There are two parent meetings regarding Choir Tour: February 1, 2013 and March 5, 2013.

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1 Houston High School Choirs Choir Tour Information Packet March 9-14, 2013

2 Dear Parents, This packet provides general information for the proposed 2013 Choir Tour to Progresso and Cozumel, Mexico. The dates for the cruise are March 9-14, The cruise will be on Carnival s cruise ship, Elation sailing from the Port of New Orleans. The total cost of the trip varies per rooming assignment (students will room in quads). The tentative cost is $ This includes all meals, transportation, and onshore excursions. It does not include the cost of a Passport or Passport Renewal. As with any tour parents are encouraged to travel as volunteers/ chaperones, but all participants must pay for their trip. The tour is being booked through Performing Arts Consultants in New Jersey. I have used this company many times and are very pleased with their services. The payment schedule for the trip is as follows: Down Payment of $ is due October 5, (This is a change from the earlier calendar.) Payment Two of $ is due on November 1, Payment Three of $ is due on December 3, Payment Four of $ is due on January 9, Payment Five of $ (or more for Double/Triple Occupancy) is due on February 1, There are two parent meetings regarding Choir Tour: February 1, 2013 and March 5, I am currently receiving bids for the bus Charter. The current price for the cruise is based on the bids I have currently received as well as the prices quoted by Performing Arts Consultants in August. As a result, the final cost may slightly fluctuate. I am excited about the trip. The students will have the opportunity to visit some Mayan ruins as well as sing at colonized Spanish church near the Mayan Ruins. The students will also be able to visit a local market in Progresso. Students will have the opportunity to visit the beach in Cozumel. More information is included in this packet.

3 The only money needed for the tour beyond the cost is spending money for souvenirs or items purchased at the local market. Finally, I have attached two items to this besides the packet you are currently reading. All students must return one document to Dr. Rayburn. While only those traveling will return the second document. I believe the documents are self-explanatory. In addition all travelers will need a valid passport. If you have further questions, please me. Best Regards, Dr. Rayburn About the Program Festivals at Sea The Nationally Acclaimed Festivals at Sea program is available on board all of our student friendly ships for 2013! Your performing group(s) will have the opportunity to enhance their cruise experience with an adjudicated performance and clinic on board ship and/or in one of our exciting ports of call. Festivals at Sea will provide a choral adjudicator to clinic each group s performance while providing written and taped evaluations for ratings based on a national standard. Whether you wish to experience the thrill of performing on board a beautiful ship from the fleets of the Largest Cruise Lines in the World or just enjoy the fun ship experience, our expert cruise representatives will work with your group leader to insure that your cruise lives up to all your expectations.

4 The Cruising Experience The onboard accommodations and amenities will leave your group with memories that last a lifetime. The cruise experience alone will leave lasting impressions of beautiful ocean seas, while the gorgeous ports of call with beautiful beaches, unique cultures and atmospheres, will be the talk of your adventure when returning home. If your choice is to perform in one of the exciting ports of call or just play in the ocean while snorkeling and feeding exotic fish, our onboard cruise representatives are experts in student group cruises and will assist to insure that all of your expectations are met. They will make suggestions and have answers for your entire group s needs including: meeting spaces, performance venues, and attention to all the details for youth group cruisers. General Cruise Information Spacious Cabin with 24 hour Stateroom Service All Meals including Fine Dining, Late Night Buffets, Casual Dining as well as 24 hour Pizzeria and ice cream All Shipboard Activities and Entertainment including Live Entertainment, swimming, dancing, health club, teen disco, karaoke and much more Performance on board ship Commemorative Festivals at Sea Award for performing groups Festivals at Sea service host on board to assist with checkin, performances and various needs Prepaid gratuities on board ship All taxes and fees Included With The Package Accommodations in Quad, Triple and Double Performance announcement in Carnival Capers Rock the Boat lanyard for all travelers All port charges and taxes

5 Current fuel supplement (Subject to change) 4 gourmet meals per day Festivals at Sea escort All tips onboard ship Karaoke Party Onboard Example Itinerary SATURDAY, DAY 1, YEAR 12:30 PM Arrive PORT of NEW ORLEANS / CARNIVAL CRUISE Terminal for the ELATION, Board Ship - Your Festivals At Sea representative (name & cell phone number to be provided) will meet you upon arrival and assist with boarding and check- in procedures. * IMPORTANT * Sail & Sign Credit Card Payments should be made at check- in. Cash Payments must be done at the Purser s Desk, preferably prior to the orientation. You will be unable to make purchases onboard until you activate your Sail & Sign card. LUNCH Buffet - Served from 12:30-3:30pm on Lido Deck. 4:00 PM The ELATION, a Fun Ship Superliner, Sets Sail for PROGRESO, YUCATAN! Passenger LIFEBOAT DRILL (Mandatory) - Listen for the announcement to attend your lifeboat drill. It's a sea- going tradition that you'll find fun and informative. 4:45 PM WELCOME ONBOARD ORIENTATION Meeting & Social in the TBD (Mandatory) - Meet your Rock the Boat representative and ship s security officers to learn about the ship and your cruise to Progreso, Yucatan and Cozumel, Mexico. Information on customs rules and regulations, onboard activities and more! Refreshments will be served. 8:00 PM DINNER - Main sitting in your respective dining room (no shorts or swimming attire). Sunday, Day 2, Year BREAKFAST - Open sitting or a buffet breakfast on Lido Deck from 7:00-10:30am. Onboard Fun Day at Sea Enjoy some of the many activities onboard today. 12:00 PM LUNCH - Open sitting, served until 2:00pm or a buffet lunch served on Lido Deck from 12:00-2:30pm. TBD PERFORMANCE Onboard Exact day, time and location will be determined at a later date. 8:00 PM CRUISE ELEGANT EVENING dinner in your respective dining room. Monday, Day 3, Year BREAKFAST - Open sitting or a buffet breakfast on Lido Deck from 7:00-10:30am. 7:00 AM Arrive PROGRESO YUCATAN! Enjoy the fun in the sun activities for everyone at this glorious resort.

6 12:00 PM LUNCH - Open sitting, served until 2:00pm or a buffet lunch served on Lido Deck from 12:00-2:30pm. 4:00 PM The ELATION Departs for COZUMEL! 8:00 PM DINNER in your respective dining room. Tuesday, Day 4, Year BREAKFAST - Open sitting or a buffet breakfast on Lido Deck from 7:00-10:30am. 9:00 AM Arrive COZUMEL! - Swim, snorkel, see historical sights or look for the incredible bargains on Mexican handicrafts. 12:00 PM LUNCH - Open sitting, served until 2:00pm or a buffet lunch served on Lido Deck from 12:00-2:30pm. 5:00 PM The ELATION Departs COZUMEL! 8:00 PM DINNER in your respective dining room. Wednesday, Day 5, Year BREAKFAST - Open sitting or a buffet breakfast on Lido Deck from 7:00-10:30am. Onboard Fun Day at Sea Enjoy some of the many activities onboard today. 12:00 PM LUNCH - Open sitting, served until 2:00pm or a buffet lunch served on Lido Deck from 12:00-2:30pm. 8:00 PM DINNER in your respective dining room. Thursday, Day 6, Year BREAKFAST - Open sitting or a buffet breakfast on Lido Deck from 7:00-9:30am. 8:00 AM Arrive PORT of NEW ORLEANS - Expect to wait as long as 2 hours for the disembarkation process. Passengers will not be permitted to leave the ship until it has been cleared by U.S. Customs. DISEMBARK SHIP, Leave for Home Very Important! All aspects of this itinerary are subject to change. Make sure to review the Carnival Fun Times found in your cabin each morning to reconfirm times and locations for all meal functions. Arrival times at the Ports of Call may vary slightly. Consult your Festivals At Sea representative onboard for information or any other questions you may have.

7 Ship Information Carnival Elation Carnival Elation Carnival Elation's Highlights PASSENGER CAPACITY ONBOARD CREW LENGTH IN FEET The design of the Carnival Elation is a celebration of the muses who inspire the arts, and the ship will inspire you to have fun! Carnival Elation won t have a hard time convincing you, either. There are plenty of spots for a drink, from the laid back Gatsby s bar to the jumping Jekyll and Hyde Dance Club to the always-swinging Duke s Piano Bar. There are places for a tasty bite as well, with from Tiffany s on Lido Deck to one of two grand dining rooms, and even the Musical Café. If being a kid is more your thing, we have plenty for you to do. Ageappropriate, supervised activities are available from one of three youth spaces, there s the video arcade oh, and did we mention waterslides? We didn t, but we should have, because they re fun. Transportation to and from Memphis Travel by Charter Bus from Houston High School to the Port of New Orleans. Excursions Progresso o Cozumel o

8 Total Cost (Tentative) Quad Room Rate: $ Triple Room Rate: $ Double Room Rate: $ Passports (All passengers will need a valid passport) General Information: o First time applicants o Renewals o