Feb 2007 Eastern Caribbean Cruise

[moms2ethan]

This will be our first cruise with R Family and we are extremely excited. My partner Alexis and I (Heather) and our now 2yo son Ethan will be going on this cruise. Would love to hear other's experiences with R Family and who is planning to go on this cruise. We have been on NCL cruises before and love the freestyle cruising concept. But a whole boat of gay/lesbian families and SOs.... WOW is the only word to describe how we feel about going. We live in New Jersey and would love to know other families in this area who will be going on this cruise.

Heather, Alexis and Ethan

[Fredrica930]

Hi, check out my profile for info on us. We live in Jamesburg NJ but I went to SHU so I know So Orange. We went on the first 2 cruises, were in the HBO movie and planning on going in Feb 07. We R not going to Alaska and I'm not happy about that. It is truly an AMAZING experience. Keep in touch if you want.
Fredrica

[jeepchik75]

we're from NJ and are seriously considering this trip... haven't been on a cruise before but agree with you 100% that a whole boatload of families is mindblowing! where are you in NJ?
--Cheryl, Sue and Braydan

[anneyates]

THAT TRIP IS GOING TO BE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The first year we went to this little island..........in the middle of the ocean........get off the boat........and there is music, food, and nothing but RFamily.........that day was something we will simply never forget!

My 5 year old was in school today that it is always cold in Alaska......so, he came home ALL UPSET that we would not be able to go to the "island Dawn Place"........even HE remembers it!!

There is NOT a CHANCE that the boat will be sold out........it is just TOO cool of a timing and itenerary!!

Anne

[moms2ethan]

We live in South Orange, NJ in Essex county. Love it here because of the vast diversity of race, ethnicities, socioeconomic and gay/lesbian families, couples.... We would love to keep in touch before the cruise. You can email us... just send me a private message.

It is less than a year away, but the excitement level is already grand !!... Cannot wait !!

Heather, Alexis
Moms to Ethan - to be 2 on Apr 25.

[2DadsnAnaheim]

Our Family too will going on the Feb 2007 Cruise for the First time ever.Our family is looking forward to this cruise, as this will be one of our first ever Family trips since we became an Official Family this past December 23, 2006.

I hear and have read the reviews of this Cruise and almost can't wait to experience the real deal. It will be so wonderful to be able to show our 2 boys and 1 girl that they are not alone in the world and there are actually other GLBT families out there. We are just the blessed ones.


Again I can't wait until the Feb 2007 Cruise and I look foward to meeting all of you there.

Darrell and Jeff

Fathers to Roman age 12, Anthony age 10 and the girl we are still in the process of adopting her.

[bodecea]

Never been on a cruise before and are looking at the February Caribbean cruise...or the next one after that. We have a 12 year old daughter who would very much like to come. Do we need passports?

The only down is that we would be coming from San Diego...might want to do a West Coast cruise first.

[moms2ethan]

I believe you must have passports for the non-US portion of the cruise (e.g. the St. John, Antigua stop). Anyone know for sure?

[SFfamily]

To get the feel of the cruise, watch the HOB Documentary, "All Aboard, Rosie's Family Cruise". For most, it will bring a tear or two. After watching it, you will get a good feeling of what it is like on the cruise. This summer will be our third trip with rFamily. I do not know the percentages, but a very large number of passengers are repeat. In fact, this summer's cruise is sold out.

[MOMS2SRC]

Hello Fellow Passengers!!!! This is the first cruise for our daughter who will be 21 months at the time of sailing. This is our first Rosie cruise and we are so excited. After seeing the HBO documentary, it didn't take us long before we were dialing the number to book it (yet, I have not received confirmation nor has our credit card been charged, so I might have to call them this week).
The HBO doc was extremely moving in so many ways. The best thing was seeing the smiles of parents and children alike experiencing a free and open environment. Although, it was sad to view the hostility from a Bahamian minority who wanted to ruin their good fun, nothing could seem to ultimately spoil the fantastic adventure.Hopefully, none of us will experience that on our cruise.
We can't wait other families and make connections that could last a lifetime.
All the best to all of you out there awaiting the next several months!

[SFfamily]

I believe you must have passports for the non-US portion of the cruise (e.g. the St. John, Antigua stop). Anyone know for sure?


Yes, ALL travelers, including children regardless of their age, on the 2007 rFamily cruise will be required to have a passport.

The Department of State web site states:
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that all travelers to or from Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada the via air and sea must have a passport by December 31, 2006, travelers to and from the have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. All children regardless of age (including newborns and infants) must have their own passport. Special Requirements for children under age 14 must apply in person, with their legal guardian(s).

I do not know about children in the process of being adopted. I would have called the NPIC for clarification, but they are closed for the weekend. Logically, for children born in the us, with the child's original birth certificate, proof of your guardianship and photo identification of the guardian (if more than one guardian either both must be present or additional paperwork is required (see passport application instructions)). I would think that most children being adopted internationally are issued a passport in their birth country, prior to arriving in the US. Note, you can update your child’s passport to reflect and name changes. Children’s passports are good for 5 years.

For Additional Information: see or call the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) toll-free at 1-877-487-2778 (TDD: 1-888-874-7793) or by e-mail at NPIC@state.gov. Customer Service Representatives are available M-F, 8AM-8PM EST (excluding Federal holidays).

[bodecea]

Yes, ALL travelers, including children regardless of their age, on the 2007 rFamily cruise will be required to have a passport.

The Department of State web site states:
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that all travelers to or from Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada the via air and sea must have a passport by December 31, 2006, travelers to and from the have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. All children regardless of age (including newborns and infants) must have their own passport. Special Requirements for children under age 14 must apply in person, with their legal guardian(s).

I do not know about children in the process of being adopted. I would have called the NPIC for clarification, but they are closed for the weekend. Logically, for children born in the us, with the child's original birth certificate, proof of your guardianship and photo identification of the guardian (if more than one guardian either both must be present or additional paperwork is required (see passport application instructions)). I would think that most children being adopted internationally are issued a passport in their birth country, prior to arriving in the US. Note, you can update your child’s passport to reflect and name changes. Children’s passports are good for 5 years.

For Additional Information: see or call the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) toll-free at 1-877-487-2778 (TDD: 1-888-874-7793) or by e-mail at NPIC@state.gov. Customer Service Representatives are available M-F, 8AM-8PM EST (excluding Federal holidays).

Thank you...we've been really lazy about getting them.

[mommies2shea]

we will be going for our first family cruise in feb, too :) we are in fl and have two sons 4&7y. we are so excited!

[Picfan]

Where are you in Florida?

[mommies2shea]

We are in Gainesville ;) I see you are in Tampa. We visit your zoo, aquarium and museum pretty often. Would be nice to sail out of Tampa next time :)

Amanda, Leslie, Shea and Cai;)

[Nightowls]

I just read in the paper today that beginning in 2007 passports will be required in places like Mexico and Canada where they have not previously been required. Originally, they had tried to implement this in Jan. 2006 but it got pushed back. You have plenty of time, I'd go ahead and get them just to be safe and it is a lot easier than keeping track of a paper birth certificate. I did go ahead and get one for my 11 year old after carrying hers around for the last cruise. You have no idea how this cruise will change your life and you will be like us, counting the days until the next one! My daughter has a timer on her computer that is counting down until sail time to Alaska...as of "right now" it is 67 days, 8 hours and 9 minutes...thats west coast time...

[MOMMIMI]

My partner and i are also going on the cruise in Feb 2007. We are very excited to be going on it, it will also be our first family outing since we legally adopted our daughter. Can't wait to meet lots of other "forever famlies" just like ours.

[Picfan]

We are in Gainesville ;) I see you are in Tampa. We visit your zoo, aquarium and museum pretty often. Would be nice to sail out of Tampa next time :)

Amanda, Leslie, Shea and Cai;)

You should email me if you are in the area sometime, maybe we can all get together. My son is 8 years old. I agre Tampa would be fun to sail out of. I am going to try and go on the 2007 cruise. I love cruises and they make for such an excellent family vacation.

[baisa]

We are going on the cruise in Feb. Very excited!! we are flying in the day before and staying an extra day. Anyone have a suggestion for a reasonable hotel to stay in the area?

Thanks.