Guatoberfest Cruise Video and Update about the Next Cruise!

One of the Daddies on the cruise, Scott V., was so kind to put together an AMAZING video of our cruise!
You can see it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IDyCQG96BU
I think it deserves some sort of Academy Award - but I guess our MILLION THANKS will just have to be enough!!!

UPDATE ON THE NEXT CRUISE:
Due to restructuring of the Global Orphan Team events, the next cruise, which will now be called "GOT to Give Back... At Sea" will take place in June 2011! We were hoping to have a cruise planned for June 2010, but with the previous cruise taking place just last month it would have been difficult to plan the next event so quickly. With more time to plan the event, we are hoping that families will have more time to plan and budget. We hope that you will plan to attend, and also invite your friends and family to come along too! We do NOT restrict these cruises to families with Guatemalan children only! The more the merrier AND we will be able to raise even more money to help support children and families in Guatemala!

24 families attended the Guatoberfest 2009 cruise and $3895.80 was raised! Carnival donated $5 per person per day and in the end, donated nearly $1200 to our organization! They have agreed to continue their match for the 2011 cruise. We also raised money with an on board raffle and through our registration fees. We thank each and every family for attending! We were so glad that everyone had a fun time, while raising money for the Global Orphan Team's efforts in Guatemala!

Carnival Cruiseline will release it's schedule for June 2011 in January, so we will make the announcement in January! The cruise will take place in either June or July 2011. Make plans to be on board! You won't want to miss it!!

If you have any questions about the cruise in 2011, please contact the Event Coordinator, Cindy Swatek at cindy@globalorphanteam.com

Upcoming Events for the Global Orphan Team

Global Orphan Team is blessed to have two very talented event coordinators. Tricia and Cindy are responsible for coordinating events for dozens of families from all over the country and they do an amazing job. Global Orphan Team appreciates the hard work and dedication of these women and their shared vision of Global Orphan Team!

GUATOBERFEST started out as a vision for families who have adopted children from Guatemala to get together each year. Each year, Guatoberfest has become more of a blessing, not only to the families but to Global Orphan Team. Guatoberfest is Global Orphan Team's largest fundraiser each year. This year, we are pleased to announce that Guatoberfest will be back on land for 2010! Guatoberfest will be held October 8-10, 2010. More details to come! If you are interested in attending Guatoberfest, please conatct Tricia Downey at tricia@globalorphanteam.com

GOT TO GIVE BACK...AT SEA is our fundraising cruise on the High Seas. Held in 2009 as "Guatoberfest", the cruise was a SMASHING success and raised $3895.80, so the Global Orphan Team has decided to set up another cruise! More details will be announced soon, but if you are interested in getting more information about GOT to Give Back...At Sea, please contact Cindy Swatek at cindy@globalorphanteam.com A new website specifically for this event will be announced soon, as well.

Check back here, or on the Global Orphan Team's website: http://www.globalorphanteam.com/ for more information.


To recap :)
Guatoberfest = Weekend on LAND October 8-10, 2010
GOT to Give Back...At Sea = Cruise (dates TBA soon)

What a GREAT CRUISE!

I hope that everyone is home safe and sound now after a FANTASTIC Cruise!
It so was wonderful to meet all the families and everyone's BEAUTIFUL children!!
We hope that more families will be able attend next time. I will be posting more information about the next cruise in a few weeks. We are restructuring our events, so there will be a few exciting changes coming up!!

Here are just a few of the pictures that I took. Enjoy!
I will be getting an online photo account for us so that everyone can upload their photos and then we can print the ones we want. I will send an email out to this year's attendees once it is available.
Thanks again to everyone who attended! I knew it would be fun - but WOW it FAR exceeded my expectations and I know that's because of the wonderful families who attended! (the perfect weather sure didn't hurt either!!)
I'm already looking forward to reuniting with all of the families from this year and more new families next time!
Cindy

Update!

HOLA AMIGOS!!

I'm sorry I haven't sent any updates recently - we moved last weekend and I am STILL waiting for Internet access! I am sitting here at our old house, on a bucket (we already moved my desk chair!) at my old desk typing this! :)

A few things I wanted to go over:

1 - I have decided to email the final directory to everyone instead of printing one for each family. This is more "green" and also saves some money. I will have a "Guatoberfest Guide" for everyone that will go over the activities on board that I will print out and give to everyone the first night on board.

2 - Speaking of activities on board - here's the run down of activities:

MONDAY:
Arrivals - if you are staying at the Holiday Inn Port of Miami - there are PLENTY of cabs available in front of the hotel that you can take to the port. It is a short ride over there. I have stayed there in the past, prior to a cruise and it was very simple and not too expensive. The hotel lobby and elevators ARE a little crazy in the morning - so give yourself some extra time, but you won't have any trouble with getting to the port. We left the hotel around 10:00 and were able to go and get right on the ship without waiting in line at all!
If you are staying elsewhere - contact that hotel for transportation information. We were considering organizing group transportation, but the cost was WAYYY more per person than the cost of the cab ride.
Day at Leisure on the ship.
Bienvenidos (Welcome) Party - Time and location TBA.

TUESDAY: KEY WEST!

WEDNESDAY: COZUMEL!

THURSDAY: Day at Sea
10 am - noon: Guatoberfest activities. At this time, the kids can go to Camp Carnival and the adults will meet at the Mid-Ship Lounge. We will have our raffles during this time. The proceeds will go to the Global Orphan Team. We have several items from Guatemala, including a BEAUTIFUL quilt, some authentic Guatemalan toys and clothing, and some Christmas ornaments that were donated to us by Adoptive Family Travel. I will be taking pictures of the items and sending out more info as soon as I have Internet at our new house! :)
Adios party after dinner. Location TBA

FRIDAY: Departures

That's all for now!
Please email me if you have any questions!
Cindy

A message from Geri (in case some of you didn't get this):

Hello Everyone!
We are just outside a month away from our your Guatoberfest!
For everyone that has not given me the Passport information, this is a reminder that you will need to go on to www.carnival.com and fill out your funpass!
Remember to book your shore excursions!
Please remember that EVERYONE will need proper proof of citizenship- Valid U.S. Passports for all that are traveling!
If you should have any questions , call or email me.
Also if you are traveling without both parents with minors you will want to have an affidavit prepared and take it with you!
I will be sending out documents soon!!

Geri

Geri Jacoby
Travel Consultant
Great Southern Travel
3424 S. National
Springfield Mo 65807
417-888-4488/1-800-749-7116
gjacoby@greatsoutherntravel.com
A Proud Member of Ensemble Travel

Guatoberfest Update

In a little more than SIX WEEKS we will be setting sail! YAY!!

There are a few things that I am working on and I need your help!

#1: I need photos of EVERY family who is attending so that I can put together a directory. Please send a photo of your family to: cindy@globalorphanteam.com Don't worry about cropping it - I will do that for you!

#2: During our Day At Sea on Thursday, I am planning a few different activities for us from 10:00 am - noon. One of those activities will be a "Round Table Discussion". I'm hoping that we can share our experiences of parenting our children with each other and offer support and advice. I would like some volunteers to sit on a panel, so if this is something that interests you, please email me. I am especially interested in having parents who have older children, or parents of Special Needs Kids sit on the panel - but anyone can do it!
During this time, our kids will be at Camp Carnival! So they will be having fun while we can spend some good ADULT TIME together! If you have some ideas about activities for the kids - please let me know. We have a range of ages who will be attending, so I would love to hear any ideas/suggestions you might have!

#3: Don't forget to locate everyone's passports! Everyone who is cruising, needs to bring along their passport!

#4: I talked with Geri yesterday and she said there is still availability for the cruise - so if you know anyone who might want to come - have them contact Geri ASAP at Great Southern Travel at 1-800-749-7116 or Email her at: gjacoby@greatsoutherntravel.com She can give them the prices and availability. I can't guarantee that people who book after August 31st will get T-shirts though. I have to submit the order by the beginning of September.

#5: We will also be having a raffle on board for some COOL STUFF! Watch for more information later!

Keep watching for more updates and please let me know if you have any questions!
Cindy
Guatoberfest Coordinator
cindy@globalorphanteam.com

A little "typo"

Hey everyone!

If you have booked your cabin for Guatoberfest, you will soon be receiving a letter from Geri at Great Southern Travel about your reservation.

On that letter, she had a little typo and accidentally said that Guatoberfest was supporting the adoption of Guatemalan children, instead of saying that it was to support orphanages in Guatemala. She apologizes for the mistake.

FINAL PAYMENT DUE JULY 1st

The DEADLINE for the final payment is right around the corner!

The balance for the cruise is due NO LATER THAN JULY 1ST to Geri at Great Southern Travel.

Also - if you have not submitted your Registration for Guatoberfest, please do so IMMEDIATELY.

Email me if you have any questions!
Cindy: cindy@globalorphanteam.com

I will be posting more details about on-board activities in the next few months - so check back later!

Cindy

RESERVATION DEADLINE EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 15th

We have tried to extend the reservation deadline as lonnnnnng as possible - but this is IT!

If you are interested in cruising with us, you have until FRIDAY, MAY 15th to make your reservation.

After May 15th, availability and prices CANNOT be guaranteed unless you have made your reservation.

Contact Geri TODAY!

If you have already made your reservation, but have not sent in your Registration Form, please do that TODAY! Thanks!!

Email me if you have any questions: cindy@globalorphanteam.com

Cindy

Registration/Reservations are STILL OPEN!!

We still have cabins available - so we have extended the reservation/registration period through the month of April.

You have until MAY 1ST to call to make your reservation and submit your deposit, as well as pay the registration fee for your family.

Please be aware that if you have family members or friends who want to attend Guatoberfest, you can reserve more than one cabin at our special discounted rate!

We'd love to fill every single cabin that has been reserved for our group - so please pass along the link to our website and encourage EVERYONE you know to attend!

Email me if you have any questions: cindy@globalorphanteam.com

Cindy

REMINDER: REGISTRATION IS DUE APRIL 1st

Click here to link to the registration form:

http://image3.photobiz.com/265/20090217145158_22175.pdf

Please print this off and fill it out and mail it with the $125 registration fee to The Global Orphan Team by APRIL 1st.

Thanks!

Serious Life Magazine

Hey everyone!
Some of you are already following Abby's story on www.riggsfamilyblog.com but her Daddy, Brent, also puts together an INCREDIBLE online magazine that you should check out!
See if you can find our Guatoberfest in this month's issue!
Click the link below:

REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN!

There are still cabins available for anyone who hasn't booked yet!

The deposit has increased to $100 per person (for anyone booking after March 1st), but that does not affect the total price of the cruise per family. The increase in the deposit amount will decrease the amount of the first payment. **Note changes below
Example:
QUAD - Inside Cabin: $935/family
Payment. #1 DUE ASAP: **$400 Deposit Due to Great Southern Travel
Payment. #2 DUE April 1st: $125 Registration Fee due with completed Reg. form to G.O.T.
Payment. #3 **DUE May 1st: **$45 due
Payment. #4 DUE June 1st: $245 due
Payment. #5 DUE July 1st: $245 due

If any of this is confusing - please contact Geri and she can explain your family's payment plan.

We have had people ask if this cruise is ONLY for families with children from Guatemala... and the answer is no. ANYONE can join us - but the Guatoberfest activities on board will be planned with families with Guatemalan children in mind... and they will be sooooo much fun!!!

Also - don't forget that the Registration Form and Payment of $125 per family is due APRIL 1st to the Global Orphan Team.

Continue to check back for more updates!

Registration Form

Please visit the GOT website and click on the "Downloads" page to download the Guatoberfest registration form. Remember, the registration fee is PER FAMILY and is due no later than April 1, 2009!

Help us spread the word!

Please feel free to use the picture below to help spread the word about Guatoberfest. ALL are welcome! Go post it now...Blogs, Facebook, MySpace...wherever! The more the merrier!

Frequently Asked Questions

GUATOBERFEST 2009 FAQ's

Who can come to Guatoberfest? Although most of the families in our group will be families with children who were adopted from Guatemala, all families are invited to cruise with us!

Is there an age requirement? Yes - Passengers must be over the age of 6 months to travel on the Cruise.

Is there a discount for children? No - all Passengers must pay the rates listed, regardless of age.

We want to go! What do we need to do? Call Geri Jacoby at Great Southern Travel at 1-800-749-7116 or Email: gjacoby@greatsoutherntravel.com to make a $50 deposit per person. She needs the passengers' full legal names as they will appear on the Passports and a credit card.

Can we request a cabin other than the ones listed? (ex: A Suite): Call Geri - she can request specific cabins- however there may be an up-charge for this.

I saw a better deal online – can I choose to book my own cruise? Many prices online do not include the taxes and port charges. Those account for approximately 50% of the cost of the cruise and are included in our cost. Also, we have group activities planned while on board. If you do not book with us, you will not be able to participate in the group's activities. We will not be able to make any exceptions for those who choose not to book with us because Carnival has agreed to waive the meeting space fee if we have a minimum number of cabins.

How do I pay for the cruise? See the payment plan listed on our website.

What is included in the price of the cruise? According to Carnival's website: "Spacious Accommodations, Delicious Meals, Full Schedule of Shipboard Activities, Spa Carnival's Complete Fitness Center, 24-hour Room Service, pizzeria and ice cream, Award Winning Youth Program, Amazing Destinations, and so much more!" Go to Carnival's website for their chart of the "Value of Cruising": http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/cruise_control/value_of_cruising.aspx

Our prices DO NOT include travel to and from the port of Miami or transportation to the ship. You will be responsible for those charges, but contact Geri at Great Southern Travel if you need assistance. She will get you the best rates possible.

I just heard about the cruise and our family wants to go, but some of the payment dates have already passed.
What do I do? You will need to "catch up" on your payments. Ex: If you book on May 15^th, you will need to make the full deposit, as well as the registration fee and payments #1-3.

Could the cost of the cruise change before travel? Making a deposit of $50 per person on or before March 1^st will guarantee these rates. After March 1^st, we cannot guarantee the price of the cruise.

What activities are planned while we are on board? We will post the activities once they have been confirmed.

What about onboard childcare? The cost of childcare is included in the price of the cruise for children ages 2-17. Check out: http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/promo_content/obx/youth_programs.aspx to learn more about Carnival's youth programs.

Does my child need a passport to travel? Yes. All passengers need valid passports for travel. Here is a FAQ about obtaining passports for internationally adopted children: http://adoption.state.gov/pdf/FAQs_C...0of%202000.pdf

What happens if there is a Hurricane?
Please see Carnival's policy on Inclement Weather HERE
The link to the travel insurance information is HERE

Each family will need to decide if they want to purchase the trip insurance and talk with Geri to get the insurance. It is NOT included in our pricing.
If there is inclement weather, the ship may change course to avoid it, which may mean that we miss a port.

Cruise Payment Details

CRUISE PAYMENT PLAN

(This payment plan is for those families who booked BEFORE March 1st .

**See NEW PAYMENT CHART IF YOU BOOKED AFTER MARCH 1st)

DOUBLE (2 people/cabin)		Inside Cabin: $589/family	Oceanview Cabin: $670/family
Payment. #1	March 1st:	$100 Deposit Due to Great Southern Travel (contact info below)
Payment. #2	April 1st:	$125 Registration Fee due with completed Reg. form to G.O.T.
Payment. #3	May 1st:	$163.00 due	$190 due
Payment. #4	June 1st:	$163.00 due	$190 due
Payment. #5	July 1st:	$163.00 due	$190 due
TRIPLE (3 people/cabin)		Inside Cabin: $762/family	Oceanview Cabin: $867/family
Payment. #1	March 1st:	$150 Deposit Due to Great Southern Travel (contact info below)
Payment. #2	April 1st:	$125 Registration Fee due with completed Reg. form to G.O.T.
Payment. #3	May 1st:	$204 due	$239 due
Payment. #4	June 1st:	$204 due	$239 due
Payment. #5	July 1st:	$204 due	$239 due
QUAD (4 people/cabin)		Inside Cabin: $935/family	Oceanview Cabin: $1064/family
Payment. #1	March 1st:	$200 Deposit Due to Great Southern Travel (contact info below)
Payment. #2	April 1st:	$125 Registration Fee due with completed Reg. form to G.O.T.
Payment. #3	May 1st:	$245 due	$288 due
Payment. #4	June 1st:	$245 due	$288 due
Payment. #5	July 1st:	$245 due	$288 due
QUIN (5 people/cabin)		Inside Cabin: $1105/family	Oceanview Cabin: $1255/family
Payment. #1	March 1st:	$250 Deposit Due to Great Southern Travel (contact info below)
Payment. #2	April 1st:	$125 Registration Fee due with completed Reg. form to G.O.T.
Payment. #3	May 1st:	$285 due	$385 due
Payment. #4	June 1st:	$285 due	$385 due
Payment. #5	July 1st:	$285 due	$385 due
BALCONY SUITE DOUBLE (2 people/suite): $1342/family
Payment. #1	March 1st:	$100 Deposit Due to Great Southern Travel (contact info below)
Payment. #2	April 1st:	$125 Registration Fee due with completed Reg. form to G.O.T.
Payment. #3	May 1st:	$414 due
Payment. #4	June 1st:	$414 due
Payment. #5	July 1st:	$414 due
BALCONY SUITE TRIPLE (3 people/suite): $1578/family
Payment. #1	March 1st:	$150 Deposit Due to Great Southern Travel (contact info below)
Payment. #2	April 1st:	$125 Registration Fee due with completed Reg. form to G.O.T.
Payment. #3	May 1st:	$476 due
Payment. #4	June 1st:	$476 due
Payment. #5	July 1st:	$476 due
BALCONY SUITE QUAD (4 people/suite): $1850/family
Payment. #1	March 1st:	$200 Deposit Due to Great Southern Travel (contact info below)
Payment. #2	April 1st:	$125 Registration Fee due with completed Reg. form to G.O.T.
Payment. #3	May 1st:	$476 due
Payment. #4	June 1st:	$476 due
Payment. #5	July 1st:	$476 due

*The cost of the cruise is NOT guaranteed without a paid deposit on or before March 1^st, 2009.

*Payments not submitted by the due dates may be subject to additional fees.

*If you register after the due dates, you are responsible for submitting all payments up to the date of registration.

Ex: If you register on May 15^th, you will be responsible for submitting Payments #1-3 at the time of Registration and the cost of the cruise may increase. Register early and take advantage of these rates and the payment plan!

DEADLINE TO BOOK YOUR CRUISE AND SUBMIT ALL FINAL PAYMENT IS JULY 1, 2009.

*All payments should be submitted to Great Southern Travel EXCEPT the Registration Fee.

*Registration form should be completed and submitted to G.O.T. NO LATER THAN APRIL 1, 2009

*Contact Geri Jacoby at Great Southern Travel for their cancellation/refund policy. (her contact info is below)

*Geri can also make your arrangements for travel to/from Miami and hotel reservations in Miami if you would like to

extend your trip.

*Mail check for your $125.00 registration fee (per family) payable to GLOBAL ORPHAN TEAM and mail to PO BOX 3460, MCDONOUGH, GA 30253.

*If your registration is not received by GOT by the due date, your cruise reservation will be cancelled. You must register to attend this event.

To book your cruise contact Geri Jacoby at Great Southern Travel.

Phone: 1-800-749-7116
Email: gjacoby@greatsoutherntravel.com

Guatoberfest 2009!

Plans are underway! More information to come tomorrow!

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Guatoberfest 2008 Video

I've had a few requests to see the video before ordering, so I decided to go ahead and post it. I understand the "try before you buy" thing ;). Enjoy, then see the post below to purchase your copy. All proceeds go to Global Orphan Team and our mission to raise the standard of care of the children in Guatemala.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

So what is Guatoberfest anyway?

The first annual Guatoberfest was held in 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia. We, Julia (www.thejujucrew.blogspot.com) and Kerry (www.kerrycollinsblog.com) sat around a kitchen table one day in June and decided to organize a small event for our own little network of friends we have met through the adoption of our boys from Guatemala. That small event quickly grew. Our first year 35 families and over 100 people attended.

The purpose of Guatoberfest is to network with other adoptive families and grow relationships that will last a lifetime for us, and for our children. It’s a time to celebrate adoption and share what it has meant to our families. It is a relaxed weekend with lots of free time to spend with other families and some fun planned events sprinkled in as well. Last year we went to the Georgia Aquarium, and we will always plan those types of organized events. This year we’ll be in Myrtle Beach and have some fun things planned there, as well as some guest speakers and other surprises. Guatoberfest is open to and we welcome ALL adoptive families, not only families who have adopted from Guatemala.

Guatoberfest is different this year in that there is an additional purpose. Last year we announced the launch of our “baby,” Global Orphan Team, a non-profit ministry. Guatoberfest is a Global Orphan Team sponsored event and any proceeds will go towards our mission work in Guatemala. Although still in its infancy, look for GOT to make big changes in the standard of orphan care in Guatemala and around the world.

Our Mission Statement:

“Our mission is to reach the lost and forgotten through the love of Jesus Christ. We build relationships with those we reach to ensure a continued relationship and quality mission work in those regions. Our work will raise the standard of care in orphanages, families, churches and schools where it is desperately needed. We will educate, equip and encourage those in our community and around the world on how to work together to make a change in the lives of others.”

Guatoberfest is a great event and you will be blessed by taking part. The best friends I’ve made in my life have been through the adoption of my son. We would love to have your family join us this year!