The Carnival Cruise Lines’ trip not only will be an original way for the chamber to get members together, but it also will serve as a fund-raising opportunity for the organization, said Charles H. Weiss, president of the Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.

“So far, it has been very well received,” Weiss said Monday.

The trip begins Jan. 30 and ends Feb. 3, 2003.

The special rates for the trip are $481 per person for an inside cabin and $531 for an ocean-view cabin. Third and fourth travelers inside would cost $321 and $351 on an outside cabin.

A deposit of $50 per person to hold the cabin is due at the time of booking the trip. A second deposit of $150 per person is due by Sept. 25, 2001. Final payments are due on Nov. 25.

Weiss said the extended timeline is necessary to help those going on the trip make arrangements to finance the cruise.

“The price is very advantageous, but they still need more time,” he added.

Bambi Duvall, a personal travel consultant with All About Travel on Martinsburg Pike, helped book the trip with Carnival Cruise Lines.

Duvall also will escort the trip, working directly on behalf of the travelers to ensure they are having the best time possible.

As hostess, Duvall believes she will be able to help direct travelers to the best possible trip.

She said the trip will be leaving from the Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla., area, making it a possible one-day drive for those taking the trip.

“This is going to appeal to corporations in our town which want to offer this an opportunity for an employee incentive,” Duvall noted.

She said most of the first-time cruise participants will enjoy the trip on a Carnival ship.

“Carnival is a great cruise line,” Duvall explained. “It is a festive ship — not a party ship.”

She said various activities will be held to help the travelers enjoy the trip as much as possible.

Duvall said travelers on the chamber trip also will receive some special perks — champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries in the cabin.

A chamber social event also will be held on board, and the local travelers will receive a cabin listing so they can easily mingle with other travelers from this area.

Ref.  Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce