JA N
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IRTA
IRTA SAILOR
Most sea creatures, like the friendly bottle-nosed dolphin, will normally not attack retirees. :)
1/6/18 1/13/18 MSC SEASIDE
Making New Friendson on on the IRTA SEA Cruise Cruises feature exciting onboard activities that let you meet new people and try out new experiences. While destinations like Mexico, the Bahamas, or the Caribbean offer exotic shore excursions, there are plenty of other activities you can enjoy right onboard. Each one gives you the opportunity to bond with fellow guests by sharing a laugh, a family story or a game of trivia, all on the same night. The best way to meet people with similar interests is to sign up for an organized activity on board the ship. The passengers you encounter during these activities are guaranteed to have at least one interest in common with you, providing you with a foundation to help grow a friendship that lasts through the rest of your vacation and into the future.
The FUN! It’ll Never Stop FIRST STEP - COMPLETE WEB CHECK-IN NOW In order to receive your documents, MSC requires you to complete WEB CHECK-IN: •
Log-in to msccruisesusa.com.
•
Click ‘Manage Booking’ in upper right corner.
•
Click ‘Web Check-In’ on left side.
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Fill-in the information.
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E-Docs will be emailed two weeks prior to sailing.
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Oh, the Delicious Food and Drinks... When it comes to dining on cruise ships, some people probably picture hordes of tourists pushing and shoving their way to generic mediocre buffets stocked with whatever messy scraps are left by the previous diners. These people obviously haven’t been on a cruise lately — or more likely, have never even set foot on one — because some of the best culinary experiences in the world can be had while heading between destinations aboard ships. MSC Seaside offers a variety of onboard restaurants and dining options. Your cruise fare includes food for breakfast, lunch and dinner on the ship. However, not all venues that offer food will be free. The main dining room and cruise ship buffet will always be included in your cruise fare, though a few specialty items might cost extra.
Why Western Caribbean? Due to the devastating hurricanes this past season, many cruise lines had to change their itineraries. MSC was one of them. With the passengers in mind, MSC worked diligently with local and port authorities to revise their sailing from Eastern Caribbean to Western Caribbean. MSC’s goal was twofold: to provide for the comfort, enjoyment and safety of its passengers; and to support the local economies who depend on the cruising industry for their livelihood.
The Lido Deck!
Be Quick and Save Your Fellow IRTA members a Seat by the Pool These coveted deck chairs are often snapped up by early-birds who stake out their territory before you’ve even thought about having your morning cup of joe. You’re not allowed to save a chair with a towel for later use, but it’s kind of awkward to move a stranger’s belongings to claim an otherwise vacant seat. Then again, you might prefer to seek out a quiet deck far away from the fray, or opt for one of those adults only sanctuaries on the MSC Seaside.
It’s OK to do NOTHING Retirement advice often focuses on the importance of stay-
What’s the point of retiring if all you’re going to do is get up
ing productive, keeping busy and somehow chalking up more
early, rush off someplace you might not want to go and then
achievements to put on your lifetime resume. But some retired
stumble home at night tired, exhausted and stressed out? For
teachers feel that they’ve been doing that for 30 years, and
some people retirement is their chance, at last, to sit around
now they just want to kick back and enjoy life. If you can’t relax
the pool, read the newspaper on deck, and then lie around and
and enjoy yourself in retirement, then when are you going to
grab some sun watching the clouds drift by. And there’s nothing
do it?
wrong with that. WELCOME ON BOARD!
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Take advantage of the shows on board ship. The stage productions are professional and well done... and they’re free!
Some Do’s and Dont’s •
Do pre-book your excursions and
•
special dining reservations. •
Do complete your luggage tags
•
•
•
Don’t
forget
sunscreen.
• •
Do be prepared to have your photo taken. You can opt out, but it’s
It’s
expensive to purchase on the ship.
Do pack a sweater or jacket. It can be chilly in the restaurants and
•
provided in each cabin.
and pre-cruise documents before getting to the port.
Don’t pack a hair dryer. They are
easier just to stop and smile. •
Do use hand sanitizer when entering
Do arrive on time for the mandatory
eating areas. Let’s keep those germs
safety drill.
at bay!
Do chat with the crew. They can
•
Do attend port talks if you hav-
theaters.
provide insider information on the
en’t researched the port of call in
Whatever you do, do not wear
ship and ports of call. Also, because
advance.
a speedo. It is out of date, and it
the crew is from all over the world,
really hurts everyones eyes.
it’s interesting to learn about their
•
Don’t miss the shows.
They are
included in your cruise purchase.
country and families.
Day One The emergency evacuation drill on embarkation day is mandatory on every ship on every cruise line. There’s just no way around it. Just go with the flow, and try to have a good attitude about it, because you have to be there regardless of whether or not you like it. It doesn’t last long, and once it’s over, you can feel like your vacation is actually going to start. Not sure what to do when you first get on board? It’s the perfect day to explore your ship! See what food options you have available, find the gym (if you really want to!), explore the lido deck, and get familiar with where your stateroom is located.
IRTA IMPROVES YOUR MOOD, REDUCES STRESS
Enjoy Life with IRTA
Don’t Miss the Welcome Gala When thinking of an IRTA cocktail hour, images of opulent drinkware, fine clothing and luxurious sofas and club chairs come to mind. Clinking glasses, soft laughter and mild melodies fill the air. With that being said... you won’t want to miss the IRTA Complimentary Captain’s Style Cocktail Party with complimentary beverages on Sunday January 7th from 4:45-5:45 after a great day in Nassau, Bahamas! Haven Lounge - Deck 7.
It will be a relaxed time filled with easy-going conversation and just enough cocktails. IRTA President Roger Hampton will give a welcome message and hand out some specially selected door prizes.
“You don’t have to get off the ship on port days. In fact, that’s
“Just remember to enjoy yourself! You’re
when some of my favorite ship-time has been! The ship
on vacation! Take the elevator. Order two
will pretty much clear out on the days you are at-port, so
entrees at dinner – it’s free! Lounge by
enjoy the pool, the prime lounge chairs, the short food lines
the pool. Relax! And have a great time.”
at lunch, and the DEALS at the spa.” Nora Puglia, Perfect
Debbie Volkert, Perfect Impressions Cruises
Impressions Cruises and Tours.
and Tours.
Decorate your cabin door so you can find it after you’ve been out and about half the night.
IRTA SEA CRUISE
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THANK YOU PI! IT’S NOT EASY GETTING 107 RETIREES TO A CRUISE SHIP. Perfect Impressions (PI) Cruises & Tours is a full service travel agency from Springfield that the IRTA utilized to organize this trip. Nora, Debbie and Fred spent hours on the phone with our members and guests to help make sure everyone’s needs were met and questions were answered. If and when it’s time for you to make future travel plans, PI can assist individuals, groups and organizations, fulfill their holiday, honeymoon or incentive travel needs. Their reputation is organizing every detail to make your travel program flawless, and we know it first hand.
IRTA MISSION The philosophy of IRTA has not changed from its conception. Our purpose is still to work to maintain and improve benefits for annuitants of the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS); promote education and the professional, social and economic status of all members; and work in cooperation with other organizations to obtain these goals. The Illinois Retired Teachers Association is a not-forprofit, non-partisan organization of retired educators. The Association serves the needs and interests of its members through advocacy, education, cooperation and socialization in a flexible organizational structure.
ABOUT IRTA The Illinois Retired Teachers Association represents 38,000 retired teachers and their families. IRTA is the sole watchdog for retired teachers in the Illinois legislature. Its goal is to maintain and improve benefits for annuitants of the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS); promote education and the professional, social and economic status of all members; and work in cooperation with other organizations to obtain these goals. For more information, to JOIN or RENEW NOW as a member or associate, visit IRTA’s website at http://www.irtaonline.org.
IRTA PROGRAMS Come join IRTA Membership Director Nathan Mihelich and Fred Puglia from Perfect Impresions for a few rounds of IRTAstic! Programs. Monday January 8, 2018. 10am.
“Don’t Be Late For Class” 10:00 am 10:30 am 10:45 am 11:15 am 11:30 am 12:00 pm
Sign in for Prizes and Drawings and Meet-&-Greet your IRTA Colleagues ‘Welcome To the Great IRTA Sea Cruise’ with your Membership Director Nathan Mihelich Take Advantage of Your IRTA Membership & Where Are We Going in 2019? Group Picture Plan for later in the week, Q & A, Prize Drawing Life Begins After Retirement: with Attitude and Confidence with Fred Puglia Perfect Impressions Cruises & Tours Prize Drawing THE IRTA SEA CRUISE AMAZING TRIVIA CHALLENGE “Prizes for your Useless Knowledge” 30 Smart Travel Tips with Fred & Prize Drawing Let’s Go To Lunch (On your own at one of Seaside’s many restaurants)
Sea Cruise News
Location c Ipanema Restaurant - Deck 6
“There are few things more important for a
“Membership is not the job of just one indi-
“We commend you, the members of IRTA,
retired educator in Illinois than the IRTA. The
vidual or one committee. For this Association
for your active support and continued mem-
IRTA is our protection. It is our shield that
to remain viable every member should be a
bership. Remember that it is OUR IRTA. It is
defends the benefits we all worked very hard
recruiter for the IRTA. We will not continue to
together that we function and make an im-
to achieve. And the association deserves
exist if each one of us does not step up and be a
pact. Let us, each IRTA member, pledge to the
more than just gratitude. It deserves our full
part of the membership effort.” Mike Schmidt,
proud and active “I” in IRTA.” IRTA President
support.” IRTA Past President Dave Davison
IRTA Membership Chair
Roger Hampton | 07
IRTA
IRTA SAILOR
Careful or You Might Miss the Boat It’s written in the small print, but it bears emphasizing that you should take the embarkation time seriously. There is no clemency for passengers stuck in traffic, sidetracked by a flight delay or impacted by the weather. If you’re not punctual, the ship sails without you. It’s best to arrive a day before your cruise departs, so you don’t have to worry about close calls or missing the boat. Mid-voyage, there are often a few tardy passengers who lose track of time at the souvenir shops or port-of-call bars, or don’t leave sufficient time to get back from far-flung excursions. This dilly-dallying can have expensive consequences. Any travel to meet up with the ship at the next port is on your own dime (rightly so).
Try New! One key to a happy retirement is not just filling your time, but doing things that are meaningful to you. Some people spent a lifetime at a job that provided an income to support themselves and their families, but sometimes did not provide a sense of fulfillment. On this cruise find an activity to create an experience that closely reflects who you really are, whether it’s exploring a new city, riding an ATV, swimming with dolphins or simply stopping to smell the roses with
“If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.” — Katharine Hepburn. A Quote from Nathan
“For the midnight chocolate buffet, pile it on!!!!! You can never have enough chocolate.”
your significant other.
Contact NATHAN Phone: 217-481-6915 ROOM: 10181 Address : 828 S. 2nd St. Springfield, IL 62704 Web & Email : www.irtaonline.org nathan@irtaonline.org