Butler Family Reunion 2019

07/31/2019

Hello Family:



Well, the time we have been waiting for has finally arrived😊 WE will set sail for our 40th Reunion in less than 3 days, is everyone ready??

Before we sail, we ask that you lift Ruby & Donald Demesme in prayer as they will not be traveling with us due to the death of their nephew, Brandon Demesme which occurred last Friday. We also ask that you lift Harry & Jean Graham in prayer as they were not able to join us this year.

Some last minute details:

For those staying at the Homewood Suites by Tampa, the hotel address is 5325 Avion Park Drive, Tampa FLA 33607. Once you arrive at the airport, there is free shuttle transportation to the hotel. Go to the taxi area & look for A1-Express. The shuttle runs every 15-20 mins. Nearby the hotel are 2 malls & the hotel provides free shuttles to the malls. Transportation to the cruise port is being arranged. If you are still in need of a room; need transportation to the cruise port or just have general questions about either, please contact Sheila McGhee.

Carl is bringing the T-Shirts with him & he will be arriving to the hotel around midnight. If you desire your T-Shirt after his arrival, please let us know. They will be distributed to everyone in the AM prior to leaving the hotel. The T-Shirts are burnt orange with white lettering. We ask that you wear your shirt upon boarding the boat & at the “Meet & Greet”. The “Meet & Greet” will be Saturday evening from 6PM-7PM in the Rex Night Club. Everyone should be present.

Those still needing to pay your dues, you can see Angie Culbreth-Grier at the hotel after 6PM. Dues will also be collected during the “Meet & Greet”. Checks made payable to Butler Family Reunion. Details will be given at the “Meet & Greet” for Sunday’s activities which include our annual business meeting.

If you have not done so, please complete your online registration so your check will be quicker. You can go to Carnival’s website- www.carnival.com. There you will be able to view the offered shore excursions for each port. Some have decided to go to Mr. Sanchos Beach Club when we arrive in Cozumel. It is an all- inclusive beach club with food & drink included. If you are interested, their website is www.mrsanchos.com . The cost is $55/adults & $40 for children 12-17 & $35 for children 4-11. For an additional fee, there is horseback riding; a water park and other activities.

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06/05/2019

New Cruise Itinerary 🚢 August 3rd- 8th

Saturday- Depart Tampa
Sunday- At sea
Monday- Cayman Islands
Tuesday- Cozumel, Mexico
Wednesday- At sea
Thursday- Return to Tampa

06/05/2019

Cruise update:

We are NOT sailing to Cuba!!

If you would like a full refund and/or onboard credit please contact Sheila McGhee by June 14th. After June 14th, the cruise line will conduct all bookings as usual meaning, no extra on board credits or full refunds. They have not given the new port of call yet but, will I let everyone know as they give me updates. Please note that, WE Will NOT BE CRUISING TO CUBA.

Letter from Carnival-

Dear Travel Advisor,

The U.S. government has imposed a series of new sanctions on Cuba prohibiting travel via cruise ship and rescinding certain categories of authorized travel, which previously allowed U.S. citizens to visit Cuba under the People-to-People program. Effective immediately, cruise ship travel is no longer allowed and we are required to cancel our visit to Havana. We have replaced our call to Havana with a replacement port to provide our guests with the best experience ashore.

Guests currently aboard Carnival Sensation's June 3rd sailing will be calling on Cozumel this Thursday instead of Havana. We recognize Havana is a unique destination and may have been the reason for the selection of this itinerary. Along with our apologies, guests will receive a $100 onboard credit posted to their Sail & Sign® Account.

We are in the process of notifying guests and Travel Advisors on other sailings of the new itineraries and their options, in the order of sailing date proximity. Mailings for sailings through the end of July 2019 are now in progress and include the following options:

Remain on the sailing and receive a US$100.00, per person, onboard credit (no need to call us if you are continuing with your plans to sail with us).
Move to another itinerary and receive a US$50.00, per person, onboard credit.
Cancel and receive a full refund

We are working as quickly as possible to secure alternative itineraries for the remainder of our Cuba voyages and expect to have information for sailings further out in the next 2-3 days. You will receive our mailings at the email address where you receive booking confirmations. In the meantime, please check back on GoCCL.com for further updates.

We sincerely apologize to our travel advisors and guests for this unexpected change and thank you for your understanding and assistance. We look forward to welcoming your guests on board a Carnival cruise in the near future.

Adolfo Perez
Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Trade Marketing

06/04/2019

Hello family:

I know you have all been made aware of travel sanctions being put into place effective tomorrow regarding travel to Cuba.

Please do not change any travel plans right now until we get further notice from the cruise line and the state department.

If you cancel before the cruise line decides what they are doing, you take a chance of losing your money. Please sit tight until Carnival let's us know what has been decided.

Thank you!

The US announced major new restrictions on US citizens traveling to Cuba on Tuesday, blocking the most common way Americans are able to visit the island -- through organized tour groups that license US citizens to travel automatically -- and banning US cruise ships from stopping in the country.

06/04/2019

Please do not to change any travel plans right now for Cuba until we get further notice from the cruise line and the state department.

If you cancel before the cruise decides what they are doing, you take a chance of losing your money. Please don’t take any action until Carnival gives us an update.

09/26/2018

Hello Family:



Time is growing short, for all who are traveling with us to Cuba on our 40th reunion Aug 3, 2019, cabin deposits must be paid by 09/30 which is Saturday. A deposit of $50/pp will hold your space on the cruise. A full deposit of $150/pp will give you a cabin assignment & is fully refundable in the event of cancellation. If you make a deposit of $75/pp, the deposit is not fully refundable: you will lose $50 if you cancel & $25 will go toward a future booking. Sheila McGhee will handle the bookings- (PM for her phone #). You can also talk to her about trip insurance.

If you choose not to book with the Butler Family Reunion group, you must let Sheila McGhee know your booking information so you can be linked with the group. Dinner will be late seating- 8:15PM.



Passport books are required & they need to be obtained by 04/30/19. A VISA is needed to enter Cuba, this will be handled by Carnival at the cost of $75 to each passenger. This fee will be charged to your Sign & Sail card. As previously stated, all of who desire to get off the ship in Cuba, must take some type of educational excursion. Excursions are still being reviewed for the best & cheapest one.



For those who are traveling to Tampa the day before the cruise, rooms have been held at Homewood Suites Tampa Westshore Airport Hotel. These are all 1 bedroom suites & will accommodate up to 4 people per suite. The cost of the room is $152/night. The hotel has a shuttle from the airport/free buffet breakfast/pool & is in close distance to the Westshore Business District where you will find shopping malls & restaurants. Checking on shuttle information to the cruise port, we will need to board the ship by 2:30PM at the latest. If you need to reserve a room, let Sheila know. At this time, she just needs to know the number of rooms needed. We will book closer to our departure date.





DUES/DUES/DUES:



For 2019, our dues have been discounted!!! Adults will pay $37.50 & children $12.50. NO charge to guests. We urge you to begin paying your dues now. Carl Graham is our treasurer & dues can be mailed to him at 1024 Whitby Ave; Yeadon PA 19050. If there are any questions, his email is [email protected].



T-Shirts:



There will be new T-Shirts designed & made for this reunion. You will receive future information on the shirts & how to order in JAN/2019. Shirts will be free for family members & $5 for our guests. We ask that everyone including our guests wear them on DAY 1 of the cruise & when we are on our shore excursion in Cuba.

08/03/2018

Hello All:

Well the time is finally here!!! Saturday we will be enjoying each other's company, catching up on what's happened since we last met & making new memories. Aren't you excited??!!!
We'll meet at the campground at Mt Pleasant Baptist Church beginning at 10:30 AM for registration. We'll spend the day catching up; playing games & eating. We're playing Pokeno so bring your nickels. Our business meeting will begin at 3:15, be ready to elect new officers; discuss new business ; plans for our 40th next year. At 5pm, we'll enjoy the comedy of Mother Spirit & we'll be entertained by some of our very own.
Sunday morning, we'll meet at 10:30 at Lisbon Street Baptist Church to be ministered to by Rev Thaddeus Godwin, a Butler descendant. After worship & paying homage to our ancestors at the Butler family cemetery, it'll be time to eat & play the Butler version of Family Feud with our very own Reggie "Steve Harvey" Grier!!!!
Please wear your purple family reunion shirts on Saturday. See you soon👋👌👋👌

06/04/2018

Dues/Dues/Dues- To make this reunion a success, we need dues to be paid as quickly as possible. For those who want to take advantage of the Early Bird Special & be entered into our yearly drawing (prizes to be announced), dues must be paid by 6/15. Final payment date of dues is 7/20.

Dues are $75 for adults; $25 for children aged 3-18 & $50 for guests. Let’s start the money rolling in!!!

Contact me directly for mailing address.