I have always wanted to go to the 40th Annual Montreal jazz Festival ever since college – 17 – 18 years old. So, I finally will get to go 50+ years later. Never say never. The jazz festival is 10 days – June 27 – July 6, 2019. The cruise starts in Boston – June 22 – 29, 2019. So, the festival will all ready be in effect (ok, all you English teachers – right or wrong?)when we get there. I am arranging for us to stay 4 nights;thus, leaving Montreal on July 3rd. We will be staying at the Hyatt Regency Hotel right in the mist of the festival. All the outdoor venues are free. If you want to see particular artist in a club or concert hall you will pay for that.
I am SO excited about this trip. We will be stopping in Halifax (Nova Scotia) and Quebec City, Canada. I have wanted to go to these places, too. They were not on my “bucket list” but, I had been curious about them. There will be other ports, too. I do have a little anxiety about the festival. From it’s online presence, it seems SSSSOOO crowded. Guinness Book of Records says it’s the largest jazz festival on the planet. In my past I have loved these type events. Now that I have some mobility issues, I am anxious. I am still going, tho and staying in positive prayer.
I attempted to get group rate at the Hyatt Hotel. The groups manager at the hotel put me off for several weeks. That did not feel too good. It turns out she went on a 2 week vacation. It took her 1 week to tell me she wasn’t going to help me until she returned then, it took a week after she returned to send me a contract. The contract price was ok, I thought but, the terms stank like sardines. They wanted me to pay 60% of the full contract if anyone cancel between the time I signed the contract and March 1, 2019, 70% between March 2 – May 1st and 100% anytime thereafter. AND, the price she gave me was a net price. I was to add on my own commission. We emailed several times and I finally called her to make sure we were talking about the same thing. I had NEVER heard of such madness. I realize it is a big event, a world known event but, that was ridiculous. End of story. However, I was able to get the same hotel, same dates and same price (including commission) on my website. The only thing, we had to pay the full price for the rooms. Still a better deal to get them now because, the closer the time to the festival the higher the room rates. I checked out room rates this year in April for this years festival and the rate was $200 more, So, we did good to get ours now.
We will be cruising on Holland America Zaandam. I have not been on that ship but, I do like Holland America’s ships and service. The ship will port everyday – I don’t particularly like that but, I don’t have to get off the ship. I have a potential client for this trip who has only been on music cruises. She has been looking online at the ship – looking for things to do, night clubs and social activity. I am trying to convince her to come and try it. The ship’s activities are minimal for that kind of excitement. I was told they only have 2 music venues and one of those is classical – mmmmmmmm Of course, they have the spa – I like to hang out there. They will also have cooking lessons. I look forward to that. I have never been creative in the kitchen. Oprah Winfrey, supposedly, has adopted Holland America (or vice-versa). I don’t quite know what that means. From what I think I see online I can only imagine Oprah’s Book Club gatherings as a “happening.” mmmmmmmm I doubt she will be there. Anyway, we stop everyday 6-8 hours in port and there will be plenty of things to see and do on land. By the time we get back on the ship, eat dinner and see the show, “yo ass should be ready to go to bed!” If not, you can always go running on the deck or watch movies. I hope she gives it a try. She can make up for lack of hyper activity at the jazz festival. And, anyway, for the price comparison, this is cheaper than a music cruise. The Montreal Jazz Festival is the destination – not the ship.
Next year will be a BLAST for me. January, I am doing the Super jazz Cruise. February, I am doing a REAL Mexican Riviera 7 day cruise to Acapulco. In May we are returning to Vancouver from San Francisco – another 3 day cruise and 3 days in Vancouver and the 10th Annual My May in June!!!! I do a family reunion in Dallas in July and I have a group for 4 days in New York City and 3 days in Washington DC for the African American Museum. in September. As always, the Catalina Jazz Festival in October along with my annual trip to Mexico for 2 weeks. I would L O V E to do Cuba again. I have been 2 times. there are other places to go.
Alaska – 2020, Brazil for 3 weeks, 2 festivals – 2021 and Morocco for 2022. I am open for suggestions. Hit me.
MarshaAgogo- gone.
