's under $100 a day for a balcony cabin! That price includes the Galacticruise events admission to panels and autograph session. You'll be getting a seven day cruise Galacticruise with four port calls for the same price of the four day Galacticruise with just two port calls!

Compare that to the prices of two of the "Trek" Cruises and you will that by choosing us you will  save $1,000 dollars per person! You could book two people on Galacticruise for less than the price of one on their cruise!


 Just think of what you can do on the cruise with an extra $1000 or $2000 in your pocket.

So call me, Steve 407-891-0690 or Betty Carl at Saint Cloud Travel 407-892-6165 and just pay a $50 per person deposit. I'll even take early bookings today, so call now!

Are one of those fans who always wanted to take a fan cruise with actors from you favorite show, but found the rates a little too high?  This is your big chance!  It's just a $50 initial deposit to reserve your cabin.  Do it now or tomorrow, because this deal won't last long, when and if  I come to my senses.

Please tell your friends so they can get in on this opening day deal too! (That way they won't kick you later!)


See you on Galacticruise!