FOR THOSE WHO SIGNED UP FOR THE CRUISE THROUGH KIMKINS... AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US.

Here is a place for everyone going on the cruise. I wanted to create this thread for us to meet back up and gather together to plan, discuss, and get excited again.

LET"S MOVE ON... beyond the controversy... and focus on what is ahead.

Post here!!

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If you don't know about it and would like more info:
Cruise Info Link: https://secure.vacationstogo.com/vtg/group_...g=7585&s=672934

What's the story with the cruise? (maybe I should know this already but...!)

Thanks
Bella

YEAH Becky! Excellent email and thanks for starting a thread where we can visit about the cruise. I'm glad you did this - I was thinking about one on the cruise critics site, but this is better!

DH and I are still going - looking forward to it and meeting all our new found friends and hope to make more!

Becky - I hope we will be able to get most of us at the same meal sitting - it will be fun to visit during our meals as well as everywhere else....pool side, discos, etc... I prefer the early sitting, but I'm easy! DH says that's a problem he enjoys - I'm easy!

debbie

HERE IS A COPY OF THE EMAIL I SENT OUT ON 9/21/07. I want to make sure that everyone concerned reads it and understands that I am a "peacemaker" and that ...

"...girls just wanna have fun!"

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Dear Cruising Friends,

SOME of you are aware of the controversy surrounding “kimkins, kimmer, Heidi Diaz” and some of you are NOT. I had sent an earlier letter, but I want everyone to be clear concerning the cruise… once and for all. There are plenty of “blogs” out there to find information on the controversy with just a little searching. I don’t care to read them anymore. It took me a little bit of time, but I’m no longer stressing over it all. I’ve moved on.

The cruise is NOT a “kimkins” cruise. Kimkins was where it was posted because that was my support group (but I was careful to call it Regandy's Cruise and post a disclaimer on the kimkins website). I asked if I could post it in case there were others who would like to go. It grew from there. Several issues have arisen since that time that has prompted me to disassociate the cruise with “kimkins” totally. There are threats of possible lawsuits against her and many questions concerning her identity (leading to questions of integrity). Although I have personally never had any problems, there seems to be many people who have. As I see it, in 5 or 10 years there may not be a “kimkins” BUT, God willing, I will still be living with “me”. I have moved on. I have joined a couple of different diet support groups. I only go to the kimkins website to check personal messages or answer cruise questions.

I was a little surprised when the cruise was published in the last Kimkins Newsletter. There was a misunderstanding between Heidi and me concerning it. I have since emailed her and she has agreed to take the web page down.

At this writing there are still 58 people signed up for the cruise. I have created a topic in a forum at www.lowcarbdiscussion.com for us to be able to log on and discuss the cruise. Check it out! We can still get to know each other and we can still enjoy our vacation! This can get us back to looking forward again! http://www.lowcarbdiscussion.com/index.php...=ST&f=12&t=1053

I want EVERYONE to be clear that this is supposed to be an inexpensive and fun gathering of friends and family. There will not be any public conversations or arguments concerning the issue. As far as I know there are no Kimkins admins going (with the exception of one who has contacted me and is totally aware of the situation. She just wants to have a good vacation and meet her friends.)

Many of you have asked about Christin and Deni. They are still signed up for the cruise and are still planning on going. I have found those two young ladies to be very transparent and open. They are strong in their faith and want this to be a time of friendship, fun, and perhaps a little “healing”. There is to be NO controversy in the ocean! Hahaha AND there have been some new folks at other low carb websites that are looking into being able to join us also.

I would ask that you PLEASE email me and let me know if you are still planning on going OR join me at the cruise thread. IF you have changed your mind, you can still get a 100% refund by December 11, 2007.

Thanks,
Becky

p.s. The website is totally free. Please forward this to your cabin-mate

Hey, GUYS WANNA HAVE FUN, TOO!!!!

Christine and I would love to come and we have our passports now. But we're gonna have the juggle the medical bills and see if we can come up with the money for the cruise and travel expenses down to Texas. WE WANT TO GO!

Well... Okay, Jimmy.... if the rest of the group votes "yes" then I suppose we can "let" you go.

hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

How bout it? Is Jimmy "worthy" to travel with us? <snicker>

Yes, Yes, Yes - we vote for Christine to go .............and we'll even let Jimmy come!

Hope you can work it out! It will be great fun!

Jimmy - you can convince my DH that he CAN DO IT - lose weight on low carb. He has done it before - just hasn't made it a lifestyle change....of course, it might be hard on the cruise - he enjoys the 24 hour pizza too much!

debbie

Are we going to have to post a 24-hour "Carb Guard" at the pizza place?

Yipppeeee!! Can you see me skipping around doing a happy dance? I'm still planning on this cause I got lots of friends going!

Jimmy - I don't think it could be a LC friends cruise w/o ya buddy!

Becky - CAN'T WAIT to see you tomorrow!!! (We'll post pics of our get together later )

**singing** I'm going cruuuuusin.. I"m goin cruuuusin! LOL

We can eat the cheese and pepperoni off the top and throw the crusts overboard or feed the seagulls!

Christin - have fun with Becky! I'm jealous! Can't wait to see your pictures. How much taller are you than our vertically challenged Becky? It's going to be so fun meeting you. How are your babies? - two of them right? - probably wouldn't like to be called babies. Give them lots of hugs!

debbie

I'm feeling the love!

I'm excited to be going on this cruise too!!!
My dh is a bit nervous about me doing anything still associated with Kimkins.. but since it's now the "Regandy and Friends Cruise".. I guess that means I can still go!!! whoowhooo!!!!!!!

I can't WAIT to meet all my friends!!!

Are you all still up for kareoke??? I think we can STILL sing "we are family"!!!

... I got all my sistahs with me ...

NEXT?

I'm in on KARAOKE! My song is "I'm So Excited!"

Hey, don't forget your ONE BRUTHAH!

Hi there I am here I have resisted but my support has dwindled and have been writing my journal with no response for 2 weeks. So Becky yes I'm with you and can't wait.

I am sticking to plan and happy with it and the weightloss is good so I hope to be at goal and maintaining by the cruise!!

It will be good to get to know everyone then finally meet.

Awwww... I'm so happy for you! It is so awesome that you are going to fly all the way across the ocean just to get on a ship to get back ON the ocean! hahaha

We are thrilled to have you along!

By the way, the email responses are starting to come in and so far they have ALL been very positive. The general response is relief that it isn't associated with "kimkins" anymore!

... and the lyrics for our official cruise song, "We Are Family" will be officially changed to ... "I've got all my family with me!" ... gotta appease Jimmy! hahahaha. Some guys just don't like bein' called "sistah".

Welcome to my forum, Ailsa! I'm happy to have you here and hope you can meet lots of new people who will help you along in this journey to lose weight and get healthy. YOU CAN DO IT!!!

It sounds like y'all are going to have a great time. It would be so much fun to meet all of you and Galveston is just down the road from me. I wish I could afford to go along.

Hi, Just to let you know I am still excited about the cruise, and looking forward to this new forum. I have been a quiet lurker before but this forum seems like a lot of fun, so get ready to see me around alot more!

Alisa - what part of the UK are you from!

I am coming from Ontario Canada

Chris (sunstarsmoon)

Hi, Ailsa! I am SO glad to see you here!!
I think you'll be much happier here, and be treated well.



Beck - I am so sad I never got our tickets in time. It would have been so much fun. I am relieved this is now disassociated from Kimkins. Better all around.

Good letter you wrote there!

Hey Chris and welcome to my forum! I look forward to learning more about you and encourage you to start your own journal so we can all follow your low-carb progress.

Hi all hope you are all having a great weekend.

I just ate cream cheese, phew!!

Chris I live in a place called Hampton which is not far from London but hope to move back to Lincolnshire next year. That is not far from Yorkshire.

Yes Becky I can't wait to cross the big pond, we are looking out for cheap flights hope we can find them. Its looking like our flights are going to be more expensive than the cruise though but it will be worth it.

Wow I can just see us all up now singing karaoke together "we are family"



right my fav prog is on tv CSI I must go and watch it while reading my new book. DANDR!!!

Tickets in time? WEEELLLLLLL ... Guess what? The price has not gone up and the tickets are still available at $150 per person deposit, with the rest due December 11th. (Total for TWO people is $693 plus tax). After the deposit is made the final payment is broken up into 2 payments, Oct 11 & Dec 11.

Shoot.... that's a couple of bake sales and a car wash! hahahaha

HEY... check this out...

Becky and Christin plannin' the cruuuuuise!!

IDEAS FROM www.cruisediva.com:

The Cruise Planning Timeline

by Linda Coffman

Getting Ready to Cruise—Things To Do

You’ve booked the cruise of your dreams and the sailing date is drawing near.

Anticipation builds... but you'll need to come down off Cloud Nine for some practical considerations. I've tried to capture the really important things—and some of the merely convenient stuff—that you should keep in mind to prepare. These may not all apply to your cruise; however, you may be surprised by what you hadn't thought of doing.

3 months before sailing

-- Check with your travel agent or the State Department for the identification required for your cruise. (Passport or proof of citizenship.)
-- Gather the necessary identification needed. If you need to replace a lost birth certificate, apply for a new passport, or renew one that is about to expire, start the paperwork now. Doing it at the last minute is stressful and often costly.
-- Apply for any visas required by the countries on your itinerary. If visas are required, your travel agent can provide applications or you may use a professional visa agency.

60 to 75 days before sailing

-- Make the final payment on your cruise fare. Due dates vary by cruise lines and certain itineraries, but your travel agent should remind you when the payment date draws near. Failure to submit the balance due on time can result in the cancellation of your reservation.
-- Look over Cruise Diva's Packing Lists and print out a list for each person you will be packing for.
-- Begin your wardrobe planning now. Try things on to make sure they fit and are in good repair (it’s amazing how stains can magically appear months after something has been dry cleaned). Set things aside in your closet.
-- If you need to shop, get started so you have time to find just the right thing (and perhaps to return or exchange just the right thing). You may also need to allow time for alterations. Start early—last minute shopping for just the right thing can be hazardous to your nerves.
-- Make kennel reservations. (If you are traveling during a holiday period, you may need to do this even earlier.)
-- Arrange for a house sitter.
-- If you are cruising, but your kids are staying home:
Make childcare arrangements.
Go over children’s schedules to make sure they’ll have everything they need while you are gone (a gift for Suzie’s party, supplies for school project, permission slip for field trip).
If you have small children, you may want to put together a small bag of treats for them to open while you’re gone—tape yourself reading a favorite bedtime story or singing a lullaby (as long as it’s you, it will sound fantastic to them).
If your children are traveling with you, see the tips below for 30 days and one week before sailing.

30 days before sailing

-- If you purchased an air/sea package, call your travel agent for the details of your airline schedule. Request seat assignments and any special airline meals.
-- If your children are sailing with you, check their wardrobes now (do it too early and the real little ones may actually grow out of things).
-- Make appointments for any personal services you wish to have prior to your cruise. For example, a haircut, manicure, pedicure, etc.
-- Get out your luggage and check the locks and zippers. Check for anything that might have spilled inside on a previous trip.
-- If you need new luggage or want an extra piece to bring home your souvenirs, check out The Cruise Shop (link on her website).

2 to 4 weeks before sailing

-- Pick up your cruise documents from the travel agent (or receive them by mail).
-- Examine the documents for accuracy (correct cabin number, sailing date, and dining arrangements) and make sure that names are spelled correctly. If there is something you don’t understand, ask your travel agent or the cruise line now.
-- Read all the literature in your document package for suggestions specific to your cruise. Most cruise lines include helpful information.
-- Go over your personalized packing list again. Finish shopping.

1 week before sailing

-- Finalize your packing list and continue organizing everything in one area.
-- Buy film and check the batteries in your camera.
-- Refill prescription medications with an adequate supply (and bring along a copy of the prescription if this is critical medication).
-- Make two photocopies of your passport or ID and credit cards. Leave one copy with a friend and carry the other separately from the originals.
-- Get cash and/or traveler’s checks at the bank. If you use traveler’s checks, keep a separate record of the serial numbers. Get a supply of one dollar bills for tipping baggage handlers (at the airport, hotel, pier, etc.).
-- If you are visiting ports of call other than in the Caribbean, you might want to exchange some money ahead of time.
-- You may also want to put valuables and jewelry that you won’t be taking with you in the safety deposit box while you're at the bank. (See “1 day before sailing”—you may want to put some of the contents of your wallet in the safety deposit box as well.)
-- Arrange to have your mail held at the post office or ask a neighbor to pick it up.
-- Stop newspaper delivery or ask a neighbor to bring it in for you.
-- Arrange for lawn and houseplant care or snow removal during your absence (if necessary).
-- Leave your itinerary, the ship’s telephone number (plus the name of your ship and your stateroom number), and a house key with a relative or friend. If the ship’s telephone number is not included in your documents, you can be reached at 800-SEA-CALL.
-- If traveling with small children, purchase small games or toys to keep them occupied while en route to your embarkation port.

3 days before sailing

-- Confirm your airline flights; departure times are sometimes subject to change.
-- Put a card with your name, address, and itinerary inside each suitcase.
-- Fill out your luggage tags and follow the instructions in your cruise documents regarding attaching them.
-- Complete any other paperwork that the cruise line included with your documents (foreign customs & immigration forms, etc). Do NOT wait until you are standing in the pier check-in line to fill them in!
-- Do last minute laundry and tidy up the house.
-- Pull out the luggage and begin packing.

The day before sailing

-- Take pets to the kennel.
-- Water houseplants and lawn (if necessary).
-- Dispose of any perishable food in the refrigerator.
-- Mail any last minute bills.
-- Set timers for indoor lights.
-- Reorganize your wallet. Remove anything you won’t need (check cashing cards, department store, or gas credit cards, etc), put it in an envelope, and leave in a secure place.
-- Finish packing and lock your suitcases.

Departure day

-- Adjust the thermostat and double-check the door locks.
-- Turn off the water if there is danger of frozen pipes while you are away.
-- Arrange to be at the airport a minimum of two hours before your departure time. (Or earlier for international flights—follow the airline's instructions.)
-- Have photo ID and/or passport ready for check-in.
-- Slip your car keys, parking claim checks, and airline tickets in your carry-on luggage. Never check these items.


RELAX! You’re underway! Bon Voyage!!!

REALISTICALLY, what do you want to weigh when we sail?

In my ticker is the number of days left until we sail.

I figured I need to lose 1 pound a week to be EXACTLY where I would like to be upon sailing. ONE pound... I can to that.

Do you have any ideas for the cruise? Let me know!

btw... the Cruise is still up on the Kimkins site... have you heard back from her in regards to taking it down?

Hi there from Sunny Scunny (I was born in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire) that is what we call it here.

The weather is a gorgeous Autumn day nice and sunny, a bit blowy but i am at my niece's and going out to lunch shortly with my sister, we are taking my mum with us.

I want to get beck home to get started with DANDR on Monday.

How are you all doing?

Speak soon

Hey Everyone!!

Just made it over from that other board (still there in my little group of friends, but thinking that I've found a new place to hang out and meet more)!! From what I've seen so far, I think I'm going to like it here!

I definitely wanted to report in that I'm (along with my Mom) are still looking forward to going on the cruise...can't wait to meet everyone! And....I'm still looking for someone to swim with the dolphins with me!!

Anyway...I'm at work, so really can't stay and play now. I'll have to start exploring all of the forums later, and see what everyone is up to!

ttyl....diane

Hi Diane,

Good to see you here! I am thinking about going on the cruise as well! How have you been doing?

Robin M (committed07)

Hey Robin!

Good to see you...wondered where you had gone! It would be great if you decided to join us...I think we're going to have a blast on the cruise!

I'm doing great...down 28 so far, but on a little bit of a stall this last week. Probably a pay-back for losing 9 pounds last week, I'm just going to look at it like I lost 4.5 for 2 weeks straight!!

I remember that there was someone in our old group that was doing Curves...was that you? How do you like it? I'm thinking about joining next week, but I've got to see what the foot dr says 1st...got an appt. on Wed, been having trouble with my heel. Hopefully they'll be able to tell me more than just I need to lose weight!!

ttyl....diane

Hi Ailsa!!

Good to see you again!!
Thought any more about swiming with the dolphins with me??? Hmmm....

It's great seeing so many familiar faces here!!

diane

Welcome to my forum, Diane! It's good to have you here.

Hey everyone... welcome aboard!

It's funny that you guys mentioned "Curves" ... because just this morning I was thinking about that place. I let my membership go, but I miss it. I was thinking about looking into it again because my schedule is better now for things like that.

You know one of the really "cool" things about switching over to a higher fat low carb plan is that there will be more food choices on the cruise. We can actually dip our lobster in butter every evening. We can actually have real cream in our coffee. It just keeps gettin' better.

My sister and I have talked about the dolphins. We are not sure exactly what we are going to do, swim or watch, but it is on my list of things I want to do.

Yall have a great day!

Hey Jimmy!

Thanks for the welcome!!

I think that I'm going to like it here, and it's so encouraging to know that there is some place else we can go to post, and to still feel like we are among people who understand & care about what we are all going through!!

Diane

Yep yep! That's what you get here. WELCOME!!!

Don't forget to check my cruise ticker to see how many days we have left!

wooooooooohooooooooooo

Howdy all!

Just wanted to check on the Cruise details. DH & I are not sure if we'll be able to go. It's not really a matter of money- it's work.

My parents and I own a hoagie shop and since it's family run as well it's almost impossible for me to get a day off and getting off enough days for the cruise would take a miracle. The last time I got a Saturday off was July 30, 2005 and that's only because I got married!

But, we'll keep praying and trying and hey, if it's God's will, then we'll find a way to make it work.

We hope you can come, too! Happy belated birthday, by the way.

Hey Becky,
FINALLY I have found you and the cruise info!!! I came across your blog tonight and now know that the cruise is still a go. I was so worried that with all the drama.. we would all lose this wonderful opportunity to get together. I am soo happy it is on!!! Did I mention that I too LOVE Kareoke?
Andi

Hey hey Andi! Glad you found us. Yep... here we are. We had a couple more people drop out so the count is at 48 now, but that is okay.

Like I've said before, whether we have 5 or 500 we are cruisin'.

NEXT PAYMENT IS DUE OCTOBER 11th.

AndiPandi! HEY GIRL, I've missed you. It's SOOOO good to see you here at my forum. My wife Christine and I are working on going on the cruise, too, if we can get the money. I hope you stick around here a while and post often. You were always such an inspiration to ME over at the other place.

Hey Jimmy... I'm still hoping to meet you in person on the cruise!!! Life is busy so I don't have as much time to post as I'd like. I've got my own journal going at Amy's but I realize that we don't have to be in only one place. I'm happy to see friends here too.
Becky.. I was wondering if you wanted to start a thread about the cruise there as well. I'm sure some of those members would love the info and they too are just doing various forms of LC. No starving or drama... what a concept!
Andi

I understand, Andi! It'd be great to have you pop in here a little more often to bring some of that amazing energy you have here. Either way, I'm just glad to see you again.

Andi!! Great to see you here too!

Come on guys... let's get some more friends for this cruise!!!!

Hey Becky and ALL! I had breakfast last week with a few former KK ladies from the Hotties forum and they had no idea that the cruise was no longer associated with KK. Some of the hotties are posting at another low carb site. Jimmy - Will I get banned by mentioning another site?

Ya think we ought to try to put the word out some other places? I did notice this morning when I clicked on an email from KK that I had violated the TOS and was banned ......that the cruise info is no longer there. Finally!

I've been checking out airline prices from PHX to HOU.....

I've noticed that there are some great summer clearances on swimming suits at various stores. Will I be brave enough to show my blinding white legs? Or will I do some tanning? mmmmmmmm

This cruise is going to be SOOO great! I can't wait to meet all of you in person!

debbie