[WADNet Post] Apr 21: Travel News

TRAVEL NEWS
--  Deaf Friendly Branson Missouri
--  Oct 26-Nov 2: Halloween Cruise to Mexico
--  2009 Deaf Europe Cruise
--  European Cruises - Caribbean Cruises
--  FYI: What Accommodations Should a Hotel Provide?
--  Going on Vacation? Read This...
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Deaf Friendly Branson Missouri

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Randy Boude Phone: 1-877-696-5388(v)Or Relay 
Email: randyboude@xxxxxxxxx
Website: www.see-entertainment.com

MORE BRANSON BUSINESSES BECOME DEAF FRIENDLY
The Mansion America Theatre welcomes Deaf and Hard of Hearing
As of May 17th, 2008 The Mansion Theatre in Branson, Missouri will open it’s arms to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. The first show featured will be The Promise -
The Promise is a spectacular Branson play honoring the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ as you have never seen before. This Broadway style musical about Christ, from creation to crucifixion to ascension speaks to the hearts of all ages. 

Following closely will be Celebrate America-
Celebrate America is a theatrical musical celebrating American Pride and Patriotism. Join us for a walk through time where you will discover that the pride that was felt at the birth of our nation still rings true today.
The All American Café will debut as Branson’s first Deaf Friendly Restaurant. American cuisine with a twist! 
The All American Café serves lunch and dinner.
Catering and group menus available.
All-new office center for banquets
Largest chalkboard in Branson for the kids
Weekly dancing features and live entertainment
“This is a very big step in making Branson the only Deaf and Hard of Hearing friendly vacation destination in America.” said Randy Boude of Signed Entertainment. “Now Deaf and Hard of Hearing families across the US can plan a vacation in a place that takes the time to care about their needs”.
There are an estimated 25 million plus Deaf and Hard of hearing in the US alone, with very limited access to vacation destinations. Signed Entertainment Enterprises is working to change all of that. Starting with Branson Missouri, they have found innovative ways to achieve equal access for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The first Live show and Theatre in Branson to step up and offer equal access was The White House Theatre and The Magnificent 7 Show-
The Magnificent Seven Variety Show is a fast-paced, two-hour musical adventure that boasts 20 multitalented entertainers and musicians who take you through 50 different musical productions including swing, country, gospel, Broadway favorites, fabulous contemporary hits, and a stage full of your favorite Elvis Impersonators. It is packed with comedy and dance that is great for kids and fun for the whole family! Show time is 7pm Monday through Saturday year round. And before the show guests are able to enjoy a wonderful four course meal! 

The Hotel Grand Victorian was the first Hotel to offer Equal access.
This beautiful Hotel Welcomes the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, where they continue a tradition of excellence and simple elegance. Centrally located on the 76 Strip, less than 3 miles from world class shopping at the Branson Landing, and walking distance from all of the best shows, restaurants, and attractions.
“We applaud the efforts of these incredible Branson establishments on becoming S.E.E. Certified as Deaf and Hard of Hearing Friendly”. Say’s Randy. “This opens up doors that until now have been all but sealed shut”.
If you’d like more information on this subject or would like to schedule an interview with Randy Boude, please call Signed Entertainment at 1-877-696-5388 or Email to: randy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

   (Contributed by: Karen Dishno, WADNet Reader)

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Oct 26-Nov 2: Halloween Cruise to Mexico

PRESS RELEASE

Website of the WRAD Cruise: http://wradcruise.googlepages.com/

WRAD HALLOWEEN MEXICAN RIVIERA CRUISE 2008

By  Bruce Gross, WRAD CEO/ Founder
Email- Brucegross@xxxxxxx
Videophone- 661-943-8879
Text cellphone- 6612366159
AIM- brucegross
www.wrad.org
The World Recreation Association of the Deaf, Inc. ( WRAD, Inc) is happy to present an exciting deaf and hard of hearing 8-day Halloween cruise to Mexico on the Mexican Riviera visiting Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallerta leaving Los Angeles on Sunday October 26, 2008 and return on the following Sunday November 2, 2008. A total of 150 cabins have been reserved for up to 300 people in our group. Friends of the deaf and families are also very welcome.
The name of the ship is the VISION OF THE SEAS BY ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL. 

Here is the itinerary
Day Ports of call 
1      Los Angeles, CA
       Depart 5:00pm
2 Cruising 
3      Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
       Arrive 10:30am, Depart 6:00pm

4      Mazatlan, Mexico
       Arrive 8:00am, Depart 5:30pm

5      Puerto Vallerta, Mexico
       Arrive 8:00am, Depart 8:00pm

6      Cruising ( Halloween Costume Ball onboard)

7      Cruising

8      Los Angeles, CA
       Arrive 7:00am
Sign Language interpreters/ CART service providers onboard and for Tours in Mexico. Entertainment including the famous Halloween Costume Ball by GINO and Bruce Gross.
Royal Caribbean is providing portable room kits that include a visual/tactile alert system. The system provide alerts for door knocking, smoke detector and alarm clock. TV sets will be closed captioning for the deaf and hard of hearing. We will have entertainment with interpreters and CART service providers. 

The 2,400-guest Vision of the Seas will offer the cruise to the WRAD group.

Listed below are some of the details and descriptions of the ship:

TWO swimming pools ( One outdoor and one indoor)
Thousands of GLASS windows showcase the world's most memorable coastlines and ports. That is why our ship is called VISION OF THE SEAS. 
Stunning Centrum, an open atrium featuring shopping and more !!!!!
State-of-the-art fitness center, with aerobics classes and machines or all types of workouts 
An Egyptian-themed Solarium spa and pool, covered by retractable glass
Card room/ Library/ Video Arcade/ Beauty Salon/ Boutiques/ Children's program 
Dramatic two-story dining room surrounded by windows and breathtaking views
Theatre/ 7 Bars and Lounges / 6 Whirlpools
Rock-climbing wall
Prices start at $360 per person ( double occupancy) plus taxes and port fees and tips ( about $300 per person) . Our prices are very competitive and they are good!!!! 

JOIN US ON THIS EXCITING TRIP!!!!

CALL NOW!!!! to book a cabin reservation.....1-800-419-0460 ( Voice only)
For deaf people call through the Relay or
Email- veronica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Call Bruce Gross for more information at VP 661-943-8879 or brucegross@xxxxxxx
YOU CAN GO TO THE CRUISE WEBSITE AT WWW.DEAFTRAVELCLUB.COM AND CLICK " BOOK MY CRUISE" THEN CLICK THE FORM TO PRINT IT AND FAX BACK TO VERONICA, OUR TRAVEL AGENT AT 954-775-2585 TO BOOK YOUR CABIN. DO IT TODAY AS CABINS ARE SELLING FAST!!!! All Balcony cabins are already sold out but we have other cabins that are available in different categories.
Prices are subject to availability and can change anytime. The space is limited and is selling fast. To secure your cabin deposit of $250 per person AS SOON AS POSSIBLE is required at the time of booking. 

THE WRAD HALLOWEEN COSTUME BALL
Our WRAD cruise on the Royal Caribbean International Vision of the Seas is very special because we will have a private Deaf and Hard of Hearing Halloween Costume Ball on Halloween night. Be sure to bring costumes when you come to the cruise because we are going to have a contest to judge them during the Halloween Ball. We will have our own Judges who will help select the winners of different costume categories for prizes at our party-The Funniest, The Scariest, and the most Fantasy. Our Halloween Ball will start at 9pm in a reserved ballroom. You are encouraged to wear a costume for the Ball but you are NOT required to wear one. Be sure to bring costumes to the cruise because our ship will not rent or sell costumes. Gino Giudice, the deaf Hollywood retired movie and TV animator will help design the stage and the background with Bruce Gross who will help coordinate the Halloween Costume Ball. Both Gino and Bruce hosted many Halloween parties in the past in different locations in the Hollywood area for the deaf and hard of hearing community and this year we are having the party on our cruise so that is why it is very special!
Prices are subject to availability and can change anytime. The space is limited and is selling fast. To secure your cabin deposit of $50 per person AS SOON AS POSSIBLE is required at the time of booking. It is a GOOD idea to deposit NOW so price for your cabin will not go up later!!!!!!! 

   (Contributed by: Bruce Gross, WRAD)

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Jul 18-Aug 1: 2009 Deaf  Europe Cruise
We have now new dates and rates for Deaf Europe Cruise in July 2009 and many informations and go to the link. Also available: Guest Profile/Registration Form
Find flyer and registration form by going to WAD site at www.wi-deaf.org, then click on "Deaf Europe Cruise 2009" link in the "Community Events" box on the left side below Community Calendar. 
   (Contributed by: Randi Wille, Cruise Group Leader)

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European Cruises - Caribbean Cruises

Thinking about going on a cruise?
Consider www.easycruise.com - it is affordable, you could see more for less. You'll enjoy fine beaches, great restaurants where the locals eat. You may not have an interpreter, but you are independent to do whatever you want at each port of call.
Easycruise's ship runs in the Caribbean from November to April, so you can start in either St. Lucia or Barbados. The reason it is so cheap is that booking is available only on the Internet - no frills: just a hot tub, no swimming pool; a disco with a DJ, snack bar, that's about it. That's why people go to beaches and restaurants and have entertainment on the islands. They drop you off in the morning, and you go back to the ship and go on to the next island.
Easycruise is owned by Easyjet, the European version of Southwest Airlines - no frills. They have easypizza, even an easyhotel in London that is $35 per night.
Go ahead and check out www.easycruise.com and have a great vacation on a small budget. Easycruise vacations are so affordable that your family and friends could enjoy several cruises together than one big, expensive cruise that you have to save for years or take years to pay off your credit cards. 

Have a great vacation in either Europe or the Caribbeean.

   (Contributed by: Gary Fitts, WADNet Reader)

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FYI: What Accommodations Should a Hotel Provide?
Summer will be here before you know it, and many of us are making our travel plans already. Hotel stays can be a major pain when you’re deaf or hard-of-hearing. Most of us have created accessible homes. We’ve got our captioned televisions, our accommodated phones with amplifiers, Captel, TTY or a VP. We might have a vibrating alarm clock, and a fire alarm that flashes lights to wake us up when we’re sleeping. Our front doors might flicker lights when people knock, or when the doorbell rings. All of these things give us a sense of security and comfort in our homes.
We can’t help but feel a bit uneasy staying in a large hotel without the comforts we’re used to. AND we shouldn’t have to stay in hotels that don’t accommodate us. The ADA is about accessibility. That means whatever a hotel provides for its regular patrons, it must provide an equally accessible alternative for YOU.
Many hotels aren’t aware of the law, and it’s crazy since the ADA was passed in 1990! Here’s a business brief you can use to help make hotels aware of their responsibility to accommodate deaf/HH/Deaf people the next time you make hotel reservations. 

ADA Hotel Business Brief
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/hotelcombr.htm
Source: http://ahearingloss.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/what-accommodations-should-a-hotel-provide/ 

   (Contributed by: Linda Barbian Russell, WADNet Reader)

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Going on Vacation? Read This...
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EDITOR'S NOTE:
If you will be away from home when the next WADNet Post goes out, please follow these helpful directions. ================================================ 

MESSAGE FROM WADNET POST EDITOR

Hello Readers,
Sometimes I get a LOT of "I am on vacation" auto-reply messages from readers.
Imagine this: there are over 900 subscribers on the WADNet Post (YEAH! GOOD! BUT!!). Now, imagine that 90 subscribers go on vacation and they have auto-responders on their email. Now, suppose I send 10 WADNet Post messages out one night. That means the next morning, my inbox will have 900 auto-reply messages, all telling me: "I am on vacation" or "I am out of the office." Yes, that many! And that's only 10% of WADNet Post subscribers!
If you go on vacation, use this REALLY COOL little tool: the Vacation Flag. Here are the instructions: 

TO GO ON VACATION:
Send an email:
TO: ecartis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
SUBJECT: "set wadnetpost vacation" (don't include the quotes)
Leave the rest of the email blank. You will remain subscribed to the list but will not receive any email as long as this flag is set.
You should get a reply email telling you "flag successfully set". If you do, you're on vacation! 


TO COME BACK FROM VACATION:
Send an email:
TO: ecartis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
SUBJECT: "unset wadnetpost vacation" (don't include the quotes)
Leave the rest of the email blank. You should get a reply telling you "flag was successfully unset". If you do, welcome back!
So, PLEASE be kind to your WADNet Post Editor. If you have trouble with this tool, or if you have questions, please ask me. I am happy to help! 

Thanks, everybody!

   (Contributed by: Leslie Riggs, WADNet Post Editor)

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Leslie Riggs
WADNet Post Editor & Listserv Administrator
Wisconsin Association of the Deaf
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TO STOP DIGEST AND GO BACK TO NORMAL EMAIL:
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 You should get a confirmation saying "set vacation" and "Flag successfully set".  The system will 
stop sending you email.

TO CHANGE BACK FROM VACATION MODE:
To set your WADNet Post subscription status back to normal, simply send an email to 
wadnetpost-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "unset vacation" in the subject line.  Leave the 
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Please visit our website at http://www.wi-deaf.org for the latest information 
and events.  Also, please visit our website at http://www.wi-deaf.org if you 
wish to become a member of WAD.

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