WIN-R plans 25th anniversary cruise
by Tiffany Davis, south news editor

    The Women in New Roles (WIN-R) program will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a cruise, Spring Break 2002.

    “The event is actually a fund raiser for the WIN-R scholarship program,” Trish Light, WIN-R coordinator, said.

    The group has planned a cruise for all current, past and future WIN-R students plus one companion each as a means of recognizing and saluting the achievements of the program, Laurie L. Stanley, former WIN-R student and travel coordinator, said.

     According to Light, “Carnival Cruise Line will donate $40 per person to the WIN-R scholarship fund.”

    The itinerary begins with an optional round trip flight to depart from Miami to Key West, then on to Playa del Carmen and Cozumel in the Western Caribbean Islands.

    According to information from First Class Getaway, the basic package includes the four-night cruise, port charges and all meals with casual and fine dining choices and two midnight buffets.

    The package also includes all onboard entertainment, free room service, exercise facilities, WIN-R workshops, a bon voyage reception and a farewell reception.

    The trip will cost a little over $1,000 per person and requires a deposit of $75 by Monday, March 19. The remaining balance of $948.75 can be worked into one of three optional payment plans.

    Plan one consists of 10 monthly payments of $94.88 April 2001–Jan. 3, 2002.

    Plan two includes five bi-monthly payments of $189.75 May 2001-Jan. 3, 2002.

    Plan three offers 10 monthly payments of $50 with mandatory payments of $275 on or before Thursday, Sept. 19, and an additional $200 on or before Monday, Nov. 19.

    Although the $75 deposit is mandatory to secure a reservation, it is non-refundable.

    Stanley recommends a cruise vacation protection plan to cover one's travel investment.

    A fee of $49 per person covers cancellations for covered illnesses, medical emergencies, injuries or deaths that may affect the traveler, Stanley said.

    Before purchasing insurance, students need to understand that what they consider a covered illness may not be covered by the insurance company, Stanley said.

    According to Light, interested students should not let the cost keep them from considering the trip.

    “We plan to do some activities this summer to try to help students who are short of cash raise additional money to enable them to go on the cruise,” she said.

    For more information, contact Light at 817-515-4740 or Stanley at 817-294-5570.