Frequently Asked Questions about Cruising with Bells of the Cascades

  1. What activities are planned?
  2. Do I need to bring bells?
  3. How soon do participants need to commit to the cruise?
  4. What is the cost for passengers not participating in the massed ringing activities?
  5. Do we need a passport for the cruise?
  6. Do we perform a concert at the end for the ship’s passengers?
  7. Is the cost for workshop participation tacked onto a standard cruise fee or do participants get a special rate?
  8. What should we bring?
  9. How many people usually go on the bell cruise?
  10. Can spouses or family get a special rate even if they do not participate in the massed ringing?
  11. At what seating do BOC members and the clinician eat?
  12. Do I need to order music ahead of the cruise?

What activities are planned?

During the days that we are "at sea" there will be ringing activities. Massed ringing with our guest clinician and classes. We haven't selected which classes we'll be teaching on this cruise, but we usually teach bass techniques, treble techniques, special techniques, and solo and ensemble ringing. We also have classes for non-ringers who would like to try ringing bells. There are 2+ days of "at sea" time on this cruise. When bell activities are not scheduled, the bells are available for rehearsing, practicing ensembles (we form ensembles of those interested on the first day), etc.

There will also be a sail-away cocktail party on the first night (immediately after the life boat drill).

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Do I need to bring bells?

No. People coming on the cruise with us do not need to bring their bells. We supply all of the bells.

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How soon do participants need to commit to the cruise?

The sooner, the better!

A deposit of $600 per person is required at the time of booking and final payment is due September 25, 2008.

When deposited by March 31, 2008, receive $20 shipboard credit per person for an inside stateroom, $30 shipboard credit per person for an outside stateroom, or $40 shipboard credit per person for a balcony!

There will be a $340 coupon value book per stateroom (not per person) given to all who sign up during the week of January 13 - 20, 2008.

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What is the cost for passengers not participating in the massed ringing activities?

The cost will be the same for all that sign up for Cruise X. We have a contract with Azumano Travel to take care of our needs on the Holland America Cruise Line, so in order to "share" a room with a participant you all must sign up through Azumano Travel.

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Do we need a passport for the cruise?

Yes! Holland America Line has details listed here. You can find details of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative here.

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Do we perform a concert at the end for the ship’s passengers?

Yes. Bells of the Cascades will play a concert at some point during the week. The last morning at sea the handbell cruisers will play a concert that is open to all the ship's passengers.

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Is the cost for workshop participation tacked onto a standard cruise fee or do participants get a special rate?

The cost of the workshop is tacked on to the lowest group rate that we could negotiate with Holland America. It will not be the LOWEST that is advertised between now and the cruise and you may get some last minute announcement of "space available" rates. We have reserved 85 staterooms at 3-4 different rates. This all needs to be done months in advance as you can imagine. We also need full-time use of the workshop rooms in order that we do not have to pack and unpack the six sets of bells we bring with us for the workshop. We began our work with Holland America last March. We finally have everything lined up and we are very excited about having David Harris as our guest clinician.

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What should we bring?

The only things you need to bring are yourself, your luggage, and an easel binder. We supply the bells and other equipment. Gloves are at the discretion of the ringer. Whether you choose to ring without gloves or with gloves is up to you. If you do choose to wear gloves, any color is fine with us, black, white, tie-dyed, garden variety, etc.

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How many people usually go on the bell cruise?

Around 125. About two thirds of those people participate in the ringing activities.

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Can spouses or family get a special rate even if they do not participate in the massed ringing?

All will pay the same.

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At what seating do BOC members and the clinician eat?

Second or late seating (upper/8:00pm).

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Do I need to order music ahead of the cruise?

No. Bells of the Cascades provides the music. There is no need to prepare the music in advance. Music will be handed out the first day that we ring bells on the ship -- we schedule ample time on-board the ship to prepare the music with the clinician. The music is yours to keep at the end of the cruise.

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