NEWSLETTER JUNE 2026 🎈 🎈 🎈 🎈 🎈 🎈 🎈🎈
Guess What? We’re all turning 75 next year!
We talked about this at the last lunch in June and there were a lot of shocked and amazed reactions around the table. A refrain from The Talking Heads keeps wiggling in my ear “Well, How did I get here?”
This is a BIG BIRTHDAY coming up for all of us and if you haven’t made any big plans yet, plans with your friends and family…
Guess What’s Next? We’re Going On A Cruise!
I am in the process of setting up a group booking for a cruise in May 2027. I did a sample vote on the idea and got a lot of positives about it so I am going to take one for the team and lay down a deposit to secure the group and lock in the rates. And, no, I don’t get a free cabin. There are just two perks of this group booking, locked in rates (for a short period of time) and if we get 35 guests or more we’ll get a venue to meet up for free for two hours at a day and time TBD.
If you want to preview what we’re doing (ahead of me securing the group) you can go explore for yourself the brand new ship sailing from Miami, Margaritaville At Sea’s Beachcomber.
Beachcomber May 15 - May 22 2027
If you’ve cruised before, you will recognize this great itinerary with four very different ports of call with full days in port and only two Sea Days that are not on top of each other. In fact, it’s such a great itinerary wedged in between Mother’s Day and Memorial Day that they anticipate a rate increase in another 2-3 weeks.
I am actually securing the last group booking for this sailing and what that means for you is you can’t dilly dally about this. Do your homework, talk to your family and friends and see if you want to celebrate turning 75 in style with people who get you!
I have sailed on Paradise twice and was blown away by Islander and their entertainment in April. These ships are all about the boomer generation music, laid back and fun, fun, fun!
If you need airfare to Miami, I’ve already looked and this cruise is in the sweet spot for low fares. If you need to arrive a day early, I’ve got a good hotel next to the Metro Mover all picked out. All will be revealed.
Excursions
Every port has excursions to offer and when the time comes, I will provide you with some solid suggestions and links to book them because there are other excursions you can book affordably, and will get you back to the ship in time, other than the ships offerings.
In the meantime here’s an idea of the ports of call and what there is to do there;
Key West - ability to walk off the ship and walk around, no excursion required but the Key West Trolley is a great introduction and I’m envisioning a meet up at Sloppy Joe’s!
Georgetown, Grand Cayman - Also a great walk off and shop port, theres Seven Mile (public) Beach, Sting Ray City!! Deep Sea Fishing and more, including private charters.
Ocho Rios, Jamaica - Dunns River Falls for the adventurous, Kokono Falls Park & Gardens less busy, Bamboo River Rafting (easy), Countryside & Plantation Tour, Tubing & Beach Picnic, Swim with Dolphins, and more. Do not plan to go off on your own in Jamaica- take an excursion.
Nassau - Walk off and shop, shop, shop, Taxi to ATLANTIS for the day and wander the property for free or try their Rapid River!! Swim with Pigs (by boat), Afternoon Tea At Graycliff Hotel, and more.
Trip Insurance
Okay, you are going to be 75 and shit happens. If you’ve planned any travel you will have taken out travel insurance or crossed your fingers like I have. No more. I did extensive research three years ago and I want to share what I think is the best travel insurance you can own and have peace of mind without breaking the bank.
For only $100 a year you can have $10,000 of insurance coverage on any trip you book using a Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card. Chase Sapphire Preferred has travel insurance, including medical coverage built into their card’s benefits as long as you book your trip on their card. It doesn’t matter if it’s a trip to Nevada or a month overseas, you’re covered for trip cancellations, medical emergencies and more - and it’s always in place and you don’t have to think about it. Once you have the card you’ll never need to pay the excessive costs for travel insurance offered per trip from airlines, cruise lines, etc. like I used to.
If anyone wants to see my research of travel insurance comparisons, I am happy to email you my spreadsheet, just email me your request.
I’m telling now so you have time to apply and get it to book your cruise if you decide to go!
Here’s a link you can use to apply and my reward will be some bonus points for all this work I’m doing for you guys to have fun at 75!
Chase Sapphire Preferred $100 Annual Fee
https://www.
Lunch in June
So I started with the lunch we had at Millers Ale House and the pictures are on our facebook page but for all of you who don’t partake, here you go;
L to R; Barbara Lachick Dworkin, Sue Marchetti Pais, Debbie Felten Cannarelli, Jamie Blackwood Burns, Marilyn Fox Rose, Jim Scandariato, Mary Grace Blackwood, Kay Burns DeMola
L to R; Marilyn Fox Rose, sister Roberta, Jamie
L to R; Sue Marchetti Pais, Debbie Felton Cannerelli
L to R; Jamie & Kay
L to R; Jamie, Barbara & Donna Degregorio Massaro
I love surprises and Kay Burns DeMola showed up for a quick visit enroute to her nieces graduation. She was on Long Island like me, from Florida, so that was a big surprise since we failed to hook up together in Florida! We went all through elementary school together while living in Mayfair.
That’s a Wrap
I’d love to hear from you if you are planning on the cruise so I can keep track and keep you up to date.
Email, text or call me with questions. In the meantime, figure who you’re going to go with on your birthday cruise and get ready to book it once the group is established.
Please stay in touch!
Email me directly;
Our Website
http://www.CommackSouth1970.
Don't Forget To Follow Our Facebook Page!
