Cruise Into Spring with CWD!
February 10-14, 2005
Cabins for this cruise are nearly sold out. Please call 734-429-1485 immediately if you are interested in participating as part of our group.
By popular request, Children with Diabetes has once again booked a cruise on the Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line! Join CWD families, staff, and faculty for a 5-day, 4-night Caribbean cruise experience aboard the Enchantment of the Seas. The cruise will depart Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, on February 10, 2005 and return on February 14, 2005. The cruise itinerary will include the following ports of call:
Day Location Arrival Departure 1 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Depart 5:00 p.m. 2 Key West, Florida Arrive 7 a.m. Depart 3:00 p.m. 3 Cozumel, Mexico Arrive 10:00 a.m. Depart 8:00 p.m. 4 Relax at sea 5 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Arrive 8:30 a.m. and disembark
Cruising and Learning
This is first and foremost a cruise and vacation! During the day, families will participate along with all other non-CWD families in cruise activities on the ship, or book shore excursions through the Royal Caribbean cruise line. You are entirely on your own, although past experience has shown us that CWD families have a great time when they group together with other CWD families to participate in these activities! See our Report from the 2003-2004 Cruise to learn more about our last cruise.
In the late afternoons, CWD will offer educational sessions in both a presentation and discussion format. CWD is pleased to announce that the following professionals will be joining us as faculty:
Natalie Bellini, R.N., C.D.E., has had diabetes since she was a young child and within a year of finishing nursing school started to care for people with diabetes, first focusing on high risk pregnancy and then pediatrics and insulin-requiring adults. She has lectured extensively to clinicians, patients and their families about diabetes, the psychological effect of the disease and how to keep going on the hardest of days. Natalie has worked with children and adults of all ages and has assisted in initiating and expanding pump programs at numerous hospitals and private practices. She is currently a Territory Manager with Animas Corporation. Natalie believes in truth in education and that knowledge is power. She enjoys working with children and teens, and has a second full-time job as mom of her own teen, Erin. 
Crystal Jackson is a CWD mom and manager the American Diabetes Association's government relations and advocacy division. She is one of the ADA's most valuable resources on anti-discrimination laws and protecting the rights of persons with diabetes. As a parent of a child with diabetes, Crystal was instrumental in the development and implementation of law and policy in Virginia that resulted in improved standards of school diabetes care. Crystal has contributed to many diabetes publications including the National Diabetes Education Program's Helping the Student with Diabetes to Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel and is a member of the Virginia Diabetes Council. 
Dr. Alan Schorr graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1981. He completed his fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Hahnemann University in 1986. Dr. Schorr is in solo practice in Langhorne, PA. He is the sub-section chairman of Endocrinology and the chairman of the Institutional Review Board at Saint Mary Medical Center. He has over 300 pump patients of all ages in his practice and has long standing interest in technology, particularly glucose sensing and computer applications for diabetes treatment. He is currently a medical advisor for Animas Corporation.
Cruising and Pumping
For those folks who might be interested in learning about insulin pumps while on the cruise, several of the pump companies will have staff along with us to show you their various insulin pump products, teach you about insulin pumps, and allow you to try a pump (with saline) if you wish. This is an opportunity for a parent or child (or both) to wear an insulin pump for 24 hours. (You don't even need to wear an infusion set.) This enables you to see and feel first-hand how an insulin pump works. If you've been thinking about getting an insulin pump, this is a great way to give it a try. Saline pump trials will be available by pre-registration only, and you must have a prescription from your physician that states "saline pump trial." Staff from the pump companies will be available throughout the 5 days of the cruise to meet with you at your request, one on one or in a small group of other interested families if you'd prefer.
Craig Crease was diagnosed with diabetes in 1969 at the age of 7. Craig is the father of 6 year old Emily who was diagnosed at 20 months and Claire who is 11 months (high risk markers but no antibodies yet!). He enjoys talking to individuals with diabetes but especially enjoys talking with parents regarding their children's diabetes. Craig believes that "Diabetes does not have to stop you achieving the things you want in life. Sure, there is a lot of extra work that goes into living with diabetes, but there is nothing you cannot do." Craig has attended all of the CWD annual conferences and is excited to be a part of this CWD Cruise! Craig is currently employed by Smiths Medical as a Regional Sales Manager promoting the Cozmo insulin pump. 
Melissa Ringley, R.N., C.D.E., Manager of Clinical Services at Animas Corporation, is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Nursing-Wise Virginia, and has been involved in diabetes education for over 12 years. When her daughter was diagnosed with diabetes 12 years ago, Melissa dedicated herself to learning about diabetes and giving back that learning to patients and the medical community alike. Melissa has presented to numerous groups of patients with diabetes as well as health care practitioners, and has worked with hundreds of insulin pump patients with all types of diabetes and from all walks of life. Melissa is known for her caring attitude and genuine concern for all her patients, and for her active involvement in the diabetes community. 
Sandy Schwartz, MHS, is the Clinical Services Manager for Nipro Diabetes Systems. She brings over 25 years of relevant diabetes experience to Nipro, including support group leadership, adjustment to disability counseling, and years of clinical work as a certified diabetes educator. In previous professional positions, Sandy developed programs and materials to train patients and healthcare providers regarding the theory and practice of insulin pump therapy as well as methods to maximize blood glucose control. In 2003, Sandy joined Nipro's staff in her current role. In addition to her vast professional knowledge, Sandy has lived with diabetes since 1960 and worn an insulin pump since 1979. 
Tim Smith is an R.N. and Certified Diabetes Educator with Medtronic MiniMed. He has worked as a staff nurse and head nurse for the Louisiana ADA Diabetes camp, and has participated in many diabetes fundraisers for both ADA and JDRF. Tim has had diabetes for 29 years and has worn an insulin pump for nine years.
Diabetes Medical Support
The Enchantment of the Seas is well-equipped for "routine" medical emergencies and general illnesses. In addition, several RN/CDEs will be cruising with us, and they will be available for diabetes questions and consultations if you or your child needs assistance. Endocrinologist Alan Schorr will be with us in case of a specific diabetes medical question. Another plus about cruising with other CWD families? If you run out of supplies or can't find something right at your fingertips… someone else has it!
What's On Board?
Wondering what you might do all day on board Enchantment of the Seas? Try one of the following!
- Shipshape Fitness Center and Spa (they have classes such as Step, and also equipment and cardiovascular machines on which to work out)
- Beauty Salon
- Basketball court (very popular with our teens and school-age group last year!)
- Golf Putting
- Karaoke
- Boutiques
- Massage and Sauna
- Stargazing observatory
- Outdoor swimming pools
- Ping Pong
- Solarium (indoor/outdoor pool and deck area that can be covered in inclement weather)
- Video arcade
- Schooner Piano Bar
- Whirlpools
- Movies theaters
- Jogging track
Kids and Teens have programs of their own on Enchantment of the Seas, for those who wish to participate. You do need to sign up for these programs when you arrive at the ship, and in some cases there is an extra charge. CWD does not provide childcare or diabetes care for kids who are in childcare or other children's programs. Your child's diabetes care is your responsibility on the cruise. If you do choose to participate in the children's programming (which is excellent), they will provide you with a radio to stay in contact with them (at your request). The cruise staff also has sitters available for parents who would like a little quiet time.
CWD teens tend to be a very close group at conferences and events. If you've never been to a CWD event before, and you are a teen… do not worry that you will be left alone! That simply will not happen. The first afternoon and evening when the CWD group gathers together on board, you will meet lots of other kids, and you will have some immediate buddies for the cruise. The same goes for the younger groups, although we encourage parents to stay with the kids (which works very well because then parents meet new friends!).
The schedule - roughly - for the CWD piece of the cruise is as follows:
Day Time Activities February 10 Evening Gathering to meet other families, faculty, and CWD staff February 11 4:00 Cruising with MDI and Insulin Pumps (Dr. Schorr) 4:45 School Management Issues (Crystal Jackson) February 12 4:00 Understanding and Developing a 504 Plan (Crystal Jackson) 4:45 Insulin Pump Technology Update (Pumping Staff) 4:45 Real Life MDI (Dr. Schorr) February 13 4:00 What Are Your Kids Afraid Of? (Natalie Bellini) 4:45 Teens and Diabetes Management (Dr. Schorr)
Accommodations and Prices
CWD has booked four types of cabins: Junior Suite with Balcony, Ocean View with Balcony, Ocean View Staterooms, and Interior Staterooms. Per-person pricing, in US dollars, is as follows (please note that these cabins and pricing are good through September 30, after which cabin availability and pricing are subject to what the cruiseline has available for our group):
Cabin Type Passenger 1 & 2 Passenger 3 & 4 Jr. Suite with Balcony $929 per person $299 per person Ocean View with Balcony $779 per person $299 per person Ocean View $529 per person $299 per person Inside Cabin $399 per person $299 per person
Airfare, ground transfers, government fees and taxes, and agency fee are extra. Shore excursions and optional travel insurance are also extra.
Please note that there are other types of staterooms on Enchantment of the Seas, and you may reserve one of those if there is availability. Please call Linda Rogers, Travel Resources, at 800-253-0542 or 734-429-1485 to confirm what is available and the pricing. Linda holds the booking for the CWD group.
CWD Registration Fee
There will be a $50 registration fee payable to CWD for each participating family. Please note that sessions are open only to those individuals who are registered within the CWD block.
Payment Schedule:
A deposit of $200 per cabin, plus a $25 per person booking fee, is due upon reservation. This will hold a specific cabin for you. Space is limited, so please consider making your plans early! The remainder of the payment is due before September 30, 2004. After that time, unreserved cabins will be released back to Royal Caribbean.
Documentation:
US or Canadian citizens must carry a passport or certified birth certificate. All others must carry a valid passport.
How Do I Make Reservations?
To participate in the CWD functions on this cruise (the sessions, consultation with the CDEs, pump staff, and medical staff, etc.), reservations must be made through the Children with Diabetes contract. The cabin block is held by Travel Resources. Please call Linda Rogers at 800-253-0542 or 734-429-1485 to reserve your space! Travel Resources is a small business in Saline, Michigan. Linda Rogers has been a supporter of CWD since the very first "gathering" in Orlando in June 2000 (remember Letting Kids Be Kids).
Once you have reserved a cabin through Travel Resources, you will be contacted by CWD (via mail, in early October), and a registration form will be sent so that we can obtain family information (names of adults and kids, ages of kids, shirt sizes, etc.). At that time, you will pay the registration fee via check or credit card. Your registration fee supports our wonderful faculty and just a few goodies to help make the trip more enjoyable!
For more information, contact:
Laura Billetdeaux
Events Coordinator
Phone: 734-428-8265
Fax: 734-428-0106
Email: Laura.Billetdeaux@childrenwithdiabetes.com