Sponsored by "Please Go Away Travel", River Bend, N.C.

    In addition to the group of River Benders taking the cruise, residents of New Bern, Fairfield Harbour, and Greenville were included.  Following are pictures taken at random.  Sorry, I (Al Kish) did not have an opportunity to include everyone on this great cruise.
    April 23, 2004. 10:00 AM - Charlie Bodo begins loading of baggage on to luxury tour bus.
    April 24, 2004. 7:30 AM "Please Go Away Travel" express van driven by Cheryl Bodo begins pick-up of River Bend Passengers for transport to Tour Bus.  Time 8:04 AM Tour bus driven by Charlie Bodo leaves River Bend and heads north on Route 17.  Destination-Norfolk, VA.  Tom Bodo, Host serves refreshments. Time 10:30 AM. Twenty minute stop at McDonalds for breakfast.  Time  12:30 AM Arrive Norfolk, VA.  Transfer baggage to Celebrity Horizon. Present documentation to U.S. Customs who also took pictures of all passengers before boarding. All passengers were required to sanitize their hands before coming aboard. Passengers were greeted` at their cabins by Cabin Attendants.  Baggage was delivered to cabins within 30 minutes of boarding.

    Horizon Leaves Norfolk on April 24, 2004 at 5:00 PM bound for St. George, Bermuda arriving there at 9:00 AM. on April 27th,  Horizon departed St. George at 7:00 AM arriving at Hamilton a couple hours later. On the 29th Horizon departed Hamilton and arrived back in Norfolk at 6:30 AM on May 1st.  Beautiful ship.

    Meals on Board.   All meals were available in a number of restaurants.  Horizon is rated No. 1 for food which includes buffets, pizza, hamburgers, salads, hot dogs, fruits, deserts,  and a variety of gourmet plates including international dishes.   Horizon warned that passengers would gain two  pounds per day. I took the challenge and returned back in River Bend two pounds lighter. Food was available 24 hours a day.  It was tough passing up all those fancy deserts. I must comment on the outstanding service by the many waiters who would carry your buffet tray and take you to your table.   They would get you any foods you had missed, coffee, juice, etc.  always quick and with a smile.  Nothing was an imposition for them.

(1) MacDonalds         (2) Chow time at MacDonalds     (3) Celebrity Zenith             (4) Tug Boat

(1) Tug Boat                           (2) Police Boat                    (3) Life Boat Drill         (4) Life Raft Cannisters

(1) Life Boat Drill         (2) Life Boat Drill    (3)  Horizon on Front St   (4) Horizon on Front St

( 1) Jim Findley Descending          (2) St George                     (3) St George

(1) Cabin Attendant                  (2) Agnes tests bed           (3) Eagle            (4) St George

    Bermuda Data  Weather was varied with strong cool winds interspersed with sunshine and light rains.  This curtailed the amount of time spent sunning on deck and time spent in the pool and on the beaches. Bermuda is approximately 570 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras.  The cruise was very smooth with a speed which I estimate to be about 15 knots.  Bermuda has 360 small coral islands.  It is approximately 21 miles long and 2.5 miles wide at it's widest point.  Population 62,000.

    Nightly Entertainment - Under the direction of Tour Director, John Howell, the Horizon has an excellent entertainment staff headlined by some great international entertainers, a seven piece orchestra who could really belt it out and staff of 12 beautiful dancing girls  assisted by 6 great male dancers. (Sorry, no pictures in the beautiful theater.)  Headliners were British Piano Virtuoso Jeanette Owens who played piano was one of the best I have ever heard playing many of the favorites. Another star performer was British soloist David McLaine, a handsome tenor with a beautiful voice who enthralled the audience.

(1) St. George                                (2) St George                                 (3) St George

(1) Hamilgon, Front St                           (2) Front Street, Hamilton                        (3) Mopeds Galore

(1) Hamilton, Bermuda                                   (2) Front St., Hamilton          (3) Al & Agnes in Hamilton

(1) Hamilton, Bermuda             (2) Harbor                   (3) Swimming Pool

    Tours Ashore - There were a number of tours available including (1) a bus tour to Aquarium, Caves & Attractions; (2) Hamilton Guiding Walking Tour;(3) Trolley Train Tour; (4) Sail Bermuda; (5) Native Catamaran Sail & Snorkel; (6) Famous Homes and Hideaway Cruise; (7) Cruise & Kayak Tour; (8) Catamaran Coral Reef Snorkel; (9) Wildcat Adventure; (10) Railway Trail Cruise & Bike Tour; (11) Champagne Evening Sail; (12) Bermuda Triangle Shipwreck Snorkel;  (13) Plus other cruises.

(1) Trolley Ride                    (2) Horse and Buggies                 (3) Horse & Carriage    (4) Agnes Sanitizes Hands

(1) Nickie &Bill Henson            (2) Al & Agnes Kish       (3)  Dave & Iole Cella    (4) Agnes & Our Asst Waiter

(1)   Bill Hensen & Doug Ossman (2) Elizabeth Brinson   (3) Elizabeth & Ken Brinson   (4) Kathryn & Jim Findley

About Bermuda - We can attest to the fact that Bermuda is a very beautiful island paradise.  It is apparent that many of the wealthy live here with the price of homes averaging $800,000.  If you want to live here, you will have to prove you have an income in excess of $100,000.  (That should solve the immigration problem.)    The cost of gasoline is $7.00 and the streets lined with hundreds of mopeds attest to the fact many have turned to them as a means of transportation.  Merchandise, including jewelry and clothing is very expensive here.  Better to do your shopping in the U.S.

Pictured  upper right is Bill Henson who served aboard the USS Wisconsin moored in Norfolk Harbor

(1) Doug & Jan Ossman                 2) Wine Steward                               (3) The Ossmans

(1) Barbara & Robert Sleight    (2) Maurene & Dave Schwartfego        (3) Frances & Robert Remele

(1) Walter & Marlene Bracken (2)  Dorothy & George Viegel from N.J. (3) Findleys & Brinsons  (4) Ken Brinson

(1) Service Please!             (2) Agnes tells a Joke                 (3) Breakfast Partners

This was a wonderful cruise and we got to know a number of River Benders and residents of nearby towns.  Great job by Cheryl Bodo and family who arranged the cruise and did everything they could to make it a relaxing one.  Thanks to Charlie Bodo for getting us safely home.  I hope this pictorial account of our trip is interesting and will serve as a reminder of a great moment in River Bend.

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