Preparing for the Narimasu Reunion Cruise

May 5 - 9, 2012

To make reservations, ask questions, or inquire about special discounts for military, seniors, etc. contact:

Narimasu Alumni Association's Reunion Chairperson,
Betty Criner Brain '62
Phone (772)285-9073
Fax/Phone (772)283-5569
E-mail: splendidjourneys@yahoo.com

Reunion Cruise Reservations have been made by:

John Ellis '62 and Michelle Damon
Pat Kinney '58 and Gene Alfaro
Deana Deck '56 and Hal Whitaker '56
Karen Osborn Taylor '62 and Joan Goudreau Brown '62
Sidney Brain '61 and Betty Criner Brain '62
Bernie Tallerico '62 and Celia Gregg
Glen Hebert '57
Cathy Bennet Thacker '63 needs a Cruising Buddy
Smokey Johnson '57 and Maxine

HAPPY NEW YEAR NARI MASU STUDENT BODY

As we begin a new year, let us count our blessings and resolve to do better about keeping in touch with those who have shared a unique part of our lives. Of all your many acquaintances, how many know the tangy smell of yakatori sauce, ever ate French fries with gravy, had a teen club all their own, shopped the BX, knew what Karaoke was way back then, went to the Ginza on Prom night or pushed on to those crazy trains? Narimasu Dragons share a unique part of history no matter what year you were there. Those special events are fun to recall and share with others who have had the same experiences, so plan to stroll down memory lane with your fellow Dragons May 5-9, 2012, on Carnival's Fun Ship Elation.

We have meet and greet parties, a cocktail party, the ship's band that plays rock and roll favorites, a dance floor open every evening, memory lane trivia, teacher tales and a media mesh to share photos so get those old pictures on a thumb drive or CD to share with others.

And the really great part is we have new experiences to share in Progresso and Cozumel, Mexico. In Progresso in the northern Yucatan, you can visit the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, enjoy the beautiful beaches, explore in a Dune buggy or ATV, bike to a cenote to snorkel, play golf or visit historic Merida. In Cozumel there are 25 excursions to choose from. Visit the Mayan ruins of sea-side Tulum, swim with the Dolphins, snorkel the reef or caves, get in that zip line harness, enjoy a submarine or sailing, go deep sea fishing, or enjoy the beach, sunshine and a cold Corona doing nothing.

Plan now to enjoy the Dragons at Sea where your accommodations, all meals, entertainment, pool facilities and special Narimasu Alumni Association events for 4 nights are included in your cabin cost.

Let's get our Narimasu Student Body together again to share the unique experiences we have had and to make new memories for the future. Can you believe our classmates from '52 are celebrating their 60th reunion? And the class of '57 has 55 years to celebrate. I don't know where the years went, but my class of '62 is at the Big 50! We are blessed to be alive and well so call me to book you cabin choice now. Get in touch with your classmates to join us as we celebrate our years at Narimasu.

Go Dragons! Roar!

Student Body President 1962, Betty Criner Brain, 772-285-9073 or splendidjourneys@yahoo.com

What to Pack For the Narimasu Reunion

Packing for a cruise is easy: pack light! Although Carnival allows you to check 2 bags per person plus your carry-on bag, the airline luggage fees encourage you to pack light also. No more than 50 pounds for domestic flights without overweight charges in addition to each checked bag fee.

Pack comfortable clothes for activities on board the ship and on the shore excursions.

Shorts, cotton tops, walking shoes, bathing suits and cover-ups, flip-flops for the pool and beach, a hat and sun glasses. Co-ordinate colors and mix and matches pieces. Unlike the MSTS ships we sailed to Japan, casual wear is fine for most evening events. While formal attire for the Captain's Dinner is not required, a sport coat and tie with dress pants or dark suit for the gentlemen and cocktail wear for the ladies are appropriate.

On the remainder of the cruise, dresses or slacks and a nice top are good for dinner in the dining room while the men can enjoy the comfort of a collared shirt with no coat. Bring a sweater since the dining room air conditioning is usually quite cool. Ladies, pack dressy sandals for evening wear or shoes that co-ordinate with other daywear. Light, interchangeable pieces stretch your wardrobe from day to night and require less shoes and accessories. A tote bag for your room key and ID, sunscreen, book, and daily program is recommended. Bring a plastic bag for wet things. Bathrobes are provided.

The ship does not allow shabby jeans or swim wear in the dining room but the buffet has no restrictions on attire and if you just don't want to dress at all, room service is available. Did you know if you fold a dress shirt, put it in a gallon plastic bag, press the air out of it with a large book and close the seal, the shirt will not wrinkle because it cannot slide around. Try it and see.

About the Cruise

So you are thinking of cruising-what a great idea!!! It is easy, fun and a good value for the dollar. You pack and unpack once as your floating hotel travels to foreign destinations while you sleep. You get to go ashore to experience exciting destinations then return to the comfort of your ship and its excellent cuisine and all types of activies What an easy way to travel!

For fun, there are activities for everyone. Curl up in the library, join the bridge game, go to the movies, play bingo or mini-golf, sing along in the piano bar. Want more thing to do? Watch the game in the sports bar, try your luck in the casino, take in a broadway production, laugh with the comedian, dance to rock and roll or the big band sounds, disco the night away, then relax in the spa, by the pool or take yoga classes. The best part, you get to choose what you want to do and when you want to do it. That's right, You set the pace of the fun between gatherings of classmates and shore excursions.

Your cruise fare includes your cabin with daily maid service and complimentary room service, your meals in the dining room, Lido buffet, pizzeria, sushi bar, or late night bistro, your entertainment in the show lounges, around the pool, at the dance clubs or in the bars, use of the pools, Jacuzzis, Fitness Center, jogging track, ping pong tables, mini-golf and transportation to interesting ports of call. It's a great value for all this fun and you don't have to leave the ship to enjoy it all.

With all the activities on board the Carnival Elation will be a wonderful location for our 2012 Narimasu school reunion. You get to catch up with old friends and make new ones while visiting Progresso and Cozumel Mexico. At Progresso, you may take a shore excursion to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, Uxmal or Dzibilchalyun, see the colonial city of Merida, enjoy a beach party, horseback ride, dive in a cenote, play golf or go kayaking . Cozumel offers you a chance to relax on the beach, ATV adventures, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, visit Chankanaab Marine Park, take a submarine ride or take a Mexican cuisine cooking class. Check back here soon for a link with more details of all the many activities available in these ports.

START NOW - Get your passport or passport card

While a passport is recommended because you cannot fly internationally without one, a passport is not necessary for a cruise that departs and returns to the same port. US citizens must present proof of citizenship in the form of a passport valid 6 months beyond your cruise date, an original copy of your US birth certificate with the raised seal or a certified copy of your birth certificate or original Naturalization papers AND a government issued photo identification, such as a driver's license. Proof of citizenship and proof of identification are both required if you do not travel with a passport.

Getting a passport is easy. You can get a passport application or renewal form at http://travel.state.gov/passport. Then get two passport photos taken at Walgreens or CVS Pharmacies or similar locations. Mail your application and documents in a traceable envelope with a return self-addressed envelope enclosed .This way you can track your application going to and returning from the passport office. You may also travel by land and sea between the US and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda with a US Passport card which like a passport is good for 10. First-time applicants pay $55 and renewals are $30 per adult. The passport card application is found at the same http://travel.state.gov/passport site.

IMPORTANT: the passport card is not valid for international travel by air. It is valid only for land and sea travel.